The Update You’ve Been Waiting For!
- Physical distancing – one of the biggest requirements in this variance is that we ensure physical distancing between households. We know that we are excited to see each. However, we ask that you visit with each other outside to help provide enough space indoors for people to get where they need to go. We’ve spaced out the chairs in the sanctuary to help follow the guidelines.
- Masks – we encourage you to wear a mask while in the building.
- Self-assessment – If you are “vulnerable” or provide care for vulnerable individuals, though we miss you terribly, please consider joining us online instead. If you are ill in any way, please stay home and watch online.
- Children’s Ministry and Nursery – while we are making all these adjustments, we decided to delay the relaunch of children’s ministry and nursery. Kids are always welcome to attend church and we encourage you to make each Sunday a family event. We are working on some new opportunities for summer ministry – details coming soon! Be sure to join the Cornerstone Kids Group on Facebook for all the latest curriculum and resources to use at home.
- Bring Your Own Coffee – The current variance does not allow us to open the coffee bar or to serve food.
The Affected
Special Updates
We will continue to offer Sunday Worship and Celebrate Recovery online only for a season. We are hopeful that we can get back to normal soon. However, no one knows when that will be. In the meantime, continue to connect with us on Sunday mornings at 10:30 AM and Friday evenings (Celebrate Recovery) at 7 PM. We will continue to stream to Facebook and to our website. This week we are adding YouTube as we know that will work better on some televisions.
Each Wednesday evening at 7 PM be sure to tune in for a live worship and prayer time. Tonight Rebekah and DeAnn will lead this special service.
Each Tuesday and Thursday morning, Pastor Tony and Pastor Cody will share a short word of encouragement from Scripture. These will be available on social media and our website.
- Additional cleaning measures – more frequent cleaning of high contact surfaces
- Modify greeting time – less shaking hands and more air high fives! (Seriously though, we need to minimize hand-to-hand contact.)
- Modify communion – we will use alternative methods that reduce the chance of exposure.
- If sick, please stay home! We would prefer to worship with you in person, but for the sake of the larger community and the more vulnerable please stay home if you are sick. Watch online through our website or Facebook.
Philippians 4:6-7 NLT
Cornerstone Hosts Mental Health Summit
Sam to hike Mount Blanc
Cornerstone member recognized as critical ski patrol volunteer
Celebrate Recovery gathers stakeholders to battle opioids
I Am the True Vine
Pastor’s Corner
February 27, 2016
“Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15:5 NLT
In the final days before his crucifixion and Easter resurrection, Jesus continued his work of teaching his disciples and preparing them for what was about to happen. Jesus used several metaphors to describe his character. “I am the good shepherd.” “I am the door to life.” “I am the light of the world.” “I am the bread of life.” In John 15:1 Jesus said, “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener.” How does a vine and a gardener describe Jesus and his disciples?
First, a vine has to be well rooted in good soil. Likewise, Jesus is solidly planted. He is unmovable and unchangeable. Yet he came to us. John 1 tells us that Jesus existed from the beginning and that he is one who brought forth life and light. Disciples know that Jesus is the solid rock and that he is Truth.
Second, Jesus is the true vine that brings life. Without Jesus there is no life. “For apart from me you can do nothing.” Jesus is the source of life. All life originates from him and through him.
Third, branches grow from the vine. Branches don’t grow on their own. In fact, Jesus said that branches that are not attached will be gathered into a pile to be burned (15:6). Similarly, we must remain in Christ in order to grow and to produce fruit.
Fourth, the gardener prunes the branches in order to grow more fruit. The goal of a gardener is to have a healthy garden filled with an abundance of fruit. A gardener is not satisfied with a plant that does not produce. The Father Gardener prunes us – not to be malicious, but in order to make us healthy and to grow the best fruit. We are created to be fruitful. Jesus said, “When you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples. This brings great glory to my Father.” (15:8)
We are to remain in the love of Jesus by doing what he instructed us to do. And what exactly is that? Is it a long list? We have a habit of making “remaining in Jesus” something complicated that guarantees failure. However, that is not the way of Jesus. Multiple times he sums up all his commands like he did in this passage. “This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you.” (John 15:12). How much does he love us? “You didn’t choose me. I chose you.” (John 15:16) Out of all creation, he chose you just as you are. He loves you so much that he didn’t wait for you to choose him. He chose you. He loves you.
And now, love each other in the same way that Christ loves you. This command has the power to change the world. Let’s fill this world with the fruit that brings glory to the Father Gardener.
Cody Haar
Associate Pastor
Cornerstone Church
Good Goals for the New Life
Pastor’s Corner – January 3, 2015
Unfortunately the odds are not in your favor. Studies show only a small percentage of folks achieve the goals they set at New Year. I think we have an innate desire to do right, but we often do the things we don’t intend to do.
The Apostle Paul talks about doing the things he doesn’t want to do and not doing the things he does want to do. “I don’t really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don’t do it. Instead, I do what I hate.” (Romans 7:15 NLT) It sounds like a too familiar story to me. I’m not sure how many times I’ve established honorable goals only to fall flat on my face a short time later. Perhaps the goals I establish are impossible. Maybe there is no room for success in this respectable ambition. Or maybe there is something bigger going on than I can see with my eyes.
Paul’s comments are in regards to the war in the mind of body of anyone who follows Christ. “I have discovered this principle of life—that when I want to do what is right, I inevitably do what is wrong. I love God’s law with all my heart. But there is another power within me that is at war with my mind. This power makes me a slave to the sin that is still within me.” (Romans 7:21-23 NLT)
Wherever we go, sin is not far away. As Christ followers there is a battle. We desire to do right. Yet we too often do wrong. Where is the victory? Is victory possible? Is this goal of doing right attainable? Are my noble ambitions worth the fight?
“Oh, what a miserable person I am! Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin and death? Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans 7:24-25a NLT)
God the Father knew us in our depravity. Yet he chose to send his only son, Jesus, to die a sinner’s death on the cross in our place. Victoriously, Jesus rose on the third day and now intercedes for us. There is hope! There is victory in Christ Jesus!
“But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead.” (Ephesians 2:4-5a NLT)
As I contemplate how to start this new year, I think it wise to remember how I want this story to end. Since I have new life in Christ the best ending I can imagine is to know Jesus and to make Him known. Will you consider making this your goal this year as well? — To know Jesus and to make Him known
Cody Haar
Associate Pastor, Cornerstone Church
Secretary/Treasurer, Pastors United In Christ
Defeating Giants
Pastor’s Corner – October 25, 2014
The story of David and Goliath is usually told as a classic underdog tale. The arrogant giant challenges his fearful opponents. The unseemly kid shockingly deals a crushing blow. If we limit the scope of the story to just this simplistic outline it is a good story with a good point. However, I’m afraid that we view this story as the exception rather than the rule – we too often allow the giants of life to defeat us before we go to fight.
Throughout the Holy Scriptures we see that God habitually uses the weak or the common folks to accomplish His will. In the Old Testament God used a shepherd, a prostitute, a slave, the youngest son, the minority people groups, and so many other ordinary folks. Jesus selected a ragtag group of disciples that included fishermen and a tax collector – average Joe’s. In the most famous sermon ever preached Jesus blesses the spiritually poor, the meek, and the mourners.
1 Corinthians 1:27 speaks of this further, “Instead, God chose things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise. And he chose things that are powerless to shame those who are powerful.”
Our nature, our experiences, and our history all points to the weak succumbing to the strong, just as a river of rushing water can cut through solid rock over time or as a great fire burns a forest. But God’s math is different. He intentionally chooses the common and the ordinary to move mountains and to change the landscape of the world. He chooses a ragtag group of folks to bring the Good News of salvation through Christ to a lost and dying world. He chooses folks like you and me to be salt and light, a city on a hill, and a candle that cannot be hid.
David, a common sheepherder, was brave enough to take on a giant. Why? Because he knew from experience and by faith that his God was with him. This giant defiled the honor of his God and he was not okay with that. Even though all the warriors were scared, even though his own family forbade it, he confidently confronted what no one else would.
Will you? If your God is for you and with you, will you confront the giants in your life?
“What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us? 32 Since he did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won’t he also give us everything else? 33 Who dares accuse us whom God has chosen for his own? No one—for God himself has given us right standing with himself. 34 Who then will condemn us? No one—for Christ Jesus died for us and was raised to life for us, and he is sitting in the place of honor at God’s right hand, pleading for us.” Romans 8:31-34
(Scripture references from New Living Translation)
Cody Haar
Associate Pastor, Cornerstone Church
Pastors United In Christ, Secretary/Treasurer