February 15, 2026
AME Founder’s Day
THE DOXOLOGY
Praise God from Whom all blessings flow; Praise Him all creatures here below; Praise Him above, Ye heavenly hosts; Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen, Amen, Amen
THE CALL TO WORSHIP
Leader: I was glad when they said unto me, let us go into the house of the Lord, our feet shall stand within thy gates, O Jerusalem. Psalm 122: 1, 2
People: For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand, I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than to dwell in the tents of wickedness. Psalm 84:10
Leader: Because of the House of the Lord our God, I will seek thy good. Psalm 122:9
People: Those that be planted in the House of the Lord, shall flourish in the courts of our God. Psalm 92:13
Leader: Blessed are they that dwell in thy House. Lord, I have loved thy habitation, the place where thy honor dwelleth. Psalm 84: 4a; Psalm 26:8
People: For the Lord is in His Holy Temple, let all the earth keep silence before him. Habakkuk 2:20
Leader: Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord my strength and my redeemer. Psalm 19:14
People: Oh sing unto the Lord a new song, for He has done marvelous things. Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all the earth sing His praises. Psalm 98:1a, 66:1
THE OPENING HYMN
Lift Every Voice and Sing #571
Lift every voice and sing
Till earth and heaven ring, Ring with the harmonies of Liberty; Let our rejoicing rise,
High as the listening skies,
Let it resound loud as the rolling sea.
Sing a song full of the faith that the dark past has taught us, Sing a song full of the hope that the present has brought us, Facing the rising sun of our new day begun, Let us march on till victory is won.
Stony the road we trod, Bitter the chastening rod, Felt in the days when hope unborn had died; Yet with a steady beat, Have not our weary feet
Come to the place for which our fathers sighed?
We have come over a way that with tears has been watered, We have come treading our path through the blood of the slaughtered,
Out from the gloomy past, till now we stand at last
Where the white gleam of our bright star is cast.
God of our weary years, God of our silent tears, Thou who hast brought us thus far on the way; Thou who has by Thy might Led us into the light, Keep us forever in the path, we pray.
Lest our feet stray from the places, our God, where we met Thee, Lest our hearts, drunk with the wine of the world, we forget Thee, Shadowed beneath Thy hand, may we forever stand, True to our God, true to our native land
THE PRAYER OF INVOCATION
THE CHORAL RESPONSE
There is a sweet anointing in the sanctuary, there is a stillness in the atmosphere, o come lay down the burdens you have carried, for in the sanctuary; God is here, Oh come lay down the burdens you have carried, for in the sanctuary; God is here.
THE SELECTION
THE FOUNDER’S DAY LITANY
THE WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
THE SERMONIC SELECTION
THE SERMON-The Rev. Dr. Harriet McCombs
THE INVITATION TO CHRISTIAN DISCIPLESHIP
THE TITHES AND OFFERINGS
THE OFFERTORY
All things come of Thee, O Lord; and of Thine own have we given Thee. Amen.
THE DOXOLOGY
THE BENEDICTION
2026: Moving Forward to Possess God’s Promises I will give you every place where you set your foot, as I promised Moses. (Joshua 1:3)
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Ash Wednesday (In-person and on Zoom): February 18, at Shiloh AME Church, 2601 Lyndhurst Avenue, BMD 21216; Zoom: bit.ly/lentengathering
In-Person 9:30 am Sunday School: 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Sundays
Tuesday 7 pm Prayer: (605) 313-5093 - Access Code: 481371
Bible Study: February 4 and 11, at 7 pm - Zoom Meeting ID: 847 7845 1959 - Passcode: 274599
Goodworks Community Center: Join us in prayer as we seek to raise funds for our Goodworks Community Center which will include worship space, classrooms, church offices, outreach space, community gathering space, and disaster response space
2026 Sacrificial Love Offering: All members are asked to give sacrificially above your tithes and offerings, for the work of ministry. Please give $20.26, $202.60, $2,026, or $20,260. Please specify your offering as “Sacrificial Offering” when you give.
Share the Word of God: Tell a friend, a family member, a coworker, a neighbor to follow us and watch us at 11 am on FaceBook Live @micahame and view recordings on YouTube: @micahamemissionchurch5642.
Mental Health and Grief Support and Resources
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: CALL 988
NAMI-Baltimore Metro – www.namibaltimore.org
Black Mental Health Alliance – www.blackmentalhealth.com
Baltimore Crisis Response, Inc. – https:/bcresponse.org
Roberta’s House – www.robertshouse.org
MICAH Resources Page – www.micahame.org/resources
Black History Fact:
Bishop Richard Allen (February 14, 1760 – March 26, 1831)
• AME Church Founder, and 1st elected and consecrated bishop
• Born a slave in Delaware
• Joined Methodists at age 17
• Bought his freedom in 1780 at age 20
• Admitted to the “Christmas Conference” in December 1784, held in Baltimore at Lovely Lane Chapel
A Litany for Founder’s Day
Based on Psalm 112:1–9 (NRSVue)
Leader: Praise the Lord! Blessed are those who fear the Lord, who greatly delight in God’s commandments.
People: We gather in gratitude for the faith of our forerunners, whose reverence for God built a church of freedom and dignity.
Leader: Their descendants will be mighty in the land; the generation of the upright will be blessed.
People: We stand as witnesses to that blessing, children of the African Methodist Episcopal vision, heirs of Richard and Sarah Allen’s holy courage.
Leader: Wealth and riches are in their houses, and their righteousness endures forever.
People: We claim not silver nor gold, but the wealth of faith, education, and liberation that flows from God’s justice.
Leader: They rise in the darkness as a light for the upright; they are gracious, merciful, and righteous.
People: In a world still shadowed by inequity, we lift the light of liberation— shining with mercy and walking in righteousness.
Leader: It is well with those who deal generously and lend, who conduct their affairs with justice.
People: As Bishop Allen opened the doors of worship and welcome, we too open our hearts and hands to serve God’s people.
Leader: For the righteous will never be moved; they will be remembered forever.
People: We remember the founders and faithful of our church, steadfast in struggle, fearless in faith, unshaken in their calling.
Leader: They are not afraid of evil tidings; their hearts are firm, secure in the Lord.
People: Because the Spirit of the Lord is upon us, we stand secure, undaunted by injustice, confident in divine deliverance.
Leader: Their hearts are steady; they will not be afraid; in the end they will look in triumph on their foes.
People: Strengthened by grace, we press toward freedom’s full promise. The struggle continues, and the victory belongs to God.
Leader: Praise the Lord, who called Richard Allen from bondage to bishopric, from exclusion to empowerment.
People: Praise the Lord! The work of our hands, hearts, and voices shall glorify God forever.
All Together: We are the children of those who would not bow. We are the builders of a just and faithful church. From Allen’s vision, through our witness, The light of freedom shall never be extinguished. Praise the Lord!
