Pastoral Notes for Sunday, October 8, 2023

Dear Cornerstone Family,

In our opening sermon in Malachi last week, we heard Israel’s rebellious retort to God, “How have you loved us?” Then, we considered the Lord’s bewildering response, “Is not Esau Jacob’s brother? ...Yet I have loved Jacob, but Esau I have hated.” As confusing as that statement is initially, it’s clear the Lord intends to draw us into reflection on the story of Jacob and Esau. In reflecting on that story, we clearly see that neither of these twin boys are deserving of God’s love. In fact, when you read the story, you’re particularly struck by the craftiness, manipulation, and deceit of Jacob! Clearly, God didn’t choose Jacob because he was better than Esau. And yet––God chose Jacob. He could just as easily have chosen Esau over Jacob. He was, after all, the older of the two. But God, in his sovereignty, set his love on Jacob and not Esau (Romans 9:6-13).

The Lord tells us this to highlight the wonder of God’s love! None of us deserve God’s love. Truth be told, we are no different than Jacob, are we? We sin in thought, word, and deed every day. Malachi wants Israel, and the Lord wants all of us to be led into humble astonishment, “Why me, O Lord? Why did you set your love on me? I am so underserving!” Indeed, that is true. The answer to the “why” of God’s election is a grand mystery. It is locked up in the hidden council of God (Deuteronomy 29:29). We must simply receive it by faith with the humble astonishment it deserves––that we, chiefs of sinners, would be the objects of his love.

At the same time, we have important biblical questions that need an answer. For instance, what does it mean, “... but Esau I have hated?” Does God really hate certain people? He certainly hates the wicked (see Psalm 5:5, 11:5; Revelation 2:6). But how do we reconcile God hating with 1 John 4:6 where we’re told “God is love?” Does not God tell us that he loves the world (John 3:16)? Is it really true that some people have no chance to be saved? How can that be when the Lord says he “...desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth” (1 Timothy 2:4)?

These are very important biblical questions. To give them the kind of treatment they deserve will take far more space than I have today. In the weeks ahead, however, I will take time to unpack the language of love and hate as it relates to God and his creation. Please stay tuned as together we consider the rich complexities of the Bible’s teaching on God’s love.

As I conclude, take time to review the first quarter financial statement below provided by your Finance Committee. On behalf of the elders and deacons, we want to thank you for consistently giving to the work of the Lord at Cornerstone. God is expressing his generosity through you month after month as you give cheerfully and sacrificially to the work of ministry. If you have any questions regarding the quarterly financial report or would like more detail, please contact Robin Spychalski in the church office at office@cstonepres.org.

Your servant,

 

Pastoral Notes for Sunday, October 1, 2023

Dear Cornerstone Family,

I write to give you an important update on our church renovations. But before I do, I know many of you have joined Cornerstone over the last several months and may have no idea that any renovation plans are in the works. Further, those of you who are well aware of our renovation plans could probably use a reminder on the steps we’ve made (and are trying to make) to accommodate the “good problem” of growth at Cornerstone.

With that in mind, let’s go back a little to May 2023. On May 19, 2023, we closed on the purchase of 203 3rd Avenue South, which is the gray home catty-corner to the chapel. (We now affectionately call that home “The Corner House.”) In June, after making some necessary updates to the building, the Cornerstone staff offices were moved to The Corner House. This freed up the second floor of the chapel to help meet our growing need for more educational space.

After the purchase of The Corner House, we began working with the city of Franklin, in relationship to our Owner’s Rep, The Riverstone Group, on the approval of a renovation plan for the first and third floor of the chapel. In July, I wrote to inform you that the bid for the first and third floor renovations came in roughly $500,000 more than originally expected. Due to the increase in expected cost and the recent purchase of the Corner House, the elders reengaged members of our 2022 Ministry Expansion Team and our ministry leaders and revaluated our current space needs. After remapping some ministry spaces, the decision was made to postpone the third-floor renovation but to move forward with the renovation of the first floor.

Since that report, we have been working closely with Rob McKelvey, the architect, Scott Farrell, Project Manager of Harvest Construction, Ryan Musser, Owner’s Rep of The Riverstone Group, and the city of Franklin on the renovation plans for the first floor. After going back and forth a few times with the city of Franklin, our renovation plans were approved two weeks ago. We are slated to begin demolition on the first floor of the chapel on Monday, October 2nd.

As you would expect, the first floor will be completely off-limits during construction. Temporary barriers/boundaries will be put in place in order to keep everyone out of the downstairs space while demolition and construction is happening. We will continue to worship and utilize the rest of the chapel throughout the fall while construction is taking place. At this time, we do not anticipate construction interfering with our fall/winter ministry plans.

Construction timelines are difficult to judge. As of now, Harvest Construction is estimating ten weeks of construction time. If that proves true, it’s possible the project could be finished by the end of the year. However, with holidays and delays, January 2024 is more realistic. We will certainly keep you posted if things change.

With the renovation of the first floor, we will have an increased space for adult Sunday School, Wednesday night meals, and overflow worship. In addition, we will have spaces during the week for larger youth, women, and men’s events. That is to say nothing of the added kitchen and bathroom space, which is greatly needed. Needless to say, we’re excited to see how the renovated first floor will meet our growing needs as a congregation.

Please continue to pray for the Lord’s sustained blessing as we enter into this next phase of renovation.

Your servant,

 

Pastoral Notes for Sunday, September 24, 2023

Dear Cornerstone Family,

Today is our thirtieth and final sermon in the book of Ephesians. Words fail to express the personal blessing I’ve experienced in studying this beloved epistle. I’ve been so deeply encouraged by the dozens of different testimonies I’ve heard from you about the ways the Lord has used this series in your life. To God be the glory!

Starting next week, we will begin a new journey working our way through the prophet Malachi, the last book of the Old Testament. Written in the 5th century B.C., Malachi prophesied during what should have been a time of great joy and hope for the people of Israel. The nightmare of exile was over. After seventy years of languishing in Babylon, Israel was back in the Promised Land. Through the leadership of Ezra and Nehemiah, the nation was moving in the right direction. Population was on the increase. The economy was beginning to trend in the right direction. With the city wall in place, Israel was (finally) enjoying a sense of national security. And with the temple rebuilt, Israel was once again worshiping Yahweh in the land.

Despite all this, there was trouble in the camp. Israel’s worship was half-hearted at best. They were holding back offerings from the Lord. They were devaluing marriage and were given to sexual immortality. They abandoned their covenant commitments and belittled the truth of God’s Word. They questioned God’s love and whored after foreign gods. Yes, they were back in the land geographically speaking, but they were not back spiritually speaking. In a sense, the people were still exiled. They were exiled in heart from the Lord.

After all the Lord has done for Israel, you wouldn’t have blamed the Lord if he’d cut and run. These people are never going to learn! And yet, the Lord did not give up on them. In the midst of Israel’s fickleness, Malachi teaches us about God’s faithfulness. That is why I’ve entitled this series, God’s Unchanging Love.

To go along with the sermon series, you will find a new Cornerstone Devotional available this morning. In the devotional, there is a weekly breakdown of the sermon text, supplemental readings, memory verses, and more. Please make good use of this vital resource as together we study the prophet Malachi and learn more about God’s Unchanging Love for his people.

Your servant,

 

Pastoral Notes for Sunday, September 17, 2023

Dear Cornerstone Family,

We believe an important part of a church’s ministry is to raise up pastors for the work of ministry. Toward that end, we established an internship program to help young men explore the call to pastoral ministry. Engaging their head, heart, and hands, pastoral interns enter a course of study, participate actively in the ministries of the church, shadow pastors and officers in their roles, and are given practical opportunities to exercise gifts for ministry.

One of our pastoral interns is Mr. Tucker Alexander. As a part of his internship, I asked Tucker to write a Pastoral Note for us. You will find that note published below.

There has been so much going on at Cornerstone – buying new property, staff transitions, and the Lord adding to our number. With all this change, it can be so easy to get caught up in the happenings and miss some of the things the Lord has for us. In this pastoral note, I want to encourage us to continually be asking the Lord to keep our eyes open to his direction for our lives.

One thing the Lord calls us to everyday is to be obedient to him and “walk in a manner worthy of the Lord” (Col. 1:10), but different challenges cause us to teeter. For some of us, it might be a really challenging season with our spouse. For others, it is caring for an aging parent. I’m not sure what specific context and calling the Lord has placed you in for this season. I do know, however, that whatever you’re facing, he calls you to walk in a manner worthy of Him. I do know that He invites all of us to use our lives as a testimony of His faithfulness.

This challenge might appear burdensome. It might feel like just another brick to add into our backpack of burdens. But He doesn’t ask us to carry it alone. He strengthens us with His power. He gave us His spirit so that as we go, we can be in total communion with Him. He promises us that He never leaves us. It is such a freeing thing to know that He gives us the grace we need to walk in a manner worthy of Him, and His power is most present and sufficient in our weakness.

As we prepare our hearts for worship this morning, take thirty seconds to do a quick inventory. In what ways have you failed to demonstrate your love for the Lord in your walk this week? What sins lay heavy in your mind and heart that you have left unconfessed? Have there been opportunities to walk faithfully that you left undone? Confess these sins now. He promises forgiveness. He promises that He will make us more like Him. His word is true, and He will surely do it.

Please pray for Tucker and our other ministry interns/assistants as they explore ministry as a vocational calling. I’m thinking specifically of our Pastoral Assistant, Mr. Ethan Vroom, and our Music & Worship Assistant, Mr. Maxwill Shell. All of these brothers are a vital part of the Cornerstone team, and I am deeply grateful to be partnered with them in ministry.

Your servant,

 

Pastoral Notes for Sunday, September 10, 2023

Dear Cornerstone Family,

The wait is over! Today is the official launch of the fall Sunday School quarter. Please take a look at the map and list below for room locations for children and youth classes. If you need any help finding a room, please don’t hesitate to ask one of our officers or volunteers. They will have a Cornerstone name badge.

You can find your classes in these locations today.

  • Nursery: Third Floor (301)

  • 3 years olds-4th grade: Second Floor (see map)

  • 5th & 6th grades: The Corner House

  • 7th-12th grades: Merridee’s

  • Adults: Chapel & Third Floor (302-303)

    If you plan to attend adult Sunday School, and I hope you do, there are two class offerings this term. Check them out below!

  • Delighting in the Trinity led by Tony Giles, Nathan
    Johnson, and yours truly. Leaning on Michael
    Reeves’ excellent work by the same title, this class is
    designed to introduce to the vital importance of the
    Trinity for understanding the Christian faith and living the Christian life. By taking a deep dive in the nature of the Triune God, we will imminently see how practical and relevant this doctrine is for our everyday lives. Meets on the Third Floor.

  • Resolving Everyday Conflict led by Randy Allen, Will Kesler, and John Millard. From marriage, to parenting, to the workplace, we need help knowing how to make peace in a world rife with conflict. Leaning on the work of Ken Sande, this class will help you develop biblical peacemaking skills in order to address the day-to-day conflicts of ordinary life. Meets in the Chapel.

    With so much going, I want to be sure you don’t miss two other important ministry initiatives happening right now.

    First, Midweek at Cornerstone starts THIS Wednesday, September 13! Please check out the schedule posted around the building or on the church website, and make sure you’re registered for dinner and any children’s activities. During our evening service, I can’t wait to walk with you through a topical series entitled, Define Your Terms: The Vocabulary of Salvation.

    Second, Officer Nominations open today! At Cornerstone, the congregation has the joyous responsibility to nominate qualified men for the office of elder and deacon. Please locate the Officer Nomination Booklets at either entrance to the chapel today for more information. Nominations for office will extend from today through Sunday, September 24. You can turn in your nomination in one of two places on the church premises. There is a Nomination Box on the credenza as you pass up the ramp and through the glass doors on the right of the chapel. At The Corner House, as you pass through the side door on Church St, you will find a Nomination Box in the foyer. If you have any questions, please reach out to the church office.

Your servant,