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: August 02, 2026

Preacher: Pastor Nokomis Yeldell, Jr.

Sermon: Climbing Jacob’s Ladder

Scripture: Genesis 28: 11-15

11 When he reached a certain place, he stopped for the night because the sun had set. Taking one of the stones there, he put it under his head and lay down to sleep. 12 He had a dream in which he saw a stairway resting on the earth, with its top reaching to heaven, and the angels of God were ascending and descending on it. 13 There above it stood the Lord, and he said: “I am the Lord, the God of your father Abraham and the God of Isaac. I will give you and your descendants the land on which you are lying. 14 Your descendants will be like the dust of the earth, and you will spread out to the west and to the east, to the north and to the south. All peoples on earth will be blessed through you and your offspring. 15 I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.”

Doubt Your Doubts Before You Doubt Your Faith

If you’ve ever doubted God, you’re not alone. If you’ve ever wondered, “Is this really true?” or “What if I’ve just believed what I was taught without questioning it?”—you’re in good company. Real faith doesn’t mean having zero doubts. It means learning how to navigate them.

In Mark 9, a desperate father brings his suffering son to Jesus. He wants healing but is struggling to believe. So, he says the most honest thing a human can say in the presence of God: “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief.” Jesus doesn’t scold him. He doesn’t send him away to figure things out. He meets him in the middle of that tension and brings healing. That moment is a window into how Jesus deals with doubt. He is not threatened by it. He doesn’t shame us for it. He moves toward us with compassion and truth.

Faith is not about ignoring facts. It’s not wishful thinking or a positive attitude. Faith is trusting in the character and promises of God, even when we don’t have every piece of the puzzle. The Christian faith is not afraid of your questions. In fact, Scripture is full of them.

Thomas doubted the resurrection until he saw the wounds. Jesus didn’t rebuke him. He invited him closer. John the Baptist, who had baptized Jesus, later asked, “Are you the one, or should we expect someone else?” Jesus responded with evidence and assurance. These weren’t spiritual lightweights. They were sincere seekers, and Jesus honored their honesty.

There’s a danger in pretending we never struggle. It creates a brittle faith. One small shake, and everything crumbles. But when we bring our doubts to God, we find that he is not fragile. He is faithful.

Francis Collins, a world-renowned scientist, didn’t come to Christ through emotional appeal. He came through intellectual exploration. He saw order and beauty in creation. He watched dying patients cling to Christ with peace and hope. He read the Gospel of John and encountered truth that pierced through skepticism. Doubt didn’t drive him away from God. It led him closer. Doubt is not a disqualifier. It’s an invitation to go deeper. It’s a sign that you are thinking, questioning, and reaching for something real.

Faith doesn’t mean the absence of struggle. It means choosing to trust anyway. It means showing up with your questions and still saying, “Jesus, I want to believe. Help me where I can’t.” That is the kind of faith Jesus always responds to.

SUNDAY SCHOOL NEXT WEEK

SUNDAY SCHOOL – August 09, 2026

____________________________

Stephen, The Unwavering Martyr ~ Acts 6:7–10; 7:54–60

Lesson Aims: After participating in this lesson,

each learner will be able to:

1. Recount the story of Stephen’s courageous witness to the

good news of Jesus Christ.

2. Describe the parallels that Acts draws between

Stephen and Jesus.

3. Write a way that Stephen’s courageous witness may

inform their own witness to Jesus Christ.

Acts 6:7–10 7 So the word of God spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith. 8 Now Stephen, a man full of God’s grace and power, performed great wonders and signs among the people. 9 Opposition arose, however, from members of the Synagogue of the Freedmen (as it was called)—Jews of Cyrene and Alexandria as well as the provinces of Cilicia and Asia—who began to argue with Stephen. 10 But they could not stand up against the wisdom the Spirit gave him as he spoke.

Disciple of Jesus That’s a good problem to have. Maybe you have faced a similar situation that is not truly a problem but requires you to strategize about handling success. In a growing church, a pastor might ask, “Should we schedule multiple Sunday morning services? Do we need a larger space? Should we hire more staff?” That’s comparable to the situation facing Stephen and the church of Jerusalem, which is growing in leaps and bounds after Jesus’ ascension. At the very beginning, followers of Jesus are predominately Aramaic-speaking Jews. But at the beginning of Acts 6, we learn about newcomers to the family of faith, including many Greek-speaking people. These additions to the Christian community strain the benevolence ministry of caring for widows. Some are being overlooked, and more workers are needed (Acts 6:1). But Stephen is the sort of person so overwhelmingly gracious and beyond reproach that he is selected to be responsible for the distribution of food—and, probably, the calming of tensions (Acts 6:3). Stephen (who has a Greek name) is distinguished among the select group of seven workers as “full of faith and of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 6:5). He performs miraculous signs in the name of Jesus (Acts 6:8). Luke even describes a “large number of priests” who become followers of Jesus at this time (Acts 6:7). You might expect that working miracles and showing great faith would endear Stephen to everyone, but that is not the case. Luke describes a hub of opposition from a synagogue of “freedmen”— former Roman slaves who had returned to Jerusalem. They probably have an important political voice from their Greek and Roman social connections, and these Jewish worshipers find offense with Stephen. They begin to argue with him in public settings (Acts 6:9). Stephen outmatches them with the wisdom that God has given (Acts 6:10). In the verses that follow, these opponents resort to spreading rumors about what Stephen is proclaiming. They accuse him of speaking “blasphemous words against Moses and against God” (Acts 6:11). Luke tells us that the accusations of attacking the Jewish law and temple are false (Acts 6:13). These false witnesses give similar testimony to the rumors that were spread against Jesus (Luke 23:1–2).

Acts 7:54–60 54 When the members of the Sanhedrin heard this, they were furious and gnashed their teeth at him. 55 But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. 56 “Look,” he said, “I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.” 57 At this they covered their ears and, yelling at the top of their voices, they all rushed at him, 58 dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. Meanwhile, the witnesses laid their coats at the feet of a young man named Saul. 59 While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” 60 Then he fell on his knees and cried out, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” When he had said this, he fell asleep.

Disciple Like Jesus Stephen is a disciple of Jesus because he is like Jesus: his words and actions remind us of things that Jesus had said and done. We saw that Stephen performed signs and wonders and was full of the Holy Spirit (Acts 6:5; compare Luke 4:1). The opposition and false accusations also recall Jesus’ opposition. But in Acts 7, we spot more similarities in the manner that Jesus and Stephen die. Before Jerusalem’s highest religious authorities, Stephen gives a speech that sounds like an introductory class in Old Testament 101 (Acts 7:2–53). He tells of Abraham, who received from God a “covenant of circumcision” (7:8); he describes the leadership of Moses and the expectation of a future prophet (7:37); he describes Solomon’s construction of a temple (7:47). At the same time, Stephen refers to the hardness of God’s people, those who “in their hearts turned back to Egypt” (7:39). Stephen connects this history to those actively resisting the Holy Spirit and failing to observe the law right before him (7:51–53). He raises doubts about the ongoing importance of a physical temple now led by those who persecuted the prophets and conspired to kill the Messiah, the Righteous One (7:48–50, 52). The reaction comes swiftly. Even as members of the Sanhedrin are ready to pounce, Stephen announces a vision of heaven, with “the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God” (7:56). He has the kind of vision that his Jewish opponents are unable to see. As a way to show their unwillingness to listen, they cover their ears to what else he might say as they drag him from the city (7:57–58). This is not a cheery text as we read of Stephen’s experience while the stones begin to strike him. Like Jesus before him, Stephen commends his spirit to God (Acts 7:59; compare Luke 23:46). Just as Jesus had done, Stephen uses his last moments to request forgiveness on behalf of his persecutors (Acts 7:60; compare Luke 23:34). Stephen is often called the church’s first martyr. Luke doesn’t use that word here, since in Greek, the word for martyr first means “witness.” Only after the deaths of witnesses who point attention to Jesus would that word take on the special meaning we know for it: a witness who is willing to suffer.

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.