The LIU – September 2021

Sep 2021

A newsletter of Zion Hill Baptist Church

THE LIU (pronounced LEE-UU)

“Never-Ending Hope in a Never-Failing God”

18 Months

REAP ROLL CALL New Members August 2021 Sister Candice M. Benbow Sister Chloe L. Marshall Brother Derick L. Marshall Sister Jennifer L. Freeman-Marshall

CHURCH FAMILY

Acknowledgments August 2021

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n September 8, 2021, we will have been holding virtual services for 18 months. The last time we gathered in the sanctuary as a whole body of believers was March 8, 2020. Since that time many of us, and maybe all of us, have had a wide array of experiences, matched by an equally varied range of emotions. From plunging grief to soaring euphoria, we have travelled the sundry roads of human existence in all of its engaging complexity. Certain concepts, such as pandemic, COVID, surge, masks, vaccines, immunity, and variant, have risen to excessive usage, as they have come to dominate our conversation and interaction.

Despite all of this unusual living, we have attempted to press on, each in our own way, acquiring, developing and perfecting character traits and skills we thought we would never need, let alone have to employ with such efficiency and longevity. Understanding that this bizarre period has lasted longer than any of us anticipated, I just want to urge each of us to hold on. I know, this is simple, you have heard it before many times, it has almost become cliché and thus ineffective in bringing about desired results. But I want us to hear these words, “hold on” in a new key, with a fresh resolve, in the depths of our spirit, and with a recharged faith in the God we have always claimed will come through.

The temptations to become careless, weary, frustrated, angry and hopeless seem stronger now than ever before. We have so many reasons to throw up our hands in disgust and quit trying. Let us resist these destructive tools of the evil one with every means of faith we can, so that we, though scarred by the ruggedness of the struggle in which we now engage, will come out on the other side as “more than conquerors through Christ who loved us” (Romans 8:37).

I urge us, I implore us, I admonish us to “Hold on!” n —Pastor Parker

Your kindness is deeply appreciated, gratefully acknowledged, and will always be remembered by: Deacon Michael Baylis and family

REGISTER HERE: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_6-w5X4guSSurHWjbhBQRlQ

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149th Anniversary, August 14-15, 2021

Theme: “Never-Ending Hope in a Never-Failing God”

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he celebration began on Saturday, August 14th at 4:00 p.m. with a drive-through parade of members, some with decorated vehicles that would be judged for the top three prizes. Members were greeted by the Pastor and First Lady and left with a take-home Anniversary dinner. The highlight of the celebration was the church service on Sunday, August 15th, at 9:30 a.m., which began with a special recognition of members who have served for 50 or more years. Our guest speaker was the Reverend Dr. Robert Michael Franklin, Jr., President-Emeritus of Morehouse College in Atlanta, GA, and currently a Senior Advisor to the President of Emory University and the James T. and Berta R. Laney Professor in Moral Leadership at Emory.

Dr. Franklin’s message was “Hope Revived.” He reminded us that we are experiencing two pandemics, a global public health pandemic and a pandemic of racial reckoning. He called on us to reflect on those we have lost in these two pandemics and give thanks for their lives. He said that these pandemics and losses have triggered what some scholars call, soul injury and soul trauma. In guiding us on how to survive hope amid soul injury and soul trauma, he used 2 Corinthians 1:10, which reads, “He who rescued us from so deadly a peril will continue to rescue us; on him we have set our hope that he will rescue us again.” He advised, while we need faith, we need more as faith focuses on the

present. We need hope, which focuses on the future. He defined hope as directed intentionality. He told us to set our hope on God for He will rescue us again.

From this sermon, we learned about Karl Paul Reinhold Niebuhr, who Time Magazine called the greatest theologian of the 20th century. We learned, “Nothing that is worth doing can be achieved in our lifetime; therefore, we must be saved by hope; nothing that is true, good or beautiful makes complete sense in any immediate context of history; therefore, we must be saved by faith; and nothing we do, no matter how virtuous, can be accomplished alone; therefore, we must be saved by love.” Niebuhr also wrote the serenity prayer: “God, grant me the Serenity To accept the things I cannot change; Courage to change the things I can, And Wisdom to know the difference….”

Dr. Franklin also cited James Weldon Johnson, who brought us the words in song to “Lift every voice and Sing,” encouraging us to: “Sing a song full of faith that the dark past has taught us, Sing a song full of hope that the present has brought us; Facing the rising sun of our new day begun, Let us march on till victory won.”

ZHBC@zionhill.org |

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“ Never-Ending Hope in a Never-Failing God” (continued from page 3)

Dr. Franklin’s powerful message left us with a prescription for facing the challenges of today and tomorrow, “As we seek to revive our hope, thanks be to God that we have this word of God, 2 Corinthians 1:10. We have a prayer and a song. Figure out the prayer and song that recharges your battery. Find your song full of hope.”

He encourages us to keep on praying and singing.

The service ended with the ringing of the bell, which was originally installed at the McDaniel Street location to remind the community that it was time for church.

The bell was rung for 149 years in remembrance of our ancestors. n –Submitted by Dea. Marjorie Young History Committee

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Parade Participants and Prize Winners

First Place: “The Brush Harbor” Bro. Mark and Dr. Lisa Sistrunk

Second Place: “Falling for Jesus” Rev. Niomie Bren-Wilson

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2nd

Third Place: “The Crown” Rev. Dr. Sherry Austin

3rd

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149th Anniversary, August 14-15, 2021

More Celebration Highlights

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The ZHBC Photography Ministry

extends Greetings and Salutations to our ZHBC Family

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s During these most extreme and trying of times, our Ministry is conforming to the direction and guidance set forth

by Pastor Parker. As Ministry leader, I’ve ensured that all correspondence has been disseminated in a timely manner. I have also received positive feedback relative to the online Worship services, Bible for Life and conversations with Pastor Parker.

Our Ministry is prepared to utilize this quality time to conduct online assessments amongst ourselves. Our aim will be to create an agenda to review YTD reflections, ensuring that we are in compliance with the 2021 ZHBC Mission statement and to address and reflect upon our 2021 objectives: n M entoring of our ZHBC membership is a value added service that

we can provide; this can include simple cell phone camera, point and shoot or SLR guidance and education in the Art of Photography. Welcoming our teens, young adults through our seniors.

n E nsuring that we will capture the best of our ZHBC Family

once we return to campus!

Memorial Service for Zion Hill Members

The YTD performance of 2021 has been restricted due to the Pandemic crisis.The ZHBC Photography Ministry has captured and submitted to the ZH office a limited amount of photos, mainly of ZH Drive-By events.

Honorable mention: n B ro. Mike Newnan is assisting in the setup and production of our ZHBC Virtual Services. n B ro. Harold Jenkins serves on the ZHBC Trustee Board. n S ister Jennifer Walton provided COVID-19 vaccination op-

portunities for numerous ZHBC members at Mercedes Benz Stadium.

In closing, wishing you and yours safe passage during these extraordinary times. May God’s Grace shield and protect! n —Respectfully submitted by Bro. Ronald D Coleman, ZHBC Photography Ministry

Postponed

The memorial service for Zion Hill family members who passed during the pandemic was previously scheduled for Saturday, September 11th.

This service has been postponed. A new date will be set when the church safely reassembles for in-person services.

THE REAL – COVID and DEPRESSION

stay afloat in quicksand.

So, I sought some help getting out. “Live illness and this number has increased dramatically since long enough and everyone needs some couch COVID. The incidence of anxiety and depression has risen time” was a favorite line of my dad’s. So, I reached out for some couch time. Me and my even more in our youth who, during a crucial period of therapist moved into the virtual space when development, have had their paths subject to an abrupt COVID prevented our face-to-face interactions. detour. The incidence is higher in the elderly who have often We continued even as I tried to bail out by been isolated during the pandemic. And the incidence is claiming a multitude of conflicting zoom calls for work, numerous work-related deadlines, higher in families who have experienced financial hardship, and even a sudden and convenient lapse in my illness, and even death as a result of COVID. internet service. I did this when my issues felt too heavy but that’s just when the relief comes. am a physician; however, I am not a Psychiatrist or PsyWe continued on through my tears, denial, and anger. I chologist, nor have I ever played one on TV or even ever prayed more, listened to my therapist more, studied my expect to do so. I do not profess to know the science bebible more, stayed on my knees more in the 17 months of hind mental illness. Anything that I learned during medical COVID than perhaps in the first 3 decades of my life all toschool has been buried over time and I do have an intimate gether and that is not a fact that I am proud of. I was dealing relationship with mental ailments known commonly by a with depression. I was dealing with a mental disease, but I term with a more negative connotation, mental disease. was dealing with it and there is nothing negative about that.

Let me dispel some negative depictions often linked to The angst created by the pandemic, has caused many mental disease. As I alluded to before, I do not remember previously buried issues to rise to the surface for many much about what I learned in psychiatry while in school. whether impacted directly by COVID or not. Many probBut what I do know is how depression can make you feel lems, which had been swept under the rug, became glaras if you are trying to maneuver through quicksand. I do ing roadblocks requiring appropriate assistance in order to not even know if quicksand truly exist. When I was a kid move forward. And with that, came a closer walk with God venturing out amongst the woods in my neighborhood, I which is indeed a silver lining in a cloud that has otherwise would check the ground by throwing a rock on it to make been a category 4 storm. sure it did not sink before venturing on. I did not want to A helping hand is available through a multitude of reget swallowed by quicksand. With depression, quicksand sources including the Zion Hill Counseling Team. Reaching is all around. You vacillate between trying to walk through it out for help or getting some couch time as my Dad put it, versus remaining still and risk going under. I believe it feels is the first step to climbing out of the quicksand. And once differently to different people, but this is how depression out, you can walk again on solid ground. feels to me. And during COVID 19, I like many, struggled to —Submitted in the name of Healing!!!!!!!

Approximately 21% of US residents suffer from mental

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Taste and See...

Z

ion Hill Baptist Church recently celebrated our 149th Church Anniversary – Praise God!! Even though we are in the midst of a pandemic, our amazing Culinary team found a way to serve up a magnificent drive through meal to culminate the drive-by Anniversary Parade.

The entire process was in accordance with CDC guidelines and participants were not required to get out of their cars. Ecological considerations were also made while plating and serving the dinners. Meals were served in re-usable, recyclable plastic containers and placed in recycled brown paper bags for easy and environmentally friendly transport. Furthering the sustainability factor was this years’ commemorative item that was included with the meal. A three- piece reusable 100% bamboo cutlery set in its’ own 100% cotton monogrammed carry case!

Bamboo is indeed a greener choice because bamboo is a highly renewable extremely fast-growing natural material. It is strong and durable yet lightweight. It is proposed to be dye and scent resistant and has a smooth texture. Bamboo is long-lasting but when it starts to show signs of wear and tear, it can be recycled or composted unlike the plastic utensils that end up in our landfills and waterways.

We hope you enjoyed your meal and your keepsake cutlery. When you use it let it remind you that Zion Hill has embraced and integrated sustainability as part of our Christian responsibility. n —Planet Preservers Ministry

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Virtual Children's Church and Teen Chapel SEPTEMBER SUNDAY CLASSES: 9/12 and 9/19 Virtual Children’s Church and Teen Chapel are now held on second and third Sundays!

The next class is Sunday, September 12th at 11:00 a.m. EDT following the 9:30 a.m. virtual worship service. If you have already registered your youth, please use the same link to access your child’s class. New registrants use either of the links below:

AGE GROUPS

ZOOM CLASS ADVANCE REGISTRATION LINKS

AGES: 4 - 6

https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJYvc-Guqz8qHtaRd3cEsxH_JaXoCtLSpFlV

AGES: 7 - 9

https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJUpceGurTsjGdx3dcbU3CUN8arxOATNMabn

AGES: 10 - 12

https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJUtduuvqz4rG9Ro-GJAkDh_za9Ja0aa85Qt

AGES 13 - 18

https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJwtcu2tqD8jH9RxWGSEAD7BxV-GWYH4M9JG

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Volunteer with Us! “Train a child the way he should go and make sure you also go the same way.”

–African Proverb

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f we take a moment and look around us, the young voices we hear at Zion Hill may sound like a lesson that we have taught. When we see our young people wear their high school and collegial colors, we may feel pride because they followed in our footsteps. If you have ever been a part of our Christian Education opportunities, whether with S.O.L.L.A.S. or with Children’s Church and Teen Chapel, then you know that your time, love and investment are not in vain.

Zion Hill Family, the Youth and Children’s Ministry is inviting all Christian Educators (past and those who have a fervent desire) to volunteer with us.

There is a true need for more teachers in all age groups for Children’s Church and Teen Chapel. The truth is that we have more young people than volunteers. Truthfully, we always have. As

we are increasing our meeting sessions to twice a month, your participation is valuable and needed.

Additionally, we are encouraging participation with our youth and children’s quarterly classes for S.O.L.L.A.S. Blast.

We have a lot of areas where your volunteerism is needed as it concerns our young people, and those announcements will come. This appeal is for your consideration as it pertains to foundational Bible Study and application.

Our young people LOVE God. We are inviting you to be a part of this Ministry. We are inviting you to continue positively impacting our young people, so that they are able to continue making positive contributions in our church, city, and wherever God leads them. n Lovingly, Min. Felisha R. Chism, Director Youth and Children’s Ministries

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Zion Hill Employment Opportunity The following position is open at Zion Hill:

Executive Assistant/Office Manager (Full-time): 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.

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. Posting closes Sunday, September 19, 2021, at 8:00 p.m. EDT.

Celebration of Seniors Virtual Worship Service

Join us on Sunday, September 19th, at 9:30 a.m. for our Celebration of Seniors virtual worship service, as we recognize and celebrate our seniors. Find us at our normal streaming links – Boxcast, FB & YT.

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Volunteers Needed Looking for an opportunity to serve at

Zion Hill! Join our COVID-19 Vaccination Program volunteer team. Contact the church office at zhbc@zionhill.org or 404-691-8025 for more details.

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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.

BIBLE for LIFE Join Pastor Parker on Wednesdays at 7:00 pm streaming live on Facebook, YouTube, and at

https://boxcast.tv/channel/glwvkeoykzdo7l8oqmae

Series Title:

“Hope Revived (HR)”

The LIU is a publication of

Available after streaming as recordings.

2021 Theme: Hope Revived" 6175 Campbellton Road, South Fulton/Atlanta, GA 30331 Rev. Aaron L. Parker, PhD, Pastor 404-691-8025 • www.zionhill.org • email: zhbc@zionhill.org

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2021 Theme Scripture: “He who rescued us from so deadly a peril will continue to rescue us; on him we have set our hope that he will rescue us again….”

(II Corinthians 1:10, NRSV)