little zion baptist church

LITTLE ZION BAPTIST CHURCH
Volume 2
ZION TIMES
Quarterly Newsletter
July 2015
This Issue
Church Services and Events
Compassion, Commitment &
Community
Deaconess, Deacons & Men’s
Ministry Shelter Outreach
Outreaching to Others
Marriage Ministry Retreat
Food Pantry
Welcome New Members
Sunday School
Deaconess Ministry
Family & Friends Day Service
Family & Friends Day Cookout
Baptismal
Class of 2015 Graduates
Prison Ministry
Little Zion Students Travel to
Southern University Law Center
Scripture Memorization
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But you Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to
anger, abounding in love and faithfulness. (Psalm 86:15 NIV)
Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other,
just as in Christ God forgave you. (Eph 4:32 NIV)
Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be
sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble.
Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with
blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit
a blessing. (1 Peter 3:8-9 NIV)
Come Worship With Us
Our Services
Sunday
8:00 am & 10:15 am Worship
9:30 Sunday school
Holy Communion Third Sunday
Children's Church/Nursery First &
Third Sunday (during the 10:15 am service)
Wednesday
7:00 pm Adult, Children & Teen’s Bible Study
Friday
7:00 pm Intercessory Prayer
7748 Leedstown Road Oak Grove, VA 22443
Mailing Address:
P. O. Box 70
Colonial Beach, VA 22443
(804) 224-0418
(804) 224-7329 fax
Pastor Earl T. Howerton, Jr.
& First Lady Minister
Shaunda Howerton
Broadcasting via USTREAM
http://www.ustream.tv/channel/lzbcoakgrove
http://www.ustream.tv/channel/lzbc-bible-study
Upcoming Events
July 5—3:00 pm Pastor preaching
at Pleasant Grove Baptist Church
July 6-10—Vacation Bible School
July 19—First Lady preaching at Lyell’s
Chapel Church with Combined Choir
July 24-26—New York trip, Pastor
will be preaching at Cornerstone
Baptist Church, Brooklyn, NY on the 26th
Aug 2 —3:00 pm Pastor preaching at Good Hope
Aug 7—7:30 pm Pastor preaching at Good Hope
Aug 9—Pastor preaching at Belulah Baptist
Church with Combined Choir
Aug 11—Pastor preaching at Angel Visit Baptist
Church
August 14—7:00 pm Combined Choir at
Siloam Baptist Church
August 16-20-- Annual Revival
August 29 —Back to School Celebration
Sept 11-12 —Women’s Ministry Retreat
Little Baptist Church
Officers
Deacon Larry Saunders, Chairman Deacons
Deacon George Byrd, Sr. Co-Chairman Deacons
Deacon A. Odell Johnson, Chairman Trustee
Deaconess Amy Richards, President of Deaconess
Sister Betty Wood, Financial Secretary
Sister Sherrie Smith, Administrative Clerk
Associate Ministers
Minister Joy Clay
Evangelist Darlene Cook
Minister Anita Johnson
Reverend Annie Jones
Minister Sherman Stewart
Elder Raheem Turane
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COMPASSION,
COMMITMENT &
COMMUNITY
tality of Christ by receiving them
as a member of the family. We
want every member of the congregation to feel like this is a place
It is important for us to see God’s
where they belong and are known.
plan of saving us. We should have
We want our worship services to
the same strong characteristics
be the place where we can seek
that Jesus has. First is His
God who restores our broken souls.
commitment and second His comWe are devoted to building a compassion. God’s love is deep, gentle
munity where everyone can find
and compassionate.
the hospitality of Jesus Christ.
Our ministries and church mission
As we hear the Word of God
are centered upon developing a
through Scripture and sermons, we
strong sense of community both
are reminded of the love of God
within the congregation and in the
and the grace we have received
neighborhoods around us. When
through Jesus Christ. We should
visitors come to the church, we
reflect on how each of us are called
want them to encounter the hospi-
to serve God and our neighbors in
our daily lives. Also, as we learn
and experience the love of Jesus
Christ through Scripture and
through the care we receive from
our Christian brothers and sisters,
our faith is increased and the love
in our hearts rises up to move us to
ministries of Christian compassion.
Deaconess, Deacons and Men’s Ministry take a night to feed men at the
Thurman Brismen Center Family Shelter
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The Lord is gracious and righteous; our God is full of compassion. The Lord protects
the unwary; when I was brought low, he saved me. Psalm 116:5-6
Cross, Crown & Clutch Motorcycle Ministry visiting
residents at Heritage Hall Nursing, King George, VA
Sending Care Packages to our College Students
Little Zion Food Pantry Distribution
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For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will
become on flesh. (Gen 2:24 NIV)
Marriage Ministry Retreat—April 23-25
I Choose You Again
Massanetta Springs Camp & Conference Center
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LITTLE ZION BAPTIST CHURCH FOOD PANTRY
“For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you
welcomed me...” (Matthew 25:35 CEB)
The Food Pantry became operational more than five years ago through a Vision of the Lord through Deaconess
Louise Turner-Yerby! We praise God for the Vision and for the Visionary! During these five years, the
Ministry has been more than tremendously blessed by God! Because of our faithfulness over the little, God has
blessed and enabled us to partner with the Central Virginia and the Northern Neck Food Banks to
provide an even bigger blessing to Church, Community and County.
Since our initial opening, through the goodness of God, His provisions and enablement, we have distributed
more than 30 tons of food to more than 2,500 households, consisting of more than 7,500 individuals; to
supplement the daily diets of the people of God! It has only been through the collaboration and the help
received from the volunteers coming from our neighboring and local churches who assist us in this process that
this monumental effort is been possible.
The Ministry Distributions are: Monday before every 3rd Saturday, 12 Noon-1:00 P.M. and every
3rd Saturday, 9:00 A.M. -10:00 A.M.
The Ministry is continually in need of and praying for additional
Laborers!
Ministry Coordinator: Deacon/Trustee A. Odell Johnson
Assistant Coordinator: Sis. Betty A. Mitchell
We Welcome Our New Members to the Church Family
The following members have joined our church family from January 1, 2015 to July 5, 2015. We welcome
you to the family and thank God for the increase.
Emily Kelly, Frank Kelly, Gerry Yerby, Minister Joy Clay, Rose Woodland, Daevon Smith, Damar Smith,
Vernice Callis, Lawrence Callis, Carol Richards, Lorenzo Sherman, Brandon Thompson, Teaira Scott,
Tamya Rich, LaShay Rich, Dynia Rich, Layla Scott, Michele Newman
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Sunday School NOT Obsolete!
Many believe that Sunday School is outdated and not needed. It is one of the places where the church offers
instructions for its members that will last a lifetime. Hosea 4:6 says: “My people are destroyed for lack of
knowledge because thou hast rejected knowledge.” Sunday School offers lessons about biblical giants and
shows how faith will strengthen us for life’s journey.
Becoming a Christian requires belief, faith, and love. To prefect these qualities, it takes work. Attending
Sunday School encourages you to learn, build, and perfect these traits in your life. Your spiritual life grows
when godly disciplines are done consistently. We enter schools, colleges, and training programs to acquire
skills for different vocations and jobs, but we don’t put in time to acquire the skills needed to grow spiritually.
We go to the gym and exercise to become physically fit. Have you ever wondered if you were spiritually
stronger, would you handle the problems in your life differently? How would that impact your family and the
people around you? Take a step to become spiritually fit! Come to Sunday School. Classes are available immediately following the 8:00 am service. The following classes are available for you: Primary class (ages 6-9)
taught by Sister’s Debbie Cooper and Ross Ann Bumbrey, Pre-Teens (ages 10-12) taught by Sister Iris Lane
and Brother James Cook, Teens (ages 13-18) taught by Elder Raheem Turane and Deacon Timothy Hill, and
the Adult class taught by Sister Hope Wise. Don’t miss another opportunity to renew your mind. See you in
Sunday School!
DEACONESS MINISTRY
The Deaconess ministry assists the Pastor in providing spiritual leadership and service to the fellowship of the
Church. We aim to serve as role models for the girls and women of the church. At all times we should be
working in our gifts and letting our fruit show to edify the kingdom of God. Our primary duties are preparing
communion and assisting candidates for baptism, which are the two ordinances of the church. These two
ordinances are mentioned in Acts 2: 41-42. Our outreach ministry consists of visiting the sick, coat drives and
serving meals at the Thurman Brisben Center. We work with various ministries within the church to serve
the community.
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Family and Friends Day Service
We celebrated family and friends day at Little Zion with Mountain Grove Missionary Baptist Church of
South Boston, VA as our guest. Pastor Reverend Thomas Divens shared the message, “I Just Can’t
Quit” (Jeremiah 20:7-9) . After the service we gathered at the pavilion for food, fellowship, fun and
games. We had tournaments for corn hole toss, horseshoes and volleyball.
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Family and Friends Day Cookout
Corn Hole Champs
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Horseshoe Champs
I Been to the Water and I Got Baptized
Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the
remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your
children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. (Acts 2:38-39 KJV)
Congratulations Class of 2015
If you can imagine it, you can achieve it, if you can dream it, you can become it.
By William Arthur Ward
College Graduates
High School Graduates
Lisa Stewart
Hiken’na Branson
Samantha Wilson
Ja’Quar Burnett
Christopher Graham
Tabitha Hill
Lydia Logan
Justin Rivera
Aliyah Steele
Justin Wood
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PRISON MINISTRY
The Little Zion Baptist Church Prison Ministry is on a mission to share God’s Word, love, forgiveness,
encouragement and hope to those who are incarcerated and to help reduce the rate of recidivism. The Vision
of the Ministry is to equip the Incarcerated and Returning Citizens, to be witnesses for Jesus Christ.
The Ministry works in collaboration with family, prison and jail Chaplains, other faith based organizations,
community organizations, educators and the judicial system in attempts to provide the incarcerated and
returning citizens with the Word of God, job-focused skills, meaningful employment and educational assistance.
Among the services currently provided are: Bi-weekly Behind-the-wall Bible Studies at Peumansend Creek
Regional Jail in Caroline County and Northern Neck Regional Jail in Westmoreland County; Encouragement
through the Word in personal correspondence (members and non-members); Quarterly donations to assist with
cost of personal hygiene and other necessities (where permitted by institution(s)); Clothing Closet available to
returning citizens; Sponsor various Community Informational and Prevention Programs. The Ministry also
works in close collaboration with the Westmoreland County 2nd Chance Ministry to help provide opportunity
for youths to have 1st offense charges dropped and removed from their record upon successful completion of
mentoring program; and works with the Northern Neck Re-Entry and Collaboration Council to assist in
smoother transition into society of returning citizens. In 2015, the Ministry joined forces with the Prison
Ministry Angel Tree Project, and in December, has plans to receive 50 children of incarcerated parent(s) who
will be encouraged through the love of God, knowledge that someone cares, and through tangible Christmas
Gifts they will be given to take away with them.
Students Travel to Southern University Law Center in Baton Rouge, LA
From Little Zion three students Ari’Ana Burnett, Ariana Hill and Ramani Goode travelled to the Southern
University Law Center in Baton Rouge, Louisiana from June 15-26, 2015. They attended the 15th Annual
Minority Law and Research Institute for high school students.
The institute is made possible through the Aunt Berta’s Kids-In-Need Education Foundation, founded by
Joseph Haden, Sr., who also serves as its executive director. It is designed to expose under-represented students to consider careers in law, research, and the legal profession.
The ultimate goal of the Minority Law and Research Institute is to motivate and expose minority students
to consider careers in the field of law, according to Haden. The program also is designed to encourage them
to set high expectations for academic achievement.
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Scripture Memorization Committing to God’s Word
Scripture memorization will help us grow stronger spiritually as you reflect on God’s promises wherever and
whenever you want, at anytime...without needing to have your bible in hand.
Nothing brings you closer to God than memorizing and living His word. Memorizing scripture will also help
you with the following:
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Feel closer to God by consistently meditating on His word
Shed impure thoughts and sinful habits
Find strength in times of weakness and vulnerability
Focus in light of God’s word instead of negativity and sins of the world
Grow your faith in God and to have a more intimate relationship with Him
Maintain a Christ centered relationship with your family, friends and loved ones
Protect yourself and your family from the assault of the enemy
Meditate on God’s word any time….even if you don’t have your bible with you
Win more souls to Christ
Resist all temptation just like Jesus did when tempted in the desert
It’s impossible to truly love God in your heart and live God’s word unless you have committed to it.
Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your hearts. Impress them on
your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down
and when you get up. (Deut 6:5-7 NIV)
Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your
foreheads. (Deut 11:18 NIV)
Do not let this Book of Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. (Joshua 1:8 NIV)
My son, keep my words and store up my command within you. Keep my commands and you will live; guard
my teachings as the apple of your eye. Bind them on your fingers; write them on the tablet of your heart.
If you have an article that you would like to submit for publication, please submit to
Sister Kathy Byrd. All submissions will be forwarded to Pastor Howerton for approval.
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