Dear Covenant Church Family:
Today was another great day at Covenant Church, with 33 folks in attendance. Our ministry for January is Family Promise, which has been a church ministry for many years now.
Our praise requests today greatly outnumbered our prayer requests, so we will begin with them. Ron Marks gave a praise to Michelle Miller, her son Luke, and her parents Don and JoAnn, for putting away all the Christmas decorations that transform our church for the holiday season. Frank Dolwick had two praise reports – one for himself who had a cardiac event this weekend that led him to spend two nights in the hospital but turned out not to be serious; and also for Francis Bush who is now settled into The Windsor, next door to The Village, where he had lived previously. Missy Mauldin also had two praise reports – one for her teaching job that she loves because when they return tomorrow, the teachers will begin the day with prayer; and one for her parents who raised Missy and her brother Andy in such a loving home. Tina Pinkoson had a praise for her 12-year old dog Gracie who died a few days ago. Nancy Parke also had a praise for Tina and Ron for the weekly messages that they send out to all church family and friends. Pastor Don then also had a praise for Pat Ford, Michelle’s aunt, who recently joined our church after moving here from central Florida.
We did have a few prayer requests. Sam Parker had a prayer request for their neighbor’s wife who had a recent stroke. JoAn Mills had a prayer request for her friend Alicia who was sick today and often attends with JoAn. Larry Noegel had a continued prayer request for his friend Bobby Henley who was now out of the hospital and in rehab before he returns home.
Pastor Don gave a sermon that I would title Running on Empty. His scripture was:
Isaiah 40:29 – He gives strength to the weary, and to the one who lacks might He increases power.
Pastor Don continued to suggest that life is full of changes, and hope feels lost sometimes. Whenever we feel empty in our faith, God knows and shares with us His presence. When we feel at our limit, God will take over. This year, lean more on God and leave your problems with Him. Just because you are weary, it is not over – choose to walk with God!
If you would like to listen to this sermon, all recorded sermons can be accessed at https://gainesvillecovenantchurch.org/ and then choose Sermons on the home page, and then choose today’s message.
I wish all of you and your families a most blessed week!
Ron