Spend New Year's Eve with Us!

11:15pm Thursday

until

12:15am Friday

Holy Communion will be served.

All That's Missing is You

Christmas Eve is upon us ...

remember there are three (3) services especially for families with young children at

3:00, 4:15 and 5:30pm

And three (3) services with carols, candlelighting and Holy Communion at

7:00, 9:00 and 11:00pm

We look forward to seeing you and your family!

WEATHER UPDATE 9:00pm

For the safety of all concerned, Sunday's services have been CANCELLED.

Reminder to join us this Thursday for one of our six (6) Christmas Eve servicers.

WEATHER UPDATE

Tonight's (Sat) Celebration service has been CANCELLED. And, as of this writing, there will only be ONE service tomorrow (Sun) at 10:45am. For full details, listen to Pastor Paul's weekly phone call at 1-877-698-3261 (and follow the prompts).

Are you a Christian Business Person?

Cornerstone Church consistently receives phone calls from members wanting to know if anyone in the congregation is a car mechanic, a plumber, a lawyer or a candlestick maker. We all have needs of one kind or another and often don't know who to turn to or who we can trust.

Do you own your own Christian business?

Are you a professional?

Cornerstone would like to list Christian businesses, with a Cornerstone connection, on their blog for those of us who want to support their brothers and sisters in Christ.

Please drop us an email, with your name, your business and website address (and it not evident by your company name, what it is you sell or provide). In turn, we will list your personal name (as a contact), business name and link it all to your website.

Thank you for your help in making this list complete.

Disclaimer: Cornerstone Church does not officially endorse any of these business, but merely acts a collective source of reference. Cornerstone Church does however believe these businesses are built on Christian business practices and use Christian principles in all busines dealings.

They're Looking for a Few Good Men and, Evidently, Women

Congratulations to Private First Class Gabrielle LePore of Townsend after graduating December 4th from Marine Corp boot camp at Parris Island, SC. Gabrielle is the daughter of Kim, a teacher at CEEYC, and Jim Vari. PFC LePore graduated alongside a class of 52 recruits and received Honors award. Gabrielle leaves for post-graduate combat training in January.

Congratulatory and encouragement notes can be dropped off at the CEEYC office in c/o Ms. Kim.

In Search of Summer Camp Sleuths

It's not too early to start thinking about Summer Camp 2010. For more information, contact Marcy Bargstadt or Nikkie Bowe.

Give the Tree of Life

Would you like to honor someone's memory with a gold leaf on the "Tree of Life" at Cornerstone's entrance to the Celebration Room? The personalized, memorial leaves are available for a one-time $500 donation.

For more information, please contact Jim Sapp or Kellie Stave.

Angel Tree Party

Last Saturday, Cornerstone hosted the annual Angel Tree* Party for 16 area children. The party brings together children from Wilmington who may not celebrate much of a traditional Christmas with caring Cornerstone members who donate gifts and their time for the party.

* Angel Tree is a ministry that reaches out to the children of inmates and their families with the love of Christ.

Baptism Class Tonight!

Would you or your child like to be baptized during the Christmas holiday? Pastor Carolyn is holding a 75-minute BAPTISM CLASS tonight at Cornerstone, beginning at 7:00. This group session will answer all your questions and give you the opportunity to participate in December's baptism ceremonies on Sunday the 27th.

Child care is available, with pre-registration, if needed. Call the office at (302) 836-2862, ext. 10.

Christmas Eve at Cornerstone

Please make plans to join us for this very special evening. Choose from any one of six convenient Celebration times, three identical services for families with small children in the late afternoon and three identical services for families with Holy Communion later in the evening.

Families with Children, Featuring a Live Nativity Scene

3:00, 4:15 or 5:30pm

Carols, Candles and Communion

7:00, 9:00 or 11:00pm

Would you like to volunteer an hour of your time to give back on Christmas Eve? Email PW Bargstadt or Tammy Young for serving and hospitality opportunities.

Cornerstone Family In the News

by Tonya Fennell of the Sedalia (MO) Democrat:


The next John Grisham or Mary Higgins Clark could be a Dresden elementary student.

Preschool through fifth-grade students participated in “I Love to Write Day” Monday with a variety of activities.

I Love to Write Day was started eight years ago by Delaware author John Riddle. According to ilovetowrite.org, Riddle started the writing day to have people of all ages practice their writing skills by writing a poem, an essay or a letter. Last year more than 20,000 schools across the country held special writing events to celebrate the day. Riddle said the possibilities on I Love to Write Day are endless because someone could start a novel, finish a novel or write a love letter.

Read the full article here.

Cornerstone Family In the News

From the Newark Post -

Marlene Martin will be onstage playing the part of two character's in Chapel Street Players' rendition of Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol." The play runs November 21 through December 12 at the Chapel Street Playhouse in Newark.

Tickets are $5-$15 and may be purchased by calling (302) 368-2248 or visit their website for more information.

MR & MRS PONCE

A VERY BEAUTIFUL WEDDING. MAY GOD BE WITH THEM ALWAYS

Welcome Grant Allen Geisewite!

Congratulations to Meg and Paul Geisewite on the October 30th birth of their son, Grant Allen.

Mom and 8 lb. 4 oz. son are doing fine! (We'll presume Dad had no complications from the delivery either.)

In the News ...

Sunday's News Journal made mention of author John Riddle's upcoming Delaware Christian Writers Workshop this Saturday (the 7th) at Cornerstone Church. The paper incorrectly listed the church's website address as the place to go for more information.

Instead, please email John Riddle directly here, call him at (302) 834-4910 or visit his "I Love to Write Day" website for workshop details and registration.

ENCOURAGING NOTES

Two of our young people have just entered basic training. Your notes of encouragement and support would be greatly appreciated.

They are:

Aaron Fields, son of Michelle and Jeff Fields -

AB FIELDS, AARON K

331 TRS/FLT 028 (DORM B10)

1320 TRUEMPER ST. UNIT 369536

LACKLAND AFB, TEXAS 78236-5570

Gabrielle LePore, daughter of Kim and Jimmy Vari -

RCT LePORE GABRIELLE
OSCAR CO 4TH RTBN PLT 4039
BOX 16435

PARRIS ISLAND, SC 29905-4039

Recent Baptisms

Aiden Jones is comforted by his mother, Danielle, and father, Joseph.

Youth Rally

2010 Pen-Del Youth Rally Promo from Ted Ryskoski on Vimeo.

Saturday, January 9, 2010 youth from all over the Delmarva region will gather in Ocean City, MD for the 2010 Pen-Del Youth Rally. You are invited to travel with the Cornerstone Student Ministry as we enjoy a fun-filled day of music and fellowship with over 4,000 new friends.

Depart Cornerstone: 1/9/10 at 7:00am
Arrive Cornerstone: 1/10/10 at approx. 12:00am

Scheduled to appear: Starfield, Justin Lookadoo and Joe Castillo

Ticket prices are $35-45.

Don't wait! Contact Dawn or Bob Wilson today! Call (302) 397-7238.

Let's Make it Happen

Join with Aimee Laznik as she steps up to take on breast cancer awareness and research this weekend in the American Cancer Society's "Walk Against Breast Cancer." Walk beside her or make a donation to compliment her efforts here.

Student Ministries Hayride and Bonfire

Sunday, October 18th, from 5:00 until 8:00, the Student Ministries of Cornerstone Church will head out on a hayride and bonfire adventure. The cost is $5.00 per student which includes the hayride, the bonfire, hot dog and hot chocolate.

Call Dawn Wilson at (302) 378-0898 to sign up or for more details.

Weekend Celebration Notes

Climbing to Overcome Challenges

Linda Horan's brother is mounting a new challenge. He is going to tackle the highest point on Earth, Mt. Everest, next spring and, at the same time, raise money to help the veteran's of the recent Gulf conflicts.

To read more about Peter Atkinson's unique fund raising idea, visit Trek4heroes.

Running to Find a Cure

Marvin and Linda Payne's son-in-law, Chris Weston, is running a 26.2 mile marathon to raise money for cancer research. On his donation page, he has stated those he is running for, including "In Memory of Vicki Owens" and "In Honor of Gene Lockerman" (Linda's dad).

If you would like to contribute to this worthy cause or read more, start with Chris' page here.

Today's Celebration Notes

Today's song, during the message, was "Grace" as performed by Michael W. Smith. Listen or download below.

and today's book reference was to "A Hunger for Healing" by J. Keith Miller.

In the News ...

John Riddle is the featured author on the Christian Devotions for KIDS website. Read John's Q&A interview here.

Remember I Love to Write Day is coming up November 15.

Soldiers, Families Share Joy at Return

Read the latest news of Ken Fowler's returning troop here, compliments of the News Journal's delawareonline.com article.

Dirty Laundry

Frightland is about to get dirty. The corn field, outside Odessa, best known for it's scare tactics every Halloween will be watered down October 11th for the first ever Delaware Mud Run.

Cornerstone will be represented by "Mud, Sweat & Tears" a four-person team of Marcy Bargstadt, Niky Winters, Kylee Marsh and Ron Kelly.

For more information, email Marcy Bargstadt or make an online donation to her team here.

Time to Meddle with the Pedal

This weekend is the annual 150-mile MS Bike to the Bay event and Cornerstone has a team represented. The number of people living with multiple sclerosis increases every hour of every day. This astonishing rate is not going to diminish, nor will it stop, until we've found a cure. Research has made some incredible advances recently, but the world can still only offer disease management drugs and therapies to the 400,000 people living with MS in America.

Team Cornerstone riders are below (in alphabetical order). Click on any of the names to read why they are making the ride and to make a donation in their name.

• Dawn Clair
• Marlene Martin
• Don Rainford
• Jason Rainford
• Jeff Williams

Kidney Walk Sun, Oct 4

Help kidney research by supporting Cornerstone's Sarah Twitchell, daughter of Beth and Phil Twitchell, in the Wilmington Kidney Walk at Rockford Park. Sarah, who is battling kidney disease herself, is hoping to raise $200.

To make a donation to the National Kidney Foundation, on behalf of Sarah Twitchell, click
here.

Welcome Home, Ken Fowler!

Chief Ken Fowler returns home after a year in Iraq with the Delaware Army National Guard. Ken's family went to Fort Dix to be reunited. CBS3 in Philadelphia was also on hand to capture the events on video and interview some of Ken's family. Watch the video here.

We wish to thank Ken Fowler, and every soldier, for making the sacrifice to protect our freedom.

Recent Baptisms

Deaneen Crabtree (l) shares her testimony with Pastor Paul and those in attendance.

Skylar Crabtree (r) shares her faith story.

Rylie Hickey prepares to be baptised as her mom, Renee, holds here and dad, Sean, looks on.

This Just In ...

Good News!

As reported on DelawareOnline.com

Delaware troops to arrive home this morning. Almost a year after they marched away from their families, homes and jobs, 110 Delaware Army National Guard soldiers from the 261 Signal Brigade are on their way home today.

Read the full story here.

25 Years of Harvest USA

Join Harvest USA as it commemorates it's silver anniversary with a series of talks. The closest one to Bear will be on Thursday, October 23rd at 7:30pm at Berea Presbyterian, 957 Old Lancaster Pike, Hockessin. The main speaker will be Harvest USA President, John Freeman with guest author Dr. Diane Langberg.

For more information on the ministries of Harvest USA visit their website here.

Weekend Video

We received many requests to hear the video illustration again from this weekend. Here is a link to replay the video from SermonSpice, where we find many of our video clips from.

A Festival of Healing Through the Arts

Expressing Grief - a Grief Arts Festival

• Art Activities
• Art Show
• Grief Education
• Solitude Room
• Resource Tables
• Closing Ritual

Sunday, November 8 from 1:00 until 5:00pm

Where? Exceptional Care for Children, 11 Independence Way, Newark

Initiating Delaware's 1st Annual Grief Awareness Week

Free admission.

For more information and to pre-register, visit Supporting Kids website.

Grandparents are Cool!

(Photo by Randy Cloud)

What a special day at Cornerstone Early Education and Youth Center (CEEYC) as grandparents stopped by for some one-on-one classroom time with their favorite kids.

Make sure you reach out this weekend and let a granparent know how important they are to you and your family.

A Beautiful Sunset

What a glorious day the Lord has provided.

Environmental Hygienist Needed

Cornerstone is currently seeking a TEMPORARY hand with janitorial services while Mike Cook recovers from surgery. We need help in the Early Education Center weeknights after 6:00pm. If this is something you might be interested in assisting with, please email PW Bargstadt or call 302 836-2862, ext 41.

Thank you.

Children's Ministry Volunteers Needed

The Children's Ministry Weekend seeks assistant teachers for:

• 9:05am Service Time w/Two Year Olds (2nd Sunday of the month)
• 10:45am Service Time w/Two Year Olds (1st, 2nd or 3rd Sunday of the month)
• 10:45am Service Time w/ Four Year Olds (1st 2nd or 4th Sunday of the month)

If you would enjoy helping out with any of these opportunities, please email Jessica Owens at jowens@cornerstonedelaware.com or leave a message at (302) 836-2862, ext 19.

Heaven4Shore In Concert

Saturday, September 26 at 7:00pm at Salem United Methodist Church, 469 Salem Church Rd, Newark. Call (302) 738-4822 for more information.

Monday Holiday

Just a reminder that the church offices, as well as the Early Education Center and Senior Center, will be closed Monday, September 7th as we pay tribute to the working class and their contributions to the strength, prosperity and well-being of our nation.

Normal hours resume Tuesday, September 8th.

In the News ...

From the Middletown Transcript:

Kayla Fromal (far right) and her Appoquinimink High field hockey teammates near the end of their conditioning run.

Recent Baptism ...

Kaitlyn (center) is baptized last weekend by Pastor Paul (left) as other members of the Ledger family look on.

Coming Soon to a Church Near You

"Eight Steps to Forever Change Your Life" begins at Cornerstone the weekend of September 12-13.

You'll want to hear the important message of this new series.

Spread the word ... invite your friends!

End-of-Summer Student Bash!

(Photo by Dawn Wilson)

This time of year a new school year starts for the kids in the Cornerstone student ministry, but Sunday night they took time to celebrate and recall the summer of '09.

It takes a certain God-given gift to work with the youth and we are very honored to have some of the best heading up our student ministy program. A big thank you to some very special leaders in Sandy Duncan, Karen Wendeler and Dawn & Bob Wilson.

Luau Party!

Join us in the cafe today for an end-of-summer luau featuring free slushies and cake. Delicious kabob and skewer-food available for sale, too.

Bring your grass skirt!

MAP Walk Against Violence

The Methodist Action Program (MAP) is conducting the 2009 Walk "For Children, Youth & Families" to raise the level of support to help children and families who have various needs in the greater Wilmington community. This year's walk will take place Saturday, September 12, beginning at Dravo Plaza on the Riverfront, with registration beginning at 8:00am and the walk from 9:00 - 11:00am.

MAP is the oldest faith-based organization in the State of Delaware focused on Urban Ministry. MAP operates ministries including "Youth Moving Forward" and "Los Abuelos" and owns two historic United Methodist facilities that serve adjudicated youth, Latino seniors and homeless.

You may pick up a pledge form and registration form at the Information Center this weekend. This would make an excellent inner-small group challenge!

Although their website is not "current," you may learn more about MAP here.

How Hot Is It?

A couple images from our man in sand, Ken Fowler. The top photo shows the temperature pushing past 120 degrees and the bottom shows Ken and his fuel-efficient Humvee.

Hurry home, Ken ... we miss you!

The Hole in Our Gospel

You heard Pastor Paul talk about this book, "The Hole in Our Gospel" by the President of World Vision, Richard Stearns, this past weekend, but if you'd like to check out their website and learn what you can do to help the less fortunate, click here.

And be sure to join us this weekend to pick up your copy of the book itself.

Do you have a story to tell?

Do you have a story you want to share with someone? Cornerstone is launching a newspaper, for the community, full of the good stories in God's world. Even if you're not a writer, tell us your story and we'll polish it up. Submit your story, or story idea, to our editor, Barb, here.

We're now on Facebook!

Cornerstone Church is now on Facebook. Sign up for your free account and become a "fan." Let's show the joy, friendship and community of Cornerstone.

Click here to create your own account and then search "Cornerstone Church of Bear, Delaware."

Meet & Greet

It's time to meet the teachers for the new school year. The Cornerstone Early Education and Youth Center will be open this evening until 6:00 to meet with new families and familiarize the children with their new surroundings.

It's not too late to register! There are still a couple openings left, call the office at 836-6445 to schedule a campus tour.

Recent Baptism ...

Congratulations to Ava Marvel on her baptism. Ava (shown above with her parents Alice and Vincent) is baptized by Pastor Carolyn Sunday afternoon.