Dear Cornerstone Family,
The Shurdens are enjoying some vacation time away as a family this week. We look forward to being back with the Cornerstone family next week. For today’s Pastoral Notes, I’ve asked Greg Wilbur to talk about the ways in which folks in the congregation can serve Cornerstone by volunteering and participating in the music and media ministries of the church—not only on regular Sunday mornings, but also for special services and other opportunities.
One of the great honors and pleasures in my life is the opportunity to assist in planning and leading worship at Cornerstone. I love our church, the leadership, and the families of the congregation. Part of that joy is the privilege to work with a host of volunteers in the music and media ministries of the church.
Each Sunday, the volunteer players and singers gather at 7:00 a.m. to run through the music and prepare for the services. At the same time, others are setting up the sound system, video cameras, and livestream. These tasks are beautiful ways to serve the congregation and support the work and worship of the Church.
Part of the joy of leading the music at Cornerstone is the opportunity to work with seasoned musicians as well as those who are growing in their musicianship and desire to serve. Our calling is to serve the Body with the gifts that God has given us. Part of that calling is to equip players and singers to continue to lead in worship for years to come. For Sunday mornings, we need a larger rotation of singers and instrumentalists of all kinds. (Contact: Maxwill Shell at max@cstonepres.org)
In addition to playing or singing on Sundays, the seasonal choir will start rehearsals in mid-September to prepare for a combined Reformation Service in late October with other churches in our presbytery, the Christmas Concert in early December, and the annual Lessons and Carols service. Choir is a wonderful time to meet other folks in the church, fellowship, and sing beautiful music. Singing together unites our voices and our hearts as one. You don’t have to be a trained singer or necessarily read music. For instrumentalists, these same services provide an opportunity play as part of a chamber ensemble. It would be great to add more singers and players to these choral services. (Contact: Greg Wilbur at greg@cstonepres.org)
The needs for the media teams are similar—a knowledge or proclivity towards sound or video is helpful, but not necessary. Everett Vencel and Jay Palm are happy to train people on the equipment and prepare them for serving in this area. There are weekly needs as well as needs for special services, concerts, and other church events, so if you have any inclination towards one of these areas and are not already serving within the body please reach out to us (Sound contact: Everett Vencel at everett@cstonepres.org, or Video contact: Jay Palm at jlpalm2@att.net). We would all be glad to talk to you, explain the roles, and have you serve the needs of the Body on Sunday mornings.
Your servant,
Greg Wilbur