Newsletter February 7, 2025

Newsletter February 7, 2025

Dear Church Family and Friends,

This Sunday we will celebrate the Lord's Supper. The Lord's Supper is a means of grace which means, it is something that God has ordained to help His Church grow in Christ. It is a holy sacrament that was instituted by our Lord Himself on the night he was betrayed. 

There are many details that go into observing this sacrament. The Book of Church Order, chapter 58, has some helpful instructions on how we are to prepare and observe Communion. 

58-1. The Communion, or Supper of the Lord, is to be observed frequently; the stated times to be determined by the Session of each congregation, as it may judge most for edification. 

58-2. The ignorant and scandalous are not to be admitted to the Lord's Supper.

58-3. It is proper that public notice should be given to the congregation, at least the Sabbath before the administration of this ordinance, and that, either then, or on some day of the week, the people be instructed in its nature, and a due preparation for it, that all may come in a suitable manner to this holy feast.

58-4. On the day of the observance of the Lord's Supper, when the sermon is ended, the minister shall show: a. That this is an ordinance of Christ; by reading the words of institution, either from one of the Evangelists, or from 1 Corinthians 11, which, as to him may appear expedient, he may explain and apply; b. That it is to be observed in remembrance of Christ, to show forth His death till He comes; that it is of inestimable benefit, to strengthen His people against sin; to support them under troubles; to encourage and quicken them in duty; to inspire them with love and zeal; to increase their faith, and holy resolution; and to beget peace of conscience, and comfortable hopes of eternal life. Since, by our Lord's appointment, this Sacrament sets forth the Communion of Saints, the minister, at the discretion of the Session, before the observance begins, may either invite all those who profess the true religion, and are communicants in good standing in any evangelical church, to participate in the ordinance; or may invite those who have been approved by the Session, after having given indication of their desire to participate. It is proper also to give a special invitation to non-communicants to remain during the service. 

As you can see, these instructions are very helpful for the local church. For instance, we are told it should be frequent. At Cornerstone, the Session has determined “frequently” to be the second Sunday of each month and every month that has a fifth Sunday. Additionally, we are told there should be proper notice. We seek to do this by announcing it in the bulletin and by regularly having it on the appointed days of each month.

BCO 58 also mentions there should be a time of due preparation for the Supper. You will often hear me or one of the other pastors talk about how we should prepare our hearts for the Lord's Supper as it approaches. And maybe you have wondered before, "How do I do that?" I want to make some suggestions that I hope will be helpful to you when it comes to preparing our hearts for the Lord's Supper. 

First, I would encourage you to read one of the Gospel passages where Jesus institutes the Lord's Supper. These are found in Matthew 26 and Luke 22. Additionally, the Apostle Paul lays out instructions in 1 Corinthians 11 that he states were given to him by the Lord Jesus. Simply reading one of these passages and praying for preparation is a wonderful way to prepare.

Additionally, we can prepare during the worship service. At Cornerstone, we use a custom call to worship from the Bible to help us prepare to "celebrate the festival!" We are reminded that Christ is our Passover lamb -- that He was the one who sacrificed Himself for our sin. Additionally, we often have a time of prayer and singing before we begin the sacrament. These are just a few ways in which we can spend time in preparation as we prepare to celebrate God's love for us in the death of Christ. 

I hope these instructions and reminders have been helpful to you so that we all can grow in our faith and remember that the sacraments are an important part of that growth. 

See you Sunday! Prepare your hearts for the Lord's Supper! 


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

February 9, 2025

This Sunday's Sermon:

“The Sermon on the Mount: Lex Talionis”

Matthew 5:38-42  

Cornerstone Prayer Requests

Pray for church members caring for family - Diana Akridge, Susan Dupré, Kyle Mosier, Randy Petcher, Mike and Carol Wellfare, and the Barkleys (foster child). 

Pray for healing - Susan Hoyt, Bob and Kathy Cassis, Dawn Chenault, Earl Myers, Tim and Gayle Ricks, Ruby Petcher, Marc Goldmon, Diane Brown, Jon Wren, Kathy Slaten, and others.

Pray for our homebound friends - Ruby Petcher, Betty Baldwin, Bill and Suzi Bolton.

Pray for our expectant mothers - Ashley Colette (March), Abby Junen (April), Andrea Mace (May), Rebecca Nunley (June), and the Kawell family (adoption).

Praise God for the birth of Landry Elizabeth Wood, born to Daniel and Abigail Wood on February 5, 2025.

Pray for our Missional Partnerships - Adair Evans, Missionary to Germany and First Presbyterian Church, Tuscumbia, AL (Dr. Jeff Hamm).

Announcements

Communion - Communion will be observed this Sunday, February 9.

Foundations - Continues this Wednesday, February 12. Dinner begins at 5:30 pm, and discipleship classes for children, students, and adults start at 6:15 pm. “What is a Presbyterian, Anyway?” This adult class taught by John Summers will introduce the topic of Presbyterian Government and History and why it is important for the local church. Officer training will take place in the FLC Classroom. RSVP here.

New Members Class - Meets during the Sunday School hour in the classroom by the stairs. If you’re interested in becoming a member or learning more about Cornerstone, please join us or email office@cornerstonehuntsville.org to sign up!

Valentine’s Visits - It’s time for us to encourage our widows and homebound ladies with gift bags and visits. Please view the sign-up for the different ways you can be involved.  Bring your donated items to the church by Tuesday, February 11 - we will also assemble the bags that day at 11:45 am. There will be a collection box/area available in the Gathering Room. Click here for more information and details.

Communicant’s Class - Begins next Sunday, February 16. If your child is interested in becoming a communing member of Cornerstone, please contact Pastor Brian.

Men’s Retreat 2025 - February 21-23 at Alpine Camp for Boys in Mentone, AL. Register today here. The deadline to register is Monday, February 17.

Quiet Waters Family Retreat - June 8-13. Come join our interest meeting on Sunday, March 2 after the second service in the FLC. Please email morgan@cornerstonehuntsville.org to RSVP or with any questions.

Lost and Found - Are you missing items? Check our Lost and Found on the west side of the building, across from the kitchen.

Hurricane Helene Donation Information - To donate to affected churches, you can give to our benevolence fund or directly to MNA Disaster Response here.

Workday at MNA
Disaster Response Warehouse

This Saturday, February 15, Andes Hoyt is leading a group to work at the MNA Disaster Response Warehouse in Rome, GA. Arrival time at the warehouse is 9:00 AM Eastern Time (8:00 AM Central). If you are interested in the workday or other disaster response opportunities, please email Andes Hoyt.

For additional information on the warehouse, click here.

The address for the warehouse is:
MNA Disaster Response Warehouse
4063 Martha Berry Highway
Rome, GA 30165

When paying online, please select “Men’s Ministry - Praying the Bible” under Giving Type.

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 ministry:

Adair Evans, Missionary to Germany

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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Jordan BuskCornerstone Presbyterian Church (PCA)