Pastoral Notes for Sunday, December 5, 2021

Dear Cornerstone Family,

One of the traditions of the Christmas season at Cornerstone is our annual Service of Lessons & Carols. For those new to our midst or unfamiliar with the history behind this glorious service, a little background might be in order. The service began in 1918 at King’s College Cambridge led by Eric Milner-White, who was Dean of King’s College at the time. The opening service was received with such great acclaim that it became an annual tradition at King’s College and is today one of the most beloved Christmas services throughout the world.

Throughout the years, the service has, for the most part, remained the same. Minor revisions were made in 1919 involving rearrangements of the lessons. And every year there are adaptations of music and carols, though the service has always opened with one of my favorite hymns, “Once in Royal David’s City.”

The BBC first broadcast the service in 1928 and, with the exception of 1930; the service has been broadcast every year since. It was even broadcast during World War II when the stained glass windows of the cathedral and the heat source were removed from the building for security reasons. During those dark and tumultuous days for the world, the service of Lessons and Carols provided a gospel reminder of hope and peace.

When the broadcast extended oversees in the mid 1930’s, its popularity quickly spread worldwide. As the popularity of the service grew, churches around the globe began to adapt the service for their own corporate use.

If you’ve never attended a Lessons & Carols service, you’re in for a real treat on December 12. Through Scriptural lessons and carols, we will course through the unfolding of gospel of Jesus Christ from Old to New Testament. We will experience what Dean Milner-White called, “the development of the loving purposes of God through the windows and words of the Bible.”

The choir and musicians have been preparing faithfully to make this a memorable night of worship and will present services at 5:00 p.m. and again at 6:30 p.m. Please do not miss this opportunity to prepare your heart for Christmas! Moreover, there’s often an increased openness toward spiritual matters during the holiday seasons, so don’t forget to invite family, friends, and neighbors to join you for the service. This a great opportunity to introduce those you love to the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Grace & Peace,

 

Pastoral Notes for Sunday, November 28, 2021

Dear Cornerstone Family,

As is our custom at Cornerstone, we have set aside the four weeks leading up to Christmas to prepare our hearts for Christ’s coming. This year we will consider the mystery of the incarnation and the hope of Christ’s return through the writing of the most often referenced Old Testament prophet in the New Testament, the prophet Isaiah.

Arguably better than any other Old Testament book, Isaiah provides a compelling vision of the person and work of the coming Messiah. As we trace the prophetic shadows into the light of fulfillment, we will once again see the wonder of the Christ child and the power of redeeming love.

If you are able, set aside time on Saturday evening to read through the text for Sunday. You might even access the bulletin online, taking a look at the other readings and hymns. You may be surprised by how a little preparation on Saturday evening can open your heart to the Spirit’s work in worship.

Prepare the Way of the Lord

  • November 28, “Peace, Peace both Near and Far” (Isaiah 57:14-19)

  • December 5, “All Flesh Shall See it Together” (Isaiah 40:1-11)

  • December 12, “Do Not Despise the Day of Small Things” (Isaiah 11:1-10)

  • December 19, “Singing All the Way Home” (Isaiah 35:1-10)

As we course through Advent, my prayer is that we will learn the godly discipline of eagerly waiting for the long- in-coming Savior. For by looking back and remembering Christ’s first advent, we prepare our hearts for the coming of the Lord a second time. Moreover, our longing for Christ’s return grows all the more! For as we glimpse the glory of Bethlehem, we can’t help but turn in anticipation to the promised and coming New Jerusalem.

When Christmas (finally) arrives this year, let’s enjoy it. Let’s feast! Let’s sing and dance! Truly, let’s take hold of the gospel afresh and celebrate in a way that matches the good news of great joy that is for all people.

And when the season of Epiphany commences, let’s be ready to follow Jesus in the New Year. Just as the magi from the East followed the star all the way to Jesus, we will once again set our mind on things above, where Christ is, and take up our missionary call. By God’s grace, we will grow more into the church God has called us to be—a city set on a hill, a light that cannot be hidden.

Grace & Peace,

 

Pastoral Notes for Sunday, November 21, 2021

Dear Cornerstone Family,

We made it. Happy anniversary, Cornerstone! Ten years ago, Cornerstone was received as a member church in the Presbyterian Church in America. Over the last ten years, we’ve seen God do amazing things, and I’m thrilled for the special opportunity today in worship to remember God’s faithfulness and rejoice in God’s grace as together we renew our commitment to God’s call.

Knowing we were preparing for today’s anniversary, a friend asked me this week, “What’s one truth that stands out to you after ten years of pastoring Cornerstone?” Like a reflex of soul, I quickly responded, “How much we all need Jesus.” Then, after a short pause, I added, “And how much we all need the church.”

The claim that we all need Jesus is a given. Who would disagree with that? But the claim that we all need the church? Well, that’s a different story. I’m remembering just now a conversation I shared with a young lady some years ago. She was questioning the importance of the church, and I was making a defense for its necessity. After reflecting with her on several key Scriptural images for the church, I quoted John Calvin, who was channeling the early church father Cyprian when he said that a person can “...no longer have God for his Father, who has not the Church for his mother.” That’s Calvin’s way of saying you can’t have one (salvation) without the other (the church). They are a packaged deal.

Every Sunday in worship we confess to believe in “one holy catholic church.” When we do that, we are claiming that our faith in Christ can’t be extricated from other Christians. That Jesus didn’t just die for persons individually; he died to make us a people. When we are saved, we are saved into a community. Our faith in Christ is personal, but it’s never private. In summary, we need the church, because we are the church.

When we bring together the realization of how much we need Jesus with how much we need the church, we’re brought to the realization of how important it is to offer praise and thanksgiving to God. In preparation for today, I took time to think back on the ten years of Cornerstone’s existence. As I did so, I had a hard time finding the words to express the depth of my gratitude.

The love and patience you’ve shown to me and my family over the years simply blows me away. The care and generosity you’ve displayed toward one another has been nothing short of exemplary. The impact you’ve made in Franklin and beyond is striking. As one pastor recently told me, “When it comes to witness, Cornerstone punches above its weight.” He’s absolutely right, and to God be the glory!

Truly, it’s a privilege to simply be numbered among you. That’s to say nothing of being your pastor! An honor I do not deserve, but one I most deeply cherish. It’s true, my friends, the lines have fallen in pleasant places for us. God has been faithful beyond our wildest imaginings. So, let’s do what we came here to do! Let’s enter His gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise today. Let’s be whole- hearted and full-throated in our worship, acknowledging first the goodness of our God toward us in Christ and, secondly, in the gift of Cornerstone Presbyterian Church. Let’s worship God!

Grace & Peace,

 

Pastoral Notes for Sunday, November 14, 2021

Dear Cornerstone Family,

As we continue our month-long celebration, praising the Lord for the 10 years of Cornerstone Presbyterian Church, we have the privilege this morning to welcome a very special guest to the pulpit. Dr. Sandy Willson is Interim Senior Pastor at Grace Presbyterian in Peoria, Illinois. He was named Pastor Emeritus at Second Presbyterian Church in Memphis, Tennessee, after serving as senior minister for twenty-two years. He also pastored Memorial Presbyterian Church in Elizabethton, Tennessee and Lookout Mountain Presbyterian Church in Lookout Mountain, Tennessee and recently served as interim Senior Pastor at Covenant Presbyterian Church in Birmingham, AL. Sandy received a B.S. from the University of Virginia, an MDiv. from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, and a D.D. from Capital Seminary & Graduate School. Sandy and his wife, Allison, are deeply grateful for their five children, three daughters-in-law, son-in-law, and thirteen grandchildren.

I’ve sat at Sandy’s feet from a distance for many years. I’ve learned much from watching him lead with conviction and generosity. In addition, I’ve deeply benefited from listening to him preach the Word with boldness and care. I’m humbled by his willingness to travel to Franklin and open the Word of God to us. Pay close attention to the message the Lord has laid on his heart.

Now, just a reminder, we’re one week away from our 10-year anniversary celebration! Next Sunday we will gather for ONE worship service at 10 a.m. in Liberty Hall at The Factory in Franklin. Then, we will return to The Factory that evening at 5:30 p.m. to enjoy a catered dinner, a concert, and a special time of sharing. If you haven’t yet RSVP’d for the evening celebration, rectify that soon! You can find our registration form on the home page of our website or on the Cornerstone app. If you need help or have questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to the office. We would be more than happy to help!

Finally, last Sunday I encouraged you to take to heart three words as we prepare for the 10th anniversary. Do you remember them? They were remember, rejoice, and renew. In this special time, we want to remember God’s faithfulness, rejoice in God’s grace, and renew our commitment to God’s call. Keep those words in mind as we worship today and prepare to celebrate next week!

Grace & Peace,

 

Pastoral Notes for Sunday, November 7, 2021

Dear Cornerstone Family,

To help us celebrate our ten-year anniversary and renew our love and commitment to God and the work of the church, we have two guest preachers in November coming in to serve us the Word. This morning we have the treat of hearing from a brother whom I greatly respect and who has become a very dear friend of my family, Dr. Sean Lucas.

Dr. Lucas was born in Stratford, New Jersey, but moved up and down the eastern seaboard as a child. He graduated from Bob Jones University (BA, 1993; MA, 1994) and Westminster Theological Seminary (PhD, 2002). He was ordained as a Presbyterian minister in 2003, then served on the pastoral staffs of Community Presbyterian Church (PCA), Louisville, Kentucky, and Covenant Presbyterian Church (PCA) St. Louis, Missouri. In 2009, he became Senior Pastor of the First Presbyterian Church, Hattiesburg, Mississippi, where he served until accepting the Senior Pastor position at Independent Presbyterian Church in Memphis, TN, in 2017.

Sean has taught at two theological seminaries. He is presently the Chancellor’s Professor of Church History at Reformed Theological Seminary, where he has been teaching since 2011. Prior to that, he was chief academic officer and associate professor of church history at Covenant Theological Seminary from 2004-09.

Sean has also written many books, including On Being Presbyterian: Our Beliefs, Practices and Stories (2006); God’s Grand Design: The Theological Vision of Jonathan Edwards (2011); J. Gresham Machen (2015) and For a Continuing Church: The Roots of the Presbyterian Church in America (2015). He and his wife, Sara, have four children: Samuel, Elizabeth, Andrew, and Benjamin.

Please pay close attention to the message Sean has come to bring us.

 

P.S. Next week we’ll have the privilege of hearing from Dr. Sandy Willson, Interim Senior Pastor at Grace Presbyterian Church in Peoria, IL. In addition to preaching for us, Dr. Willson will join me in an all-adults Sunday School hour in the chapel where we’ll tackle a wide array of key topics related to our witness in the world. Trust me, you won’t want to miss this conversation with Dr. Willson!