To The Glory And Praise OF God!

March 18, 2026

Leadership Notes

     Words cannot convey my love and appreciation for your affirmation of my desire to work past the age of seventy. This is a kindhearted and generous community of faith. My mind always turns to what Paul says in Philippians 1:

“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…”

     God is good all the time. Our Annual Meeting was a delight. Who knew we had so many hilarious people in our midst? The food, as always, was terrific. The desserts especially so. Ministry updates were positively joyful. In 2025, the lovely people of our church contributed $81,000 above and beyond what is dedicated to mission and outreach. I could go on. But you get the point. Paul closes things out beautifully in Philippians 1:9-11:

“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.”

     How fully and joyfully you love each other and our communities. As Renatta Oxendine puts it:

“Jesus’ love is the kind of love that stays, wipes every tear, tells

the truth, and never leaves you behind. His love is greater than

you could possibly imagine.”

Whatever 2026 has in store for us, we trust in God’s sovereign purpose at work in the life of our church. No matter what we experience or go through as a church, all is well, because Jesus Christ is Lord.

     After a full and busy weekend…worship, potluck, annual meeting, Lenten Cantata, and whatever personal/family responsibilities came your way…here are two brief, uplifting, delightful thoughts:

“STAY AWAY FROM NEGATIVE PEOPLE. THEY HAVE A PROBLEM

FOR EVERY SOLUTION.”

-      Albert Einstein

“YOU DON’T STOP LAUGHING WHEN YOU GET OLD…YOU GET OLD

WHEN YOU STOP LAUGHING.”

-      Anonymous

     And now, your Moment of Spurgeon:

“Brother, sister, do something for Jesus. Do not talk about it: do

it. Words are leaves; actions are fruits. Do something for Jesus; do

something for Jesus to-day!”

Oh, how these words resonate in the heart-and-soul of Covenant Church.

     With Much Love and Affection,

                        Richard