Newsletter December 15, 2023
Newsletter | December 15, 2023
Dear Church Family and Friends,
This Sunday will be our third Sunday of Advent. Maybe you have never celebrated or thought about Advent before. As a reminder, the word Advent means "the coming". During the Advent season, we anticipate and expect the coming of Christmas, the birth of our Savior! The entire Old Testament anticipated the Messiah who would come and save the people.
But in the New Testament, we celebrate Advent with a different anticipation than the Old Testament saints. We are anticipating Christ's second Advent, when He returns again to the earth in glory! Many of our Christmas hymns anticipate the second coming of Christ.
Come, thou long-expected Jesus,
Born to set thy people free;
From our fears and sins release us;
Let us find our rest in thee.
Israel's strength and consolation,
Hope of all the earth thou art;
Dear Desire of ev'ry nation,
Joy of every longing heart.
As we anticipate the joy and happiness of Christmas Day, let's remember the One who says, “Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me, to repay each one for what he has done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.” (Revelation 22:12–13 ESV)
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.
Preparation for Worship
December 17, 2023
This Sunday's Sermon:
“The Genealogy of Christmas: Jesus, the Son of David”
Matthew 1:20
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 - Seth and Jessica Lewis (Missionaries to Ireland with UFM) and Christ Covenant Presbyterian Church, Cullman, AL (Pastor Jason Ellerbee).
Announcements
Cornerstone Congregational Meeting - The Session has called a brief joint meeting of the congregation and Cornerstone Presbyterian Church, Inc. this Sunday at 9:45 am for an update on renovations and construction. No votes will be taken at this meeting.
Parking for Christmas Eve Services - Due to limited parking for the morning and evening services, please plan to carpool and arrive early to both services. Parking will be available in the lawn areas in front of the sanctuary and on the east side of the main building. Please save the parking areas near the entrance to the Family Life Center for families and individuals with mobility issues.
Cornerstone Christmas Events:
Christmas Brunch - This Sunday in the FLC during Sunday School.
Joni & Friends Caroling and Gift Delivery - This Sunday at 2:00 pm (meet in the FLC lobby)
Christmas Eve Morning Service - Sunday, December 24 at 10:00 am
Christmas Eve Lessons & Carols Service - Sunday, December 24 at 5:00 pm
New Year’s Eve Morning Service - Sunday, December 31 at 10:00 am
* No Sunday School on December 24 or 31
Office Holiday Hours - Our office will be closed from December 25 - January 1.
Roots Winter Retreat - The Roots Winter Retreat is January 19-21 for 6th-12th grade at CampToKnowHim. This year’s speaker is Nathan White and the theme is “My Savior Makes Me Whole". The cost is $125 per student. Register here. The registration deadline is December 31.
Women’s Ministry Save the Date - The ladies’ Tuesday morning Bible study will begin on January 16. Please join us as we study the prophets in the Old Testament in “The Word of the Lord” by Nancy Guthrie. More details and registration information coming soon.
New Members Class - January 28 - March 3 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 - Save the date for the men’s retreat on 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.
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:
Seth & Jessica Lewis (Missionaries to Ireland with UFM Worldwide)
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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