Newsletter May 8, 2026
Newsletter May 8, 2026
Click here to RSVP for our Men’s Dinner, Sunday, May 17!
Dear Church Family and Friends,
I need to clarify something from this Sunday's sermon. In my sermon on Matthew 11:7-19, I quoted the British commentator and pastor Dick Lucas who said "If you want a quiet life, don’t follow Christ!”
Several of you astute Bible scholars reminded me that the Apostle Paul says in 1 Timothy 2:2 “that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.”
How are we to understand these two ideas? Well first, what Dick Lucas says is not inspired Scripture! The second way we need to understand it is the context.
In Matthew 11:12, Jesus was making the point that as the kingdom of God moves forward, it will cause a violent reaction. This violent reaction is because the message of the kingdom (the Gospel preached) is in direct conflict with the world and even our own sinful hearts. In this way, the Gospel does not simply quietly work in our lives and in our world because the message of the kingdom causes us to examine our hearts, examine our ways, and examine our culture. All that to say, the Gospel of the Kingdom brings conflict and we need to be prepared to deal with trouble and struggle in every sphere of our lives. It is not easy (or quiet).
Contrast this idea with what Paul says in 1 Timothy 2:2. Paul was instructing Timothy to pray that God's people would be able to lead a peaceful, quiet, godly, and dignified life. This calling of the Christian life was to be distinct from boastful and loud false teachers. The quiet life here is a life that does not seek to draw attention to oneself but to draw attention to Christ.
I think we can clearly see in context that these two ideas are different, but it is always important for us to seek clarity and precision with the Scriptures, and I hope that I was able to do that for you.
In conclusion, pursue a quiet life in a way that brings the focus on Christ and not on you. But don't expect your life to be easy or "quiet" when following Christ, because we live in a fallen world and we should expect to be challenged.
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Men, please sign up for the men's dinner on Sunday, May 17th! I can't wait for you to hear my friend, the Reverend Nate Shurden, speak on "Leading in Love." Nate is a gifted preacher, and it will be an honor to have him share God's word with us.
See you Sunday!
by His grace and to His praise,
Pastor Wilson
Wilson’s Weekly
Pastor Wilson does not personally endorse everything said or written in these links, but hopes these articles and/or podcasts will be helpful for Christians in cultivating a biblical worldview.
Resource: Are you looking for a new devotional? Check out this classic.
Preparation for Worship
May 10, 2026
Repentance
Matthew 11:20-24
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Did You Know?
We now have Large Print Bulletins available on Sunday mornings! Find them on the bulletin table or ask a Greeter.
Cornerstone Prayer Requests
Pray for church members caring for family - Susan Dupré, Kyle Mosier, Paul Poppe, Kim Sweatt, Paul and Christina Wendorf.
Pray for healing - Tom Armstrong, Suzi Bolton, Steve Brewer, Bob and Kathy Cassis, 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 - Maiben Addison (June), Kerry McMillan (July), Kendra Muur (August), and Amanda Pendergraft (September).
Pray for our Missional Partnerships - Friends Serving in Southern Europe with Muslim communities and Westminster Presbyterian Church, Huntsville, AL (Pastor Joe Steele).
Pray for our men’s ministry - that the Lord would bless the gathering on May 17 to encourage men to lead in a Christ-like manner.
Pray for the parents of our church - that fathers and mothers would love the Lord and teach their children to treasure Christ above all else.
Announcements
Luke5 Hike - Join us tomorrow, Saturday, May 9, to hike at Ditto Landing at 10 and 11 am. We will meet in the parking lot to the left of the pavilion by the river. This flat hike will be approximately an hour and take us west along the river toward Redstone Arsenal. For more information, contact Jackie Edmondson.
Communion - We will observe communion this Sunday, May 10.
Church Work Day - Saturday, May 16, 8 am-noon. Come and join the deacons to help around the church property. Plans are for interior and exterior painting, light cleaning, and removal of some bushes. Bring hats, work gloves, and suitable shoes. All tools and supply items will be provided.
Graduation Recognition - Sunday, May 17, during the second service. If you have a high school or college graduate, please contact Morgan High by Tuesday, May 12.
Men’s Steak Dinner - RSVP closes this Thursday, May 14! Sunday, May 17, at 6 pm. “Leading in Love” with special guest speaker, Rev. Nate Shurden, Senior Pastor of Cornerstone Presbyterian Church in Franklin, TN. 16oz Ribeye with all the fixin’s! Men, invite your sons (high school aged and up) to join you! $15/person. RSVP here!
VBS 2026 Registration - Please join us this summer as we investigate God’s Word during VBS and help the Scottish sleuths solve The Case of the Hidden Hero! June 1-4, 9-11:30 am. Volunteer and children registration is now open! Register here!
Women’s Summer Series - Tuesdays, June 16-July 21. “Think About These Things” - Gospel-oriented inter-generational discussion groups. RSVP here today!
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:
Friends Serving in Southern Europe with Muslim communities
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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