New Beginnings

In addition to the new beginnings that a new year brings, both Cornerstone and I have new beginnings coming our way. As we have known for almost a year now, I will be retiring from the ministry at the end of January. I would like to use this three week sermon series to help us prepare spiritually for this change.

I want to encourage you to make church attendance a priority. Transitions can be times of both blessing and challenge. Your presence will make a positive difference as we move through this month. Hold onto this scripture as the winds of change blow our way.

"No eye has seen, no ear has heard and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love God". 1 Corinthians 2:9

Rev Sandy, Pastor

Happy Old Year!

Before we get all excited to welcome in a new year, let's take time to say goodbye to 2015. What kind of year has this been for you? Probably a mixture of good and bad, joyful and sad. No matter what, God has seen you through it all and will be with you in the year that lies ahead.

Sunday I'll be preaching from the seventh chapter of Ecclesiastes. It's called "Wisdom for Life" and it reminds us that God is still God, we are still God's people, and God is always with us no matter what comes our way.

Join us at 10:45am as we say Happy Old Year and prepare ourselves for a Happy New Year.

Rev Sandy, Pastor

Starlight Over Bethlehem

It's the fourth Sunday of Advent and there's music in the air. The choir has been busy preparing to bless us with the gift of music in our regular service at 10:45am and again at 6:00pm. It's also the time to focus on love. For God so loved the world that God sent Jesus. What a gift!

Christmas is the time to generously share the love of God, not just with our family and friends, but with the world. I invite you to join in giving the gift of clean water in Jesus name. Cornerstone has funded the digging of three wells in India and this will be number four. Please mark your donation as "Water" and be a part of touching the world with the love and knowledge of Jesus.

It still amazes me that God sent Jesus as a tiny, vulnerable, needy little baby....just like us. I hope you enjoy this video as much as I:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gy29mQfiavg&feature=youtu.be and I hope to see you Sunday.

Rev Sandy, Pastor

The Way of Peace

What an awesome service last week! This week, on the second Sunday of Advent our focus shifts from hope to peace. Never have I witnessed the world more in need of peace than now. It seems that agitation, disagreement, frustration, hatred, worry and war abound. But for every situation, God has a solution. Jesus is the Prince of Peace and brings peace in the midst of our storms.

Jesus calls the Church to live in peace and to help rebuild peace. The good news we hear from scripture this week is that we can be guided in the way of peace. We can walk in love instead of hatred, reconciliation instead of separation, and harmony instead of discord. God always gives us a choice. Are you ready to choose the way of peace? If so, step off the way of disagreement, fighting, and agitation and step into the way peace.

Don't be late this Sunday or you'll miss a powerful Call to Worship by Yolanda, someone new to our church. I'll be looking for you at 10:45am.

Rev Sandy, Pastor

It's a Celebration!

Sunday is the first week of Advent and the beginning of a new church year. It's also the ordination of Rev Sara Sills. Special guests include Rev Keith Mozingo and Rev Lee Carlton. It's sure to be a great time of worship and joyful celebration. Join us as we extend our hands to bless Sara and Kay as they begin this new chapter in their lives.

Thanks to all who participated in the service last Sunday. It was a sweet time of thanksgiving and praise to our awesome and mighty God. Happy Thanksgiving! I hope to see you Saturday and Sunday!

Rev Sandy, Pastor

Turning ThanksGIVING into ThanksLIVING

My dad's favorite holiday was Thanksgiving. When I asked why he told me, "It's all about family and food." And that it is. It's also typical to be asked the question, "What are you thankful for?" Most of us are smart enough to begin with our families and friends and then we end up with a list of stuff for which we are grateful.

While there is nothing wrong with such a gathering and list, I am challenging you to go beyond the usual and recapture what the first Thanksgiving was all about. Yes, family, friends and neighbors gathered to share a meal together and give thanks, but their thanks was focused on God's goodness. If you read the words of President Lincoln as he proclaimed this holiday, it was all about pausing to praise God for being God.

On this Thanksgiving I am thankful for God's inclusive love, for grace and mercy, for forgiveness again and again, for making a way when there seems to be no way, for the gift of the Holy Spirit to lead and guide me, for the sacrificial gift of Jesus who gave his life so that we might have life and have it abundantly. For air to breathe, daily bread, provision, protection, discipline, easy days and hard days, for laughter and everlasting love, and so much more, I am thankful. And not just on the one day of the year we call ThanksGIVING....but every day of the year which is called ThanksLIVING.

What do you appreciate about God? Send me your list, bring it to me at church this Sunday, or fill out a card and give it to me before the service begins. Let's shower God with gratitude not only this Sunday...but every day of our lives.

Rev Sandy, Pastor

'Tis the Season to be Generous

While I am not ready to listen to Christmas music just yet.....I prefer to wait until after Thanksgiving.....it is time to think of our generosity as we prepare to close out 2015. I invite you to consider the following opportunities to bless and be blessed.

• Christmas Shoebox Project. Bless a child with a shoebox of goodies this Christmas. The deadline is THIS SUNDAY and more information is available in this newsletter.
• Advent Conspiracy. Change the way you celebrate the birth of Jesus and give to help us dig another well to provide a village with clean drinking water in Jesus name. Refrain from buying gifts that people do not need and often do not want, take some of that money and give to Living Water through our church. Then make relational gifts that cost less and will mean more.
• Annual Stewardship Drive. We are taking a different approach this year. Our theme is "You Can Count on Me" and instead of asking you to give 10% of your time, talent, treasure and truth, we are asking you to tell us what the church can count on you to give over the next year. Cards are available over the next two weeks and they will be blessed on Sunday, November 22 during worship.
• Year End Gift. If you're looking to give a tax deductible donation, please consider Cornerstone MCC. You can designate how your gift is to be used or you can leave that to the discretion of the Board of Directors. Stocks, bonds and cash are all appreciated.
• Estate Planning. Consider Cornerstone when you're planning the legacy you will leave behind. Your gift can be designated or left to the discretion of the Board of Directors.

Join us Sunday as I share 12 Benefits of Generosity found in scripture. God is generous and one way to be more God-like is to practice generosity. Opportunities abound. Which ones are you most passionate about?

Rev Sandy, Pastor