Newsletter October 16, 2026
Newsletter October 16, 2026
Dear Cornerstone Family,
In Sunday School this week, we are starting a brief study on the Book of Esther that will carry us into the new year! Esther falls in the same time period as Ezra and Nehemiah, so we are continuing to follow God's people during the post-exile period.
The Book of Esther is unique in that you will not find the name of God in it. Although God is not named specifically, He is there in the midst of the story, providentially intervening on behalf of His people through Esther, Mordecai and the King. Pastor David Strain, whose commentary we will use in the study, notes that "Almighty God is the principal actor in the whole drama. God does not appear in various contexts, showing up here and there, playing bit parts, like an extra in the play of our lives. No, the point the book of Esther makes is that the life pattern of the human players in this story, and ultimately of our own lives too, is lived out in the larger context of God's ceaseless and sovereign activity."
One of the themes of Esther is the providence of God. What do we believe concerning the providence of God and his sovereign acttivity in our own lives? The Heidelberg Catechism gives us helpful applications for understanding and trusting God's providential care.
Question 27: What do you understand by the providence of God?
Answer: Providence is the almighty and ever present power of God by which God upholds, as with his hand, heaven and earth and all creatures, and so rules them that leaf and blade, rain and drought, fruitful and lean years, food and drink, health and sickness, prosperity and poverty—all things, in fact, come to us not by chance but by his fatherly hand.
Question 28: How does the knowledge of God’s creation and providence help us?
Answer: We can be patient in adversity, thankful in prosperity, and for the future we can have
good confidence in our faithful God and Father that no creature will separate us from his love.
For all creatures are so completely in his hand that without his will they can neither move nor be moved.
As we begin Esther on Sunday, let's look for God's providence at work in the lives of His people in that time and in our time, entrusting ourselves to Him. See you Sunday!
Pastor Brian
Preparation for Worship
October 18, 2026
Kingdom Parables: The mustard seed and the leaven
Matthew 13:31-33
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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), Sami Pottorf (April), and the Poppe family (adoption).
Pray for our Missional partnerships - Downtown Rescue Mission Huntsville and Christ Covenant Presbyterian Church, Cullman, AL (Pastor Jason Ellerbee)
Pray for our men’s ministry - that the men of Cornerstone would be clothed with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience (Col. 3:12 ESV).
Announcements
Foundations - Resumes this Wednesday, October 21, with a fellowship meal at 5:30 pm in the Family Life Center and discipleship opportunities for all ages from 6:15-7:15 pm. RSVP online by tomorrow, Monday, October 19. Nursery is provided.
Children (K-5th) - Catechism. Led by Mary Cooper and volunteers.
Youth (6th-12th Grade) - Ten Commandments. Led by Pastor Chris and volunteers.
Adults - God’s Big Picture, Tracing the Storyline of the Bible. Led by Pastor John and Pastor Brian.
Women - Joshua by Jen Wilkin.
Jr. High SNF - Next Sunday, October 25 from 6-8pm at the Powell’s house. Join us for dinner, discussion, and fellowship!
Save the Date - Thanksgiving Fellowship Lunch and Chili Cookoff on November 15.
Church Directory - Cornerstone members: Your directories are ready to be picked up in the gathering room. They are organized by last name and address.
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:
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.
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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