We need your cereal box fronts!

Parents, please save your cereal boxes!  Dave is requesting that everyone cut out the front side of the box and bring it in.  They will be using them at camp. Please bring them to the bin in the zone.

Thank you so much!

Save your newspapers - we need them for Middle School camp!

Parents, please save as many newspapers as you can!  The kids will be playing a game at camp that involves massive amounts of newspaper.  So, bring your stack of newspaper recycling to Cornerstone every week!  There is a bin in the zone where you can put them.

Thanks!

Weekend teaching summary - Middle School - May 21-22

Dishonest Temptations

We all have the ability to be honest or dishonest. Often times it's like we have a little battle inside our heads between the two because we aren’t spending enough time in God’s Word. This temptation comes in all shapes and sizes and has a tendency to sneak up on us.  When it does, we are faced with making a choice: to tell the truth or make up a lie.  It doesn’t matter if you are in elementary school, junior high or high school; it still manages to follow us around everywhere. But, it doesn’t stop there! It takes on some new forms and challenges us as adults, too. Eventually dishonest behavior or temptations only lead to someone getting hurt or punished, and usually, that someone is you. Sometimes we don’t even realize we're lying until it’s too late, and asking for forgiveness is the only step we can take next.

We discussed the definition of honesty: Doing what you know is right, even if it costs you! Battling this temptation really involves a heart change.

In the Bible, (John 14: 6) "Jesus answered, 'I am the way, and the truth, and the life. The only way to the father is through me.' " So in a way, when we do what is right, honest and true, we are showing others a little bit of what God is, A small picture of what God is like.

Matthew 5:16  says "In the same way, you should be a light for other people. Live so that they will see the good things you do and will praise your Father in heaven."  Light reflects the good we do and others will praise God for His good work they see in our lives.

That Scripture can be a little scary and also put some pressure on us. That’s not why God did this, however. It’s more to show us what a huge deal honesty really is. It also shows people a glimpse of who God is.

There is this cool Psalm in 25: 20-21  "Guard my life and rescue me; let me not be put to shame, for I take refuge in you.  May integrity and uprightness protect me, because my hope is in you."

Integrity and uprightness (honesty), are my body guard or protectors, because I expect them to protect me. The Psalmist is saying I need protection. Honesty keeps me out of trouble. This is a huge source of protection in our lives.

Honesty to mom and dad is huge. It gets you more freedom. All they really want to be able to do is trust you. So think about it, if you're making poor choices, chances are your parents aren’t going to trust you. Dishonesty is a classic temptation, especially for Middle School kids, and it doesn’t ever go away. Being honest may not always seem like a big deal, but it’s a really sneaky ninja-like sin that can quickly become a lifestyle if not kept in check.

Personal Challenge: Work hard this week to tell the truth in every situation, even the little things.

Weekend teaching summary - High School - May 14-15

Relationships by Design

Pastor Dan challenged the students to make the BEST choice regarding dating in High School...don't do it!  The pattern of dating and breaking up is not the best way to prepare oneself for marriage.  But, since many students choose to move with the culture and date in their teens, they were given some things to think about regarding choices in dating.

1) Have a standard.
Avoid the standard of "I'll date whoever makes me feel happy".  Rather, seek God, and ask Him lead you in the relationship.  Ask:  "Is God in this relationship?".

2) God cares about who you date.
"Do not be yoked together with unbelievers.", 2 Corinthians 6:14
Look at a person's life to see if you can tell that they love Jesus.  Don't just take their word that they are a Christian.

3) Dating should be preparation for marriage.
Ask, "Is this a person I would want to marry?"  If not, then ask yourself why are you dating them! 
Guys:  Does the girl submit to the Lord and show a willingness to submit Biblically to her future husband?
Girls: Does the guy love Jesus enough to show Christ's kind of love to you and be willing to give himself up for you?  Ephesians 5:22, 25

4) The big question:  How far is too far?
It's not about how much I can get away with and still be a Christian.  The line is different for different people and how they physiologically respond to the opposite sex.  Some will need to stop at holding hands, some with kissing.  Make sure that you are never alone together or go to tempting places!

Dating students are encouraged to invite an older couple into your relationship to allow someone experienced to speak into your lives. 

They were also reminded that when dating someone, they should not spend all their free time together.  One night a week is enough, and this habit will help keep them from getting consumed by the relationship.

Summer middle school schedule

No Wednesday night programming for Middle School students on May 25

Middle School worship team rehearsal
Wednesday evenings - 4:30-8:00 p.m.

June 1, 8, 15, & 22
Dinner will be provided for worship team members.

No regular Middle School Wednesday night programming for the month of June, to allow the worship team time to prepare for an awesome time at camp!

Camp is coming: June 26-July 1

You can still register for camp through June 1!

Coming this summer for High School & College age students:

 Wednesday nights starting June 8

10 week program

Click here to visit the TrueU website.

Middle School Lock-in canceled

Please do not send your student to church on May 20 - the lock-in has been canceled.
Thank you!

Middle school weekend teaching, May 7-8

 Selfish Temptations

Dave described selfish temptations as the desire to only think about ourselves.  This tends to sneak up on us, and before you know it, it confronts us!  Most of us don't wake up in the morning and decide that "Today is the day it's all about me; I can't wait to be selfish today."    

 

When we look at the story of Ananias and Sapphira in Acts 5, we see that selfishness is actually a killer. When they looked inward and began to focus on themselves, they were struck dead for their selfishness. Thank God He has stopped doing that, or we all would be gone. 

To apply this to us, we need to see that selfishness is still a killer.  It's a killer of the trust we have between friends and parents. It does nothing but hurt us and other people. There are two important things that keep us from being selfish: 1) Learning to love others like we love ourselves, and 2) Practicing generosity.  Selfishness holds us back from both of these things. When we are selfish, we are not generous; and when we are generous its hard to be selfish. 

When looking at the parable of the good Samaritan in Luke 10: 30-37 we see how we could be just like the good Samaritan in our schools, neighborhoods and homes. What if we went out of our way to talk to the quiet kids at school, or sit with the lonely kid at lunch? Then maybe we could even go a step further and cover their costs, just like the good Samaritan. Introduce them to our friends, become their friend. Start to look at them as you look at yourself. And eventually get to the point of Philippians 2:3-4, where we are thinking of them and giving them more honor than ourselves. 

Dave concluded with a personal challenge for the students to look for some practical ways that they can focus on helping others.

Middle school lock-in needs parent volunteers

Parents, get in touch with your youthful side by joining the students for fun, games, teaching, and worship on May 20.  8 p.m. - 8 a.m.

Games and teaching until 2 a.m. and then movies and some sleep.

We need you!
Thank you so much.

Middle School summer camp still has openings

Parents, there is still time to sign up your student for middle school summer camp!  We have 92 kids signed up, but there is currently room for a few more. 

Cost: $350
Deadline: June 5

Please see Dave House if you have questions.

Senior recognition

If you have a graduating senior, please contact Bethany Ramsey at bramsey@cornerstonelive.net to share information and photos.

Senior recognition weekend is

June 4-5

Come to the Spaghetti Dinner!

Please support the student mission trips by joining us for a delicious spaghetti dinner!

Wednesday, June 1

6-7:30 p.m.

All donations will go towards our 

students summer mission trips.

Come hear how students have prepared for this trip 

and how you can partner with us.

Thank you!

Wednesday Night series continue through May 18

Middle School is learning about Prayer

High School students are in a series called

Leaving a Legacy:  The Story of Jonah

Wednesday Night Live

Wednesday, May 25th

7 - 9 p.m.

Battle of the Ages Scavenger Hunt!

with free Rita's Italian Ice

For all students, grades 6-12

Middle School Lock-in coming up!

Middle school parents, mark your calendars for May 20.

Lock-In:  8pm - 8am
The students will play insane games, have awesome teaching, worship, have small group time, eat pizza, and watch movies! 
Cost: $5

Please sign up at the Info Zone.

Middle School weekend teaching, April 30-May1

Topic:  Tempting Stuff

Dave began this series by discussing the Temptation story and where temptation all began. Kids were actually amazed to learn that not only is the Bible unclear as to what kind of fruit it was, the fruit, aka apple, wasn’t really even the issue. The fruit was simply an object used by Satan to reveal the real temptation of trying to become like God. So many times we hear "the devil made me do it"; "it’s not my fault". In reality, God gives us the ability to choose between obeying Him or choosing to go against Him. The sin didn’t occur and doesn’t occur in the temptation, instead it occurs when we make that decision in our hearts, to be disobedient. We discussed that God has allowed temptation to occur in our lives but does not bring the temptation on us. 

James 1:13-15

When people are tempted, they should not say, “God is tempting me.” Evil cannot tempt God, and God himself does not tempt anyone. But people are tempted when their own evil desire leads them away and traps them. This desire leads to sin, and then the sin grows and brings death. 

Temptation is such a powerful thing that we will continue to live with all of our lives. When Jesus was in the desert and Satan tempted Him to do all the things He knew He shouldn’t, Jesus did not sin. So again the temptation itself is not the sin, as Jesus was without sin. But if Jesus was tempted when He walked the earth, it must be something we should expect and pay attention to. The devil simply wants to see us fail. He wants to sneak up on the weak, those who are not spending time with Word, Prayer and Christian friends, and devour them like a lion would devour its weak prey. 

John 10:10

A thief comes to steal and kill and destroy, but I came to give life – life in all its fullness.

1 Peter 5:8

Control yourselves and be careful! The devil, your enemy, goes around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to eat.

Mission Spaghetti Dinner

Plan to join us for dinner on Wednesday, June 1, from 6-8 p.m. in the Cornerstone gym! 

Students who are planning to serve on the mission trips will be serving delicious spaghetti as a fund-raising effort.  There will  be a special time of prayer for the groups going to Haiti and Mexico, and you will have the opportunity to sign up as a prayer partner for specific students.

Senior recognition weekend is coming!

Parents of seniors, please note that the weekend of

June 4-5

will be set aside for senior recognition. 

It will be held in the Zone. 

Please plan to attend with your senior!

High School Weekend teaching summary, April 30-May 1

Topic:  Sex By Design...an open, honest, Biblical view of sex


God has designed sex to be a beautiful expression of intimacy between a married man and woman.  Intimacy is greater than just sex, involving every part of the marriage relationship.  The world would have us believe that having sex is just a physical act, not affecting other areas of our lives.  This is a lie!  In sex, the man and woman become one, as described in Genesis 2:24.  But, since the fall of man, sex from the world is a cheap imitation of what God designed it to be.

Sex is also a picture of God's desire for intimacy with us, His church.  The church is referred to as the "Bride of Christ" in 2 Corinthians 11:2-3 and Revelation 19:7. 

Some see sex as a god, some see it as gross, but in reality, God has given it to us as a gift.

1 Corinthians 6:18-20
Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a person commits are outside the body, but whoever sins sexually, sins against their own body.  Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own;  you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.