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Church News


March, 2003

"It’s On My Heart!" --- By Rev. Bill Abrams



Sunrise on Lovelady Road, Valdese


Sunrise on Lovelady Road, Valdese


"“Weeping may endure for the night, but joy comes in the morning.” (Psalm 30:5)


Every morning as the sun begins to rise I begin my day (weather permitting) by driving to the church to meet with my Lord. It has become a very special part of my day as I have an appointment with Him. The burdens and cares of life I can share with Jesus as I am greeted by Him and the sunrise. As a result, I find comfort in His presence for the rest of the day and am confident that His grace is sufficient for me.

One of the many promises of Scripture is the verse quoted above. The Psalmist assured us that as we look east to the sunrise in prayer we will find that God will minister unto us and heal our hurts. There are those who have lost loved ones in death that have yet to experience the morning, but it is important for those who grieve to look east in the anticipation of the sunrise. In Christ we have assurance of morning after mourning.

If you have not suffered loss yet, just wait a while for it is coming sooner or later. Probably the hardest experience of our life is when we walk through the dark valley of the loss of a loved one. Oh yes, wonderful memories will last, but they can never replace the person who has loved us.

Most likely the loss of child may be the worst, at any age. For those, God’s word assures us that we will experience a new day of joy, if we will open our hearts to it. Most of us look back and realize that with God’s help we have recovered from calamities of the past.

When that new day arrives with sunrays of new hope, we join with the Psalmist David who sang, “O Lord, my God, I cried to you for help, and you have healed me.” (vs. 2) What we learn from our down time is that our Creator has made a way for our recovery. Available to all us whether in our cars, on the lake, or in the woods is a satellite location device that can help us find where we are and where we want to be. Likewise, God has instilled in us a capacity for recovery.

Moreover, through all the pieces of advice that caring friends and counselors have shared with us, there are a few words that do sink in. This tells us we too can become a caring friend. We find that out of our weakness and help by God we too can be drawn into the pain of another. We can help lift up others because we have learned that in time God will restore joy.

Best of all, the next time we are personally back in that familiar deep valley of sorrow, we know that we can anticipate the morning. There is something about having experienced the morning that reassures us that God will never leave us nor forsake us, and that His grace is sufficient for us.

What a difference faith does make in our lives. Without faith, there is no assurance of life after death. Without faith, where would we find room for optimism?

In 2003 I am trying to greet my Lord in prayer at sunrise every morning. Through our Lord in prayer we can become people of the morning. What a joy it is to begin every day looking eastward to the Lord.


Peace, Love, & Joy in Christ,
Rev. Bill Abrams




Welcome New Members

Welcome to Emma, Tynessa, Anna & Michael! (Left to Right)

Michael & Tynessa I., and daughters Emma & Anna






Baptist Men's Day

Begins with breakfast at Timberwoods Tyler leading in worship Jaimeson reading Scripture Puse leading in prayer Men's Day Speaker Mickey Men's Day Speaker Calvin Men's Day Speaker Rick Men's Day Speaker Bill





Youth Ministry



Sunday, March 2
7:30 PM – Bible Study at Rick & Mandy R's Home

Sunday, March 9
7:30 PM - Youth Movie Night

Saturday, March 15
Nitro Practice

Sunday, March 16
Children’s Day
~11:45 AM – 1:30 PM – Youth help with Children's Day lunch
Nitro Practice after Children's Day lunch
6:30 PM - Youth lead evening service

Sunday, March 23
5:15 PM – Youth Council Meeting

Sunday March 23
6:30 PM – Revival's Youth Night
Nitro Performance during Evening Service, followed by Youth Pizza Party

2003 Mission Trip
North Carolina Baptist Assembly - Fort Caswell
South Port, N. C. (eastern tip of Oak Island)
June 23 – 28
Youth need to sign up and turn in $20.00 deposit by March 23 (to Joyce or Randy).




Children's Ministry



Children's Day - Sunday, March 16
Special Bible Study
Children's Emphasis During Worship
Meal for all children & parents follows the Morning Worship Service

Sunday, March 2
5:00 PM - Children's Council

Sunday, March 2
Krissy & Lynn will share a special Children's sermon about "Apples on the Tree"!


Pick an apple from the Apple Tree
in the foyer at the church
and provide for a need of the Children’s Ministry.
Please bring your gift by Sunday, March 16
to the Children’s Day being celebrated at Cornerstone Baptist Church


Children's Choir Rehearsal 5:00 PM on Sunday

Please bring candy & prizes for the Easter Egg Hunt scheduled for April 19th




For Your Records

Annual Budget: $120,590
Monthly Requirements: $10,049
Budget Receipts January: $9,161.75
Budget Receipts February: $10,019.18
General Fund Balance (2-25): $23,243.23
Youth Balance: $ 2,403.70
Children Balance: $2,814.79

Debt Retirement
Monthly Debt Service: $3,370
Designated from General Fund: $1,200
Monthly Requirement: $2,170
Building Fund Receipts Jan.: $2,617
Building Fund Receipts Feb.: $2,680
Building Fund Balance: $6,810.59
Total Debt as of Feb. 25: $ 375,700.15




Birthdays for March

1 - Morris C.
2 – Michael I.
4 – Odell W.
6 – Forrest A.
7 – Alexis E.
9 – Morgan F.
9 – Pat S.
10 – Anna I.
11 – Teresa T.
15 – Lisa N.
16 – Nona N.
19 – Vickie L.
20 – Brenda D.
22 – Jordan W.
23 – Tom D.
26 – Milton V.






Spring Revival

Cornerstone Baptist Church

March 23 - 26

Rev. Bill Abrams says, 'Please join us at our Spring Revival!'

One of the blessings of being pastor of Cornerstone Baptist Church is seeing the miracle of lives changed for eternity. The joy of seeing our Lord’s grace at work in persons is wonderful to behold. As we enter into our Spring Revival I am asking that you be much in prayer that the Holy Spirit will sweep through our church in a mighty revival.

Please join me in praying towards this end. Thank you in advance for your prayers and commitment to revival at Cornerstone Baptist Church.

Peace, Love, & Joy in Christ,
Rev. Bill Abrams

Our Spring Revival Speakers

Sunday, March 23
11:00 AM - Rev. Albert Young
6:30 PM - Rev. Brandon Keever (Youth Emphasis)

Monday, March 24
7:00 PM - Rev. Larry Fletcher

Tuesday, March 25
7:00 PM - Dr. David Boan

Wednesday, March 26
7:00 PM - Rev. Kenneth Falls (Mt. Zion Baptist Church)

Copyright © Cornerstone Baptist Church, Valdese, NC, 2002 - 2004

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