News | by Pastor Adam Sinnett

From beginning to end, God’s aim is to glorify Himself through a people He is calling out from all tribes of the world and all neighborhoods of Seattle through the gospel. He calls this community of people the church.

Downtown Cornerstone is not just interested in holding events but for people to connect, share life and form communities that are deeply rooted in the gospel of Jesus Christ. These are communities of diverse imperfect people that are committed to living out the implications of the gospel in every sphere of life. These are communities of radical grace, sacrificial service, and joy. These are communities that eat together, pray together, laugh together, and study the Bible together (i.e. share life). These are communities that build up the church by encouraging people to faith in Jesus Christ and build up the city through deeds of justice and mercy. These are communities where you can be who God created you to be, yourself. It’s our hope and prayer that everyone who calls Downtown Cornerstone home will find such community.

Two New Communities Starting Next Week.

Next week we will plant two additional Cornerstone Communities, Pioneer Square (Tuesdays @ 6pm) and West Seattle (Thursdays @ 6pm). These will be in addition to our current communities that gather in the Denny Triangle (Tuesdays @ 6pm) and the Commercial Core (Thursdays @ 6pm). To get connected to one of these newly forming communities, email us at . To learn more about Cornerstone Communities, how to get involved and what to expect visit our COMMUNITY page.

News | by Pastor Adam Sinnett

Good Friday, April 22nd @ 7:00pm
Join us on Good Friday, April 22nd @ 7pm, for a simple, somber, and contemplative service remembering the night Jesus Christ was betrayed, crucified and buried. We’ll reflect on the account of that history-changing evening through story, song and prayer. This gathering is highly recommended as a significant preparatory work for your heart prior to Easter. Cornerstone Kids
will be provided.

Easter, April 24th @ 10:00am
Following our Good Friday gathering, be sure to join us on Easter morning, April 24th @ 10am, as we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Whether you’re a friend, a family member, a visiting tourist or a curious local, we invite you to celebrate Jesus’ defeat of Satan, sin and death with us. It’s going to be great Easter morning of vibrant worship and practical teaching in the heart of the city.

WHERE:
Court in the Square
401 2nd Ave S
Seattle, WA 98104
WHEN:
Good Friday @ 7pm
Easter Sunday @ 10am
PARKING:
Parking downtown is free on Sundays, so there is no cost to park. However, do leave additional travel time to secure a parking spot on the street.
WILL CHILDREN’S MINISTRY BE PROVIDED?
Yes, Cornerstone Kids will be provided for kids 6 months to 6 years old.
MORE INFO:
For more information on our Sunday Gatherings email: info (at) downtowncornerstone.org

News | by Pastor Adam Sinnett

We are now “launched” which, in church planting vernacular, means our birth as a new gospel work is marked.

This means our new life as a Jesus-following, gospel-loving, God-glorifying, city-focused people has only just begun. This is really the first in a series of successive “launches” (over the next several years) as we follow Jesus’ lead in deeply planting this church in the soil of the gospel in the city. I hope you’re excited, thankful and expectant. If you’re tracking our progress and supporting us from outside the church, please continue to ask our Father to shape us into a worshiping and witnessing people.

Be sure to set aside time to thank Jesus this week for all that He has done and is doing. He has been exceedingly good to us.

Community, News | by Pastor Adam Sinnett

In the beginning of the book of Acts, Jesus’ disciples are in the upper room waiting for the promised Holy Spirit.

We’re told there were about 120 of them (Acts 1:15). Jesus had already risen from the grave. He already commissioned them on His mission to Jerusalem, Judea and Samaria and to the ends of the earth (Acts 1:8), armed with the gospel. He then ascended into heaven (Acts 1:9). They were now waiting for God to show up, to provide further direction and to empower them for His mission. Imagine what was going through their minds as they waited for what God was going to do next. The questions. The uncertainties. The excitement. The fears. The hopes. Though we now have ready access to the Holy Spirit through faith in Christ, as a newly forming church we find ourselves in much the same place.

Ten months ago a small group of us began praying.

We began by asking God what kind of church He wanted planted in the heart of downtown Seattle.

• What would it value?
• What would it be about?
• How would it engage the city?
• How would it connect the people of the city to Jesus?
• How would it effectively express the message and mercy of Jesus?
• How would it make Him look as good as He really is?

So, we started praying, networking, serving, and sharing the Gospel. People began to hear what we were doing, some moved downtown to join us. We met in conference rooms, apartments, coffee shops and office buildings. People found us via word-of-mouth. People found us online (web, Facebook, Twitter). Some even found us on accident (though, we know it was no accident).

We continued to do the only things we knew how to do: praying, serving, building relationships, and sharing the gospel.

Over time we began seeing incredible answers to prayer, supernatural provision, and new relationships being formed. God was creating a new Jesus-following people in the city.  Then, two months ago we began weekly gatherings, multiplied communities, grew our launch team, cultivated missional and ministry health and identified a more permanent place to gather. Jesus was clearly going before us in building His church.

Now, on the verge of launching, we’re already seeing people begin to follow Him, babies being born, a couple getting married, people from around the country (and world!) are getting connected, and people from the avenues to the alley ways are worshiping Jesus together.

Our mission is clear. We exist to build a great city through the gospel of Jesus for God’s glory. That means we exist to be a people who deeply love Jesus and deeply love the people of this city. A great city will be built as the people of this city are connected to Him.

Our launch as a church is this Sunday. God has led the way, opening doors, creating opportunities and laying roads where there were none. He is forming a new people that are Gospel-centered, Jesus-loving, and city-focused. But, what exactly is next? We don’t know. But, what we do know is this: Our God is good and He is faithful and he is sending us to into this city and the cities of the world with the message and mercy of Jesus.

We invite you to join us as we continue to follow Jesus’ lead in building a great city through the gospel for the glory of God.

Join us on Sunday (04/03) to celebrate what He has already done and anticipate what He will do.

News | by Pastor Adam Sinnett

Beginning this Sunday (March 27th) we will be meeting in a new space, Court in the Square, located at 401 2nd Ave South in Pioneer Square (just around the corner from Zeitgeist Coffee on 2nd & Jackson). Our gathering time will continue to be 10AM. Consider showing up early and we’ll put you to work as set-up and tear-down will be required each week. We consider this new space a significant outworking of the grace of God. It is even located on street level which, if you know our history, is a first.

We are also very thankful for the hospitality shown to us by the Underground Tour over the last (nearly) three months. Take a tour if you get a chance. It’s brilliant.

News | by Pastor Adam Sinnett

Yesterday, Japan’s Prime Minister said this is the toughest crisis Japan has faced since World War II. In light of the recent tragic events in Japan following a 8.9 earthquake, numerous aftershocks, a tsunami, and potential nuclear problems we must ask: How do we help? We’re still a newly forming people with little resources, but we can give of what we do have.

World Vision: text “4japan” to 20222 to send a $10 donation
World Relief: text “WAVE” to 50555 to send a $10 donation
Churches Helping Churches: I’ve also heard CHC is preparing a response. Stay tuned.

Please pray that God would use what is tragic to glorify his name and bring joy to the people of Japan.
That is, after all, his specialty.

News | by Pastor Adam Sinnett

April 3rd | Launch Sunday!

On Sunday, April 3rd, you are invited to celebrate the birth of Downtown Cornerstone Church, a new gospel work in the heart of downtown Seattle. Over the past ten months we have prayed, moved, planned, served, and gathered a community of people who desire to follow Jesus and bring his message and mercy to our great city.

Therefore, we are taking one Sunday to publicly mark our birth as a church, recount His faithfulness, and consider His work ahead. While our primary concern is how we end; where we start matters. We hope you will join us as we follow Jesus’ lead in building a great city through the gospel for the glory of God.

This Sunday is just the beginning. Let’s continue to ask Him to do what only He can.

Check out our Vision and About pages for more information on our vision, mission and values.

Details:

WHERE:
Court in the Square
401 2nd Ave S
Seattle, WA 98104
WHEN:
Every Sunday @ 10am, beginning March 27th, 2011
PARKING:
Parking downtown is free on Sundays, so there is no cost to park. However, do allow additional travel time to secure a parking spot on the street.
WILL CHILDREN’S MINISTRY BE PROVIDED?
Yes, Cornerstone Kids will be provided for kids 6 months to 6 years old.
MORE INFO:
For more information on our Sunday Gatherings email: info (at) downtowncornerstone.org

News | by Pastor Adam Sinnett

Roughly 2,000 years ago the city of Athens was a hub of commerce, philosophy, law and literature. It was a city of beauty, intellect and cultural savvy where people would “spend their time in nothing except telling or hearing something new.” (Acts 17:21) It was in this creative, pluralistic and thoughtful context the Apostle Paul provided a reasoned response to the Athenians questions about Jesus Christ’s person and work, today known as Christianity. (Acts 17:16,17)

Athens was much like Seattle is today, a hotbed for technology, religious pluralism, and intellectual pride; where the talk of the town ranges from the new iPad release to the starting line-up of the Sounders FC to the viaduct controversy. Amidst all this, there are also many thoughtful, practical and genuine questions about the claims of Christianity. But are there reasoned answers to those questions? Yes.

We invite you to join us this Sunday, March 6th @ 10am, as we unfold a reasoned response to the top four questions Seattlites have about Christianity. The responses may surprise you.

• Sunday, March 6th | God: How can you know whether God exists?
• Sunday, March 13th | Bible: Why should I read the Bible as revelation from God?
• Sunday, March 20th | Suffering: How can a good God allow so much injustice?
• Sunday, March 27th | Judgment: How can a loving God send people to Hell? Note: Venue Change

No pretension, no religiosity, no bait-and-switch. Just real people, exploring real issues, and worshiping a real God.

WHERE:
The Pioneer Building (next to underground tour)
600 1st Ave
Seattle, WA 98104
Exception: On Sunday, March 27th, we will gather at our new location, Court in the Square.
WHEN:
Every Sunday @ 10am, beginning March 6th through March 27th, 2011.
PARKING:
Parking downtown is free on Sundays, so there is no cost to park. However, do leave allow additional travel time to secure a parking spot on the street.
IS CHILDREN’S MINISTRY PROVIDED?
Yes, Cornerstone Kids will be provided for kids 6 months to 6 years old.
MORE INFO:
For more information on our Sunday Gatherings email: info (at) downtowncornerstone.org

News | by Pastor Adam Sinnett

I don’t know about you, but I love new beginnings.

This year is no different. As many of you know, we are a newly forming church in the downtown core of Seattle. We exist to build a great city through the gospel of Jesus for God’s glory. In other words, we love Seattle and not only want to build a great church, but a great city. As we enter into 2011 we’re entering into a new season as a church plant. This is an important stretch as we make final preparations for a healthy launch, while avoiding a premature birth. There is a lot happening and I can’t wait to see how our Great King moves.

Grace in 2010

Jesus has been gracious to us from drawing people, to providing design, to offering web help, to moving many to fund this new work, to finding space(s) for us to gather in and more – He has provided for His people. It was only several months ago we hosted a dinner to celebrate the first 15 people to commit to the Downtown Cornerstone Launch Team; now, we have nearly 40. Only last month we were meeting in a conference room of a highly secured building; as of last week we are on the ground in the middle of Pioneer Square. Only last week, we were gathering as one community; as of this week we are multiplying for the first time (with two more on the horizon). Jesus is building his church.

“The Last Trimester”

At times the process of church planting is compared to pregnancy. As of this past Sunday, Downtown Cornerstone is in the last trimester of planting (coincidentally – or maybe not – the Sinnett family is also entering into our last trimester with a baby girl due in April). We’re public, but we’re still getting things figured out. We’re taking this winter to (1) ensure missional and ministry health, (2) multiply communities and (3) grow our Launch Team (see below). That means our Sunday gatherings won’t be perfect, but our God will be – week after week. If you notice a hole, it’s there for you to fill. Thank you.

Weekly Sunday Gatherings

Beginning on January 16th we began a new weekly series examining who Jesus claims to be. We’re starting with Who Jesus Is because if Jesus is who he said he was that changes everything for us today – and forever. You can learn more about the new series HERE. You can learn more about our new, but temporary, space in the Pioneer building (600 1st Ave) HERE.

Cornerstone Communities

Downtown Cornerstone is not just interested in holding events but for people to connect, share life and form communities that are deeply rooted in the gospel of Jesus Christ. These are communities of diverse imperfect people that are committed to living out the implications of the gospel in every sphere of life. These are communities of radical grace, sacrificial service, and joy. These are communities that eat together, pray together, laugh together, and study the Bible together (i.e. share life). These are communities that build up the church by encouraging people to faith in Jesus Christ and build up the city through deeds of justice and mercy. These are communities where you can be who God created you to be, yourself. To learn more or to join a Cornerstone Community go HERE.

Launch Team

A “church” is a group of people; not a place or building.  Therefore, because a church is a people, churches are planted by groups of people; not solitary, isolated pastors. We call that group of people the Launch Team. Church planting is not easy. True to its name, church planting is much like planting a field for harvest, requiring substantial preparation, inordinate patience and supernatural perseverance. It is thrilling, yet daunting. Yet, the glorious harvest is well worth the pain, heartache and challenge endured along the way. We encourage you to prayerfully consider joining the Launch Team. God calls particular people, not all people, and each one of us must decide through prayer, sober-assessment and wise counsel whether this is the right move. The importance of the initial launch team cannot be understated. In subtle, and not-so-subtle, ways this group will determine the culture of Downtown Cornerstone for years to come. Our hope, this winter, is to grow our launch team to 50-75 people and prepare for a launch celebration on Sunday, April 3rd.

It’s an exciting season. Let’s continue to ask God to do what only He can do in 2011. I pray that “as grace extends to more and more people it may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God.” (2 Cor 4:15)

News | by Pastor Adam Sinnett

New Location!

By God’s grace, and favor of several good neighbors in Pioneer Square, we have located a place to gather for the next three months. We will meet in an old antique mall (next to the Underground Tour) in the Pioneer building. It is a perfect space for us in this season as we grow our launch team, multiply communities and aim for a healthy launch. You can go here for more information on how to get involved. If you have any questions email .

The address is: 600 1st Ave, Seattle, WA 98104

Work Party. Saturday, Jan 15th @ 10AM.