Covenant Update

Dear Covenant Family:

Today was a great day at Covenant Church, in spite of the nasty weather with us most of the day.  We had a total of 28 folks attending church today, and attached is a bulletin summarizing our service and announcements by Tina.

We had a number of prayer requests and praises today.  Pastor Don gave an update on Carolyn and Mack Vlacos, Carolyn is much better and Mack is still struggling with his multiple ailments.  They were both hoping to come to church today, but the rainy weather prevented them from coming.  Prayers were also asked for Rose Morgan, who is dealing with a chronic shoulder issue.  She was unable to be there today, but Shirley Romey has just returned from Brazil so was there to play the piano today.  Patty Sanders asked for continued prayers for herself and her son Scott.  Becky Alexander reported that she and Craig had a great visit at the Moffitt Cancer Center at USF this past week, and that she is scheduled for her cancer surgery identified in her kidney on April 23, and that her surgery will be covered by her medical insurance.

Shirley Romey had a praise report for her trip to Brazil to visit old friends there and spread some of Carl’s ashes.  She visited four cities where Carl and she served, her daughter and grandchildren were also able to go over their spring break, and she shared a number of Carl’s favorite ties with their Pastor friends in Brazil.  Shirley said her visit was excellent and outstanding in every way.  Sam Parker also had a health emergency last Sunday with high blood pressure, he called for Emergency Services, and Sam reported they did an excellent job reducing his blood pressure, Sam shared this as a praise report for the excellent emergency health care he was able to receive in his home.  Nancy Parke also had a praise report for the 28 church members who chose to be in church on such a nasty rainy day. 

Pastor Don gave a sermon today based on a few verses of scripture from Psalm 55.  First, he quoted:
Psalm 55:6-8 – I said, “Oh, that I had wings like a dove!  I would fly away and be at rest.  ⁷ Behold, I would flee far away, I would spend my nights in the wilderness.  ⁸ I would hurry to my place of refuge from the stormy wind and heavy gale.”

He began by sharing that we often want to just run away from our problems, and even David in this Psalm had those same feelings.    Then Pastor Don read:

Psalm 55:16 – As for me, I shall call upon God, and the Lord will save me.

Don talked about how his grandmother was always a refuge for him, that she always listened to him, encouraged him, and also always had a special treat for him.  Just like his grandmother, God is always there for us and will listen to us and respond.  Finally, Don closed with:

Psalm 55:22 – Cast your burden upon the Lord and He will sustain you; He will never allow the righteous to be shaken.

Pastor Don concluded that God has certainly been everywhere that we may possibly go, and He will always be there for us, to meet all our needs.  We then concluded the service with Communion.

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