Some of Cornerstone’s single ladies enjoy hosting occasional slumber parties for the young girls of Cornerstone.  On this particular occasion most of the young girls were out of town for summer vacations, but those who were in town had a wonderful time, I’m told.  They made jewelry, crafts, ordered pizza, watched a movie, and the next morning they got up out of their sleeping bags and went to church together. 

This is the kind of thing that lays a foundation of beautiful relationships in the body of Christ, preparing the way for the kind of covenant–family dynamics that Paul mentions in Titus 2, where the older women are to train the younger women in godliness. 

That kind of discipling relationship requires love.  And love requires time and effort and attention.  For 6–8 year old girls, this means things like slumber parties. 

CPC – Cornerstone Presbyterian Church

MEN – adult male persons

BOYS – male children, from birth to full growth, esp. those less than 18 years of age

CAMP – a place where a group of persons is lodged in tents, as a temporary means of shelter

CANOE – a slender, open boat, tapering to a point on both ends, propelled by paddles

2008 – we intend to do this again next year

This girl has just been “blobbed.”

In addition to being blobbed, the campers who experienced Salt and Light — a camp for 4th-6th graders sponsored by the Missouri Presbytery — got to enjoy swimming, canoeing, paddle–boating, the zipline, a waterslide, Capture the Flag, edifying worship, a huge game of Safari, archery, a silly song concert, an obstacle course, putt putt golf, gifted Bible teachers, wall climbing, cool crafts, great camp food (no, really!), Walley Ball, terrific camp counselors and leaders, tye–dying, a water balloon & shaving cream war, the joys of Mail Call, cabin discussions, climbing a floating iceberg, all sorts of other fun games, & much more!

The theme of this year’s teaching:  “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you.” (Acts 1.8)

Once again, many of the church’s children (and adults!) came together to give us another great Children’s Bible Camp!  This year the children put on three original plays that were drawn from three of Jesus’ parables.  The overall title of the camp this year was “Riddles of the Kingdom.”

The parable was one of Jesus’ favorite teaching techniques (see Matthew 13.34), and — as with all other things — Jesus was the absolute master of the parable.  Parables are fascinating.  They are kind of like puzzles (or riddles) that you must really enter into before you can begin to truly figure them out. 

The children treated the parable of the prodigal son, the parable of the wedding feast, and the parable of the good Samaritan.  Well done, children!  Not only have you gained a deeper understanding of these three riddles of the Kingdom, but you’ve encouraged us in the truth of the Kingdom as well.  May the Lord keep us all walking steadfastly in his truth until life everlasting! 

The prophet Isaiah declares, “Share your food with the hungry and provide the poor wanderer with shelter… then your light will break forth like the dawn…”

This is a “theme verse” of sorts for the Grace and Peace Winter Shelter here in St. Louis.  Earlier this year — back in early March — several volunteers from Cornerstone enjoyed preparing a meal for the shelter and meeting the guests who spent the night there that evening. 

Below is a description of the shelter’s ministry, from their web page…

The Grace and Peace Winter Shelter has been offering temporary, overnight shelter during the colder months to homeless women of St. Louis since 1986.

The Winter Shelter operates in the basement of Grace and Peace’s building in an urban area on the west side of the city. By the grace of God, many suburban churches have sent helping hands and meals. Neighboring churches and agencies have also sent help. As a result, the shelter ministry extends well beyond the boundaries of the congregation of Grace and Peace.

Many women have come back year after year to stay at Grace and Peace during the winter, citing the warm community there that they like to call home. Many have also “graduated” to apartments of their own.

The Winter Shelter receives no government funding, relying instead on volunteer helpers and meal providers as well as on donations to cover staff stipends and other expenses.