The Courier is a

monthly publication of

Cornerstone United

Methodist Church. We

welcome any

suggestions and

submissions for our

newsletter. The

deadline for

submission is the

15th of each month.

The editor reserves the

right to edit all articles

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Cornerstone United Methodist Church

808 Offnere Street

Portsmouth, OH 45662

740-353-2548

www.cumc-portsmouth.org

cornerstoneofportsmouth@yahoo.com

Non-Profit Organization

Permit No. 46

U.S. Postage Paid

Portsmouth, Ohio 45662

November

1st Pumpkinfest

8th Operation Christmas Child packing party

10th St. Anne’s/St. Andrew’s Visitation Meeting

13th UMW Bazaar

14th Loaves and Fishes

15th Consecration Brunch

16th-20th Myrtle Beach Trip

20th Foodbank

20th Morgan Castle Benefit Concert

26th Thanksgiving - Office Closed

29th Hanging of the Greens

December

1st St. Anne’s/St. Andrew’s Visitation Meeting

11th Foodbank

12th Loaves and Fishes

13th Christmas at Cornerstone

22nd Chrysalis Board Meeting

HOOT

24th Christmas Eve Services

25th Christmas

Office Closed

31st Youth New Years Eve Celebration

Upcoming Events

address label here

NOVEMBER 2015 VOLUME 12, ISSUE 11

Sunday Services

Traditional Service

9:30 a.m.

Sunday School

10:30 a.m.

Contemporary Service

11:00 a.m.

It's Coming!

New Consecration Sunday

on November 15th

New Consecration Sunday is happening on November 15th! This is one of the most exciting Sundays of the year as we look at financial stewardship from a biblical and spiritual perspective. Dr. Wayne Young will be sharing the message, and after each service there will be a delicious brunch.

Cornerstone approaches financial stewardship from a biblical perspective rather than viewing the money Christians give to their church merely as a way to pay its bills. We view financial contributions as a way to help people grow spiritually in their relationship with God by supporting their church’s mission and ministry with a percentage of their incomes.

New Consecration Sunday is based on the biblical philosophy of the need of the giver to give for his or her own spiritual development, rather than on the need of the church to receive. Instead of treating people like members of a social club who should pay dues, we will treat people like followers of Jesus Christ who want to give unselfishly as an act of discipleship.

New Consecration Sunday encourages people toward proportionate and systematic giving in response to the question, ―What percentage of my income is God calling me to give?‖ During morning worship on Consecration Sunday, we are asking our attendees and members to make their financial commitments to our church mission of making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.

Every attendee and member who completes an Estimate of Giving Card does so voluntarily by attending morning worship on Consecration Sunday. We urge people to attend even if they do not wish to complete a card. The procedure is done in such a way that no one feels personal embarrassment if he or she chooses not to fill out a card. During morning worship, Dr. Wayne Young will conduct a brief period of instruction and inspiration, climaxed by members making their commitments as a confidential act of worship.

Since we will make no follow-up visits to ask people to complete their cards, we will make every effort to inform, inspire, and commit everyone to attend Consecration Sunday worship. Thanks in advance for your enthusiastic participation in our Consecration Sunday event!

Pastor Tim, The Stewardship Team, and the Leadership Team

P A G E 2

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Hanging of the Greens

November 29th at 6:00 P.M.

For 16 years the Hanging of the Greens has been a favorite holiday tradition here at Cornerstone. On

Sunday, November 29th, we will continue this tradition with our band of merry carolers leading the way as

we dress our sanctuary in its holiday finest. Several groups will have special responsibilities as we prepare

Cornerstone for the Christmas season. The service begins at 6:00 PM.

Through music and spoken word we will be reminded that Christmas is more than red and green ornaments

hung on a lighted tree. It is the time God chose to send His only Son; born in a manger.

You and your family are invited to the Family Life Center following the service for a time of fellowship and

sharing some delicious holiday fare. We ask you to bring a dessert to add to our festive buffet table. Please

bring your dessert to the church kitchen by 5:50 that night.

This service is always a great way to prepare our church and ourselves for the receiving of God's gift to us:

Jesus, the Christ. Then we can lift a cup of wassail to toast the Advent season. We hope you join us and

bring a friend.

November Worship Highlights

Nov. 1 All Saints Sunday James 4:14, 2 Cor 4:16-18, 5:1-8 Pastor Tim

Our Eternal Home

Nov. 8 People or Things? Luke 15:11-24, James 4:13-16 Pastor Tim

Nov. 15 New Consecration Sunday Dr. Wayne Young

Nov. 22 How to Understand the Bible James 1:19-27 Pastor Tim

Nov. 29 The Light of Christ John 8:12 Pastor Tom

First Sunday of Advent

Church Conference

There will be a Church Conference for Beth Rice on Monday, November 9th at 7pm. The purpose of this Church Conference is to consider Beth Rice and her call to ministry. Beth has been a phenomenal leader, teacher, and servant at Cornerstone through the years and this is an exciting moment for her. We hope you will be there to support her.

Operation Christmas Child Packing Party

Sunday, November 8th

12:15 P.M.

The supplies have been gathered including toothbrushes, matchbox cars, stuffed animals, and more. The only thing left to do is have a packing party! Join us on November 8th as we pack boxes that will bring joy to a child in another part of the world. Every shoebox gift we pack is a tangible expression of God’s amazing love. If you are able to help with shipping costs we are packing 500 boxes which takes $7 per box to ship. Join us for a great afternoon of fellowship and service.

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T H E C O U R I E R

Fairbooth 2015

It was another wonderful year at the Fairbooth! New friends were made, lots of laughter was shared, and funds were made for ministry! We had some of the best coverage we have ever had for Fair Week and Trade Days. Thanks to everyone who worked a shift. Thank you Bob Pierce for your leadership and focus that helps pull everything together. Total profit made for 2015 was $11,250.

We will be working Trade Days and the Fair Week in 2016. The first Trade Days will take place on April 16-17.

The Million Dollar Man at Cornerstone

Ted DiBiasi the Million Dollar Man was at Cornerstone on September 27th. There was a huge crowd present as Ted shared his story of having it all, losing it all, and gaining it all through the power of Jesus Christ. Ted also shared with the students at Portsmouth High School a talk called "Choices." Josh Morris who is a member of Cornerstone and a Principal at PHS

commented on how the students who normally struggle to pay attention for a long period of time were riveted to Ted's compelling sto-ry. It was truly a great weekend.

Prayer Shawl Ministry

The Cornerstone UMC Prayer Shawl Ministry began this fall. Several

shawls have been created and more are on the way. The main purpose

of this ministry is to bring comfort to those in our congregation who

are ill, grieving, or struggling, as well as celebrating happy occasions.

We pray as we create these shawls that we will all participate in pray-

ing for the recipients of these shawls. It is our hope that those who are

in crisis will feel 'wrapped in prayer' as they wear their shawls and that

the shawls will bring them comfort and peace as they face life's trials.

Our next get together will be Tuesday, November 10 at 11 AM.

Giving Tree

Look for the Christmas Giving Tree in the Welcome Center soon. Choose a tag

of an area child in need and share the spirit of Christmas. Pair with a friend, a

Sunday school group or shop on your own. Merry Christmas! Contact Lynne

Rodeheffer 354-5467 for more information.

V O L U M E 1 2 , I S S U E 1 1 – I N S E R T

T H E C O U R I E R

PAGE 6

Christianity is losing traction in America. If you have any doubt about the direction

our county is heading in this regard, I invite you to read two books, UnChristian and

Churchless. Both books are based on solid research conducted by the Barna Group.

The Barna Group has been studying spirituality in America for a long time and their research is

well-respected. The data and its implications for Christianity are sobering. Yes, Christianity is losing

traction in America. This is most unfortunate as many of our country’s ills could be healed if we

were all Christ-followers.

The sad state of things regarding Christianity in America begs the question…….‖so, what are we to

do about these discouraging trends?‖ While there are many things we can do, research suggests

that investing our time and attention in our children and youth would be a good start. For

seventeen years the Southern Ohio Chrysalis community, housed right here at Cornerstone, has

been doing just that. Sponsoring Chrysalis Flights for high school and college young people has

had a major impact in Southern Ohio, Northern Kentucky and more recently in West Virginia.

Although we cannot take the time to track our Chrysalis graduates as well as we might like, (they

are a mobile crowd at that age), we can share with you that one is serving as a missionary in China,

another is a well-respected pastor in the East Ohio Conference and countless numbers are involved

in youth ministry and other leadership positions within their home churches. You see….the

objective of Chrysalis is to bring young folks closer to Christ, empowering them to serve in their

home churches and beyond, ―making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.‖

They are responding to that challenge!

If you would like more information about Chrysalis, please contact Joanne Charles, Lay Director of

the Southern Ohio Chrysalis community, or Pastor Tom. Contact information is as follows:

Joanne, 740-354-4494, jcharles@shawnee.edu

Pastor Tom, 740-285-4494,

Chrysalis Makes a Difference!

Foodbank November 20th, 10am Help distribute groceries for families in need. Strong backs needed for set up the day before. No strength requirement for the distribution. Collect the smiles and thank you’s as you serve as the hands of Christ. Contact Lynne Rodeheffer for more details 740-352-6029

Rejoicing in Recovery Thanksgiving Dinner

Thursday November 19th at 5:00 P.M.

This is our opportunity to bless the recovery

community that attends Cornerstone every

Thursday night. Please bring a side, salad, or

dessert by 4pm. We are blessed to be a blessing!

St. Anne’s Visitation Team

Tuesday, November 10th at 12:30pm

The St. Anne’s Visitation Team reaches out to folks

who, for various reasons, cannot attend Sunday

morning worship services. Sometimes folks are in

the hospital, sometimes they are homebound. What-

ever the reason, our team visits all the folks who

T H E C O U R I E R

PAGE 3 V O L U M E 1 2 , I S S U E 1 1 – I N S E R T

Thanks to all who donated items for the fall rummage sale, all who worked to set it up, worked the sale

days, and to all who shopped and purchased! Our profit was @ $2,555.00. We are thankful for the funds

to support ministries at Cornerstone UMC as well as in our community and global missions. Praise God!

Shelby Powell, Sissy Chapman, Stephanie Wright, Mary Beth Fike, and Carol Mascari attended the Shaw-

nee Valley District UMW Leadership Training and Annual Meeting October 17 at Dry Run UMC in Chillico-

the. Our own Laura Womack was the guest speaker for the event.

The Snowflake Bazaar is Friday, November 13. There are still luncheon tickets

available in the church office or from UMW members, if you have not purchased

yours yet. There will be a limited number of tickets available at the door the day of

the luncheon, so be sure to buy your ticket ahead of time. Lunch will be served from

11 am till 1 pm. Shop the Crafts, Attic Treasures, Sweet Shop, Yard Sale, and unique

vendors from 10 am till 3 pm. A great way to start the holiday season!

UMW members will observe World Thank Offering at the unit meeting on Tuesday, November 17 at 1 pm at Hill View. All Maxine Hoffman and Rebekah Circle members are asked to attend.

Cornerstone UMW will have their Christmas Party on Monday, November 30 at 7 pm in the church Wel-come Center. This is a change from our past normal date, as we are trying to avoid a conflict with the Golden Bears Christmas event so that our members who are also Golden Bears can attend both events. Dates for November

November 3 Executive Board –Room 103 -10:00 am

November 13 Snowflake Bazaar 10:00 am-3:00 pm

November 14 WOC/UMW Annual Celebration –Powell UMC

November 17 Unit Meeting-World Thank Offering-Hill View- 1:00 pm

November 30 Unit Christmas Party-Welcome Center-7:00 pm

Cornerstone United Methodist Women

Benefit Concert for Morgan Castle

With the Alice Lloyd College Choir

Friday November 20th at 7:00 P.M.

On Sunday, September 13th Morgan Castle attended

worship at Cornerstone. She left church and let Pastor

Tim know she was coming to the Purpose Driven Life

study that was to begin that same evening. She did not make it to the study.

Unfortunately, she was involved in a terrible car accident just a few minutes after

leaving Cornerstone that resulted in her being life flighted to Huntington. For several weeks Morgan's

situation was tenuous as she fought for her life with her multiple injuries. Due to the power of prayer and

Morgan's courageous fight against the odds, Morgan is now back in Portsmouth in SOMC rehab. Mor-

gan's story has touched thousands of people across the country. The Alice Lloyd College where Mor-

gan is a student will be at Cornerstone for a benefit concert to help offset her numerous medi-

cal bills. A love offering will be received. Morgan is a giving and caring person who took a week's vaca-

tion from work to be at Vacation Bible School this summer at Cornerstone. Please say a prayer for Morgan

as she continues her journey, and come to the concert if you are able.

Morgan at VBS 2015

Kid’s Schedule

V O L U M E 1 2 , I S S U E 1 1 – I N S E R T T H E C O U R I E R

PAGE 4

___________Preschool______________

____________Elementary___________

First Service 9:30-10:30 Second Service 11:00-12:00 First Service 9:30-10:30 Second Service 11:00-12:00

November 1

Teacher: Courtney Adkins

Assistant: Beth Rideout

Teacher: Hetty Phillips

Assistant: Bethany Flan-

nery

Teacher: Linda Berry

Assistant: Rachel Perry

Teacher: Robbie Shugert

Assistant: Becky Caplinger

November 8

Teacher: Sarah Betten

Assistant:

November 15

Teacher: Jenn Roth

Assistant:

November 22

Teacher: Sarah Betten

Assistant:

Teacher: Sarah Betten

Assistant: Olivia Williams

Teacher: Amanda Jacks

Assistant: Jen Richards

Teacher: Sarah Betten

Assistant: Katie Anderson

Teacher: Jenn Roth

Assistant: Lisa Kepler

Teacher: Jenn Roth

Assistant: Kerri Galloway

Teacher: Kendra Tener

Assistant:

Teacher: Tiffany New-

some

Assistant: Cassie Morris

Teacher: Matt Taylor

Assistant: Danielle Taylor

Teacher: Jessica James

Assistant: Debbie McGin-

nis

November 29th

Teacher: Sarah Betten

Teacher: Sarah Betten

Assistant: Deb Walker

Teacher: Jenn Roth

Teacher: Jenn Roth

Kid’s Church Curriculum

Lesson 1: No More Humpty Dumpty For Me

Lesson 2: Help A Brother Out!

Lesson 3: Broken Bodies

Lesson 4: We’re All In This Together

V O L U M E 1 2 , I S S U E 1 1 – I N S E R T

A great season

of soccer!

T H E C O U R I E R

PAGE 5

Kingdom Basketball

As we celebrate ten years of sports ministry here at Cornerstone, let’s

take a moment to look back to where we started. The first year we

offered basketball and cheerleading we had around one hundred and

fifty young men and women. We were just learning what sports

ministry was and had no idea how to minister to all these new families

from outside the church. Now we have the privilege to walk side by

side with the families of more than three hundred children this year

alone. What a ride!

We have worked through injuries, tragedies, celebrations and even the day to day normalcy of

everyday with these families. The goal wasn’t just to teach them how to play a sport, but to show them

the love of Christ in the midst of the ordinary as well. Now we have numerous families that attend

church here regularly because of the love they received on the court and on the sidelines of our sports

ministries.

This year we plan to have another exciting season of basketball and cheerleading. We are preparing

for more than two hundred and fifty children to learn to love basketball or cheerleading and God at

the same time. Through prayer and a little bit of hard work, we will be ready to show Christ to these

children and their families every week from December through March. We are taking registrations

now through the end of November, so if you know of a child who could benefit from a sports program

dedicated to personal growth rather than a win at all cost attitude, recommend Kingdom Sports to

them. You and they will not regret it.

Registration Deadline - November 30th

Registration Cost - Basketball-$30 for the 1st child ($25 for each additional child)

Cheerleading-$45 for the 1st child ($40 for each

additional child)

Evaluation Dates:

Children 4yrs through 6th grade

Monday November 16th from 4-7pm

Thursday November 19th from 4-7pm

Saturday November 21st from 10am-2pm

Basketball Mini Camps:

4yrs-2nd grade November 30th at 6pm

3rd—6th grade December 1st at 6pm