Pastor's Corner
Dear Friends,
Pandemic, riots, death, violence, political unrest, outbreak, safety, social distancing, virus spread, racism, election fraud, sickness... what comes to your mind when you hear these words? What feelings and emotions do you start to experience when you think back on this past year?
It is so easy to become stressed and worried and anxious. All of these things listed above can compound quickly and leave us hopeless and afraid. So what do we do about it? How do we combat this negativity and spiritual warfare that bombards us on a daily basis?
There is no doubt that this is a tough time to live in the United States of America. Not in my lifetime do I remember so much unrest and upheaval.
But we need to ask ourselves ... is a stable America where my hope is found?
Of course not! Our hope is in Christ and His return and His kingdom that will never end! As a dear brother shared with me this past week, "I've been so convicted about how I have put my hope in this world and not in the kingdom to come."
What we need, what this world needs right now the most, is Jesus and the Church. Jesus is the King! He is the righteous and just ruler we need. The Church is our King's chosen institution to bring blessing, healing and peace to this fallen world.
Let us not get caught up thinking that a political party or a worldly solution will offer us peace and hope. Only Christ can do that. Let us fix our eyes on the King and His kingdom.
This Sunday we will re-gather for in-person worship as a church. Praise God! Your elders have prayed, wrestled and have strived to implement what we believe to be the safest way for us to regather. Please take a moment to review these protocols. We truly believe these are temporary and are hopeful that in this calendar year, the pandemic will subside and we can begin to enjoy many gatherings and warm fellowship together.
One of the tools that we are hopeful will help us gather and worship safely is masks and/or face-covering. Until this virus has had a chance to run its course, a mask is simply the best tool we have for gathering indoors in our restricted facility. Even if you have had the virus, please alleviate the concerns of others by wearing your mask also.
But most of all, our gathering this Sunday is yet another reminder that our hope is not in this world but in the world to come. Our kingdom is not of this earth, but of an eternal King who reigns in heaven.
Thank you all for your prayer and patience as your Session has sought to make the best decisions possible during this unprecedented time. We do not take these decisions lightly. Please continue to pray for wisdom and discernment.
Looking forward to worshiping with you this Sunday!
By His grace and to His praise,
Pastor Wilson
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Preparation for Worship - January 17, 2021
- This Sunday's sermon: "A Living Hope: Humble Leadership-Humble Submission" - I Peter 5:1-5
- Click here for this week's bulletin.
- In preparation for the sermon: "Humility preserves peace and order in all Christian churches and societies; pride disturbs them. Where God gives grace to be humble, he will give wisdom, faith, and holiness. To be humble, and subject to our reconciled God, will bring greater comfort to the soul than the gratification of pride and ambition." - Matthew Henry
- Hymn of the week: Jesus Cast a Look on Me
- Catch up on sermons on iTunes.
- We are LIVE STREAMING! Click here.
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Women’s Ministry Bible Study Opportunity: **TIME SENSITIVE** Please consider joining an 8 week "Bible History Overview” Class (taught by Paige Brown). ALL INFORMATION is available at HERE. Class began Jan. 13, but the first class will remain posted until Jan. 19. New video lesson available each Wednesday morning until the following Tuesday evening - this means you can customize to your schedule! There is NO homework, but an outline is available and you’re encouraged to take notes. More information to follow regarding how to participate in a discussion group. Any questions - contact heidi@cornerstone-pres.org.
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Announcements
In-person Worship - This Sunday, January 17th, we will gather again for in-person worship at 9:00 a.m. and 10:45 a.m. Please review the guidelines approved by the session for safely returning to worship on the website.
Roots Retreat: Middle and High School Students please join us March 5-7 for Providence Presbytery’s annual Youth Retreat. Roots provides Gospel- centered teaching, worship and fellowship for the students in our Presbytery. More details to come! Please see Taylor or email him at taylor@cornerstone-pres.org if you have any questions!
Men's Small Groups are now forming. We will be studying The Masculine Mandate. Contact bob@cornerstone-pres.org if you would like to join a group. Participants can pick up their books for $5 in the narthex and foyer on Sundays and during weekly office hours.
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Cornerstone Prayer Ministry
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Pray for church members caring for family - Lora Abernathy, Diana Akridge, Bryan Gassaway, Gail Kimrey, Alan Patterson, Randy Petcher, and Bill/JoAnn Sneed.
Pray for healing - Earl Ricks and those who are sick with COVID-19.
Pray for our nursing home residents - Ruby Petcher & Marcy Renegar.
Pray for our expectant mothers - Amanda Pendegraft (January) and Andrea Mace (March).
Pray for our administrators, teachers, leaders and healthcare workers as they lead during crisis.
Pray for wisdom for the Building Committee.
Pray for our country and our leaders in government.
Pray for our Missional Partnerships - Huntsville Pregnancy Resource Center, North Hills Presbyterian Church, Meridianville, AL (Adam Tisdale)
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Mission's Moment
Each week I want to highlight one of our missional partnerships. Please take a moment to learn about these wonderful ministries that Cornerstone has the privilege of serving alongside.
This week's highlighted ministry:
Huntsville Pregnancy Resource Center
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Please contact the church office by Thursday for changes or additions to the prayer requests.
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