Pastoral Notes for Sunday, February 22, 2026

Dear Cornerstone Family,

Today is the first Sunday of the six-week season in the church calendar known as Lent.

The word Lent comes from the Anglo-Saxon term for “length.” It’s a term commonly used for springtime when the day light lengthens and the days grow longer. This is why the season of Lent begins in the shorter days of winter when it’s cold and dreary but ends when the daylight has increased and the signs of spring are everywhere.

The move from cold and dark to warm and light is the spiritual story Lent tells. The emptiness and deadness of winter eventually giving way to the fullness and life of spring is a creational picture of the cross-to-empty-tomb story. The season of Lent trudges through the wintertime of the cross, full of pain and death, unto the skip-in-your-step springtime of the resurrection, charged with healing and hope. 

As Christ followers, our lives are shaped by this story, for this story is the story. It is the true story of the world. And we, creatures recreated in Christ, we live the Christ story day by day, ordering each moment by our Savior’s footsteps (2 Corinthians 5:17).

Imagine your whole life as trailing Jesus Christ. He cut the trail having gone on ahead of you in the cross, resurrection, and the ascension. But now he’s come back to be with you by the Spirit and walk the whole way with you. Every moment he speaks to you by his Word. Assuring you of his presence and love. Warning you of danger. Encouraging you forward on the path. Showing you where he stepped. Guiding you by the pattern of his life.

As you listen and look to him, you begin to see the cross-to-resurrection story take hold in your life. As you recount your past, different bends in the trail, you interpret them according to your Savior’s story. As you encounter trials and joys, dark valleys and mountain tops, each turn is illumined by your Savior’s story. As you look ahead to the uncertainties that await in future legs of the journey, your imaginings are shaped by your Savior’s story.

In a word, you are learning to take up your cross daily and follow him (Matthew 16:24). You are learning to live by the strength and the surprising peace and joy of the resurrection Spirit who lives within you (Romans 8:11). You are experiencing more of what it means to be afflicted, persecuted, and struck down, but not crushed, despairing, or destroyed. You are carrying in our body the death of Jesus while increasingly the life of Jesus is manifested in you (2 Corinthians 4:8-12).

For you are learning to live life how it’s supposed to be lived––looking to Jesus, the author and perfector of your faith (Romans 12:2). When you start living that way even the crosses begin to feel a little lighter. For his yoke really is easy. His burden really is light (Matthew 11:28-29).

Your servant,

 

Pastoral Notes for Sunday, February 15, 2026

Dear Cornerstone Family,

In our recent Cornerstone Ministry Expansion Survey, we queried you about what you most appreciate about Cornerstone’s ministry. Far and away, you mentioned two things––our approach to worship and our staff/leadership.

Considering that revelation, I believe you’ll be encouraged to know that over the past several years we’ve been intentionally training church musicians and worship directors as a congregation. Our own chief musician, Greg Wilbur, is using an increased measure of his time each week in helping train and develop a new generation of church musicians and worship directors. 

I asked Greg Wilbur if he would take a few minutes to talk about the new Worship Fellows program that began last year. Here is what Greg wrote:  

In the summer of 2025, the Session approved an intensive nine-month Fellows program to make that opportunity more widely available to assist in providing needed integration of faith and practice to the weekly ministry of worship planning and leading for the Church at large. This program commenced in the Fall 2025 with the plan of adding more participants in subsequent years.

Our Vision Statement is as follows: To equip and prepare ministry leaders, personally and professionally, for reformed gospel ministry in worship and music for the edification of the Church, in service to a local congregation, and under the authority of local church leadership. The Fellows Program is an intensive nine-month study and preparation for folks to develop knowledge, wisdom, experience, and skills in the areas of worship and music—whether currently serving, aspiring to serve, or for personal growth.

We have four participants in the program in addition to Maxwill Shell and myself. We’ve been reading books on the theology and philosophy of worship and music as well as discussing very practical weekly concerns such as planning, leading, arranging for instruments, and thinking about audio needs. One of our weekly assignments was to write short scriptural reflections for the Cornerstone Lenten Devotional—which they presented together, talked through, received feedback, and edited. This is a tangible way in which their studies have blessed our congregation and will bless theirs as well.

I am grateful for the efforts Greg is expending in this noble cause, and we look forward to seeing how the Lord may be pleased to bless this endeavor more in the days to come. Please join us in praying that this initiative will produce long-term blessing for Cornerstone, other churches in our area, our denomination, and even the church at large.

As Greg mentioned, the new Cornerstone Lenten Devotional produced by the worship fellows is available for you to pick up today. You will find copies at both entrances. It’s our gift to you! Go ahead and grab one for yourself and one for a friend or a neighbor. We hope and trust it will be a great blessing to you during the Lenten season.

Your servant,

 

Pastoral Notes for Sunday, February 8, 2026

Dear Cornerstone Family,

For our Mission’s Conference Weekend, I’m grateful to welcome Dr. Gabriel (Gabe) Fluhrer, Senior Pastor of First Presbyterian Church in Chattanooga, TN, to the Cornerstone pulpit this morning. Dr. Fluhrer did his undergraduate studies at the University of South Carolina and is a rabid Gamecock fan (consider yourself warned). He has a Master of Divinity degree from Greenville Presbyterian Theological Seminary in Greenville, SC, and a Ph.D. from Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia, PA.

Dr. Fluhrer has served in a variety of pastoral positions and settings over the years. He’s been a church planter, a staff minister, and a senior minister. He’s served congregations in the Orthodox Presbyterian Church, the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church, and the Presbyterian Church in America.

In addition to his pastoral work, Dr. Fluhrer is a visiting professor at Reformed Theological Seminary in Atlanta, GA. He has also served us locally through the growing work of RTS Nashville, recently teaching classes on covenant theology and worship.

Dr. Fluhrer is a gifted writer. He’s a regular contributor at the Reformation21 blog and Ligonier Ministries. He has written or edited several books and articles, including Atonement (P&R, 2010), These Last Days (P&R, 2011), and Alive: How the Resurrection of Christ Changes Everything (Reformation Trust, 2020).

If memory serves me right, I believe I first met Gabe at a Young Leaders of the PCA meeting at General Assembly about fifteen years ago. Seeing him serve the denomination faithfully immediately garnered my respect. Spending time with him personally endeared him to me.

Over the last year, Gabe has served with me on the Ad Interim Committee in our denomination for Revising the Directory for Public Worship. It’s been a joy to have an excuse to be in regular contact with him and to labor together in the work of ministry. Gabe is a pastor and a theologian. He has a keen mind for truth and a unique gift for communicating God’s Word. I am grateful to number Gabe among my friends in ministry and for you to benefit today from sitting under his ministry.  

Finally, let me publicly acknowledge my deep gratitude for the leadership of our Mission’s Chairman, Mr. John Millard. With great assistance from John Mark Gulliver, one of our Pastoral Interns, and a committed band of Cornerstone members—Dan & Judy Apple, Jonathan Eby, Jim & Becky Payne, and Allison Millard—John has spent many hours working to make this weekend possible. Without his and the team’s dedication and sacrifice, the blessing we’ve gained from this conference would have never happened. Please take time to express your appreciation to John and the team for their faithful efforts on our behalf.

Grace & Peace,

 

Pastoral Notes for Sunday, February 1, 2026

Dear Cornerstone Family,

Congratulations, you survived the great ice apocalypse of 2026. Despite the many trials caused by the storm, I am grateful for how our church came together to care for one another and neighbors in need. From hosting those without power, to providing heaters and propane, to helping cut up tree limbs and clear ice—it was a joy to see the church being the church.

Our neighbors to the north in Nashville continue to deal with ongoing effects from the storm. In fact, some of our sister churches are struggling to worship today due to power outages and property damage. As we have opportunity, let’s continue to pray for and serve those in need.

I don’t know if it’s the weirdness of this last week or what, but didn’t we just celebrate Christmas and the start of 2026? I’m not sure how it happened, but like it or not, January is gone, and February is upon us.

Boyfriends and husbands, you know what that means—Valentines Day is right around the corner. February 14 will be here before you know it. Consider this a friendly public service announcement.  

Truth be told, Valentine’s Day probably isn’t what’s really on your mind. No, you’re thinking about Midweek at Cornerstone! That’s right, Midweek at Cornerstone will be back in action February 18. As per usual, you can expect a delicious catered meal beginning at 5:15 p.m. followed by a full slate of ministries for children, youth, and adults.

If you’ve never come to Midweek before, you’re missing out. You really are. It’s a short, six-week season that promises to deepen your relationships in the church and spiritually prepare you for the celebration of Easter.

The series topic for our Midweek Vespers service is When God Seems Silent. In this series, we will explore how to commune with God when he feels distant and when the pain of life is overwhelming. This is a subject that hits home for every one of us, and of which Scripture speaks with clear, honest, and life-giving direction.

You probably know people at work or in your neighborhood who would benefit from this series. Please invite them! We would love for this series to not only be a blessing for our church family but the Franklin community.

When God Seems Silent
·      February 18 – Permission to Lament
·      February 25 – The Mystery of Suffering
·      March 4 – Praying Through the Silence
·      March 11 – Waiting on God’s Timing
·      March 18 – Between Exile and Return
·      March 25 – Hope in the Silence

Please, make every effort to join your church family for this special season of the church calendar. I look forward to seeing you there.

Grace & Peace,

 

Pastoral Notes for Sunday, January 18, 2026

Dear Cornerstone Family,

Greetings and blessings to you in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.

I’ve been a long-time subscriber to and an occasional writer for Tabletalk magazine. If you’re unfamiliar with Tabletalk magazine, it’s a monthly publication of Ligonier ministries, which was started by the late Dr. R.C. Sproul in 1977. As a ministry of Ligonier, Tabletalk magazine is dedicated to helping you read and understand the Bible and grow in Christ. With articles from pastors, scholars, and teachers, every issue of Tabletalk focuses on something different. Each issue contains feature articles, daily Bible studies, and columns touching on biblical, theological, and practical themes to help strengthen and encourage you in your walk with Christ.

The February edition of Tabletalk was just released this week. The theme for the month of February is Sadness. Topics include the origin of sadness, learning to lament, grieving with hope, learning how to extend comfort in the church, and many other topics. We have fifty copies of the February edition of Tabletalk to give away today! If you’ve never read Tabletalk magazine before, please pick up a free copy today while supplies last.

Writing about Tabletalk’s mission to help you read and understand the Bible reminds me of Barna’s 2025 State of the Church report published in September of last year. There are some fascinating tidbits in the report especially related to Bible reading and church attendance generationally.

For instance, on Bible reading, there is a reported uptick in Bible reading among Christians generally. Nearly 50% of Christians report reading their Bible at some point during the week, which is up from 42% from the previous year. Interestingly, the Bible-reading surge has been led by younger generations, Gen Z and Millennials particularly.

Another interesting tidbit—it’s been generally true for years that women read the Bible more faithfully than men. New reports, however, show that young men (Gen Z and Millennial) are reading the Bible on par with young women if not surpassing them. This increase in Bible reading syncs with other data indicating spiritual interest and engagement among young men is on the rise.

This uptick in Bible reading parallels the uptick in church attendance. Gen Z Christians attend church/worship 1.9 times a month. That’s up from Millennials at 1.8 times a month, Gen Xers at 1.6 times a month, and Boomers at 1.4 times a month. Though the statistics are still disappointing, the trend among Gen Z and Millennials to pick up their Bible and go to church more is a cause for praise.

As we think twenty-five years into the future planning for ministry expansion as a church, we want to make room for the many moving to middle Tennessee and the younger generation of men and women waking up to the truth of Scripture and the value of the church.  Whether it’s a larger facility, adding services, church planting, or some combination therein, maintaining the status quo isn’t the answer. God is calling us to more.

Toward that end, a congregational survey was sent out this week from our ministry expansion team. If you’re a member, you should have received it. If you did not, please contact our Church Life Coordinator, Dan Fiedler, at dan@cstonepres.org for the link. If you’ve received it and haven’t yet filled it out, take time today or tomorrow to do just that. We value your input as together we press forward in the great commission (Matthew 28:18-20).

Grace & Peace,