Dear Cornerstone family,
If all has gone according to plan, I had the privilege to officiate the wedding of Max Shell and Kelley Crampton this weekend in Tupelo, MS, and then hustled down to Jackson, MS, where I am preaching this morning at First Presbyterian Church. As many of you know, I served at First Pres. Jackson for seven years before moving to Franklin to plant Cornerstone Pres, so it’s something of a reunion to be back in this historic congregation. Dr. David Strain, Senior Minister at First Pres Jackson, is on a three- month sabbatical, so it’s an honor to step in and serve my friend during this much needed time of rest.
July is a busy season of ministry at Cornerstone! There are opportunities on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday evenings in July for you to study the Scripture and fellowship with God’s people. Please pay close attention to the Focus on Church Ministry page of the bulletin and Life at Cornerstone midweek email to stay up to date. On that note, if you’re not currently receiving Life at Cornerstone, please go to our homepage (www.cornerstonepresfranklin.org), scroll to the bottom of the page and sign up.
On this July 4th weekend, I am sure many of you will be firing up the grill, enjoying some homemade ice cream, and lighting up the sky with fireworks. As you celebrate, please remember the men and women who have served faithfully to ensure the freedoms we enjoy in the United States of America. Despite the fact that there are many aspects of our national life today that concern and even grieve us, we still have so much to be thankful for. In fact, the measure of freedom we continue to enjoy in this country is remarkable. Chief among them, the freedom to do what we’re doing right now—worship! Beloved, let us never take this freedom for granted.
As we exercise our freedom to worship today, let’s remember WHO we look to for help and hope. Not to princes who cannot save (Psalm 146:3) but to our God (Psalm 121:1-2) who has set His son, Jesus Christ, on the throne of heaven and given him the name above every name (Philippians 2:9). Only under His blessed rule are we free indeed (John 8:36).
Therefore, let freedom ring––the freedom that is ours in Christ (Galatians 5:1)!
Your servant,
