Newsletter November 8, 2024
Newsletter | November 8, 2024
Dear Church Family and Friends,
We are very blessed at Cornerstone to be led by 21 men who serve as Ruling Elders and Deacons at Cornerstone. If you have never gotten a chance to familiarize yourself with who they are, I invite you to visit our leadership page on our website.
The body of elders that lead our church is called "The Session." This designation captures the idea of being seated in authority. The Session of Cornerstone is made up of nine Ruling Elders and two Teaching Elders (TEs Shirley and Russ).
The body of deacons that lead in various ministries of our church is called "The Diaconate." This word comes from the Greek word to serve or a servant.
You may have wondered before, "What do the elders and deacons do at Cornerstone?" I thought I would highlight some of those things for you so that you can pray for these men and their ministry.
On the second Tuesday of each month, all of the elders, deacons, and pastoral staff gather for their stated meeting. We begin with a fellowship meal together, followed by a devotion and business reports that all of the officers hear and give input. After about an hour or so, the two bodies, the Session and the Diaconate, go to their separate meetings.
The Book of Church Order (BCO) of the PCA helps to define these two offices. BCO 7-2 states, "The ordinary and perpetual classes of office in the Church are elders and deacons. Within the class of elder are the two orders of teaching elders and ruling elders. The elders jointly have the government and spiritual oversight of the Church, including teaching. Only those elders who are specially gifted, called and trained by God to preach may serve as teaching elders. The office of deacon is not one of rule, but rather of service both to the physical and spiritual needs of the people. In accord with Scripture, these offices are open to men only."
Simply put, the Elders of the church oversee the teaching and shepherding needs of the church while the Deacons oversee the physical and mercy needs of the church.
Additionally, there are at least two other chapters in the BCO that help define these two offices. I would encourage you to look them up and learn more!
This is just a brief snapshot of how the leadership of our church works. Of course, God has blessed us with a wonderful staff and countless other leaders who serve in all areas of ministry. We covet your prayers as we equip the saints for the work of ministry.
Please be in prayer for officers as they meet this coming week. Pray specifically that we would be faithful to the mission and vision that God has given us as a local church: "To be a community of Christ’s followers who worship, grow, and serve together to glorify God in Huntsville and throughout the world."
See you Sunday!
by His grace and to His praise,
Pastor Wilson
In early 2019, Cornerstone took multiple teams to Panama City, FL to assist with MNA Disaster Response after Hurricane Michael. This week, By Faith published an article about First Presbyterian Church, Panama City and their recovery since that time.
You can read the article here.
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.
FPC Panama City Rebuilds Six Years After Hurricane (Cornerstone sent a team to help years ago!)
Preparation for Worship
November 10, 2024
This Sunday's Sermon:
“Salt and Light”
Matthew 5:13-16
Cornerstone Prayer Requests
Pray for church members caring for family - Diana Akridge, Susan Dupré, Kyle Mosier, Randy Petcher, and Mike and Carol Wellfare.
Pray for healing - Bob Cassis, Rick Dillon, Suzi and Bill Bolton, Dawn Chenault, Earl Myers, Phil Freeze, Tim and Gayle Ricks, Ruby Petcher, Marc Goldmon, Diane Brown, Jon Wren, and those sick and suffering.
Pray for our homebound friends - Ruby Petcher and Betty Baldwin.
Pray for our expectant mothers - Lauren Durr (November), Kerry McMillan (January), Bre Sullivan (February), Abigail Wood (February), Ashley Colette (March), Abby Junen (April), the Kawell family (adoption), and the Barkley family (foster).
Pray for our nation and leaders.
Pray for our Missional Partnerships - Rodney and Jana Davila, Missionaries to El Salvador and Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church, Athens, AL.
Announcements
Senior High Sunday Night Fellowship - Join us this Sunday from 6:30-8 pm at the Roberts’ home for our last SNF of the semester! Meet at 3113 Rocky Meadows Rd, Owens Cross Roads, AL 35763. Bring a snack or dessert to share! Drinks are provided.
Foundations - Foundations concludes this Wednesday, November 13. There will be a fellowship meal at 5:30 pm in the FLC and discipleship opportunities for all ages from 6:15-7:15 pm. RSVP here!
Church-Wide Fellowship Meal - Join us on Sunday, November 17 at noon in the FLC for a CHILI COOKOFF! The church will provide other sides and beverages. You can also sign up to bring dessert. To RSVP for the meal, compete in the chili cookoff, or volunteer to serve food, click here. Please RSVP by Thursday, November 14.
Christmas Giving Announcement - This year, Cornerstone is collecting financial donations for Sacred Road Ministries and partnering with The Forgotten Initiative to provide Christmas gifts for children in foster care locally. A tree is set up in the Gathering Room with tags, each indicating a short wish list from different children in care. Feel free to pull a tag, buy and wrap the presents, and place them under the tree!
Service Opportunity - The Forgotten Initiative will be hosting a Christmas brunch for social workers at Madison County DHR on Friday, December 6. We would love to have your help! Please contact Kathy Slaten at kathys@theforgotteninitiative.org.
Cornerstone College Exam Box Signups 2024 - Please help us fill encouraging boxes for our Cornerstone college students as they prepare for exams! Use the signup link below and bring your donated items to the church by Wednesday, November 20. There will be a collection box/area available in the Gathering Room labeled "College Exam Box". Please hand any gift cards directly to Betsy, Heidi, or Elizabeth. For more information and to sign up for an item to donate, please click here.
Hurricane Helene Donation Information - To donate to affected churches, you can give to our benevolence fund or directly to MNA Disaster Response here.
Help Wanted! We are hiring a full-time Communications Assistant. We are looking for a good fit in someone who is computer-savvy, has an eye for graphic design, and possesses an attention to detail.
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:
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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