Pastoral Notes for Sunday, May 24, 2020

When we began making plans for reopening Cornerstone for corporate worship, I knew we’d need help... lots of it. I knew we’d need a strong mix of men and women from across the spectrum of Cornerstone to help us develop and execute a reopening plan that would honor God and provide a safe environment for the conducting of corporate worship.

As the Chairman of the Deacons, Larry Thompson, and I discussed potential leaders for the team, two of our faithful deacons came to mind, Todd Russell and David Steffens. Within a few hours, both of these brothers stepped up and answered the call. They did a fabulous job pulling together a devoted band of conscientious and caring servants who were committed to think, plan, and prayerfully execute the many, many needs associated with reopening.

From registration to seating arrangements, from communion prep to cleaning between services, these brothers and sisters thought through everything and made sure the i’s were dotted and t’s crossed on safety fronts while striving to maintain the integrity and reverence of corporate worship at Cornerstone. Let me encourage you: as the Lord gives opportunity, please let Todd Russell, David Steffens, Casey Taggert, Sharon Haney, Larry Thompson, Steve Cebada, Sherry Cebada, Debi Haggard, and Matt Faulk know how much you appreciate their sacrificial service.

In addition to our reopening team, another small army of volunteers has been pulling together livestream worship each week—and that’s no small task. I’d like to personally thank Charlie Lico for his media insights and onsite support, Ken Carpenter for filming feedback and direction, Jeremy Steffens for technical support and running the livestream, Ethan Vroom and, most recently, Jay Palm for manning the cameras, and Jim Smith and Eric Smith for added lighting and a variety of construction needs. What would we have done without these brothers? Truly, I don’t know. I praise God for these men.

Finally, if you’ve been worshipping with us via livestream during this season, you saw familiar faces each week leading worship. Greg Wilbur, Anneke Seely, Maxwill Shell, and the Steffens Family were on point each week with John McEachin, Noah Cline, and Mark Mitchell joining in along the way. As we gathered on couches and dining room tables to worship via livestream, it was the voices and musicianship of these brothers and sisters that lifted us up to the throne of grace. What a gift.

Finally, please continue to pray for the safety of the Cornerstone flock as we ease back into corporate worship. We are not presuming much from week to week at this point, for only God knows what tomorrow will bring. As you know, COVID-19 remains with us, and the risk is real. Let’s be vigilant in caring for one another’s safety while trusting God for the protection that only He can give.

Pastoral Notes for Sunday, May 17, 2020

When the calendar turned from April to May and Franklin began to wake up with restaurants and stores reopening, I took the chance to ask a few folks from the Cornerstone family a question, “What has this season of pandemic and quarantine meant for you?” The question occasioned puzzled looks for some, frowns from others, and knowing smiles from still others.

As these looks gave birth to conversation, it became clear that each look represented a range of personal stories. The puzzled looks told stories of confusion about the virus, governmental actions, and fretful concern over whether life will ever be the same. The frowns told stories of grief and sadness about cancelled celebrations, missed opportunities, and the loss of life and livelihoods. The knowing smiles told stories of joy and peace about the slower pace of life, lingering time with family, and surprising provisions.

What I loved about many of these conversations was how often they turned spiritual. The confusion and frustration would end on a confident note about the faithfulness of God and the surety of His Word. The stories of grief and sadness would close by expressing certain hope in God’s purposes and promises. And the expressions of joy and rest would wrap up with thanksgivings for God’s goodness and provision.

It is quite clear. In all these varied experiences during quarantine—some good and some not so good—God has been at work in the hearts of His people.

This came home again to me this week when I stumbled across a message from a dear sister in the church. She had written to me several weeks earlier, but her message landed in my spam folder and I hadn’t seen it. On the hunt for a different missing message, I happened upon her beautiful note. What she expressed touched my soul so deeply that I wanted to share a portion of it with you below.

“I just returned from an evening run through downtown Franklin and wanted to share what the Lord leading me through in prayer. As I entered downtown, it was eerily quiet and shop after shop had a notice of closure or method of modified business due to COVID-19. I began praying for each store and restaurant. As I approached Cornerstone, I began weeping. As the Lord would have it, these lyrics from the hymn “Abide with Me” played:

‘I fear no foe, with Thee at hand to bless; Ills have no weight, and tears no bitterness; Where is death’s sting? Where, grave, thy victory? I triumph still, if Thou abide with me.

Hold Thou Thy cross before my closing eyes; Shine through the gloom and point me to the skies; Heav’n’s morning breaks, and earth’s vain shadows flee; In life, in death, O Lord, abide with me.’

As I began returning home, I continued praying for each store and restaurant, but also for the entire community of Franklin. I pray that when Cornerstone’s doors reopen, and what a glorious day that will be, that the pews would be filled with new faces from our community. My prayer is this situation we are in will open the eyes of many around us to see Jesus and we can welcome them in at Cornerstone.”

As our doors reopen for worship today, my prayer is her prayer, and I hope it’s yours, too. Let’s boldly ask our God to use the reopening of Cornerstone as means to reopen our hearts and lives to the power and call of the gospel, renewing our commitment to be agents of grace in a fallen world, spreading the good news of Jesus Christ as far as the curse is found.