Newsletter January 6, 2023

Newsletter | January 6, 2023

Dear Church,

This past Sunday we kicked off a new year and looked at some important principles for spiritual growth modeled by our Savior and his earthly parents, Mary and Joseph. This four-fold pattern of growth we found in Luke 2:52 which reads,  “And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man.”  (Luke 2:52 ESV)

In Luke 2:52 we are told that during Jesus' growing years, as he became a man, that he “increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man.” This gives us a four-fold pattern in this New Year as we think about ways in which we want to grow:

  1. To increase in wisdom is intellectual growth

  2. To increase in stature is physical growth

  3. To increase in favor with God is spiritual growth

  4. To increase in favor with man is relational growth.

All of these growth patterns that we see in Jesus point to the humanity of Christ. We focus a lot on the deity of Christ but we must not forget that he was also fully man and Jesus’ humanity is meant to serve as a pattern for us … to model for us spiritual growth. This commentary on Jesus’ growth will help you and me in the New Year to not set worldly goals, but spiritual goals and resolutions so that we will be useful in our service to the Lord! Also, as we look at this pattern of growth, we are constantly warned not to idolize men in our present day or men of the Bible for often they will let us down. But not our Lord Jesus. He is a true example for us to follow.

First, we see the Intellectual Growth of Jesus -- He increased in wisdom. We have this fascinating scene here at the end of Luke 2:41 where Jesus’ parents realized that he was not with them as they traveled home from the Passover in Jerusalem, back to Nazareth. And as they went back to Jerusalem to find him, where did they find him? .. Not playing video games. Not playing soccer with friends. ... They found 12 year old Jesus in the Synagogue … learning, asking questions, seeking knowledge. What a great example to all of us … to take every advantage to grow in wisdom like Jesus did. How can we do that in this new year? How can you increase in wisdom? 

Second, we see the Physical Growth of Jesus -- He increased in stature. Perhaps what is most fascinating about these verses is simply how mundane they describe Jesus’ life. Luke could have simply said, "Jesus grew as a boy and then became a man." And part of growing and living life is realizing that not only are we spiritual beings but we are physical beings. God created us body and spirit. There is an unbiblical truth that has sought to infiltrate the church throughout the centuries and that is this idea that the material and physical does not really matter — it is less important than the spirit. But this is not a biblical idea. For God created us body and soul and both are equally important. With that biblical truth in mind, how might God be calling you to take care of your self physically this new year?

The Apostle Paul wrote to Timothy, ”for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.”  (1 Timothy 4:8) And so the third area we see modeled by Jesus is Spiritual Growth - He increased in favor with God. There is an example for all of us here in these verses as we read about Jesus. He was busy about His spiritual growth. He longed to be in His Father’s house! This is a really great example to young people - that you use every opportunity of growing in spiritual knowledge - especially before the business and the cares of life come upon you.

Boys and girls, look at what Jesus did when he was only 12 years old; he was learning and growing in spiritual knowledge. But this is not just for young people … it is for all of us!
I think the New Year is a great time to resolve to grow spiritually. So how can you do that? …

Finally, we see Jesus modeling Relational Growth - He increased in favor with man. Jesus’s life, and his parents, demonstrated relational growth. We see Joseph and Mary growing in their relationship with each other and the Lord by regularly keeping the ordinances that God had designed for their spiritual growth. They honored the Lord together.

How can we grow in our Christian relationships? In our marriage? In our parenting? 
Parents, how can you be more intentional with your children?

My prayer for you and me is that we will grow in Christ and be more useful for Christ in this New Year. That we would grow in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man. May we fix our eyes on Jesus Christ to do this. To remember that He really lived, He really died, He really rose again, He is really coming back.

Romans is going to help us tremendously as we resume our study this Sunday in this Gospel rich material.

By His grace and to His praise,

Pastor Wilson

Preparation for Worship

JANUARY 8, 2023

This Sunday's Sermon: “THE GOSPEL OF GOD: ALIEN RIGHTEOUSNESS”

ROMANS 3:21-26 (ESV)

Wilson’s Weekly

Pastor Wilson does not personally endorse every thing said or written in these links but hopes these articles and/or podcasts will be helpful for Christians in cultivating a biblical worldview.

Announcements

Women’s Ministry Events - (email heidi@cornerstonehuntsville.org with questions)

    • Women’s Bible Study Opportunities

      • Tuesday Morning Study - Join us beginning Tuesday morning, January 17th, as we resume our study of Exodus (Chapters 19-40) using Jen Wilkin’s God of Freedom material. Click HERE to register. Details are in the link. Be sure to order your book ASAP!

      • Tuesday Evening Study - Join us beginning Tuesday evening, January 17th, for an 8 week study ending March 1st. We will discuss Paige Brown's teaching on the book of James. Click HERE to register. Deadline to sign up is January 10th.

      • FOUNDATIONS Wednesday Evening Study - Join us at 6:15pm beginning Wednesday, January 25th, for a book study of Rebecca McLaughlin’s “Confronting Jesus”. Sign up HERE

    • Monthly Prayer Time - Resumes Thursday, January 19th, at 10am at the church. Email Elena Lewis at bruce.lewis.family@ juno.com with prayer requests or questions.

    • Playdate Meetup - Moms and kids please join us for our first monthly play time at Altitude Trampoline Park on University Drive on Monday, January 23rd, at 10am. Email ashley.h.colette@gmail.com for more information.

    • Women’s Conference - Join us, and other women from our presbytery, on January 27th & 28th at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Huntsville for teaching and discussion led by Paula Miles on “Thinking Biblically and Living Covenantally.” Click HERE for more information and to sign up.

Cornerstone Men’s Retreat - Calling all men 18 and up, join us for a winter retreat on Spiritual Leadership in the Home, at Work, and in the Church. The retreat will be held February 24-25 at the Vision Retreat Center. Registration begins next week!

Youth Roots Retreat - January 20-22, 2023 at Camp ToKnow Him. Join us for a weekend of Christ-filled fellowship and discipleship! See the section below for more information. Email Pastor Brian with questions at brian@cornerstonehuntsville.org

FOUNDATIONS - Resumes Wednesday, January 25th. Join us for a meal at 5:30pm and afterwards discipleship opportunities for all ages will be from 6:15 to 7:15pm. A nursery will be provided.

Summer Mission Trips - We have two mission trip opportunities with our missional partners coming up this summer:

  • Joni and Friends Family Retreat (open to families) from June 25-30

  • Yakama Indian Reservation (ages 13 and up) from July 15-22

PLEASE SEE INFORMATION SHEETS IN THE SECTION BELOW FOR MORE DETAILS

Abounding - To learn more about Abounding initiative click HERE.

Join the Good News Club Team - Cornerstone is forming a team to launch a GNC at Blossomwood elementary. Sign up sheet and more info are in the gathering room at the church. You can learn much more by visiting cefonline.com. Please pray that God would raise up a leader and a group of missionaries from Cornerstone to lead this effort. Please contact office@cornerstonehuntsville.org with any questions.

Serving Opportunity with our Covenant Children - We are in need of volunteers to care for our children in the nursery. If you are a member and would like to volunteer see Nursery Volunteer Sign-Up You may also email Christina Wendorf if you have questions at christina@cornerstonehuntsville.org

Bookshelf Ministry - Be sure to check out this resource ministry located in the Gathering Room. There are free books, tracts and other resources for you to take or give to someone.

CLICK FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TO REGISTER

CLICK TO SEND AN EMAIL TO RESERVE YOUR SPOT!

EMAIL paige@cornerstonehuntsville.org IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN JOINING THE TEAM

Take a Hike!

Luke 5 is up and running! Training has begun. See Paul Wendorf to join the team!

CLICK TO SIGN UP

Cornerstone Prayer Requests

Pray for church members caring for family - Lora Abernathy, Diana Akridge, Bryan Gassaway, Rick McCann, Randy Petcher, Mike Bayless, Bill and JoAnn Sneed, Geneva Cooper, and Kyle Mosier.

Pray for healing -Mary Allen Junen, Matthew Lawrence, Wendorfs, Phil Freeze, Gail Ricks, Lauren Davenport, Sharon Ibsen, and Bob Boerner.

Pray for our nursing home resident - Ruby Petcher 

Pray for our expectant mothers - Amy Eckenrode (July) and the Kawell adoption.

Pray that the Lord would raise up an assistant pastor to serve at Cornerstone.

Pray for our Missional Partnerships - Manna House and Grace Presbyterian Church, Fort Payne, AL (Pastor Dave Latham).

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 ministries:
Manna House

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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Wilson Shirley