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

The Greatest Price Ever Paid to Set a Slave Free!

Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. — Titus 2:14

The word “redeem” used in the verse above is one of the most important words in the entire New Testament. Since Jesus redeemed us, we need to know all the powerful images that are contained in this key New Testament word!

In New Testament times, slaves could be very costly. When a slave purchaser came to the slave market to look for a new slave, he would meander through the aisles of the marketplace, his eyes roaming over all the slaves for sale as he searched for the one he wanted. After pinpointing the slave who seemed to fit his needs, the purchaser was then allowed to inspect the slave’s condition. The purpose of this inspection was similar to that of a test drive when a person is checking out a car before he purchases it. Just as every buyer wants to be sure he’s getting a good product, every slave buyer wanted to check out the merchandise before he put his money on the table. The inspection included physically beating the slave to see how he responded to abuse, so the purchaser would know how much “wear and tear” the slave could take on the job. The buyer was also allowed to pull open the slave’s mouth and look at his teeth to see if they were rotten or in good shape as he tried to establish the slave’s physical health before making an offer to purchase him. If the buyer decided to proceed with the purchase after the inspection was complete, it was then time for the next stage of the process — that moment when the slave was put on the auction block. When the auctioneer knew that a buyer really had his eye set on a specific slave, he would take that as a signal to push the price for that slave as high as possible. And if the buyer continued to show interest in that same slave, that would let the auctioneer know he could demand a completely unreasonable price and probably get it!

All of these images are contained in the word “redemption,” which comes from the Greek word lutroo. This is the word used in Titus 2:14, where Paul says, “…That he might redeem us from all iniquity….” This Greek word depicts a person who paid a very high price to obtain the slave of his choice. Once the price was offered and accepted, that slave became his personal property. However, the word lutroo was used in another very significant way that also has to do with the concept of redemption. At times, a caring and compassionate individual would come to the slave market for the sole purpose of purchasing slaves out of slavery to liberate and set them free! In this case, the payment offered was viewed as a ransom — paid to obtain freedom for slaves. Because Paul uses the word lutroo to denote the redemptive work of Jesus Christ on our behalf, it tells us several important things: Jesus came into the world, Satan’s slave market, because He was looking for us.

1. Jesus knew He wanted us and wouldn’t be satisfied

until the purchase was complete.

2. Jesus was willing to pay any price demanded to

purchase us from the slave market.

3. Jesus purchased us with His own blood so we

would become His own personal property.

4. Jesus paid the price with His blood, purchased

us for Himself, and gave us a liberating freedom

that can only be known because of His work in our lives!

Our freedom from Satan’s power was extremely expensive. The price Jesus paid for us was the highest price ever paid for a slave. What was the ransom that Jesus paid in order to procure our freedom from Satan’s ownership? His own blood!

This means that the word lutroo in Titus 2:14 conveys this idea: “Who gave Himself for us, that He might purchase us out of the slave market to become His own personal property — yes, He was willing to pay the ransom price to see us liberated and set free.…”

It was the shedding of Jesus’ own blood that guaranteed our deliverance and lasting freedom from the demonic powers that had previously held us captive. The word lutroo unmistakably means Jesus paid the ransom that set you and me free! He bought us with His own blood!

As Hebrews 9:12 says, “Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.”

Jesus gave Himself as the ransom to set you free from sin. Someone had to enter Satan’s slave market, so Jesus chose to go. Someone had to offer a price, so Jesus offered to pay the price for your freedom with His own blood. Someone had to finalize the deal, so Jesus willingly paid the price with His own life on the Cross.

Freedom Isn’t Free ---- SOMEONE Always Pays

SUNDAY SCHOOL NEXT WEEK

SUNDAY SCHOOL – July 05, 2026

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The Believing Centurion ~ Matthew 8:5–13

Lesson Aims: After participating in this lesson,

each learner will be able to:

1. Identify the centurion’s appeal to Jesus.

2. Explain why the centurion’s “great faith” is astonishing.

3. List ways to practice intercessory prayer and appeals to

Jesus as an act of faith in God’s power.

Matthew 8:5–9 5 When Jesus had entered Capernaum, a centurion came to him, asking for help. 6 “Lord,” he said, “my servant lies at home paralyzed, suffering terribly.” 7 Jesus said to him, “Shall I come and heal him?” 8 The centurion replied, “Lord, I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed. 9 For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and that one, ‘Come,’ and he comes. I say to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.”

A Man of Authority What does anyone “deserve” from Jesus? While Jesus walked the earth, not every person met Him or experienced His healing touch. Not every person had a life transformed by an encounter with the Son of God. Matthew tells us about a person who doesn’t deserve attention from Jesus. The man is a centurion—a Roman officer and outsider to “the lost sheep of Israel” (Matt. 15:24). Roman soldiers were an occupying military force, sometimes responsible for heinous treatment of Jews. It is hard to imagine a person less worthy of attention from the Jewish Messiah who inherits David’s throne. But the centurion has a unique approach. For one thing, he gives respect to Jesus, even calls Him “Lord” (Matt. 8:6). That doesn’t fit what we anticipate a Roman officer to say. Immediately we notice another surprising detail: this powerful man is not seeking attention for himself at all. He is asking Jesus to pay attention to another person, one with lower social standing. What sent this centurion to Jesus is his servant’s suffering, physical pain that has reached a breaking point. The centurion is showing a selfless concern for others, which is conduct in keeping with Jesus’ own words: “Do to others what you would have them do to you” (Matt. 7:12). Jesus is already sold. He seems ready to get on the road and to pay a visit to the servant in distress. But instead of leading Jesus along in a hurried fashion, the centurion squares himself up to Jesus to suggest an alternative. The commander of Roman soldiers reasons, Would a high-ranking officer run from place to place to see his orders obeyed? Of course not! The centurion might not be a Jew, but he knows a thing or two about rank and the way that orders are conveyed. It is Jesus who holds all authority in heaven and on earth (see Matt. 28:18). The centurion looks upon the Lord of heaven and earth and suggests, “Just say the word, and my servant will be healed” (v. 8). He is confident that whatever Jesus ordains is certain to be followed. He does not need Jesus to visit his home, and he would rather not waste any more of Jesus’ precious time. Can you hear the humility behind his thoughts? With prudent insight, the centurion shows that he is absolutely clear about Jesus’ identity and cosmic power. Jesus could merely speak a word, and that would be enough. The world’s creation came through the authoritative speech of God, and Jesus is capable of no less. Thus, the person who appeared unworthy of Christ’s attention turns out to be someone with great faith.

Matthew 8:10–13 10 When Jesus heard this, he was amazed and said to those following him, “Truly I tell you, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith. 11 I say to you that many will come from the east and the west, and will take their places at the feast with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven. 12 But the subjects of the kingdom will be thrown outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” 13 Then Jesus said to the centurion, “Go! Let it be done just as you believed it would.” And his servant was healed at that moment.

Examples of Faith Jesus is looking for faith. It is hard to miss in Matthew’s Gospel. In the Sermon on the Mount, He remarks about tiny faith from those who listen (Matt. 6:30). When tested by storms and crashing waves, Jesus’ own disciples turn out to need more of it (Matt. 8:26; 14:31). And later, Jesus will refuse to perform signs and miracles where faith is lacking (Matt. 13:58). But the first person that Jesus commends for “great faith” is this centurion (Matt. 8:10). The amazement of Jesus begs an important question: Who are the ones who should have faith? Jewish contemporaries would expect religious people—those having studied the Scriptures—to show faith in what God is doing. In contrast, many of the religious leaders organize against Jesus and force Him to warn against following their teaching (Matt. 16:11–12). Instead of meeting listeners’ expectations, Jesus declares that “many will come from the east and the west, and will take their places at the feast with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven” (v. 11). This imagery draws from the idea of a great feast and messianic banquet to include “all peoples” (Isa. 25:6). But rather than emphasize the prime place of Israel over the nations, Jesus democratizes the vision, describing “Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob” as seated at the same table as a greater crowd. Beginning with the call of Abraham, promises of God are for all who put their faith in Jesus. The patriarchs of Israel will not be shamed to share a common table with Gentiles. In fact, the legacy of Abraham is a legacy of faith! Paul makes a similar point when he says, “Abram believed God [in Greek, showed faith], and it was credited to him as righteousness” (Gal. 3:6). And again, “If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise” (Gal. 3:29). By faith, Gentiles come to the banquet with Jesus, even while unbelieving Jews miss the party. Jesus does not neglect an opportunity to speak a word of warning. He acknowledges a privileged position for Jews, “subjects of the kingdom” (Matt. 8:12). But the warning about darkness is, at the same time, a welcome to those who come into the light. These concepts are central to Jesus’ preaching ministry: “a light has dawned . . . the kingdom of heaven has come near” (Matt. 4:16–17). Therefore, the centurion’s faith fulfills the word of Israel’s prophets, who knew that Gentiles would turn to the Jewish Messiah. Jesus tells the centurion, “Go! Let it be done just as you believed it would.” The power of Jesus’ word accomplishes what it declares. There is no physical touch, no ritual, no further exchange—simply the divine speech of Jesus. The centurion leaves to find that his servant was healed at the very same moment.

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.