The LIU – March 2020

Mar 2020

A newsletter of Zion Hill Baptist Church

THE LIU (pronounced LEE-UU)

to Pastor, Dr. Aaron L. Parker and Sister Shelia Parker

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n celebration of twenty-six blessed years, we give thanks to God for his chosen, anointed, humble servants, Pastor Aaron L. Parker and Queen Shelia Smith Parker, for their love, dedication and commitment to serving God through the ministry at Zion Hill Baptist Church. We are grateful for Pastor Parker, a faithful Servant Leader, profound Minister of the Gospel, an honorable man of valor, a visionary, biblical scholar and devoted family man. We are blessed by Sister Shelia Parker, a Virtuous Woman, who faithfully serves as a pillar of strength, who encourages and provides the support needed for our Pastor, family and church. In her quiet manner, she effectively and efficiently leads, guides, nurtures, teaches, directs and facilitates. We are thankful for her twenty years of dedicated leadership and coordination of the Rites of Passage Program.

Under Pastor Parker’s dynamic leadership, we praise God for the tremendous growth of (continued on page 3)

1994 Pastoral installation Ceremony

S.O.L.L.A.S. Prayer

REAP ROLL CALL

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s many of us already know, our first School of Love Learning and Service (S.O.L.L.A.S) Blast is coming up on March 17-21 (Tuesday-Saturday), 2020 as

a teaching and learning experience for the whole family (see details in the announcement

New Members February 2020

in this document). I do not, however, want to talk about classes, schedules and other

Sister Ashleign Danielle Alexander Invited by Samantha & Darion Alexander Brother Darion Alexander Jr., Invited by Samantha & Darion Alexander Sister Bailey Rose Alexander Invited by Minister Naomi Wilson Brother Micah Dewayne Alexander Invited by Minister Naomi Wilson Brother Maurice Anderson Invited by Aiysha Anderson Brother Rahshan Anderson Invited by Aiysha Anderson Sister Azrigel Marie Atkins Sister Beverly Ann Byrd Sister Meghan Blaire Clemons Invited by Vinson & Quwanna Clemons Sister Carmen Leonie Dixon Brother Laphon Flood-Francis Brother Leonard Anthony Gray Invited by Sister Valerie Gray Brother Jordan Thomas Griffin Sister Victoria Grace Harris Invited by Sister Lauren Harris Sister Ayannah LaShae Lang Sister Tiffany Latoya Lambert Sister Spencer Alexandria Nabors Brother Donovan Jamal Pinner Brother Christian Polk Invited by Sister Keymire Mason Sister Joann Elaine Smith Invited by Brother Michael Bazemore Brother Virgil Lamar Smith Invited by Brother Michael Bazemore Brother Marcus Smith Invited by Pastor Parker Brother Kevin O'Keefe Tolliver Brother Tyler Micah Washington Invited by Pastor Parker Sister Gloria J. Williams Sister Jakyria Nykei Williams Brother Clarence Wright Invited by Sister Zelda Wright

prayers or continued prayers that this event will serve as a positively meaningful, and

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activities surrounding this event in this correspondence, rather, I want to solicit your maybe even transformative occurrence, in the lives of those who attend.

Every day we seem to encounter so many complex matters that challenge or sometimes even threaten our wellbeing. From seniors to children, the Word of God can function to aid us in any and all such situations. This week of study and worship will hopefully assist us in effectively handling some of these situations. So, even as planning and preparation continue, this summons to prayer comes as a request to go to God on behalf of yourself and your brothers and sisters that we may have an experience that lifts, strengthens, clarifies, and elevates. I would also invite anyone who wishes to meet me at the Church on Monday, March 16, 2020 for a special 30-minute prayer time for S.O.L.L.A.S Blast 1 that we may beseech God together for this occasion.

n

—Pastor Parker

“Pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”

–1 Thessalonians 5:17-18

26th Anniversary Salute

(continued from page 1)

new disciples and rejoice in the increase of church ministries.

We continue to witness the amazing community outreach and services locally, nationally and those that have reached across the world in Liberia, Africa, and other foreign places. Their love for God and the church are evidenced by the countless hours devoted to tending the flock and reaching every age group from infants to seasoned saints with love, patience, and compassion. We have watched the hand of God guide them and His Spirit lead them in preaching, teaching, sharing, caring, growing and inspiring the multitude. With fervor, enthusiasm and conviction, they have dedicated their lives to doing God’s will all to God’s glory!

We are thankful for the wisdom and divine inspiration as Pastor teaches and preaches the unadulterated truth of God’s Word in a most prolific and awe-inspiring manner that continues to captivate, motivate and inspire us to serve God in spirit and in truth. Through his ministry enhancement efforts, we witness the tremendous growth that has occurred the past twenty-six years and are compelled to tell our sacred stories, evangelize and follow their example of, “living to love and loving to serve”. We are excited about what lies ahead as the anointed power of God continues to work in and through them!

Happy 26th Anniversary to our Esteemed Pastor, Dr. Aaron L. Parker, Sister Shelia Parker who are so deserving of double honor and to their loving children: Asha and Larry and their adorable granddaughter, Laila. n —Submitted by Bro. Lester and Sis. Beverly McCray, Ed.D

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Woke. Woke. Woke. Fist raised.

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erious faces filled with so much innocence; yet, with so much wisdom.

Their smooth, melanin young faces – passionate about their singing, intercession and oration. The young people understood their message and their mission. They were Marching to Freedomland.

On Sunday, February 23, 2020, during the 10:30 a.m. worship service, Zion Hill Youth and Children’s Ministry paid homage to freedom fighters – named and unnamed. Sensational Black History Sunday created the atmosphere of young freedom fighters during the Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s and 1960s. The atmosphere placed the congregation in the center of Children’s March – reflecting on perspectives and feelings of the young freedom fighters. We were reminded

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throughout the worship experience that it was young people who rose to the occasion to fight for many of our modern freedoms.

Opening our worship with one of the freedom songs, “Ain’t Gonna Let Nobody Turn Me Around,” was so reminiscent of the young marchers’ experience during the 1963 Birmingham Children’s March.

The sanctuary fell into a hush as the picket signs our young people held reminded us that integration was still a new practice in the United States of America.

Segments like, “We Have a Dream Too,” where our youngest congregants told us to “Leave their hair alone,” and “Forgive Each Other.” And, they meant it! Segments like, “Woke,” placed us in the Spoken Word venue of the 1970s, when the late Gil Scott-Heron and Break Beat

Poets were classic for speaking truth of the corrupt political and social systems. The young spoken word artists told us who was “Woke” and why. Take Claudette Colvin and Mary Louise Smith, two of the teenagers who both at different times refused to give up their seats on the bus before the late Rosa Parks. Take some of the mentions like freedom fighters and academic scholars, Bayard Rustin and Audre Lourde, who represent different voices of Human Rights on race and gender.

Again, as we listened, we forgot about our young worship leaders’ ages. We forgot about Youth and Children’s worship. We forgot about Sensational Sunday. We just listened. Our “woke-ness” had been revisited and prepared as we received a visit and message from our ancestors, Reverend Dr.

Martin Luther King, Jr. and El Hajj Malik el-Shabazz otherwise known as Malcolm X. The title of their sermon was, “It’s Time to Have a Conversation.” Our message came from the teachings of the late Marcus Garvey’s 1923 article, “The Negroes Worst Enemy.” Dr. King and Malcolm X told us that we must unify to defeat our enemies of racism, classism and violence.

Zion Hill Youth Dancers, led by Sis. Michelle Phalo, gave us the benediction as they ministered a riveting choreography on the song, “Stand up” from the movie, “Harriett.” There was not a dry eye in the Sanctuary.

The young, bold and sincere. The young intellectuals and aspiring entrepreneurs gave us a full worship experience reminding the adults in the room that there is a still much work to do. Just like God led every freedom fighter – young and seasoned – to fight when it was unpopular to do so … We, too, must yield to the voice of God and the fight of our ancestors to continue to march on until all are free.

This mandate is ours as we keep marching to Freedomland. n —Minister Felisha R. Chism Director of Youth and Children’s Ministries

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Stewardship Weekend Success:

“The Ant, Stewardship, and Me”

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he Stewardship Weekend 2020 at Zion Hill Baptist Church, Saturday, February 8th and Sunday, February 9th was a tremendous success! The theme:” The Ant, Stewardship and Me”, Proverbs 6:6-8 (NRSV), focused on enhancing faith and finances.

The weekend events kick-off was Saturday, February 8th at 10:00 a.m. in the Love Center with outstanding workshops designed to help us enhance our finances and help us learn to become better stewards over the resources that God has given us. The information was most beneficial and many were blessed by attending. One of the special highlights was the opportunity for those in attendance to become acquainted with the new voting machine. Stewardship 2020 weekend culminated Sunday, February 9th, with praise and worship at the 8:00 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. services.

Thanks to the Stewardship Planning Committee coordinated by Dr. Rosalynne Price and Sis. Tammi Sadler Jones, workshop presenters, staff, volunteers, and all who contributed to making the weekend successful. Special thanks to Pastor Parker for his leadership and diligence in raising awareness on Faith and Finances in our church and community.

—Submitted by Sis. LaJune Oliver, MD, Trustee

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Nutrition Awareness Month

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arch 2020 is designated “Nutrition Awareness Month”. Good nutrition is one of the keys to a healthy life.

The connection between the quality of one’s diet and the quality of one’s health is absolute. A poor diet compromises health and increases risks of disease. A balanced, nutrient rich diet maximizes health potential and decreases risk of disease.

Consider these facts: n As much as 70% of all disease has its origin in poor diet n Nearly two-thirds of all deaths in the USA are diet related n The six most common causes of death (heart disease, cancer, stroke, hypertension, chronic lower respiratory disease, diabetes, and Alzheimer’s disease) are all diet related.

When it comes to diet, African Americans fare poorly. It is a story of far too

little of the “right stuff” and far too much of the “wrong stuff”.

What can we do to improve these trends? Major health organizations such as the World Health Organization, the American Cancer Society, the American Heart Association, and the American Diabetes Association agree that most diseases are preventable or can be delayed if we do three things: 1. Fix our diets 2. Get active 3. If you smoke, quit We must first acknowledge that a health crisis exists and commit to doing something about it. For decades now, we have been constantly reminded of lifestyle changes that we need to make in order to improve our health and wellness. At the top of the list and probably most important is to fix our diet. It can be hard to change eating habits, but we must

We want YOU to contribute!

If your ministry has an event or news that you want mentioned, you can leave your information in the LIU mailbox in the office.

Please make sure that your article is emailed or on a flashdrive.

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.

keep trying. Many of our cultural and social activities are designed around eating tasty foods that are fatty, salty, and sugary. It is not realistic to expect that those tasty foods will forever be eliminated from our diet, but we should strive to substitute healthier alternatives and decrease the consumption of these types of foods. It can be helpful to consult with a dietitian or your physician when making changes to your diet. n —Submitted by: Sis. Gwen Cain Zion Hill Health Ministry (Reference: Centers for Disease Control-Office of Minority Health)

BIBLE for LIFE Join Pastor Parker on Wednesdays at 7:00 pm in The Fellowship Hall Series Title:

"Seasonal Change"

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

Do you have a church home?

6175 Campbellton Road, Atlanta, GA 30331 Rev. Aaron L. Parker, PhD, Pastor 404-691-8025 • www.zionhill.org

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If you are looking for a church home, we invite you to join us. Come and experience the Presence of God in our services and the Love of God from our church family where we live by our motto–

“Living to Love and Loving to Serve”