150th Still Serving Sunday Worship Program

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standing tall in lasting love “The righteous flourish like the palm tree, and grow like a cedar in lebanon. They are planted in the house of the lord; they flourish in the courts of our God. in old age they still produce fruit; they are always green and full of sap, showing that the lord is upright; he is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in him.” (Psalm 92:12-15, NRSV)

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...Still ...

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A Word From our Pastor & First Lady Zion Hill Family, In this season of observing Zion Hill’s sesquicentennial – 150 years of grace-bestowed existence – we appropriately begin a series of marvelous events with the celebration of a legacy of serving our neighbors. From mutual aid, to missions, to outreach, we have honored our exemplary leader, Jesus the Christ, by caring for the ones he labeled “the least of these.” He insisted that the greatest among his disciples must become servants of all, and Civil Rights icon Martin Luther King, Jr. followed suit by declaring, “Everybody can be great…because anybody can serve.” Through these 15 decades, we have diligently striven to meet this worthy standard set forth by Jesus and King, and even in this present era, we continue in this vein and thus are “Still Serving.”

We express our sincerest gratitude to those brothers and sisters who labored hard, long and faithfully in planning and executing the various activities of this hallowed undertaking. Certainly to Sister Mary Gaines, who carried a great deal of the preparation load, and to Deacon Thomas Williams, coordinator of our Care to Love Outreach Ministry, to the “Still Serving” volunteers, and to our Church Staff as always, you have our deepest appreciation. Thank you, also, to the many family members and friends of Zion Hill for your enthusiastic and dedicated cooperation in this single effort, among many, to move toward the greatness to which our compassionate Savior perpetually summons us.

Pastor Aaron L. Parker and Sister Shelia Parker Chair, 150th Church Anniversary

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Dea. Thomas Williams Greetings Church Family and Friends,

It is in the name of Jesus with a spirit of celebration and giving honor and glory to God that I greet you. I thank God for the leadership with which He has blessed Zion Hill.

To Dr. Parker and Sister Shelia Parker: We pray God’s continued blessings for you and your family. Your unwavering dedicated service is very much appreciated.

To the Congregation: Thank you for giving of your time and resources through the many ministries here at Zion Hill Baptist Church. We can bless so many others because of your dedicated service to Outreach. We do not take you or your service for granted.

I would be remised if I did not thank the Outreach Ministry Care to Love Team for the outstanding job you have done, down through the years. May God continue to bless you for all you do.

After 150 years of honoring God through Outreach, we are still here, Standing Tall In Lasting Love.

Respectfully with the Love of Christ, Deacon Thomas Williams STILL Serving Coordinator

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Sis Mary Gaines .

I greet you my brothers and sisters in Christ with the love of the Lord on this most glorious occasion, Zion Hill’s 150th Anniversary Outreach Sunday. Zion Hill’s theme for this year is, STILL, which is the acronym for “Standing tall in lasting love.” This theme personifies God’s faithfulness to all who are believers in His word.

Zion Hill, founded by former slaves in a brush harbor 150 years ago, has not only survived but thrived despite all obstacles that threatened its existence. The past 2 years have been the most challenging of all in the life of the church. Zion Hill and the world have been charting a course to navigate through the global pandemic and establish a degree of normalcy amid all the tragic losses of human life and the impact of the pandemic in general. But through God’s grace, amidst it all, we STILL managed to continue exemplifying the church motto: “Living to Love and Loving to Serve.”

Our mission and mandate, which is found in Matthew 25, calls us to feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, clothe the naked, care for the sick, visit the imprisoned and address the needs of others whom the gospel refers to as “the least of these.” As the body of Christ, when we strive earnestly to fulfill this mission and mandate, we serve God in the most excellent way.

The Care to Love Outreach Ministry at Zion Hill has continued to provide help, hope and a future to those in need during these times of uncertainty by staying on a path of compassionate and dedicated service. As we follow this path, let that love and our resilience permeate the atmosphere.

May each of us, therefore, recommit to increasing our outreach efforts as co-laborers with God bringing hope to those across the world who can only see darkness ahead. Let us precede by becoming a beacon of light for them – light reflecting how they too can have hope and confidence in a future that this gracious God provides.

It is my prayer that God will continue to direct Zion Hill’s path as a body of believers STILL forging forward serving “the least of these.”

In His Service, Mary Gaines STILL Serving Coordinator

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“Still Serving” Sunday Worship Service 150

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Reverend Dr. Aaron L. Parker, Presiding

Prelude Call to Worship..........................................................................................................................

Prayer..............................................................................................Elder Trimina O’Connor Ministry in Music Occasion & Welcome.............................................................................Sister Mary Gaines Still Serving: Then and Now.................................................................(A Video Presentation) Outreach Appeal.....................Brother Larry O’Connor and Deacon Thomas Williams Tithes, Commitments, Offerings Ministry in Music Introduction of Speaker...........................................................................................................

Ministry in Music The Message...............................................................................Reverend Anthony Motley Pastor - Lindsay Street Baptist Church; Atlanta, GA Invitation to the Christian Family...........................................................................................

Closing Remarks.......................................................................................................................

Benediction Postlude

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Reverend Anthony Avery Wagner Motley Pastor Motley was born in Tuskegee, Alabama. He received his elementary school education at Whitley Elementary School, Plateau, Alabama. His family then moved to Cincinnati, Ohio where he received his high school education at Woodard High School. His college career began at Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio with a major in philosophy. He then transferred his credits to Morehouse College, majoring in Religion and minoring in Philosophy. He received his Bachelor’s Degree in 1980. Upon completing studies at the Interdenominational Theological Center, he was awarded a Master of Arts Degree in Christian Education.

Reverend Motley comes from a deeply religious family from whom the Lord has called many ministers. He received Christ at the age of eight and was called into the ministry when he was eighteen years of age. His father, the late Dr. D. L. Motley, Sr., the renowned and respected Pastor Emeritus of the Peace Baptist Church in Cincinnati, Ohio, licensed and ordained him in 1971 and 1973, respectively.

Reverend Motley served the following churches: Mt. Sinai Baptist Church, Tallapoosa, Georgia, Wares Grove Baptist Church, Cedartown, Georgia, and Flat Rock Baptist Church in Rome, Georgia.

Reverend Motley accepted the pastorship of the Lindsay Street Baptist Church on September 7, 1980.

He is the proud father of his daughter Shaunae and a beautiful granddaughter Sanaa Lauren.

Pastor Motley is deeply involved in community activities seeking to improve the conditions of the socially and economically oppressed and the spiritually impoverished. He is active with many organizations which include the Concerned Black Clergy, Past President of the New Era State Convention of Georgia, the Progressive National Baptist Convention, the American Baptist Convention, past President of the Atlanta Baptist Ministers’ Union, board member of Vine City Housing Ministry and the chairman of the English Avenue Community Development Corporation. He was an adjunct professor at Morris Brown College, 1998-2002. Reverend Motley is much sought after as a speaker, lecturer, teacher and preacher.

Under the leadership of Reverend Anthony Motley, the congregation of Lindsay Street completed a major worship edifice, which seats upwards of 1,000 people. If there is one word to describe Reverend Motley, it is “visionary.”

“The spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me because the Lord has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the broken hearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners.” Isaiah 61:1 ZHBC - 150TH CHURCH ANNIVERSARY

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HISTORY OF SERVICE An extraordinary narrative – a marvelous account – a fabulous report – so describes the story of service of the 150-year old Zion Hill Baptist Church. This captivating account began long before the congregation’s physical existence in some of the earliest expressions of African American Christianity.

Among these expressions were the activities of Black church pioneers Richard Allen and Absalom Jones, who, along with others, abruptly left the Saint George Methodist Episcopal Church in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1787 because of blatant racial mistreatment.

Thereafter, they soon formed a mutual aid society called the Free African Society, which became the foundation for the first African American Christian denomination, the African Methodist Episcopal Church. People of African descent in organizations like these pooled their meager monetary resources and offered assistance to those in their community with dire needs, such as housing, food, clothing, medical services, education, and burial expenses. This reactive and proactive form of community help became the model for succeeding generations of Black Churches.

Also, among these early churches that formed before the official abolition of chattel slavery in 1863 were some that served as stations for the Underground Railroad, which provided safe havens and sustenance for slaves seeking freedom. It was into such a culture of care, concern, and responsibility for others that Zion Hill Baptist Church was born in 1872 and this family of believers has answered God’s call to serve for 150 years.

In Zion Hill’s earliest period of existence, the congregation’s service arm probably only reached across the aisles of the crude brush harbor sanctuary as those former slaves themselves needed much assistance from one another just to survive.

As the Church grew, however, its outreach efforts correspondingly increased, especially in its ongoing association with the National Baptist Convention, USA, Incorporated – a national organization that traces its history back to 1880, when a group of 151 delegates from 11 churches gathered in Montgomery, Alabama, to label themselves the Baptist Foreign Mission Convention, so named because it committed to spreading the gospel on the continent of Africa as the best way to serve others. This body, in 1895, joined two other conventions, with emphases on home missions and education, to form the National Baptist Convention of the United States of America. Foreign mission, home mission and education are still foci of this body and of Zion Hill to this day.

On a local level, serving became more intentional and evident under the pastoral leadership of the Reverend W.W. Floyd, who during the years 1899-1916, established a Missionary Society, a church group specifically organized to care for the needs of others in the community. In this structural adjustment, Zion Hill’s commitment to assisting those in need continued and increased.

Advancing the call to expand outreach further was set in motion with the Reverend Levi M. Terrell for nearly three decades from 1943-1971. He held a weekly radio broadcast, 10

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HISTORY OF SERVICE organized record breaking rallies, and implemented various social programs. Service to others extended far beyond the walls of Zion Hill through his extensive leadership, which included serving as President of the General Missionary Baptist State Convention and as a Vice-President of the National Baptist Convention during the presidency of the Reverend Joseph H. Jackson. These two, along with a cadre of officers, led this assembly in Home and Foreign Missions, including the purchase of a Freedom Farm in Tennessee to provide a haven for Black farmers divested of their land during the Civil Rights revolution – truly a monumental outreach effort.

For the next twenty years (1972-1992), Zion Hill’s call for action led to further service under the Reverend Larry H. Williams, which included a regular Sunday morning radio ministry that spread the saving gospel to many, the continuation of the Missionary Society, the weekly collection of a missionary offering, and the beginning of a scholarship program that promoted education on the undergraduate, graduate and professional levels. Additionally, the Church provided Thanksgiving meals for needy families.

The clarion call for action has occurred for the past 28 years under the leadership of the Reverend Dr. Aaron L. Parker, and his wife, First Lady Shelia Smith Parker.

Pastor Parker embraced outreach on a structural level under the church motto: “Living to Love and Loving to Serve” and, thus, established a church wide outreach ministry called “Care to Love Outreach Ministry.” This organizational move directed virtually all of Zion Hill’s ministries to develop an outreach component through which they partnered with various community agencies to assist people in need. In the Atlanta Journal Constitution newspaper, June 23, 1994, shortly after he was installed as Pastor, Reverend Parker stated that one of his top priorities was to increase the church’s mission. He added, “There is no working for Christ without working in the community.”

For nearly three decades Pastor Parker has led the church in establishing more than 45 ongoing community outreach ministries just on the local level, offering services to nursing homes, hospitals, children service agencies, health foundations, schools, and shelters. In connection with these vital community organizations, Zion Hill has provided food, clothing, shelter, job training, employment opportunities, companionship, cheer, encouragement, and hope, the spiritual engine that propels human achievement.

In 2002, the congregation became even more intentional about outreach when it agreed to form the Zion Hill Community Development Corporation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that caters to the sundry needs of residents in South Fulton County, Georgia, where to date more than 15,000 people have been variously supplied with essentials for living.

Additionally, the Church annually gives educational aid to member schools of the Atlanta University Center – Morris Brown College, Clark Atlanta University, the Interdenominational Theological Center, Morehouse College, Morehouse School of Medicine, Morehouse School of Religion, and Spelman College.

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HISTORY OF SERVICE When the devastating pandemic COVID-19 became prevelant in early 2020, Zion Hill, in typical service fashion, transformed into a community hub for education, testing and vaccinations with respect to the deadly disease. We are convinced that numerous lives were saved as a result of these efforts in partnership with various health and community organizations.

Nationally, the congregation has provided disaster relief following hurricanes and tornadoes in Louisiana, Georgia, Alabama, Florida, Texas, Mississippi,Tennessee, New Jersey and Kentucky. Further, the Church addressed the water supply crisis in Flint, Michigan, held voter registration and educational drives, petitioned United States Congress persons regarding vital legislation, and participated in several protest demonstrations on behalf of marginalized people.

Zion Hill’s reach, however, has stretched even beyond the boarders of this nation into the global sphere. This body of believers has conscienciously provided aid to those suffering from disasters in Haiti, the Bahamas, Jamaica, and several African nations. Following a revealing mission trip to Liberia, West Africa, the Church established an ongoing feeding program for the Mission of Hope School in Bong County, providing two meals a day for over 300 children and staff workers.

To fund many of these outreach efforts, the Church established an Outreach Endowment Fund that has steadily grown over the past 25+ years.

Zion Hill has sought diligently to answer God’s call to love and to serve. We continue this legacy still, seeking always to fulfill that commendable description of the righteous from Jesus, who asserted: “I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.” (Matthew 25:35-36) In celebration of our Sesquicentennial (150 year Anniversary), we, the faithful of the Zion Hill Family wish to declare that we are “Still Serving”!

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CARE TO LOVE OUTREACH MINISTRY In 1994, Zion Hill agreed to establish a church wide outreach ministry called “Care to Love Outreach Ministry.” This organizational undertaking consisted of nearly all of the Church’s ministries developing an outreach component through which they partnered with at least one of a variety of community agencies and institutions to assist people in need, locally, nationally and globally. With this structural transformation, outreach became a major emphasis of our Church Family.

Four outstanding people, willingly giving of their time, talent and compassion, have served as leaders of this ongoing effort:

The Late Reverend Kevin Lewis (1994 - 1995)

Sister Jean Boney (1995 - 2002)

Deacon Verdree Lockhart, Sr. (2003 - 2011)

Deacon Thomas Williams (2012 - Present) ZHBC - 150TH CHURCH ANNIVERSARY 13

ORGANIZATIONS SERVED

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ORGANIZATIONS SERVED

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ORGANIZATIONS SERVED

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ORGANIZATIONS SERVED

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STILL SERVING OUTREACH EVENT

nsoro (\in-sor-o\) Founded in 2005, nsoro paves the way for 18+ year old youth who have “aged out” of the foster

care system, equipping them to excel and succeed through the nsoro Educational Foundation’s programs and scholarships.

Sheltering Arms Serving Communities with Open Arms | Established in 1888, this organization has provided quality early education, childcare, and family support to all children regardless ofincome.

Solomon’s Temple Atlanta Homeless Shelter for Women and Children | Opened in May 2014 to eradicate homelessness and empower women and their children to overcome life’s challenges and define their own destiny.

youthSpark Founded in 2000, this independent nonprofit organization works directly with youth, ages 12 and over.

Assisted by community partners, youthSpark provides counseling, group therapy, case management, safety planning, crisis intervention, meaningful economic and educational opportunities, such as on-site job training and GED classes.

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VIDEO CREDITS STILL SERVING: THEN AND NOW NARRATOR: Deidra Dukes, FOX 5 News WRITERS/RESEARCHERS: Donald Barnes Deanna Edmonds Mary Gaines Pat George Mary Gilliam Sarah Haynes Beverly McCray Asha Parker Shelia Parker Avis Seals ART DIRECTORS: Aaron L. Parker, Jr. Asha Parker VIDEOGRAPHER: Michael Shane Newman VIDEO EDITORS/ SOUND DESIGNERS: Michael Shane Newman Aaron L. Parker, Jr. STILLS, VIDEOS AND STOCK FOOTAGE COURTESY OF: Zion Hill Care2Love Ministries Zion Hill History Ministry Zion Hill Photography Ministry Various Zion Hill Outreach Ministries Individual Contributors The Library Company of Philadelphia (https://www.librarycompany.org/) – Bethel African Methodist Epicopal Church Philadelphia. Painted Portrait by Artist William L. Brenton, 1829 Wikimedia Commons - Rev. Absolam Jones Painted Portrait by Artist Raphaelle Peale, 1810 (Public Domain) Envato Elements Image and Video Galleries Storyblocks Image and Video Galleries

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Special Thanks STILL SERVING COMMITTEE Thomas Williams, STILL Serving Coordinator Mary Gaines, STILL Serving Coordinator Sandi Abbo Josephine Frazier Tez Portee Dianne Antoine Rushia Fuller Bobby Powell Wilbert Antoine George Gilliam Stephanie Ray-Rogers Kevin Austin Mary Gilliam Tanya Reddick Dea. Willie Austin Rita Grandy Gail Reed Nealean Austin Johnathan Harris Dea. Norma Ricks Pat Bailey Dr. Sarah Haynes Gabrielle (Gabby) Rogers Edgar Baines Dea. Craig Hendricks Kristen N. Rogers Michael Bazemore Mildred Herrington Artis Scott Jean Boney Ramon Hines Pat Scott Joyce Brown Carlton Holloway Avis Seals Veda Brown Mary Humphrey Ernestine Searcy Al Bynoe, Jr Dea. Mary Jenkins Mark Sistrunk Keverth Carmichael Ralph Jenkins James Slater Felicia Church Bradis Jimmerson Al Smith, Jr. Thomasina Church Joyce Johnson Patricia Tanksley Estrella Clemons Mercedes Johnson Allen Thompson Jennifer Cobb Lucy Jones Johnny Thompson Gwen Daniels Marshaleen King Cheryl Thompson Williams Regina Daniels Carl Labat Petra Trimble Deanna Edmonds Brenda Lomax David White Jermaine Edmonds Maceo Mays Ricka Wilcoxson Nikki Eichelberger Dr. Beverly McCray Rosemary Willingham Melanie Elder Lester McCray Eric Wright Kelvin Ellis Larry McQuitta Still Shining - 150th Tacia Estem Rosalyn Merritt Anniversary Committee Andre Fields Geraldine Patterson Marilyn Fraley Willie Patton ADDITIONAL ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS TO: Administrative Staff Beautification Ministry Culinary Ministry Facilities Staff Media Ministry Music Ministry Photography Ministry ZHBC - 150TH CHURCH ANNIVERSARY 21

ANNOUNCEMENTS 1. STILL SERVING: The first of many events in celebration of our 150th church anniversary, Zion Hill continues our unwavering commitment to service in a church-wide outreach event weekend entitled STILL SERVING. • Outreach Event: We invite EVERYONE to participate as we support four remarkable agencies serving the City of South Fulton community by donating much-needed items they need to assist with their respective missions and help change people’s lives. A drive-by event for the congregation and community members to drop off items they are donating will take place today: • Sunday, March 13 | 12:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

The drop-off location will be Zion Hill Baptist Church at 6175 Campbellton Rd., Atlanta, GA 30331 2. New Disciples Orientation: The virtual New Disciples Orientation session is scheduled for Sunday, March 13 | Noon. All new members are invited to attend this valuable informational session. Please contact the church office at 404-691-8025 or via zhbc@zionhill.org for further information. Join the Zoom link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/86070164526.

3. FREE COVID-19 Vaccination & Booster Program: Vaccines offered include Pfizer - ages 12 and up (two doses), Pfizer Pediatric - ages 5-11, and Moderna.- ages 18 and up (two doses.) No appointment necessary. Pfizer Booster shots are now available for ages 12-15. Remember to bring your vaccination card. Our next vaccination date: Tuesdays, March 15 & 22 | 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

4. “STILL” - Standing Tall in Lasting Love: Join Pastor Parker for your mid-week spiritual boost and an enriched message to kick-start your week.

• Bible for Life - Wednesday, March 16 | 7:00 p.m. EST • Sunday Worship Service – March 20 | 9:30 a.m. EST Experience Zion Hill at either of the following links: Boxcast: https://boxcast.tv/channel/glwvkeoykzdo7l8oqmae Facebook: @zhbcatl, https://www.facebook.com/zhbcatl/ YouTube: ZHBCATL zionhill https://www.youtube.com/zhbcatlzionhill 5. FREE Drive-through COVID-19 Testing Program: Drive-through testing will be held at Zion Hill on Thursdays, March 17 & 24 | 10:00am – 3:00pm for all ages (2 years & up).

Results in 2-3 days. Pre-registration is strongly encouraged.

To pre-register: • Visit: zhbc.dragonflyphd.com • Call 470-467-6007 • Scan the QR code 6. Virtual SOLLAS BLAST - A New Learning Experience: The School of Love, Learning and Service.

• Adult Classes: Saturday, March 19 | 10:00am – 11:00am • Youth & Children Classes: Sunday, March 20 | 11:30am – 12:30pm (Check your email for more details.)

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SESQUICENTENNIAL ACTIVITIES AND EVENTS STILL HERE

A Series of Worship and Learning Services

Throughout the year

STILL SERVING An Extraordinary Outreach Effort Saturday March 12,2022 And Worship Service Sunday March 13, 2022 STILL SHINING A Media & Marketing Blitz Friday, March 25,2022 Sunday, August 21, 2022 STILL PRAYING A Reaffirmation of Prayer Power Thursday, April 14, 2022 (Maundy Thursday) STILL LEARNING An Engaging Learning Experience Wednesday, June 8, 2022 Thursday, June 9, 2022 Friday, June 10, 2022 STILL PLAYING

Exciting Recreational Activities

Saturday, June 11, 2022

STILL REFINING

An Elegant Gala Event

Saturday August 6, 2022

STILL STANDING

Motorcade to past Physical Sites Erect replica of original site (Brush Harbor)

Saturday, August 20, 2022

STILL PRAISING

The Sesquicentennial Celebration in Worship

Sunday, August 21, 2022

STILL REMEMBERING

Publishing of a Zion Hill Table Book

Sunday, August 21, 2022

STILL REPRESENTING Establishment of an On-line Store and Sesquicentennial Memorabilia

Event Based

STILL CREATING

Saturday, November 5, 2022

A Theatrical Production of the Zion Hill Story

PROGRAMS DESIGNED BY:

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