Faith Covenant Christian Church

11:00 a.m. Service

CALL TO WORSHIP

*INVOCATION

*CONGREGATIONAL HYMN

*RESPONSIVE READING

*PRAYER

SONG OF PRAISE AND WORSHIP

WELCOME / ANNOUNCEMENTS / FELLOWSHIP

OFFERTORY PRAYER AND OFFERING

*INTERCESSORY PRAYER

*PRAYER OF FAITH AND COMMITMENT

SPECIAL MUSIC

WORD OF GOD – Pastor Nokomis Yeldell, Jr.

*INVITATION TO SALVATION AND DISCIPLESHIP

PRAYER OF COMMITMENT

Dear God, I know that I am a sinner. I want to turn from my sins, and I ask for Your forgiveness. I believe that Jesus Christ is Your Son. I believe He died for my sins and that You raised Him to life. I want Him to come into my heart and to take control of my life. I want to trust Jesus as my Savior and follow Him as my Lord from this day forward.

In Jesus’ Name, amen.

[You may join Faith Covenant Christian Church by: Baptism, Christian Experience,

Re-Dedication, Transfer Letter, or Watch Care]

HOLY COMMUNION (1st Sunday Of Every Month)

BENEDICTION

Peter’s Denial Of Jesus – A Powerful Story Of

Failure, Repentance And Restoration

The Weight of Denial

Peter was one of Jesus’ closest disciples, known for his boldness and unwavering devotion. Yet, in Jesus’ darkest hour, Peter denied Him three times. This moment is heartbreaking, but it also reveals the depth of human weakness and the incredible grace of God. Denial is something we all face—whether through fear, doubt, or pressure from the world. But Peter’s story does not end in failure. Through Jesus’ love, he was restored and became a pillar of the early church.

The First Denial – Fear in the Courtyard

"Now Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard. And a servant girl came up to him and said, ‘You also were with Jesus the Galilean.’ But he denied it before them all, saying, ‘I do not know what you mean.’" — Matthew 26:69-70

After Jesus was arrested, Peter followed at a distance, watching events unfold. A servant girl recognized him and called him out. In that moment, fear gripped Peter’s heart. He was afraid of being associated with Jesus, afraid of suffering the same fate. Fear often leads us to compromise our faith. We may not verbally deny Jesus, but we might stay silent when we should speak up, or choose comfort over conviction.

The Second Denial – Pressure and Weakness

"And when he went out to the entrance, another servant girl saw him, and she said to the bystanders, ‘This man was with Jesus of Nazareth.’ And again he denied it with an oath, ‘I do not know the man.’" — Matthew 26:71-72

Peter moved away from the first confrontation, but the pressure followed him. Another servant girl recognized him, and again, he denied knowing Jesus—this time with an oath, swearing that he was not a disciple. Pressure from others can make us act in ways we never imagined. Peter, who once declared he would die for Jesus, now found himself swearing that he didn’t even know Him. This reminds us that our strength alone is not enough—we need God’s help to remain faithful.

The Third Denial – The Rooster Crows

"After a little while the bystanders came up and said to Peter, ‘Certainly you too are one of them, for your accent betrays you.’ Then he began to invoke a curse on himself and to swear, ‘I do not know the man.’ And immediately the rooster crowed." — Matthew 26:73-74

Peter’s final denial was the most intense. He cursed and swore, desperately trying to distance himself from Jesus. But then, the rooster crowed—just as Jesus had predicted. In that moment, Peter realized what he had done. Failure is painful, but it is also revealing. Peter’s denial showed him his own weakness, but it also prepared him for restoration. Sometimes, God allows us to see our failures so we can fully understand His grace.

Restoration and Redemption

"And Peter remembered the saying of Jesus, ‘Before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.’ And he went out and wept bitterly." — Matthew 26:75

Peter’s denial was devastating, but it was not the end of his story. After Jesus’ resurrection, He met Peter by the Sea of Galilee and restored him. Three times, Jesus asked Peter, “Do you love me?”—giving him the chance to reaffirm his devotion. Jesus does not leave us in our failures. He calls us back, offering grace and restoration. Peter went on to become a leader in the early church, proving that God can use even our worst moments for His glory. This story reminds us that failure is not final. Like Peter, we may stumble, but Jesus is always ready to restore us.

SUNDAY SCHOOL NEXT WEEK

SUNDAY SCHOOL – July 19, 2026

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Zacchaeus, Repentant Tax Collector ~ Luke 19: 1-10

Lesson Aims: After participating in this lesson,

each learner will be able to:

1. Summarize Zacchaeus’s character development.

2. Explain the significance of Jesus’ willingness to stay

at Zacchaeus’s house.

3. Make a list of personal attitudes and behaviors

that Jesus’ love compels them to change.

Luke 19:1–6 1 Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through. 2 A man was there by the name of Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was wealthy. 3 He wanted to see who Jesus was, but because he was short he could not see over the crowd. 4 So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree to see him, since Jesus was coming that way. 5 When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today.” 6 So he came down at once and welcomed him gladly.

A Lost Man in a Tree Jericho is the last stop before Christ’s entry into Jerusalem. In this stunning chapter of Luke, Jesus saves a man steeped in the corrosive power of the enemy. In worldly terms, Zacchaeus has it all. He is the wealthy and influential chief tax collector of an important city and hub of commerce. Fellow Jews may hate him, but they are under his thumb. He can extort others—steal from them—without consequence. Why is it any concern what Rome does with these great levies he collects? Doesn’t he have a right to make a living like everyone else? It is surprising that Jesus involved Himself with a tax collector, but it’s equally surprising that Zacchaeus is drawn to Jesus in the first place. Jesus taught, “Woe to you who are rich, for you have already received your comfort” (Luke 6:24). In a parable, He warned about a rich fool who hoards wealth (Luke 12:13–21). And Jesus said, “Those of you who do not give up everything you have cannot be my disciples” (Luke 14:33). The way that Jesus speaks about wealth makes even His disciples uncomfortable, and they ask, “Who then can be saved?” (Luke 18:26). What happens soon after as they encounter Zacchaeus helps to give an answer to the question. It is a testimony to the power of the kingdom that even a man at the top is curious. The image of an adult who climbs trees is undignified, or perhaps even comical. Unlike the wealthy ruler who came right up to Jesus in Luke 18:18; Zacchaeus keeps his distance. Luke explains that he wanted to “see who Jesus was” (19:3). Zacchaeus shows the childlike humility that works like an antidote to the temptations of pride. Since curiosity and humility prepare us to be open to God, it is no surprise that Jesus encourages us to “receive the kingdom of God like a little child” (18:17). The scene is set, the characters all in place. When Jesus looks into the tree, He spots not only a lost man, but a man willing to look foolish just to catch a glimpse. Jesus knows the name of Zacchaeus without any introduction, and He calls out to honor him with a visit to his home (19:5). Luke doesn’t say how much this curious man knows about Jesus yet, but we see an immediate effect Jesus has upon him. He is eager to open his house and to share a table with this Jewish teacher: “[Zacchaeus] welcomed him gladly” (19:6). Like Jesus called to Zacchaeus, He calls to us by name, asking us to examine our attachments to wealth, status, and comfort. And, like Zacchaeus, we are invited to respond with humility as we seek Jesus—even before we know the answers to all of our questions.

Luke 19:7–10 7 All the people saw this and began to mutter, “He has gone to be the guest of a sinner.” 8 But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount.” 9 Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham. 10 For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”

A Lost Man is Found It is only human to feel anger or jealousy when those who have wronged us receive attention. The crowds who are observing Jesus while He interacts with Zacchaeus are some of the same people who have been cheated by this man. Luke says the people “mutter” when they refer to Jesus’ association with sinners (19:7). Surely, they must think, Jesus could have found another place to share a supper. As a respected Jewish teacher, Jesus is honoring the wrong person with His presence. But appearances can be deceiving. And what appeared to be an unlikely person to welcome Jesus turns out to be someone highly receptive to Jesus’ kingdom message. Notice that Luke actually skips mention of the meal and its conversation. Luke is focused on the transformation, rather than the process. Zacchaeus does an about-face in his entire pattern of life. Whereas he had supervised the extortion of taxes and amassed great wealth, he now wants to return his hoarded wealth to the poor people whom he harmed. He boldly promises, “I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount” (Luke 19:8). Compare that to the rich man who became sorrowful and gave up the invitation to follow Jesus (Luke 18:22–23). Zacchaeus is responding the way that Jesus desires, by relinquishing his wealth. For Zacchaeus, it is not as simple as transferring the contents of a bank account. He has to reverse-engineer the system that has profited him. He pledges to support those he exploited, offering more than repayment: extravagant restitution. When he promises to pay back four times as much, he is calculating high interest on the debts he now considers himself to owe. It helps to understand that, during this time, those who cannot pay taxes often borrow at terrible rates—much like predatory payday loans work today. Zacchaeus’s promise reveals a repentant heart seeking the benefit of others. He is determined to repair the injustices he caused. Jesus welcomes sincere repentance and announces that, “Salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham” (19:9). It means, although Zacchaeus looked like a traitor to the Jewish people, he was actually a member of the “lost” Jesus has come to save (v. 10). It wasn’t Zacchaeus’s ancestry that made Jesus say this; it was his response of faith. Zacchaeus has enough faith to realize that any ill-gotten wealth he has accumulated will mean nothing under Christ’s rule. Abraham was counted righteous for his faith—an active and radical trust in God that drove a life of sacrifice. Because of his faith in God, Zacchaeus becomes a true child of Abraham by laying aside wealth and privilege. Everyone except Jesus sees Zacchaeus as a treacherous ingrate who should not receive any grace. Jesus doesn’t deny his past (calling him “lost” in v. 10). But Jesus’ mission is to find the lost and to restore them to a close relationship with God. We can never be too lost to be found by Him.

About Us

OUR HISTORY

Faith Covenant Christian Church began on February 27, 2014 following a fellowship dinner for displaced former members of Crossroads Christian Church. Following that first meeting, we formed a Planning Committee and began meeting @ Best Western Hotel at Cedar Bluff.

On May 7, 2014, we adopted the name Faith Covenant Christian Church, with our foundational verse being Jeremiah 50:5. On June 22, 2014 an invitation to membership was given by Rev A. David Baxter and 21 people united with Faith Covenant Christian Church. Women’s and Men’s Ministries began having regular meetings. In September 2014, we began having Sunday School and Wednesday Night Bible Study. In November, Youth Ministry began. By the end of 2014, ten more people joined, three as new converts. We moved to 1027 Summer Wood Drive on April 1, 2015. Following a yearlong pastor search, Violet P. McRoy, was called as pastor on April 18, 2016. In March 2018, Pastor McRoy resigned as pastor, due to poor health and other personal issues. God quickly responded to our prayer-laden search and Nokomis Yeldell, Jr. was elected to the pastoral position on April 16, 2018. On Easter Sunday in 2025, we moved into a new sanctuary at 1021 Summer Wood Drive. On May 03, 2026, we celebrated our 12th church anniversary and are looking onward, upward and forward to serving God faithfully.

OUR PASTOR

Nokomis Yeldell, Jr.

Pastor Yeldell was born in Mt Pleasant, Texas, the third of five children of Nokomis and Dollie Pearl Yeldell. His father, also a Pastor for over 60 years, was called to Memphis, TN, where Nokomis Jr. grew up. Following graduation Pastor Yeldell attended Southwestern Christian College. He then served four years in the United States Air Force. He then decided to move to Knoxville, TN to further his education. After serving in leadership capacities in various ministries at Foster Chapel Baptist Church, Pastor Yeldell was called into the ministry in 2010.

Faith Covenant Christian Church represents Pastor Yeldell’s third and prayerfully final pastorate.

WHAT WE BELIEVE

FAITH COVENANT Christian Church accepts the Holy Scriptures as the revealed will of God, the all-sufficient rule of faith and practice, and holds to the following foundational truths:

1. The One True God

GOD IS… He is the eternally existent and immutable Father, Creator of the Universe and everything therein. He is the Lord of heaven and earth, and in Him we move and have our being. He is Spirit, and His worshipers must worship Him in spirit and in truth. Our Triune God—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—is One God in three distinct persons: one in essence and purpose and distinct in personality and function. He is omnipotent, omnipresent, and omniscient. He is the essence of love, goodness, faithfulness, kindness, mercy, grace, holiness, righteousness, and justice.

2. The Deity of the Lord Jesus Christ

Jesus Christ is the eternally existent Son of the living God, the fullness of the Godhead bodily, the image of the invisible God, and the firstborn of all creation. Through Him was made everything that is made—things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things are held together.

He was born of a virgin, and lived a sinless life. God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us so that we might become the righteousness of God through His substitutionary death on the cross. He was resurrected bodily from the dead, and sits at the right hand of the Father making intercession for us.

3. The Work of the Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit is the Counselor, the Spirit of Truth, who goes out from the Father and testifies about the Son. The Holy Spirit convicts the world of guilt in regards to sin and righteousness and judgment. He is given to all who believe, for Jesus will baptize with the Holy Spirit according to the promise of God the Father, who gives the Spirit without limit. The Holy Spirit lives with us and in us, bringing about the endowment of power for life and service, as well as the bestowment of the gifts and their uses in the work of the ministry. These gifts of the Holy Spirit, distributed according to His own will (Hebrews 2:4) include: prophecy, service, teaching, encouragement, contributing to the needs of others, leadership, mercy (Romans 12:6-8), message of wisdom, message of knowledge, faith, healing, miraculous powers, distinguishing between spirits (discernment), tongues, interpretation of tongues (1 Corinthians 12:7-11).

4. Salvation from the Penalty of Sin

By grace, through faith, we are saved from the penalty of sin. Mankind, though made in the image of God, has inherited through the first man, Adam, a sinful nature. By this nature, all mankind has sinned and fallen short of the glory of God, and thereby, was alienated from God; dead in transgressions—gratifying the cravings, desires, and thoughts of the sinful nature; following the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air; stirring up wrath against himself for the day of God’s wrath, when His righteous judgment will be revealed. But God did not appoint mankind to suffer wrath, but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. Because of His great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—and saved us by His grace through faith in Jesus Christ.

5. Salvation from the Power of Sin

By grace, through faith, we are saved from the power of sin. Having been crucified with Christ, we put to death the deeds of the body so that sin shall have no dominion over our mortal bodies. We have received the Spirit who is from God so that we may live by faith, understanding what God has freely given us to accomplish His purpose:

He has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our personal knowledge of Him as Savior and Lord.
He has given us His precious and magnificent promises by which we may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.
He has given us apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ, His church, may be built up.
He has given to us the manifestation of the Spirit through spiritual gifts for the common good.
He has given us the ministry of reconciliation: that by word and deed we might aim to bring others into harmony with Him.

6. Salvation from the Presence of Sin

By grace, through faith, we are saved from the presence of sin, for the Lord Jesus died and rose again, and will Himself come down from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God. The dead in Christ shall rise first, and we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. Then the end will come, when He hands over the kingdom to God the Father after he has destroyed all dominion, authority and power. For He must reign until He has put all His enemies under His feet. The last enemy to be destroyed is death. And there shall be a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth will pass away. And we shall dwell with God in the Holy City, the New Jerusalem. We shall be His people, and God Himself will be with us and be our God. He will wipe every tear from our eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things will have passed away.

7. The Inspiration and Inerrancy of Scripture

God’s Word is TRUTH. The Holy Scriptures (both the Old and New Testament) is the inspired, inerrant, and infallible Word of God. We are saved from the penalty, power, and presence of sin by grace through faith that comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God, which testifies of Jesus Christ. By His Word, God has revealed Himself, His plan, His purpose, and His ways—so that we would come to Him to receive eternal life through faith in Jesus Christ our Lord.

OUR MINISTRIES

Faith Covenant Christian Church operates under a FIVE FOLD Ministry concept

I EXALTATION

Deacons- Bro. Reggie Lindsey

Holy Sacraments And Sacred Days – Sis. Earlenia Lindsey

Media- Sis. Tiaeshia Kelso, Bro. Anthony Lindsey

Music- Bro. Reggie Lindsey

Program – Sis. Earlenia Lindsey

Public Relations – Bro. Reggie Lindsey, Sis. Sabrina T. Wilson

Pulpit – Pastor Nokomis Yeldell, Jr.

Reconciliation – Ministerial Council

Ushers – Sis. Teresa Farmer

II ENABLING

Benevolence – Sis. Earlenia Lindsey

Food Pantry – Bro. Karl Townes

Hospitality – Sis. Teresa Farmer

Intercessory Prayer – Sis. Earlenia Lindsey

Missions – Sis. Earlenia Lindsey

III EDUCATION

Bible Study – Pastor Nokomis Yeldell, Jr.

Youth Church –

Sunday School – Bro. Reggie Lindsey

Supplemental Education And Training – Bro. Reggie Lindsey

Vacation Bible School –

IV EDIFICATION

Church-Wide Edification – Sis. Sabrina T. Wilson

Men’s Ministry – Bro. Karl Towns

Women’s Ministry (WICS) – Sis. Teresa Farmer

Youth – Sis. Earlenia Lindsey

V EQUIPPING

Administration – Sis. Sabrina T. Wilson

Finance – Sis. Teresa Farmer, Sis. Tiaeshia Kelso, Sis. Sabrina T. Wilson

Transportation – Bro. Karl Towns

Trustees – Bro. Karl Towns

Kitchen Ministry / Special Events – Sis. Teresa Farmer

Comfort And Care Ministry - Pastor Nokomis Yeldell, Jr.