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ZION INFORMER - February 2012 Zion Baptist Church 801 Washington Street Columbia, South Carolina 29201-3115 zionbchurch@yahoo.com
Pastor's Message
Four years ago when the United States elected its first Black President, most would have thought this month would be a time of celebration, lauding the many gains which have been made in this country. Yet the truth of the matter is that as we prepare to celebrate Black History Month 2012 in many ways we have gone backward instead of forward. Whether it’s a Republican Nominee for President who uses code words like “Welfare President” to win a State like South Carolina knowing its ugly history or a sitting Governor waving her finger at the President and latter saying she was “terrified”; things seemingly have gotten worse. What makes matters worse is that many have cloaked their hatred in religion. The Speaker of the House in the State of Kansas repellently forwarded an email which asked his colleagues to pray that President Obama would be removed from office and his “wife would be a widow and his children fatherless.” While it is a quote from a Psalm, it is not anything that should be said about the sitting President of the United States. Imagine if a Black Preacher had quoted that same Psalm about President George Bush. The good news in all this is that God has the final word. As bad and ugly as it may seem right now, God has the final word. In the words of something I saw on a t-shirt recently, “Rosa sat so that Martin could walk, Martin walked so that Obama could run, and Obama ran so that our children could fly.” God has brought us too far to give up now. Keeping believing and God will work it all out. Because He Lives, Pastor Kevin E. Donalson, Sr. MISSION STATEMENT We seek to make effective disciples in the Kingdom of God (Ministry) by reaching people where they are and bringing them to Christ (Outreach) so that their lives are built up and transformed (Victorious Living) by the awesome power of God's word (Education). VISION
A Church M. O. V. E. (ing) Forward Philippians 3:12-14, 1 Chronicles 4:10
M—Ministry: Romans 12:1
O—Outreach: Matthew 28:18-20
V—Victorious Living: Romans 8:37-39
E—Education: 2 Timothy 2:15
February Birthdays 02 Russell Campbell 04 Minister Israel Gist 06 Elise D. Myers 07 Evelyn D. Cunningham 08 Cynthia Franklin 09 Javin Marshall 10 Mildred Toliver 11 Deborah Summers 11 Otis Walters 17 Virginia King 18 Taylor Higgins 18 Payton Walters 20 Alicia Graham 21 Andrena Mack 23 Donnie Mack 25 Dea. George Fogle, Jr. 25 Lila Hammock 25 Annie Williams 26 Ernestine Duncan 27 Jonathan C. Abraham 27 Jessica Bright 27 Caroline Floyd 28 Peyton Jeter 29 Zachary Brown February Anniversaries 09 Clente & Ojetta Flemming 11 James & Annie Helper 13 Bernard & Audrey Deloach 15 Dea. George & Edith Fogle 23 Jeremiah & Frances Washington Spotlight on Dr. Craig Littlejohn
Craig joined Zion Baptist Church in April 1987. He was baptized on May 3, 1987 by the late Reverend A. W. Goforth II. He was a faithful member of the Sunday School, ZYPCOs, and Boy Scouts. Currently, Craig is a Sunday School teacher and a member of the Brotherhood and Media ministries. After graduating from high school, Craig attended North Carolina State in Raleigh. He graduated in December 2001 with a double engineering degree – Chemical Engineering and Wood and Paper Science. Craig received his Masters Degree in 2004 and his Doctorate Degree in 2009 from North Carolina A & T State University in Greensboro. His Masters and Doctorate degrees are in Industry System Management Engineering. Craig is currently an Industry Engineering Technology Professor at South Carolina State University in Orangeburg. Craig has one brother, Shujuan Littlejohn. Shujuan and his wife, Tracy, live in Simi Valley, California. Craig is the son of Deacon and Mrs. Samuel (Mary) Littlejohn. Craig enjoys reading, soccer, and cartoons. His favorite soccer team is Manchester United in England. Craig is not ashamed to let anyone know he is a child of God. One of his favorite verses is Isaiah 40:31 – “But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run and not be weary; and they shall walk and not faint.” Upcoming Events February 5 — Souper Bowl February 9-11 — Tyler Perry’s The Haves and Have Nots, Township Auditorium, Columbia, SC February 14 — Valentine’s Day February 15 — Pastor Donalson Pre-Anniversary Service, Zion Baptist Church, Speaker Rev. Julian Woods, Pastor, Starlight Baptist Church, Lake Charles, LA., 7:00 PM February 19 — Pastor Donalson’s Second Anniversary Service, Zion Baptist Church, Speaker Rev. Dr. Michael P. Williams, Sr., Pastor, Joy Tabernacle Church, Houston, TX, 11:00 a.m. February 19-20 — The Southeast Regional Black Male Summit, Columbia, SC, Free for all youth and young adults ages 14-21 years old February 20 — President’s Day February 23 — Dance Theatre of Harlem, Township Auditorium, Columbia, SC, 7:00 p.m. February 25 — Harambee Festival, Benedict College, Columbia, SC, 9:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Ministry Fair
Zion’s second annual Ministry Fair was a big success. In an effort to encourage every member to become active in at least one ministry, Rev. Donalson started the Ministry Fair as an annual event to allow ministries to provide information and showcase some of the ministries’ work. The event adds a “tasty” motivational part by having each ministry provide dessert(s). This year’s ‘dessert judge’ was the Honorable Sam Davis, City of Columbia Council member. The Fair accomplished its purpose, as most ministries were able to get at least two new potential members signed up. It appeared everyone had a great time with the wonderful fellowshipping and tasting delicious desserts.
Good News As a result of her standardized state scores, Nidiyah McDuffie, an honor student at Dent Middle school, was granted the privilege to take the PSAT as a seventh grader. She also received her first varsity letter for swimming with the Richland Northeast High School swim team as a seventh grader. Nidiyah is the daughter of Mosi McDuffie and the granddaughter of Robert and Joan McDuffie. Congratulations for a job well done !!! Congratulations for a job well done !!! Jalynn Brooks is a first grader at Conder Elementary School. Jalynn recently participated in the Math-A-Thon for the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Her favorite subjects are Math and Reading. She is the daughter of Regell Ragland and the granddaughter of Kathy Javis. Congratulations for a job well done !!! IN MEMORIAM Dea. Albert B. Thompson Black History Questions 1) Who is the 44th President of the United States? 2) What was the first black newspaper? 3) Who was the first black astronaut to walk in space? 4) Why did Rosa Parks refuse to move from her seat in the white section of a bus in Montgomery, Alabama? 5) What year was Martin Luther King Day first observed as a federal holiday? 6) In what year was the Million Man March and in what city was it held? 7) Who was the star of the 1977 movie The Greatest? 8) Who wrote The Autobiography of Malcolm X? 9) What play was written by Lorraine Hansberry? 10) What group was comprised of Diana Ross, Florence Ballard, and Mary Wilson? 11) The Roaring Twenties introduced an unprecedented outpouring of black art, literature and music. What was this period known as? 12) Who was both president of the United Negro College Fund and chief executive officer of the National Urban League? 13) Who provided the voice for Darth Vader in the movie Star Wars? 14) Ralph Bunche became the first African American to win what prestigious award? 15) What is the name of Oprah Winfrey's TV production company? 16) The flag representing the black struggle for freedom is comprised of what three colors? 17) What was Madam C. J. Walker's real name? 18) Julius Erving began his professional basketball career with what team? 19) Harry C. Hopkins received a patent for enhancing what medical device? 20) Who performed the world's first open-heart surgery? 2012 MLK Jr. March to the Dome
Sunday School Lessons
February 05 - “Justified By Faith in Christ” - Galatians 2:15-21 February 12 - “Freed From Law Through Christ” - Galatians 3:1-14 February 19 - “Heirs to the Promise" - Galatians 3:15-18; 4:1-7 February 26 - “Fruits of Redemption” - Galatians 5:22-6:10
Why Taking Supplements Makes Sense You’ve probably heard this: If you eat a good diet, you don’t need nutritional supplements. But there are two good reasons that statement doesn’t hold up. First, the richest sources of nutrition in our diets are fresh veget-ables and fruits. The United States Department of Agriculture recommends eating five or more servings of fresh fruits and vegetables per day. Do you eat that many fruits and vegetables? Most Americans don’t. As a result, most of us are nutritionally deficient. Second, our lives are stressful. Chronic stress, coupled with a poor diet, puts tremendous strain on everything from our immune systems to our hearts, increasing our need for nutrition. If we aren’t getting enough nutrients from our diets, we’re more likely to suffer health problems as a result. Nutritional supplements are preventive maintenance for your body. Here are four reasons you should take them: 1) Supplements help you age better. As we age, we often become deficient in key nutrients that our bodies need to function optimally. Some people come up short on calcium and wind up with osteoporosis. Others don’t get enough antioxidants, leading to cellular damage and premature aging. Supplementation replenishes nutrients that we may miss. Research shows that a properly designed supplement regimen can delay or even prevent many of the health conditions that come with aging, like heart disease, diabetes and osteoporosis, helping you live longer and with more vitality. 2) Supplements give you more energy. Are you constantly tired from long work hours, lack of sleep and a so-so diet? When the body doesn’t get the right balance of nutrients, it doesn’t produce energy as efficiently. Blood sugar levels spike and then dive throughout the day. The result is that we end up feeling tired all day. Supplements give your cells what they need to extract more energy from food and use that energy better, keeping you vibrant and alert. 3) Supplementation prevents dysfunction. Heart disease, obesity and type 2 diabetes don’t appear overnight. They are the end result of years-long deficiencies in key nutrients. Deprive your body of the nutrients it needs, and it will become dysfunctional. The results: heart failure, type 2 diabetes and a host of other diseases. By taking supplements when you’re well, you prevent deficiency and dysfunction. This reduces your odds of developing age-related degenerative diseases. 4) Prevention puts money in your pocket. How much do you think you would save over 20 years if you didn’t need prescription medication or expensive surgeries? Giving your body the full range of nutrients it needs can help you prevent disease and reduce the cost of medications, doctor visits, hospitalization and insurance, saving thousands of dollars.
Answers to Black History Questions 1) President Barack Obama; 2) Freedom's Journal; 3) Bernard Harris, Jr.; 4) Tired and she felt she had a right to sit anywhere she chose to sit; 5) 1986; 6) 1985, Washington DC; 7) Muhammad Ali; 8) Alex Hailey; 9) A Raisin In the Sun; 10) The Supremes; 11) Harlem Renaissance; 12) Vernon Jordan; 13) James Earl Jones; 14) Nobel Peace Prize; 15) Harpo; 16) Red, black, and green; 17) Sara Breedlove Walker; 18) Virginia Squires; 19) Hearing aid; 20) Dr. Daniel Hale Williams
Synopsis of Blacks Mentioned in the Bible Melchizedek, a Nubian Priest who blessed Abram—(Genesis 14:17-20) (Hebrews 7:1-11) Asenath (Joseph’s Wife) - (Genesis 46:20) Zipporah (Moses’ Wife) - (Numbers 12:1-14) (Exodus 18) Makeba, Queen of Sheba - (1 Kings 10:1-10) (2 Chronicles 9:1-12) Ebed-Melech who saved Jeremiah - (Jeremiah 38:7-10) Ethiopian King and General Tirhaka helped Israel - (Isaiah 37:9) (2 Kings 19:9) The Ethiopian Eunich, an important government official in the court of Candace—(Acts 8:26-39) Scripture of the Month “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” John 15:13 (KJV)
"As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God." 1 Peter 4:10
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This month we will be celebrating Black History Month. Started by Carter G. Woodson as “Negro History Week” in 1926, the purpose of Black History Month today is to promote awareness of African American history to the general public.
Dr. Samuel Craig Littlejohn was born on May 22, 1979 in Richland County. He was educated in Richland School District One where he attended A. C. Flora High School. While attending A. C. Flora, Craig maintained a 4.0 grade point average, was a member of the National Honor Society, a high school scholar, a National Merit Scholar, a member of the varsity soccer team for four years, and assistant secretary of the student body. He received numerous scholarships, including the Palmetto Fellow Scholarship.
