Church family,
This is a long update; please consider printing it out and using it for prayer.
I recently learned a popular expression: #adulting. Apparently, this is a way young adults (admittedly in a culture of prolonged adolescence) use social media to convey they are taking responsibility and growing up. So, on Facebook, you might read, “I signed a lease on my first apartment #adulting.” Or, “We finally replaced our dishwasher today #adulting.” “I just signed up my kid for kindergarten #adulting.”
#Adulting gets at the heart of where the elders of this church hope to see our church family go over the next 5 years. We’re a 15 year old teenager church; it’s time to grow into an adult church. An #adulting church takes responsibility for others. This means we’ll be ever eager to serve, care, and minister to those outside our doors. Our homes, neighborhoods, communities, and workplaces will be our central work rather than crafting a perfect Bible lesson or sermon.
An #adulting church will use its money not on themselves, but for others. We’ll invest in missionaries and ministries locally and globally. We’ll send out people and cash to plant churches. An #adulting church finds greater joy in the growth of others, and grow less concerned about their own comforts and preferences.
One of my new favorite Bible verses is 3 John 1:4 I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth. As we grow in maturity collectively, take responsibility corporately, and grow up in love, may we have the great joy of seeing many baby Christians, baby churches, and baby ministries to the glory of God!
Important Announcements:
Baptism service coming: We’re looking at a baptism service on November 13th. Please speak to Pastor Matt or another elder soon to express your interest in receiving baptism. Also, there were a few Stump the Pastor Questions related to baptism last week; I responded to them here: https://cornerstone-marion.org/2016/10/18/stump-the-pastor-baptism-questions-and-a-bonus/
Prayer for Building: Please be in prayer for our leaders regarding the future renovations and improvements on our facility. We are trying to come to consensus on our next steps. We have the first of 2 to 3 meetings on October 24 with a person from our denomination who helps churches seek consensus and God’s direction.
Sunday, October 23rd “An Evening of Worship And Prayer” 6pm to 7:30pm The 9th city-wide gathering of Christians and churches will be held at New Covenant Bible Church, 3090 N Center Point Rd. Please come and pray for our city, fellow churches, and the work of God among us.
All church work/cleaning day, Saturday October 29th 9AM to Noon. We will be doing some general cleaning (our custodians will have this week off) and organizing as well as a little outdoor work, weather permitting. If you’ve been looking for a way to serve, but have limited time, this may be a great opportunity!
November 6 Church Meeting and Lunch: Please plan to join us after church on Sunday November 6th. We’ll have a potluck lunch starting around 11:30AM with a congregational meeting to follow. At the congregational meeting we will vote on a 2017 budget, 2017 leadership positions, discuss the building and bylaws revisions, and get an update on the ministry areas of Cornerstone Church.
Volunteer Opportunity: The His Hands free medical clinic is in need of people willing to pray with patients. All volunteers are trained. This is a safe and rewarding experience. For more information check outhttp://www.hishandsclinic.org/volunteer or call 319-862- 2636.
Thank you! I love being your pastor.
-Matt
