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VOLUME 5, ISSUE 10OCTOBER 2009Joseph and Jabez: A Rainbow Coat and a Cause of PainThe story of two different people, in two different epochs,with two things in common: poor labels and certain faith.“You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good.” Genesis 50:20 NIVHave you been wronged?Most anyone who grew up in Church or Temple, remembers the story of„dreamer‟ Joseph and his rainbow colored coat. It was a beautiful coat given tohim by his loving father Jacob, whom God renamed, Israel. The son of Rachel, hismother, „Joe boy‟ was born into a family of twelve sons with two mothers, he wasunique among them and everyone could see, a differently gifted child. Despised,rejected and sold into slavery by his own brothers; he would yet prove to be achild of God‟s own choosing with an appointment of Divine destiny and purposehe did not always understand. He would rise from a dreaming shepherd boy tosecond in command of the greatest nation on earth in his time, and live to be 110years old. You can read the whole story in Gen. 37-50.What do we learn from the story of Joseph? (A) That when God wants you in a palace, nobody can keep you in a pit! (B) That your future is not in the hands of others, it‟s in the hands of a loving God who has a Divine plan for your life. (C) Thatyour assignment doesn‟t require the cooperation of everyone else, but it doesrequire the cooperation of one person – you! Have others said and done thingsthat wronged you and your God given gift of personal identity? Joseph‟s brothersmade wrong choices in resenting him. Potiphar‟s wife made wrong choices infalsely accusing him. The butler made the wrong choice in turning his back onhim. But God didn‟t abandon him! Seemingly, far above, God was very presentbelow and arranged every step Joseph took, all the way to the throne of Egypt.After years apart he now stands face to face with those who hurt him and says:“You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good.” Try to understand this:the purposes of God will always overcome the plans of people! No one can prevent God from using you and giving you success, except you. So keep your heartand mind and attitude right! There‟s a reason for everything. There‟s also a season. Though you cannot understand it at the moment, stand on what God haspromised you. Recall God‟s faithfulness and trust God to work things out. Godcan make the wrong decisions of those around you work for your good. Instead ofspending your life and time looking for someone to blame, start seeing the handof God at work in your situation. Remember what the Bible says: “God is workingeverything together for the good of those who love God and are called accordingGod‟s purpose and plan.” In different words, „everything which is happening toyou, God can work together for the good when you love God and cooperate withthe Divine plan for your life.(continued on page 4)
Page 2CORNERSTONE HAPPENINGSCornerstone MCC seeks to be a House of Prayer for allpeople. We offer hope, healing and reconciliation bycommunicating Christ’s message of Divine InclusiveLove. Here at Cornerstone, we desire to worship Godour Creator, make disciples for Christ, do justice, lovemercy, care for creation and celebrate life in thepower of the Holy Spirit.Please know that no matter where you find yourselfon life’s journey today, you are welcome here just asyou are. We would love to have you join us andbecome a part of “the Church that Love is building”!Remember, you are God’s Best!Pastor LeeAdult Christian EducationSundays at 9:30AM(Enjoy a light breakfast with us every week)ACEs (Adult Bible Study)JOY! (Adult Studies in Christian Living )Kornerstone Kids (Bible Studies for children ages 3-10)Sundays at 10:45AMMusicians and VoicesWeekly RehearsalWednesdays at 5:45PMJoin us for BlendedWorshipSundays at10:45AMDeeper Life Studies&Mid-Week Prayer ServiceWednesdays at 7:00PMAll are welcome tojoin us as we lift ourvoices in praiseand worshipO Come, let us singunto the Lord; let usmake a joyful noise tothe Rock of oursalvation! Psalm 95:1Cornerstone Metropolitan Community Church1007-1009 Government StreetP. O. Box 6311Mobile, Alabama 36660Phone 251-438-7080Email cmcc1@bellsouth.netwww.cornerstonemccchurch.com
Page 3VOLUME 5, ISSUE 10SIMPLY SPECTACULAR SEPTEMBERLet there be no doubt, Cornerstone MCC is a church on the move! September was a month of constantactivity and awesome worship services. Early in the month, a host of volunteers faithfully worked to pack upeverything at our old property and move it to our new space. This was not an easy undertaking, but it wasaccomplished joyfully and enthusiastically. In addition to workers from Cornerstone, we were blessed by alarge contingent from our sister church in Pensacola, Holy Cross MCC, on the day we unpacked and movedinto our new buildings. Their presence was a special blessing to our weary volunteers as they arrived withfriendly smiles and willing hands. Pastor Sandy O’steen personally provided an amazing barbecue lunch foreveryone present. Mmmm-mmmm good!On Friday, September 18, we paid homage to the Jewish holiday of Rosh Hashanah as we gathered atsundown to cleanse and bless our new property. It is no small coincidence that Rosh Hashanah is thetraditional celebration of new beginnings. That evening, Pastor Lee was joined by Rev. Sandy O’steen fromHoly Cross MCC, Rev. Keith Mozingo from MCC of Baton Rouge, and Pastor Ken Ramon-Landry fromHattiesburg, Mississippi. Prayers and the administration of aromatic incense, holy water, anointing oil andcleansing salt were offered at the four corners of the property, at the doors and within the buildings, and forthe worshipers gathered together for the service.Our first worship service in the new Sanctuary was held on Sunday, September 20 as the heavens opened upand poured down cleansing rain. Many new worshipers, as well as some church members and friends whohaven’t been in attendance for a while, were present. For many, it was the first time they had seen the newproperty. Looks of absolute amazement, grateful appreciation and a vision of the future were seen on manyfaces. It was indeed a blessing to have so many of the Family of God at Cornerstone in attendance that day.On the last weekend of the month, we hosted the 4th Annual Great Gulf Coast Camp Meeting and acelebration of 24 years of ministry in Mobile. Camp Meeting began on Thursday night with Rev. DeloresBerry, MCC’s Mother of Gospel, in concert. Rev. Berry combined humor and song into a wonderful messageof God’s inclusive love. On Friday evening, Rev. Clinton Crawshaw, Senior Pastor of Big Easy MCC in NewOrleans brought his fiery passion for living in God’s Presence to us in a sermon called The Awakening. Hewas joined by the smooth gospel sound of Bro. Fred Francis, of Faith Out Loud Ministries, and the eclecticstylings of Rev. Karen Ann Bunner-Edwards of High Praise Ministries. Pastor Karen Ann also offered aworkshop on Saturday afternoon that explored the origins of modern worship based in the architecturaldesign of the ancient Hebrew Temples. Pastor Clinton’s extraordinary Saturday message was titled TheHealing and Deepening and was focused on building up the Church from within by the healing andreconciliation of its people to one another and to God. Sunday morning’s service was filled with an energythat was reminiscent of the grand finale of a 4th of July fireworks exhibition. Pastor Clinton wrapped up histhree-sermon message with The Great Response. In this message, he encouraged, or perhaps better said,he dared Cornerstone MCC to be the church that God has called and is calling us to be.It is no stretch to say that those who attended even a part of the Camp Meeting weekend were truly blessed.Now, it is time for us to step forward to meet the challenges before us. The time for hiding within ourselves,within our homes and within the walls of our church building is over and we are commanded by God to moveforward with the message of salvation. Won’t you come and be a part of the church that love is building?
Page 4(continued from page 1)“God granted his request.” 1st Chronicles 4:10 NIVAre you still praying the prayer of Jabez?The name Jabez means “a cause of pain” but it was a label Jabez refused to wear and a prophecy of humanjudgment he refused to fulfill. And you should too! Just because some self righteous hypocrite or wellmeaning family member calls you illegitimate doesn‟t make it so. No matter what the circumstance of yourbirth, the Word of God says you were in God‟s mind before you were in your mother‟s womb. (Ps.139:13-15)So who do you wish to believe? Jabez would not let his beginnings dictate his end. He refused to allow hisfamily to keep him down and his borders to keep him in. Listen to his prayer, “Oh that You would bless me andenlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me and keep me from harm and God granted his request.”We need to start praying the prayer of Jabez again. It‟s time to break out and become a boundary crosser!Instead of settling for less, to start believing God for more – more wisdom in our choices, more strength toendure, more victory in faithfulness, more character like Christ, more favor in associations, more blessingswith putting God first in our finances and more (you fill in the blank.)Only twice in the New Testament scripture do we read that Jesus “marveled” or was really impressed by whatHe saw here on earth. Both times it was over the dogged, determined faith of 2 unnamed, unsung people whoasked for, and believed that Christ could turn things around for them. That is what St. Paul had in mind whenhe wrote, “No eye has seen, no ear heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who loveGod, but God has revealed it by God‟s Spirit.” (1st Cor.2:9-10) God has a purpose and a plan for your life. Godwants to show you something concerning your future – so get into God‟s presence and stay until you see it.Like Joseph and Jabez, God will not forsake you but will lead you through the journey of life and into your fulldestiny! AMEN!The Prayer of Jabez1 Chronicles 4:10Oh that Thou wouldest bless me indeed.And enlarge my coast (territory).And that Thy hand might be with me.And that Thou wouldest keep me from evil.And God granted him his request.
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SunTueOCTOBERWedMon2009ThuFriSat123Building & GroundsClean Up 8-Noon4Adult Education9:30AMACEs 1 Corinthians 811, Knowledge andLove in the ChurchJoy! —Building Christian Character—Patience is Not Just anEnglish Barmaid5RainbowCouncilMeeting6:00PM67Choir 5:45PMMid-week PrayerandDeeper LifeStudies 7:00PM891011 Adult Education9:30AMACEs 1 Corinthians 1112, Worship in theChurch , Part 1Joy! —Building Christian Character—Andthe Lawyer Says, ‘I’lltake foreign languagesfor 100, Alex’.121314Choir 5:45PMMid-week PrayerandDeeper LifeStudies 7:00PM151617Building & GroundsClean Up 10-Noon18 Adult Education9:30AMACEs 1 Corinthians 1315, Worship in theChurch, Part 2Joy! —Building Christian Character—MyDog Spot1920Board ofDirectorsMeeting6:00PM21Choir 5:45PMMid-week PrayerandDeeper LifeStudies 7:00PM22232425 Adult Education9:30AMACEs 1I Corinthians 13, Integrity Under theNew CovenantJoy! —Building Christian Character—Out ofthe Frying Pan and intothe Fire262728Choir 5:45PMMid-week PrayerandDeeper LifeStudies 7:00PM293031Building & GroundsClean Up 10-NoonDust off your boots and Stetsons for an afternoon of fundraising and fellowshipat our Haunted Hoe Down beginning at 4:00 on Sunday, October 25 at Vision’s TwistWestern attire and Halloween costumes are encouragedWe’ll have a “spooktacular” time with barbecue, beer and line dancing!
Like Joseph and Jabez, God will not forsake you but will lead you through the journey of life and into your full destiny! AMEN! The Prayer of Jabez 1 Chronicles 4:10 Oh that Thou wouldest bless me indeed. And enlarge my coast (territory). And that Thy hand might be with me. And that Thou wou
