Newsletter December 8, 2023
Newsletter | December 8, 2023
Dear Church Family and Friends,
Advent has begun at Cornerstone! I love this time of year as we sing and reflect on the wonder of the incarnation of our Lord Jesus Christ!
I'm also grateful for the artistic side of things that Advent invokes. This year we have some beautiful Advent art that reflects “The Genealogy of Christmas”, created by Sarah Robins Powell. I asked Sarah Robins to explain the theology and meaning behind this beautiful work.
“The Genealogy of Christmas is a linoleum block print depicting an eternal and covenantal family tree.
The art of carving and printmaking is ancient and lasting. Carving is hard work, done little by little, but over time it produces beauty that is solid and permanent. Aesthetically, the hard edges and strong marks produced by this technique represent well the concept of a tree, immovable and unchanging. The high contrast allows the white of the stars, halo, and tree canopy to jump off the inky night sky.
Within the composition, I sought to bring together the compelling visual of the Star of Bethlehem with the imagery of a night sky filled with countless stars— a representation of the children and lineage of Abraham. The oak tree’s canopy is so wide that it reaches beyond the frame of the composition. Its roots begin to take on the same shape and movement of the swaddling clothes worn by the Christ Child— the One who is both the root and the final branch of this beautiful and ancient tree. In this intertwining of the tree and the Christ, themes of the Tree of Life and the True and Better Adam begin to emerge, as well.”
Come let us adore Him!
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.
Article: Is Predestination Unfair?
Article: The Gospel Waltz!
Preparation for Worship
December 10, 2023
This Sunday's Sermon:
“The Genealogy of Christmas: Jesus, the Christ”
Matthew 1:18
Cornerstone Prayer Requests
Pray for church members caring for family - Diana Akridge, Susan Dupré, Bryan Gassaway, Kyle Mosier, Randy Petcher, Bill and JoAnn Sneed, Bonnie Stock, and Mike and Carol Wellfare.
Pray for healing - Suzi and Bill Bolton, Phil Freeze, Anne Harbarger, Loren and April De Jong, Earl Myers, and David Zimmerman.
Pray for our homebound friends - Ruby Petcher and Betty Baldwin.
Pray for our expectant mothers - Olivia Clemons (January), Lauren Hudgins (February), and Olivia Hitt (June).
Pray for our transition time during construction.
Pray for peace in Israel, Ukraine, and Sudan.
Pray for our Missional Partnerships - PCA General Assembly and Westminster Presbyterian Church, Huntsville, AL (Pastor Joe Steele).
Announcements
Cornerstone Congregational Meeting - The Session has called a brief joint meeting of the congregation and Cornerstone Presbyterian Church, Inc. next Sunday, December 17 at 9:45 am for an update on renovations and construction. No votes will be taken at this meeting.
Christmas Poinsettias - This Sunday at church is the last day to purchase a poinsettia in honor or memory of someone. To order, please fill out the order form in the chair pocket in front of you during service, enclose your payment of $12 (cash or check), and place it in the offering plate.
Cornerstone Christmas Events:
Adult Sunday School Parties - Check with your Sunday School leader for details.
Youth Christmas Party - Wednesday, December 13 at 6 pm in the FLC
Christmas Potluck Brunch - Sunday, December 17 in the FLC during Sunday School. For more details and to sign up to bring an item, click here.
Joni & Friends Caroling & Gift Delivery - Sunday, December 17 from 2-4 pm (meet in the FLC lobby).
Christmas Eve Morning Service - Sunday, December 24 at 10 am
Christmas Eve Lessons & Carols Service - Sunday, December 24 at 5 pm
New Year’s Eve Morning Service - Sunday, December 31 at 10 am
* No Sunday School on December 24 or 31
Christmas Giving - This year, we are partnering with Sacred Road and Joni & Friends to assist them with Christmas donations. The deadline for the return of Joni & Friends gifts is Monday, December 11. Please continue to take Sacred Road ornaments and follow the instructions to make a donation towards their Christmas fund until December 17. The Joni & Friends gifts will be delivered locally before Christmas. Please contact Mary Cooper at mary@cornerstonehuntsville.org regarding Sacred Road donations or Audrey Russ at abruss77@hotmail.com regarding Joni & Friends.
Roots Winter Retreat - The Roots Winter Retreat is January 19th-21st at Camp ToKnowHim for 6th-12th grade. It will be a great time of fellowship, hearing the Word, and worship. Register here.
Men’s Retreat - Save the date for February 23-24 at Camp Alpine in Mentone, AL.
Restrooms Closed - For the next few Sundays, the restrooms on the 2nd floor, west end near adult Sunday School will be closed due to renovations. Please use the single restrooms on the 2nd floor or the restrooms in the FLC.
Benevolence - If you are in need of financial assistance or other needs due to hardship, please see a deacon or contact needs@cornerstonehuntsville.org.
Ministry Opportunity - Interested in reaching out to our church members who need help with minor home improvements or repairs? If so, contact David Hoover at ddhoover53@gmail.com for more information.
Bookshelf Ministry - Be sure to check out this resource ministry in the Family Life Center lobby. There are free books, tracts, and audio teaching CDs for you to take or give to someone.
To be directed to the giving page, click here. Please make sure you select “Sacred Road Christmas Fund - 2023” from the dropdown menu.
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:
PCA General Assembly
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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