Keep the Faith and Carry On!

February 18, 2026

Leadership Notes

     What a winter from mid-January through mid-February. But enough about the weather. Hebrews 10:23-25 says:

“Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering,

for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up

one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet

together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another,

and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.”

In other words, this is an admonition for believers to prioritize gathering for worship, fellowship, and mutual encouragement. It is a warning against abandoning the community of faith. It also serves as a reminder to strengthen one another and maintain steadfastness in the face of challenges.

     What’s not to love about our little church here in Lenawee County? You live out this promise from God’s Word. Even in as harsh a stretch of winter as we’ve seen in a few years, we worship with warmth and an abundance of praise to God. Your faithfulness to Jesus Christ is evident in so many concrete ways.

     And speaking of concrete…plus a little brick-and-mortar…our balcony project is heading down the homestretch. I love how Covenant Church folks invite family and friends to worship. Your joy in the Lord is evident. Soon the balcony will be open to accommodate more comfortable seating. God is good all the time!

     Which is a good lead-in to the Shane Pruitt quote I shared in worship last Sunday {thanks to everyone who asked if I would post it}:

“STOP LOOKING FOR THE PERFECT CHURCH. INSTEAD, GO

WORSHIP THE PERFECT GOD WITH A CONGREGATION OF

FLAWED PEOPLE WHO NEED GRACE AS MUCH AS YOU DO.”

I think we can all say “Amen” to that.

     This Body of Christ is the antidote to what ails our culture. Jonathan Turley recently remarked, “Rage is addictive and contagious. What people do not want to admit in places like Minneapolis is that they like it, they need it.” That right there is driving so much of what we’re seeing culturally now. Which is why our lovely little church will be a refuge from such ugliness. We love God, we love Jesus, we love each other, and we love the communities in which we live. That’s why Galatians 5:22-23 remains a touchpoint for our church. Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, et al, are what drive us. They motivate us. God is doing an amazing thing in us and for us! Where does rage go to die? Covenant Church. We will always rejoice in the Lord.

     No matter what happens around us…regardless of the toxicity or craziness of our culture…we will always rejoice in the Lord. We will always march on, doing the work of the gospel, loving who and what Jesus calls us to love. In a small example, listen to what this mom recently wrote:

“My child wants breakfast. I gave him 8 choices for breakfast. He

wants none of these choices. He asks for a cereal he has never

asked for in 7 years. I do not have said cereal. He does not like

toast. He liked toast yesterday. When will this end?”

     My simple answer is, it will end when you die. Until then, every parent worth his or her weight in salt knows you persevere. You power through. You don’t let the behavior or attitude of another determine the core of who you are. We know who we are and whose we are. Covenant Church people strive to let love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control radiate from their lives. And as consistently as fallen, sinful people can do! That’s how we make a difference in this crazy, mixed-up world. People need Jesus.

     Finally, a closing prayer from Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.:

“Dear God,

Before the noise starts, anchor us in truth.

Make us steady…make us kind…make us bold.

Let everything we touch today carry light.

In Jesus’ name. Amen.”

     Keep the Faith and Carry On!

                   With Much Love and Affection,

                                           Richard