Pastoral Notes for Sunday, October 15, 2023

Dear Cornerstone Family,
Today’s Pastoral Note is written by Mr. Ethan Vroom, Pastoral Assistant at Cornerstone.

Members of Cornerstone often ask me what my job entails: “What do you do?” It’s both humorous and encouraging. Humorous because I have to stop think, “Yea, what am I doing?” But it’s also very encouraging because it shows the church cares about me.

My work at Cornerstone ranges from serving with our youth ministry, doing yard maintenance, assisting Pastor Nate, and organizing our retirement ministry at Morning Pointe. For all that is asked of me in my work at Cornerstone, I am grateful for the opportunity, and I thank the Lord for the experience and training I am receiving.

Part of organizing Morning Pointe means that I occasionally lead and preach there. And this stretches me! What does a 24- year-old young man have to teach and preach to those who have lived so much longer than I have? Instead of trying to come up with something new, I try not to complicate it and stick with the basics.

In preaching at Morning Pointe several months ago, I was led to the passage where Jesus welcomes the little children in Matthew 19:13-15. Jesus tells his disciples, “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.” As I pondered this passage in preparation, the beauty of the gospel became clearer and was a much-needed reminder in my own life.

In ancient Rome, which is the backdrop for this passage, children were of little value. They only mattered if they were the oldest son, because they would uphold the family line. Most other children had no dignity. They were often sold for money. If not wanted, children were sometimes left to die on the street and thrown out like trash. This is why what Jesus does in this story is so radical. Jesus calls those who are weak and helpless, rejected by the world, into his presence and promises to them eternal life.

In the previous chapter, Matthew 18, Jesus said, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” Jesus is teaching that receiving eternal life is dependent upon us becoming like children. What does this mean?

Recently, my younger brother had his first precious covenant daughter. Because she is just an infant, she is weak and dependent. She cannot feed or protect herself. Instead, she is dependent upon her parents to feed and protect her. She brings nothing to the relationship with her parents, and, yet, my brother and sister-in-law love and care for her deeply.

Christ’s call is to become like a child. We must become like children. We must realize that we are weak and dependent upon the Lord for all things. All we bring to our relationship with the Lord is our sin and our need for a savior. And yet, God, in His grace, has given us every good gift. And he delights in us when we acknowledge our need for Jesus as weak and dependent children.

So, if you look at your life and all its complexities and there are areas where you desperately need help, bring that to the Lord; he delights in it. Come to him, weak and dependent upon him for everything—for when you do, to you belongs the kingdom of heaven.

Grace & Peace,

Ethan

Pastoral Notes for Sunday, October 8, 2023

Dear Cornerstone Family,

In our opening sermon in Malachi last week, we heard Israel’s rebellious retort to God, “How have you loved us?” Then, we considered the Lord’s bewildering response, “Is not Esau Jacob’s brother? ...Yet I have loved Jacob, but Esau I have hated.” As confusing as that statement is initially, it’s clear the Lord intends to draw us into reflection on the story of Jacob and Esau. In reflecting on that story, we clearly see that neither of these twin boys are deserving of God’s love. In fact, when you read the story, you’re particularly struck by the craftiness, manipulation, and deceit of Jacob! Clearly, God didn’t choose Jacob because he was better than Esau. And yet––God chose Jacob. He could just as easily have chosen Esau over Jacob. He was, after all, the older of the two. But God, in his sovereignty, set his love on Jacob and not Esau (Romans 9:6-13).

The Lord tells us this to highlight the wonder of God’s love! None of us deserve God’s love. Truth be told, we are no different than Jacob, are we? We sin in thought, word, and deed every day. Malachi wants Israel, and the Lord wants all of us to be led into humble astonishment, “Why me, O Lord? Why did you set your love on me? I am so underserving!” Indeed, that is true. The answer to the “why” of God’s election is a grand mystery. It is locked up in the hidden council of God (Deuteronomy 29:29). We must simply receive it by faith with the humble astonishment it deserves––that we, chiefs of sinners, would be the objects of his love.

At the same time, we have important biblical questions that need an answer. For instance, what does it mean, “... but Esau I have hated?” Does God really hate certain people? He certainly hates the wicked (see Psalm 5:5, 11:5; Revelation 2:6). But how do we reconcile God hating with 1 John 4:6 where we’re told “God is love?” Does not God tell us that he loves the world (John 3:16)? Is it really true that some people have no chance to be saved? How can that be when the Lord says he “...desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth” (1 Timothy 2:4)?

These are very important biblical questions. To give them the kind of treatment they deserve will take far more space than I have today. In the weeks ahead, however, I will take time to unpack the language of love and hate as it relates to God and his creation. Please stay tuned as together we consider the rich complexities of the Bible’s teaching on God’s love.

As I conclude, take time to review the first quarter financial statement below provided by your Finance Committee. On behalf of the elders and deacons, we want to thank you for consistently giving to the work of the Lord at Cornerstone. God is expressing his generosity through you month after month as you give cheerfully and sacrificially to the work of ministry. If you have any questions regarding the quarterly financial report or would like more detail, please contact Robin Spychalski in the church office at office@cstonepres.org.

Your servant,

 

Pastoral Notes for Sunday, October 1, 2023

Dear Cornerstone Family,

I write to give you an important update on our church renovations. But before I do, I know many of you have joined Cornerstone over the last several months and may have no idea that any renovation plans are in the works. Further, those of you who are well aware of our renovation plans could probably use a reminder on the steps we’ve made (and are trying to make) to accommodate the “good problem” of growth at Cornerstone.

With that in mind, let’s go back a little to May 2023. On May 19, 2023, we closed on the purchase of 203 3rd Avenue South, which is the gray home catty-corner to the chapel. (We now affectionately call that home “The Corner House.”) In June, after making some necessary updates to the building, the Cornerstone staff offices were moved to The Corner House. This freed up the second floor of the chapel to help meet our growing need for more educational space.

After the purchase of The Corner House, we began working with the city of Franklin, in relationship to our Owner’s Rep, The Riverstone Group, on the approval of a renovation plan for the first and third floor of the chapel. In July, I wrote to inform you that the bid for the first and third floor renovations came in roughly $500,000 more than originally expected. Due to the increase in expected cost and the recent purchase of the Corner House, the elders reengaged members of our 2022 Ministry Expansion Team and our ministry leaders and revaluated our current space needs. After remapping some ministry spaces, the decision was made to postpone the third-floor renovation but to move forward with the renovation of the first floor.

Since that report, we have been working closely with Rob McKelvey, the architect, Scott Farrell, Project Manager of Harvest Construction, Ryan Musser, Owner’s Rep of The Riverstone Group, and the city of Franklin on the renovation plans for the first floor. After going back and forth a few times with the city of Franklin, our renovation plans were approved two weeks ago. We are slated to begin demolition on the first floor of the chapel on Monday, October 2nd.

As you would expect, the first floor will be completely off-limits during construction. Temporary barriers/boundaries will be put in place in order to keep everyone out of the downstairs space while demolition and construction is happening. We will continue to worship and utilize the rest of the chapel throughout the fall while construction is taking place. At this time, we do not anticipate construction interfering with our fall/winter ministry plans.

Construction timelines are difficult to judge. As of now, Harvest Construction is estimating ten weeks of construction time. If that proves true, it’s possible the project could be finished by the end of the year. However, with holidays and delays, January 2024 is more realistic. We will certainly keep you posted if things change.

With the renovation of the first floor, we will have an increased space for adult Sunday School, Wednesday night meals, and overflow worship. In addition, we will have spaces during the week for larger youth, women, and men’s events. That is to say nothing of the added kitchen and bathroom space, which is greatly needed. Needless to say, we’re excited to see how the renovated first floor will meet our growing needs as a congregation.

Please continue to pray for the Lord’s sustained blessing as we enter into this next phase of renovation.

Your servant,

 

Pastoral Notes for Sunday, September 24, 2023

Dear Cornerstone Family,

Today is our thirtieth and final sermon in the book of Ephesians. Words fail to express the personal blessing I’ve experienced in studying this beloved epistle. I’ve been so deeply encouraged by the dozens of different testimonies I’ve heard from you about the ways the Lord has used this series in your life. To God be the glory!

Starting next week, we will begin a new journey working our way through the prophet Malachi, the last book of the Old Testament. Written in the 5th century B.C., Malachi prophesied during what should have been a time of great joy and hope for the people of Israel. The nightmare of exile was over. After seventy years of languishing in Babylon, Israel was back in the Promised Land. Through the leadership of Ezra and Nehemiah, the nation was moving in the right direction. Population was on the increase. The economy was beginning to trend in the right direction. With the city wall in place, Israel was (finally) enjoying a sense of national security. And with the temple rebuilt, Israel was once again worshiping Yahweh in the land.

Despite all this, there was trouble in the camp. Israel’s worship was half-hearted at best. They were holding back offerings from the Lord. They were devaluing marriage and were given to sexual immortality. They abandoned their covenant commitments and belittled the truth of God’s Word. They questioned God’s love and whored after foreign gods. Yes, they were back in the land geographically speaking, but they were not back spiritually speaking. In a sense, the people were still exiled. They were exiled in heart from the Lord.

After all the Lord has done for Israel, you wouldn’t have blamed the Lord if he’d cut and run. These people are never going to learn! And yet, the Lord did not give up on them. In the midst of Israel’s fickleness, Malachi teaches us about God’s faithfulness. That is why I’ve entitled this series, God’s Unchanging Love.

To go along with the sermon series, you will find a new Cornerstone Devotional available this morning. In the devotional, there is a weekly breakdown of the sermon text, supplemental readings, memory verses, and more. Please make good use of this vital resource as together we study the prophet Malachi and learn more about God’s Unchanging Love for his people.

Your servant,

 

Pastoral Notes for Sunday, September 17, 2023

Dear Cornerstone Family,

We believe an important part of a church’s ministry is to raise up pastors for the work of ministry. Toward that end, we established an internship program to help young men explore the call to pastoral ministry. Engaging their head, heart, and hands, pastoral interns enter a course of study, participate actively in the ministries of the church, shadow pastors and officers in their roles, and are given practical opportunities to exercise gifts for ministry.

One of our pastoral interns is Mr. Tucker Alexander. As a part of his internship, I asked Tucker to write a Pastoral Note for us. You will find that note published below.

There has been so much going on at Cornerstone – buying new property, staff transitions, and the Lord adding to our number. With all this change, it can be so easy to get caught up in the happenings and miss some of the things the Lord has for us. In this pastoral note, I want to encourage us to continually be asking the Lord to keep our eyes open to his direction for our lives.

One thing the Lord calls us to everyday is to be obedient to him and “walk in a manner worthy of the Lord” (Col. 1:10), but different challenges cause us to teeter. For some of us, it might be a really challenging season with our spouse. For others, it is caring for an aging parent. I’m not sure what specific context and calling the Lord has placed you in for this season. I do know, however, that whatever you’re facing, he calls you to walk in a manner worthy of Him. I do know that He invites all of us to use our lives as a testimony of His faithfulness.

This challenge might appear burdensome. It might feel like just another brick to add into our backpack of burdens. But He doesn’t ask us to carry it alone. He strengthens us with His power. He gave us His spirit so that as we go, we can be in total communion with Him. He promises us that He never leaves us. It is such a freeing thing to know that He gives us the grace we need to walk in a manner worthy of Him, and His power is most present and sufficient in our weakness.

As we prepare our hearts for worship this morning, take thirty seconds to do a quick inventory. In what ways have you failed to demonstrate your love for the Lord in your walk this week? What sins lay heavy in your mind and heart that you have left unconfessed? Have there been opportunities to walk faithfully that you left undone? Confess these sins now. He promises forgiveness. He promises that He will make us more like Him. His word is true, and He will surely do it.

Please pray for Tucker and our other ministry interns/assistants as they explore ministry as a vocational calling. I’m thinking specifically of our Pastoral Assistant, Mr. Ethan Vroom, and our Music & Worship Assistant, Mr. Maxwill Shell. All of these brothers are a vital part of the Cornerstone team, and I am deeply grateful to be partnered with them in ministry.

Your servant,