Covenant Update
Dear Covenant Family:
Yesterday was a great day at Covenant with 32 folks in attendance. We were able to provide hurricane relief of $2,200, sent to the Baptist Convention in south Florida and to a church in Puerto Rico recommended by Bill Mercado. We also had substantial contributions for Pine Grove and Newberry High School Hygiene Closet, so thank you to everyone who contributed to those ministries in October! Our local ministry for November is the South West Advocacy Group to support those in need in SW Gainesville. Attached is today’s bulletin with a reminder of our Covenant Thanksgiving Dinner in 3 weeks, please plan to attend and bring family and friends. There are also some fun Halloween notes for you provided by Tina!
Tina Floyd is still in rehab but is up and about and can have visitors. Missy Mauldin asked for prayer for her missionary friends in Madrid Spain – the good news is they found a church that will share space with them to continue their ministry, but pray that they can hold their members together since the time of service flips from day to evening from week to week. Carolyn Vlacos asked for prayers for her brother Danny living in Gainesville who has cancer. Mack Vlacos also asked for prayers for his brother Bobby living in St. Augustine with dementia. Also, continue to pray for Carl and Shirley as they are on the last leg of their 18-day trip to Brazil. I understand their trip is going well, and pray for traveling mercies home for them as they arrive back in Gainesville this Saturday.
Pastor Don’s sermon was titled Too Much Pressure and his scripture was Luke 22:31-34 – “Simon, Simon, behold, Satan has demanded to sift you men like wheat; 32 but I have prayed for you, that your faith will not fail; and you, when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.” 33 But he said to Him, “Lord, I am ready to go with You both to prison and to death!” 34 But He said, “I tell you, Peter, the rooster will not crow today until you have denied three times that you know Me.”
The sermon was about the pressures of life, and the pressure on Peter as Jesus prepared for his crucifixion. Pastor Don described how a shaker is used to clean the grain, and that Satan does the same to man as described in verse 31 to separate us from Jesus. Don reminded us that we don’t really know how we will respond in any difficult situation until we face it. How often have we heard someone say “I don’t know how much more I can take”. Also remember that these disciples were young men with dreams, like many young men in our country when they are drafted into the Army. They will be tested and may have some failures along the way. You may think you are set and can handle anything, but then you may find differently at some point of pressure in your life. We later see Peter’s reaction to his failure in serving Jesus, he cried, and we also see Jesus’ reaction in verse 32 and right after His resurrection. He immediately welcomes Peter back as we are all welcomed back into Jesus’ arms, as long as we are standing on the Word of God. When you return to God, make sure you take care of those around you.
We then ended the church service ended with Communion. May God bless each of you and your families this week!
Ron
