Advent Journey Begins this Sunday.

The new church year begins this week and we are taking a Journey to Bethlehem. We begin with Mary of Nazareth and Willingness. Mary's hometown was a small village built around a water source. The name means "branch" or "shoot"-a vision of life bursting forth. It is to a young woman from this humble village that the Spirit of God plants the seed of hope for the world. And it is Mary's willingness to set out on this amazing journey of bearing God's Beloved that puts things in motion.

The question of Advent is, are we willing to allow God's Spirit to break in on our lives and nudge us toward new journeys?

Join us as we return to a more liturgical worship service Advent through Easter. Take this Journey to Bethlehem and invite others to join you. This is one of two times in the year when people are more likely to say yes!

• 12/08 Joseph of Bethlehem: Mercy
• 12/15 Elizabeth of Judea: Encouragement
• 12/22 The Choir presents "Joyful and Triumphant"
• 12/24 Christmas Eve Candlelight Communion Service @ 6:00pm.

Rev Sandy, Pastor

Giving Thanks for Our Volunteers

The church is not a building, the church is not a steeple, it's not even the Pastor, the church is the people! It is the extravagant generosity of our volunteers that bring Cornerstone to life. On this Sunday before Thanksgiving we pause to show our appreciation for the time, talent, treasure and truth shared by our volunteers.

Scripture teaches that to each is given a spiritual gift to be used in the ministry of the church. Since they are given for the church, they change as the needs of the church change. This is a good time to evaluate the gifts you have been given for ministry in the new year. Here are a few links to help you know your gift(s); there are many others on line:

• Adult Test - Spiritual Gifts Test
• Spiritual Gifts Analysis

Join us Sunday at 10:45am as we celebrate our volunteers, especially if you are one! Watch our broadcast live.

Rev Sandy, Pastor

First Things First

Most of us are creatures of habit and routine. What do you do the first five minutes of the day? Or when you first get paid? These are just two areas in which God longs to be first. Can you imagine how different your life would be if you put God first in your day and in your finances?

Proverbs 3:9 says, "In everything you do, put God first, and God will direct you and crown your efforts with success." Now that's a guarantee!

Can you imagine how different our church would be if just the members put God first in everything we do? It would be awesome. We could triple our efforts to live and share God's love in Christ for all.

Join us Sunday as we consider God's desire to be number one in our lives. And it's all because of how much God loves us! I missed you last Sunday so I'll be extra glad to see you this week. Contact someone and invite them to join you. Let's fill the sanctuary and celebrate our God who loves us more than we can even understand.

Rev Sandy, Pastor