Pastoral Notes for Sunday, August 23, 2026

Dear Cornerstone Family,

For the Pastoral Notes today, I’ve asked our Women’s Ministry Director, Mrs. Martha Brooks, to share more about the Women’s Ministry plans for this next year, particularly about the Women’s Retreat in November.

The Women’s Ministry at Cornerstone strives to be Word-based and relationally driven, and your leadership teams have been hard at work planning a ministry year that facilitates those two things. We have upcoming opportunities to serve together, “Tacos and Trivia” will make a return in the spring (with a new twist!), and we’ll host a cozy winter evening called, “Soup and (L ♡ve) Stories.” And of course we will have our traditional Christmas bash, complete with carols and prizes for festive attire. (Can anyone compete with last year’s Grinch??)

In the immediate future, we are just one week away from the beginning of women’s Bible studies. Over the course of the fall we will work our way through Philippians, followed by 1 & 2 Samuel next semester. Women’s Bible studies take place on Tuesday mornings and Thursday evenings, with Tuesday mornings having just a few nursery spots remaining. You still have time to sign up, but please don’t wait! More than 100 women are already registered, and small group leaders will be contacting their groups this week.

Also, on the very near horizon is our retreat coming up on November 6-7, just 45 minutes south of Franklin at Henry Horton State Park. Our theme for the weekend is “Remember Your Word.” Throughout three sessions and three passages of Scripture we will explore more deeply how God’s Word reveals him to us—transforming us, shaping how we use our words, and how we then receive and respond to his Word. We are so excited to announce that for the first time, we have the opportunity to stay overnight at the retreat! If you’ve ever been on a family vacation or a weekend getaway with friends and stayed up past your bedtime, you know something magical happens in that late night hour—walls come down, people share stories, you laugh until you cry. You don’t get enough sleep, but somehow you’re better for it. Friday night will be all about enjoying fellowship, fun, and making new memories. Space is limited for overnight accommodations.

If sleeping in a bed that doesn’t belong to you isn’t your thing, you can still participate! We have options to attend everything but not sleep there, or just to come for the day Saturday. Registration is open starting today and will close September 10. Scholarships are available, so don’t let the cost keep you away.

I sincerely hope you’ll jump into Women's Ministry this year. I pray that at the end of it, we all know each other and our Lord and Savior a little better. And that we had some fun along the way.

Grace,
Martha Brooks

Bulletin for Sunday, August 23, 2026

Pastoral Notes for Sunday, August 16, 2026

Dear Cornerstone Family,

Is that a school bell I hear? Indeed, it is! It’s time to sharpen your pencils and your mind. Ready or not, a new school year is upon us.

Since the church calendar follows in large part the school calendar, a new Sunday School year is upon us, too. In fact, today is Promotion Sunday. This is the one Sunday of the year where our covenant children are “promoted” to their new Sunday School class and have the opportunity to visit their new classroom and meet their new teacher. You can find the new classroom listings on page 15 of this bulletin or on the bulletin boards on each floor.

Parents, all our amazing teachers will be in their classrooms this morning during the Sunday School hour. They are excited to meet you and your children! Please accompany your children to their classrooms and take a few minutes to get to know their teacher, classmates, and fellow parents. It’s going to be a great Sunday School year!

Since it’s the beginning of the school year, it’s appropriate that we highlight Cornerstone’s partnership with New College Franklin. NCF is a four-year classical Christian liberal arts college that we get the distinct privilege to host in our building. Cornerstone and NCF have worked together for more than fifteen years, united by the desire to grow disciples of Jesus Christ in wisdom and love for service in Christ’s kingdom.

We are blessed to have many NCF students as members of Cornerstone. It’s a joy to watch them serve in the body of Christ––taking care of children in the nursery, passing out bulletins on the welcome team, or using their musical gifts in worship. Needless to say, NCF students are a central part of the lifeblood of Cornerstone.

On that note, I am thrilled Mr. Andy Patton, long time Cornerstone member and President of New College of Franklin, accepted my invitation to give a report on the college this morning in worship. Pay close attention to Andy’s report and let’s join with the administration, faculty, and students and pray this academic year is the best yet for NCF!

Finally, we’re starting a brand-new sermon series on the Gospel of John today. I’ve entitled the series, That You May Believe: A Journey Through the Gospel of John. That title is based on the purpose statement we find in John 20:30-31, “Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.” It’s going to be a great study. I can’t wait to see what the Lord has in store for us!

Your servant,

Bulletin for Sunday, August 16, 2026

Pastoral Notes for Sunday, August 9, 2026

Dear Cornerstone Family,

Last Sunday, ten men—seven deacons and three elders—were elected by you, the membership of Cornerstone, to church office. Today we have the privilege of ordaining these men to office.

The biblical foundation for ordination begins in the Old Testament. The Levites were ordained for service as priests through prayer and the laying on of hands (Numbers 8:10–11). Likewise, Moses publicly ordained Joshua through the laying on of hands as the leader of Israel (Numbers 27:18–23; Deuteronomy 34:9).

When we turn to the New Testament, a similar pattern emerges. Paul charges Timothy to carry out his ministry in light of his ordination: “Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given you by prophecy when the council of elders laid their hands on you” (1 Timothy 4:14). He further writes, “For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands” (2 Timothy 1:6).

Building on Scripture, the PCA’s Book of Church Order (BCO) defines ordination as “…the authoritative admission of one duly called to an office in the Church of God, accompanied with prayer and the laying on of hands…” We must be clear about what this means. Prayer and the laying on of hands do not magically create the office or automatically confer special grace. Rather, in ordination the church publicly recognizes Christ’s call and a man’s qualification for office, bestowing “authoritative admission” to office and the right to exercise its duties  (BCO 17.2).

Ordination is a blessed occasion for a church. Let us, therefore, approach today’s special worship service with reverent joy and gratitude to God for the kind provision of new officers.

In addition, I want to make you aware of several changes in our leadership and staff.

Deacon Chairmanship—Mr. Wes Pittman completed his three-year term leading our diaconate at the end of July. Under Wes’s leadership, the diaconate has grown in numbers and effectiveness, and I am deeply grateful for his faithful ministry in our midst. Gratefully, the Lord has raised up Mr. Mark Mitchell to serve as chairman. Mark has served with distinction among our deacons and is particularly gifted in organization and management. We look forward to seeing how the Lord uses Mark in this new leadership role.

Sabbatical—Cornerstone periodically grants sabbaticals to ruling elders and deacons for rest and spiritual renewal. From now until June 30, 2027, Mr. Randy Allen, a ruling elder, will be on sabbatical. Randy has served tirelessly as a faithful shepherd of Cornerstone for many years, and the session is grateful to extend him this well-deserved respite. We are also thankful that Randy will continue serving on the ministry expansion team during his sabbatical. Please pray that this season will rejuvenate Randy and his wife, Suzann.

Staff—Max Shell has recently stepped into the Communications Director role previously filled by his wife, Kelley Shell, who is transitioning more of her time to serving our youth ministry. We are grateful for Team Shell and the many ways they bless our church! Finally, Sharon Strawbridge is our new Nursery Coordinator, and Bethany Holder is our new Children’s Ministry Director. Both ladies are off and running and doing a fantastic job! Please continue to pray for and encourage them as they adjust to their new roles and embark on a busy fall of ministry.

I can’t say it enough. I am so very thankful for our team and the rich partnership we share in the gospel!

Your servant,

Bulletin for Sunday, August 9, 2026

Pastoral Notes for Sunday, August 2, 2026

Dear Cornerstone Family,

It is hard to express just how good it feels to be home.

As you may remember from my Pastoral Notes on July 12, I spent time backpacking in the Grand Teton National Park in Jackson, WY, earlier this month. It was amazing––the towering peaks, quiet valleys, cold mountain streams, colorful wildflowers, crystal clear alpine lakes, and vast skies that seemed to stretch on forever.

My joy was doubled to share the experience with brothers from Cornerstone. Preston Brooks, Carl Ware, Mark Elliot, Eric Smith, and Mark Mitchell were all on the adventure with me. We walked countless miles enjoying the kind of fellowship that grows through adventure and shared hardship.

Speaking of hardship, I managed to lose my tent the second night on the trail. (Actually, rumor has it that Preston lost his tent, but, since we had the same tent, he stole mine and then acted like I lost mine. It’s hard to know the truth, honestly.) Gratefully, Eric had the foresight to bring a two-man tent, so he got the special privilege of enjoying a little more closeness with me. (You’re welcome, Eric.)
Then, there was that time when I nearly died. My foot gave way on the melting snow, and I slid down the mountain 100 feet or so. Miraculously, I walked away with only bumps, scratches, and a whopper of a bruise. (Sadly, the psychological trauma the brothers went through watching me slide the down the mountain will take longer to heal.)

One particularly meaningful moment stands out now. With the sun rising on the Lord’s Day, surrounded by the mountains, we worshipped together reading Psalm 125:1–2, “Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion, which cannot be moved, but abides forever. As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds his people from this time forth and forevermore.” Mark Mitchell stepped back during our time of worship and captured the moment beautifully.

Upon my return from WY, I jumped back into work at the church for a few days only to break away again for a family vacation to Florida. We weathered tropical depression Bertha while there, but after a few days of stiff winds, rising tides, and double red flags, the clouds parted and we had some of the most beautiful beach weather. We rode waves, played in the sand, competed at cornhole, ate like kings and queens, and just enjoyed being together as a family.

The opportunity to slow down, to spend unhurried time with family, and to receive some extended time of rest was much needed. Truthfully, I needed it more than I even knew. Thanks for letting me get away.

Upon return, I am especially thankful for our staff, elders, and deacons who led the church in my absence. It is a great comfort to know that Cornerstone is served by men and women who love Christ, love his people, and gladly use their gifts for the good of the church. I hope you will join me in thanking them for their faithful service.

Your servant,

Bulletin for Sunday, August 2, 2026

Pastoral Notes for Sunday, July 26, 2026

Dear Cornerstone Family,

Greetings from your Ministry Expansion Team! As most of you know, Cornerstone has for several years been praying and planning about how to address our “good problem” of growth relative to our facility. Our goal throughout this process has been to have a larger ministry footprint—one that would allow us to remain rooted in downtown while expanding our ability to worship, disciple, fellowship, and serve.

To that end, we recently announced that we have entered into a contract to purchase the historic property adjacent to our church (formerly Biscuit Love). We see this as a potential opportunity to accomplish our goals while remaining in the heart of downtown Franklin. By way of reminder, here are some of the potential benefits:

• Gather more of our church family together on Sundays with less reliance on overflow;

• Welcome more visitors and neighbors into worship and community life;

• Expand discipleship, fellowship, and ministry programming throughout the week;

• Strengthen our downtown gospel presence for generations to come;

• Create flexible space for training, church planting, and future ministry initiatives.

Just as importantly, this opportunity is remarkably practical and financially responsible. Rather than pursuing a completely new land acquisition and ground-up construction project that could ultimately require $20M or more, this path offers the possibility of accomplishing many of our long-term goals through a significantly more attainable investment:

• The cost is $5M for property acquisition (we are so fortunate to have nearly $1M in commitments from a small group in our church to help make the down payment).

• We would then enter into a campaign to raise the additional $4M over the next 3-4 years while entering into an interest-only loan to finance those pledges.

• At the end of that time period, we would be in a position to begin the Worship Center project without significant additional capital.

• We will be able to take advantage of the downtown infrastructure already coming online, including nearby parking, public gathering space, and improved accessibility.

The potential addition of approximately 6,000 square feet behind the existing structure could provide expanded worship, fellowship, and ministry space while maintaining the relational and communal feel that has always characterized Cornerstone.

Our plan is not without hurdles. We still await approval from the city, and certainly, there is skepticism on part of some of the Design Review Committee about the impact of this proposed structure on our downtown aesthetic. At the same time, we remain in the process and have not received a “no” from any decision maker.

We are now asking that you as a congregation commit to three things:

1. Pray that we will act in accordance with God’s will for our church and make godly, wise decisions that allows us to glorify God and spread the gospel as an effective witness wherever the Lord would lead us.

2. Prayerfully consider how you could support our campaign over and above your current levels of giving. While $4M is not an insignificant amount of money, it is amazing how reasonable the numbers become when spread out across our congregation over 3-4 years.

3. Pray diligently that the Lord would work on the hearts of those in authority to support an expanded footprint for Cornerstone Presbyterian.

This is an opportunity to preserve our downtown presence, expand our ministry capacity, and invest in a long-term gospel witness in the center of our city. We believe opportunities like this are rare. And we believe this one may have been providentially placed before us. We’ll provide more updates during next week’s Congregational Meeting to elect officers.

In Christ,
Will Kesler

Bulletin for Sunday, July 26, 2026