Tuesday, March 07, 2006

Sunday Report


Hello Everyone,

I have learned that many of you are now checking the blog to see the results of church on Sunday. I know it sounds like a broken record, but again this past week, for the third week in a row, we set a non holiday attendance record. Let me thank all of you who came out to be a part this past week. It has been amazing to watch the empty seats left when we began the early service to fill again, and again we are working on ways to create more room at 10:30. One of those ways is to convince any and all who can to join the early worship service. Both services are identical in program and in ministries to the kids. Plus, you get to have more time during the day. Right now we need to add another 20-30 people to our early service. I want to send a shout out to all those involved in ministry on Sunday, Elaine and Maribell, thanks for taking care of the babies in Nursery. Amy and Cheryl, Thanks for the Sunday School lessons. Tom & Sissy, my kids gave you an A+ for the kidZone Jr. Church. Chris, thanks for staying late and helping tear down. And thanks to everyone else who made Sunday a great day for those who attended Cornerstone. There are too many names to list all of you wonderful ministers of God!

Don’t Ever Give Up!

Quitters never win, and winners never quit, but those who never win and never quit are idiots. Monday night a Southern Illinois Cheerleader was dropped on her head from a 15 feet tall stunt. After some tense moments and strapped to a backboard, she continued to cheer on her team. While the paramedics wheeled her Kristi Yamaoka did the motions for the basketball team’s fight song. “As long as my arms were functioning; I could do the fight song.” She said. – Now that is the kind of cheerleader everyone needs. Last night at supper I overheard a conversation between my 4 year old son, and my 8 year old daughter. After coming in from playing together in the back yard, he asked if she would always cheer for him. She said yes, and a proud dad piped in that we all need cheerleaders. In life we all really do need someone who will cheer us on to victory. Even when the team is down and there is no hope of winning, I marvel to watch the cheerleaders on the sideline who continue to wave their arms and jump as if the game is close. Cheerleaders like Kristi Yamaoka, even though they are hurt, continue to keep the focus on the goals of the team. Kristi, you are my hero. As part of God’s kingdom team, I hope that no matter what happens to me, that I can be faithful to put the team’s victory first. As the pastor of Cornerstone, I hope that even if they are wheeling me out on a stretcher, that my arms will be motioning to the crowd to keep on cheering, the game is not over, we will win this one for the Lord! Go Church GO!