Pastoral Notes for Sunday, May 20, 2018

Though a growing church of nearly 500 members, we have intentionally kept our staff footprint small. Whenever we see a need, we don’t immediately think, “We need to hire someone.” Instead, we look first to God’s people. The Apostle Paul tells us that church leaders – pastors, elders, and staff – must be committed not to shoulder the entire ministry load, but to raise up and equip God’s people for the work of ministry (see Ephesians 4:11-16).

Taking Paul’s instructions seriously, we rely on the commitment and participation of the Cornerstone membership to serve and lead within the body. This is why we come to you each year to fill scores of volunteer ministry positions and, thanks be to God, you’ve never let us down!

Over the last few months, I’ve had elders, deacons, staff, and others relay to me stories of how your ministry is making a difference. Whether rocking children in the nursery, or retelling a Bible story in 4th grade Sunday school, or baking cookies for a youth event – God is using you to make a spiritual impact in our community. 

As our Sunday morning children’s discipleship ministries wrap up the spring term today, I want to take a moment to say “thank you!” to our faithful volunteers. We could not do what we did this spring without you!

As you read through that list, take time to mark the ways these ministries and volunteers have touched you and/or your family. Please make specific note of people who have played a particularly vital role in you or your family’s walk with Christ. If you haven’t done so already, you might consider writing a brief thank you note just to let them know how much their ministry has meant to you.

Led by our Children’s Director, Martha Brooks, our children’s Sunday School teachers and assistants were Amy Pent, Michelle Marshall, Kristin Lee, Joe and Joy Marlo, Mark Elliott, Katie Ewing, Bob Wolk, Anneke Seely, Julia Grounds, Ronda Laventure

Charlotte Robinson, Mary Lynn Giles

Led by our Elder over Youth Ministry, Randy Allen, our volunteers in youth Sunday School were Brian Phillips, Christian Brewer, Lauren Smith, Marty Smith, Will Kesler, Jay Williams, Kent Coughlin, Matt Michaud, Matt Suits, Jim Payne, Barbara Cheney, Nancy Guthrie, and John Millard.

Led by our Nursery Coordinator, Christy Shurden, our nursery volunteers were Scott Chapman, Missy Chapman, Katie Patton, George Reitz, Celeste Nichols, Kevin McClung, Ronda Laventure, Cindi Wolk, Carolyn Vermilye, Bonnie Snyder, Julie Kesler, Colleen McGarry, Debi Haggard, Mark Haggard, Peggy Mueller, Suzann Allen, Becky Payne, Laura Coughlin, Lindsey Elliott, Karen Koellein, Rachael Zecher, Jan Norris, Sharon Haney, Sue Steffens, Bob Wolk, Eleanor Ware, Carl Ware, Lisa Fiedler, Dan Fiedler, Gari Vernier, Kristen Oakerson, Alli Faulk, Mary Lynn Giles, Katie Ewing, Meredith Suits, Julia Morton, and Lucy Lilly.