6/30/2020

In-Person Worship Services: July 4-5

We want to welcome you back to in-person worship services this weekend!  Note that the service times have been slightly modified to accommodate our reopening plan, which includes extra measures of cleaning and sanitation to ensure a safe environment for everyone. Also, we will not have a bulletin or sermon notes to hand out, so bring your Bible and a notebook!  Parents, please read this letter to know what to expect for your children.

You likely have heard or read about the latest order from Governor Wolf concerning masks. We encourage you to bring your mask, and we’re looking forward to worshiping with you this weekend! 

• MSC 1st Service: 9 AM
• MSC 2nd Service: 11 AM (mask required service)
• SSC Saturday Service: 5:30 PM
• SSC Sunday Service: 10 AM
• SSC Spanish Service: 12 PM Sunday

Online Worship Services

• Saturday’s 5:30 PM service will be live streamed on Facebook. This will be our first attempt at live streaming, so we would greatly appreciate your patience as we test it this weekend!  
• The service will premiere at 10 AM Sunday on Facebook and YouTube, and will also be uploaded to our website.
• Remember to hop on our website and check out the Weekend Service Resources! 

Vacation Bible School

VBS supply pick up will be loads of fun! Bring the kids and roll the windows down. You will receive your Family Pack of supplies and a train-tastic goody bag for each child. 

Pick up times: Tuesday July 7th from 10 AM-noon and 6-8 PM

Location: Just outside the church office at 200 Porter St., Easton, PA 18042

Rain Date: Wednesday, July 8th, same times

Didn't reserve your packet yet? Registration closes 7/5; sign up each child HERE! 

Restoring Hope Ministries Bike Tour

August 1-8 

Please be in prayer for our cyclists and support team! Support Team: Sterling Buss, Carolyn Buss, Cherie Schurz, Helen VanSumeren, Brian Hartman. Cyclists: Pastor Tim VanSumeren, Carol Wroblewski, Joyce Kostenbader, Jane Hartman, Bill Lambert, Rich LaBelle, Derek Silfies, Lisa Krammes. If you can help support the team, please make your check payable to Restoring Hope Ministries and memo Bike Tour. You can also help by donating supplies: 

• Cases of water
• Cases of Gatorade
• Visa Gift Cards to purchase ice and fruit along the way, and for gas
• Snacks, such as granola bars, nuts, and other “healthy” snacks

We also need PRAYER WARRIORS who will commit to praying for all going on the trip.

If you have any questions or would like to get involved, please contact Pastor Tim VanSumeren.

Looking Ahead

• Men’s Fellowship: 7/11 at 8 AM (location TBA)    
• Flourish Brunch: 8/15 at 10:30 AM - SSC 
• Women’s Bible Study Facilitator Training: 8/29 at 9:30-11 AM                                                                                    
• North Carolina Mission Trip: 10/10-10/17

6/8/2020

Facebook Live Prayer Meeting -- Wednesday at 8 PM

We begin our new Seeking God Initiative with prayer & fasting this Tuesday through Wednesday. Please read the First Epistle of John and ask God to show us how we can share His love with one another and those in our communities. Pastor Matthew will continue guiding us through this process during the Online Prayer Meeting. We’ll also be celebrating and praying for our high school graduates. Make sure to tune in promptly at 8 PM! 

New Sermon Series: God’s (Un) Secret Identity

This weekend we kick off a new summer sermon series! Come join us as we embark on a journey of discovery of our great God. Click here to read more.

Growth Groups

If you’re interested in leading a group, are currently involved with one, or would like to get connected to an existing group, please email Grow@CornerstoneChurches.org. 

Prayer Needs

If you have prayer needs or praises to share, fill out the brief form on our website or contact the main office at 610-252-8823. 

Worship by Giving

Giving online is easy, safe and convenient! You can also mail your check to Cornerstone Church, 411 March St., Easton, PA 18042 or set up autopay through your bank.

6/1/2020

Good Afternoon Church Family!

This Weekend

In preparing for this weekend's services, please have communion elements available as we will celebrate the Lord’s Supper together.

Facebook Live Town Hall Meeting -- Wednesday at 7 PM

Please tune into Facebook on June 3rd at 7 PM for our next Town Hall Meeting. We will be covering more info on Growth Groups as well as the plan for re-engaging in in-person worship services in light of the newly revealed operational requirements. Bring your questions! 

Online Prayer Meeting -- Wednesday at 8 PM

Following the Town Hall Meeting will be our weekly Online Prayer Meeting from 8-9 PM. Don’t miss this opportunity to hear about our new Seeking God Initiative that will include a very intentional focus on prayer and fasting. With all that’s happening in our country, prayer could not be more important!

Then the nations that are left all around you shall know that I am the Lord; I have rebuilt the ruined places and replanted that which was desolate. I am the Lord; I have spoken, and I will do it. Thus says the Lord God: This also I will let the house of Israel ask me to do for them: to increase their people like a flock.  Like the flock for sacrifices,[b] like the flock at Jerusalem during her appointed feasts, so shall the waste cities be filled with flocks of people. Then they will know that I am the Lord. Ezekiel 36:36-38

Growth Groups

We currently have several groups that are meeting online, with an invitation for you to get connected! Better yet -- gather those you are close with and form a group!  

If you’re interested in leading a group, are currently involved with a group, or would like to get connected to an existing group,, please email GrowthGroups@CornerstoneChurches.org. 

Men’s Zoom Fellowship

Contact Rich Lieberman to connect into our next meeting on June 6th at 8 AM.

Restoring Hope Ministries Bike Tour

There’s still time to be part of this exciting ministry happening August 1-8! Click here for info and to sign up.  Questions -- contact Pastor Tim VanSumeren.

5/26/2020

Hello Church Family -- 

Our Growth Groups Ministry is taking on a fresh perspective and everyone is encouraged to get involved! We currently have several groups that are meeting online, with an invitation for you to get connected! If you’re interested in leading or joining a group, please email GrowthGroups@CornerstoneChurches.org. 

Zoom Tables of 8 are happening this weekend! Sign up by this Thursday to join a Table of 8 on May 29th, 30th, or 31st from 7-9 PM! Have fun playing a game, enjoying dessert from your own home, and praying together. Contact Rich Lieberman and let him know the number attending, as well as which date works best for you. 

Men’s Zoom Fellowship will be June 6th at 8 AM. Contact Rich Lieberman to get connected! 

Restoring Hope Ministries Bike Tour will be August 1-8. Be part of this adventure and join the mission of helping our brothers & sisters in Dungu, DRC! Click here for info and to sign up.  Questions -- contact Pastor Tim VanSumeren.

Your donations enable us as a church family to love God, grow together, and serve others! Giving online is easy, safe and convenient! You can also mail your check to Cornerstone Church, 411 March St., Easton, PA 18042 or set up autopay through your bank. Thank you!

Be blessed, Cornerstone family, and walk with the King today!

Good Afternoon Church Family!

• Cornerstone Online Town Hall Meeting is this Wednesday, May 20th at 7 PM on Facebook LIVE. We will be communicating the plan to reopen our church to in person services and activities. This will include some exciting ministry initiatives that are launching and expanding. The meeting will be recorded and available afterwards to view on our website. 
• Following the Town Hall Meeting will be our Online Prayer Meeting at 8 PM. This Facebook LIVE meeting on Wednesdays is a great way to stay connected while sharing praises/prayer needs!
• Sign up to join one of our Zoom Tables of 8 on May 29, 30, or 31st from 7-9 PM! Have fun playing a game, enjoy dessert from your own home, and spend some time in prayer together. Please contact Rich Lieberman to sign up and let him know the number attending, as well as which date works best for you. 
• Remember that giving online is easy, safe and convenient! You can also mail your check to Cornerstone Church, 411 March St., Easton, PA 18042 or set up autopay through your bank. Thank you!

Be blessed, Cornerstone Family, and LOVE God, GROW together, & SERVE others!

5/11/2020

Hello Church Family! Here are a few reminders for this week...

• Tune in on Wednesday, May 13th at 8 PM for our live Prayer Meeting on Facebook and connect with one another while sharing praises/prayer needs! 
• If you have questions or needs, please contact the main office at 610-252-8823 or reach out to one of our campus pastors: Pastor Tim VanSumeren, Pastor Kyle Manning, Pastor Matthew Millen , or Pastor Jonny Villamar (Spanish-speaking).
• Remember that giving online is easy, safe and convenient! You can also mail your check to Cornerstone Church, 411 March St., Easton, PA 18042 or set up autopay through your bank. Thank you!



5/4/2020

Here are a few notes for this week, an update from the SOS Ministry, and an important way you can help our community at Cheston School. 

• Stay connected by tuning in on Wednesday, May 6th at 8 PM for our live Prayer Meeting on Facebook!
• If you have any questions or needs, please contact the main office at 610-252-8823 or reach out to one of our campus pastors: Pastor Tim VanSumeren, Pastor Kyle Manning, Pastor Matthew Millen , or Pastor Jonny Villamar (Spanish-speaking).
• Remember that giving online is easy, safe and convenient! You can also mail your check to Cornerstone Church, 411 March St., Easton, PA 18042 or set up autopay through your bank. Thank you!

Update from the Student Outreach & Scholarship Ministry

Amidst these unknown times, the SOS Ministry team has elected to suspend the scholarship portion of the ministry for the upcoming school year 2020/2021. We have sufficient funds to continue activities such as care packages, gift cards and limited social events for all SOS students. It is difficult to ask families to contribute to this self-funded ministry with the current economic disruption that so many families are experiencing. If you feel led to give to the SOS ministry, please do so. If economic conditions change, we will re-evaluate this decision for the spring semester. For additional information contact John Piccolo at (H) 610-746-3632 or (C) 412-759-3887.

LOVE God, GROW together, & SERVE others!

4/27/20

Hello Church Family!

Here are a few reminders for this week as well as some important info from our Benevolence Ministry Team. 

• Tune in on Wednesday, April 29th at 8 PM for our live Prayer Meeting on Facebook! 

• The next Child Dedication will be recorded on May 2nd at 11 AM (Zoom) and then included in the Mother’s Day weekend service. Sign up online by April 30th. Questions - contact Chrissy Sysko.

A Message from our Benevolence Ministry Team

Cornerstone Church has a benevolence fund administered by the Deacon Board with an assigned deacon and dedicated ministry team. The Benevolence Ministry is dedicated to supporting individuals and families within the fellowship with short term financial needs.

The ministry has grown to include financial counseling as part of the support via a third party.

The current pandemic may create a far greater need from our church fellowship than we normally experience. Currently we are well funded for normal requests. However, this can change quickly depending on the duration of the Pennsylvania and New Jersey economic shutdowns.

Three important actions are needed by all of us: 

1. If you or your family experience extreme financial difficulty during this time, please contact the Benevolence Ministry.
2. If you know of a fellow church member that should contact the Benevolence Ministry for support but is reluctant to do so, please pass this information along. It will be handled in a confidential manner.
3. Please consider an offering to the Benevolence Ministry fund if you are not financially impacted and have the means to give beyond your normal tithe.

This is an important time for us as a family of believers to come together for each other.

The ministry team is headed by Deacon John Piccolo. Please contact him at 412-759-3887 or piccolo.john@me.com. 

Team members are:

• Pam Beal and Rich LaBelle - 1st Service MSC
• Cherie Schurz - 2nd Service MSC
• Tom Sweeny - Saturday Service SSC
• Cynthia Bernsdorf - Sunday Service SSC
• Carmelo Caban - Spanish Service SSC 

To begin the benevolence request process, contact John Piccolo, a campus pastor, or the church office. 

Be blessed, Cornerstone Family, and LOVE God, GROW together, & SERVE others!

4/20/20

Hello Church Family!

We hope this email finds you all safe and well! If you have prayer needs or praises to share, please fill out the brief form on our website or contact the main office at 610-252-8823. To get connected in a Life Group or if you have any special needs or concerns, kindly contact one of our campus pastors: Pastor Tim VanSumeren (MSC) or Pastor Matthew Millen (SSC)

Tune in on Wednesday, April 22nd at 8 PM for our live Prayer Meeting on Facebook hosted by Pastor Kyle, Susan Schroeder, and Pastor Tim VanSumeren. This weekly time of prayer is a terrific way to connect with one another while sharing praises and requests! 

The Worship Service will be posted on Saturday by 5:30 PM on our website, Facebook and YouTube. Remember to share the links so others can receive encouragement through the teaching of God’s Word!

COMING UP

• The Child Dedication will be recorded and then included in the Mother’s Day weekend service. Sign up online by April 30th and commit to raising your child in the love and instruction of God. The dedication will take place on Zoom at 11 AM on May 2nd. Questions -- contact Chrissy Sysko.

• The Restoring Hope Ministries Bike Tour will be August 1-8 and training has begun!  Be part of this adventure and join the mission of helping our brothers & sisters in Dungu, DRC! Click here for info and to sign up.  Questions -- contact Pastor Tim VanSumeren.

Be blessed, Cornerstone Family, and LOVE God, GROW together, & SERVE others!

4/13/2020

HAPPENING THIS WEEK

Join us Wednesday, April 15th at 8 PM for a LIVE Prayer Meeting on Facebook hosted by Pastor Kyle and Susan Schroeder. This weekly time of prayer has become a wonderful way to connect with one another while sharing praises and requests! 

The Worship Service will be posted on Saturday by 5:30 PM on our website, Facebook and YouTube. Worship with your family, and remember to share the links so others can receive encouragement through the teaching of God’s Word!

COMING UP

• Mom-2-Mom Zoom Gathering (Life Smart for Parents) will be April 16th at 8 PM. Please register online to receive a Zoom invitation. Contact Susan Schroeder with any questions.
• Our next Child Dedication will be recorded and then included in the Mother’s Day weekend service. Sign up online by April 30th and commit to raising your child in the love and instruction of God. The dedication will take place on Zoom at 11 AM on Saturday, May 2nd. If you have any questions, please contact Chrissy Sysko. 

Who have you reached out to today? Be the Church and continue to look for ways to LOVE God, GROW together, and SERVE others!

4/6/2020

Dear Church Family,

TODAY -- We hope you are all being blessed by the daily readings from “Jesus: The Life Giver,” which can be found on our website. Take a few minutes to read today’s message of encouragement and challenge written by Pastor Matthew! 

WEDNESDAY -- Join us Wednesday, April 8th at 8 PM for a LIVE Prayer Meeting on Facebook hosted by Pastor Kyle and Susan Schroeder. This is an excellent opportunity to pray and share praises & requests in a very interactive way.

SUNDAY -- We’re looking forward to celebrating our Risen Lord together this weekend! Our Easter Celebration Service will be posted on Sunday at 10 AM on our website, YouTube, and Facebook. Try to jump on at 10:00 so we can all be worshiping at the same time! If 10 AM doesn’t work for your family, the service will be available on our website to watch at your convenience. 

COMING UP

• Mom-2-Mom Zoom Gathering (Life Smart for Parents) will be April 16th at 8 PM. Please register online to receive a Zoom invitation. Contact Susan Schroeder with any questions.
• The Child Dedication Service is still happening! Commit to raising your child in the love & instruction of the Lord. We’ll record the dedication via Zoom and include it in our Mother’s Day weekend service. Watch for upcoming info about registration! 
• CWM Flourish Brunch has been rescheduled from May 9th to August 15th. Visit our website for details and to register. 

Be the Church and LOVE God, GROW together, and SERVE others!

3/30/2020

Stay Connected this Week

• "Jesus: The Life Giver" devotional is on our website in both English and Spanish. Day 1 begins TODAY. Let's be reading and praying together as we prepare for our online Easter Celebration! 
• Join us Wednesday, April 1st at 8 PM for a LIVE Prayer Meeting on Facebook hosted by Pastor Kyle and Susan Schroeder. This is a unique opportunity to pray and share praises & requests in a very interactive way.
• We’re already looking forward to worshiping together this weekend! Join us for Live Premieres of the service on Saturday at 5:25 PM and Sunday at 9:55 AM on Facebook or YouTube. The service will also be available to watch at your convenience on our website. 
• We will be celebrating the Lord’s Supper together this weekend. We ask each family to prepare bread and juice (preferably grape) or wine in order to follow the symbolism of the Bible. We recommend that you have this ready when you sit down to attend the service as we will flow right from the sermon into this time of reflection.

Event Updates

• Men’s Fellowship for this Saturday, April 4th will be a Zoom Fellowship. We will have praise, challenge and prayer online via Zoom beginning at 8 AM. Please contact Rich Lieberman to get connected. 
• Mom-2-Mom Zoom Gathering (Life Smart for Parents) will be April 16th at 8 PM. Please register online to receive a Zoom meeting invitation. Contact Susan Schroeder with any questions.
• The Cheston After-School Bible Club will not be taking place this spring. THANK YOU to all those who had signed up to volunteer! 
• CWM Flourish Brunch has been rescheduled from May 9th to August 15th. Visit our website for details and to register. 
• Our Mission Trips to both North Carolina and the Dominican Republic have been postponed. The items donated for the Dominican Republic will be shipped this summer. 

Be the Church, Cornerstone family, and continue to LOVE God, GROW together, and SERVE others!

3/23/2020

Dear Church Family,

We hope you all are doing well! Here are some ways for you to stay connected with our church family this week...

• Join us Wednesday, March 25th at 8 PM for a LIVE Prayer Meeting on Facebook hosted by Pastor Kyle and Susan Schroeder. This is a unique opportunity to pray together and share praises & requests in a very interactive way. Susan and Pastor Kyle are awesome facilitators, so you don't want to miss this!
• "Jesus: The Life Giver" devotional is on our website in both English and Spanish. Day 1 of this series begins March 30th. Let's be reading and praying TOGETHER as we prepare for our Easter Celebration! 
• This weekend's Worship Service will be online. The pastors and staff are working hard on the details, so stay tuned for the specifics!
• Our Easter Celebration Service has been 'relocated' from the State Theatre to online. We'll be sending updates about our service in the coming weeks. 
• Riverside Ministry is still happening, so please continue to pray for our volunteers as they prepare curbside meals each Monday for pickup. 

Be the Church, Cornerstone family, and continue to find ways to love God, grow together, and serve one another!

3/16/2020

Dear Church Family,

Our worship services have been relocated online this weekend, March 21-22. Please visit our website so we can worship together! The service will be online by Saturday afternoon. We also have a new YouTube channel where you can watch the service. All in person events, activities, and gatherings scheduled for this week are not taking place in accordance with health guidelines. 

Special Notes

• Awana is now completed for this school year. A BIG THANK YOU to all those faithful volunteers who served our kids so well! 
• We are making decisions about upcoming events on a weekly basis as new updates are received about the pandemic. Thank you for your patience and prayers!
• Please visit our website and complete the Connection Card to receive our weekly e-newsletter, Cornerstone Connections. 
• Join us on Wednesday, March 18th at 7PM for a Town Hall Meeting followed by a time of community prayer in our Facebook Group.

Pray and look for opportunities to LOVE, GROW, and SERVE one another during this time!

3/12/2020

Dear Cornerstone Family,

We want to give you an update of the steps we are taking in light of the Coronavirus pandemic. We have been closely monitoring the situation and receiving counsel from leading experts in our local hospitals (including a Doctor of Infectious Disease Control). We have also been in communication with churches in our area, as well as those around our nation. We aim to make sure we are doing what we can to keep our congregation and communities as safe as possible. 

We now have a documented case of Coronavirus in our area, and the experts we have contacted have assured us the numbers will rise and strongly encouraged us to cancel services. Therefore, we will not be gathering for worship this weekend (March 14-15) and instead we invite you to join us online for worship and the sermon.

In addition, all church-related activities have been canceled as of this date pending further notice, including the standard operation of Riverside Ministries. A small number of experienced Riverside volunteers will be providing “to go” meals for those in the community, particularly those that desperately need nourishment.  

Our weekend worship service will be posted to our website by late Saturday afternoon. We will evaluate weekly and communicate the weekend worship plans throughout this pandemic.  

We will be communicating in several ways:

• Church Website 
• Church email 
• Church office Voicemail (610.252.8823)
• Church FaceBook Page 

Church FaceBook Group: Cornerstone Church Family

• WFMZ cancellation page

We want to encourage you during these uncertain times with the following thoughts...

• Let us be the faith-full church and trust our God during this crisis. The world around us is in a state of fear and panic, but we must be of a different mind. This is the time to speak boldly and tell people about the good news of Jesus Christ. They will be more open than ever!
• “for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control [sound mind].” 2 Timothy 1:7 
• “You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.”  Isaiah 26:3
• Let us be the praying church and humbly cry out to our God in this crisis. The same God who provided the antidote for the contagious virus-like problem of our sin, has the power to deal with this pandemic disease. He has told us what to do in this situation. He responds to the humble, faithful prayers of His people.
• “if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:14 
• “And David built there an altar to the LORD and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings. So the LORD responded to the plea for the land, and the plague was averted from Israel.” 2 Samuel 24:25
• Let us be the loving church and practice social distancing but not social isolation.
• We ask all of us to not participate in the current racism being directed toward the Chinese, Asian Americans, and those who have recently been in Asia or Europe. We must stand against hatred and fear of all forms and speak out against this injustice.
• Let us have the attitude of the early church toward the sick and suffering even at personal cost. In the year 260 AD, Bishop Dionysius of Corinth praised the efforts of Christians for victims of a plague, many of whom died while caring for others: 
• “Most of our brother Christians showed unbounded love and loyalty, never sparing themselves, and thinking only of one another. Heedless of danger, they took charge of the sick, attending to their every need and ministering to them in Christ, and with them departed this life serenely happy; for they were infected by others with the disease, drawing on themselves the sickness of their neighbors and cheerfully accepting their pains.”
• “And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” Hebrews 10:24-25 
• “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’” Matthew 25:34-36
• Finally, let us be the committed church that refuses to let go of our community.
• We encourage Life groups to consider using apps like Zoom, Slack, WhatsApp, or many others to discuss scripture, share, and pray.
• We invite you to watch, listen and participate in our worship service by going online to our website, our Facebook Page, FaceBook Group, our IGTV, or our YouTube channel. Gather your families together and sing with us, pray with us, and listen to the Word of God as we continue our HeartTalk series.  
• Leave some comments of the service on our social media pages.
• We recognize that without having the weekend services, the tithe could be impacted. However, we have confidence in our God and our generous community of believers who have proven faithful when it comes to tithing through many seasons of life. We encourage you to find the best way to continue to honor God through your tithe during this time. You can give online using our website, or, by sending checks/monies to the main office (411 March Street Easton, PA 18042).

If you have any questions or needs, please contact the following:

• Spiritual Support: Pastor Tim Ackley, Pastor Tim VanSumeren, Pastor Matthew Millen, Pastor Jonny Villamar
• Children’s Ministry: Chrissy Sysko
• Youth Ministry: Pastor Kyle Manning 
• Women’s Ministry: Susan Schroeder
• Financial/Giving: Paul Barry
• Facilities: Paul Harrison
• Other General Needs: Matt Potter (Church Chairman)

Blessings, 

Pastor Tim Ackley

Please visit the CDC guidelines for recommendations to avoid contracting or spreading the illness, available here.

Please consider subscribing to our newsletter, Cornerstone Connections for general updates.