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.