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7th Episcopal District Founders Day Program - 2017
7th Episcopal District Founders Day Program - 2017
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Celebrating the 257th Birthday of
BISHOP RICHARD ALLEN
Founder of the African Methodist Episcopal Church
Richard Allen was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, for his people, according to most records, was always
a slave to Benjamin Chew, in the year of 1760. Life a message of hope. He went out to his neglected,
for his first few years was relatively easy; he, his forgotten and defeated brothers and sisters and
three siblings and his parents worked at maintaining encouraged some to come and brother others with
the house and assisting in the raising of the Chews him to worship at St. George. As more black people
children. Although Chew was a wealthy lawyer became inspired by the preaching and teaching
and an important political leader, hard time of Richard Allen, more attended church
fell upon him, which created a need for services; in time, the number prompted
him to sell the Allen family in order to church officials to designate seats and
escape bankruptcy. The Allens were standing room in a specific area of the
sold to Stokeley Sturgess in Dover, church for black worshipers; an area
Delaware where their lot was changed which was not the most desirable. As
from household help to field hands; the number continued to increase, the
they became subject to long hours of designated area became even less
backbreaking toil. In time, however, desirable. Harsh and unkind treatment
in order to stave off creditors, Stokeley toward Richard Allen and his people
Sturgess was forced to sell Richards became commonplace, yes even in the
mother and three sisters. house of the Lord.
At age 17, Richard Allen was spiritually moved by the Despite the pure and keen moral and religious
preaching of a Methodist circuit rider. This preacher teaching of the day and the supposed adherence to
gave more than mere hope and consolation to the the law, the attitudes of most of the members of St.
black congregations, but also taught from the Bible George Church toward the black Christians seemed
and vigorously attacked the system of slavery. The unalterable. The negative attitudes coupled with
impact of this experience dramatically changed the harsh and the inhumane treatment had become
Allens life; he came to see himself as a human facts of life which black people had learned, not to
being who was loved by God and who was above accept, but to live with; they seemed to have felt that
and beyond any human Master. He soon joined in time, things would change.
the Methodist societies and, under the tutelage of a
One Sunday morning, however, as Richard Allen,
preacher named John Grey, also became a preacher.
Absalom Jones and William White were leading
Although Stokeley Sturgess permitted Richard and their people into service of worship, the prayer was
his brother to attend weekly worship meetings, both begun. As they had always been taught, they knelt
of the men continued to be diligent in their work. where they were. Several officers of the church,
Sturgess will, in time, was also converted under the seeing black people kneeling in an area other than
preaching of Richard Allen. designated for them, rushed over and directed them
to move on. After prayer! was the response that
In 1778, Richard Allen a former slave who had
was given. The officers, not being satisfied with the
purchased the freedom of both he and his brother,
response, summoned others who came and literally
religious leader in the black community and later
tried to pull the worshipers from their knees. A final
founder of the African Methodist Episcopal church
response was: After prayer, we will trouble you no
(AME Church) had begun preaching with other
more. The group of black worshipers left St. George
Methodist preachers, and was frequently called
that day after prayer, formed the Free African Society
upon to preach at the St. George Methodist Church in
and later the African Methodist Episcopal Church.
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The message that he had
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Dr. Riggins R. Earl, Jr.
Motto: To fill the people with church, not the church with people.
Born in Limestone County, Alabama, Rev. LeRoy Elliott and his family relocated to Louisville, KY. While residing
in Louisville, he was educated through the Jefferson County School system. Rev. Elliott attended the University
of Louisville and continued his theological education at Baltimore Theological Seminary.
In 1975 Rev. Elliott was joined in holy matrimony to his wife, Mrs. Katie Elliott. To this union two sons and
one daughter were born.
In 1978, Rev. Elliott was called to New Greater St. John Community Missionary Baptist Church located at
3101 W. Warren Boulevard, Chicago, IL where he serves as Pastor.
Since then, Rev. Elliott has received many prestigious awards. He has been privileged to have been the
spiritual mouth piece during the midnight service of the National Baptist Convention USA, of which he is a
faithful and active member.
Rev. Elliott has preached the gospel of Jesus Christ all over the Nation & beyond the borders of America. He
has given the word in some of the most prestigious pulpits and is one of the premier revivalists of this country,
as well. He is not only actively involved with the spiritual part of man, but also the physical part of man. Rev.
Elliott has participated in numerous marches to enhance the quality of the entire human race. His concern
for the homeless, hungry, disenfranchised and all others in need is second to none.
Rev. Elliott knows that God is concerned about the total man and this motivates him to set a goal to accomplish
the same, through the power and will of God.
Rev. Elliott believes and often says; When time shall have ended and eternity has begun, remember me as
being a servant of the Lord Jesus Christ.
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FEB. Founders Day
10 Lecture Series
Allen University
(The Chappelle Auditorium)
Lunch.................................................................................................................................................. 12:00 PM
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Founders Day FEB.
Worship Service 10
The Prelude
The Doxology
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow: Praise Him all creatures here below;
Praise Him above, ye heavenly host, Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen
The Call to Worship (page 10) The Reverend Joseph Postell, P.E.
The Lancaster District
The Hymn of Praise #226 (Amazing Grace) The Reverend James S. Cooper, P.E.
The Sumter District
The Scripture
Old Testament The Reverend Judy M. Richardson, P.E.
The Greenville District
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FEB. Founders Day
10 Worship Service
Gift for Missions The Reverend Dr. William Smith, Jr., P.E.
The Marion District
The Founders Day Litany (page 11) The Reverend Rosalyn G. Coleman, P.E.
The Columbia District
The Announcements
The Doxology
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow: Praise Him all creatures here below;
Praise Him above, ye heavenly host, Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen
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Weve Come This Far by Faith
Chorus:
Weve come this far by faith, leaning on the Lord;
Trusting in His Holy Word, Hes never failed me yet.
Oh, oh - -, oh - - cant turn around - -
Weve come this far by faith.
Repeat Chorus
Verse 1
Dont be discouraged, when troubles in your life.
Hell bear your burdens, and move all misery and strife.
Thank God weve
Repeat Chorus
Verse 2
Just the other day I heard a man say
He didnt believe in Gods word.
But I can truly say that God has made a way.
And Hes never failed me yet.
Thats why weve
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The Call to Worship
Minister: 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.
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.
Minister: Because of the house of the Lord our God, I will seek thy good.
People: Those that be planted in the house of the Lord shall flourish in
the courts of our God.
Minister: Blessed are they that dwell in thy house. Lord, I have loved thy
habitation and the place where thy honor dwelleth.
People: For the Lord is in His holy temple, let all the earth keep silence
before Him.
People: O sing unto the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous
things. Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all the earth, and sing
praises.
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The Founders Day Litany
(Litany written by Bishop John Hurst Adams, the 87th Elected and Consecrated
Bishop of the African Methodist Episcopal Church)
Reverend Coleman: It is with grateful hearts that we give thanks to God for the gift
of empowerment, liberation and community in Jesus Christ our
Lord.
PEOPLE: THE LORDS NAME BE PRAISED, HALLELUJAH.
Reverend Coleman: For the Apostles, martyrs and heroes of the faith
PEOPLE: THE LORDS NAME BE PRAISED, HALLELUJAH.
Reverend Coleman: For the Ecumenical Christian Community to which all Christians
belong, sharing a common origin and destiny despite our
diversity in worship, polity and theology
PEOPLE: THE LORDS NAME BE PRAISED, HALLELUJAH.
Reverend Coleman: For the new insights and fresh fervor brought by the reformers
and prophets in our history
PEOPLE: THE LORDS NAME BE PRAISED, HALLELUJAH.
Reverend Coleman: For the African Methodist Episcopal Church and its unique
place and special contribution to the church and community
PEOPLE: THE LORDS NAME BE PRAISED, HALLELUJAH.
Reverend Coleman: For the experience of two centuries of liberation struggles and
reconciliation gifts, and for the prospect and promises of a
third century
PEOPLE: THE LORDS NAME BE PRAISED, HALLELUJAH.
Reverend Coleman: For that unique Prophet, Apostle of Freedom, and the Model of
Ebony Excellence, whose blessed name is Richard Allen
PEOPLE: THE LORDS NAME BE PRAISED, HALLELUJAH.
Reverend Coleman: For the beloved of our history and their special emphases:
Daniel Payne, Paul Quinn, Henry McNeil Turner, John R.
Hawkins, Lucy Hughes and all the Bishops and Leaders of our
Church
PEOPLE: THE LORDS NAME BE PRAISED, HALLELUJAH.
Reverend Coleman: For the obscure and unsung heroes of the Faith; Presiding
Elders, Pastors, Laypersons, Missionaries and Youth who have
kept the Faith in hard and remote places
PEOPLE: THE LORDS NAME BE PRAISED, HALLELUJAH.
Reverend Coleman: For the Genius of the Conference System which recovers the
Story, renews the Faith, deepens the Commitment and
preserves our Holy Heritage generation unto generation
ALL: THE LORDS NAME BE PRAISED, HALLELUJAH AND AMEN!
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Seventh Episcopal District Presiding Elders
Palmetto South Carolina Annual Conference
The Reverend Dr. Allen W. Parrott, Kingstree District
The Reverend Dr. Juenarrl Keith, Mt. Pleasant District
The Reverend Dr. Sandy W. Drayton, Georgetown District
Northeast South Carolina Annual Conference
The Reverend Dr. William Smith, Jr., Marion District
The Reverend Dr. James S. Cooper, Sumter District
The Reverend Remus Harper, Florence-Dillon District