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

This Week's Message

Date: May 24, 2026

Preacher: Pastor Nokomis Yeldell, Jr.

Sermon: When The Holy Spirit Came

Scripture: Acts 2: 1-4

1 When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. 2 Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. 4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.

Pentecost Sunday reminds us that Jesus kept his promise that we would not be left alone after his ascension, but that God would send his Spirit to teach, guide and strengthen us, as we follow Christ and obey his command to spread his Word and Gospel across the globe.

What actually happened on that first Pentecost Sunday?

Acts, Chapter 2: “And when the day of Pentecost had come, [the first followers of Jesus] were all together in one place” (Acts2:1). All of a sudden, they heard a sound like a strong wind, filling the house. And something like tongues of fire rested on their heads. “And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages as the Spirit gave them the ability to speak” (2:4).

They all could hear the Gospel in their own language and were amazed by the Good News about Jesus, his sacrifice and his resurrection. 3000 new followers of Jesus came to Christ that day and were baptized into his Church. But the promise that the Holy Spirit will fill God’s people and the Church of the Lord was not only for that generation, it was for all generations of believers – and us.

We do not have to try to bring about God’s dominion and build the Church of the Lord in our own strength. The powerful “Wind”, the Spirit, and the cleansing passionate “Flame”, the same Spirit, will fill us anew and we too will be able to bring the Gospel to all – in his strength and through his wisdom. Pray for the power, for being filled with the Holy Spirit, as we seek to do the Lord’s work and build up his Church amongst us.

Living God, you sent the Holy Spirit to breathe life into your church. Let us no longer be captives to fear, but messengers of your saving love, so that all may be reconciled in you; through Jesus Christ, our peace. When Christ ascended into heaven to reign with you in power and glory, you sent the Spirit of truth to guide us into the way, the truth, and the life of Christ. Let your Spirit, our Advocate, guide us still— preserving us from judgment, protecting us from sin, and leading us into righteousness, so that we may testify to the good news: fullness of life and joy for all; through Jesus Christ our Savior and in the unity of the Holy Spirit. Let your Spirit of peace and truth abide with us so that we may live in hope, grow in faith, and keep your commandments of love; in the name of Jesus Christ we pray.

REMEMBER AND HONOR

Dear God,

As we remember those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for the freedoms we enjoy every day, we think of how they have followed in the footsteps of your son, our Savior, Jesus Christ. Please hold our servicemen and women in your strong arms. Cover them with your sheltering grace and your presence as they stand in the gap for our protection. We also remember the families of our troops. We ask for your unique blessings to fill their homes, and we pray your peace, provision, and strength will fill their lives. May the members of our armed forces be supplied with courage to face each day and may they trust in the Lord's mighty power to accomplish each task. Let our military brothers and sisters feel our love and support.

In the name of Jesus. Amen.

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.

SUNDAY SCHOOL NEXT WEEK

SUNDAY SCHOOL – May 24, 2026

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Living in Christian Community

Matthew 28:18-20; Hebrews 10:22-25

Lesson Aims ~ After participating in this lesson,

each learner will be able to:

1. Identify the facets of worship in these Scripture passages.

2. Evaluate whether these facets are present in the learner's life.

3. Make a plan to encourage fellow believers to live out their faith.

Matthew 28:18-20 18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

Christ’s Great Commission The risen Jesus stands before His disciples on the mountain in Galilee. Some of His disciples, though seeing Him right before them and worshiping Him, doubt—or perhaps hesitate—and are still unsure of what Jesus’ death and resurrection means concerning His identity and the future creation (see Matt 28:17). But with Jesus’ death and resurrection, He has received “all authority in heaven and on earth” (v. 18). To His Jewish audience, this would be an allusion to the authority and everlasting dominion given to the “son of man” figure in Daniel 7:13–14. Jesus fulfills this vision. His death and resurrection reveals Him to be the rightful king over all creation, greater than any power of darkness—greater than death itself. Jesus’ authority means that the kingdom of heaven has come near (Matt. 4:17). Through Jesus, God has asserted His rule over His creation. The risen Jesus is reigning now, mending His broken world and giving new life. He is working to put all things right and make all things new. With His authority already established, Jesus sends the disciples on a kingdom-building task: “Go and make disciples of all nations” (Matt. 28:19). This statement might have been unexpected to the disciples. Jesus was asking them to not only make disciples within Israel, but in all the nations. This is exactly as God promised long before, that He would bless all peoples through Abraham, through Jesus, a son of Abraham (see Gen. 12:3; Matt. 1:2–16). Jesus is the Messiah, the one who brings God’s salvation to the ends of the earth (see Isa. 49:6). The news of this salvation and blessing spreads as followers of Jesus carry it to the nations, so that more and more people bow their hearts, minds, and lives to the authority of the risen Christ. Part of the disciples’ role in their outreach is to baptize those who follow Christ. This baptism serves as an initiation into the faith and a way for new disciples to publicly identify themselves with the death and resurrection of Jesus, signifying their newness of life (see Rom. 6:1–4). Moreover, it is a way to publicly identify with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Jesus’ inclusion as “the Son” attests to His divinity alongside Father and Spirit. Jesus tells His followers that making disciples also means instructing them how to live as followers of God (Matt. 28:20). Thus, Jesus’ kingdom extends throughout the earth as more people follow His ways. Obedience to Jesus becomes a sign of new life in Christ, a way of expressing love to Jesus (see John 14:15–21). Jesus concludes His commission by telling the disciples that He will be with them, even until “the very end of the age” (Matt. 28:20). The reminder of Jesus’ constant presence—another sign of His divinity—is meant to strengthen and comfort His followers in their disciple-making task, as they await the end of the age. Now, in His power and presence, Jesus’ disciples can tell the world about Him and the newness of life they have received as emissaries of the kingdom.

Hebrews 10:22–25 22 let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another-and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

The Life of Faith, Lived Together In the verses leading up to Hebrews 10:22, the author explains that followers of Jesus can approach God in confidence, because of Jesus’ once-for-all sacrifice for the forgiveness of sins. Jesus—the great high priest—has made fellowship with God possible. The author exhorts believers to draw near to God—that is, to seek His presence. It is to be done “with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings” (Heb. 10:22). Seeking God in this way is possible because of the blood of the new covenant, shed by Jesus on the cross. The blood of Jesus removes guilt and cleanses the conscience. The “hearts sprinkled” in verse 22 recalls the inauguration of the old covenant, when the Israelites were sprinkled with the blood of calves by Moses (see Ex. 24:8; Heb. 9:18–20). Followers of Jesus now have hearts sprinkled by the blood of Jesus—renewed hearts are a sign of the new covenant (Jer. 31:33; Ezek. 36:26–27). Believers also have “bodies washed with pure water” (Heb. 10:22), which is likely a reference to baptism and the inward spiritual cleansing from faith in Jesus. These realities strengthen the resolve of believers, so that they can be near God with confidence and assurance. In verse 23, the writer of Hebrews tells followers of Jesus to “hold unswervingly to the hope we profess” (Heb. 10:23). This would be important for readers, who faced pressure and persecution from Gentiles or Jews. The latter would be pressuring Jewish Christians to return to practices that undermined their belief in the all-sufficiency of Christ’s once-for-all sacrifice. Instead, Hebrews encourages believers to hold to the conviction that Jesus is the fulfillment of God’s covenant promises. They can do this because “the one who promised is faithful” (Heb. 10:23). Hope is not wasted on Jesus. Beginning in verse 24, the author promotes participation in the life of the church community: togetherness and mutual encouragement. He wants believers to consider how they can “spur one another on toward love and good deeds” (Heb. 10:23). This means several things: finding ways to contribute to the mission, loving one another, loving neighbors, spreading the good news about Jesus and His kingdom. Urging one another to what is good is essential to the Christian life, which is why the author tells believers not to give up meeting (v. 25). Apparently, some in the community were doing this, perhaps out of fear of persecution. But a believer does not flourish in isolation, apart from the mutual encouragement of the church community. Thus, verses 24–25 stress togetherness as a key to spiritual health and effective participation in God’s work. The author of Hebrews tells believers to continue “encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching” (Heb. 10:25). Like Jesus in Matthew 28:20, he has eyes on the end of the age—the day when Jesus will return and set all things right. As believers work toward that day, they draw comfort and strength from the presence of their Lord (see Matt. 28:20) and the encouragement of His people.

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.