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: November 08, 2026

Preacher: Pastor A. David Baxter

Sermon: Man Of God, Make It Make Sense !

Scripture: 2nd Samuel 12: 1-7

1 The Lord sent Nathan to David. When he came to him, he said, “There were two men in a certain town, one rich and the other poor. 2 The rich man had a very large number of sheep and cattle, 3 but the poor man had nothing except one little ewe lamb he had bought. He raised it, and it grew up with him and his children. It shared his food, drank from his cup and even slept in his arms. It was like a daughter to him. 4 “Now a traveler came to the rich man, but the rich man refrained from taking one of his own sheep or cattle to prepare a meal for the traveler who had come to him. Instead, he took the ewe lamb that belonged to the poor man and prepared it for the one who had come to him.” 5 David burned with anger against the man and said to Nathan, “As surely as the Lord lives, the man who did this must die! 6 He must pay for that lamb four times over, because he did such a thing and had no pity.” 7 Then Nathan said to David, “You are the man! This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: ‘I anointed you king over Israel, and I delivered you from the hand of Saul.

YOU CAN’T CARRY GOD IN A BOX

I think you might be surprised at how many things actually come in a box. A simple search online revealed all sorts of interesting results: tree-in-a-box, band-in-a-box, birthday-in-a-box, dinner-in-a-box, arcade-in-a-box, security-in-a-box, shrink-in-a-box, driver ed-in-a-box, Earth day-in-a-box, home theater-in-a-box, cello-in-a-box, business-in-a-box, book club-in-a-box, art-in-a-box, lobbyist-in-a-box, and the list goes on. Imagine carrying a golden box, believing it alone could guarantee your victory. Silly, right? Yet in 1 Samuel 4, Israel treated the ark of the covenant like a divine good-luck charm, hoping to force God’s hand and wield his power—and the cost was catastrophic. But remember what God promised Eli and his family in 1 Samuel 2:31 Behold, the days are coming when I will cut off your strength and the strength of your father's house. When God promises judgment, it will come to pass. Thousands died, the priesthood collapsed, and the glory of God departed from their midst. This story isn’t just ancient history—it’s a warning to us. We can be quick to use God’s name, pray the right prayers, check the right boxes, or follow the right rituals, assuming his blessing will automatically follow.

But what will this perspective look like when it comes to your practice, when it comes to the everyday decisions you and I face? Well, it teaches us a great lesson about what not to do when we lose. Although we are not losers in a military sense, all of us still lose battles all the time. We often lose in our struggle to control our tempers. We often lose in our struggle to not be anxious about this or that situation. We often lose in our struggle against not becoming cynical or judgmental about others. We often lose when it comes to our struggle with lust, or with greed, or with gossip, or with complacency, or with pride. We often lose in our battle against indifference and forgetfulness..thanklesness..faithlessness.

Like the elders of Israel, we often stop and ask, “Why was I defeated, once again, by this or that thought, this or that feeling, this or that person, this or that situation?” And like the Israelites, we are so often tempted to turn to a “God-in-the box” mentality. Like every other “in-a-box” product, we re-imagine God in order to have the ability to do what we want to do with comfort and control. “But I shouldn't have to be alone, because God wants me to be happy, right?”... “Well, I don't think God wants me to say anything to that brother because I know he'd take it the wrong way.” … “Look, God knows that I'm faithful in giving and serving and attending...my free time is my chance to relax.” … “Come on. Jesus dealt with the past. The old is gone. I don't need to worry about dealing with those broken relationships from way back when.” … “If God gets his portion, what does He care about how I spend the rest of my money?” … “Yes, coming on Sunday mornings is good, but God knows how crazy things can get at home, with the schedule...He doesn't want our family to be overloaded does He?” … “I'm only sharing this about that person because I think God would want us to pray for her?” … “God knows I have needs. He knows I won't ever be perfect. He'll always forgive, no matter what.”

That is not the God of the Bible. When we carry out our “God-in-a-box”, out into the battle, the result will always be pain and loss. So what should we do when we lose? Our failures should not cause us to re-imagine the nature of the God who saves. Our failures should cause us to remember the nature from which God has saved us. Every time we lose in our struggle against sin, we need to remember that, apart from His grace, there is no hope for us. In and of ourselves we are bankrupt. Every time we lose in our struggle against sin, we must look to the cross of Jesus Christ, because there and only there will we find forgiveness; only in Jesus will find a sure foundation for our hope in God; only because of what He did, can we have peace in God. Every time we lose in our struggle against sin, we have to remember that our obedience is not what God expects in terms of merit; our obedience is what God makes possible through grace.

As it should have been for the Israelites, when God's people suffer defeat it is always an opportunity to examine God's word, to turn back to God in humble repentance, to rejoice in God's forgiveness, and to be renewed in grateful obedience.

SUNDAY SCHOOL NEXT WEEK

SUNDAY SCHOOL – November 08, 2026

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Israel Recommits to God ~ 1 Samuel 7:3-11, 15-17

Lesson Aims

After participating in this lesson, each learner will be able to:

1. Summarize Samuel's instructions to the Israelites

to rid themselves of idolatry.

2. Compare the leadership of Samuel to the roles of

prophet and judge in ancient Israel.

3. Write a prayer of intercession, requesting God's favor

and deliverance for their nation, local community, and church congregation.

1 Samuel 7:3-6

3 So Samuel said to all the Israelites, "If you are returning to the LORD with all your hearts, then rid yourselves of the foreign gods and the Ashtoreths and commit yourselves to the LORD and serve him only, and he will deliver you out of the hand of the Philistines." 4 So the Israelites put away their Baals and Ashtoreths, and served the LORD only. 5 Then Samuel said, "Assemble all Israel at Mizpah, and I will intercede with the LORD for you." " When they had assembled at Mizpah, they drew water and poured it out before the LORD. On that day they fasted and there they confessed, "We have sinned against the LORD.” Now Samuel was serving as leader of Israel at Mizpah.

Israel Returns to the Lord

In 1 Samuel 7, God’s people are turning back to Him after the return of the ark. Israel has been floundering since the death of Eli, whose household God judged (see 1 Sam. 2:27–36; 4:17–22). But in 1 Samuel 7:3, Samuel emerges to address God’s people, telling them to return to the Lord with all their hearts, ridding themselves of false gods, and committing to serve God alone. The people’s idolatry explains their suffering at the hands of the Philistines. Instead of remaining faithful to God, they have been serving and depending on idols from the Canaanites, notably Baal and his supposed partner or consort, Astarte, or Ashtar. But Samuel says that if they put away their idols and serve the Lord, God will deliver them from the Philistines. In verse 4, the Israelites respond by doing just that. The plural “Baals and Ashtoreths” likely denotes the various places and objects associated with Baal and Ashtar worship, including shrines, high places, altars, pillars, and depictions of the deities. Thus, “putting away” idols means tearing down or destroying these and worshiping false gods no more. The people recommit to serving God alone. In verse 5, Samuel calls for an assembly of all Israel at Mizpah, which means “outpost” or “garrison.” This is a location in the territory of the tribe of Benjamin, about eight miles north of Jerusalem. Samuel’s years of leadership were centered around Benjamite cities (see 1 Sam. 7:16–17). Mizpah was strategically between the hill countries of Judah and Ephraim and fortified by a three-foot-thick wall. Samuel plans to intercede with the Lord on their behalf, in his priestly role. In verse 6, the people pour water before the Lord. This ritual of drawing and pouring water doesn’t have an explanation in the Bible, except perhaps the “drink offerings” of wine poured out with other sacrifices (see Num. 15:4–7, 10). Here the ritual involves water and seems to serve a different purpose—perhaps expressing confidence that God could return water as rain. Given the context of verse 6, it is probably an expression of repentance and desire to return to the Lord. Additionally, the people fast and confess their sins (1 Sam. 7:6). In the Old Testament, fasting was a way to show humility and the seriousness of prayers before God. It also accompanied mourning (see Ps. 69:10) and here might stand for the people’s grief over their own sin. Samuel, who is the one overseeing the national assembly and repentance at Mizpah, is now the clear leader of Israel. The word used for “leader” (1 Sam. 7:6) is the same as “judge” in the book of Judges. Samuel becomes Israel’s last in the line of judges. This great man, a priest and a prophet, is God’s instrument to deliver the nation from their enemies and to tend to his people’s spiritual health.

1 Samuel 7: 7-11; 15-17

7 When the Philistines heard that Israel had assembled at Mizpah, the rulers of the Philistines came up to attack them. When the Israelites heard of it, they were afraid because of the Philistines. 8 They said to Samuel, "Do not stop crying out to the LORD our God for us, that he may rescue us from the hand of the Philistines." Then Samuel took a suckling lamb and sacrificed it as a whole burnt offering to the LORD. He cried out to the LORD on Israel's behalf, and the LORD answered him. 10 While Samuel was sacrificing the burnt offering, the Philistines drew near to engage Israel in battle. But that day the LORD thundered with loud thunder against the Philistines and threw them into such a panic that they were routed before the Israelites. 11 The men of Israel rushed out of Mizpah and pursued the Philistines, slaughtering them along the way to a point below Beth Kar.

15 Samuel continued as Israel's leader all the days of his life. 16 From year to year he went on a circuit from Bethel to Gilgal to Mizpah, judging Israel in all those places. 17 But he always went back to Ramah, where his home was, and there he also held court for Israel. And he built an altar there to the LORD.

The Lord Answers

In verse 7, the coming together of all Israel is seen as a threat (or inviting target) by the Philistines, who prepare to mount an attack. This strikes fear into the hearts of the Israelites after their recent defeats and the crushing battle described in 1 Samuel 4 last week. After hearing of the Philistines’ movement, the Israelites urge Samuel to keep interceding and calling out to God for rescue (v. 7). In keeping with their repentance, the people are choosing to depend on God for help instead of turning back to idols. Thus Samuel sacrifices a young lamb with choice meat as a whole burnt offering to the Lord. Exodus 29:38–41 prescribes such offerings as part of Israel’s daily offerings, which were recently disrupted. Such sacrifices were also connected to purification (see Lev. 12:6, 14:10–11). In 1 Samuel 7:9, Samuel cries out to God on Israel’s behalf, putting his leadership to the test. Will the Lord answer? As the Philistines draw near for the attack, Samuel is still sacrificing. The opportunistic Philistines get more than they bargain for when the Lord Himself thunders against them (v. 10). This could mean actual thunder and lightning, which were signs of divine anger and judgment. The Canaanite god Baal was supposed to hold thunderbolts in his hands. But it is not Baal thundering against the Philistines, but the one, true God. Terror seizes them, and they are thrown into a hasty, chaotic retreat from Mizpah. The men of Israel rush out after them, slaughtering them in a crushing defeat (v. 11). The Lord has come to Israel’s rescue. After the assembly, Samuel continues as judge of Israel “all the days of His life” (v. 15). He travels a circuit between cities, settling disputes and making decisions for the people’s good. He resides in Ramah, where he keeps an altar (vv. 16–17).

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.