Newsletter March 8, 2024
Newsletter | March 8, 2024
Dear Cornerstone Family,
As I write this letter, I have had the privilege of serving as the Senior Pastor of Cornerstone Presbyterian Church for ten wonderful years. It truly is hard to believe a whole decade has passed. During these ten years, we have seen the LORD do some amazing things in and through Cornerstone. My favorite part of the past ten years has been your desire to grow and be nurtured by the preaching and teaching of God’s Word. It is not hard or burdensome for a pastor when people are growing because of the means of grace. Thank you for your love of the Gospel and the Word of God.
As Cornerstone also celebrated ten years as a particularized church this past year, your leadership has been reflecting on church health and growth. One of the areas the elders have seen that we need to grow is practicing regular rhythms of rest and refreshment. To that end, we established a Pastoral Care Committee of the Session. This committee aims to establish policies and procedures for pastoral staff and church officers and provide them with opportunities to experience seasons of renewal and rest. Part of the beginning work to accomplish this mission is allowing me to take a sabbatical this summer.
This past week, the Session announced that it had planned and approved me to take a sabbatical this summer. My last Sunday in the pulpit will be May 19th and I will return to the pulpit on September 1st.
I want you to know that I am taking this opportunity to rest, grow, and be recharged for another ten-plus years! I love Cornerstone, my family loves Cornerstone, and we love the ministry God has blessed us with here in Huntsville. This is my 23rd year of full-time ministry without a sustained break. I am grateful for this opportunity to take a sabbatical as a means of pastoral well-being.
Why am I taking a sabbatical? Geneva Benefits, an agency of the PCA, gives a great explanation that I will use:
God created us to work and rest, and hardwired rhythms of both into his creation and codified them in his law. Rest is good, and when we fail to rest, our work suffers, as do our relationships with God, self, and others. Unfortunately, due to the nature of the job, it is difficult for pastors to unplug from their work and rest. For many, rest feels selfish, like choosing your own needs over the needs of others. But when pastors fail to care for themselves, they eventually find themselves unable to care for others.
Sabbaticals offer pastors and their families invaluable seasons of rest by offering time away from the duties and pressures of ministry. During this time, they can focus on themselves, their families, and their relationship with God. Once completed, they can return to their congregation refreshed and renewed for the next season of ministry.
That is my hope, to come back from this time refreshed and renewed! During the sabbatical, we are blessed to have three other pastors who will fulfill the preaching duties and my other pastoral responsibilities. There will also be a few other guest preachers to visit Cornerstone. I am very grateful for the staff and church officers who are very capable of taking care of the needs of Cornerstone in my absence. I know there will be other questions that arise from this new venture from Cornerstone. The Session will be issuing some further communications and frequently asked questions in the coming weeks.
Thank you for loving and supporting me and my family as we embark on this season of rest.
Humbly, your friend and pastor,
Wilson A. Shirley
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
March 10, 2024
This Sunday's Sermon:
“the gospel of god: Living in Light of the Gospel”
Romans 12:1-2
Cornerstone Prayer Requests
Pray for church members caring for family - Diana Akridge, Susan Dupré, 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, Earl Myers, Gayle Ricks, Miyon Evans, Susan Hoyt, Ruby Petcher, and those sick and suffering.
Pray for our homebound friends - Ruby Petcher and Betty Baldwin.
Pray for our expectant mothers - Rebecca Nunley (April), Olivia Hitt (June), Kayla Few (August), and the McMillan adoption.
Pray for students and leaders going to the Roots Retreat next weekend.
Pray for ongoing construction and renovation projects.
Pray for peace in Israel, Ukraine, and Sudan.
Pray for our Missional Partnerships - Friends serving in Western Europe and Village Church, Huntsville, AL (Pastor Alex Shipman).
Announcements
Spring Break Playdate - Tuesday, March 12 from 10-12 pm at the Kids Space Park, 2010 Airport Road SW. For questions, contact Ashley Colette at ashley.h.colette@gmail.com.
Good Friday Communion Service - Friday, March 29 at 6 pm in the FLC.
Easter Sunday! - We will have two worship services at 8:30 and 11 am on Sunday, March 31. After the first service, please join us for an Easter brunch during the Sunday School hour in the FLC. To bring food to the brunch, please click here to sign up.
VBS Olympion 2024 - June 3-6 from 9-11:30 am. There are many volunteer needs before, during, and on the last day of VBS. If you would like to volunteer for any part at all, please register here. For any questions, contact Mary Cooper at mary@cornerstonehuntsville.org.
RYM - July 1-5, 2024. Current 8th graders and up can attend. To sign up, please contact Chris Moody at chris@cornerstonehuntsville.org.
Manna House Serve Days - There is a great opportunity to plug in and serve the community with Cornerstone folks on Thursdays at the Manna House. Anyone can come for any amount of time between 1-6:30 pm.
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.
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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