The E-News

Friday, February 20, 2026

Steele Hill A.M.E. Zion Church

Rev. Dr. Jerret C. Fite

Pastor

A Look at Jessie Jackson's Decades of Civil Rights Advocacy

Our Mission

To organize, train, plan and coordinate with fellow believers in the body, in order to achieve Excellence in Ministry

Our Vision

Steele Hill A.M.E. Zion Church is Christ-centered, Bible believing, Bible teaching church; serving the Body of Christ through excellence in Ministry and by perfecting the Saints so that God may be glorified.

February 22

Adult Lesson 12

Adult Unit III: The Church and Its Teachings Adult General Lesson Title: Stewardship and Mission Adult Topic: Values, Money, and Experiences

Home Daily Bible Reading

Friday, February 20 - 2 Corinthians 9: 6 - 15 Bountiful Sowing and Reaping Saturday, February 21 - Matthew 28: 16 - 20 Go and Make Disciples Sunday, February 22 - 2 Corinthians 8: 3 - 9 Excel in Generous Giving Affirmation: We will nurture an attitude of generosity toward others.

Bible Study

Tuesday @ 6:30 PM (In - Person or ZOOM)

GROW 2026

Please join us on our daily prayer and devotion toward the Resurrection!

Devotion: Friday, February 20, 2026

2.20.2026 - Rev. Dr. Jerret C. Fite

Isaiah 58:6-9a - “Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice… Is it not to share your food with the hungry… Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear; then your righteousness will go before you, and the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard. Then you will call, and the Lord will answer…” (NIV) Fasting is not the absence of food; it is the presence of focus. Too often, fasting is reduced to what we give up, when its true power is found in what we give ourselves to. Scripture reminds us that spiritual clarity comes when the heart is intentionally aligned with God. Fasting sharpens that alignment. It strips away distractions and calls our attention back to the One who sustains us beyond what we consume. To fast without focus is to practice ritual without transformation. God is not impressed by our hunger if our hearts remain scattered. The fast God honors is one that centers the mind, disciplines the will, and recalibrates our desires. When distractions are silenced— noise, excess, and self-indulgence—space is created for discernment, humility, and obedience. Focus becomes the doorway through which divine direction enters. In a world pulling us in a hundred directions, fasting confronts divided loyalties. It asks us to slow down long enough to hear God clearly and to sit honestly with what the Spirit reveals. Focused fasting exposes what has been controlling us, what we have leaned on more than God, and where our trust has drifted. It is not comfortable work, but it is holy work. When focus leads the fast, hunger becomes prayer, discipline becomes devotion, and sacrifice becomes surrender. God uses that focused posture to reshape priorities and deepen faith. Fasting, then, is not escape from the world’s demands; it is preparation to engage them with clarity and courage.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, help me to fast with focus and intention. Remove distractions from my heart and mind, and draw me closer to You. Teach me to surrender fully, align my desires with Yours, and hear Your voice clearly. May my fasting lead to deeper faith, humility, and obedience, so that my devotion honors You in every way. Amen.

Scripture: 2 Kings 2:4

SAED Lenten

Please see the daily prayer schedule

Daily Prayer Schedule and Concerns

Week 1 - February 18 - 21, 2028

Prayer Theme: Reviving Our Worship

February 18 - Praise & Thanksgiving - Psalm 107: 1-9 February 19 - Spirit-Filled Worship - Psalm 95, John 4:23-24 February 20 - Repentance and Forgiveness - Psalm 51: 1-13 February 21 - Humility & Seeking God - 2 Chronicles 7:14

Week 2 - February 22 - 28, 2026

Prayer Theme: Reviving Our Mission

February 22 - Holy Scriptures: Hebrews 4: 11 - 13 February 23 - Preaching the Gospel: Romans 1: 14 - 17 February 24 - Evangelism: Luke 15: 1 - 7 February 25 - Outreach: 1 John 3: 17 - 18 February 26 - Social Justice: Micah 6:8 February 27 - Obedience: 1 John 5:3 February 28 - Discipleship: Matthew 16:24, 28: 19 - 20

Looking Back To GO Forward

Sunday, February 22, 2026: Dress from a Previous Generation & Bring A Dish Sunday

Note: We will create one photo display of Black History Month 2026. Please send Fred your pictures. Thank You!

Black History Moment

WINTER OLYMPICS 2026

Laila Edwards - Women's Ice Hockey

Laila Edwards enters the Olympic spotlight as the first Black woman to represent Team USA in Olympic ice hockey. Her selection marks a historic moment — one that speaks both to progress and to how long it has taken for that barrier to finally break.

In victory, Team USA defender Laila Edwards made history at the 2026 Olympic Games in Milan-Cortina. The 22-year-old Ohio native became the first Black American woman to win a gold medal in women’s hockey when the United States beat Canada 2-1 in overtime Thursday night in the gold-medal game. Eight days earlier, Edwards played her first game with the Americans at the Olympic tournament, becoming the first Black woman to represent Team USA at the Olympic Games. Edwards played a crucial role in the Americans’ victory, firing a shot on net in the final moments of regulation before American forward Hilary Knight tipped the puck past Canadian goaltender Ann-Renée Desbiens. The goal tied the game at 1-1 and propelled both teams to overtime, where forward Megan Keller scored a highlight-reel goal to win the game for Team USA. Edwards was one of three Black women on the ice, as Canada iced two Black players of their own in forward Sarah Nurse and defender Sophie Jaques, both teammates with the Professional Women’s Hockey League’s Vancouver Goldeneyes. Nurse made history as the first Black woman to win a gold medal in women’s hockey when Canada won the Olympic tournament in 2022. She set a record for most assists and points in a single tournament in the process. Edwards currently plays for the Wisconsin Badgers as a forward, with eight goals and 36 points in 21 games. Edwards’ 1.71 points per game is sixth-best among players in the NCAA this season. She led the NCAA in scoring last year before winning a national championship with the Badgers. (nytimes.com)

February 27 - Richard & Valerie Coffey February 28 - Lewis & Debbie Johnson, Jr.

Community & Education

PHOEBE & JAY PremiereD February 2, 2026 on PBS KIDS

Every year, 40% of children enter kindergarten with literacy skills one to three years behind their grade level, creating a difficult gap for them to overcome*,” said Sara DeWitt, Senior Vice President and General Manager, PBS KIDS. “We hope that PHOEBE & JAY’s relatable characters, fun, family-centered stories, and foundational curriculum will help equip young viewers nationwide with the everyday literacy skills they need to find success in school and in life.” 

PHOEBE & JAY’s literacy curriculum is designed to closely support preschoolers as they learn how to create and use the many types of functional texts that they encounter each day. As the twins uncover adventures in their new home, they use a flyer to help a neighbor find a lost pet and read clothing labels to find the right size shirt. Phoebe and Jay showcase for young viewers how they, too, can utilize these skills to explore their surroundings, pursue their interests, and accomplish tasks big and small in their own lives.

Every year, 40% of children enter kindergarten with literacy skills one to three years behind their grade level, creating a difficult gap for them to overcome*,” said Sara DeWitt, Senior Vice President and General Manager, PBS KIDS. “We hope that PHOEBE & JAY’s relatable characters, fun, family-centered stories, and foundational curriculum will help equip young viewers nationwide with the everyday literacy skills they need to find success in school and in life.”  PHOEBE & JAY’s literacy curriculum is designed to closely support preschoolers as they learn how to create and use the many types of functional texts that they encounter each day. As the twins uncover adventures in their new home, they use a flyer to help a neighbor find a lost pet and read clothing labels to find the right size shirt. Phoebe and Jay showcase for young viewers how they, too, can utilize these skills to explore their surroundings, pursue their interests, and accomplish tasks big and small in their own lives.

To  watch Phoebe and Jay, you can stream the show on the following platforms:

• PBS KIDS: Available for free on PBS KIDS.  1
• Prime Video: You can watch Phoebe and Jay episodes on Prime Video.  1
• YouTube TV: Stream Phoebe and Jay on YouTube TV.  1
• Roku: The show is also available on Roku.  1
• Netflix and Disney+: Check these platforms for availability.  1 Make sure to check the specific platform for availability in your area.

History and Genealogy

The Patriots of Color Presentation should be very interesting and informative. Moreso, if you have an interest in History and Genealogy. Click below to read more about the program and presenters (Please contact Fred Witherspoon with any questions)

Our Digital Connection

REGISTER TO VOTE.VOTE.ATTEND THE MEETINGS.SIT AT THE TABLE

Thank You For Reading

Steele Hill Media Ministry

Contact Fred Witherspoon 704.488.5008 (phone/text) fwitherspoon@steelehillamez.org