Pastoral Notes for Sunday, November 12, 2017

If you were asked to define true and faithful religion, how would you do it? I wonder if you would use James’ definition: “Religion that our God and Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after widows and orphans in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world” (James 1:27).

Really? Keeping oneself unstained from the world makes sense, but widow and orphan care? No one would deny it’s important, but isn’t it just the particular burden of certain Christians but not others? Is James really suggesting that every disciple of Christ be committed in some way, shape, or form to widow and orphan relief? That’s exactly what James is saying. Let me prove it from the text.

The last half of the verse calls us to holiness, “to keep oneself unstained from the world.” The pursuit of holiness is clearly not optional. It’s the call of every Christian (1 Peter 1:15). Since that is the case, we do not have the interpretive liberty to divide the first half of the verse from the second, identifying one part (holiness) as universal and the other part (orphan and widow care) as optional. Instead, James pairs these these twin callings together as a definition for true religion.

Does not mean everyone is supposed to adopt a child or take in a needy widow? No, it doesn’t necessarily mean that, though, for some, and I pray more and more of us, it will mean exactly that. It does mean, however, that to some degree and in some way, shape, or form every one of us must be committed to the work of widow and orphan care. No one is exempt.

To that end, Cornerstone is joining with thousands of churches across North America in recognizing God’s call and the great need of our time for Orphan Care. Did you know that it is estimated that between 140-150 million children worldwide, ranging from infants to teenagers, have lost one or both parents? In America alone, there are more than 120,000 orphans while another 400,000 children live without permanent families. It is common for children in foster care to age out, leaving them with little financial or emotional support. 27,000 children age out of the system every year. Every day, 5,760 more children in the world become orphans, and every 2.2 seconds another orphan ages out with no family and no home. These are staggering statistics!

In light of the Bible’s clear mandate and the current crisis, what are we to do? One way the elders of Cornerstone are answering this call is through the creation of a Cornerstone Adoption Fund. I don’t have to tell you that adoption is very expensive. Many families who desire to adopt choose not to because of the financial demands. In an attempt to bear each other’s burdens in this call, this fund was established to encourage Cornerstone families to adopt and for us as a church family to join with them in it! If you want to give to the Cornerstone Adoption Fund, you can do so now and at any time in the future by writing “Adoption Fund” on the memo of your check. If you want to learn more about the parameters for the disbursement of these funds or how to qualify for adoption funds through Cornerstone, please contact Joe Haworth (jdhaworth@comcast.net) or Jim Smith (jims@svmic.com). They would love to speak with you about it.

As we make strides to answer the orphan crises of our time, let’s do so knowing that we were all orphans once, but God in perfect love determined not to leave us without a Father (John 14:8). In love, He gave his only Son so that in him we might receive the adoption as sons (Ephesians 1:5, Galatians 4:5-7). May the adoption heart of God be our heart as together we strive to care for the orphans in our generation.

Pastoral Notes for Sunday, November 5th 2017

“The vigorous, continual planting of new congregations is the single most crucial strategy for (1) the numerical growth of the body of Christ in a city and (2) the continual corporate renewal and revival of the existing churches in a city. Nothing else—not crusades, outreach programs, parachurch ministries, growing megachurches, congregational consulting, nor church renewal processes—will have the consistent impact of dynamic, extensive church planting. This is an eyebrow-raising statement, but to those who have done any study at all, it is not even controversial.”—Timothy Keller

Two years ago the elders of Cornerstone began praying and planning for a new church in the Spring Hill, TN. area. Just over a year ago that praying and planning took a big step forward when a call was extended to Rev. Mike Fennema to be the church planter for the Spring Hill work. Over the last year, Mike and wife, Stephanie, and their four children have poured their lives into Spring Hill community and the work of ministry. God has blessed the fruit of their hands as the Spring Hill Presbyterian Church has steadily grown in size and health.

As the Spring Hill Presbyterian Church anticipates beginning Sunday morning worship early next year, we’re pausing today to celebrate what God has done. I’ve invited Pastor Mike to preach the Word from Mark 10:17-31. In order to better acquaint you with Mike and Stephanie’s history, take a moment to read their bios below and then drop Mike a line or give him a call to learn how you can pray for, support, and even partner with the work of SHPC. 

Mike is a native of the south suburbs of Chicago. He graduated from Calvin College in 2003 and Reformed Theological Seminary in Orlando in 2008. Before moving to Spring Hill, Mike was a youth pastor at Redeemer Church in Evans, GA and the Senior Pastor of Trinity Fellowship Church in Sherwood, AR.

Stephanie was born in Georgia and grew up in Middle Tennessee. After graduating from Zion Christian Academy in Columbia, she earned her degree from Auburn University and became a Physician’s Assistant through UAB’s PA program. While also a full-time mom to four, she works one day a week at Mulberry Clinics in Spring Hill.

Mike and Stephanie met while living in Orlando and were married in 2006. They have four children: Elliot, Oliver, Mattie Grace, and Abigail. As a family, they enjoy hiking, swimming, raising chickens, family movie nights, and opening their home to others.

Mike may be reached at 501-612-1331 or mike@springhillpca.com.

Pastoral Notes for Sunday, October 29, 2017

A few weeks ago we rolled out a new children’s bulletin as a means of assisting our covenant children in the worship of God. It’s been super fun stopping by the pews during pre-service and seeing so many children poised for worship with their new bulletin in hand.

We so appreciate your early enthusiasm and positive feedback about the bulletin! If there are ways you think we can improve it, we’re all ears. Please contact our Children’s Coordinator, Martha Brooks, at elementary@cstonepres.org, if you have thoughts or ideas to share.

As important as weekly worship is to a child’s spiritual growth, it is not enough. A child’s spiritual upbringing requires more than getting kids to church. We must encourage and train our covenant children to walk with the Lord personally on a daily basis.

Toward that end, there are two books on the Book Shelf that are designed to do just that.

·      First, The Biggest Story ABC is beautiful little board book teaches our youngest children the unfolding of the biblical story while utilizing the alphabet. Starting with Adam and finishing with Zion, children are exposed to the sweep of redemptive history in a fun and whimsical way. If you have children or grandchildren who are 1-5 years of age, do not miss this volume! 

·      Second, Exploring the Bible: A Bible Reading Plan for Kids is designed for children 6-12 years old. Going deeper into the Bible’s story, this volume trains children in how to read the Bible while cultivating the godly habit of daily Bible intake. In an easy to follow and interactive workbook format, children will read small sections from the Bible, memorize a key verse each week, and develop “prayer points” for conversing with God. What I love about this volume is that it lays the necessary foundations for a child to develop a lifetime commitment of reading God’s Word and discovering the beauty of the redemptive story.  

Do yourself a favor and take a moment this morning to check out these titles and the dozens of other great titles at the Book Shelf on the second-floor landing. 

Pastoral Notes - Sunday, October 22nd, 2017

Let it be noted—Colorado is amazing.

For those of you that may have missed last week’s Pastoral Notes, Christy and I took our daughter, Katie, on a twelve-year-old birthday trip to a ranch in Colorado last weekend. We rode horses, fished, and soaked up the mountain vistas complete with the Aspen trees aflame with color. It was truly spectacular.

More than the activities or environs, it was the occasion—a birthday—that made this time so special. The older I get the more I appreciate birthday celebrations, not just mine but others. Writing that just now feels a bit strange, since birthday celebrations are more often associated with the young. I guess what I mean is that the passing of a year means more to me now than it used to, and so marking that time with some sort of celebration carries more significance than it once did.

I’m struck by the fact that when we celebrate a birthday, we’re not honoring an achievement like a graduation. In an occasion like that we’re saying, “Look at what you’ve done! Let’s celebrate!” But when it comes to a birthdays, we’re celebrating the person. We’re saying, “Look at you! Your life matters to us. We’re grateful that you are you.” There’s something really powerful and grace giving about such an experience. 

Birthdays are also a yearly opportunity to reflect on God’s lavish goodness. It’s appropriate on a birthday to look back and recount God’s provisions, preservations, and promotions over the last year. For the one having the birthday, it’s an opportunity to pause and say to God, “I don’t take this life for granted. Thank you for giving me the gift of life.”

When you think of birthdays in this way, it makes sense why Jesus chose to use birth as a metaphor for salvation in John 4. That unless we are “born again” we can’t even see the kingdom of God. And just like in normal birthdays, we’re celebrating the person—the person of Jesus Christ. But unlike our birthdays, we’re also celebrating not just the person—but what he’s done, the salvation he’s won for us. We’re saying, “Look at you! Look at what you’ve done! You are my life and my salvation. I owe it all to you.”

As we gather for worship, we are, in a sense, remembering and rehearsing together the new birth we share in Jesus Christ. We are saying to God, “I don’t take this life for granted. Thank you for giving me the gift of life—the real, true, abundant life that is only found in Jesus Christ.” More than any other birth, the new birth is one worth celebrating. Not just once a year but every day.

Pastoral Notes - Sunday, October 15th, 2017

If all has gone according to plan, I’m tucked away somewhere deep in the Rocky Mountains with my wife, Christy, and my 12-year old daughter, Katie, this morning. As some of you know, sweet Katie turned 12 last week, and when you turn 12 in the Shurden household, you get to do something special—you get to take a trip with Dad and Mom to somewhere in the U.S. for a few days.

Katie loves horses and spending time in nature, and so as we began to talk with her about a trip, she thought a few days on a dude ranch sounded like a great way to ring in #12. So, about six months ago, we booked a long weekend at Lost Valley Ranch in Sedalia, CO. If you’re reading this on Sunday morning, we’re likely a bit sore from the weekend of trail rides and square dances. But more than physical soreness, I trust we’re full of thanksgiving for the time we shared and the memories we made celebrating the life of Katie.

Before I go, I want to give you a quick financial update. Our budget year as a congregation runs from July 1 to June 30. That means we’ve just closed out the first quarter of the 2017-2018 budget year, and we want to keep you up to speed on our fiscal health as a congregation. Below you will find a breakdown of where things stand financially at present. Please take time to review it and feel free to e-mail our Office Administrator, Susan Bumpus, at susan@cstonepres.org, if you have any particular questions.

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