Advent - Preparing for Christmas

We begin a new church year this Sunday and we are asking everyone who calls Cornerstone MCC home to come together for the holidays. This is a time of new beginnings and we will be more liturgical in our worship services. The church is being decorated, the choir is getting their robes ready and I am excited about wearing my new vestments.

Our theme this Sunday is "Worship Fully" and we have invited a guest ministry to come and help us do just that. Christmas is not to be about shopping and giving gifts to one another, Christmas is about worshiping and giving to others in Jesus name. 

We invite you to turn your Christmas upside down and refrain from what the world has made Christmas to be, and to take this holiday back for Jesus. Some of us will not be buying gifts and will take the money we usually spend at Christmas and give it to help provide clean drinking water to people around the world.

Realizing that not everyone is ready for such a bold change, we will also have the "Come to the Manger" drive in which we ask those who are buying presents for themselves and others, to give to the church the amount equal to your most expensive purchase. 

One of the joys of MCC is providing choices. All I ask is that you pray about which one God would have you do this year and then give with joy in your heart. Please mark your donations as either "Water" or "Manger".  And remember, this is in addition to your regular tithes and offering. Think of it as a birthday gift to Jesus. I hope to see you Sunday at 10:45am as we worship fully this first Sunday of Advent.

Rev Sandy, Interim Pastoral Leader

The Joy of Giving Your Truth

At this season of Thanksgiving, I am grateful for so many things, especially the knowledge of the truth of God's love for all people. Like MCC, that truth is still a well kept secret. God is calling us to help change that. It may not be your family, your friends, or even a co-worker, but God has someone, somewhere, that needs you to share the truth of God's love for them.

Pay attention to those around you this week and look for someone who needs to hear those comforting words, "God love you!" Then share that truth and just smile. Joy will enter your heart and theirs. You cannot be a blessing without also receiving one. Try it and see.

This Sunday we will complete our annual stewardship campaign and bless the pledge cards. Be sure to complete yours and bring it to church with you this weekend. And if you're one of those people who believe that your giving is between you and God only, go ahead and make a pledge and omit your personal information. Let us all join together and experience the joys of giving of our time, talent, treasure and truth.

Rev Sandy, Interim Pastoral Leader

What Does Your Heart Desire?

Jesus said, "Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be." There is a connection between the heart and money. Maybe that's why Jesus talked more about love and money than any other subjects. So what is the desire of your heart? You can track your spending and you will know without a doubt!

If God is your hearts desire, then you will be faithful in giving your tithes and offerings to God. It's just that simple. Through your giving to God at Cornerstone MCC, you are an active participant in the good things God is doing at our church. People are coming to know the truth of God's love for them, people are experiencing living in Christian community, people are accepted, loved and connected, people are using their gifts and talents to God's honor and glory, the gospel is going forth and you are investing in the building of God's kingdom.

Are any of those the desire of your heart? If so, we invite you to make a pledge to tithe in the New Year and experience The Joy of Giving Your Treasure. Join the happiest group of people in church, those who's hearts desire God and give of their tithes and offerings to express it.

Rev Sandy, Interim Pastoral Leader

You Got Talent!

A talent like this was used as a unit of weight or money. It's easy to think the parable of the talents is about money. But the way Jesus used the word; it seemed to go beyond anything monetary and into something spiritual.

Stewardship drives that go beyond money often ask us to give our talent to God. And Cornerstone MCC is no different. But before we ask you to share your talent, be reminded that the talent you have is because God has invested that talent in you. The things you do well and enjoy doing, you are able to do because God invested in you. That means God believes in you and your talent. And God seeks a return on that investment. Join us Sunday as we celebrate The Joy of Giving Talent.

Rev Sandy, Interim Pastoral Leader