The smallest unit of the universe we once thought was the atom. Everything else could be broken down more and more and more, but not the atom. The body is made of systems, and those systems in turn are made of parts- organs and the like. And those parts in turn are made of cells. And cells are made of smaller parts as well! And it all came back to the atom. That was until the atom was split and the world was dramatically changed by that fact. All universal communication is made up in similar way. If you read a book, it is made up of chapters. And those chapters are made up of discourses. Those discourses are divided up by paragraphs and those paragraphs are made up of sentences.
Sentences are like the atom. They hold a storehouse of meaning because of what they are but also the potential that they hold by what they are composed of - Words. A word, in and of itself can hold little to no meaning, but with the proper context and other words to give it credence it can hold powerful meaning. If I say the word “ham” in a crowded room if anyone does look at me they will probably just assume I'm not quite all there. But if I shout “fire” the response will be quite different. It is because of the meaning that has been given to that word. The underlying context that we all share with that word, the images that it harnesses, the power that it carries. If I said “Churchill” someone might conjure up the mental image of a short squatty Brit with a cigar and a amusing smirk. If I say “Hitler” the image is something quite different. But for you to understand what I want you to take a way from saying or shouting these words I must put them in a greater context for you. “Ham is delicious with cheese” and someone will agree instead of questioning my sanity. “The fire is so warm tonight” will not incite a panic. Sentences and the words they enlist are powerful conduits. Think of Romans 10.13-15 where Paul writes: “For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. How then can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news.” Over the next few months we are going to be looking at sentences and the different parts that make their words so meaningful.
Brett M. Deal

Congratulations to Pastor Shawn Franco as he will be ordained by the Assemblies of God on Monday, May 4, in Winchester, Virginia. The Assemblies of God has three levels of credentialing for ministry and ordination is the highest level of release in ministry. Having demonstrated through study and experience his call to ministry, Pastor Shawn will be recognized and have hands laid upon him at these special services. We are so thankful to have had Shawn and Sara with us for over thirteen years. We have grown through their faithfulness to minister in the power of Christ. Take a moment to congratulate them and thank them for their dedicated leadership among us. Pastor Shawn and Sara, thank you for all of the ways you have selflessly served us and helped us become the people of God. May the Lord give you many more years of fruitfulness and blessing. We love you.

Join us in welcoming Brandon Woodard as our new Business Administrator. On May 1, he joins our leadership team. Brandon has many years of experience in finance, leadership, marketing, sales, and accounting, including the past ten years with Bank of America where he is currently a Branch Manager. He brings great administrative gifts, a great commitment to our Cornerstone Family, but most of all a great love for God. We look forward to all that God is going to do as he helps lead us toward God’s purposes. Brandon is married to Caryn and they have three children Cheyanne, Carrington, and Donovan. Pray that the Lord would richly bless them as they take this huge step of faith to serve us.

Throughout the ages, God has called to His people to abandon their lives to Him. From a mountaintop, He sent His message through Moses: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.” In the voice of His own Son, He called again saying, “Come, take up your cross and follow me.” These words are not only for ages past, but for today. They are not only for the select few, but for every one of us with ears to hear. Down through the years our world has been changed by the lives of men and women who have had the faith to answer, “Yes, Lord take my whole heart. Yes, Lord, I will follow you.”
West End Assembly of God, under the leadership of Pastor Bob Rhoden, had been praying for over two years for a work to be started here in the Chester area. At that same time the Lord was speaking to a young man in Erie, Pennsylvania named Gary Williamson. He had grown up here and the Lord was leading him back to start a church. When Pastor Rhoden and Gary came together, the Lord started the bring to pass the vision that had been on both of their hearts. Through the prayers and efforts of many people this church was birthed thirty years ago. First meeting in a renovated plumbing shop on Centralia, then the Chester community center, then Thomas Dale High School and then about twenty-two years ago moved onto this property.
This is a church firmly rooted in the grace of God, the love of Jesus Christ and the work of the Holy Spirit. Through the thirty years of our history the Lord has brought many people to this family and their sacrifices have paved the way for all of the blessings which we enjoy. Each generation must make a choice to obey and trust and sacrifice so that the generation to come can go even further in fulfilling the call of God to touch a world in need in Him. As we celebrate God’s faithfulness let us join those who have built Cornerstone through their obedience and pray, “Lord, give us hearts that would be willing to respond to your call, that through us you would bring healing to this generation. Let this truly be a Healing Community where you release your work through me.”

On Sunday, May 3, we will celebrate thirty years with ONE service at 10:00 AM. Dr. H. Robert Rhoden, who was so instrumental in the founding of Cornerstone, will be speaking in the service. The kids will be ministered to by Jesse the Juggler with worship led by Brett and Elise Deal. The Children’s program will begin at the same time as the Celebration Service. Immediately following the celebration will be an afternoon of fellowship, food and fun. Come to service dressed casually, but modestly. Tickets are now on sale for our anniversary dinner.