We've all made promises and we've all waited on promises made to us to be fulfilled. Sometimes we become impatient and give up on a promise if we think we have waited too long, especially when it comes to the promises of God. Most of us don't wait well. But whether we wait in hope or give up in despair, every promise of God is fulfilled.
In our reading for this week we meet two people who had waited and waited for God to fulfill the promise of sending the Messiah. Simeon was a devout man and Anna was a prophet. When Mary and Joseph took Jesus to the temple to present him to God, both of them rejoiced that the promise of God was fulfilled.
Are you waiting on a promise from God to be fulfilled? Have you given up or are about too? Simeon and Anna remind us that we do not wait in vain. God is faithful and true to every promise God makes. Yet waiting can be difficult. When your time of waiting becomes a challenge stand on the words of Isaiah 40:31, "But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint."
Try not to give up on God, because God will never give up on you! Happy New Year. I hope to see you on the first Sunday of 2015. You belong at Cornerstone!
Rev Sandy, Pastor
Bi-directional Service on December 28 Through our "Sacred" series this Advent we have been reminded that time, people, space, knowing and being are sacred. This Sunday we reach the logical conclusion which is Sacred Doing. Jesus shows us that love is an action word and it's time for us to busy ourselves living and sharing God's love in Christ for all.
It's also time to pause and look back over 2014. Here's a tool with 20 Questions for a New Year's Eve Reflection.
And then it's time to look forward to 2015. Here's a tool with Questions for a NEW year.
Join us Sunday, December 28 at 10:45am for the last service of the year. And remember, it's Potluck so bring us something good to eat or drink.
Rev Sandy, Pastor
This Sunday we will be blessed as our choir presents the Christmas cantata. It's a great time to invite someone to join you at church. We'll also be receiving four new members, baptizing at least one person and sharing Communion together. It's going to be another great day! And in case you can't make it at 10:45am, the choir will present the cantata again at 6:00pm. Come and be blessed.
Rev Sandy, Pastor
On the third Sunday of Advent we honor Mary, the mother of Jesus. What joy filled her heart as she submitted to God's plan and worshipped fully! Our service this week has special gifts to bring us joy. There will be a puppet show and a gift from Rev Lee Carton. It's a relational gift, a great example of how we can spend less and give more this Christmas.
Are you turning Christmas upside down? Are you changing Christmas? If so, I want to hear from you. What are you experiencing as you make this season more about Jesus and giving to others in Jesus' name? I know you must have more joy as you let go of the scandal Christmas has become and embrace what Christmas is all about. Not presents, stress and parties for us, but hope, love, joy and peace for ourselves and others.
It was a joy to receive the good news that as a direct result of the well we funded, a number of villages in India were able to set aside their differences and now live in peace. Who would have thought that clean water could bring peace? God takes the simple gifts we give, blesses them and uses them to bless our world. Cornerstone, let us continue to let our light shine so that others may see our good works and give glory to God in heaven! Now that's a Christmas present for Jesus!!
Come and share the joy this Sunday at 10:45am. You belong at Cornerstone!
Rev Sandy, Pastor
Just as we were asked to consider all time as sacred, this week we are called to see all people as sacred. I'll be the first to say that can be challenging. Some people hurt us, let us down, lie to us and stop loving us. Some people live in ways that we cannot understand and because they do, we shun them and look the other way when they try to come into our lives. That saying, "Out of sight, out of mind" is the status quo and vulnerable people who need our love often go away feeling less than loved.
But in God's dominion and here at Cornerstone, we are learning that all people are sacred and we purpose to share God's love in Christ for all. Through the digging of wells, we are touching the people of India with God's love. With the giving of Christmas Shoeboxes, we are touching children around the world with the good news of the gospel and some fun gifts. Twelve families in our church were blessed with Thanksgiving baskets and twelve will be blessed with Christmas baskets.
What about people in your life? Do you see all of them as sacred? And are you willing to love those whom many see as the least among us? Who have you shut out, forgot about or intentionally decided they are not worthy or deserving of your time and attention? Those are the very people Jesus came to love, heal and make whole. And Jesus is calling you to be the vessel through which he will touch them this Christmas.
Join us Sunday as we rethink who is sacred and learn ways to spend less this Christmas. Don't get trapped in the tradition of spending, spending, spending. There is a better way to celebrate Jesus. Let us worship fully, spend less, give more and love all. Let us change Christmas and make it all about loving the world and the people Jesus loves so.
Rev Sandy, Pastor
