Pastoral Notes for Sunday, June 8, 2025

Our sister Suzanne Farris has been leading the way with our Good News Club Ministry. We asked her to describe that work and ways you might serve our community and love our neighbors alongside her and others.

Dear brothers and sisters,

It's my great privilege to update you on our Good News Club (GNC). Good News Clubs are gospel focused Bible clubs for elementary school children. Cornerstone has partnered with Child Evangelism Fellowship (CEF) to run one at Liberty Elementary School (LES), the first in the Franklin Special School District.

All GNC volunteers are “missionaries” of Child Evangelism Fellowship (CEF), an international, Bible-centered organization composed of born-again believers whose purpose is to evangelize boys and girls with the Gospel of Christ and to disciple them in the Word of God for Christian living. Each lesson taught has an evangelistic message for the unbelieving child as well as discipleship truth for the believing child. Churches partner with CEF to provide volunteers and financial support. While most of our LES Team are Cornerstone members, two joined us through contact with CEF. Here’s the wonderful team God put together to serve in this ministry over this past school year: 

Andrea, Aravis and Nahum Roberts (along with little Zion)
Vicky and Luke Wiley
Bonnie Snyder
Shari Roberts
Denise Richardson 

I’m filled with joy when I think of how we started the year and how well we ended. We all learned how to effectively weave the gospel into all that we did, not just in the Bible stories but also in the songs, the weekly memory verse, the object lessons, and even the games. It was a joy to share biblical truth with our Kindergarten to 4th graders at LES, to hear their God-inspired answers, and to answer their deep questions. And what a treasure it was to see all the kids join the song leaders up front singing their hearts out on our last day! Of course, the greatest joy was that three children professed faith in Jesus for the first time, two of whom were baptized in their home church soon after.

In case you missed it, my takeaway from the year was joy. What a privilege it is to see God’s work both in us and the children! If you loved being a part of VBS, GNC is very much like it, except you get to do it once a week throughout the school year. If you're 14 years old or older and think God is calling you to bring the good news of Jesus to children, we’d love for you to join our team for the 2025-26 school year. Team members have various roles according to their gifts and desires and will receive training from CEF. Perhaps this is one of the good works which God prepared beforehand that you should walk in (Ephesians 2:10). 

We also covet your prayers for this ministry. One of the children that prayed to receive Christ answered many of our Bible questions for a couple of months before she felt lead to make a profession of faith. That’s the work of the Holy Spirit and His praying people—not our often-fumbling efforts! 

Your fellow servant of Jesus,
Suzanne Farris

 

Pastoral Notes for Sunday, June 1, 2025

Last week’s Pastoral Notes included an outline of our topical summer series: We Believe: The Apostles’ Creed. Starting today and running through the end of July, we will examine this well-known, often cited but rarely studied summary of apostolic doctrine which Christians have affirmed since the second century.

But where did it come from? What is the source? And how has it been used? 

Despite its name, none of the words come from the original apostles. In its present form, it has been in continual use since about AD 700, but the elements of its wording have been traced to a baptismal confession from early second century Rome called “The Rule of Faith.”

We know from Acts 2 that when the church gathered as we do today, they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching. We get a good look at the substance and heart of that teaching with a survey of the 19 major sermons or speeches by Peter, Stephen, James and Paul found in the book of Acts.

Historically, the Apostles’ Creed served two primary purposes; first, as a tool for evangelism and second, as a summary syllabus for instruction leading to a declaration of personal faith prior to baptism. It allows us to see at a glance (114 words in the version we use) the main points of Christian belief.  

The Creed took shape during the second century when the church was harassed by what J.I. Packer describes as “sheep-stealing Gnostics.” That’s the crowd that taught that the true God exists in a distant, unknowable spiritual realm and only secret knowledge (“gnosis”) can lead one back to this divine source. Packer explains: “The Creed’s sequence of topics, and some of its phrases, express not only apostolic teaching but also the explicit negation of Gnostic dualism at every point.”  

If you are curious about that, see the Introduction to Packer’s Affirming the Apostles’ Creed published by Crossway. The book includes a brief explanation of each element of the creed, Scripture refences for further Bible study and questions for thought and discussion.  You may find that book and those listed below on the Bookshelf for supplemental reading this summer:

  • The Apostles’ Creed: Discovering Authentic Christianity in an Age of Counterfeits by R. Albert Mohler Jr.

  • The Need for Creeds Today: Confessional Faith in a Faithless Age by J. V. Fesko

  • Crisis of Confidence: Reclaiming the Historic Faith in a Culture Consumed with Individualism and Identity by Carl R. Trueman

R. C. Sproul cautions us: “The church uses creedal statements and confessional formulas to articulate the content of its faith. Yesterday’s creed, however, can become today’s museum piece.”

Let’s make this ancient creed which we confess year-round ours this summer. 

Your servant,
Tony Giles                                     

 

Pastoral Notes for Sunday, May 25, 2025

Dear Cornerstone Family,

Well, it’s that time again. School is out. Pools are open. Memorial Day is tomorrow. This means one thing: summer is here. Because of that, we’re taking time today to explore the Bible’s teaching on rest. Rest is essential— even commanded. But knowing how to rest––that is, rest well––that’s another thing entirely. My prayer is today’s message will provide a measure of definition and direction for redeeming the down time of summer for good and godly rest. Please join me in that prayer.  

Starting next week, we’ll jump into a topical summer series entitled We Believe: The Apostles Creed. The Apostles Creed has been used by the church for centuries to summarize and anchor the church in the most fundamental claims of the Christian faith. Reflective of the apostles teaching, the creed seeks to outline the plotline of the story of God—from creation to redemption, from Christ’s incarnation to the hope of eternal life. Over the summer, we’ll spend time unpacking its rich meaning, line by line, allowing its truth to shape our hearts, deepen our faith, and unite us as a church around the essentials of the gospel.

We Believe: The Apostles Creed

  •  6/1 – The Word of God (2 Timothy 3:16-17)

  • 6/8 – God the Father Almighty (Matthew 7:7-11)

  • 6/15 – Jesus Christ’s Life and Death (Mark 1:14-15; 10:35-45)

  • 6/22 – Jesus Christ’s Resurrection and Ascension (Acts 1: 6-11; 1 Timothy 3:16)

  • 6/29 – Guest Preacher, Rev. Josh Reiger

  • 7/6 – Judging the Living and the Dead (John 5:19-29)

  • 7/13 – The Holy Catholic Church (Ephesians 4:1-6)

  • 7/20 – The Forgiveness of Sins (Matthew 18:21-35)

  • 7/27 – The Resurrection of the Dead (1 Thes. 4:13-18)

Finally, on a personal note, the session has generously granted me an extended study leave this summer to continue work on my Doctor of Ministry degree. I am in the writing phase (dissertation) of the degree program, and it’s imperative that I make a lot of headway this summer.  

This means I will be out of the office and the pulpit this summer more than at any point in my fifteen years of ministry at Cornerstone. I will be on study leave the first two weeks of June and the whole month of July. While I’m on study leave, I will in large part be unavailable. Thankfully, Rev. Tony Giles has agreed to fill my shoes, and our tremendously capable shepherds are eager to step in and serve in whatever is needed. If you think of it, please pray that this extended time of research and writing will be renewing, fruitful, and pleasing to God.  

Your servant,                                                      

 

Pastoral Notes for Sunday, May 18, 2025

Dear Cornerstone Family,  

Whenever we see a need in the body of Christ, we don’t immediately think, “We need to hire someone.” Instead, we look first to God’s people. The reason for that is the Scripture tells us that church leaders and staff aren’t supposed to shoulder the entire ministry. Rather, leaders and staff are to raise up and equip God’s people for the work of ministry (see Ephesians 4:11-16).

Believing that, we rely on the commitment and participation of the Cornerstone membership to serve within the body. This is why we come to you each year to fill scores of volunteer ministry positions. In all our years—I’m pleased to report––you’ve never let us down! More than that, you’ve blessed us in countless ways.

Over the last few months, I’ve had several leaders and members alike relay stories of how teachers, assistants, and nursery workers are making a difference. From comforting a crying child who is new to the nursery, to helping a shy child meet new friends in 4th grade Sunday school, to teaching children the importance of singing on Wednesday nights—God is using you to make a spiritual impact among the “least of these” in our community (Matthew 19:14; 25:45).

Under the leadership of Christy Shurden, Nursery Coordinator, and Meredith Suits, Children’s Coordinator a small army of volunteers have sacrificed their time, energy, and resources to serve our covenant children this year. I want to take a moment today to honor and express thanksgiving for our many teachers, assistants, and nursery workers who have ministered on Sunday morning and Wednesday nights this year. 

As you read through the list of names, take time to mark out how these dear servants may have touched your family. If you haven’t done so already, please consider writing a brief thank you note to those servants who have ministered to your family, letting them know how much their ministry has meant to you. 

With that said, join me in giving thanks for Talula Adams, Randy & Suzann Allen, Barbie Bankes, Tristan Bankes, Martha Brooks, Mary Latta Brown, Hannah Burge, Ashleigh Chapman, Scott & Jordan Chapman, Debbie Coats, Kent Coughlin, Audrey Driskell, LaNita Eby, Lindsey Elliot, Hannah Finch, Betsy Garland, Courtney Garrett, Mary Lynn Giles, Linda Hart, Bethany Holder, Whitney Hunt, Hannah Johnson, Julie Kesler, Kristen Lee, Lucy Lilly, Laurie Mee, Linda Mello, Jessica Michaud, Allison Millard, Emily Mitchell, Celeste Nichols, Rachel O’Roark, Kris Paterson, Joanie Pittman, Tara Ralph, Andrea Roberts, Kelley Shell, Lauren Smith, Bonnie Snyder, Sue Steffens, Emily Tice, Julie Webster, Jennifer Westerbeek, Debbie Whitney, Sophia Wilbur, Joe & Joy Marlo, Faith Crampton, Ronda Laventure, Teresa Whitaker, Alli Faulk, Carl Ware, Sarah Bingham, Julie Finch, Matt & Rachel O’Roark, Sean Kelley, Dave Raymond, Sabrina Brewer, Karen Holland, Matt & Kimbra Johnston, Nic & Kayce Lane, Rebecca Hassee, Katie Ewing, Joanie Pittman, Emily Jebasingh, James Goddard, Kelly Abercrombie, Lori Tice, and Abigail Hicks.

Your servant,                                                                

 

Pastoral Notes for Sunday, May 11, 2025

Dear Cornerstone Family,

Last week in our Exploring Cornerstone class, which is our version of a new members class, we took time to unfold our vision as a local church. In a sentence, our vision is “To glorify God in the gospel together as disciples who make disciples.” In that one sentence, you see four commitments:

·      To glorify God in the gospel—Worship
·      To glorify God in the gospel together—Fellowship
·      To glorify God in the gospel together as disciples—Discipleship
·      To glorify God in the gospel together as disciples who make disciples—Missions  

Everything we do as a church fits within these four commitments: worship, fellowship, discipleship, and mission.  

The order — worship, fellowship, discipleship, and mission—is vitally important. The first, primary, and eternal call of the Christian is worship. Evangelism will end. Ministries of mercy will end. But worship will never end. Our eternal chorus will be, “Blessing and honor and glory and power be to him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb forever and ever” (Rev. 5:13).

But, notice, I said, “Our eternal chorus will be...” The emphasis is on our. This isn’t lone ranger worship. This isn’t individual praise. We’re a community of worshippers. We are the body of Christ drawn together in worship of the Lamb. Therefore, our worship is an expression of our fellowship, and our fellowship will only ever be as strong as our worship. As we draw together in worship, the prayer of Jesus is answered, “I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one” (John 17:21).

Further, our worship and fellowship compel us forward as disciples. Worship and fellowship spills over into followership. That is, we are disciples of Jesus Christ. We are soldiers marching forward to Zion. We are pilgrims traveling to the Celestial City. Having been raise with Christ, we every day “...seek the things above where Christ is, seated at the right hand of the Father” (Col. 3:1).

Lastly, our worship, fellowship, and discipleship give birth to missions. A Christian can’t keep Christ a secret. It is of the nature of true Christianity to share Christ with others. We long for others to know the saving riches of Jesus Christ and to join us in worship, fellowship, and discipleship.

In a special way over the last few years, we’ve witnessed the power of the gospel at work in worship, fellowship, discipleship, and mission at Cornerstone. Praise the Lord, we are seeing more and more people come to know the Lord and grow in their love and commitment to his church.

As our Ministry Expansion Team gets underway and as we prayerfully seek the Lord’s face in planning our next season in ministry, please join us in prayer that we would walk in peace and not fear, be strengthened with power by the Spirit, and answer with faith and expectation whatever the Lord calls us to do as a church (John 14:13, Eph. 3:14-21, 1 John 5:14).

Your servant,