Dear Church Family,

I am rejoicing with you over a great week of worship and ministry. God did a good work in our city through the proclamation of the Gospel in the park and among the many faithful churches during Holy Week. Lives were changed; hope was felt; God moved. When God moves, Satan seeks to put a stop to it, but praise be to God, the gates of hell will not prevail against Christ’s unstoppable Church. Be watchful for the devil and his schemes, but trust in the LORD for victory. The gospel of Jesus Christ cannot be caged, stopped, or silenced.

I also want to send out a big thank you to so many volunteers, servants, and faithful friends from Cornerstone Church who participated in the efforts of last week. I pause now and pray the words of the Apostle Paul for our church: ^NIV  Philippians 1:9 And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, ¹⁰ so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, ¹¹ filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ–to the glory and praise of God.

I pray that Christ’s resurrection power (the resurrecting Spirit of God) moves in your heart to love boldly this week. Love is what a dying world needs. Love is what your home needs, your coworker needs, and what this city needs. Christ loves. The Father loves. The Spirit loves. We love because God first loved us. Go forth and be ambassadors of love, to the praise and glory of God.

What’s ahead:

Small Groups Update: We have 6 different small group Bibles studies meeting throughout the week for our church family. There is a place for singles, couples, and families. If you are not in a study, we encourage you to talk with Pastor Matt so he can help you find a study. These groups will meet through May before taking a break for the summer.

Church Family Meal and Congregational Meeting, Sunday May 6: Please plan to join us for a fellowship meal right before our business meeting at New Life Community Church. Cups, plasticware, napkins, and plates will be furnished as well as water and coffee to drink. Please bring a main dish and either a salad, vegetable, or dessert to share. We have the privilege of bringing 7 new people into church membership on May 6 during the meeting!

RAGBRAI: On Thursday July 26 20,000 bike riders will converge on the CR Metro area. The Visitors Bureau is looking for folks willing to be hosts to riders on that evening. If you are interested in opening your home to RAGBRAI riders, please sign up at www.cedarrapidsragbrai.com/housing

Go forth and proclaim the Gospel in word and deed.

Your fellow worker,

Pastor Matt