Covenant Update

Dear Covenant Family:

Today was another great day at Covenant Church.  We had 33 folks in attendance and attached for your benefit is today’s bulletin.  Note that our March ministry is St. Francis House and, because March has 5 Sundays, we will also support the Pine Grove paper and cleaning supplies ministry and the Newberry High School toiletries ministry.  Also, note the hilarious “story” that Tina included regarding Mildred and George!

We begin today’s prayer requests with two praise reports.  Frank Dolwick had a praise for a Santa Fe student, Josh, who attends our church fairly regularly, and also plays basketball for the college; Josh had a big game yesterday as Santa Fe defeated a very good opponent.  Craig Alexander also had a praise for Tina Pinkoson for suggesting a few weeks ago that church members should pray for Becky every day at 1:26 PM that she will be healed of her new kidney cancer (note that Becky originally told our church members this news on January 26).

We also had a number of prayer requests presented to us.  Shirley Romey will leave this Thursday to travel to Brazil for three weeks to visit their many friends in that country and to spread some of Carl’s ashes there; her daughter Valerie and her children will join her in Brazil during their Spring Break week; please pray for traveling mercies for Shirley and her family, and for happy visits and memories with all their Brazilian friends.  Helen Ann Noegel asked for continued prayers for Mack and Caroyln Vlacos as Mack had another tough week, but neither one at least required an ER visit or hospitalization.  Helen Ann also asked for prayers for a friend of her son Todd who is a 53 year old diabetic and has just gone into Hospice due to serious complications.  Nancy Parke asked for prayers for both her sister Patsy who was unable to attend church today due to illness and for a friend Johnny.  Sam Parker asked for prayers for his twin brother Dan who has breathing issues but is right now feeling an improvement in the issues.  Missy Mauldin asked for prayers for a couple she met years ago in Mexico who are now married and the wife has now been diagnosed with cancer.  Missy also asked for prayers for her high school students she teaches who are preparing for senior exams they will soon take.  Pastor Don asked for continued prayers for Vicki and Paul McArthur who are both dealing with continuing health issues.  Michelle Miller asked for continued prayers for Patty Sanders and her family in the death of her son.  Craig also asked for continued prayers for his mother in Orlando who is receiving physical therapy but still has not had her cancer treatment scheduled. 

Also, Tina Pinkson reminded each of us to set our clocks forward next Saturday night as we spring forward one hour for daylight savings time!

Pastor Don gave a sermon today titled The Weapons of War, based on the following scripture:

Ephesians 6:10-20 – The Armor of God – Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. ¹¹ Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. ¹² For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. ¹³ Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist on the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. ¹⁴ Stand firm therefore, having belted your waist with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, ¹⁵ and having strapped on your feet the preparation of the gospel of peace; ¹⁶ in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. ¹⁷ And take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

¹⁸ With every prayer and request, pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be alert with all perseverance and every request for all the saints, ¹⁹ and pray in my behalf, that speech may be given to me in the opening of my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel, ²⁰ for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in proclaiming it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.

Note that the devil is our clear enemy (verses 10-12), and critical is taking up the shield of faith to extinguish the flames of the devil (verse 16).  Also critical in fighting the devil is the word of God (verse 17) and to be alert and pray continuously (verse 18).   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 each of you a most blessed week!

Ron