Cornerstone Evangelical Free Church

This Week at Cornerstone – April 13, 2011

Jo Anne — Wed, 13 Apr 2011 18:14:24 +0000

Every year we share a Good Friday service with Old Orchard Presbyterian Church. This year the service will be at their location, 640 Amelia, Webster Groves, MO 63119, on Friday, April 22^nd beginning at 7:00 p.m. and Pastor Terry will deliver the message. For families planning to bring little ones (0-3 years), please call the office so we can let Old Orchard know to provide sufficient child care for you.

Check out the Easter display in the Cornerstone Library. We have books by Max Lucado, Chuck Swindoll, John MacArthur, and others, as well as Easter books for children. Also on display: Books by Joni Eareckson Tada.

Looking for a unique gift for a special woman or friend in your life this Mother’s Day? MOPS has the answer. Give her the new “Little Bites & Blessings!” Cornerstone MOPS cookbook. Hot out of the kitchen, it is a collection of over 280 mom-tested recipes and spiritual tidbits to nourish the little bodies and souls in your life at only $10.00! Look for a MOPS mama after church in the foyer TODAY & May 1^st or call Dana at 314-646-7597 to order.

It is Spring cleanup time again! Cornerstone has several families who have “adopted” an area of our grounds to keep clean. Would you like to do that, too? ♥ We have areas that need tenders, so if you love to tinker in the dirt or love being outside, please let joanne@cornerstonestaff.org know and we will assign you a spot. If you would rather just help for a few hours, come on Saturday, April 30^th, 8:00 a.m. until we are tired, and help us spruce up. If it rains, we will postpone it to May 7^th.

Our Classics (over 50) group is looking for someone ♥ to plan one event in May/June and someone to plan one in the Fall. It can be at the church or at someone’s home. This is usually a potluck, fellowship and game night. Other activities would be welcomed, too. We want to keep this going from year to year. Contact the office if you are willing to help.

MISSIONS AND ILT EVENTS

♥ Is anyone interested in participating in the Moldova camps this summer? Time is running out to sign up. The date of the first camp is June 27^th to July 2^nd with camp leaders Nicolai and Svetlana Sali; Bible study – Precept course for kids “Boy, I got a problem” according to the Book of James. The second camp will be July 4^th to 9^th with camp leaders Ion and Uliana Cotorobai; Bible study – 2 Thessalonians. Travel reservations need to be made quickly, so contact Mark and Katherine Kamphoefner who will be coordinating the trips from here.

STUDENT MINISTRY

Service Project: Immanuel E Free Church is having an Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday, April 23^rd, at 2:00 p.m. as an outreach and has asked for our help. ♥ This is a great chance for us to serve others!

This summer our high schoolers will have their annual discipleship retreat to Kansas City on Friday through Sunday, July 8-10. The cost is $50. If you are sending more than one child, the second child can come for half price. The deadline for signups is Easter Sunday, April 24^th. Spots are limited, so sign up now!

CHILDREN’S MINISTRY

We will be presenting our Easter musical, “Come, Messiah, Come” during our 9:00 a.m. Easter service on April 24^th. Music rehearsal is immediately after the 1^st service in Room 122. The actual play practice occurs every Sunday in the Junior Church Room at 9:00 a.m. An alternate class is held for those who are not in the play. See Anne Parker.

IMPORTANT FOR THOSE IN THE MUSICAL TO PUT ON YOUR CALENDARS: The kids’ Easter musical will rehearse on stage Saturday, April 23^rd, 9:00 to 11:30 a.m.

PRAYER NEEDS AND UPDATES

Check the following sites for news and prayer requests:

Cindy Gunderson – http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/cindygunderson

Richard Schumacher – www.caringbridge.com/visit/richardschumacher

Linda Starnes – www.caringbridge.org/visit/lindastarnes

Continue to pray for the following, too:

Karen Felton – as she struggles with the effects of Parkinson’s

Kyle Chesnut – for protection as he serves our country for a year in the Army in Afghanistan. If you would like to send a card or write, his address is: Chesnut, Kyle, Alpha Company 2-18 IN, FOB Konduz, APO AE 09368

David Milligan – will see a cardiologist regarding several health issues.

Larisa Shevchenko’s mother is in poor health

Jim Matush’s niece, Leah Atkinson – recovering from auto accident injuries; now in rehab at Jim’s sister’s home in Texas. “Thanks to our Cornerstone Family for all your prayers, it obviously helped.”

RUSSIAN COMMUNITY NEWS AND UPDATES

A Russian class meets every Wednesday at Parkway Baptist Church, Room E104, at 6.30 p.m. studying Revelation. NOTE: Every last Wednesday of every month Ion will be updating his ILT activity, 6:30-7:30 p.m. at Parkway Baptist. This will be in English and everyone is invited to attend.

If and when you have prayer requests, be sure to call or send them to the church office by Wednesday Noon so they can be included in this communiqué and in Sunday’s bulletin.

SERVING CORNERSTONE

Volunteer n. A person who performs or offers to perform a service of one’s own free will. This symbol “♥” indicates volunteer opportunities available at Cornerstone. Contact the office to find where you can help. Come, volunteer and help us grow.

COMMUNITY NEWS

Edgar Road Elementary School will have their 4th Annual Jaguar 5K Race on Saturday, May 14^th beginning at 8:30 a.m. This is a fundraiser for their PTO who is planning to purchase new playground equipment. ♥ They are looking for racers and desperately need volunteers to ensure safety along the route. This is a great way to lovingly serve the community – just like our marquis out front says!! Katie Halloran (formerly Osburn) is the contact person and can be reached via email at katieshamrock@yahoo.com or phone 314-456-9405 (her cell is listed incorrectly in the church directory).

RECYCLING SAVES! ♥ We continually collect used laser and ink jet printer cartridges and old cell phones for our silent recycling fundraiser – place them in the bin located by the elevator in the foyer. Thank you for your contributions and keep on recycling!!

Do you have an old washer and dryer, stove, or other appliance sitting in your garage that you have been meaning to dispose of but haven’t because you don’t know where to take it? What about a broken radio, TV, toaster; or maybe they are not broken but you have replaced them with the latest technology? Good news! On Saturday, May 21^st bring them to the annual electronics drive which will be held at Kirkwood High School. Click on http://www.integrationcontrols.com/index.php?/electronics-recycling.html to learn more about the drive, what they accept, or to volunteer. They will also accept electrical or USB cords, dead batteries of all kinds and anything that operates electrically.

Do you know the four steps to identifying a stroke? They are: 1) Ask the individual to SMILE. 2) Ask the person to TALK and SPEAK A SIMPLE SENTENCE coherently; such as “It is a beautiful day today”; 3) Ask him or her to RAISE BOTH ARMS; and lastly, 4) Tell them to stick out their tongue [NOTE: If their smile is lopsided; they slur or can’t repeat the sentence; can’t raise both arms together; or their tongue is 'crooked', or goes to one side or the other when they stick it out, they may be having a stroke.] If he or she has trouble with ANY ONE of these tasks, call 911 immediately and describe the symptoms to the dispatcher. A neurologist says that if the stroke victim is recognized, diagnosed, and medically cared for within 3 hours, he can totally reverse the effects of a stroke … totally.

Many places and events publicize on our bulletin boards in the church hallway. Take a minute to browse through and support those that interest you.

January 26, 2011

Jo Anne — Wed, 26 Jan 2011 19:14:51 +0000

THIS WEEK AT CORNERSTONE

Due to the snow last Thursday, MOPS postponed their meeting from last week to tomorrow morning instead.

Cornerstone’s Library has devotional materials that will help you and your families become “addicted” to setting aside time to read the Bible. Why not check out a devotional for 2011?

This Sunday is Benevolence Sunday. Please consider a donation to our Benevolence Fund for those in need. Deacons will be at the doors taking your donations on Sunday.

Our Junior High kids have been studying different religions, and for the past few weeks have been learning how to share Christ with those in the Mormon faith. In March, there will be an opportunity for the adults to learn how to be a witness to the “mission field on your front porch”, or to simply reach out to LDS (Latter Day Saints) friends. We are putting together a list of those who would be interested in learning more about the history of the Mormon Church and what they believe. Please let us know if you would like to be included by contacting Ernie or Denise Brockman at 314-963-1295 or emb2x2@juno.com.

The office received a call from a man who is blind. He lives near Arsenal and 44 and would like to visit our church, but he needs transportation. If anyone lives in that area and would be willing to pick him up, please contact the office.

WOMEN’S MNINISTRY

Girls Night Out – Thursday, February 3^rd at 7:00 pm. Come make a card for your favorite Valentine and have fun with your friends and daughters. Girls of all ages are invited.

STUDENT MINISTRY

The next Cornerstone basketball tournament will be held at Whitecliff Park’s basketball courts on Saturday, February 26, 9:00 to 11:30 a.m. Sign up in the foyer.

CHILDREN’S MINISTRY

HELP! HELP!! ♥ Helpers are still desperately needed on a regular basis for the preschool classes at 9:00 a.m.

PRAYER NEEDS AND UPDATES

Victor Lokshin’s 38-year old brother suddenly passed away last Wednesday in Chicago from a heart attack. Please lift the family up in prayer for the Lord’s comfort.

Thank you for your prayers for Richard Corno’s 90-year-old mother. She has been diagnosed with vascular dementia and is on a blood thinner, which should help the disorientation she is experiencing.

Pray for Patrika, from Romania, who, along with her husband, has been attending our 9:00 a.m. service. She is going through chemo therapy for breast cancer and is scheduled for surgery this week. Pray that the cancer is eradicated.

Also check the following sites for news and prayer requests:

Cindy Gunderson – http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/cindygunderson – White blood cell count was up last Friday so Cindy is ready for her next treatment this Friday.

Richard Schumacher – www.caringbridge.com/visit/richardschumacher – Enters Barnes on January 28^th for a PET scan and begin the high dose chemo to continue for 7 days, and on February 4^th will transplant his stem cells with the hope that his bone marrow will produce healthy cells.

Linda Starnes – www.caringbridge.org/visit/lindastarnes

Richard Ruiz – www.caringbridge.org/visit/richardruiz – Doing better today. When I came into his room this morning, he looked at me, smiled and waved!!!! Check the site for more info later today. Jo Anne

Please keep Karen Felton in your prayers as she struggles with the effects of Parkinson’s.

RUSSIAN COMMUNITY NEWS, PRAYER NEEDS AND UPDATES

If and when you have prayer requests, be sure to call or send them to the church office by Wednesday Noon so they can be included in this communiqué and in Sunday’s bulletin.

SERVING CORNERSTONE

RECYCLING SAVES! ♥ We continually collect used laser and ink jet printer cartridges and old cell phones for our silent recycling fundraiser – place them in the basket located by the elevator in the foyer. Thank you for your contributions and keep on recycling!!

December 22, 2010

Jo Anne — Wed, 22 Dec 2010 17:50:35 +0000

THIS WEEK AT CORNERSTONE

Luke 2:1-7 – The Birth of Jesus Christ

¹In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. ²This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. ³And all went to be registered, each to his own town. ⁴And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, ⁵to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. ⁶And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. ⁷And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. (ESV)

Come and celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ this Friday, Christmas Eve, December 24^th, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. The Russian congregation will have a special service immediately following. BUT – PLEASE NOTE – The forecast is for the possibility of up to 6” of snow that evening. If snow accumulates to 3” or more, the service will be cancelled. Please call those who do not have email to let them know of this possibility.

Signups for the next round of “Sunday Suppers” began last Sunday in the Welcome Center. The date of the next supper will be Sunday, January 23^rd. You can host or just attend. If you can host a dinner ♥ where children can be included, please let Nancy know so those who have a hard time finding sitters on a Sunday can attend! This is also a perfect way for newcomers to get to know us in a relaxed and loving atmosphere. If you know any new people who have begun attending, invite them to the signup table. Call Nancy at 314-961-3874 or email nancphill@sbcglobal.net with questions.

A new Bible study on Galations will begin on Thursday, January 6^th, 6:30-8:00 p.m. led by Rich Cartier in the Fireplace Room.

Christmas books and DVDs will be on display in the Cornerstone Library until January 9th. We have some beautiful children’s books, new children’s DVDs, and both fiction and non-fiction books on Christmas and the Advent season for adults. Books are available for checkout for three weeks, but we encourage you to bring back the children’s Christmas books early so that others can borrow them. DVDs may be checked out for one week. We have a few Christmas romance novels on the table outside the library that can be borrowed on the ‘honor system’ — No need to check them out, just bring them back when you are finished with them.

Congratulations to new parents, Aaron and Michelle Goldstein, and grandparents, Ron and Tricia Goldstein, on the birth of Shirah Lynn last Friday, the 17^th. She weighed 6 lbs. 14 oz. and is 20½ ” tall.

STUDENT MINISTRY

Thursday Student Bible Study will not meet until January.

CHILDREN’S MINISTRY

REMINDER TO PARENTS! All children MUST be dropped off and picked up by their parents from their classrooms. Teachers will not allow them to leave on their own.

HELP! HELP!! We still need two helpers on a regular basis for the 3 & 4 year old class second hour. Please contact Anne or the church office if you can help.

RUSSIAN COMMUNITY NEWS AND PRAYER NEEDS AND UPDATES

Noted above, a special Russian service will be held following our Christmas Eve Service on Friday evening.

A Russian class meets every Wednesday at Parkway Baptist Church, Room E104, at 6.30 p.m. studying Revelation; however, this week they are meeting at Ion Cheptene’s home.

Continue to pray for Yuriy Shultsev who is recovering from injuries to his hands and legs following a fall in October. Please pray that Yuriy continues to improve and that he comes through this spiritually and physically well. The family appreciates all your prayers.

PRAYER NEEDS AND UPDATES

Cindy Gunderson is doing very well following her recent surgery. Go to http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/cindygunderson for her updates and to leave Cindy a note.

Richard Schumacher continues with his chemo treatments. Keep him in your prayers and go to www.caringbridge.com/visit/richardschumacher for details and updates.

Also, keep Linda Starnes in your prayers as she continues her chemo therapy. You may also go to www.caringbridge.org/visit/lindastarnes to see her updates and to leave her a message.

Keep Karen Felton in your prayers as she struggles with the effects of Parkinson’s.

Reminder: Our Monday evening prayer group will not meet for the next two weeks. The 50/50 prayer group meets every Thursday morning from 7:00 to 8:00 a.m. in the Fireplace Room on a 13-week study based on the book, Overcoming Fear and Discouragement by Kay Arthur, David Lawson and Bob Vereen. Everyone is welcome to join either or both groups.

If and when you have prayer requests, be sure to call or send them to the church office by Wednesday Noon so they can be included in this communiqué and in Sunday’s bulletin.

SERVING CORNERSTONE

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

December 15, 2010

Jo Anne — Thu, 16 Dec 2010 18:35:56 +0000

THIS WEEK AT CORNERSTONE

Four County homeless shelters in St. Louis County are experiencing a serious shortage of personal care supplies. A list of needs is posted on our hall bulletin board outside the Sanctuary. Look for the poster with the red border on the “Community” board. A collection bin is located in the Welcome Center cabinet.

Signups for the next round of “Sunday Suppers” began last Sunday in the Welcome Center. The date of the next supper will be Sunday, January 23^rd. You can be a host or just an attendee. If you can host a dinner ♥ where children can be included, please let Nancy know so those who have a hard time finding sitters on a Sunday can attend! This is also a perfect way for newcomers to get to know us in a relaxed and loving atmosphere. If you know any new people who have begun attending, invite them to the signup table. Call Nancy at 314-961-3874 or email nancphill@sbcglobal.net with questions.

A new Bible study on Galations will begin on Thursday, January 6^th, 6:30-8:00 p.m. led by Rich Cartier in the Fireplace Room.

Congratulations to new parents, Andy and Katie Wolken, on the birth of a son who is yet to be named. He was born a little after 9:00 a.m. last Thursday, the 9th. He weighed 8 lbs. 8 oz. and is 21” tall.

STUDENT MINISTRY

Thursday Student Bible Study will not meet until January.

CHILDREN’S MINISTRY

REMINDER TO PARENTS! All children MUST be dropped off and picked up by their parents from their classrooms. Teachers will not allow them to leave on their own.

HELP! HELP!! We still need two helpers for the 3&4 year-old class as someone has dropped out. Please contact Anne or the church office if you can help. If you don’t volunteer, Anne may seek you out!

RUSSIAN COMMUNITY NEWS AND PRAYER NEEDS AND UPDATES

A Russian class meets every Wednesday at Parkway Baptist Church, Room E104, at 6.30 p.m. studying Revelation.

Continue to pray for Yuriy Shultsev who is recovering from injuries to his hands and legs following a fall a month ago. Please pray that Yuriy continues to improve and that he comes through this spiritually and physically well. The family appreciates all your prayers.

Luba Briginets asked for prayer for her family and especially for her mother-in-law who lives with them now.

PRAYER NEEDS AND UPDATES

Please pray for Matt and Roberta Creamer’s daughter-in-law, Lynnsey, who was in a car accident earlier this week, totaling her car, but fortunately she was not injured. She was on the way to school to take a final, so pray that she and her husband, John, will have peace through this situation and are able to obtain replacement transportation.

Our condolences to Lee Burns on the loss of his sister, Margaret Edwards, in Virginia. The funeral was held over the weekend. Please keep her husband, Bruce, in your prayers.

Cindy Gunderson is doing very well following her surgery last week. Go to http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/cindygunderson for her updates and to leave Cindy a note.

Richard Schumacher continues with his chemo treatments. Keep him in your prayers and go to www.caringbridge.com/visit/richardschumacher for details and updates.

Also, keep Linda Starnes in your prayers as she continues her chemo therapy. You may also go to www.caringbridge.org/visit/lindastarnes to see her updates and to leave her a message.

Reminder: Our Monday evening prayer group meets from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. in the Youth Room, and the 50/50 prayer group meets every Thursday morning from 7:00 to 8:00 a.m. in the Fireplace Room on a 13-week study based on the book, Overcoming Fear and Discouragement by Kay Arthur, David Lawson and Bob Vereen. Everyone is welcome to join either or both groups.

If and when you have prayer requests, be sure to call or send them to the church office by Wednesday Noon so they can be included in this communiqué and in Sunday’s bulletin.

SERVING CORNERSTONE

December 8, 2010

Jo Anne — Wed, 08 Dec 2010 19:52:39 +0000

Don’t forget Christmas Choir Rehearsal tonight, 6:00-7:00 p.m. Only one more rehearsal after tonight – next Wednesday!

Our current Sunday morning adult Bible classes ended last Sunday and new classes will begin this Sunday, the 12^th, with the following:

Pastor Terry – The Importance of the Church – Junior Church Room
Soman Varghese – 1 & 2 Timothy – Garage Room
Ion Cheptene and John Ritland will team teach in the Loft using two of the “no homework” 40-minute Precept studies:

(1^st 6 weeks) Loving God and Others: The Heart of True Faith and
(2^nd 6 weeks) Being a Disciple: Counting the Real Cost.

Do you know anyone who is considering becoming a member of Cornerstone? Maybe it’s you! A “Discovering Cornerstone” class, which is a prerequisite to becoming a member, is planned for this Sunday, December 12th, 12:30 to 2:30 p.m., in the Junior Church Room. This class will be led by Pastor Terry and John Ritland and includes a light lunch. Please sign up in the Welcome Center or RSVP to the office (314-968-9808 or joanne@cornerstonestaff.org – or just drop in.

Four County homeless shelters in St. Louis County are experiencing a serious shortage of personal care supplies. A list of needs is posted on our hall bulletin board outside the Sanctuary. Look for the poster with the red border on the “Community” board. A basket will be available in the Welcome Center this Sunday.

ThriVe has emailed the following message to us: “While Christmas shopping, bless God’s heart by adding an unborn child to your list! $55.00 will provide a frightened woman with a life-saving ultrasound and the message of Christ’s love. Make a gift of any size and your generosity will be matched dollar-for-dollar by a group of local business owners. Click here to give the Christmas gift of a LIFEtime! And, please spread the news of this life-saving opportunity by sharing this message with friends who share your commitment to Life. (Gifts of $100 or more may qualify for a Missouri income tax credit.)”

Richard Schumacher invites us to World Impact St. Louis’ “Hearts for the City” Benefit Concert and Silent Auction to be held at the South County Christian Center, 5001 Little Rock Road, St. Louis, MO 63128, this Friday, December 10^th at 7:00 p.m. The proceeds will help repair damage done to their urban ministry center from recent thefts and help save their summer programs! This will be a fun evening featuring music artist Mark Roach and the chance to bid on many fantastic silent auction items for you and your family! Tickets are $5.00 at the door; doors open at 6:15 p.m. so you can start your bidding early! For more information please visit www.worldimpactstl.org.

Signups for the next round of “Sunday Suppers” begins this Sunday in the Welcome Center. The date of the next supper will be Sunday, January 23^rd. You can be a host or just an attendee. If you can host a dinner ♥ where children can be included, please let Nancy know so those who have a hard time finding sitters on a Sunday can attend! This is also a perfect way for newcomers to get to know us in a relaxed and loving atmosphere. If you know any new people who have begun attending, invite them to the signup table. Call Nancy at 314-961-3874 or email nancphill@sbcglobal.net with questions.

STUDENT MINISTRY

Middle and High School Students will have their annual Christmas party tomorrow, December 9th (NOTE: The green postcard you just received has a typo! It IS the 9^th, not the 19^th!) 6:30-8:30 p.m. in the Youth Room. Everyone needs to bring a wrapped White Elephant gift; a favorite dessert that THEY MADE for our dessert pot luck; and, wear an ugly or most beautiful Christmas sweater for the “Ugly Christmas Sweater” contest!

Following the Christmas party on the 9^th, the students will not have their Thursday Student Bible Study until January.

CHILDREN’S MINISTRY

REMINDER TO PARENTS! All children MUST be dropped off and picked up by their parents from their classrooms. Teachers will not allow them to leave on their own.

RUSSIAN COMMUNITY NEWS AND PRAYER NEEDS AND UPDATES

A Russian class meets every Wednesday at Parkway Baptist Church, Room E104, at 6.30 p.m. studying Revelation.

Luba Briginets asked for prayer for her family and especially for her mother-in-law who lives with them now.

PRAYER NEEDS AND UPDATES

Pray for Al Lewis who is teaching in Ghana through Sunday. There are a few new entries on his blog at http://alandedie.blogspot.com.

Lee Burns asks for prayer for his sister, Margaret Edwards, who is in critical condition and does have much chance of surviving due to fluid accumulation in her lungs after heart bypass surgery. Please pray for strength for her husband Bruce also.

As you read this newsletter, Cindy Gunderson is in surgery for a double mastectomy which was scheduled to begin around 12:30 p.m. today. She arrived at Barnes West, 270 and Olive, at 10:30 this morning and will stay at least two nights. Go to http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/cindygunderson for updates and to leave Cindy a note.

Richard Schumacher continues with his chemo treatments. Tests last week revealed the abdominal tumor is gone and the swollen lymph nodes have significantly reduced in size! Keep him in your prayers and go to www.caringbridge.com/visit/richardschumacher for details and updates.

Also, keep Linda Starnes in your prayers as she continues her chemo therapy. She had no adverse reaction to her injection last Thursday and was generally feeling better than she had in a long time! Praise the Lord! Keep praying for the effectiveness of her treatment and the lightness of her spirit! You may also go to www.caringbridge.org/visit/lindastarnes to leave Linda a message.

Remember Amy Fedder in your prayers as she continues to heal from her heart surgery. She was at Cornerstone last Sunday! She is still staying at her parent’s home and says she is doing very well.

If and when you have prayer requests, be sure to call or send them to the church office by Wednesday Noon so they can be included in this communiqué and in Sunday’s bulletin.

SERVING CORNERSTONE

Volunteer n. A person who performs or offers to perform a service of one’s own free will. This symbol “♥” indicates volunteer opportunities available at Cornerstone. Contact the office to find where you can help. Come, volunteer and help us grow.