Newsletter January 17, 2025
Newsletter | January 17, 2025
Dear Church Family and Friends,
I have some exciting updates about things happening at Cornerstone!
New Playground!
The next time you come to Cornerstone you will see that the new playground is being installed! It is going to be such a blessing to our children and families. However, the playground is not ready for play just yet. As you know, our property is still very much a construction zone. Even though there is equipment in place, there are many safety measures that are not in place yet, including but not limited to: fencing, sidewalks, and the soft surface that will be installed later. PARENTS! Please supervise your children and do not let them on the playground until the deacons give it the all-clear.
Let There Be Light!
Along with continued progress on the campus, you will also notice new exterior lights around the parking lots. The contractors have been hard at work to install 19 new light polls. This will be a blessing for our programs and activities that conclude after dark.
Parking Entrance Update
As you may have noticed, the entrances and exits of our parking lot have been updated. This Sunday, the entrance into the east parking lot from Owens Drive will be closed. Our new entrance at the crest of McClung will allow access to both the east and west lots. Our former main parking lot entrance has been modified to become a RIGHT TURN and EXIT ONLY lane. We appreciate your continued patience as we finalize the entrances and exits of the parking lot.
Gratitude for our friend, shepherd, and brother, Shep Park
I think most of you know Shep and Beverly. They have been friends, mentors, and tremendous encouragers to many of us for many years. Shep has served as an elder at Cornerstone for almost the last decade. Shep has requested, and based on The Book of Church Order 24-10 the Session has granted him, to take emeritus status. He will no longer perform the regular duties of the office of elder, but he will continue to be a shepherd among us and assist the Session from time to time at our request. Please join me and the Session by giving thanks to the Lord for Shep and his ministry among us!
Brian Russ Sabbatical
As most of you know, I had the tremendous privilege of taking a sabbatical this past year. It was life-giving and restful for me and my family. This month, Pastor Russ has now served at Cornerstone for nine years! He and his family have been a huge blessing to us. In recognition of his faithful labors among us, the Session has granted Brian to take a three-month sabbatical that will begin June 1, 2025. It is our hope and prayer that this will be a meaningful time of rest and recharge for Brian and his family. Please be in prayer for the Russ family as they make plans and preparations — especially as Brian reminds us that his sabbatical will end with dropping two daughters off at college.
These are all things to celebrate and we give thanks to the Lord!
by His grace and to His praise,
Pastor Wilson
Wilson’s Weekly
Pastor Wilson does not personally endorse everything said or written in these links but hopes these articles and/or podcasts will be helpful for Christians in cultivating a biblical worldview.
Preparation for Worship
January 19, 2025
This Sunday's Sermon:
“The Sermon on the Mount: Radical Sanctification”
Matthew 5:27-30
Click here to access the latest bulletins, listen to sermons, and watch the live stream.
NEW! Prepare your heart for Praise and Adoration with our Spotify playlist.
Cornerstone Prayer Requests
Pray for church members caring for family - Diana Akridge, Susan Dupré, Kyle Mosier, Randy Petcher, Mike and Carol Wellfare, and the Barkleys (foster child).
Pray for healing - Susan Hoyt, Bob and Kathy Cassis, Dawn Chenault, Earl Myers, Tim and Gayle Ricks, Ruby Petcher, Marc Goldmon, Diane Brown, Jon Wren, and others.
Pray for our homebound friends - Ruby Petcher, Betty Baldwin, Bill and Suzi Bolton.
Pray for our expectant mothers - Bre Sullivan (February), Abigail Wood (February), Ashley Colette (March), Abby Junen (April), Andrea Mace (May), and the Kawell family (adoption).
Praise God for the birth of Maisie Diane McMillan, born to Matthew and Kerry McMillan on January 12!
Pray for our students and leaders on the Roots retreat next weekend.
Pray for our Missional Partnerships - Sixty Feet of Uganda (Ava Weeks) and Christ Presbyterian Church, Hampton Cove, AL (Rev. Michael Calvert).
Announcements
Senior High Sunday Night Fellowship - Senior High students, join us on Sunday, January 19 from 6:30-8:00 pm at Chris Moody’s house (1702 Sun Valley Road SE, Huntsville, AL 35801) for fellowship and discussion!
Bible Workshop - Wednesday, January 22 at 6:30 pm in the Fellowship Hall. Pastor John will lead us in a session on “Reading and Interpreting Proverbs.” RSVP for this event at cornerstonehuntsville.org/events.
Foundations - Resumes Wednesday, January 29. Dinner begins at 5:30 pm, and discipleship classes for children, students, and adults start at 6:15 pm. “What is a Presbyterian, Anyway?” This adult class taught by John Summers will introduce the topic of Presbyterian Government and History and why it is important for the local church. Officer training will take place in the Fellowship Hall.
New Members Class - Begins February 2 and meets during the Sunday School hour. If you’re interested in becoming a member or learning more about Cornerstone, please email office@cornerstonehuntsville.org to sign up!
Men’s Retreat 2025 - February 21-23, 2025 at Alpine Camp for Boys in Mentone, AL. Learn more and register online at cornerstonehuntsville.org/events.
Quiet Waters Family Retreat - June 8-13. This is a camp to serve families affected by disabilities. Please email morgan@cornerstonehuntsville.org for more information and to sign up.
Hurricane Helene Donation Information - To donate to affected churches, you can give to our benevolence fund or directly to MNA Disaster Response here.
Missions Moment
Each week we want to highlight one of our missional partnerships. Please take a moment to learn about these wonderful ministries that Cornerstone has the privilege of serving alongside.
This week's highlighted ministry:
The Mission of Cornerstone Presbyterian Church is to be a community of Christ's followers who worship, grow, and serve together to glorify God in Huntsville and throughout the world.
Please contact the church office by Thursday for changes or additions to prayer requests.
The Cornerstone Newsletter is a weekly publication emailed each Friday. To notify the church office of church members in the hospital or of births and deaths, or if you have a change of address or name, please contact office@cornerstonehuntsville.org or 256-489-4625.
1413 McClung Avenue, Huntsville, AL 35801
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