Merry Christmas from Cornerstone MCC and Happy Birthday Jesus!

Our time of preparation and waiting is over and Christmas has arrived. What a great journey through Advent. Today is a day to be like Mary and have a heart willing to do God's will, like Joseph and a heart of mercy for someone who needs it, and like Elizabeth and a heart of encouragement for someone who is discouraged this Christmas. Hearts of compassion such as these move the very heart of the Christ Child and give glory to God.

Holiday's are filled with good and not meant to be stressful. Break that cycle of family feud by taking the high road and letting someone off the hook, be right even though you know they're wrong, and saying grace over the meal. Make it a great Christmas!

My prayer for each person reading these words is that your heart would know the love of God through the gift of Jesus. For knowing Jesus brings hope, love, joy, peace, forgiveness, grace, mercy, compassion, security, the best relationship one could ever experience and a host of other blessings.

Happy Birthday Jesus! Thank you for coming to our world and showing us God's love.

Rev Sandy, Pastor

Joyful and Triumphant

Join us Sunday, December 22, at 10:45am on the last Sunday of Advent. We are in store for a wonderful gift as our Choir presents "Joyful and Triumphant". Communion will be served. Invite someone to join you. Also, the Choir will repeat their presentation Sunday at 5:00pm with a reception to follow.

You can catch these performances by watching our live broadcasts.

Rev Sandy, Pastor

Elizabeth in Judea: Encouragement

In the first trimester of her pregnancy, Mary makes the same journey she will later endure as a very pregnant woman. This time she stops short of Bethlehem in the home of her (also pregnant) relative and friend, Elizabeth. Finally, Mary can let go and celebrate this secret she has held in ever since the visit from the angel. Elizabeth's joy encourages Mary to accept fully what she has been chosen to do-carry this child who will be a Message of Hope and Justice to all people-and she exclaims the powerful Magnificent.

Join us Sunday as we give thanks for those who encourage us and learn how we can encourage and support others into fullness of life.

Rev Sandy, Pastor

Joseph of Bethlehem: Mercy

Joseph's hometown of Bethlehem (also King David's hometown) literally means "House of Bread." The town rests in the shadow of a huge monument built by Herod as a testament to his great "might." But it is not a King or a Ruler that is to be the earthly father of Jesus. God chose Joseph, a man who has great mercy when faced with a pregnant fiancée. He shows ultimate hospitality to Mary and to God's plan, just as Jesus will show mercy as he breaks bread with the least later in his ministry.

Join us Sunday, December 8, as we hear God's call to show such mercy and hospitality along the journey of life.

Rev Sandy, Pastor

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