Covenant Update
Dear Covenant Family:
Yesterday was another good day at Covenant. We had 31 attendees at church!! Don gave a very timely sermon given all the current unrest in our country based on this scripture:
2 Corinthians 4:8-9 – we are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing; 9 persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.
This verse seems to describe our lives right now given the bad news we have all around us. Don noted that these words were written by Paul who felt that his weakness did not cripple him, but strengthened him. Paul never hesitated or gave up spreading the Good News in spite of all the afflictions and persecutions he faced after his conversion. A couple of quotes from Don’s sermon are appropriate here –
“We are not forsaken, just because some bad things to us”.
“Just do what God says, and we’ll be OK”.
“Find a way to help, to avoid despair”.
“You can choose to whine or you can choose to shine”. (Tina will love this one!!!!)
Attached is the bulletin from today’s service. Note that we had a good day of collecting more paper and cleaning goods for Pine Grove, the pile of contributions in the corner has grown a lot again yesterday. We also had a lot of people bring toiletries for the high school children based on our plea last Sunday about this important local need in addition to the contributions we are seeking this month for the Food4Kids Backpack program. Missy took a large amount of toiletries home with her after church to make available today at Newberry High School for those in need. Next Sunday is our last Sunday in August to collect for Pine Grove and the school children. Thanks to all for your generous donations to these worthy local ministries!!
The news on the member health situation was not as good. Paul McArthur had surgery this week for removal of gallstones and his gallbladder. It turned out he needed surgery on three consecutive days, Wednesday through Friday, to complete the process. The good news is he was released from the hospital on Saturday, but was having a slower recovery than anticipated. Edwina has also faced another setback as another blockage has been found, and doctors feel another surgery is needed. Edwina and her family are weighing all their options as the doctors try to strengthen Edwina for another surgery. Note that Edwina has been moved to Shands Hospital and is now under their care. The one piece of good news we received is the 19-month old boy with COVID is doing better, and his family members who got it are all stable, so that was good news. The other good news was that Carl Romey was able to come to church yesterday with Shirley. It was great to see Carl again and he was there a long time after church talking with friends. It was great to see him again! Continue to pray for all our church members and friends facing affliction right now!!!!!
If anyone would like to meet with Don, please call him at 352-262-5349, and he would be glad to come to you and meet you.
The scripture that I read today in my daily devotional is appropriate to close today’s message.
Romans 12:12 – Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
God is good….. all the time!!! All the time….. God is good!!!
Ron
