Dear Covenant Family:
Today was a great day at Covenant, and we had 30 folks in attendance. Attached is today’s bulletin, please note that our ministry this month is the Costas Family Ministry in Brazil, one of our two international ministries. Also note Tina’s additional Words of Wisdom included today, they are excellent food for thought!
We had a number of prayer requests today, and also a praise. Pastor Don asked for traveling and health mercies for Tina as she leaves this week on a 9-day international trip. Larry Noegel asked for continued prayers for Fred Pearson, who is still recovering in a physical therapy facility in Gainesville, and he hopes to go home in about two weeks. Michelle Miller also asked for traveling mercies for her daughter Lauren and granddaughter Tessa who also leave on an international trip this week. Becky Alexander asked for continued prayers for her father-in-law Bill Mercado who has another MRI scheduled for tomorrow and then a doctor follow-up visit later this week. Missy also asked for continued prayers for her missionary friends in Madrid Spain who are going through difficult times right now. Mack Vlacos asked for prayers for his grandson Nicolas. Finally, Rose Morgan raised a praise that Bobby and Patsy Sutton were back in church after having COVID for the past two weeks.
Pastor Don also had another interesting sermon, as he always does. He began by stating that he struggled with freshman English in college that he had to repeat the two freshman classes 3 times until he passed. He commented that his teacher told students that they should not be verbose, so he chose scripture today that told a big story in a few words. His scripture today was from
Matthew 8:1-3, 5-8 – Jesus Cleanses a Man with Leprosy – When Jesus came down from the mountain, large crowds followed Him. 2 And a man with leprosy came to Him and bowed down before Him, and said, “Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean.” 3 Jesus reached out with His hand and touched him, saying, “I am willing; be cleansed.” And immediately his leprosy was cleansed.”
The Centurion’s Faith – 5 And when Jesus entered Capernaum, a centurion came to Him, begging Him, 6 and saying, “Lord, my servant is lying paralyzed at home, terribly tormented.” 7 Jesus said to him, “I will come and heal him.” 8 But the centurion replied, “Lord, I am not worthy for You to come under my roof, but just say the word, and my servant will be healed.
Pastor Don spoke about how much is said in just the few words here. There is also quite a picture that emerges in you as you read these words, and a picture is worth 1,000 words. If you would like to listen to Pastor Don’s sermon, all recorded sermons can be accessed at https://gainesvillecovenantchurch.org/ and then choose Sermons on the home page, and then choose the sermon you want to hear.
I wish you all a most blessed week! Ron