Discipleship, Event, Women's Retreat

Dear Ladies of Downtown Cornerstone Church,

I am so excited to be able to be with you this year for your women’s retreat. Let me introduce myself a little so that I become a little less of a stranger. I grew up in Germany and came to the US in order to attend Moody Bible Institute in Chicago. There I met and married my husband and together we have four children.

I love books and hate laundry. I love chocolate and Horchata and dislike seafood. But one of my biggest passions is to see women fall in love with the study of God’s word. I want us to not be afraid to tackle and wrestle with hard concepts, and to see that theology is very practical because it changes our lives and affects our worship.

During our time together we are going to be looking at the greatness of God and how this knowledge relates practically to our lives, specifically to the worries and fears that we struggle with and to the idols that we are so quick to build.

Some of the questions I want us to ask are: How should an understanding of the greatness of God affect our everyday lives? How do we put down fear and worry? How do we identify and kill idols? Where does real comfort come from? I hope that some of these questions will be answered for you as we spend the weekend together.

A.W. Pink says, “Happy is the soul that has been awed by a view of God’s majesty.” This is my prayer for all of us, that we would be awed by the greatness of God and walk away with unshakable peace and deep seated joy.

Looking forward to seeing you soon,

– Jen Thorn

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Ladies, this retreat is a unique opportunity to hit “pause” on our daily rhythms and gather together to be encouraged, equipped, and strengthened in our faith. We know there’s a lot to coordinate – from carpooling and childcare, to saving up for the cost, and giving up the bulk of your weekend. We encourage you to give your concerns for the weekend to Jesus, embrace all that He has waiting for you, and join us in the following:

1) Begin praying for the weekend.

2) Register online in advance!

3) Invite a friend and encourage ladies in your community to join you.

4) Familiarize yourself with the scripture for the weekend, Isaiah 40-41

5) Email  if you have any questions, concerns, or barriers.

Excited for all that God will do!

Discipleship, Scripture | by Pastor Randy Lundy

We typically set aside the six Sundays leading up to Good Friday and Easter for intentional reflection, confession, and worship as a church family. In more ways than one, it is a unique opportunity to deepen our thoughts around the person and work of Jesus, and recall the many things that we’ve been saved from and to, through the power of his death and resurrection.

LITURGY AND WORSHIP

We’ll be changing up our flow of gathering a bit and take the first few minutes to reflect on the overarching story of God’s redemption of His people. One of the unique perspectives we’ll be weaving through these reflections is the contrast of light and darkness throughout Scripture. Here’s a quick summary of the weeks ahead, so you can be praying and preparing more specifically for worship with the church through this season of Lent:

Week #1 Creation (3/5) – God’s glory and perfection in creation

Week #2 Darkness (3/12) – Sin’s corruption and deception

Week #3 Intervention (3/19) – God’s provision and direction

Week #4 Presence (3/26) – God’s dwelling among his people

Week #5 Foreshadow (4/4) – God’s promise of a Redeemer

Week #6 Incarnation (4/9) – God’s entrance and culmination

We’ll also be walking through multiple scriptures and songs throughout the gatherings that weave together these themes of light/darkness, God’s redemptive story, and our current sermon series in Sermon on the Mount. All of these liturgical elements are intended to be experienced as a journey, not in isolation from one another. I’d encourage all of us to come early to the gatherings, so we can experience the fullness of what God has in store for us together during Lent.

WATCH AND PRAY

There are many good ways that we can prepare ourselves to worship in this season. I just want to highlight two particular postures of worship from Jesus’ words to his disciples on the eve of his crucifixion (Matthew 26:38-41) that I think would be fitting for framing this season for us:

#1 WATCH

This is a season of expectation and watching. In much the same way that Jesus was instructing his disciples, we would do well to be alert to what God is doing, what He is revealing, what He is wanting to show us through this season of reflection. This is both an attentiveness to the truths He’s bringing to the forefront, as well as an alertness to the state of our own souls. Not growing drowsy or distracted. But rather remaining focused and attentive, spiritually-minded and awake.

Practically speaking, as I said before, we’ll be kicking off the Lent reflections at the start of each gathering, so I’d encourage us all to come early, settle into your seat, give yourself some margin to be prayerful and spiritually ready before we begin to worship together. It’s easy to come in rushed and anxious and distracted. Do yourself a favor, and come early to give yourself time to prepare your heart for worship. You won’t regret it.

#2 PRAY

This is also a season of communing with God. Being in regular, intimate relationship with our Creator. It’s not about self-piety, self-pity, or self-performance. It’s about the Savior. This is a time when we come humbly before the Creator, relinquishing our self-independence, relishing the Redeemer, and rejoicing in all that God is and has done for us in Christ! Let’s look upward more than inward this Lent season, because Jesus is alive and his grace is available to all!

And practically, as we have moments of corporate confession together, periods of silence, and space for reflection in our gatherings – use that time to draw near to the One who hears. He loves to hear the earnest prayers of His people. If you sense hardness of heart, ask him to warm you with his grace. If you feel alone, ask him to cover you with his love and fatherly embrace. Wherever you are, cry out to him this Lent season, confessing sin and clinging to Jesus. He will meet us.

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Love you all and praying that Jesus would use this season to give us much-needed space to deepen our trust in Him and experience His satisfying love in Christ. See you Sunday!

The tomb is empty!

Pastor Randy

Discipleship, Event | by Pastor Adam Sinnett

On Sunday, February 26th, we are welcoming pastor and author Dave Kraft to lead us through an interactive workshop on Disciples Who Last from 2:00-6:00pm (details below)!

Dave has served in vocational ministry for over 30 years and is currently the Pastor of Discipleship at the Village Church in Irvine, California. He has also written three books: Leaders Who Last, Mistakes Leaders Make, and Learning Leadership from Nehemiah. But, above and beyond all that, Dave is a personal friend whom I’ve known, loved, and learned from for nearly 15 years. What’s most impressive about him is not his resume, but his character and charisma. At 77 years old he is still pursuing Jesus with vigor as he seeks to, as he would put it, “leave footprints in the lives of God-hungry leaders.” We need more men and women like him.

So, we’ve invited him to spend this time with our body to help us consider how to be disciples who last. Session topics on Sunday afternoon will include: maintaining a vital relationship with Jesus, the importance of character, calling and being a life-long learner, influence and legacy.

WHEN. Sunday, February 26th 2:00pm – 6:00pm | Doors open at 1:30pm

WHERE. Auditorium (2333 Western Ave)

REGISTRATION. Advance registration is strongly encouraged! There is no cost to register.

PARKING. Free parking is available in both lots next to the building. Street parking is also free on Sundays.

KIDS. There will not be Cornerstone Kids provided. We would encourage you to try to find a sitter to enable you to enjoy this event! If you’re having trouble finding childcare, please email and we will be happy to help.

We hope you’ll join us,
Pastor Adam

Stories of Grace | by Sarah Ruiz

The Stories of Grace series is intended to capture snapshots of God’s grace and glory amidst our every day lives. They are real stories of real people who have seen the fingerprints of God amidst the ordinary—God’s favorite canvas. Each story is personal, unique and, often, unfinished. Through it all we get glimpses of God’s steadfast love, sufficient grace, and ongoing presence with his people.

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Arms raised, my offering held high.
“Lord, do with our son what you would like.”

Shortly after my husband and I found out we were pregnant, this image came to my mind. My heart embodied the distinct ‘Lion King’ pose at Pride Rock, dedicating our efforts and energy in shepherding our child to the Lord. We would love this child fiercely and hold this child loosely; his life would be used by the One who authored it before the foundations of the earth. We knew we couldn’t do this alone.

But, we had our tribe; our people who embrace us, messy and flawed, tired and aloof.

And that first Tuesday night back with our community, I saw it.
My arms were raised, offering my son to the first person that would hold him. Glad to share my gift, glad for the help. Glad to be reminded that I cannot do this alone.

On my own, I am easily distracted and, on occasion, overcome by worry. But, you see, even after Jesus had come, His people had found themselves in similar states of fear, confusion and isolation. Paul reminds the community of Thessalonians to lean on one another: encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all. Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances.

They could not do it alone either.

We are quick to believe we can do it alone. Quick to rely on our own thinking, our own rules; mistaking ourselves for lord of our lives. Without a doubt, living life in community is broken. But the beauty of life in community points to the beauty of Him who created it. Jesus left perfect community in heaven to establish community with rebel sinners. He knew their need for Him. He knew perfect community could only exist through Him.

But, we are imperfect. We will fumble often and fail each other. However, our community is not sustained by our efforts. And so we raise our arms to the Sustainer urging, “Lord, do with our community what you would like.” Because, as Paul later rejoices: He who calls you is faithful; He will surely do it.

– Sarah Ruiz, DCC Member

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