Dear Covenant Church Family:
Today was a great day at Covenant Church, with 34 folks in attendance. Our ministry for October is Bread of the Mighty Food Bank, whose stated mission is – Together, we take a holistic approach to nourishing our community – rescuing surplus food, sharing it through local pantries, and empowering families through education, advocacy, and compassionate support to ensure no one goes hungry. If you would like to contribute to this ministry, you can send a check to Covenant Church before the end of the month.
We had a number of prayer requests today. Pastor Don shared that Craig Alexander took Becky to the hospital this morning for side effects that have impacted her due to the immunotherapy treatments she is getting for her kidney cancer. Frank Dolwick asked for prayers for the family of a neighbor who died unexpectedly this week. Larry Noegel asked for prayers for the Pearson family, whose patriarch Fred Pearson died last week; Fred was a founding member of Covenant Church, and his funeral service will be at the Salt Church, near Santa Fe College, next Saturday at 10 AM. Nancy Parke had an unspoken prayer request. Missy Mauldin also had a prayer request for a family at the Rock School where she teaches whose mother died this past week. Rose Morgan asked for continued prayers for her and Joe’s 58-year-old niece who suffered a massive stoke about three months ago; her recovery has been very slow and the concern now is that she may never be able to walk again. Bill Mercado asked for prayers for the family of Ramona’s 79-year-old brother who died last week in the Bronx. Please keep all these people in your prayers for the coming week, and longer as needed.
Pastor Don also had a praise request saying he had spoken with Carolyn Vlacos this week and that she is doing well, but misses the people from her church in Gainesville. Larry Noegel also had a praise report for a good friend of his and Helen Ann who was diagnosed with breast cancer five years ago, was concerned that the cancer had returned, however her biopsy was negative. Missy Mauldin also had a praise report for her school who is embarking on a mission trip to a Guatemala church; the school had so many students sign up for the trip that they are taking two separate groups the next two weeks, and Missy is going with the first group leaving next Friday. Please praise God for his blessing on all these praised people, and that he may continue to bless them.
Pastor Don’s sermon today was Why share? The scripture Don used for his message were two verses:
Acts 20:35 – In everything I showed you that by working hard in this way you must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He Himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”
Hebrews 13:16 – And do not neglect doing good and sharing, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.
Pastor Don began his message by saying that if God shines through us, we shine when we give to others. Also, scripture is full of examples of people sharing with others. He specifically mentioned 1 Kings 17:8-16, where Elijah came to a poor woman and asked for bread and water. As she was poor with a son to feed, she couldn’t help him. Instead, he helped her and she had enough food and water to feed and nourish she and her son throughout the lengthy drought that followed.
Unfortunately, we were unable to tape today’s sermon, so it will not be available on our website. I apologize for this inconvenience.
I wish all of you a most blessed week, and hope to see you all in church next Sunday.
Ron