Newsletter November 29, 2024
Newsletter | November 29, 2024
Dear Church Family and Friends,
This Sunday begins the first Sunday of Advent. What is Advent? The word advent comes from the Latin word adventus which means "the coming". The Christian season of Advent starts four weeks before Christmas and serves as preparation time and celebration for the birth of Jesus. Advent looks back at the incarnation but looks forward to the second coming of our Lord. Advent is all about anticipation. There is no better way to “anticipate” Christ than to spend time in worship as a community of believers.
This year we will be studying The Glory of God in the Incarnation with the book of Hebrews as our guide. Hebrews is not typically a book that we turn to at Christmas time and yet the author of this majestic book goes to great lengths to show us that the incarnation is the foundation of our faith. “Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.” (Hebrews 2:17–18 ESV)
Maybe you have wondered before, "What is the incarnation and why do Christians make such a big deal about it at Christmas time?" The late scholar B.B. Warfield has a helpful definition when he states that the incarnation is "the truly miraculous birth of Jesus from a virgin mother, without the intervention of man." Warfield continues that "the incarnation appears in [the New Testament] not for its own sake, but as a means to a further end— redemption! And it's only in its relation to the New Testament doctrine of redemption that the necessity of the virgin birth of Jesus comes to its complete manifestation."
Perhaps one of the carols that we love to sing at Christmas time, "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing”, can help us capture the wonder of the incarnation and redemption.
“Veiled in flesh the Godhead see; hail the incarnate Deity! ... Born that man no more may die.” - Charles Wesley
I'm looking forward to this wonderful time of celebrating the incarnation of our Savior!
See you Sunday!
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
DECEMBER 1, 2024
This Sunday's Sermon:
“The Glory of God in the Incarnation: The Supremacy of Christ”
Hebrews 1:1-4
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 and Kathy Cassis, Rick Dillon, Dawn Chenault, Earl Myers, Tim and Gayle Ricks, Ruby Petcher, Marc Goldmon, Diane Brown, Jon Wren, Walt Hodges, Suzann Dolan, Gary Abernathy, and others.
Pray for our homebound friends - Ruby Petcher, Betty Baldwin, and Suzi and Bill Bolton.
Pray for our expectant mothers - Lauren Durr (November), Kerry McMillan (January), Bre Sullivan (February), Abigail Wood (February), Ashley Colette (March), Abby Junen (April), Andrea Mace (May), and the Kawell family (adoption).
Continue to pray for the completion of our campus improvement project.
Pray for our Missional Partnerships - Alex and Suzanne Sarran, Missionaries to France and North Hills Presbyterian Church, Meridianville, AL (Rev. Adam Tisdale).
Announcements
Communion - Communion will be held next Sunday, December 8.
HAP December Food Drive - A bin has been placed in the Gathering Room to donate to Huntsville Assistance Program’s December food drive. Check this newsletter or the flier on the bin for a list of needed items.
Christmas Poinsettias - If you would like to purchase a poinsettia in honor or in memory of someone, please fill out the order form in the chair pocket in front of you on Sunday, enclose your payment of $15 (cash or check), and place it in the offering plate.
Christmas Giving Announcement - We are still collecting financial donations for the Sacred Road Ministries Christmas Fund. To make a financial donation, click here and select “Sacred Road Christmas Fund - 2024” from the drop-down menu.
Christmas Decorating - We will be decorating the church for Christmas this Tuesday, December 3 at 9 am. Please join us if you’d like to help!
Christmas Eve Services - The annual candlelight Lessons and Carols services will be at 4 and 5:30 pm on Christmas Eve.
Christmas Potluck Brunch - Sunday, December 15 during the Sunday School hour. More details coming soon.
Officer Nominations - Cornerstone members have the opportunity to nominate men for church office from November 17 to December 31. Please pick up a nomination brochure in the lobby and place it in the offering plate or give to a church officer.
Service Opportunity - The Forgotten Initiative will be hosting a Christmas brunch for social workers at Madison County DHR next Friday, December 6. We would love to have your help! Please contact Kathy Slaten at kathys@theforgotteninitiative.org.
Creative Arts Ministry Break - Creative Arts Ministry will be taking a break from meeting until Wednesday, January 8. Contact Suzann Dolan for more information at sdolan73@aol.com.
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 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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