GOOD NEWS
FROM CORNERSTONE
“GOOD NEWS” IS THE OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER OF CORNERSTONE BAPTIST CHURCH
5399 HARTLEY BRIDGE ROAD MACON, GA 31216 MAIL US AT P. O. BOX 3296, MACON, GA 31205-3296
PHONE 478 781-2762 FAX 478 781-8701
WWW.CORNERSTONEMACON.COM EMAIL: CORNERSTONEMACON@AOL.COM
VOLUME FIFTEEN JULY, 2009 NUMBER SEVEN
DR. CHARLES MICHAEL BLIZZARD, PASTOR
CHURCH MINISTRY THEME FOR 2009 "NOT PERFECT...JUST FAITHFUL!"
GREETINGS IN THE NAME OF OUR WONDERFUL
LORD AND SAVIOUR, JESUS CHRIST!
THIS EDITION OF “GOOD NEWS FROM CORNERSTONE” WILL PROVIDE YOU WITH KEY CALENDAR DATES AND ACTIVITIES FOR JULY, 2009 AND BEYOND. IT WILL GIVE YOU A SNAPSHOT OF WHAT IS HAPPENING IN THE WONDERFUL FELLOWSHIP OF OUR CHURCH. EACH WEEK, THOSE IN ATTENDANCE RECEIVE HANDOUTS THAT GIVE GREATER DETAIL
ON OUR MINISTRIES AND ACTIVITIES. PLEASE FILE THIS COPY FOR QUICK REFERENCE.
“GOOD NEWS FROM CORNERSTONE”
IS NOW AVAILABLE TO MEMBERS AND FRIENDS IN TWO WAYS:
ONE-- ON THE CHURCH WEBSITE. TWO-- COPIES AVAILABLE AT CHURCH.
IF WE BECOME AWARE OF MEMBERS AND FRIENDS WITH NO COMPUTER ACCESS,
WE WILL, OF COURSE, MAIL THEM A COPY.
PLEASE FEEL FREE TO SHARE "GOOD NEWS" WITH FAMILY,
FRIENDS OR PROSPECTS.
CORNERSTONE CONCERT SERIES
SUNDAY NIGHT, JULY 19 AT 6 PM
MIKE AND KELLY BOWLING
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SUNDAY NIGHT, AUGUST 9 AT 6 PM
CALVARY'S WAY
MACON EVANGELISTIC CONGREGATION INVITED...HOMEMADE ICE CREAM AFTERWARDS IN BECHAM HALL
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SUNDAY NIGHT, SEPTEMBER 20 AT 6 PM
JEFF & SHERI EASTER
IF YOU WISH TO RECEIVE THE EMAIL PRAYER HOT LINE,
PLEASE BE SURE THAT THE OFFICE HAS YOUR PREFERRED EMAIL ADDRESS.
THE LATEST
ROSTER OF MEMBERS AND FRIENDS OF CORNERSTONE
IS AVAILABLE AS A HANDOUT IN THE FOYER.
OR YOU MAY BECOME LISTED ON OUR EMAIL PRAYER HOT LINE AND
BE ABLE TO VIEW AN UPDATE EVERY WEEK.
WITH ALL THE VISITORS AND NEW MEMBERS,
IT WILL BE HELPFUL TO KEEP YOUR INFORMATION CURRENT.
NEW BELIEVERS AND BAPTISM
WE PRAISE THE LORD FOR THOSE RECEIVING CHRIST
AS THEIR PERSONAL SAVIOUR AND
THEN FOLLOWING THE LORD IN BELIEVERS BAPTISM.
WE WILL HAVE ANOTHER BAPTISMAL SERVICE SUNDAY MORNING, JULY 19 AT 10:45 AM.
IF YOU WISH TO BE COUNSELED AND BAPTIZED, PLEASE SPEAK WITH THE PASTOR.
GENEROUS FOOD & CLOTHING DONATIONS
WE NEED TO REPLENISH THE FOOD PANTRY AND CLOTHES CLOSET!
PLEASE BRING GENEROUS GIFTS OF STAPLE FOOD ITEMS AND CLOTHING DURING
JULY AND AUGUST AND PLACE THEM IN THE RECEPTACLES IN THE FOYER.
"WATER WALKERS"
THE "WATER WALKER" DISCIPLESHIP MINISTRY WILL MEET AGAIN ON
SUNDAY AFTERNOON, AUGUST 2, 2009 FROM 5 PM TO 6 PM IN THE SANCTUARY.
WE ARE IN CHAPTER FOUR OF DR. DAVID JEREMIAH'S BOOK,
"WHAT IN THE WORLD IS GOING ON?"
THANK YOU, LORD FOR:
***A SUCCESSFUL COED SOFTBALL SEASON.
THE FELLOWSHIP WAS GREAT AND OUR TEAM PLACED SECOND IN THEIR DIVISION.
***A BLESSED AND FUN VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL.
***SPIRIT-FILLED WORSHIP SERVICES EVERY WEEK
***DYNAMIC BIBLE STUDY SESSIONS EVERY SUNDAY MORNING
***LIFE-CHANGING DISCIPLESHIP STUDIES IN OUR "WATER WALKER" MINISTRY
FROM MY HEART...
SUNDAY MORNING AT CORNERSTONE
9 AM---THE PRAISE TEAM REHEARSES
9:30 AM---SUNDAY SCHOOL FOR EVERYONE. GREETERS WILL HELP YOU FIND YOUR GROUP.
10:45 AM---CELEBRATION WORSHIP
AS WE GATHER, THE CONGREGATION ENJOYS A WONDERFUL OPPORTUNITY TO WELCOME GUESTS AND
TO AFFIRM OUR LOVE FOR ALL WHO ARE PRESENT.
THE PRAISE TEAM & INSTRUMENTALISTS LEAD OUR SINGING . WE ARE BLESSED THAT
OTHER GIFTED SINGERS IN OUR CONGREGATION SHARE QUALITY MUSIC WITH US, ALSO.
AFTER THE CHILDREN COME TO “THE LITTLE CHURCH” WITH LOVE GIFTS, THEY GO TO
EXTENDED SESSION FOR AGES 3 THROUGH 5 AND CHILDRENS CHURCH FOR GRADES 1-5.
WE ENJOY GIVING GENEROUS TITHES AND OFFERINGS.
THE PASTOR IS PREACHING EXPOSITORY SERMONS FROM THE GOSPEL OF JOHN.
THE ALTAR IS OPEN THROUGHOUT THE SERVICE AND IT IS NOT UNUSUAL TO SEE PEOPLE COMING TO PRAY OFTEN. THOSE WISHING TO BECOME MEMBERS OF OUR CHURCH ARE ALWAYS ENCOURAGED
TO COME SPEAK WITH THE PASTOR
WEDNESDAY BLESSINGS AT CORNERSTONE
6:30 PM---WEDNESDAY IN THE WORD
THE NURSERY IS STAFFED; CHILDREN MEET FOR ACTIVITY TIME;
YOUTH MEET WITH MS. GAYE IN THE MODULAR;
THE PASTOR LEADS MID-WEEK WORSHIP IN BECHAM HALL FOR ADULTS.
7:30 PM---PRACTICING TO PRAISE
EVERYONE WHO WOULD LIKE TO SING ON THE PLATFORM AND HELP LEAD THE PRAISE PORTION OF OUR SUNDAY CELEBRATION WORSHIP SERVICE IS INVITED TO REHEARSE THE NEW PRAISE CHORUSES AND HYMNS WITH THE PRAISE TEAM LEADERS IN THE SANCTUARY.
OUR PASTOR IS PREACHING A SERIES OF EXPOSITORY SERMONS FROM
THE GOSPEL OF JOHN
IN THE MORNING WORSHIP SERVICE EACH WEEK AT 10:45 AM.
BE SURE TO BRING YOUR BIBLES, NOTEBOOK AND PEN SO THAT YOU CAN
LEARN IN THE MIDST OF WORSHIP. THIS MONTH WE ARE IN CHAPTERS 15 & 16.
IF YOU WISH, A CD OF EACH SUNDAY MORNING SERMON WILL BE AVAILABLE.
PLEASE SEE JENNIFER HARRIS FOR A COPY.
IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO PLACE FLOWERS IN A SUNDAY WORSHIP SERVICE IN HONOR OF OR IN MEMORY OF SOMEONE SPECIAL, PLEASE SIGN THE FLOWER LIST ON THE HALLWAY BULLETIN BOARD.
YOU SHOULD USE THE FLORIST OF YOUR CHOICE, ARRANGE PAYMENT AND ALSO
BRING OR HAVE THE FLOWERS DELIVERED TO THE CHURCH AT A SET TIME
SO THAT SOMEONE CAN BE HERE TO PROVIDE ENTRY TO THE SANCTUARY.
A PERSONAL WORD FROM PASTOR MIKE
IN FIFTEEN YEARS AS THE PASTOR OF THIS CHURCH, I CAN HONESTLY SAY THAT EVERY WORSHIP SERVICE I HAVE BEEN IN HAS BEEN A BLESSING TO ME. I OFTEN TELL OUR CHURCH FAMILY THAT I APPROACH EACH PREACHING OPPORTUNITY AS IF IT WILL BE MY VERY LAST SERMON. WHATEVER THAT MAY MEAN TO ANYONE ELSE, IT MAKES ME FOCUS ON PREACHING THE GOSPEL IN A WAY THAT IS FRESH, ALIVE AND SPIRIT-FILLED.
AS I BECOME MORE AND MORE INFORMED ABOUT OUR COUNTRY AS WELL AS THE STATE OF AFFAIRS ACROSS THE WORLD, I FIND MYSELF CRAVING A GREATER KNOWLEDGE OF THE PROPHETIC MESSAGE OF THE BIBLE. I CAN HONESTLY SAY THAT RIGHT NOW I AM MORE IN LOVE WITH JESUS THAN EVER AND MORE DETERMINED THAN EVER TO LIVE FOR HIM AND SERVE HIM. BUT I AM ALSO MORE AFRAID FOR AMERICA THAN AT ANY TIME IN MY LIFE. THE "WATER WALKER" MINISTRY OF OUR CHURCH, WHICH MEETS ON TWO SUNDAY AFTERNOONS EACH MONTH, IS HELPING ME UNDERSTAND THINGS MUCH BETTER. IF YOU CANNOT PARTICIPATE AT THAT TIME, PLEASE OBTAIN A COPY OF "WHAT IN THE WORLD IS GOING ON?" BY DR. DAVID JEREMIAH AND READ IT CAREFULLY. AS TIME GOES ON, WE WILL STUDY MANY MORE HELPFUL AND INSPIRED BOOKS TO STRENGTHEN OUR KNOWLEDGE OF THE BIBLE AND OUR RESOLVE TO LIVE FOR HIM.
LAST SUNDAY MORNING, IN ADDITION TO CELEBRATING BAPTISM AND THE LORDS SUPPER, WE REALLY FELT THE PRESENCE OF THE LORD, ESPECIALLY IN THE MUSIC. THE CHOIR SEATS WERE FULL AND THE ENTIRE CONGREGATION CAME TOGETHER IN THE SPIRIT LIKE ONE UNIFIED CHOIR. THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD ABSOLUTELY FILLED THE CHURCH. THE SPONTANEOUS ALTAR CALL SAW SCORES ON THEIR KNEES PRAYING OUT TO THE LORD AND LAYING THEIR BURDENS DOWN. ANY PRAISE FOR THAT SERVICE CAN GO ENTIRELY TO THE LORD HIMSELF, WHO MADE HIS PRESENCE KNOWN IN A MOST VIVID AND MEANINGFUL WAY.
WE HAVE BEEN PRAYING FOR REVIVAL...REAL HEAVEN SENT, HOLY GHOST REVIVAL...FOR MANY MANY MONTHS. SUNDAY WAS A BONAFIDE INDICATION THAT IT IS COMING. I CANNOT WAIT TO WORSHIP AGAIN IN OUR SANCTUARY NEXT SUNDAY. I AM INVITING EVERYONE I SEE TO COME BE A PART OF WHAT GOD IS DOING HERE.
I AM SINCERELY ASKING YOU TO JOIN WITH ME IN PRAYING DILIGENTLY EVERY DAY...MANY TIMES EVERY DAY...FOR THE LORD TO GIVE US THE WISDOM TO KNOW HIS WILL AND THE STRENGTH TO DO IT. MAY WE ALL PUT HIM FIRST AND, IF AT ALL POSSIBLE, MAY WE FILL THIS CHURCH ON SUNDAY MORNINGS TO PRAISE HIM, TO HEAR FROM HIM AND TO SEEK HIS WILL AND TO DO IT.
REVIVAL WILL GIVE US A NEW LEASE ON OUR SPIRITUAL LIVES, HELP US WITH THE PROBLEMS SO MANY OF US FACE DAILY, AND GENERATE THE INTEREST IN OUR CHURCH'S MINISTRY THAT IS VITAL IF WE ARE TO SURVIVE IN THESE LAST DAYS. WE NEED WORSHIPERS WHO REALLY WANT TO WORSHIP THE LORD. WE NEED GENEROUS OFFERINGS TO PAY FOR OUR MINISTRY. WE NEED TEACHERS AND WORKERS AND SINGERS AND USHERS AND AGE-GROUP WORKERS. WE STILL AREN'T ON TOP OF THE GRASS AND YARD WORK. WE HAVE UNFINISHED PROJECTS TO BE COMPLETED. WE HAVE OTHER NEED AREAS TO ADDRESS. WHILE IT MAY SEEM TO BE MUNDANE AND SECONDARY, PLEASE UNDERSTAND THAT EVERY SINGLE FACET OF THE MINISTRY AND BUSINESS OF OUR CHURCH IS PART OF OUR WORSHIP AND SERVICE TO THE LIVING GOD. AND WHEN REVIVAL REALLY COMES, WE WILL SEE IT IN ALL OF THESE ASPECTS OF CORNERSTONE'S LIFE. IF IT DOESN'T SHOW UP IN THESE AREAS, IT WON'T BE REAL.
AS YOU READ THIS NOTE FROM ME TO YOU, PLEASE BEGIN PRAYING MORE DILIGENTLY THAN EVER FOR GOD TO SHOW YOU AND YOUR FAMILY WHAT HE WANTS TO DO IN YOU, FOR YOU AND THROUGH YOU IN THE LIFE AND MINISTRY OF THIS CHURCH.
THERE HAVE BEEN TIMES THIS YEAR WHEN I HAVE FELT THAT NOT MANY WERE LISTENING TO THE BIBLE MESSAGES AND NOT MANY REALLY CARED WHETHER THIS CHURCH MOVED FORWARD FAITHFULLY OR NOT. I HAVE HONESTLY ASKED GOD TO TELL ME IF MY TIME AS PASTOR WAS UP HERE. THE ANSWER I HAVE RECEIVED IS THAT I SHOULD HOLD ON, KEEP PRAYING, KEEP LOVING EVERYONE, AND KEEP PREACHING THE WORD BECAUSE HE IS ABOUT TO SEND THE GREATEST REVIVAL TO CORNERSTONE THAT ANY OF US HAS EVER IMAGINED. SO GUESS WHAT? I HOLDING ON. AND I NEED YOU TO HOLD ON WITH ME.
I LOVE YOU ALL IN THE LORD AND I HOPE TO SEE YOU SOON...EVEN SUNDAY. AND IF YOU AND YOUR FAMILY HAVEN'T BEEN IN A WHILE...EVEN A LONG WHILE... IF YOU WILL COME SUNDAY, WE WILL TREAT YOU AS IF YOU HAVE NEVER BEEN AWAY, NO QUESTIONS ASKED. IF YOU HAVE DETERMINED THAT YOU DO NOT WANT TO BE PART OF THE CORNERSTONE FAMILY, THEN THE ONLY OTHER COURSE OF ACTION WILL BE FOR YOU TO FIND A CHURCH YOU WILL ATTEND, SUPPORT AND PRAY FOR. IF YOU DON'T DO THAT, YOU MIGHT WANT TO TAKE A HARD LOOK AT YOUR SALVATION. BECAUSE PEOPLE WHO TRULY ARE SAVED AND LOVE GOD WILL TRULY LOVE HIS CHURCH AND WILL BE PART OF IT. IT'S TIME TO LET THE REDEEMED OF THE LORD SAY SO!
I'M SAYING SO!
