Pastoral Notes for Sunday, September 21, 2025

Dear Cornerstone Family, 

Greetings and blessings to you in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Two weeks ago, we announced a forthcoming officer nomination season. To help you prepare for this important season, we encouraged you to set aside time to read and reflect on the biblical qualifications for the offices of elder and deacon from 1 Timothy 3:1-13 and Titus 1:5-9. In addition, we requested you carefully read the Cornerstone Officer Nomination Booklet, which includes key information about the officer nomination process, timeline, and training, as well as the elder and deacon job descriptions for the church. If you missed the booklet, it can be found this morning at both entrances to the chapel.

Starting today and continuing until Sunday, October 5, you can submit the names of qualified men for either the office of elder or deacon. There is a link to electronic nomination form on our church website. In addition, there are paper nomination forms available at each entrance to the chapel and labeled boxes for submitting your officer nominations. If you have any questions about the process or need help submitting a nomination, please contact our Church Life Coordinator, Dan Fiedler, at dan@cstonepres.org. I am looking forward to seeing how the Lord might use this process to identify and grow the officer corps of Cornerstone Presbyterian Church.

Now, I want to take a few minutes to update you on the Ministry Expansion efforts and ask for your help. If you’re a member of Cornerstone, you received an electronic message on August 28 informing you that we are actively pursuing a particular midterm expansion opportunity to address our present space concerns. Since that original message, the midterm expansion opportunity I referenced continues to be a live opportunity we are actively pursuing. Please continue to pray for the Lord to lead us as we pursue this opportunity either by continuing to show positive movement forward or by closing the door and directing us to look elsewhere.

While we pursue a midterm opportunity, we are keeping our eyes on the long-term goal: to secure a building or land for a new church campus within our current geographic area. In the last five months, our Ministry Expansion Team has diligently pursued every viable opportunity that has presented itself. At this point, however, there is no land or existing church/structure for sale that we’ve identified that is suitable to meet Cornerstone’s long-term goal.

So, today, on the behalf of the elders, I am making an appeal to you. If you own land or know of land (or a church or a structure) within roughly a five-to-seven-mile radius of downtown Franklin that could help us reach our long-term goal, we would love to hear from you. Based on our estimations, we’re looking for at least a ten-acre parcel of land. If you have any leads, you can reach out to Will Kesler, Chairman of our Ministry Expansion Team, at wfkesler1@gmail.com.

Over the last 14 years, I’ve witnessed you step up time and again to meet the needs of our growing body. Frankly, it’s been astonishing to watch you sacrificially give and serve in order see the ministry of this church grow and the vision be further realized. Knowing how great our God is and the beautiful story of generosity He’s been telling through you, it seems right to once again come to you, God’s people, to help us search for a permanent long-term location for Cornerstone Presbyterian Church.

Thank you for taking this appeal seriously and for helping us think, consider, and pray for God’s provision. I can’t wait to see what the Lord has in store, for this I am certain of—the best is yet to come.

Grace & Peace,

 

Pastoral Notes for Sunday, September 14, 2025

Dear Cornerstone Family, 

As I write this Pastoral Note, I am at the Hartsfield-Jackson airport in Atlanta, GA, awaiting my flight home to Nashville. I’ve been in Atlanta representing our denomination on the Permanent Committee of Mission to North America this week.

As the Lord would have it, it is the twenty-fourth anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. I’m sitting by the window watching planes take off and land. It’s difficult to keep the horrific images of planes being weaponized for terror from flooding my mind.

Every year on this day, I see posts online: “Never forget.” For those who lived through it, how could we? The whole scene was so heart-rending. It’s etched in my memory forever.

At the same time, every week in our country acts of horrific violence take place. These acts are much smaller in scale than 9/11 and, in most cases, receive very little publicity. And yet, it’s a reminder that evil is real and alive in the world.

In recent days, we’ve witnessed the cold-blooded murder of a twenty-three-year-old refugee from Ukraine, Iryna Zarutska, in Charlotte, NC, as she simply rode on the train. Ironically, she and her family fled to the U.S. from Ukraine in the wake of the Russian invasion in 2022. Little did she know, she was fleeing toward danger in the U.S. while running away from the danger of the Russian invasion.

Then, on September 10, the assassination of public figure, Charlie Kirk, took place on the campus of Utah Valley University. Charlie Kirk was an outspoken Christian who contended for the truth of Scripture in the public square. Ironically, while answering a question about the prevalence of mass shootings, he was shot and killed on the scene.

This is to say nothing about the school shooting at Evergreen High School in Evergreen, CO, on the same day. As I’m writing, two are reported injured in that shooting, and the suspect is reported as dead.

I’ve spoken with several of you processing the grief you’re feeling. Thank you for reaching out. Let me say—it is right to feel grief. It is right to be overcome with sadness. It is right to lament, to pray for justice, to cry out to God, “O Lord, how long?” (Psalm 13:1). Grief is never to be disregarded. It must be felt, expressed, and ultimately given to the Lord, for he alone can bring healing and hope (I Thessalonians 4:13).

Ironically, our Savior, the Prince of Peace, was a victim of unjust horrific violence, yet that very act—the cross—the Father orchestrated to satisfy the righteous requirements of the law and save his people (Acts 2:23; Romans 8:3-4). Through the cross, the Lord is reconciling all things to himself (Colossians 1:20).

In the same way, evildoers may intend and perpetrate evil, but our God is in the business of turning all their intentions and actions on their head (Genesis 50:20). Remember, he works all things for the good of those who love him, for those who are called according to his purpose (Romans 8:28).  

Knowing this, as we grieve, let’s grieve like Christians—with hope.

Grace & Peace,

 

Pastoral Notes for Sunday, September 7, 2025

Dear Cornerstone Family, 

On the behalf of the elders, I am pleased to announce the beginning of a nomination, training, and election cycle for new officers at Cornerstone. In our denomination, the Presbyterian Church in America, it is the sober and joyous responsibility of communing members to nominate qualified men for the office of elder and deacon.

To help you prepare for nomination season, please pick up the Officer Nomination Booklet at both entrances to Cornerstone this morning. The Officer Nomination Booklet includes important information like elder and deacon job descriptions and Cornerstone’s vision for leadership. It also includes timely details about the officer nomination process, qualifications, training, examination, and election.

Below are a few important matters to keep in mind as you prepare to submit nominations:

·      Nomination season will open two weeks from today on Sunday, September 21 and close Sunday, October 5.
·      All nominations must be submitted in writing or electronically by using the Officer Nomination Form (to be published on Sunday, September 21).
·      Only Cornerstone members are eligible to nominate for office. The person making the nomination must identify himself or herself in the nomination.
·      Only male Cornerstone members who have been members for a minimum of one year are eligible for nomination.
·      Each nomination should be put forward for either the office of elder or deacon. Ultimately, discernment for a particular office will be evaluated and determined by the Session after a season of training.
·      After successfully completing training and examination, the Session will recommend qualified candidates to be elected as officers. An officer election will be held in a called congregational meeting.

The responsibility to nominate officers should be approached with biblical wisdom and prayerful deliberation. For the next two weeks, please take time to read the elder and deacon job descriptions in the Officer Nomination Booklet. Pay special attention to biblical qualifications for office outlined in 1 Timothy 3:1-13 and Titus 1:5-9. With the job descriptions and qualifications in mind, begin identifying qualified men you know in the congregation and nominate them.  

Finally, and most importantly, pray for this process. Pray the Lord would use your preparation and active participation in this vital work to raise up more officers in our midst.

Your servant,

 

Pastoral Notes for Sunday, August 31, 2025

Dear Cornerstone Family, 

For the Pastoral Notes today, I’ve asked our dear sister, Lindsey Elliott, to report on the ministry of Oaks of Righteousness and their upcoming fundraiser. —Nate

I want to take a moment to share from my heart and to say thank you. As many of you know, our family leads a nonprofit called Oaks of Righteousness. We serve in Belize by helping children go to school. Because school is not free in Belize, families often cannot afford tuition, uniforms, books, and supplies. Without help, many kids are left out of the classroom altogether. Through sponsorships, we are able to cover these costs, provide access to feeding programs, and open the door to education. 

Even more important than education, our heart is to see children and their families know Christ. That is why we partner with local churches in Belize. We want to meet practical needs while pointing people to the hope of the gospel.

From the very beginning of this journey, you as a church have been by our side. You have prayed, you have sponsored children, you have donated resources, and you have given financially. The books you collected this month were such a gift. Your encouragement has sustained us more than you know, and we are truly grateful. The work in Belize would not be possible without you.

Every year we host one big fundraiser that makes it possible to continue our mission. This year’s event, The UnBelizeable Race, is happening on Saturday, October 18 at Harlinsdale Farm. It will be a day for the whole family with a 5K, a one-mile fun run, and field events for all ages. Whether you love to run, enjoy being outside, or just want to cheer others on, there is a place for you. We also need volunteers, and we have an Amazon wish list with specific needs for the event.

You can scan the QR code. below for all the details—including registration, volunteer sign-ups, and our wish list. We also have a table set up out front today! I would love for you to stop by, say hello, and learn more about how you can be involved.

Thank you for walking alongside us in this work. Together, we are making it possible for children to be educated, families to be supported, and most importantly, lives to be changed by the gospel.

With gratitude,
Lindsey Elliott

 

 

Pastoral Notes for Sunday, August 24, 2025

Dear Cornerstone Family,  

It was a great joy to look out last week from the pulpit and see so many of our New College Franklin students back with us. I even got the chance to meet a few brand-new college freshmen. Welcome, students!

For those of you who may be unaware, New College Franklin (NCF) is a four-year classical Christian liberal arts college dedicated to excellent academics and discipling relationships among students and faculty. Cornerstone has long had the privilege of hosting NCF in our building during the week. Moreover, several NCF professors are members at Cornerstone, and over the years we’ve been blessed to be the church home for scores of NCF students. 

If you are a freshman at NCF, we are so grateful you’re here! Going to college is an exciting (and nerve-wracking) time. On the church side of things, please know Cornerstone is here to help ease the transition in any way we can. We sincerely hope you find Cornerstone to be a warm and welcoming place in which to worship, grow, and experience life-giving fellowship. If you have specific needs or questions about the church, please reach out to us. You’re in our prayers!  

In other news, the start of Midweek at Cornerstone is a little over three weeks away! On September 17, our fall programming on Wednesday nights will begin with a catered fellowship meal followed by a full slate of children’s, youth, and adult activities. It’s going to be a blast, and I know you’ll want to be a part of it.

For our Midweek Vespers series, we are going to explore the lives of ten influential missionaries. Spanning over four hundred years, these valiant men and women faced unspeakable trials and difficulties for the cause of the gospel. In this series, you will be inspired by the lives of these choice servants while learning mission-critical lessons for bearing witness for Christ in your everyday lives. Please join us!  

Attempt Great Things: Ten Missionaries Who Changed the World  

September 17 – John Eliot (1604-1690): Bearing Witness to the Culture Next Door 
September 24 – David Brainerd (1718-1747): The Importance of New Life  
October 1 – William Carey (1761-1834): The Duty to Evangelize the World  
October 8 – Henry Martyn (1781-1812): Engaging Other Religions with the Gospel
October 15 – Adoniram Judson (1788-1850): Enduring in Ministry Despite Little Fruit
October 22 – David Livingstone (1813-1873): The Whole Gospel for the Whole Man
October 29 – William Charles Burns (1815-1868): Bold Preaching for Conversion  
November 5 – John G. Paton (1824-1907): Courage in Reaching the Unreached  
November 12 – Mary Slessor (1848-1915): Compassion for the Least of These  
November 19 – Elisabeth Elliot (1926-2015): Surrendering to God’s Will

Your servant,