Mission star HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO ALL CHRISTMAS IS PEACE CHRISTMAS IS LOVE CHRISTMAS IS HOPE. Sis. Jean H. Whitley, Missionary President

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1 First Rising Mt. Zion Baptist Church 80 Years of Walking by Faith. Mission star Volume 15, Issue 4 December 2016 Jesus is the Reason for the Season Peace Love Hope Joy HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO ALL CHRISTMAS IS PEACE CHRISTMAS IS LOVE CHRISTMAS IS HOPE May the joy of the season remain in your heart Throughout the New Year! God Bless You. Sis. Jean H. Whitley, Missionary President INSIDE THIS ISSUE Missionaries Embarked in the Service of God Missionaries Embarked in the Service of God Seasons Greetings from Members of the Executive Board Seasons Greetings from our First Lady To our Missionary Society Ministry, I greet you in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus the Christ. Tis the season that we recognize and celebrate the birth of Jesus. We celebrate with our family, friends and acquaintances. The time spent with them is usually a festive one. Our days and nights are filled with decorating, eating all kinds of good food, holiday parties, various Christmas events, traveling, and shopping. Let us not get caught up in the hustle and bustle of it all, because it can be overwhelming. With The commercialization of Christmas, it is challenging for us to keep our focus on the fact that Jesus is the reason for the season. So let us let our little light shine so others can see Christ in us, be in constant prayer for one another, and be a blessing to those in need. We know that we have already received our gift, which is the gift of salvation, when Christ gave his life for our sins. So let us share that message with those who don t know about the great gift of salvation, eternal life with our Lord and Savior, and see lives change in As a result, we ll give God all the honor and praise. Merry Christmas to you all, with all my love. Your First Lady, Sister Linda 12th Annual Community Fair and Pre-Thanksgiving Dinner Missionary Society Celebrates 64 Years Birthday Celebrations 6 In Memoriam Leoner Norwood EVENTS CALENDAR December 4 Founders Day December 13 Senior Luncheon December 17 Missionary Society Christmas Party December 25 Christmas Day Service December 31 Watch Night Service January 1 New Year s Day Service January 3 Annual Church Meeting January 29 Missionary Society Worship Service and Dime-A-Meal 5 6 6

2 P A G E 2 T he Arbell Brooks/Mattie O. Jones Missionary Ministry continues to meet once a month. We study the Mission books along with the Bible. Over ten years ago each Missionary Circle was asked to come up with a ministry that provided missionary duties. The Arbell Brooks/Mattie O. Jones Circle decided to call our ministry the Share Food after an existing organization that helps the poor with food. Our circle members decided that we could do this without asking the church for any monetary donations. We have been truly blessed with our Share Food Ministry, providing at least five families every month with food baskets. However, we were fortunate enough to provide eight families with food baskets for Thanksgiving this year. For the Christmas Season, we will sponsor three families with $75.00 Giant Food Certificates. The Ministry will be sending the sick and shut-in Christmas Cards. We are striving to spread God s Love. Don t forget to be thankful. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Deaconess Harriett Penny, Circle Leader Missionaries Embarked in the Service of God A s 2016 comes to a close the members of the Margaret Newell Circle reminisced about the past year. We lost one of our most dedicated members this year, Sis. Mary McRae. We will always remember her kind generosity, loving spirit and warm smile. She was always about support and encouragement. The Circle continued its support of SOME (So Others Might Eat), an organization that we adopted as part of our outreach ministry in Two of our members assist SOME by making telephone calls to their homebound and other seniors each month. Additionally, we donate holiday food baskets and monetary gifts. Throughout the year our members have taken on individual tasks in support of God s work. For example, members have visited, sent cards and/or called church members who are ill, hospitalized and/or confined to nursing homes; contributed monetarily, donated cakes and served at the repast for families of deceased church members; and actively participated in the planning and execution of assignments on major committees; such as, The Mother s Day Program, the Pastor s Installation, the 12th Annual Community Fair and Pre-Thanksgiving Dinner. Our members have participated on programs during Missionary Sunday Service, Missionary Anniversary Service, Church Revival and other activities. Several members serve on the Usher Board. Next year offers us an opportunity to expand our outreach and church participation. We are looking forward to the new year with great anticipation. Our hope is to encourage other young women to join the Missionary Society and show them what a rewarding experience it can be. Season s Greetings from the Margaret Newell Circle. Sis. Anna Smith, Circle Leader Sis. Harriet Tweedy, Reporter T he Ethel Dudley/Bessie Walker Missionary Circle is pleased to report our accomplishments over the past year. The Carnation Project is our ministry. We do this with the Flower Ministry. Each year 400 to 600 red and white carnations are crafted to honor living and deceased parents on Mother s and Father s Day. A flower is given to all who attend the Worship Service and to our sick and shut-in. The Circle also made monetary donations to support a repass and the Community Fair. Individual accomplishments were noted. Deaconess Annie White, Circle Leader, was a delegate for the 141st Mt. Bethel Baptist Association Annual (MTBBA) Session. Sis. Barbara Walker (Secretary of the Circle) served as a liaison for distribution of carnations to the Sick and Shut-In and she donated a turkey to a family. Sis. Ruby Morgan made all carnations; served on the Worship Program for Missionary Sunday; made a personal donation to the Community Fair; is a care provider for her sister; assists family, as needed, and worked with the School Supplies Project. Deaconess Lillian Jones serves as Second Vice President on the Missionary Executive Board; organizes the devotion for the Body Meetings; and organizes the worship schedule for Missionary Sunday. Sis. Geraldine Ford serves as the Marshall (Usher) on the Missionary Executive Board; served on the Worship Program for Missionary Sunday; prepared a dish and served dinners at the Community Fair and was the care provider for her husband. Sis. Grace Mims was the care provider for her mother and an 88 years old neighbor and made 100 lapel pens for the Men s Day Anniversary. Sis. Gloria Veney served on the Worship Program for Missionary Sunday; introduced the guest preacher at the Missionary Anniversary; and is a care provider for several elderly friends do errands, laundry. Sis. Mary Jackson serves as a liaison for the Circle and the Missionary Society; maintains a Church affiliation Schedule; was a delegate for the 141th MTBBA Annual Session; is Assistant Secretary to the MTBBA; visited our missionaries in nursing homes in D.C. and cousin in Durham, N.C.; attended Adult Vacation Bible School in Durham, N.C. and fellowshipped with other missionaries there; and is a care provider for an Aunt. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Deaconess Annie White, Circle Leader Sis. Mary Jackson, Reporter Continued on Page 3

3 P A G E 3 Missionaries Embarked in the Service of God (cont d) P raise ye the Lord. O give thanks unto the Lord. O give thanks unto the Lord: for He is good: for His mercy endureth forever. We give praise and glory to God for the 80 years He has blessed First Rising Mt. Zion Baptist Church to be a beacon of light in this dark world. We thank and glorify God for our Missionary Society Ministry that reaches and teaches the lost about God s redemptive love under the leadership of our faithful and dedicated President, Sis. Jean Whitley. As we come to the end of 2016, we continue to give thanks and praise to God for the faithful members of the Myrtle Biscoe Missionary Ministry Circle. Sickness has been a challenge to most of our members; however, we continue to praise God for the great things He has done. We look forward to 2017 for we know that God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in time of trouble, and that all things work together for the good to them that love God, to them who are called according to His purpose. Happy Holidays! Sis. Josephine Holland, Circle Leader G reetings all, It is great pleasure that the Eva Cook & Jordan Circle report how we have been blessed to serve our Lord and Savior in the following areas. We visit the Unique Residential Care Center located at 901 1st Street, NW on the second Saturday of each month at 11:00 a.m. We have a specific area that the members meet and gather with those patients that are eager for a time of worship and bible study. We have such a great time of fellowship in the Lord. For our sick and shut in members, Ada Harris and Hazel Reese, we visited with them lifting them up in prayer because we know our God is a HEALER (Isaiah 53:5). When we are not able to visit those who are sick, we send out get well cards to let our members know we are thinking and praying for them. We thank the Lord for this year of His blessings, strength to do His work and believe for continued strength for the journey. We leave you with Psalm 37:3 - Trust in the Lord and do good, dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. Sis. Mattie Howell, Circle Leader T his fall, members of the Girls Auxiliary and the Missionettes took part in several activities. In October, we went to the new Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture. Due to the crowds, we were only able to visit the cultural section on the upper levels. Even then, it was so much to see that we couldn t take in all in one visit. On November 5, several of the girls and I participated in the American Heart Association s Heart Walk on the National Mall. This annual 5K walk is a fund-raising event to help save lives from heart disease and stroke. Also in November, as it has been our tradition, the girls served at First Rising Mount Zion s annual Community Fair. They assisted with the setup and decoration of the children s space on the third floor, worked several of the activity stations and helped with the cleanup after the event was over. Thank you ladies! Deaconess Vanessa Jones, Leader 5K Walk Visit to National Museum of African American History

4 P A G E 4 Season s Greetings from Members of the Executive Board Luke 2:11-14(KJV) We thank God for His goodness and mercies in 2016 and look forward with hope in Warmest wishes to you at Christmas and always! Sis. Odessa White First Vice President For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. Deaconess Lillian Jones Second Vice President To my Sisters in Christ, may the beauty of the season bring you joy and peace. May the spirit of this season bring you hope that will last throughout the coming year. Happy holiday greetings to my missionary Sisters, my family, and church family. As we look ahead to another year, may God keep us and bless us with good health and cheer. My best wishes this Christmas season. Love, Merry Christmas and a Happy Sis. Mary Samuel Recording Secretary Sis. Geraldine Ford Missionary Society Marshall (Usher) Greetings, As we approach the holiday season, we are faced with another opportunity in the midst of all the excitement, decorations, and commercialization, to consider the true gift of Christmas. The true gift of Christmas is Jesus Christ the Son of God. His birth is so important it MUST be celebrated every year to remind us to make room in our hearts for Him. Jesus sacrificed Himself for the atonement of our sins to save us from a justly deserved, eternal punishment. We are blessed exceedingly by His life, death, and resurrection. Let us celebrate baby Jesus and trust Him as our personal Savior. Rejoice with me, Sisters, that Christmas is the day we can put away other things in our hearts and make room for Jesus, for He made room for US when He chose to obey God s plan to send Him to earth in the flesh. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord (Luke 2:11). Have a Blessed Christmas! Deaconess Ann Gilliard Corresponding Secretary

5 P A G E 5 12th Annual Community fair and pre-thanksgiving dinner On November 19, 2016, First Rising hosted its 12th Annual Community Fair and Pre-Thanksgiving Dinner in partnership with Howard University Hospital (HUH) and Howard University College of Dentistry (HUCD). In addition to HUH and HUCD (which provided testing and screening for glucose, high blood pressure, memory loss, prostrate cancer, vision and dental), twenty-five other organizations and ministries were on hand to provide information and resources on such topics as: hospice care; funeral arrangements; Medicare, Medicaid and other social programs; cancer awareness; domestic violence; emergency preparedness; energy efficiency; career development; legal services; alzheimers, chiropractics, diabetes, mental health services and issues; consumer protection, etc. There were 13 mini group sessions to allow a more detailed exchange of information on some of the topics listed above. Headlining the sessions were sermonettes given by Rev. Lori Davis and Rev. William Fowlkes of First Rising and a Men s Summit by the Deacon Ministry. We were pleased to have two representative from the Police Department to give a talk on Safety Awareness and a representative from the Fire Department to give CPR training. Activities for the youth, not only included fun and games for the children, but a mini presentation on Dining Etiquette. Those in need were able to shop for free clothing in our Clothing Distribution Center. Many event goers were blessed as winners of door prizes and gift cards. Additionally, the Combined Youth Choir delighted the crowd with their melodious voices of praise. The Culinary Staff reported serving 239 people at the continental breakfast, 495 at the Pre-Thanksgiving Dinner and 255 carry-out dinners were provided. We estimate that well over 500 persons attended the event and a total of 989 meals were served. The event truly nourished our spirit, mind, body and soul.

6 P A G E 6 Sis. Jean H. Whitley President Editor-in-Chief Sis. Odessa G. White EDITORIAL STAFF Copy Editors Sis. M. Louise Fleming Sis. Teresa Hamm-Wooten Reporters Circle Leaders, Directors, Body Members Pictures Photography Ministry MISSION STAR Published quarterly by the Missionary Society First Rising Mt. Zion Baptist Church 602 N Street, NW Washington, D.C Phone: (O) (H) (O) missionstar@firstrising.org (H) owhite3223@aol.com Deadline to submit articles for next issue: March 1, BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS December 1 Kyle Ford December 3 Tamara G. McRae December 11 Delores Bennett December 11 Christine DeLoatch December 24 Avis Cook December 25 Geraldine Green December 27 Eula Jackson December 28 Katie Crawford December 30 Diane Jones Washington January 1 Virginia McCray January 1 Charlotte White January 3 Carrie Johnson January 4 Debbie Smoot January 7 Lela Banks January 7 Louise Barnes January 10 Nancy Simmons January 14 Frances Claiborne January 15 Darlene Gaither January 15 Laryn Reid January 16 Jean Whitley January 17 Vanessa Jones January 22 Rolena Bailey January 26 Mary Washington January 28 Barbara Walker January 31 Mattie James January 31 Ruby Morgan February 14 Ivy Thomas February 15 Darlene Perry February 15 Lydia Richardson February 16 Loretta Wilson February 25 Breana Carraway Happy Birthday! Enjoy God s Blessings. MISSIONARY SOCIETY MINISTRY CELEBRATES 64 YEARS Celebrating 64 years of service, the 13th Annual Combined Anniversary of the Missionary Society Ministry and Auxiliary Ministries of First Rising Mt. Zion Baptist Church was held on November 27, This year s theme was Women of Faith Ministering in a Changing World. First Lady Linda Young, who served as the Worship Leader, skillfully guided us through the program. We were pleased to have the Reverend Dr. Tyrone C. Petty (Pastor of the Antioch Baptist Church in Upper Marlboro, MD) as our guest preacher. His male chorus accompanied him. Reverend Petty, who spoke from the subject The Real Deal reminded us that every Baptist church is a missionary church. In this changing world, he finds that more emphasis has been placed in doing church rather than doing what church is about, i.e., evangelism and discipleship. As missionaries, we must be focused on winning souls for Christ; understand the character of a disciple; maintain the image of Christ in our heart, mind and soul; and allow Him to lead us into our specific calling or duty. The Real Deal is keeping God in the work that we are doing. On hand to give remarks were Minister Shirley Lambert (Section Vice President, Northwest, Women s Auxiliary of Baptist Convention of DC and Vicinity) and Deacon Rosalyn Jones Fountain (President of Women s Auxiliary of the Mt. Bethel Association of DC, MD and VA). Numerous missionaries from other churches were also present. A special thanks is extended to the many Missionary Society members who had a role in making our anniversary celebration a big success. You did good!! Thank you and Happy Holidays from the Editorial Staff. In Memoriam Leoner A. Norwood April October 2016 Arbell Brooks/Mattie O. Jones Circle