Downtown Cornerstone Blog
Mar 20
2012

Join us on Good Friday and Easter!

News, Teaching

Good Friday
April 6th @ 7:00pm
The Westin Building

This gathering is highly recommended as a significant preparatory work for your heart prior to Easter. It will be a simple and somber evening of reflection on the night Jesus Christ was betrayed, crucified and buried through story, song and prayer. Cornerstone Kids will be provided.

Easter
April 8th @ 10:00am
AMC Theatres-Pacific Place

Following our Good Friday gathering, be sure to join us on Easter morning for vibrant worship and practical gospel teaching at our new location, AMC Theatres in Pacific Place. Be sure to invite your friends and family to join us as we celebrate Jesus’ defeat of Satan, sin and death – and the story He continues to write today!
Mar 15
2012

We’re Moving on April 1st!

News | by Pastor Adam Sinnett

By the great grace of God, after much prayer and diligent searching, we have located a new center city gathering space for our next season of life together, following Jesus.

Starting Sunday, April 1st at 10am, we will relocate our Sunday gatherings to the AMC Theatres in Pacific Place on 6th and Pine.

This is a significant answer to countless prayers over the last five months. Please take some time to thank our gracious and kind Father for providing so abundantly.

Here are some of the details:
  • Space: AMC has various theater sizes up to 600 seats. Our initial theater will seat 225.
  • Kids: The kids will have a cool, unique, safe, corner set aside, with floor-to-ceiling windows, in which to learn about and grow in Jesus (and easy bathroom access!).
  • Time: We will keep our 10AM, Sunday morning, gathering time.
  • Storage: AMC has agreed to allow us to store our gear on-site, saving us countless dollars and hours.
  • Baptism: AMC has also agreed to allow us to hold baptisms. That’s no small deal, as that involves them allowing us to bring 400 gallons of water into one of their theaters.
  • Post-Service: There are countless options for places to eat, connect and shop following our gathering.
  • Parking: Though many will be able to walk, there is ample street parking within a two block radius that is free on Sundays.
  • Transit: Pacific Place is close to all transit lines, including the LightRail and SLU trolley.
  • Location: Pacific Place is also a well-known landmark, therefore very strategic, right in the heart of the city. We’ll also be closer to major downtown population centers.
  • Price: All of our research indicated we would be paying 2-4x’s what we’re paying now if we were to move. Yet, at AMC we’ll be paying only $100/Sunday more than we’re paying right now. Amazing.

    • That said, we now get to celebrate our first birthday on April 1st as a newly forming church at a new location. This is a huge providential win for us.

    What do we do from here?

    First, as I mentioned above, please take some time to thank our great God for providing so abundantly, in His perfect timing.
    Second, please spread the word regarding our move! The best way to make this move known is via word-of-mouth.
    Third, please continue to ask Jesus to go before us as there are many details to work out. This is no small move, particularly amidst an already busy season.

    “I trust in the steadfast love of God forever and ever. I will thank you forever, because you have done it. I will wait for your name for it is good, in the presence of the godly.” Psalm 52:8-9

    Mar 13
    2012

    Happy Birthday, DCC! We’re having a party.

    City Life, News | by Pastor Adam Sinnett

    You’re invited to your party.

    On Sunday, April 1st, we are celebrating our first birthday together as a newly-forming, Jesus-following people in the heart of this great city. Jesus’ church is a people, not a place, so this is our birthday. We’re not celebrating the planting of an organization, but the planting of the gospel in this city that is resulting in a new, redeemed, forgiven people for Jesus – us. Yet, this isn’t about us and what we have done, but about Him and what He is doing.

    We exist to build a great city through
    the gospel of Jesus Christ for the glory of God.

    A great city is one in which Jesus is loved, sin is forgiven, lives are transformed, mercy is extended, hope is planted, justice is worked, and joy is rampant. All of this points to the Great City that is to come (Rev 21:9-27) and is only, ultimately, made possible through the gospel of Jesus. We’re already seeing this take place in small measure and it is beautiful in God’s sight.

    We don’t know the future,
    but we know the One who holds the future
    – and He’s all that really matters.

    At the end of our lives, we’ll only wish we had trusted Him more and loved others better. While it is (very!) exciting to think of all that Jesus may do in and through us, let’s not make those things the standard of our success. Let’s work, pray, love, serve, live, and share the gospel as though it is all up to us (because it is!)…while trusting it is all up to Him (because it is!). Somewhere in the middle of all that we get the joy of partnering with God in His purposes and He gets the glory.

    But, don’t forget. Jesus is our success.
    Jesus is our righteousness.Jesus is our hope.
    Jesus is our celebration. Jesus is our joy.
    Jesus is our salvation. Jesus is our redemption.
    Jesus is our Shepherd. Jesus is our King.
    Jesus is our God.

    So, you’re invited to your own party as we celebrate Jesus’ work in, among and through us. From the beginning of this church, we have asked Him to do what only He can, so that the city will not confuse our work for His. Let’s continue to trust Him for the same in the year(s) ahead.

    Join us on Sunday April 1st, 10:00am, at the AMC Theatres in Pacific Place (6th & Pine) for a family-style celebration. Be sure to invite someone to see what Jesus is doing. No Cornerstone Kids provided.

    “Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.” Eph 3:20-21

    Mar 8
    2012

    Don’t forget to Spring Forward!

    News

    This Sunday, March 11th Daylight Savings Time will begin, so don’t forget to turn your clocks ahead one hour so you can arrive to the Sunday gathering on time. Please take note and spread the word. We look forward to gathering with you!

    Mar 6
    2012

    What Does it Mean to be “on Mission”?

    , City Life | by Pastor Adam Sinnett

    If you hang out among Downtown Cornerstone long enough, eventually you will hear someone talk about being “on mission”. Admittedly, it’s not helpful to use terms that require additional explanation and defining. At the same time, new terms can shed new light and new insight on ancient ideas. That’s the case here.

    To be “on mission” is to intentionally befriend unbelievers, in love, for the purposes of the gospel of Jesus.

    What it does NOT mean:
  • To be “on mission” does NOT mean you view those who don’t follow Jesus as “projects” to be completed.
  • To be “on mission” does NOT mean you must see conversions, though you likely will eventually.
  • To be “on mission” does NOT mean you need 10 extra hours a week set aside for “missionary” work.
  • To be “on mission” does NOT mean you must only talk about Jesus in very serious tones when you’re around unbelieving friends.
  • To be “on mission” does NOT mean Jesus really loves you if you have lots of unbelieving friends.
    • What it DOES mean:
  • To be “on mission” DOES mean that you love Jesus, albeit imperfectly, and believe he is the only hope for every soul in the universe (including your own) because there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved. (Acts 4:12)
  • To be “on mission” DOES mean that you love people, like Jesus, and are moved to go out to the highways and hedges and compel people to come in, that [his] house may be filled (Luke 14:23) and make disciples of Jesus (Mat 28:18-20).
  • To be “on mission” DOES mean you believe that inviting people to Jesus is inviting them to life-that-is-truly-life (not religion, morality or “no fun”), because Jesus is the way, the truth and the life. (John 14:6)
  • To be “on mission” DOES mean you view yourself as an ambassador of reconciliation (2 Cor 5:18) and one sent by God (John 17:18, 20:21) in whatever places you find yourself day-to-day, moment-by-moment. It’s living every day life with gospel intentionality, starting with those God has placed around you.
  • To be “on mission” DOES mean you prayerfully consider how to best connect with those around you for the purposes of the gospel, becoming all things to all people, that by all means [you] might save some. (1 Cor 9:22)
  • To be “on mission” DOES mean you know that even while you were still a sinner, Christ died for you (Rom 5:8), making you a redeemed sinner pointing other sinners to the Redeemer.

    • In other words, by faith in Christ, we have received a new identity of “missionary”, sent into our city armed with the message and mercy of Jesus Christ. To be “on mission” is to practically live out that identity in simple, loving, every day ways, befriending unbelievers for the sake of the gospel, the good of the city and the glory of God. Let’s continue, trusting Him, as Jesus’ people sent on mission.

    Feb 22
    2012

    Celebrating Lent

    News, Teaching | by Pastor Adam Sinnett

    Today is Ash Wednesday, marking the beginning of the season of Lent (forty days leading up to Easter, excluding Sundays). This ancient Christian season is about preparing ourselves to rightly celebrate Good Friday and Easter, days that mark Jesus’ death for sin and victory over the grave. I love this season. It’s a season that reminds us that we are part of a much bigger story than our own, surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses from millennia past. It’s a season that reminds us we are mortal. It’s a season that reminds us our only true hope is found in the gospel of Jesus Christ. Its a season that reminds us it is OK to feel deeply about sin and suffering.

    Our experience, appreciation and understanding of Good Friday and Easter is largely determined by how we prepare for them. That is what Lent is for. As with any tradition, Lent can become meaningless but it doesn’t have to be. For me, growing up, Lent meant little more than not eating meat on Fridays. It can be more. It is more. Lent is a time to prepare our mind, heart, imagination, affections, conscience and will to lay hold of the great love of God in the person and work of Jesus Christ afresh. This preparation is primarily marked by the practice of repentance, reflection and confession. What follows are some thoughts to help aid in your practice and participation in this season.

    What to Avoid:
  • Avoid making Lent an empty ritual, practiced for its own sake or to outwardly impress.
  • Avoid making Lent an opportunity to try out that diet you meant to start on January 1st.
  • Avoid thinking you can earn God’s favor through fasting, prayer or mere external observation.

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    What to Consider:
  • Consider Lent an opportunity to fast (food, alcohol, caffeine, dessert, Facebook, Twitter, etc.) from something you want in order to focus on what you truly need – Jesus Christ. Fasting is a withholding from something that is good, to get something that is better. Richard Foster’s Celebration of Discipline and John Piper’s A Hunger for God are excellent and helpful on fasting.
  • Consider reading through one or all of the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John), giving renewed thought, attention and reflection to the life, death and resurrection of Jesus. Talk about this in community or your discipleship groups.
  • Consider reading a book(s) that ties into the themes of the season (e.g. sin, temptation, and sacrifice). Some of my favorites include, Respectable Sins: Controlling the Sins We Tolerate by Jerry Bridges, Tempted and Tried by Russell Moore, Living the Cross Centered Life by CJ Mahaney, On the Incarnation by Athanasius or Pursuit of Holiness by AW Tozer. Let me know if you’d like any other ideas.
  • Consider Lent an opportunity to slow down, setting more time aside to unplug from the world in order to plug into God. Our culture celebrates being “busy”. Let’s use this season to celebrate being “in Christ”.

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    Also, be sure to join us tomorrow night, Thursday (February 23rd), for our monthly prayer night. We’ll be placing a particular emphasis on the season of Lent in prayer and repentance.