Dear Covenant Family:
Today was another great day at Covenant Church. We had 34 attendees in church today. Attached is the bulletin for today’s service with info for you on our September ministry. Also note that September has five Sundays, so we will also be collecting paper and cleaning products for Pine Grove, and toiletries for Newberry High School students. Also be sure to note Tina’s additional comments in the bulletin for you to consider.
We had a number of prayer requests today. Larry Noegel asked for prayers for Fred Pearson, who did return home yesterday from rehab for his kidney issues, although his condition is still considered very serious. Kim Morgan (Joe and Rose’s daughter-in-law) asked for prayers for her brother who has had oral cancer for 4 years and will now face a year of reconstructive surgery on his face. Michelle Miller asked for travelling mercies for Lee and Tina Pinkoson who will be returning home tomorrow from a European cruise, and also for her daughter Lauren and granddaughter Tessa who will also be returning home from a European cruise. Shaw Grigsby asked for prayers for a friend in need that he and Polly are going to visit. Victoria MacArthur asked for prayers for our country during these difficult times, and also that Christians will speak up about abortion concerns.
Pastor Don started his message to us by stating that the title of his sermon was simply Why? The sermon he used for this message was from Matthew 15:9-15 and Mark 15:7-10. The scripture from Matthew describes Jesus healing a number of people with deformities on the Sabbath, and concluding in verse 12 that it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath. The scripture from Mark is when Pilate tries Jesus and he asks the crowd if he should release Barnabas or Jesus? In verse 10, Pilate was aware that the chief priests had handed Him over because of envy. The Jews were envious of Jesus because He helped people, even on the Sabbath.
Pastor Don’s sermon was about the negative impact of envy on our lives, and why would anybody be envious about others doing good for mankind? I would highly recommend you listen to Pastor Don’s message if you were unable to be in church today. 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