Fall Sunday worship times begin on September 19th.  Two service options are available.  9:30am and 11:00am.  All  regular programming will begin that week.

Well, my brothers and sisters, let’s summarize. When you meet together, one will sing, another will teach, another will tell some special revelation God has given, one will speak in tongues, and another will interpret what is said. But everything that is done must strengthen all of you.  (I Corinthians 14:26 NLT)

I have a picture painted on the wall in my office.  It’s a simple sketch depicting a woman on her knees pouring a jar of perfume over the feet of another; and using her long flowing hair she washes the man’s feet.  The man getting his feet washed is Jesus, and all we see of him is the foot being offered.  Her face is hidden behind her hair, and we really can’t know all that is going on inside her heart in this moment.  The sandal of Jesus is casually placed to the side, a silent witness to a tender moment of worship.  The perfume drizzles onto the foot and trails away, a lavish gift poured out and filling the room with its intrusive fragrance.  The people around are shocked at the scene, the way she debases herself, and places herself in humility below this man.  They are outraged at the impropriety.  She should know that this is not how we act.  They are angered at the waste, the expense that could be used for the poor, certainly not on this Jesus.

A lot of people watched.  A lot of people commented.  A lot of people reacted.  This one woman brought something to Jesus.  She brought a very precious offering, a sacrifice that was pleasing to Jesus.  He said so.  And he said we should remember this.  So think about this as you prepare yourself for next Sunday when we worship.  Remember that worship is about bringing an offering, one that will bring glory to God and will be for each others strength as we carry out the call of Cornerstone church to change our world.

Pastor Lorn
(check out this story in Matthew 26:6-13; Luke 7:36-50)

download a pdf of the current music schedule here

The Time has Come

I am excited.  I am increasingly convinced that God is preparing our church for its next mountain top experience.  This I believe has been confirmed by a convergence of God’s leading and directing among the leadership of the church.  Independent of one another, God has been directing the church leadership in paths that converge with the same message.

God wants Disciples

But what is a disciple?  It starts with a decision to follow.  Sadly, the church as a whole has traditionally been weak at providing the framework for its members to know what is required and how to be successful followers.  Often after the initial decision the followers are left to a wayward journey of “growing in Christ” (as a church we need to be more deliberate / intentional in the making of disciples).   The Western church has been lapse in its responsibility to challenge its followers to greater levels of devotion and commitment.  It is only when we identify the expectations and responsibilities of a disciple and we ourselves choose to take that step of obedience that we can truly see God at work in our lives.

Discipleship is more than Bible Study

If discipleship was just Bible Study then the church would be dead.  Unfortunately, the Western church often succumbs to the cultural value of “ME”.  Consider this picture:

There is a banquet room filled with people.  But this banquet is different.  The food keeps coming, it doesn’t stop.  The people keep eating and eating until they are immobilized due to their consumption.  Even then, more and more food still comes.

Ironically, the purpose of food is to nourish and strengthen our bodies for the tasks that are required of us, not to immobilize us.  Yet, that is exactly what the Western church does when we continue to feed the members yet do not challenge them to greater application.  We are all guilty of it, we are to be a community, a family which iron sharpens iron.  Consider the church of Laodicea (Rev.3:14ff), the lukewarm church.  Is this not an ample description of the Western Church?  A church that is comfortable with itself.  Comfort is dangerous because it means that you are no longer moving forward.  The problem is that not only have you stopped walking forward, but you have stopped walking and are standing on an escalator going the opposite direction!

If the 12 disciples had been satisfied with Bible Study the church would not exist.  We are called to something more!

AN EXCITING FUTURE

The discipleship process is simple: God’s challenge leads to our obedience giving us as followers of Christ  greater devotion and greater passion. As this pattern is followed we have a greater propensity to follow through on the next challenge God presents to us.  When we are obedient to God’s calling, exciting things happen!

I am Excited

I believe that within the context of the vision for our church, God is calling us to be disciple makers.

I believe that He is calling us even more so to be more radically devoted to Him and the work that He would accomplish through us.

I can say with confidence that from the parable of the seeds (Mat 13:1ff) I will not be the one that dies, gets choked or withers because I have drawn a line in the sand and said “I will go!” (Isaiah 6:1ff)

I can say with confidence that from the parable of the talents (Mat25:14ff) I will not be the one that stands before the Lord and says that I have buried my treasure.  No! I will not be satisfied with being comfortable.  As the challenges come I will stand and take hold of them, stepping forth in obedience.

And so I challenge You

Will you stand with me.  Will you take hold of the challenges God brings forth to change your life and grow His Kingdom?

What does this mean?  Simply prioritizing God and what He wants you to be obedient in and accomplish.

We as a church will be issuing a number of challenges in the year ahead.  Join In.

We as a church will be providing the training needed to be obedient to what God has called us to.  Join In.

Yours in Christ,

Clayton Lane

Cornerstone Church Moderator

P.S.  A good place to start is reading the book “Radical. Taking Back Your Faith From The American Dream.” Platt, David.

God has been moving in our midst this summer at Cornerstone. The Sunday in July when Mr. Mike Hack spoke was a Sunday to remember, a Sunday when people were making life-changing decisions. Mike works for a ministry called Operation Mobilization and he lives in South Africa even though he grew up in nearby Waldheim. God used Mike to awaken us to the truth that we are in a Spiritual battle and that we need to make a life decision to surrender to Jesus Christ. It seems to simple but it has such profound implications.

Our Moderator has had our church leadership read a book called “Radical” by David Platt. To say it has stirred us would be understating the truth. The message in the book is very much in line with the message Mike shared with us. We need to wake up to the truth that God is calling us to absolute surrender. The church in North America needs to wake up says Mr. Platt. Wake up to the needs of the poor in our world and the biblical truth about salvation. God is stirring in our midst, so as much as things are the same as most summers…..this year there is a difference.

It is not business as usual. It is not just another summer heading into fall. This year things are different. As you walk into a Sunday service or connect with people during the week there is just a sense that things are different in a very positive way. Cornerstone is on the move. Perhaps a wave is a good mental picture to contemplate. A fresh wave of God’s Spirit pouring over us. A cleansing wave causing us to examine our own lives and get things right with God. A wave moving us in a fresh direction of God’s choosing. We are not in control of the wave. We just choose whether we watch the wave or catch the wave. Catching the wave has an incredible excitment associated with it.

It also has our future associated with it. If this is God’s wave then we do need ride it as a church body. As a collection of individuals we need to catch this wave and ride it empowered by the Spirit who created the wave. This summer things are different at Cornerstone. This summer God has stirred within us a church family. He has called us back to the basics. Where are you? Are you riding the wave? Are you watching the wave? Are you surrendered to Jesus Christ?

Things are the same as any other year but things are definitely different this year. Have you sensed it? Come on, let’s ride the wave together.

Psalm 119 has the dubious honor of being the longest chapter in the Bible.  I’d like to suggest that you read it.  I mean it, go right now and sit down and read it (I can hear the groans already – you don’t really mean all 176 verses !!??!).  To count the verses is to relegate this chapter to mere Bible trivia, and it is so much more than that (and yes, I do mean all 176 verses).  You see, Psalm 119 is actually the climax of the book of psalms.  It’s a 176 verse ode to how great the word of God is.  Verse 105 says : “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path”.  This great Psalm is a discussion of God’s word and how the writer needs to spend time in God’s word.  God’s word is what will help the writer live a live pleasing to God.  Time in God’s word enables a follower of God to obey.  Reading, meditating, and memorizing God’s word is what keeps a person on the path God has for them.  If there is any chance of being discerning in the life of following Christ, it has to do with spending time, lots of time, continually in God’s word.

I may not be a professional baseball player, but I am a follower of Christ.  Baseball is just a game, yet there are people that devote themselves fully to it, and give it their best personal time – all in the service of a game.  And so I’m challenged.  Because being a disciple is far more significant.  I want to develop that kind of discerning sensitivity to the word of God.  Only then will I be able to excel in service, and be obedient in every aspect of my life.

"is this thing on?

Pepsi driver around), Dan left last fall to head to Briercrest College in Caronport.

Right now though, Dan is on his way to Africa.  Kenya, to be specific, with a group of Briercrest students from across North America.  As a representative of Cornerstone Church while he’s there, we thought it might be cool to give you a heads up on where he’s going, what he’ll be up to, and how you can be praying for him and the team.  Here’s the main gist of what they schedule is in Dan’s words:

“The opportunities we have are amazing and the schedule is full.  We will be doing a number of campaigns in four or five communities (preaching, speaking, singing, praying – basically being ready to do whatever we are asked to do).  We will be visiting and ministering in 2 AIDs orphanages, and we will be ministering to widows and orphans in the village.  We’ll also be helping to lay a foundation for an orphanage home in Kisumu that will give up to 32 kids a home, and help establish a poultry farm to help the locals.  We will be helping to build 10 water springs and 2 wells in strategic locations in remote villages.  We also have the privilege of leading meetings at the University of Kisumu.  All of this is done with the local church, and all of it in just under four weeks.”

Busy schedule for sure, and part of Dan’s spiritual family, we want to invite you to be praying alongside and for Dan and the team.  Not totally sure who Dan is?  No problem!  God will make sure the dots get connected

Here’s the longform itinerary in case you’re curious what they will be up to each day:

July 24-26: Travel

July 28: University Event in Kisumu

July 29-Aug 1: Bunyore Campaign

Aug 2: Building fresh water springs/wells

Aug 3: Ministry to Operation Joseph kids and familes (AIDS ministry)

Aug 4: Orphanage ministry in Kakamega

Aug 6-8: Maseno and Kisumu Campaigns

Aug 9-11: Boyani Revival Service

Aug 12-13: Laying foundation for orphanage ministry

Aug 16-19: Wrap up and return home.

The thrust of the message was that we are called by our very relational God to serve Him. When God showed up on Moses’ job site in Exodus 3 He was coming to call Moses into service. Each and every one of us who dare to call ourselves Christians are called to serve. As I pondered the message on Sunday afternoon I wondered why I would not serve God. Why would I deliberately choose to not serve this incredible God who has done so much for me? Every day of my life I am the beneficiary of His abundant grace. Every day there are new opportunities for me to grow in my understanding of what He has in store for me as I walk with Him. Every day it is a privilege to serve this indescribable God. Why would I not serve Him?

The truth is the evangelical church in North America has an abundance of people who make that choice each day. They choose not to serve. Now the reasons are many. It may be that some feel too stressed or too busy. It may be that some feel inadequate. I have heard the old standby of I did my time indicating that currently their job is simply to take up a spot in the service on Sunday morning. I have been given the line that I’m attending university so I can’t serve. There are many more excuses given as to why people choose not to serve. Honestly though there are very few excuses that hold any water when we talk about serving God.

Maybe we have the wrong vision when it comes to serving. Maybe we think in terms of holding some kind of position in a church like an elder or youth sponsor or Sunday School teacher. We look at the positions and conclude they are outside of our individual skill sets hence we don’t or can’t serve.

When I talk about serving I am thinking of a big picture idea not a small picture idea. I am thinking of those who indeed hold actual positions of service but also those who make coffee or set up chairs or pick up people for church. The list of possible service ideas is only limited by our creativity. People serve through their financial giving or through praying. People serve by visiting shut-ins or those in the hospital. People serve by tutoring students who struggle with school or taking food supplies to those struggling with financial issues. Really people serve when they are in the business of meeting needs. God called Moses to meet a need….lead the nation. They had been in bondage to Egypt and now God was about to answer their cries for freedom but a leader is needed. Moses is called into service.

Each and every one of us are the same as Moses in that we are called into service. It is just simply a matter of figuring out what and where God wants us to serve because He DOES want us to serve. I will speaking about this again in September when we will be having a minsitry trade fair offering all kinds of opportunities for people to get involved. As I said on Sunday I want to raise the bar when it comes to serving at Cornerstone. I want us to see and buy into the idea that it is both a privilege as well as a responsibility to serve God. We are going to establish a culture where people see serving as a natural part of our church DNA as opposed to some kind of added chore if I attend this church. We are in the process of developing a small group minsitry whereby you can attend and discover what your spiritual gifts, abilities and interests are so as to help you make wise choices when it comes to serving.

Serving is not some kind of spiritual punishment. Serving is God’s way of allowing us to engage His plan for the world. Serving is a privilege that leads to joyful satisfaction understanding I am doing what God pre-wired me to do.

As we raise the bar we will also be raising the sense of expectation about how God will use us in accomplishing His purposes. You can’t read the scriptures and find people who regretted serving God. It is just the most fantastic concept that God would allow me the honour of serving Him. There is more to come on this topic but I feel a bit better now. Have you discovered the joy of serving?

It is such a challenge to live life in the place of leadership but we all do in some way. Perhaps it is as a parent or on your job site or in a volunteer position. Leadership is an immense challenge but also an incredible privilege. Parents would you like it said of you that you enticed your children away from the Lord and caused them to commit a great sin? Wow doesn’t that just grip your heart with a certain sense of fear? It seems God takes note when we lead people astray and we will one day give an account of our actions.

This past Sunday we had one of those special moments as a church family. As my friend, Mike Hack of Operation Mobilization, spoke God moved within our body of believers. There was a challenge and a warning. The challenge was in regards to whom we bow our knee in service and worship. The warning was that there is a very real spiritual battle going on and the evil one is out to deceive as well as destroy. People were making serious decisions. Some bowed and prayed. Some wept. Others just wandered out like everything was the same as usual. This was not a Jeroboam moment where people were being enticed away. This was more of a Hezekiah kind of moment. A few days ago I read these words about this king, “This is what Hezekiah did throughout Judah, doing what was good and right and faithful before the Lord.” (II Chronicles 31:20)

Two different leaders with two very different influences on their followers. Of Hezekiah it was said that he sought his God and worked wholeheartedly. Later on in II Kings it says of the people of Israel that while they were worshipping the Lord they were serving their idols. In other words God was not number one. I think much of the North American church is right here. God is in play but not number one. Other pursuits, priorities and passtimes surpass God in our personal lives. We still worship when it is convenient but honestly He is not number one.

Today that can all change. Today each one of us can make an individual decision that will put God in His proper place in our lives. Today because of God’s wonderful grace we can bow our knees willingly to the King of Kings. Today is a day of opportunity. Will you seize it?

At the end of your days would you rather have the life impact of Jeroboam or Hezekiah? It is your choice. Choose wisely my friend.

The summer has been a busy one of construction for the CE wing.  People have been working very hard to get it ready for the fall time and I would like to thank everyone who has helped us so far.

I want to thank families for being so patient and understanding during this time since it has been an inconvenience with the upstairs including the bathrooms being out of commission. But soon the upstairs will be done.

We don’t have an exact date yet of when the upstairs will be open so please keep posted through Sunday morning announcements and bulletin.

Feel free to continue using the nursing room and parenting room downstairs.

If you would like to help with clean up, we would greatly appreciate that. We are looking for helpers to assist in washing/cleaning toys, tables, book cases, etc. Contact the office.