Scriptures: Psalm 34:1-8 ; Ephesians 4:25-5:2

Last week we began a journey in Paul’s letter to the Church at Ephesus with a look at what makes a healthy church. We identified the characteristics of healthy churches and spent a little time exploring what we can do here to make our church healthier and more capable of doing ministry both inside and outside these walls.

We identified four things that make a church healthy. They were a commitment to unity, a desire to know God’s will, a desire to grow up spiritually, and intentional dedication of all our spiritual gifts in our ministry together. This week, we are going to dig a little deeper into one of these characteristics. That is growing up spiritually which includes taming our tongues. They are like wild horses and can cause much trouble if we fail to bridle them. Our church has grown much over the past year and we want to sustain that forward movement. Speaking the truth in love can help build a bridge between people and help us to move together toward a bright future.

~ Rev Sara

Our next meeting will be Saturday, August 11 at 1:00pm. We plan on a Tabitha's Task for Heidi. She needs help cleaning out and setting up her room in the Fellowship House for her Outreach project. If you identify as a woman please join us.

Jim Person, our Lay Delegate, is hosting a forum right after the service Sunday, August 12 to discuss the assessments bylaw changes. Everyone is invited to attend.

On Sunday, August 19 we will be celebrating the Installation of Reverend Sara Sills as the new pastor of Cornerstone Metropolitan Community Church. There will be a joy-filled service officiated by Reverend Elder Rachelle Brown, Reverend Ruth Jensen-Forbell and Reverend Lee J Carlton beginning at 10:45am on the Cornerstone church campus. Please join us as we celebrate our bright future together!

We are Happy to announce that our Outreach Team called Mobile Community Cares successfully collected, with the amazing assistance of our congregation, literally a car load of school supplies. Leinkauf Elementary School's guidance counselor Brittney Powe-Inge said that our church is a huge blessing, and the supplies couldn’t have come at a better time. The school is looking forward to working with our church this year with upcoming projects. She was impressed with our church as we are the first church who has wanted to help the whole year. Great job Cornerstone!

Sacred Harp is a uniquely American tradition that brings communities together to sing four-part hymns and anthems, passed directly to us by generations of singers, many gone on before and still living. All events welcome beginners and newcomers, with no musical experience or religious affiliation - in fact, the tradition was born from colonial “singing schools” whose purpose was to teach beginners to sing and our methods continue to reflect this goal. Though Sacred Harp is not affiliated with any denomination, it is a deeply spiritual experience for all involved, and functions as a religious observance for many singers.

The best way to learn about Sacred Harp singing is to sing it yourself. We will meet the last Friday of every month at 6:30pm.