Newsletter May 3, 2024
Newsletter | May 3, 2024
Dear Church Family and Friends,
Every week before the worship service begins, after the Welcome and Announcements, the assisting pastor asks the congregation to "prepare their hearts for worship". This reminder is then followed by reading a short verse typically chosen from the sermon passage for that day. We do this to allow us all a few moments to have our hearts and minds ready and concentrated on worshiping the LORD with all our hearts, souls, and minds.
But, this preparation does not have to start on Sunday morning at the beginning of the worship service. It can begin up to twenty-four hours before the Lord's Day worship!
This past week in my small group, we discussed the importance of hearing God's Word. In this discussion, we talked about the importance of preparing our hearts to hear God's Word preached on Sundays. This got me thinking, have we thought practically about what it means "to prepare our hearts for worship"?
To that end, I would like to offer some practical suggestions for all of us to prepare our hearts for the Lord's Day worship each Sunday:
Preview of the bulletin for each Sunday's worship. Every week the pastors and staff spend the whole week preparing the order of service and crafting the printed bulletin for each Sunday. I think you all understand that a lot of prayer and planning goes into every Sunday. The bulletin is typically finalized and printed by Friday morning each week. Additionally, the office staff sends out a digital newsletter every Friday morning (that is where you are probably reading this). In this newsletter, we have many links including a link where you can find the bulletin for the following Sunday's worship service. I want to encourage you to go ahead and preview it on Friday or Saturday so that you know what's ahead.
Read the sermon passage for the coming Sunday. Now that you know where to find an early copy of the bulletin, you can then know what the sermon text will be for that Sunday. Go ahead and read the passage a few times to help prepare your hearts for worship. One brother told me that when he was growing up, his dad would typically gather the family over the weekend to read the sermon passage and sing one of the hymns that will be sung in worship for the coming Sunday. I like that idea!
Pray. This is a given, right? But it is always good to be reminded of the importance of prayer. Pray and ask the Lord to prepare your hearts to worship so that your heart and your mind will be centered upon Him and His Word.
Consider a digital fast on Sunday morning. One of the reasons that we do not have screens in the sanctuary for use in worship is that we all need a break (a sabbath, really) from staring at a glowing rectangle all week! We now live in a highly digital world. What would it look like to go analog on Sunday mornings? Consider putting your phone away for half the day to keep a quiet heart and mind.
Get some rest. I will be honest, having two worship services is a joy but can be a taxing morning for the pastors and music team. To be prepared for a full Sunday morning of worship, it is important to go to bed at an adequate time the night before. I would encourage all of us to consider this rhythm. I know that Saturday night is a night that many like to do entertaining things like go to dinner or an event. However, I still think we can do these things and strive to get a good night's rest the night before the Lord's Day worship. Consider if you are getting enough rest the night before worship to be engaged in the worship service.
To that end, I look forward to worshiping with you on Sunday! Let's prepare our hearts!
Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God. (Romans 15:7 ESV)\
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
May 5, 2024
This Sunday's Sermon:
“The Gospel of God: Building Up the Body of Christ ”
Romans 15:1-13
Cornerstone Prayer Requests
Pray for church members caring for family - Diana Akridge, Susan Dupré, Kyle Mosier, Randy Petcher, Bonnie Stock, and Mike and Carol Wellfare.
Pray for healing - Suzi and Bill Bolton, Phil Freeze, Earl Myers, Gayle Ricks, Ruby Petcher, Marc Goldmon, Abby Reese Wren, and those sick and suffering.
Pray for our homebound friends - Ruby Petcher and Betty Baldwin.
Pray for our expectant mothers - Olivia Hitt (June), Kayla Few (August), and the McMillan adoption.
Pray for ongoing construction projects and also our church neighbors.
Pray for peace in Israel, Ukraine, and Sudan.
Pray for our Missional Partnerships - Providence Presbytery and Grace Fellowship Presbyterian Church, Albertville, AL (Rev. Jackie Gaston).
Announcements
Communion - Communion will be held next Sunday, May 12.
Foster Care - The Forgotten Initiative will be collecting boxed snacks (individually wrapped), bath towels, air mattresses (or repair patches), baby formula, laundry detergent, and fast food gift cards to donate to Madison County DHR for children in care. There will be a donation box in the Gathering Room for bigger items, and gift cards can be given to Kathy Slaten. We will drop off the items at DHR on May 21. Please contact Kathy Slaten at kathys@theforgotteninitiative.org with any questions.
Men’s Ministry Fellowship Dinner - Men, please bring a friend and join us on Sunday, May 19 at 6 pm in the FLC. The cost is $10/person. Come hang out and listen to a talk from Pastor Wilson while enjoying smoked baby back ribs and sides catered by Jim ‘N Nick’s. Register HERE
VBS Olympion 2024 Registration - VBS is June 3-6 from 9-11:30 am. To register your child, please CLICK HERE. Please contact Mary Cooper with any questions at mary@cornerstonehuntsville.org.
2024 Reformers’ Cup Golf Tournament - Please join us and fellow Huntsville-area PCA churches on June 8 from 8:30 am-12 pm at the RTJ Hampton Cove Short Course! Tickets cost $75 each or $300 per team and cover lunch, golf, warm-up balls, and a $10 donation to RUF. A portion of the proceeds go to support the mission of RUF at UAH and A&M. Register HERE.
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.
Register HERE by Tuesday, May 14!
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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