It's a Win-Win-Win Relationship

This week marks the beginning of Holy Week with Palm Sunday.  This is one of my favorite services.  Maybe it's because I am a beach bum and I love palm trees.  But more importantly, it is because I am reminded of the holy relationship to which we are called.

Much like the donkey that carried Jesus into Jerusalem, Jesus has need of us.  None of us are at Cornerstone by accident.  We are all part of a divine plan.  We are vessels chosen to carry Jesus into all the world...one person at a time.

The crowd in Jerusalem cried, "Hosanna, blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord!"  People around us are silently crying out for salvation and blessed are we who bring them to Jesus.  It's a win-win-win situation.

Sunday is sure to be a day of great joy and the gift of your presence will add to our celebration.  I hope to see you on this Palm Sunday.

Rev Sandy, Interim Pastoral Leader

Reckless and Ready

People often say they just don't know what God wants them to do, yet time and time it is spelled out for us. In this weeks scripture reading Jesus calls us to be reckless in our love and ready to serve. When we are not ready we often miss opportunities to be of service to Christ and others.

When I chose as a priority getting the Sunday School classroom ready and teachers trained, some were puzzled. But we saw why last Sunday. We had planned to kick-off our children's programming on Palm Sunday, but there was a higher plan. We had one infant, one toddler and eight children among us. Because we were ready, we could quickly adapt and serve eight of those children.

Are you ready to be of service at a moments notice? And do you love recklessly? Think about those two questions and join us Sunday as we continue our Lenten journey. This is such an exciting time in our church and I am so glad God called me to serve at Cornerstone MCC! 

Let's be reckless in our love and set the goal of breaking the attendance record we set last month. Begin to invite your friends, family and co-workers to be your guest on Easter Sunday. They just might surprise you and say yes!

Rev Sandy, Interim Pastoral Leader

 

Acquitted by Love

Our text for this week (John 3:13-21) includes what may be the most known scripture in the Bible.  For God so loved the world - what beautiful words!  The Message reads that God loves us so much that through Jesus we are acquitted, or set free from the charge of an offense.   What amazing love! 

As we examine ourselves in this season of Lent, let us remember that the God of everlasting love has made provision for our acquittal through the life and love of Jesus.  All we need do is admit it, quit it, and forget it.  Are you stuck on one of those?  Lent is not about condemnation, it is about the freedom of forgiveness.

When we walk in forgiveness from God, it frees us to forgive one another.  Who needs acquittal from you today?  And are you ready to set them and yourself free?   If so, open your heart and mind and let the Holy Spirit guide you as you do unto others as God as done unto you.  I hope to see you Sunday, at 10:45am as we celebrate our acquittal through Jesus Christ.

Rev Sandy, Interim Pastoral Leader

God's Hand

The Rest of the Story

As our Lenten journey continues, our scripture reading for this week is familiar to many.  As a matter of fact, people often uses this text to justify episodes of anger...if Jesus got angry and drove the money changers out of the temple, then I can go off on people too.  The tempter hasn't changed much, another "if, then".  If Jesus didn't want things sold at church then we shouldn't be selling things either. 

But this story has such a deeper meaning, especially for the church.  I hope you'll join us on Sunday for the rest of the story.  Expand your understanding and grow your faith!

Glad to be at Cornerstone MCC.

Rev Sandy O'Steen, Interim Pastoral Leader