Last year millions of Americans watched "The Bible" mini-series. This year millions are watching "Noah" "Son of God" "Resurrection" and "Heaven is for Real". Even though Hollywood's depiction is not always factual, they do have people talking about the tenets of the Christian faith.
Spiritually speaking, this is an open door for us to talk about our faith. We can answer or find answers to questions our family, friends, neighbors and co-workers may have. Based on those conversations it's easy to know if people are connected to a church. If they do not have a church home then invite them to Cornerstone where they can celebrate the REAL Resurrection. Many people are waiting on someone to invite them to church, especially for Easter.
Tonight we will have a special service centered around Judas, often called "The Betrayer". Of all life's pains, betrayal is one of the deepest wounds we suffer. The last part of the service will provide an opportunity for forgiveness and healing. Both the betrayer and the betrayed carry wounds. Come and lay down your burden and allow your heart to heal.
Thursday night is the Jason and DeMarco Concert. We are so blessed to have them with us during this Holy Week. The concert is free and a love offering will be received. Also they will have merchandise available for purchase. Let's come out and support their ministry. This is another great opportunity to invite someone to join you. Who doesn't enjoy great music?
Friday night is one of my favorite services. We will gather inside to hear the story once again. This year six characters who were there will tell the story. You will have an opportunity to be anointed with oil by Mary, have your hand washed by Peter, and receive Communion from Judas. There will also be gifts from Mary, the mother of Jesus, the Centurion soldier, and a candle from Salome, who will lead us from the sanctuary to outside. There will be a display of the cross. You are invited to place candles, flowers, notes and other mementos at the foot of the cross. Music will be played and chairs will be available for you to spend time at the cross.
Sunday at 10:00am is the children's egg hunt. The lawn cross will be full of lilies and flowers to remind us that Jesus rose from the dead! Jesus is the REAL Resurrection and Life!! And in Christ we have victory over death!!! Don't miss out on the event that stopped the clock and reset the calendar, the death and resurrection of Jesus.
Rev Sandy, Pastor
Six characters that were part of the first Holy Week will be with us in worship this Sunday, Good Friday, and Easter. I want to encourage you to attend as many of the services and events as possible. Sunday we will celebrate what is called "Jesus' Triumphant Ride into Jerusalem". If we step back from the crowd shouting, "Hosanna!" we discover Jesus riding in humility, on the back of a donkey.
Our text from Philippians 2:1-11 reads, "You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a servant, and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal's death on a cross."
What is God asking of you right now? And are you willing to humble yourself in obedience to God? Just as Jesus died and lived again, each time we die to self we live again. Winter is over. Spring is here. God has new life planned for each of us. So rearrange your schedule and make worship a priority this Holy Week. Come and receive your blessing!
Rev Sandy, Pastor
The death of a friend or loved one brings us to tears. By the time Jesus arrived at the home of Mary and Martha, their brother Lazarus had died. It brought tears to Jesus even though He knew He would raise Lazarus from the dead. Some of us are still weeping for our brother Earl, even though we know that he too will be raised from the dead. Death brings tears, but that is not the end of the story.
The good news is that God can breath life to death. Jesus can breath life to death. The Holy Spirit can breath life to death. And with Christ in us, our words and actions can breath life to those who are dead in their trespasses. Join us Sunday as we allow the breath of God to being new life to us so that we may go forth and share the good news of new life.
This Sunday the choir gets to sit and worship as the Praise Team leads us in worship. It's Birthday and Anniversary Sunday too. So come and celebrate God's love and life for all - but especially for YOU! You belong at Cornerstone.
Rev Sandy, Pastor
All of us get angry at times. Feeling angry is not a sin. It's about how we handle our anger. Our scripture reading this week (Ephesians 4:17-32) reminds us that we are called to leave old ways behind and to take on our spiritual nature.
Getting angry and going off on people, being vindictive, shutting down, and attacking are old ways. Getting angry and speaking the truth in love is a better way, as is holding one's tongue. Not all anger needs to be expressed.
Join us in our Lenten Prayer: "Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life." Psalm 139:23-24 NLT. And join us Sunday at 10:45am as we learn, or are reminded about being angry and sinning not. If you know any angry birds, be sure to invite them to join you!
Rev Sandy, Pastor
On this third Sunday of Lent we consider the biblical concept of lust. Much like people hear the word "gay" and think of sex, people hear the word "lust" and think of sex. But there is more to lust than the sexual dimension. People lust for power, prestige, knowledge, and control to name just a few.
In this day of developing technology the temptation to venture beyond desire and into lust may be greater than before. We have access to almost anything we want, almost anytime we want it. We see little reason to deny ourselves anything. We have our desires met and then we desire more, and more, and more. And sometimes before we even realize it we move from desire to lust, from want it to gotta have it.
One of the blessings of being part of a community of faith is that we have each to turn to for truth, prayer and support. Our lives get out of balance from time to time and we can lovingly help each other find that balance again. What desire do you have that is, or has the ability to bring imbalance to your life? Lent is a good time to ask and answer that question.
I invite you to join in our Lenten prayer: "Search me, O God, and know my heart. See if there be anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path to everlasting life." Psalms 139:23,24. I hope to see you at church this Sunday at 10:45am.
Rev Sandy, Pastor
On this second Sunday in Lent we encounter Nicodemus stopping by to ask Jesus a question. The answer Jesus gave puzzled him and others throughout the ages. Jesus said, "You must be born again." And then Jesus talked about being born of water and spirit. All of us are born of water from our mother's womb without any choice in the matter. But in our spiritual birth, we choose to participate, ignore, or turn away.
I have a friend I met in college. We have kept up with each other through the years. In the last five years he has been born again. He's like a child in wonderland, which is way more fun than the angry old man he was becoming. I said to him yesterday, just imagine how different your life would have been if you had experienced spiritual birth years ago.
You may have yet to experience such an encounter with Jesus. To you I say the sooner the better. If you are tired of going through the motions and feeling like something big is missing in your life, you can be born again. The Christian faith is filled with stories of renewal and new life. You can join that story.
In this season of Spring, look around and see the beauty of creation come to life again. Then join us Sunday at 10:45am...have I got some gossip for you!
Rev Sandy, Pastor
We allow certain habits to help us deal with life, but sometimes the bad habits can become part of our identity. It's time to separate ourselves from these 'necessary' habits and recognize them for what they really are: sins.
The good news found in Romans 8:2 is that through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death. This four-week Lenten series follows the lectionary and covers lying, gossip, lust, and anger, and teaches us how to replace these sinful habits with obedience and grace.
So set your clocks forward Saturday night and feed your heart, soul and body on Sunday. For those observing the Daniel Fast, there will be a table just for you at the Sunday Luncheon. And if you email me I will send you a fantastic resource for the fast.
Rev Sandy, Pastor
