Downtown Cornerstone Blog
Sep 5
2010

August Prayer Update

News | by Pastor Adam Sinnett

We’re three months in and God has been gracious to us. We’ve continued to grow our launch community, study the Gospel Centered Life and intentionally live out the gospel in the city. To those who have been praying for us: Thank You! If you’re just jumping on board, welcome. You can read our last prayer update HERE. You can also receive email updates of new blog content by entering your email in the “Subscribe to Updates via Email” box in the right column.

Here are some snapshots of the past month:

Time Away in the Woods (August 12-13 & 20-22)
We had the privilege to get away on two occasions this month together as a family. Once with some friends on an overnight camping trip with our, combined, four young children. It was refreshing and exhausting at the same time. Fortunately, everyone made it out alive. The following weekend we got to spend time with Jen’s family at Mt. Rainier, a long standing summer family tradition. They were short trips, but God used them to unite our family and clarify our thinking going into this next season.

First Thursday Art Walk, UGM volunteer training, Sazerac, and Something for Stephanie
Since we first started meeting we’ve had a two-fold strategy that consists of gathering on Sundays (for vision, prayer and worship) and connecting during the week (for community, mission, and service). It’s been an eventful month from participating in First Thursday in Pioneer Square to attending a volunteer training for the Union Gospel Mission (one of our elected strategic social partners in Center City) to happy hour at Sazerac to co-sponsoring Something for Stephanie, a benefit for a 13-year-old with cancer, a cousin of a member of our launch community. These times have helped shape us as a newly forming community, while providing many opportunities to invite people in. Follow us here at the blog to find out what’s happening this week.

The Privilege of Preaching (August 8th & 15th)
I was invited out to Emmaus Road (August 8th) and Anchor Church (August 15th) to fill the pulpit by Rich McCaskill and Andrew Pack, respectively. Both are area Acts 29 Network churches. It was a privilege and honor, not to mention fun. Members of the Downtown Cornerstone Launch Community were also able to join and offer support. I can’t wait to do the same downtown Seattle.

Building Community in the City
We’ve lived downtown for nearly a month and a half now. The cardboard boxes are slowly going away, we’re acclimating to a smaller place and are feeling right at home. Jen takes the kids out on daily adventures to the library, local parks and nearby markets. We’re also meeting lots of folks that call the city home, in and outside of our apartment complex, and are certain this is where God has called us to be.

A Miracle. Literally
Three months ago we were told we would never be able to have kids naturally again – ever. The physical tole of three lost babies (1 miscarriage and 2 ectopics) and two healthy ones seemed to culminate in an unfortunate diagnosis. After multiple tests, two different doctors told us the same thing – it would be impossible to have kids naturally going forward. We grieved and considered what’s next. We considered seeing a fertility specialist, but cancelled. I read Moore’s Adopted for Life (highly recommend). We continued to pray for wisdom, while getting rid of much of our baby stuff in a recent move. Then, two weeks ago, Jen had a positive pregnancy test. Yes, positive. Had the blood work – positive. We went to the doctor – positive. Had the ultrasound – positive. The doctors, techs and nurses don’t know what to say. We do, “Praise Jesus.” The tentative due date is April 15th. Will you join us in prayer for a healthy baby, pregnancy and mama?

New Vision, Video, Documents and Website
This past week we finalized many of our key pieces of vision collateral, including a flyer, prospectus, video and updated website. By themselves, they don’t mean much. Yet, they are valuable tools in casting vision, communicating our values and calling for commitment. After a lot of work and late nights, its great to see all of this come together. Big thanks to all who were involved. If you haven’t already, be sure to take a look. You can find them all here. We officially rolled these out last night, at Commitment Night.

Commitment Night (August 29th)
This past Sunday was, perhaps, one of the greatest highlights of the last three months as we invited everyone who has been been involved so far to officially commit to Downtown Cornerstone’s Launch Team. It was a beautiful night over a shared meal, stories of God’s goodness, prayer and song, vision of what the future holds, and an expressed shared commitment to see this new gospel work deeply rooted in the soil of Center City.

Wedding Anniversary (August 31st)
This month Jen and I celebrate our 8th wedding anniversary and our 10th year of knowing one another. I am married to a great woman who loves Jesus and helps me tangibly experience the grace of God on a daily basis. When we first met I told her, “I think God is calling me to be involved in urban ministry at some point, are you up for that?” She took some time to pray and responded, “Sounds good.” So, here we are. Thank you, Jesus.

Vision Sunday, September 26th. You’re invited.
Join us on Sunday, September 26th at 5:00pm, for an evening of celebration and vision. Whether you are a skeptic, friend, neighbor, coworker, or just plain curious, you are invited to join us as we share our vision for a new gospel work that Jesus is unfolding in downtown Seattle. This will be an opportunity to learn more, get connected, and find out how you can help. We’ll pray. We’ll sing. We’ll worship. Save the date. You can get more information here.

Thank you for your prayers and support.

For September, please pray that:

  • We would continue to be a church marked by a deep love for Jesus.
  • Jesus would continue to build his church by bringing more people to join his mission in the city.
  • Many souls will be saved and lives transformed through this new gospel work.
  • We’d have open doors and favor in Seattle.
  • All of our financial needs will be provided for.
  • Jesus-loving, talented musicians and artists will join this work (!)
  • A central, strategic, well-known, yet inexpensive, gathering location for us would open up (!)
  • Seattle would be loved, served, challenged and changed through the gospel.
  • Many Gospel-centered Jesus-loving churches would be planted.
  • 100 people to commit to joining us downtown by December.
  • 100 people, outside the church, to pray for us daily.

The story continues…
For Jesus’ Fame in this City,
Pastor Adam

Jul 20
2010

July Prayer Update

News | by Pastor Adam Sinnett

Only two months ago, Tuesday May 25th, we held our first gathering in a 33rd floor conference room to cast vision for a new gospel work in the heart of downtown Seattle. Two months. Much has happened since and we want to keep you up-to-date. For everyone who has been praying for us and this new work – thank you! With the many social networking options available (blogs, Facebook, Twitter, email services, etc) it can be challenging to select “the one” that will reach the most people. We want as many people as possible praying for this new work, so I will be communicating regular prayer requests and updates through this blog. You can read the first prayer update HERE. You can also receive email updates of new blog content by entering your email in the “Subscribe to Updates via Email” box in the right column.

Here are some snapshots of the past month:

Acts 29 Lead Pastor’s Retreat (June 21-24)
At the end of June, Jen and I were blessed to participate in an all-expenses-paid trip to Vail, Colorado to meet with 200+ Acts 29 church planters and their wives for several days of rest, community, worship and teaching. It was a great gift given by the Acts 29 Network. We came back refreshed, encouraged and challenged. We’re already looking forward to next year!

Last Wedding (June 26)
Well, not exactly my last. Immediately upon returning from Vail I had the privilege of performing my last wedding as a part of Mars Hill Church for two dears friends. (It was bitter sweet as I’ve learned, matured, and participated with Mars Hill for over a decade. I’m forever grateful.) Congrats Clodfelters!

We Moved!
Feeling called to plant a church in downtown Seattle means, of course, that we must move downtown. That’s no small feat with a family, a home in West Seattle, and a city full of occupied high-priced apartments – all while raising financial support. God would need to show up. He did. In short order, we found long-term renters for our home in West Seattle (unfortunately, we must rent until the market turns), a great apartment opened up in the heart of the city, and many offered to financially support us. As of last weekend, we now live downtown albeit out of boxes.

New Sunday Gathering Place.
In June we began to meet together in the Westin Building. This month we made a shift to the Cobb building. This makes our gatherings more centrally located, easier to find, and more comfortable. You can read more HERE.

First Thursday, 4th of July party, Hope Place and Happy Hour.Since we first started meeting we’ve had a two-fold strategy that consists of gathering on Sundays (for vision, prayer and worship) and connecting during the week (for community, mission, and service). It’s been an eventful month from participating in First Thursday in Pioneer Square to throwing a roof-top Fourth of July party to hanging out at Cal Anderson via Molly Moons to serving at Union Gospel Mission’s Hope Place. These times have helped shape us as a newly forming community, while providing many opportunities to invite people in. Follow us here at the blog to find out what’s happening this week.

Gospel Centered Life.
After spending the month of June walking through the vision, values and mission of Downtown Cornerstone we moved to studying The Gospel Centered Life together. We’re starting with the Gospel because it is the good news of the Gospel, applied by the Holy Spirit, that changes everything. We want this to be central to who we are as gospel people in the city. We’re just three weeks in, but its already bearing fruit. I recommend it for personal or community-oriented study.

Networking and Connecting.
I am devoting much of my time to meeting with business, community and church leaders in the city to ask a simple question, “What kind of church does Seattle need?” The responses have been fascinating. Be expecting a future blog post. As we begin this new work, our posture is one of humility. We want to learn from the city. We are not in the city to stand above the city (in judgment) or under the city (in fear) or to mirror the city (in surrender), but for the city (in love).

Family Health.
As though all of this is not enough, our baby girl (Macy) recently had a seizure. We’ve since learned that 50% of children who have a seizure never have another. Nonetheless, we’ve taken proper precautions (EEG, MRI) and are still awaiting results. Would you pray for Macy? I too managed to injure my knee, for which I am receiving physical therapy. This church planting gig is taking more of a physical toll than I anticipated.

Thank you for your prayers and support.

For August, please pray that:

  • We would be a church marked by a deep love for Jesus.
  • Jesus would continue to build his church by bringing more people to join his mission in the city.
  • Many souls will be saved and lives transformed through this new gospel work.
  • We’d have open doors and favor in Seattle.
  • All of our financial needs will be provided for.
  • Jesus-loving, talented musicians and artists will join this work.
  • A central, strategic, well-known, yet inexpensive, gathering location for us would open up.
  • Seattle would be loved, served, challenged and changed through the gospel.
  • Many Gospel-centered Jesus-loving churches would be planted.

The story continues…

Desperately dependent but confident in Him,
Pastor Adam

Jul 14
2010

New Sunday Gathering Place!

News | by Pastor Adam Sinnett

Big news this week! As of this Sunday, July 18th, we will be changing our primary Sunday gathering location. We’re transitioning our physical meeting space from the Westin building to the Cobb building on the corner of 4th and University. We’ll continue to gather at 5:00pm Sunday evenings – now in the heart of the city. Someone will be at the front door to welcome you from 4:45pm to 5:15pm. Let us know if you’ll be arriving late.

We invite you to join us every Sunday at 5:00pm for vision-casting, Bible study, prayer, worship and community. Whether you’re a Christian or curious, agnostic or antagonistic we’d love to have you.

Downtown Cornerstone is a new church plant located in the heart of downtown Seattle. We exist to build a great city through the Gospel for the glory of God. Join us as we follow Jesus together. For more information email us at info(at)downtowncornerstone.org.

Jul 3
2010

City Roof BBQ + Fireworks over Lake Union = 4th of July

, News | by Pastor Adam Sinnett

The 4th of July is tomorrow! If you’re still looking for a party, we invite you to join us for an evening of great company and BBQ on a roof top deck in the middle of our beautiful city (in lieu of our normal Sunday gathering). After dinner we’ll make our way to the 33rd floor of the Westin building to watch the Family 4th of July firework show over Lake Union. RSVP HERE.

Jul 1
2010

Acts 29 Coffee Supports Downtown Cornerstone

News | by Pastor Adam Sinnett

We are excited to announce that Acts 29 Coffee has chosen Downtown Cornerstone Church as one of the first two church plants they will be supporting in the Northwest. “Help plant churches one cup at a time.” They offer high-quality, premium roasts at discounted rates on a subscription basis. Every pound of coffee purchased supports the planting of this new gospel work in the heart of Seattle. You can do what you’re already doing (i.e. drinking coffee) and now plant churches at the same time.