God is Richly Blessing Us

August 5, 2026

Leadership Notes

     Warm mid-summer greetings. I saw an article the other day with the eye-grabbing headline:

“Boomers are fed up with modern supermarkets and they’re not

staying quiet.”

It certainly served its purpose, garnering my attention. As a boomer in recovery, I realized there were two things it was absolutely right about.

     First, old people get fed up with many things. Whether it’s reasonable or understandable, those are separate issues.

     Second, the old people who get fed up with many things are rarely, if ever, quiet about it. That is the least surprising of the headline.

     Where is this going, young and old alike, ask? I’m certainly not going to bore you with any of the details the article deemed interesting enough to share. The pertinent point is, the article marks your failure as a congregation. You’ve given me nothing to be fed up about. I’ve got nothing to complain about to any poor sap who would listen. Since technically I’m a boomer, I reckon I’m supposed to be cranky. Many things are supposed to grind my gears. But you’ve given me nothing. How’s a guy supposed to fit in with his peers?

     At the top of my list of things that bring me joy is your heart for worship. The changing rhythm of summer doesn’t stifle your desire to praise God. I love how you sing, engage with the Word of God, and express your love for Jesus.

     Second, what more can be said about Vacation Bible School? At whatever level of support, you were a part of its huge success. Most important thing of all was that 71 children saw and experienced the love of Jesus through what happened here during that beautiful week in July. Young and old alike connected with each other and the gospel as we all made the journey through the rain forest together.

     Third, the Backpack Blowout was another positive moment in the life of Covenant Church. Your hearts resonate with a desire to be a sustaining, loving presence in the life of our community. Leading up to Sunday, it seemed like every day there was a steady stream of folks dropping off back-to-school items. It was lovely to see. We are part of something special here at church.

     Here is the grand total: 136 children were blessed with essential needs

and supplies for their return to school. That’s 136 families. There was even an abundance of snacks. What a beautiful thing. I’m reminded of Matthew 25:37-40, “Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’” I love how our church responds to the grace and mercy God shows us in Jesus Christ.

     One final thought. If you were in worship last Sunday, August 2, you know I struggled mightily to recall the tune to the wonderful praise song, “Jesus Does.” In spite of my fumbling, its message remains simple yet profoundly encouraging. Some might say I took it too far trying to conjure up the tune.

     That afternoon, as I sat in my recliner, rehashing my failure {with the tune now clearly in my head!}, I received this text:

“BTW, I knew that song you referenced during your sermon. Had

thoughts of standing up to help you sing it. But they ended with

them being just that, thoughts.”

I chuckled at such thoughtful feedback. How can I ever be a grumbling pastor whilst surrounded by so many kindhearted believers? I echo Paul when he wrote to the Christians at the church in Philippi:

I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every

prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, because of

your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. And I

am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it

to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. It is right for me to feel

this way about you all, because I hold you in my heart, for you are

all partakers with me of grace, both in my imprisonment and

in the defense and confirmation of the gospel. For God is my

witness, how I yearn for you all with the affection of Christ

Jesus. And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and

more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may

approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the

day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that

comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.

What a beautiful truth embodied here in our little corner of God’s world.

     And now, your Moment of Spurgeon:

“Every hour of every day, God is richly blessing us; both when we sleep and when we wake His mercy waits upon us.”

Always of Good Cheer,

        Richard