Newsletter November 13, 2026
Newsletter November 13, 2026
Dear Cornerstone Family,
Many of you expressed that you found the explanation for infant baptism during our October 25 service helpful as a concise statement of why we believe in the practice. So, putting that explanation in writing for the whole church seemed appropriate. I hope you find the written version just as helpful:
Why do Presbyterians baptize babies? Do we believe that placing water on a child’s head automatically saves the child? No. We baptize babies because we believe the scriptures teach us to do so. We respect dear Christian brothers and sisters from other Christian communions who might disagree with us on this teaching, but we do believe the scriptures teach that the sign and seal of initiation into the covenant is to be given to believers and their children.
Salvation has always been by grace alone through faith alone. Nobody, even in the Old Testament, has ever been saved by law-keeping. We are told in Genesis that Abraham believed God and it was counted to him as righteousness. Then, as Romans 4 tells us, God gave Abraham a visible sign and seal of that righteousness in circumcision. Abraham was an adult who believed God and after he believed, God gave him the initiatory sign of the covenant. But then, God instructed Abraham in Genesis 17 to give that same sign and seal to his infant male children. The same sign and seal that was given to Abraham after he believed as an adult was also to be given to his small male children before they could show evidence of faith. And then, as the child grew, that sign and seal of the covenant became a call to the child to place his faith in God and follow Him for the whole of his life.
We believe that pattern has not changed in the New Testament. The sign has changed - we believe Colossians 2 teaches that baptism has replaced circumcision. Further, we baptize both male and females; the covenant sign is no longer limited to just males. But the principle that the sign is to be given to believers and their children has not changed. We do practice adult baptism here at Cornerstone. After a person has made a credible profession of faith, if they have not been baptized, we will baptize them. But in keeping with the pattern we see across the Testaments, we also administer that sign to the young children of believers. And for the child, their baptism becomes a lifelong call to continually trust in Jesus Christ.
Blessings in Christ,
Pastor John
Preparation for Worship
November 15, 2026
The Fame of Jesus and the Faithfulness of
John the Baptist
Matthew 14:1-12
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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, Craig Martin, 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 - Reformed Theological Seminary and the First Presbyterian Church, Tuscumbia, AL.
Pray for our women’s ministry - that the women of Cornerstone would grow in unity and learn together the good promises the Lord has made and fulfilled (Joshua 21:45).
Pray for Phase 2 activities - that we would have patience, protection for the contractors, and that the renovated space would be used for making disciples for generations!
Cornerstone Fine Arts Ministry
The Creative Arts Ministry visited the Huntsville Pregnancy Resource Center and delivered 14 baby quilts, 2 blankets and 8 baby hats. We were given a tour of their facilities and heard of the wonderful work they do in our community. If others would like to join us in creating these much loved quilts and blankets, we would love for you to join us when we start back up in January. You may contact Suzann Dolan for more information. sdolan73@aol.com
Register HERE!
Announcements
Thanksgiving Fellowship Lunch - This Sunday, November 15, after the second service. Join us for a chili cook-off, Ole Hickory comfort food, and fellowship! RSVP online! Sign up to bring a dessert HERE!
Work Day - Come and join the deacons for a church work day on Saturday, November21, from 8 am - 12 pm. Plans are landscaping, cleaning, and moving items in preparation for Phase 2. Bring gloves and a hand truck if you have them.
College Bags - Women’s Ministry - It’s time to assemble college bags to encourage Cornerstone’s college students as they prepare for final exams. Please view the sign up for ways you can contribute. There will be a collection box in the Gathering Room - deadline Tues. Nov. 17th. If you have a college student, bags will be available for pickup in the Gathering Room Sunday the 22nd and 29th.
InFocus - Each year, InFOCUS works to connect international students with families for Thanksgiving. If you are interested in hosting one or more international students this Thanksgiving, please contact Seth Waldecker at seth@paradigms.net.
Foster Care Tree - Cornerstone is partnering with The Forgotten Initiative to provide Christmas gifts for local foster children. A Christmas tree with wish list tags will be in the Gathering Room for selection and drop off by November 29!
Brunch for Social Workers - The Forgotten Initiative will be hosting a Christmas brunch for social workers at Madison County DHR on Tuesday, December 1. We would love to have your help! Please contact Kathy Slaten at kate.slate@me.com.
Youth November Games - 6th-12th grade students, join us this Wednesday Night for our annual team relay competition! 6-8pm in the FLC! Pizza provided!
Roots Retreat- 6th-12th grade students, register for the annual Providence Presbytery Roots Retreat, January 22-24 at Camp ToKnowHim in Pisgah, AL. Registration is open now until November 30th. Contact Chris Moody for information! Click HERE to register!
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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