The LIU – Final Anniversary Edition

Jan 2023

F I NA L A N N I V E R S A RY E DI T ION A newsletter of Zion Hill Baptist Church

THE LIU (pronounced LEE-UU)

Sesquicentennial Closing Celebration (A Vision of First Lady Shelia Parker)

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he closing moments of the Sunday, December 11, 2022, worship service included a ceremonial entrance and cutting of an elegant four- tier GEODE cake

by Pastor Aaron L. Parker and First Lady Shelia S. Parker. Before cutting the cake, Pastor Parker explained the significance of the ceremony by referring to the story of Elijah and the widow of Zarephath 1 Kings 17: 13. The scripture illustrates God’s provision for the widow and her son through her obedience to God’s instructions.

The spirit and beauty of the closing emanated from a vision birthed in the

spirit of First Lady Parker. She wanted members and friends to remember a year of observing Zion Hill’s 150 years of prayers, worship, and service that reached beyond Atlanta, and spread to other cities, states, and communities beyond this nation’s borders. You can see the significance of the observance. God has provided for Zion Hill because of the founding fathers’ and leaders’ commitment to prayer and obedience to God’s command to love and serve others.

As members of the congregation left the sanctuary to attend the closing

reception in the fellowship hall, they experienced a tastefully decorated hall that featured tables, chairs and serving stations decorated in the red, white, and silver colors of the season celebrating the birth of Christ. The Beautification Ministry led

by Sister Aretha Ragland and volunteers transformed the entire upper level of the Love Center into Mrs. Parker’s vision of a holiday extravaganza with gifts for adults and children. To enhance the surrounding beauty, members and friends enjoyed a fellowship experience that resembled a (continued on page 4)

A Word of Gratitude First, we offer this brief, but heartfelt sentiment of gratitude for your care and concern for our family during this season of celebrating the Christ’s birth and in a period of extended bereavement. Your thoughtfulness and kindness have warmed our spirits and helped to keep us encourage to serve in this part of God’s holy family called Zion Hill. May the God who blesses beyond what we can think or imagine bestow upon you desired and even unexpected benefits that will enhance your life and draw you closer into the divinely empowering presence.

—Pastor Parker, Sister Shelia Parker, Larry, Asha, and Laila

REAP ROLL CALL

New Members | Oct–Dec 2022 Sis. Melissa Brown Sis. Patricia Conley-Jordan Sis. Ja’Kita Crawford Bro. Dannie Davis Bro. DeAndre' Jeremiah Davis Zion Hendricks Bro. Braylon Hyde Zevaeh Kelly Bro. Jeremiah Manning Sis. Leah Manning Bro. Kosi Platt

Sis. Asia Raheem Bro. Mathis Randall Bro. Mark Vance IV Bro. Mason Earl Vance Sis. Katrina Washington Bro. Derrick Westry, Sr. Derrick Westry, Jr Sis. Natasha Westry Taylor Westry Sis. Yolanda Wilson Bro. Darrell Wright

CHURCH FAMILY

Acknowledgments | Oct–Dec 2022 Thank you Zion Hill Family for your condolences during the loss of my mother.

–Allen Pugh Thank you for your kind expression of sympathy during yet another time of difficulty.

–Jean Boney & Family Thank you so much for the generous donation to rebuilding of God’s house (New Vision Ministries, Inc.) Our sincere gratitude is extended to the Zion Hill Church Family for your thoughtfulness. The world is a better place because of you. Blessings upon you.

–Elder Gregg E. Hussey, Pastor, Mayfield, KY The Trustee Ministry contributed $500 on Sunday, October 23, 2022: In Loving Memory of Bro. Jessie Hill We can’t begin to express our gratitude for your kindness, love and encouragement shown to us during the loss of our beloved mother, Henrietta May Bell Walker.

–In Christian Love, The Walker and Fitch Families Thank you for your prayers and warm gestures during my son’s health challenges and recovery. God Bless!

–Sister Leftwich and Family

The Year Past and Coming

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022 has been a radically transitional and extraordinarily celebratory year.

We say radically transitional because we moved from almost exclusively virtual gathering, due to the prolonged invasion of the COVID-19 pandemic, to inperson assembling, while maintaining a strong, effective online presence. With numerous challenges facing us in this daunting undertaking – with health, safety, technology, and the crucial need to reaffirm our existence as a church family among them – we have persevered by God’s grace and continue to do so in an effort to arrive at a new normal that will address our rediscovered need to be together. And although this dreaded disease remains with us, we have found new physiological, psychological and spiritual ways to cope with it and lessen its devastation.

The year 2022 also afforded us the awesome privilege of celebrating 150 years of Zion Hill’s founding and progression as a body of believers. For 12 glorious months, we served, prayed, learned, remembered, researched, played, and worshipped and praised our trustworthy God, centered on the theme: STILL (Standing Tall in Lasting Love).

In addition to blessing our Creator for this wonderful privilege, we thank Sister Shelia Parker, chair of these outstanding Sesquicentennial festivities, her core committee, the numerous subcommittees, supporting ministries, the church staff and all other persons who contributed to this marvelous and momentous observance. Our theme scripture for this year-long activity came from Psalm 92:12-15, which employs the metaphor of trees still bearing fruit in old age to represent God’s continuously productive people. We hope and pray that what we have done this year will significantly add to the legacy of faith that is Zion Hill so that generations to come will know that we have ardently trusted the Redeemer down through the years.

We look now to 2023 with great anticipation of what God will do for, with, in and through us. For the past couple of months leading up to this moment, I have been haunted (in a good way) by a thought, a notion, an idea, I might even call it a revelation, (continued on next page)

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The Year Past and Coming that should serve as a guiding principle for this upcoming church year. That thought is this: “Power Surge.”

The word “power” basically means “the ability to do work”; that is, the ability to do or act in a particular way. The term “surge” generally refers to a sudden forward or upward movement by some force or agent.

It conveys ideas like rushing, gushing, outpouring, flowing, swelling, or bulging.

To surge is to move intensely, forcefully, beyond the norm, in a given direction or toward a particular goal. Hence, a power surge is a sudden rush or outpouring of ability to achieve a specific objective.

Theme Scripture: Acts 2:1-4 – “When the day of Pentecost had come, they were

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all together in one place. And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting.

Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability.”

This text describes the “power surge” that set the first generation church in motion according the author of LukeActs. From that point forward, the men and women of the Jesus Movement went out and changed people’s lives for the better through the proclamation and demonstration of the Good News of

deliverance, salvation and liberation.

Given this definition of “power surge” along with the guiding scriptural reference from Acts, we hope and pray for, as well as anticipate, tremendous surges of positive spiritual power in multiple dimensions of our lives during this New Year. We speak here of powerful surges in our families, relationships, educational pursuits, occupational and career advancements, business enterprises, as well as in other areas, but most especially in connection with how we as a family of believers love and serve, for we remain a community of faith that is “Living to Love and Loving to Serve.” n —Pastor Parker

God is Still Blessing

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y Mother once told me, “Cabral, you cannot give up because at the end of this dark tunnel, God has a blessing for you, Son.” Upon first hearing this statement, I did not believe the words my mother was preaching to me because I was so clouded by the state of my health.

Since late 2018, I have been engaging in a long-term battle for my health. I have experienced a series of medical trials that not only have affected my physical well-being, but my mental & spiritual as well. During my medical journey, there was even a time where I was a patient in a psych ward of a hospital. It was at this point of my life that I thought to myself, “Why me? What have I done to deserve this pain?”

Today, I have realized that the experience I was going through with my health was a trial, a trial of God putting me to the test and preparing me for something much greater. As a collective, we are familiar with the famous quote, “What doesn’t kill you, makes you stronger.” I am a living testament to this as I have endured because I was guided by God’s strength to never give up. Because I never gave up, opportunities of a lifetime started coming my way.

Firstly, I returned to my college, North Carolina Agricultural & Technical State

University, and excelled in my academics during my junior year. I earned the honor of being on Chancellor’s List for both semesters and ended the year with a 3.70 GPA. Secondly, I was presented the opportunity to work in two governmental internships. My advisor and Department Chair handpicked me to be one of his interns in the Guilford County Register of Deeds. In the office, I spent my time organizing primary sources of research for his family genealogical project on Tuscaro-

ra Native Americans. This Summer I also had the honor of being an HBCU intern for the Archives & History Division of the North Carolina Department of Natural & Cultural Resources (DNCR).

In this program, I conducted research to create an online exhibit on African American Soldiers in the American Revolution. Soon, you will be able to view my online exhibit on the DNCR website, www. ncdcr.gov. Lastly, this blessing is one dear to my heart. Since I was a child in middle school, I have always dreamt of studying abroad in a foreign nation. Learning about cultures, is and will always be a part of who I am. Because of my illness, I almost thought that my dream would not become reality. By God’s Grace, I am blessed to say that for the Fall 2022 Semester, I will be studying abroad in the tropical city of San Jose, Costa Rica. During my trip, I will be living with a host family, learning Spanish, and embarking on various excursions in and outside the nation’s borders. Although I am still dealing with my health issues, I know to keep going forward. God is still blessing me. And just know that no matter what you are experiencing in your life right now, he is still blessing you. n —Submitted by Bro. Cabral Jeter ZHBC@zionhill.org |

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Sesquicentennial Closing Celebration

celebration hosted in a major hotel. The organization of the event proved phenomenal.

Many members and friends will remember that there were no long lines at three stations, which each had two kinds of cake flavors, one beverage station and the fourth station held the ceremonial cake. Members and friends could choose from the following flavors: Black Forest,

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(continued from page 1)

Key Lime, Red Velvet, Champagne with fresh strawberries, Cookies and Cream and Gluten Free Vanilla. In addition to the cakes, children received gift bags that included candy, coloring books, crayons, and other snacks. The gift for adults who registered included two beautiful Christmas ornaments that were distributed from several rooms based on the alphabet.

Why did members enjoy an immense-

ly successful closing celebration? Sister Ragland quoted a portion of Habakkuk 2:2-3 “Write the vision and make it plain.”

She added, “Our First Lady, Mrs. Parker had a vision for a church wide closing of the 150th anniversary observance coupled with a holiday celebration. To God be the Glory.” n — Submitted by Sis. Aretha Ragland and Sis. Felecia Church

SIS Ministry Opens a Weekend of Cancer Awareness and Hope

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ion Hill’s Annual Weekend of Hope - Cancer Awareness began with the Night of Hope, hosted by SIS (Sisters In Sync Women's Ministry) Friday, October 7, 2022, with the theme “STILL Clinging.”

As the program began, SIS Ministry Leader Sandi Abbo declared that “We at Zion Hill are Still Living to Love and Loving to Serve.” She explained the meaning behind the Women of Zion Hill wearing all white and the diverse colors of their hats and head ornaments as well as the white shirts and various colored ties of the Men of Zion Hill as representations of our united fight against the many forms of cancer and hopes of ending the devastating disease.

SISter Abbo quoted Romans 5:6 emphasizing that “Hope does not disappoint us. God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us.” With that scripture, she introduced the SIS Ministry procession of Crowns of Hope led by Zion Hill’s First Lady SISter Shelia Parker. SISter Christine Bronner of Zion Hill’s ONI Ministry submitted the prayer of Hope, followed by SISter Gwen Daniel welcoming everyone to the Night of Hope. The Zion Hill Music Ministry provided inspiration and hope through faith-filled musical selections.

SISter Chasity Taylor introduced the speaker of the evening, SISter Kim Mobley, as a “friend, who is the most direct, yet a loving person that I know.” She described SISter Mobley as a “warrior and an experienced fighter.”

SISter Mobley carried the congregation through her inspirational testimony of her ongoing battle against cancer, yet her hope remains strong through her faith. She declared that she thinks of her journey as a trip. SISter Mobley compared her trip to building signs that say you are here. SISter Mobley described her “you are here” as being in the middle of a cancer fight. That journey, according to SISter Mobley, has involved “soft punches and punches that have knocked her off her feet.”

With those challenges, she admitted that anyone can get stuck in a pity party and not move on from those challenges; however, she quoted Isaiah 12:2 as a response to challenges. “Behold, God is my salvation. I will trust and not be afraid for the Lord Jehovah is my strength and my song. He has also become my salvation.”

SISter Mobley continues to battle cancer, but her faith and hope remain in God. To learn more about how faith and hope can make the difference in living

through a journey against cancer, visit YouTube, BoxCast, or Facebook and search for the Zion Hill Baptist Church Night of Hope and hear her entire testimony.

Our Light of Hope Ceremony was led by our young representatives of Zion Hill’s Generation 8 Ministry and the Azizi Ministry, SISters Bryannah Wright, Kayla Hall, and Journee Hall.

Deacon Gwen Daniels expressed thanks to all participants for their support and to Pastor Aaron L. Parker and First Lady SISter Shelia Parker for their continuing support of the Annual Weekend of Hope - Cancer Awareness. On behalf of SIS, she also thanked the Music Ministry, the Mighty Men of Zion Hill, the Health Ministry, the ONI Ministry, the SIS Women's Ministry, the youth ministries of Generation 8 and Azizi, the office staff, audiovisual staff, security, the facilities staff, and Divine Designs.

Pastor Parker provided the closing remarks with a blessing to SISter Kim Mobley for her courage to present her testimony and added that our prayers would continue for her healing. He thanked the SIS Ministry for raising cancer awareness each year. n —Submitted by Sis. Felicia Church ZHBC@zionhill.org |

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Zion Hill’s Annual Weekend of Hope Concludes with a Thought-Provoking Message

The Annual Women in Christ/Worship in Pink Sunday opened with Reverend Aaron L. Parker Ph.D. singing a commanding rendition of “To God be the Glory.” He celebrated the third and final program of the annual Weekend of Hope Cancer Awareness with a Call to Worship declaration that the congregation “loves to serve a God who is able, a God who has made ways, a God who has opened doors, and therefore, Zion Hill serves God’s people.” He issued a reminder to those who have been healed, delivered, saved from their troubles, or experienced God’s cleanup of their lives to praise God. Minister Pam Tarvin followed with a prayer praising God for his presence in the service. As always, the Zion Hill Music Ministry provided spiritually inspired songs of worship.

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IS (Sisters in Sync) Women's Ministry Leader SISter Sandi Abbo greeted worshippers welcoming them to the 2022 Women in Christ / Worship In Pink Sunday, which again featured a partnership between SIS and the Health Ministry to bring education and awareness of the fight to end cancer. She reminded them of the theme scripture of ‘STILL Clinging’, which was based on Psalm 63:8 “My soul clings to you. Your right hand upholds me.” She described the Friday night opening with the Night of Hope, which featured the testimony of SISter Kim Mobley about her battle against cancer; the Saturday Village Day of Health and Hope that began with the Walk of Hope focusing on a united stand against cancer, followed by a Cancer Awareness and Education plenary session and workshops.

As she closed, she emphasized that Women in Christ / Worship in Pink Sunday was the day that Zion Hill looked to the scriptures to focus on God’s Holy Word to underscore strength and hope in

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the battle to defeat cancer. She highlighted the fact that some worshippers witnessing the service may have been at a breaking point, but she encouraged them to “Reach beyond the break and Still cling to God.” Pastor Parker presented his message from Luke 13: 10-13 (New Revised Standard Version): “Now he was teaching in one of the synagogues on the Sabbath. And just then there appeared a woman with a spirit that had crippled her for 18 years. She was bent over and was quite unable to stand up straight.

When Jesus saw her, he called her over and said, “Woman, you are set free from your ailment. When he laid hands on her, immediately she stood up straight and began praising God.”

His message focused on the subject, “After All This Time There is STILL Hope.” Explaining the meaning behind his message, Pastor Parker told the congregation and

virtual viewers that the longer our trouble lasts, our hope for recovery tends to decrease. In fact, our continued difficulties can send us to feelings of despair. However, he pointed to the woman who came before Jesus as an example of a refusal to give up.

He urged women and men going through an extended period of stress to look at her “remarkable” story of continued hope.

Pastor Parker pointed to Luke’s description of the woman as having a “spirit” that had crippled her for 18 years, which indicated that her problem was not necessarily physical but spiritual. In other words, her spiritual condition manifested outwardly as a physical problem. Pastor Parker carried his emphasis even further by describing her condition as the result of an internal breakdown rather than a physical condition.

He pointed to the author of Psalm 51 recognizing that all his enemies were from within and passionately repenting, asking God to create a clean heart within him and to renew a right spirit within him. Other internal issues that can lead to calamity according to Pastor Parker include fear, anxiety, apathy, depression, negative attitudes, and other internal issues that lead people down a dark road.

The Good News is that Pastor Parker declared that Jesus has a response to help those assaulted by negative and vexing spirits that will not allow them to stand up straight. He proclaimed that “Jesus saw the woman and Jesus sees us in the heaviness of our various hardships. He sees every pain, and “when Jesus sees us, he always has compassion for us. Pastor Parker urged those fighting internal and external battles not to give up because “It ain’t over until God says it’s over.”! n —Submitted by Sis. Felicia Church To hear Pastor Parker’s entire enlightening sermon, visit Boxcast, YouTube, or Facebook and search for Zion Hill Baptist Church, Atlanta, GA.

The STILL REMEMBERING Exhibit: Chronicling 150 Years Of Zion Hill's History

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he Sesquicentennial Exhibit was a walk-through exhibit, giving members the opportunity to experience with each step the pastors and members of each period and to understand through documents, artifacts, and pictures how Zion Hill began and what occurred in the late 1800s to bring us to this point 150 years later. The entire Fellowship Hall was transformed into the first Zion Hill Baptist Church Museum.

The museum was divided into sections by banners, which displayed the ten pastors, the four church locations and buildings, and the church ministries and accomplishments of the pastor.

The display was further chronicled by documents, photos, and artifacts from overlapping centuries: The 19th Century The Brush Harbor (by tradition), First Location, Corner of Glynn and Humphries Street Pastor Robert Grant, The Founder, 1872 – 1876 Pastor Jesse Davis, 1876 – 1880 Pastor Cyrus Wilkins, 1880- 1885 Pastor Crawford Holmes, 1888 - 1897 The 20th Century 666 McDaniel Street Location and Church Building 815 Lynhurst Drive Location and Church Building Pastor William W. Floyd, 1899-1916 Pastor Claud H. Robinson, 1916- 1926 Pastor Joe T. Johnson, 1926-1942 Pastor Levi M. Terrill, 1943-1971 Pastor Larry H. Williams, 1971-1992 The 21st Century 6175 Campbellton Road Location and church Building Pastor Aaron L. Parker, 1994 -Present

Some of the highlights included: n

P roviding a glimpse of what seven former slaves experienced through their own words, in “The Slave Narratives”

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E njoying members reminisce through the various church directories and various programs

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W itnessing reflections of 50-plus and 75-year members as they shared memories of their membership through the years.

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L istening to the albums produced by the former L.H. Williams’ Choir of the Master while viewing the exhibit

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D elighting in the excitement of the children when they viewed themselves and other children in the exhibit, recognizing their part in Zion Hill’s history

The exhibit was well-received by members. It was displayed from August 6 through October 16. n ZHBC@zionhill.org |

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STILL CREATING – The Art of Worship

Fantastic! Fabulous!

Wonderful! Great! Amazing!

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hese are words that describe the last sesquicentennial event, “Still Creating: The Art of Worship” as Zion Hill Baptist Church members and guests enthusiastically gathered to offered high praises to God. With graceful proficiency, Brother Joshua Menifee, the Master of Ceremony,

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set the tone and guided the program from the beginning to the end. As you entered the sanctuary, everyone knew that Brother Korey Washington had placed his stamp on the décor and stage framework for the night. The room was set up in a technically innovative manner to allow displaying of stunningly varied backgrounds for the performing artists that were to come.

Still Creating: The Art of Worship skill-

fully displayed the different aspects of worship at Zion Hill and the blessings of talent displayed by members and guest performers. The opening prayer was a pantomime performance of “Jesus Is Love” by Kingdom Connections, a Mime Ministry that was followed by the spoken word. Minister Faye Adams-Taylor provided a dynamic presentation of “The Creation,” a story of how God created His world. The ‘African

STILL CREATING – The Art of Worship (continued from page 8) Beginnings’ segment of the program, was kicked off by the Atlanta West African Drum and Dance Collective who brought original sounds and moves of spirituality from the Mother Land. It was followed by a powerful video, ‘A Pictorial Journey - Zion Hill 1872-2022’, with background music from the great hymn “The Church’s One Foundation”. This hymn was quoted in the church directory that was written by Zion Hill’s 7th Pastor, Rev. J. T. Johnson.

The program next presented musical categories of ‘Songs of The Spirit’, ‘Gospel Foundation’, and ‘Melodies of Freedom’, that included performances with vocal renditions by Brothers Henry Goodgame, Charles Fannings, and Reverend Willie Nelson, III. Their performances recapped the eras of old in a perfect rendition of music used to keep faith alive and African American culture thriving. Saxophonist Jared Brown then brought everyone in

the audience to their feet with ‘Winds of Worship’.

At the top of the program, the ‘Worshippers’ Selection’ was announced, allowing attendees to vote on three song choices via a QR Code: “This Is the Day” by Fred Hammond, “Lord, Help Me to Hold Out”

by John P Kee, and “Jesus Can Work it

performance of “Revelation 19:1” and then moved to a beautiful performance of Sacred Body Rhythms by Teyahni Menifee and Kai Livingston, accompanied by vocals from Sister Terese Menifee. This demonstrated yet another way to creatively worship God. After the dance, Stellar Award nominee and longtime Gospel Recording

Their performances recapped the eras of old in a perfect rendition of music used to keep faith alive and African American culture thriving.

Out” by Dr. Charles G Hayes. The song that received the most votes, the ‘Worshippers’ Choice’, was “Jesus Can Work It Out.” The ZHBC Ensemble beautifully performed the winning selection without knowing which song would be chosen.

The second half of the program captured the new age of gospel music. The ZHBC Ensemble began with a powerful

Artist Monica Lisa Stevenson was called to the stage for “Power Praise.” Stevenson, a talented artist, and vocal powerhouse brought the entire congregation to their feet as she rendered her original song, “I’m So Glad Jesus Saved Me.” She also led the ZHBC Ensemble in singing “Blessed Assurance” – the hymn, followed by two (continued on page 11)

ZHBC@zionhill.org |

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STILL In Love and Service

Min. Willie Hearn

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Rev. Kathy Kneeland

ue to the COVID-19 pandemic, December 11, 2022 was the first time since 2019 that our Zion Hill family gathered for “The Message and The Music.” The service was an exuberant celebration exploding with praise and power in a packed sanctuary. There was a tremendous sense of relief and sheer joy that we were all together, on one accord, to worship God again. It was also the first time our children and youth could present their Christmas program in-person. They

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Rev. Michael Traylor

were “Jammin’ in the Key of Christmas,” with rhythms, rhymes, songs, and speeches, orchestrated by our then Youth and Children’s Ministry Director, Minister Felisha Chism and her wonderful creative team of volunteers.

The Message and The Music 2022 was a remarkable potpourri of praise in dance, words, instruments, and songs with powerful theological introductions to the selections by the Zion Hill Chorale, Instrumentalists, and Praise Ringers,

several of which were accompanied by the Zion Hill Praise Dancers. This musical segment opened with a Prayer of Preparation by Minister Willie Hearn followed by the messages and music: Reverend Kathy Kneeland, Luke 1:47 (NIV), The ZHBC Chorale: “Roun’ de Glory Manger”, arranged by Willis Laurence James; Reverend Michael Traylor, Luke 2:17-18 (NKJV), The Instrumentalists: “The Drummer Boy”, (continued on next page)

STILL In Love and Service (continued from page 10)

Rev. Niomie Bren-Wilson

Rev. Tiffani Douglas

music by Katherine Davis, Henry Onorati and Harry Simeone, arranged by Bob Cerulli; Reverend Niomie Bren-Wilson, Luke 1:46-49 (ESV), The ZHBC Chorale: “Mary Did You Know”, arranged by Landy Gardner, Joy Gardner and Bradley Knight; Reverend Tiffani Douglas, Luke

Rev. Ron Williams

2:9-11 (NRSV), The Praise Ringers: “O Holy Night”, music by John S. Dwight and Adolphe C. Adam; and Reverend Ron Williams, Matthew 2:10 (KJV), The ZHBC Chorale, “We Sing Praises”, written by Marshall Carpenter.

This amazing musical finale of

the year also marked the close of our 150th Church Anniversary, a year-long celebration of the varied ways God had blessed our congregation from 1872, when it was established by a group of former enslaved African Americans, to its prosperous and impactful presence under the dynamic and God-led leadership of the Reverend Dr. Aaron L. Parker. This special Sesquicentennial celebration culminated at the end of “The Message and the Music,” with a cake-cutting ceremony led by Pastor Parker’s powerful proclamation that after 150 years, we are STILL here and that God is STILL with us. See the cover story for more details on the Cake-Cutting ceremony. n — Submitted by Sis. Erika D. Neal

STILL CREATING – The Art of Worship (continued from page 9) newer versions. Ms. Monica Stevenson and Rev. Willie Nelson along with the ZHBC Ensemble performed a ‘Musical Evolution’ of the song “Blessed Assurance”.

Gospel Recording Artist Latrice Pace, a worship leader and youngest of the Anointed Pace Sisters brought the celebration to an exhilarating climax. Latrice led the congregation into a familiar medley of praise and worship songs. She also performed one of her originals, “Give Him Praise.”

Before the close of the event, the audience experienced a very pleasant surprise as Live Event Artist, Corey Barksdale unveiled a magnificent painting depicting the vibes he felt during the entire program while also acknowledging Zion Hill’s 150th Anniversary within the painting. Artist Barksdale presented the painting to cochairs, Ilya Menifee and Simeon Hendricks, who then presented the painting to Pastor Parker. The amazingly creative masterpiece will be hung in the church for members and friends to enjoy for years to come.

As the event concluded with ‘Parting Praise’, Pastor Parker gave supporting

remarks, then the house band, along with Latrice Pace, Nicholas Moore, the Westlake High School tuba, and drum lines, and the ZHBC Ensemble provided an electrifying closing with the song “Bless Me,” by Maverick City Music and Kirk Franklin.

Co-Chairs, Simeon Hendricks and Ilya Menifee expressed their appreciation to participants, attendees, and to Pastor

and Mrs. Parker for allowing them the opportunity to coordinate the event. They also expressed their appreciation to those who contributed to the event’s success. It was indeed a fantastic, fabulous, wonderful, great, and amazing event!

Let’s continue Creating for another 150 years! n — Submitted by Sis. Illya Menifee

ZHBC@zionhill.org |

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Sesquicentennial Bell Ringing

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ZHBC@zionhill.org |

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ZION HILL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

The following positions are open at Zion Hill.

Interested candidates may contact zhbc@zionhill.org for the full job description and/or send a current resume to employment@zionhill.org. No phone calls, please.

COMMUNICATION COORDINATOR The Communication Coordinator will support the ministry goals of Zion Hill Baptist Church (ZHBC) through efficient communication and promotional efforts that support the ministries of Zion Hill Baptist Church. The Communication Coordinator is responsible for the development and implementation of Zion Hill Baptist Church’s communication strategies and works toward enhancing the church’s public image. The position develops materials and interacts with members and community partners to deliver Zion Hill's messages to the public and the media using traditional and digital platforms. The coordinator contributes to the development of publications and the website, facilitates marketing campaigns, schedules meetings, create timelines, and helps plan virtual and, during normal operations, inperson events.

and equipment under general supervision. Tasks will include performing service and repairs in the areas of plumbing, carpentry, painting, plastering, electrical, or small machinery and equipment servicing. Reporting to the Facility Manager, this staff position will execute work within established procedures and process under both verbal and written instructions GENERAL LABORER The General Laborer will support the ministry goals of Zion Hill Baptist Church by carrying out general facility related work that supports the ministries of Zion Hill Baptist Church. This parttime Facilities staff member assists the team with general manual labor tasks, including loading, unloading, lifting, and moving materials. The person holding this position performs a variety of facility and maintenance related tasks as needed.

No experience necessary.

EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT/OFFICE MANAGER YOUTH AND CHILDREN’S MINISTRY DIRECTOR The Executive Assistant/Office Manager will support the ministry goals of ZHBC through efficient operations of the church office and administrative support of the Pastor, Administration Minister and Church Leadership. S/he will manage the office staff and contractors responsible for Office support. The ideal candidate is organized, patient, flexible, resourceful, tech savvy, has good written and oral communication skills and a strong commitment to excellence.

MAINTENANCE WORKER II (FULL-TIME) Maintenance Worker II (Full-time): The Maintenance Worker II will support the ministry goals of Zion Hill Baptist Church through the maintenance of the church facilities. This staff member will perform routine and an extensive range of work in the repair and general maintenance of facilities, buildings,

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The Youth and Children’s Ministry Director will support the ministry goals of Zion Hill Baptist Church (ZHBC) and provide spiritual, relational, organizational, educational and administrative leadership for the Youth and Children’s Ministry.

The Youth and Children Ministry Director shall seek to foster a strong Christian Education program through building relationships with teachers, Zion Hill Youth (children, youth and teens), parents and church leaders that strengthen the youth’s commitment to the church and growth in faith in Jesus Christ. The Director will introduce, instruct, and nurture the Youth in their Christian faith and in life, through Bible study, prayer, fellowship, worship, service and evangelism. The Director will seek to engage the Youth in the physical and online/virtual spaces in accordance with the church’s operations and guidelines.

JANUARY 2023 Church Calendar 1 Sunday

Worship Service (In-person and virtual, every Sunday unless otherwise noted)

9:30 am

Observance of The Lord’s Supper (in-person and virtual, every First Sunday)

9:30 am

3 Tuesday

Fulton County Board of Health COVID-19 Vaccinations, Room 35 every Tuesday unless otherwise noted

10:00 am – 3:00 pm

4 Wednesday

Noon Day Bible Class (in-person and virtual, every Wednesday unless otherwise noted)

12:00 pm

5 Thursday

Drive-Through COVID-19 Testing, lower level parking lot every other Thursday unless otherwise noted

10:00 am – 1:00 pm

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Sunday

Worship Service and Installation of Officers and Staff Rededication

9:30 am

Sunday

New Discipleship Orientation (NDO) Session (in-person and virtual, every Second Sunday unless otherwise noted)

11:30 am

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Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday, Campus Closed

Monday

Bible for Life (in-person and virtual, every Wednesday unless otherwise noted)

7:00 pm

19 Thursday

Drive-Through COVID-19 Testing, lower level parking lot every other Thursday unless otherwise noted

10:00 am – 1:00 pm

Thursday

Ministry Leaders’ Workshop, Fellowship Hall, In-person

7:00 pm

21 Saturday

School of Love Learning and Service (SOLLAS) Blast 10:00 am (Every Third Saturday unless otherwise noted, youth and children included)

29

Special Day of Prayer and Worship Service

Sunday

9:30 am

All Worship services and Bible For Life bible study session in the Sanctuary will be in-person and virtual.

All times are Eastern Time Zone.

Zion Hill Writers Needed: Excellent writing skills?

Able to create engaging content?

Great at proofing or editing?

Contact the church office at 404-691-8025 or zhbc@zionhill.org and find out how you can use your God-given gift of communication at Zion Hill Baptist Church!

ZHBC@zionhill.org |

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The Call to Recycle

A

s it was noted in last month’s edition iof the LIU, Wednesday November 15 was National Recycle or America Recycles Day. On Saturday, December 17th, Zion Hill celebrated its own National Recycle Day! The Pi Alpha Omega chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, collaborated with the Zion Hill Baptist Church Planet Preservers Ministry to host the event that was held here on Zion Hill’s campus.

Between 2:30 and 4:00 pm, members of the church as well as the community at large took advantage of the outside services provided on the back lot. It was a great opportunity to rid their homes or garages or basements of accumulated and unwanted

items. Paper and sensitive documents were collected and shredded onsite. Any number of old electronics and accessories that were no longer operational were collected and transported to the e-waste recycling facility.

The list was extensive and included such things as audio equipment and batteries, fitness trackers, modems and printers, remote controls, telephones, wiring and so much more. Just about everything was listed except TVs. Given the current state of the environment, now more than ever, we need to be mindful of how we dispose of our waste materials. We should try our best to find safe, sustainable, environmentally friendly ways to discard and recycle everything.

Taking care of God’s creation, His gift to us, is everyone’s responsibility! It’s called Stewardship… n —Submitted by Sis. Sandra Baylis

We want YOU to contribute!

If your ministry has a virtual activity or news that you want mentioned, you can send an email to zhbc@zionhill.org.

We welcome all ministry contributions: writing, story ideas, suggestions, digital photographs, artwork, letters, responses to our columns, reviews, etc. and look forward to hearing from you.

All material is subject to approval and editing.

ALL contributions must be submitted by the second Wednesday of each month. The LIU will be distributed once a month. If you do not see your contribution in the current issue, it will appear in upcoming issues.

CORRECTIONS We attempt to be accurate and balanced. We apologize for any errors that occur and when notified we will print appropriate corrections.

The LIU is a publication of

Join Pastor Parker in the Sanctuary on Wednesday’s at 7:00 pm for our

“Power Surge”

BIBLE for LIFE (BFL) bible study series

In-Person & Virtual Remember to wear your mask and socially distance.

BFL will still be offered via our live streaming platforms as well.

Boxcast: https://boxcast.tv/channel/glwvkeoykzdo7l8oqae

Facebook: @zhbcatl, https://www.facebook.com/zhbcatl/ 6175 Campbellton Road, South Fulton/Atlanta, GA 30331 Rev. Aaron L. Parker, PhD, Pastor 404-691-8025 • www.zionhill.org • email: zhbc@zionhill.org

16

| THE LIU

YouTube: ZHBCATL zionhill https://www.youtube.com/zhbcatlzionhill

Available after streaming as recordings.