Newsletter October 2, 2026

Newsletter October 2, 2026

Dear Church Family and Friends,

This is the first in a series of what I'm going to call Why Do We Baptize Our Children. I'm borrowing that title from a teaching video by Richard Pratt that, while dated, is well worth your time. 

I don't have a particular number of articles in mind that I plan to write on this subject, but I hope that each time that I write to you about something, it gives you something to think about and discuss. The reason that I have decided to do this is because it is important to the life and ministry of our church. Another reason that I feel led to do this is because it is a common point of discussion and even contention among our circles. Many people these days are looking for a Christ-centered, Bible-believing church, and so when they land at Cornerstone, they are happy to find such a church. But the more they learn about our particular beliefs and practices, sometimes it is more than they can handle. 

I hope this series of articles will give you some things to consider in your own walk with the Lord. I hope that it will cause you to examine the Scriptures for yourselves. And finally, I hope that it will give you a foundation with which to discuss these things with your own family and friends. 

This first argument I want to give you as to why we baptize our children is from natural law. This is also called a teleological argument -- that is, how do we understand something from the natural, inherent order of things. This argument begins by asking the question, "Who and what are the children of believing parents?" 

American culture tends toward individualism. That is, we tend to think of everything based on ourselves and our wants. This trend is alarming, as well documented by Carl Trueman's work, The Rise and Triumph of the Modern Self. 

But the Church was not designed this way. In fact, the chief way in which the Bible describes the church is that of a "Family." I recently finished the Netflix adaptation of The Little House on the Prairie. It was well done -- although there were many liberties taken that differ from the book (I have this on good authority from a third-grade teacher I know well). 

At the end of season one, we find Laura on stage giving an impromptu speech on the town of Independence. Her speech serves as a helpful illustration of why the church is a family and not a collection of individuals.

When you look out across this prairie, it's so big, and we are so small. My Pa says that when you're out here by yourself, it's easy to think you can do everything on your own. But when the bitter cold comes, or the drought, or sickness, you realize pretty fast that nobody makes it out here alone.

When they named this town Independence, maybe people thought it meant being on your own. But I don't think that's what independence really means. Independence isn't about self-reliance or liberty or freedom or any of those things—it's a place to come together.

It means having the freedom to choose your neighbors, to lend a hand when someone is in trouble, and to build something better together than any of us could build by ourselves. Out here, independence isn't standing alone; it's standing together.

Well said, Laura Ingalls! The Church is about standing together. In the Bible, we see God working through families. God is into families. Many of His instructions and statutes are given to families. God may call a man, but that man is often a federal head, a representative of his family or a people group. The Church is where we all come together.  

Back to my original question, "Who or what are our children?" This is a question a Christian family should wrestle with. I think it is safe to say that most Christian parents would not refer to their children as heathens or pagans! No, they would argue that no matter what age and stage, as long as their children are living under their roof, under their protection, and receiving benefits from their provision, they are in a special relationship. 

To be clear, no one is saved, not even baptized children, until they make a profession of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. But until that happens, what are they? What are our children before they make a profession of faith in Jesus Christ? 

In the Presbyterian and Reformed Church, we call them covenant children. It would not be natural or logical to consider them anything else because they are under the blessing and benefits of their parents who are in Christ. 

More on the covenant later! See you Sunday! 

by His grace and to His praise,

Pastor Wilson 

Preparation for Worship

October 4, 2026

Concerning Parables

Matthew 13:10-17,34-35

Cornerstone Prayer Requests

Pray for church members caring for family - David Chenault, Susan Dupré, Kyle Mosier, Paul Poppe, Sarah Robins Powell, Kim Sweatt, Paul and Christina Wendorf.

Pray for healing - John Bise, Suzi Bolton, Dawn Chenault, Tim and Gayle Ricks, Libby Stanfield, Steve Sedlack, and Annette Sweatt. 

Pray for our homebound friends - Betty Baldwin and Suzi Bolton.

Pray for our expectant mothers - Morgan High (December), Hayley Honeywell (February), Abby Junen (March), and the Poppe family (adoption). 

Pray for our Missional partnerships - Third Millennium Ministries  and Grace Fellowship Presbyterian Church, Albertville, AL (Rev. Jackie Gaston & Rev. Jonah Hill).

Pray for Phase 2 activities - wisdom for leadership going forward.

Click here to learn more about FOUNDATIONS

Announcements

Jr High SNF - Tonight from 6-8 pm at the Hinson’s home. Dinner is provided.

Communion - We will observe communion next Sunday, October 11. 

Foundations - There is no Foundations this week due to fall break. We will resume on Wednesday, October 14. 

Church Directory - Cornerstone members: Your directories are ready to be picked up in the gathering room. They are organized by last name and address.

Moms with Children Play Date - Meeting at Scott’s Orchard to pick your own apples on Thursday, October 8, 10 am -12 pm. Admission is $7 for ages 5+. Contact Rachel Morrow with any questions.

Save the Date - Thanksgiving Fellowship Lunch and Chili Cookoff on November 15.

Missions Moment

Each week, we want to highlight one of our missional partnerships. Please take a moment to learn about these wonderful ministries that Cornerstone has the privilege of serving alongside.

This week's highlighted ministry:

Third Millennium Ministries

The Mission of Cornerstone Presbyterian Church is to be a community of Christ's followers who worship, grow, and serve together to glorify God in Huntsville and throughout the world.

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Please contact the church office by Thursday for changes or additions to prayer requests.

The Cornerstone Newsletter is a weekly publication emailed each Friday. To notify the church office of church members in the hospital or of births and deaths, or if you have a change of address or name, please contact office@cornerstonehuntsville.org or 256-489-4625.

1413 McClung Avenue, Huntsville, AL 35801
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Jordan BuskCornerstone Presbyterian Church (PCA)