On Monday our country pauses to remember and honor the women and men who died in military service for our country. While we are celebrating a holiday, others will lose their lives in service this weekend. Let us give thanks for each life and pray for the day when war will be no more.
I am taking Saturday off and I'm so excited to experience worship together on Sunday. I asked Sara to plan the service and to preach. Tim is using his artist abilities to adorn the sanctuary. Let's add to the excitement by wearing red, white, and blue for this Sunday on which Memorial Weekend and Pentecost collide.
Rev Sandy, Pastor
It has been said that connection is really the deepest value in God's heart. I believe it is the deepest need in our hearts. Even with all the social media that links us to each other 24/7, there remains within the heart a need for connection with God, self, and others. This Sunday is the last in our "I Am Jesus" series and we'll be examining the ultimate connection of Jesus as the Vine.
Some of us were taught that if we walked the aisle and joined the church we had our ticket to heaven and we were saved. I have found that staying connected to Jesus is what saves me. Every day and throughout each day my goal is to remain in Jesus so that I have the nutrition and support needed to not only survive, but to thrive.
Jesus is the ultimate connection and through Him we have a connection with each other. What a beautiful image. Just look at the picture of the vine and the branches filled with grapes. That's our calling....to be part of something bigger than ourselves. I want to encourage you to worship with us at 10:45am, enjoy lunch and then attend Lisa's workshop Sunday at 1:00pm. It will help you know ways in which you can get connected and serve right here at Cornerstone MCC!
Rev Sandy, Pastor
We are continuing with our series on four of the seven "I Am" statements Jesus made, as recorded in the gospel of John. This week we celebrate the blessing that Jesus is the Light of the World! What does that mean for us? It means that Jesus is the light of my world, and your world, and anyone's world when they follow Jesus. It's a global thing and it's a personal thing. How awesome is God!
You may be familiar with the story of Jesus and the woman caught in adultery. It's found in John 8:1-12. We will look at that story in detail this Sunday, for it precedes the statement, "I Am Jesus, the Light of the World". In this story we find Jesus going beyond the law by adding grace to the situation. That grace is the light needed to dispel the darkness of that moment and of the woman's life.
What situations in your life need light and crave a new direction? We all have them and we all have access to the one who is light. Jesus is the Resurrection and the Life, Jesus is the Good Shepherd, and Jesus is the Light of the World. And whoever follows Jesus shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life! Come just as you are and encounter the light of your world.
Rev Sandy, Pastor
Not only is Jesus the Resurrection and the Life, Jesus is the Good Shepherd. In the Bible, sheep are referred to more than any other animal. There must be lessons for us to learn from them. Yet how much do we know about sheep? I've learned a few new facts that I'll be sharing in my sermon on Sunday.
More importantly, I'll be sharing about Jesus, the Good Shepherd. How comforting to know that Jesus loves and cares for us like a shepherd cares for their flock. In a world that encourages us to stand on our own, figure life out ourselves, and always make good decisions, Jesus offers us guidance, provision, correction and protection. We don't have to go life alone for Jesus is our Good Shepherd and we are part of His flock. What a blessing!
Join us Sunday as we get more real about ourselves and Jesus. Invite someone to join you. And
remember the Take 30 service tonight at 6:30. Sit and rest and refresh your soul.
Rev Sandy, Pastor
I long for the day that there is liberty and justice for everyone and events such as Pride will be no more. But until then, we press on as we do the work of justice. I say let's do it with style! I am so excited about our Pride Team. Under the leadership of our Intern, Lisa Kelson, 30 people are working together to make our presence known both Saturday and Sunday.
We'll have a booth at the park on Saturday, staffed with smiling faces throughout the day. The Board will have 50/50 Raffle tickets available. Our fabulous float will color the parade route with pride and will reflect the wonderful diversity of our congregation.
The Sunday Pride service was planned by Lisa and she will be preaching for the first time at Cornerstone. There's some wonderful music and videos and even a little Lady GaGa at the end! We'll break bread together and then head back to the park for volleyball. So invite someone to join you. I will be consecrating communion and I would love to welcome some new people to the table of forgiveness and love. Get your pride on and celebrate! You are included, affirmed, and fabulous!! Let it out and let it shine!!!
Rev Sandy, Pastor
The service Sunday was awesome. From the music, to the puppet show, to the sermon and communion, the service continues to touch lives via the Internet. I have received so many messages asking me to thank Cornerstone for the service. I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did!
Special thanks to Michael and Rick. They donated and arranged most of the beautiful flowers for Easter. Jim helped with some of his personal plants and flowers. And what about those beautiful red flowers from the backyard of the Fellowship House! They were sticking. Rick and Mike were also the lead on the brunch after the service. Delicious! I know Melissa cooked the tomato gravy and others helped. And last but not least, all of the hard work done on the building and grounds. The campus was smiling with the tender loving care and I thank all of you for giving of your time, talent, and treasure.
I am in Georgia this Sunday, officiating at my cousins wedding. I will be with you in spirit as I watch the broadcast. I know Rev Lee will be a blessing in my absence. Let someone know that they belong at Cornerstone!
Rev Sandy, Pastor
During the season of Lent our focus was on change. This Sunday we celebrate the greatest change the world has ever known! Easter is about so much more than bunnies and baskets and eggs. Easter is about so much more than flowers, hats and new outfits. While there's nothing wrong with such things, I want to know there's so much more.
Because of Easter we can change how we live our lives both physically and spiritually. In MCC we seek to transform ourselves as we transform our world. That's a bold and very achievable mission because of God's resurrection power. There's a beautiful scripture that promises that the same power that raised Jesus from the dead is at work in our mortal bodies. Think about the power that is in you to change and transform your life. Join us Sunday at 10:45am as we celebrate Easter and how it changes everything, even us.
Rev Sandy, Pastor
