Last week we were informed that the Union Gospel Mission (UGM) is moving its monthly graduation to the last Thursday of each month starting this month (May 31st). This, unfortunately, conflicts with our monthly prayer nights. So, given our strong relationship with UGM and many men walking through their discipleship program we’re going to change our monthly prayer night to the last Tuesday of every month, starting this month (May 29th).
These changes will allow us to continue our important monthly prayer gathering rhythm, while still allowing us to celebrate and participate in the monthly UGM graduations.
To learn more about our Monthly Prayer Night, go here or email .
Now that we’ve moved gathering spaces to make room for growth, celebrated our first birthday as a newly forming church, remembered Good Friday/Easter, and held our largest gathering ever on 4/15, what’s next? It has been a great season together, hasn’t it? Many of you, particularly our deacons, community leads, and ministry volunteers, are well deserving of a break to refresh and recoup. If you can, take some time to do just that. Thank you for your selfless service to this fledgling flock of Jesus-followers in the city. He has only just begun his work in, among and through us. You might be asking, “What’s next?” Glad you asked. Here’s a snapshot:
Spring/Summer
Summer is near and that means every Seattleite comes out of their cave to enjoy our beautiful city under the sun. We want to leverage this summer to develop our communities, engage our not-yet-believing neighbors and enjoy our city. While many churches experience a decline during the summer, we grew last summer. So, we don’t know what to expect. We’re currently working on plans to serve our city, enjoy some good ‘ol fashioned barbecue lakeside, get out of the city for an all-church campout, and celebrate our next round of baptisms at Myrtle Edwards. Email us at or reply below if you’d like to help. It is going to be a great summer.
Sacrificing & Serving
Now that we have our first year down and our new gathering space secured, it can be easy to feel that we’ve “arrived”. The truth is, in one way or another, we will always be planting this church. You need to know that we’re in a critical season. 80% of church plants fail within the first three years and 65% fail within the first seven. Seattle – not to mention urban Seattle – is very hard ground. The odds are against us, but Jesus is for us and that means we win. What does that mean for you? It means that we all should have a posture of sacrifice and service for the good of one another and the good of this city, just as Jesus has for us. We need everyone to be sacrificing time, treasure and talents. We’re a family and, like any family, we need all hands on deck. Our resources are few, our needs are great, but He is sufficient. Let’s ask him for even more fruit in this next season. Again, thank you to all who this is already true of.
Living Everyday (this Spring/Summer) with Gospel Intentionality
To be a follower of Jesus means to know and grow in relationship with him. God has given us particular means of grace to serve as gasoline on the fires of faith in our soul; such as Bible reading, relational prayer, memorization and meditation, fasting, community, serving, and more. These don’t earn favor with God, but they help us to more deeply experience the favor we already possess by nature of our relationship with him, in Christ. As we go into this new season, it may be helpful to reevaluate your current practice of the means of grace. What needs to change? What should you stop doing? What should you start doing? What did you set out to do on January 1st that you need to revisit? Additionally, whether you’re a reader or not, I encourage everyone to always have at least one book that they’re working on that was written to facilitate a deeper knowledge and understanding of Jesus, the gospel and the cross. Check out our recommended reading list here.
New Sermon Series
We’ll be wrapping up our 10 month study of the book of Acts in early July. We’ve taken ample time in Acts in order to examine how the early Christian church was formed and managed to spread the gospel throughout the Roman Empire. The parallels to our season of life are clear. I hope you’re getting as much out of it as I have. We’re not done yet! Following Acts, we’ll walk through an eight week series that will serve as the content for our new membership process. (more below) We will then start a brand new series in the fall, which I’m still working on.
Membership
The Bible refers to the church, among many other things, as members of the family of God and members of the body of Christ. In other words, to be in Christ is to be deeply, vitally, organically connected to the bride of Christ, the church (i.e. people). Historically and traditionally that relationship has been described as membership. This is vastly different than a AAA or Costco membership. We align ourselves with AAA or Costco in order to receive. But, we align ourselves with a local church in order to give. To be a member is to indicate that we belong to this particular local expression of Jesus’ people and all that carries with it. All that said, our hope is to have our first round of a membership process in place by the end of the summer. More details to follow.
Clearly, there is a lot happening and much to thank Jesus for. He has been exceedingly gracious and generous to us. Please do keep all of this in your prayers. There is much work to be done, sun to be enjoyed and life to be lived this summer. I look forward to sharing it with you and watching Jesus do his work of saving and sanctifying. Thanks for allowing me to be your pastor. It is a privilege for which I thank Jesus daily. Let’s ask Him to do what only He can this summer.
We now have a new Sunday gathering space but, if you drove on Sunday, you likely found it difficult to locate a parking space.
The annual ComicCon took place over the weekend at the Convention Center so all the visiting zombies, aliens and Trekkies occupied the streets. Parking will be a continual hurdle given our calling and context as an urban people. Let’s ask Jesus to (1) give us favor with a nearby parking garage company/owner, or (2) bring someone into our body who desires to subsidize the cost of parking for the church. Until then, we have the following recommendations.
Parking.
Street parking is free on Sundays downtown. In general, with the exception of occasional conferences, you should be able to secure a spot within a two block radius of Pacific Place. If you need to drive, allow additional time to locate parking. We also encourage you to consider carpooling.
Transportation.
We have put together several resources to help you plan alternate transportation to our Sunday gathering HERE. Pacific Place is very convenient for public transport, whether you’re coming from the U-District or Rainier Valley. Both the Light Rail and the bus have a stop in the Metro tunnel one block away.
Family & Special Needs Validation.
Beginning this Sunday (4/8), we will offer 3-hours of validated parking to families and those with special needs (medical, health or otherwise). Drop by Cornerstone Kids with your Pacific Place Garage parking ticket for validation. In order to be wise stewards, we do ask that you attempt to locate nearby street parking before opting for the garage.
Thank you for your flexibility and willingness to be inconvenienced in this exciting season. Even here, with something as mundane as parking, we have an opportunity to display the truth of the gospel.
Good Friday and Easter have been set apart since the earliest days of the church to specifically remember, reflect and rejoice in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ – and all these two events accomplished for those who embrace him by faith. Jesus’ death and resurrection are two sides of the same coin. Without his death, there’s no resurrection. Without his resurrection, there is no salvation. They cannot be separated, so I encourage you to not separate your participation in them. This weekend we remember two great events with one great purpose: God reconciling sinners to himself. I invite you to join us.
Five reasons to join us for Good Friday and Easter.
#1 Jesus? You and/or your friends may know nothing about Jesus. If you’re an average Seattleite you likely know very little about who Jesus is, let alone why there’s so much hoop-la surrounding his death and resurrection. Given the importance of this towering figure, it is only wise to learn more. Join us. That’s what this weekend is all about.
#2 We forget. Even those who are followers of Jesus forget. We forget how radical a salvation God has accomplished for us in Jesus. We forget how deep our sin really is. We forget how great God’s grace really is. We forget that our condition is so bad God had to die for us, yet we are so loved he was glad to. We forget and need to be reminded. “I think it right, as long as I am in this body, to stir you up by way of reminder…” (1 Pet 1:13) That’s what this weekend is all about.
#3 Slow down. Life is busy and it can be hard to slow down and truly think about life, death, sin, meaning, purpose, faith and more. We get so caught up in moving from one activity to the next that we rarely get to step back and reflect. What am I living for? Why am I here? Am I living my life in line with the gospel? Do I truly have an interest in Jesus? That’s what this weekend is all about.
#4 Relevance. Even though the events we remember and celebrate this weekend occurred roughly 2,000 years ago in a small, rural outpost of the Roman Empire, they remain incredibly relevant. Jesus is relevant. In a world of one-hit-wonders, seasonal fads and passing celebrity, what we need is real, grounded, truth that has stood the test of time. That’s what this weekend is about.
#5 He is Risen! Jesus’ resurrection proves He is the Son of God (Rom 1:4). By his resurrection sinners are converted (Acts 3:26), sin is forgiven (Acts 5:30-31), the Spirit is sent (Acts 2:33), people are healed (Acts 3:15-16), the penalty and power of sin is destroyed (Acts 13:37-39), we are assured the gospel is true (Acts 17:31) and our future resurrection is guaranteed (Acts 17:31). That’s what this weekend is about. HE IS RISEN!
On Sunday, April 1st 2012 Downtown Cornerstone celebrated our first birthday as a church plant in the heart of downtown Seattle! It was an exciting day as we moved in to our new venue and recalled God’s great grace to us.
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.
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!
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
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
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!
