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CORNERSTONE CHRONICLER
Cornerstone Presbyterian Church, PCA
645 Bert Lane Road
Brevard, NC 28712
828.884.3305
MAY 2012
From our Pastor…Andy Silman
May is a significant month for us and I will mention a few reasons why that is so:
The men will meet for a Biscuit Breakfast and Bible Study beginning Wednesday May 2nd and continuing each Wednesday during the month for five weeks. Tom Osterhaus and Mack Griffith will be sharing teaching duties and focusing their thoughts on certain Old Testament men of significance. The time will also include prayer around the tables.
The National Day of Prayer is Thursday, May 3rd. The day begins with breakfast at the Brevard Wesleyan Church located across Asheville Highway from Ingles Gas Station. The breakfast begins at 7:30 a.m. and concludes at 8:45 a.m. and costs $5. The speaker will be Scott Shives who is with Youth for Christ International He will speak for 10 to 15 minutes. Some of the city and county political leaders will also be in attendance. If you are planning to go, please RSVP at 883-3408. At NOON that day there will be a time of prayer at the Gazebo in front of the Courthouse on Main Street.
The Primary Election for North Carolina is Tuesday, May 8th. If you didn’t take advantage of early voting, by all means make every effort to go to the polls that day and cast your ballot. Remember the Marriage Constitutional Amendment is also on the ballot. So, going to the polls is important.
I will be making another trip to Taipei, Taiwan to teach the Old Testament book of Ezra. In past years I have taught the Sermon on the Mount and the Parables of Jesus. Teaching Ezra will be a first, but I am looking forward to it. Please pray for me as I complete my lectures. Classes meet four days each week for 3 ½ hours each day beginning at 9 a.m. If you pray for me each day before going to bed, you’ll be praying as I am teaching! In order to arrive so as to begin teaching on Tuesday, May 22nd, I have to catch a flight that leaves mid-day on Sunday May 20th. I regret having to fly on the Lord’s Day, but this is a necessity. I’ll be out of the pulpit on the 20th. I am happy to announce that J.D. Wetterling will be preaching for me that morning and Rev. Roy Davenport will be preaching for me that evening. On the Lord’s Day morning of May 27th Allen Monroe will be preaching for me and Rev. Tom Osterhaus will be preaching that evening. Lord willing, I’ll be back in the pulpit on June 3rd and I have no plans to be away again until the fall.
Please be in prayer as I continue the series on Spiritual Maturity. I plan to complete the seven studies in time to begin another summer series to coincide with the arrival of students from Brevard Music Center. Please be praying that God will send another bumper crop to us this year as he did last summer.
MEN OF THE COVENANT
Monthly Dinner Meetings: Pisgah Fish Camp at 6:00 p.m.
May 1st – NO DINNER IN MAY
June 5th – John Fennimore, special speaker
Men’s Biscuit Breakfast and Bible Study resumes in May. Mark your calendars and let there be, once again, an enthusiastic response. We will meet each Wednesday in May at 7:30 a.m. as follows:
May 2 Teacher: Rev. Tom Osterhaus will speak on the life of Abraham
May 9 Teacher: Rev. Mack Griffith will speak on the life of Joshua
May 16 Teacher: Rev. Tom Osterhaus will speak on the life of Jacob
May 23 Teacher: Rev. Tom Osterhaus will speak on the life of Moses
May 30 Teacher: Rev. Mack Griffith will speak on the life of Elijah
Remember to keep in touch with your "Battle Buddy"; "the effectual, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much".
CHRISTIAN EDUCATION
Sunday Morning:
Foundations for Christian Faith and Life will conclude on May 6 with Allen Monroe doing a session on “Biblical Worship”. I think everyone has really enjoyed this unique class and certainly the wonderful teachers that have led the class. Beginning May 13 we will resume with two classes. Dr. Smith will pick up his study of the Exodus in the sanctuary, and Rev. Tom Osterhaus will begin a class on “Seeing Christ in the Old Testament Temple, Feasts, and Priesthood”. This class will continue through Sunday June 17, and will meet in classroom 6. These will be wonderful and different opportunities to worship God in the Sunday school hour. We encourage all to not miss one of these opportunities.
Wednesday Evening Gatherings: Bible study and prayer at 7:00 p.m.
Hebrew Class – 4:30 on Mondays and 5:30 on Thursdays through June - taught by Nicole Noran
DEACON NEWS
Ushers for the month of May include: John Fennimore, Bill Reed, Dick Young, Al Vissers and one volunteer.
MISSIONS
Letter from a Missionary:
Dear Friends, I received the following letter from David and Eleanor who visited Cornerstone recently. Joan and I have greatly increased our excitement for missions by participating in such a trip and wish to encourage your participation. Preliminary cost estimate is $2500 plus or minus, per person, double occupancy.
Recently when Eleanor & I were visiting your church you expressed an interest in being included in a vision trip to North India scheduled for this coming fall. I promised to get back to you when details are worked out. Thus this letter. The trip will be a great opportunity to learn first-hand how your partnership has made a difference, gain a better-informed prayer burden, see what God has been doing there, have some ministry input and make new friends. It will also be a great adventure. Initially the trip was planned for the end of November, but it was pointed out to me that since that date would have included the USA Thanksgiving holidays it might have been difficult for some of you to join. Thus the vision trip is now scheduled for October 18-29.
Bobby Jo Brooks in the MTW office (678-823-0004x2131) will be coordinating the trip and will soon be in touch with you about the details, including cost & payment schedule, purpose, vision, itinerary, and goals. It would help if you would copy me on any correspondence with her. It should be a great trip – and a lot of fun. May God expand our vision.
Yours in His Name,
David: david@swissmail.org
p.s. Optional Himalayan hike/trek add-on: For any of you who want even more adventure and are in reasonably good shape I have kept an additional 5 days open (Oct.30-Nov.4) for an optional hike in the Himalayas. Difficulty level: moderate. Estimated cost: $210 in addition to the Vision Trip cost. You need to let me know by email if this is something you want to do.”
Mission Prayer Requests:
Please be praying for the following ministries:
COMMUNITY OUTREACH
Brevard Music Center – Drivers are needed to pick up and deliver students from the Music Center and back again beginning Sunday, June 24th. If you are willing, please sign up on the sheet in the foyer. Thanks!
Eye Pillow Ministry – NEEDED!!! - Eye pillows for Transylvania Hospital. Pick up instructions on the WIC table, make a few and return your completed pillows to the WIC table in the designated box. They basically are made from a 4”x10” fabric case filled with rice. They are heated in the microwave for the patients. If you would be able to make the case with an open end, someone else could fill the case with rice. Contact Kathy Knight 877.5090 if you are interested in any portion of this project.
The Haven (homeless shelter ministry) – There is a need for help in different capacities such as meals, cleaning, night sitting, etc. Several from Cornerstone have taken the training to participate in this ministry. To help with this ministry and for more information, call Emily Lowery at The Haven 877.2040.
Cedar Mountain House – Cornerstone holds a worship service for the elderly residents of the Cedar Mountain House each month that has a 5th Sunday. The next Sunday to hold this service is July 29. See Burt Mullins if you are interested in participating.
WOMEN IN THE CHURCH
Ladies Summer Bible Study - June 7 - August 16
We have had a lot of requests for a summer Bible Study and we have heard you! This summer we will be doing an eight week Beth Moore study, James - Mercy Triumphs. We will be meeting on Thursday mornings 10 am until noon at the church. Any ladies from the community are invited. Please invite some friends. We will skip the week of July 4th. Be watching for a sign-up sheet starting the first week in May. Contact person: Mary Jo McBride, Spiritual Growth Chairwoman.
Ladies Lunch Bunch Out - Wednesday, May 23
Ladies, look for a sign-up sheet in the foyer in a few weeks or email Betty Sibley if you plan to join us again for this time of fellowship and connecting with one another. This month we will be at Marco's again and our reservations are for 12:30pm.
Our WNC Presbytery's Women in the Church Fall Retreat - October 26 – 27, 2012 at Ridge Haven
It is really going to be wonderful this year! Our speaker for the retreat is Matt Howell – the RUF pastor at Appalachian State University. We are very excited to have Matt come and speak about Standing Strong in Every Stage, using the life of Paul as an example. If you have not had the opportunity to hear Matt open the Word and teach, you are in for a treat! We are excited to partner with him as one of our RUF pastors here in Western Carolina. Our prayer is that women in all stages of life will be encouraged as we look at the life of Paul, considering how he served and honored the Lord throughout his life. Won’t you pray with us for the Fall Retreat and put this date on your calendar! Contact: Mary Jo McBride, Spiritual Growth Chairman or any of the Leadership Team
An Uplifting Ministry: Ladies, if you are interested in blessing other women, check out the hamper in the ladies’ restroom. This is very “uplifting” opportunity to minister to women in need. Call Jerry Redwing if you have questions.
LIBRARY NEWS
Six new books for the month of May!
Two of the new books for this month are authored by J.W. Alexander (1804-59), pastor and theological professor. He ministered in New York at the time of the 1857-58 Revival and is known for his remarkable Communion addresses.
Remember Him ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………234.163 ALE
What does the Lord’s Supper represent? Who ought to come to it? What should they think about before, during, and after the service? These and related questions are answered in this easily-read book.
God is Love..............................................................................................................................252 ALE
This is a book of Communion addresses. Nothing, Alexander believed, can make the contrite happy but the assurance of God’s love. And that love is to be seen in looking to the Savior and to the cross.
Now, that’s a Good Question!.........by R.C. Sproul…………………………………………………………………230 SPR
Have you ever wondered…..Are some sins worse than others? Does science disprove Christianity? Is abortion ever okay? Why are there so many different interpretations of the Bible? The book is divided into twenty-two sections, addressing more than three hundred questions. It is a valuable, easy-to-use reference tool.
What Do Presbyterians Believe? ……..by Gordon H. Clark……………………………………………………..238.5 CLA
In this book Gordon H. Clark, noted philosopher and theologian, provides an informal commentary on the Westminster Confession of Faith.
What is a True Calvinist?.......by Philip Graham Ryken……………………………………………………………230.42 RYK
This practical introduction to Reformed spirituality demonstrates, in Ryken’s words, that “doctrines of grace help to preserve all that is right and good in the Christian life: humility, holiness, and thankfulness, with a passion for prayer and evangelism.”
A Father’s Gift…………………..by Kenneth B. Wingate……………………………………………………..…………223.7 WIN
Lessons in Proverbs-----shows us the way to possess the jewel of all jewels in a well-adorned life: wisdom that is rooted in the knowledge of, and reverential love for, God.
NEW MEMBERS
Meet Susan Parker! Susan was raised in Bangor, Maine and spent her youthful summers outdoors at lakes, parks, seashores and countryside, as well as helping friends with their gardens, horses, and farm chores. She is the mother of three children whom she enjoyed raising as “outdoorsy” as she is. Susan is thankful for God’s provision as she traveled to many States in our beautiful USA and eventually settled in North Carolina. She loves the town of Brevard for its abundance of art and music. She is grateful to find the Cornerstone Family since her own family and long-time friends are scattered among more than twelve distant States. She looks forward to kindling strong friendships within the church and neighborhood and lending a helping hand whenever possible. Welcome, Susan!
Many of you already know Nicole Noran! Nicole is originally from Jacksonville, Florida. She first heard the gospel, believed at ten years of age, and was baptized two years later. She attended the University of Northern Arizona and Westminster Seminary California and she has traveled extensively doing volunteer work. Her parents have lived in Lake Toxaway for some time, and she currently lives with them. At this time, she works as a caregiver for the elderly. However, she has plans to continue her education and hopes to become an instructor of biblical languages. (She teaches the Hebrew class on Tuesdays and Thursdays.) She loves to hike, sing, dance, read and drink tea. Cornerstone Church has been a blessing to her for many years. Welcome, Nicole!
RIDGE HAVEN
With the start of camps just one month away, Ridge Haven is currently seeking a rotating staff of volunteers to serve in two specific areas this summer: the camp store and registration. Registration volunteers are needed on Monday afternoons, usually from 1-5 pm, to help campers sign in and get situated when they first arrive at camp. We need camp store volunteers on weekdays to help work our youth camp store, The Haven. Camp season begins on Monday, June 4th and concludes on Friday, August 3rd. Periodically, volunteers will also be needed in our bookstore for adults during non-camp events such as MTW’s Pre-Field Training from Tuesday evening, May 29th through Friday morning, June 1st, as well as MTW’s Summer Conference from July 9th-14th.
If you are interested in helping out, contact Steve Cobb in the Ridge Haven office at steve@ridgehaven.org or 828-862-3916. Please let him know the dates and times you are available so we can put together a volunteer schedule. Whether you are available for an afternoon, a week, or the entire summer, any and all help is greatly appreciated. This is a wonderful ministry opportunity as you assist and interact with young people who are often either seekers or new believers. Thank you to all who are interested!
Join us for our next Ridge Haven dinner on May 14th at 6:00 p.m. Make your reservations by calling the Ridge Haven office 862.3916.
TAKE NOTICE
Please make the following changes in your church directory:
If you need to change your information in the directory, please notify Fred Hall (fredrep@comporium.net) or Kathy Knight (leviflat@hotmail.com) so we can post it in the newsletter and everyone can make a notation in their directory.
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