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 16, 2026

Preacher: Pastor Nokomis Yeldell, Jr.

Sermon: God, The Promise Keeper

Scripture: Exodus 3: 7-10

7 The Lord said, “I have indeed seen the misery of my people in Egypt. I have heard them crying out because of their slave drivers, and I am concerned about their suffering. 8 So I have come down to rescue them from the hand of the Egyptians and to bring them up out of that land into a good and spacious land, a land flowing with milk and honey—the home of the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites. 9 And now the cry of the Israelites has reached me, and I have seen the way the Egyptians are oppressing them. 10 So now, go. I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people the Israelites out of Egypt.”

FROM PERSECUTOR TO PREACHER IN A FLASH !

As a Pharisee, Saul of Tarsus rigorously adhered to Jewish law and traditions. Saul earned a reputation for his zealous persecution of early Christians, viewing the movement as a threat to Jewish beliefs. He actively participated in the arrest and imprisonment of believers, including the stoning of Stephen, the first Christian martyr (Acts 7:58-8:1). Before his conversion, Saul traveled extensively to locate and eliminate Christian communities. His mission took him to cities like Damascus, Jerusalem, and various regions across the Roman Empire. Despite his efforts, Saul’s actions inadvertently paved the way for the spread of Christianity by highlighting the movement’s resilience and the unwavering faith of its followers.

Saul's transformation began on his journey to Damascus, where he encountered a divine vision that challenged his beliefs and redirected his life’s purpose. This pivotal moment marked the end of his persecution and the beginning of his role as the Apostle Paul, a cornerstone figure in early Christianity. Saul's conversion demonstrates the profound impact of divine intervention. This transformation underscores the concept of grace, demonstrating that even the most vehement opponents can become fervent advocates of faith. Saul’s change from persecutor to Apostle Paul exemplifies redemption, highlighting that anyone can be reconciled with God regardless of their past actions.

The event emphasizes the power of God in orchestrating significant changes in individuals’ lives. It shows that God’s purposes can be fulfilled through unexpected means and people. Saul’s education and status as a Pharisee did not hinder his transformation; instead, they were utilized to advance the spread of Christianity. This indicates that God’s plans transcend human limitations and societal standings.

Saul’s blindness and subsequent healing symbolize spiritual awakening and enlightenment. His physical blindness parallels his previous spiritual blindness, and regaining sight represents the newfound understanding and revelation he received. This duality reinforces the idea that true insight comes from divine revelation rather than human perception. Saul’s experience serves as a testament to the power of personal transformation. It encourages believers to remain open to God’s call, regardless of their circumstances or past behaviors. His unwavering dedication post-conversion illustrates the transformative power of faith and the potential for individuals to contribute significantly to the growth and spread of Christianity.

This story reminds us that anyone can change and that redemption is always possible. Paul’s legacy continues to influence and encourage believers around the world today. His life serves as a beacon of hope and a testament to the power of faith and grace. Ultimately Saul’s conversion underscores the limitless potential for growth and renewal, inspiring individuals to embrace their own paths of transformation.

SUNDAY SCHOOL NEXT WEEK

SUNDAY SCHOOL – August 23, 2026

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Timothy, a Leader with a Legacy ~ 2 Timothy 1:1–6; 3:14–16

Lesson Aims: After participating in this lesson,

each learner will be able to:

1. Identify the parts of Timothy’s upbringing that contributed to his identity as a faithful witness.

2. Explain the wisdom that comes from the study of God’s word.

3. List practices that might nurture children into becoming faithful witnesses.

2 Timothy 1:1–6 1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, in keeping with the promise of life that is in Christ Jesus, 2 To Timothy, my dear son: Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord. 3 I thank God, whom I serve, as my ancestors did, with a clear conscience, as night and day I constantly remember you in my prayers. 4 Recalling your tears, I long to see you, so that I may be filled with joy. 5 I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also. 6 For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands.

A Legacy Burns Brightly The apostle Paul stands ready to meet Jesus in death when he writes to his son in the faith, sharing great love and admiration. Unlike the letter of 1 Timothy, which gives a great deal of attention to false teachers, 2 Timothy expresses hopes and concerns for a young pastor. Young is relative, since Timothy could be forty years old at this point. Paul writes as an “apostle of Jesus Christ,” an apostle “by the will of God” (2 Tim. 1:1). In last week’s lesson, we discussed Paul’s encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus. Jesus Himself spoke to Paul and commissioned him (compare Gal. 1:15–16). While he is imprisoned for the gospel, Paul continues to draw strength from the “promise of life that is in Christ Jesus” (2 Tim. 1:1). Paul already anticipates giving up his earthy life; he says in 4:6, “My departure is near.” It’s no surprise that, at the end, Paul’s thoughts go to Timothy. Paul first met Timothy during his second missionary journey (see Acts 16:1–4). In Acts we learn that Timothy has a Greek father and a Jewish mother. We don’t know if he is estranged, absent, or dead, but Timothy’s biological father is never mentioned. Paul points to the legacy of Jewish faith that he and Timothy share. Paul sees following Jesus as a continuation of the faith of Jewish ancestors, who also served God (2 Tim. 1:3). He encourages Timothy to draw from this heritage too: Timothy’s mother and grandmother are notable for “sincere faith” that they passed on to him (2 Tim. 1:5). Timothy has a legacy that Paul compares to a hot ember, ready to burst into flame and throw off heat if he but fans it and keeps the memory alive (1 Tim. 1:6). The result of the Spirit’s work is able to leave Timothy with confidence to speak into difficult situations, showing love and devotion to others with a consistency of character (2 Tim. 1:7). At the same time, Paul talks about Timothy as his own son—the one to continue Paul’s ministry work. Timothy’s gift came when Paul laid hands upon him in prayer, sharing with him the commission to leadership (2 Tim. 1:6). That’s one reason why they desperately want to see one another again, perhaps for the last time. In some ways, their bond is closer than biological family.

2 Timothy 3:14–16 14 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, 15 and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness.

A Resource Ready to Be Used Timothy learned the gospel, biblical ministry, and compassion from those whom God placed in his life. He didn’t need more teachers but encouragement to remain steadfast in the work of the Lord. The apostle Paul, in writing to his son in the faith, knows that those who follow Jesus face hardship. He says, “Everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted” (2 Tim. 3:12). This type of pressure could lead even the strongest Christian to throw in the towel. But Paul encourages Timothy, despite the presence of detractors and impostors, to “continue” in the faith (v. 14). The Greek word for continue means to stay, persist, or abide. Jesus uses the same verb when He says that we will bear fruit only by abiding in Him (John 15:5–6). Paul has already called attention to Timothy’s legacy of family and mentors, but Timothy has other resources at his disposal. Timothy was fortunate that he was reared in the faith “from infancy” (2 Tim. 3:15). From Lois and Eunice, no doubt, Timothy has also been introduced to Scripture. Paul refers to “Holy Scriptures,” which are founts of wisdom leading a person to “salvation through faith in Christ Jesus” (2 Tim. 3:15). There is an important clarification to make about what Paul means by this. When Timothy was an infant, he couldn’t have been learning from the canonical Bible as Christians now understand it, since the New Testament had not even been written! Paul has to mean what Christians call the Old Testament. In all of Paul’s letters, he is constantly going back to the Old Testament (for Paul, just “Scripture”), where he draws strength from what he finds. Paul is masterful at demonstrating the gospel of Jesus from texts like Habakkuk 2:4, “The righteous person will live by his faithfulness.” Paul writes that Scripture is “God-breathed,” meaning that it is entirely useful and reliable (2 Tim. 3:16). It comes from God, and Scripture will never steer Timothy in the wrong direction or fail to lead him in righteous paths. Even the Old Testament, without mentioning Jesus by name, is revealing the need for faith in Jesus Christ. This is very close to what Jesus says in Luke 24:27, that all of Scripture, including the writings of Moses and the prophets, is pointing to Jesus. Paul is affirming the divine origin of Scripture while focusing on the practical application. Paul calls Scripture “useful” above all, and he lists a variety of ways to apply Scripture in ministry: “teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness” (2 Tim 3:16). Teaching from the Word instructs the servant of God in right belief and action. And training and rebuking are for enhancing the character of God’s people. In one short verse, Paul summarizes the purpose of Scripture as equipping leaders for whatever they might need, so that God’s servant—Timothy especially—is fully prepared. Paul’s encouragement is that, with a legacy of faithful people behind him and Scripture always before him, Timothy can walk in “every good work” that God has prepared (1 Tim. 3:17).

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.