Volume 5, Issue 9 September 2010 Cornerstone MCC What’s Happening Around the Corner? The 4th Annual Great Gulf Coast Camp Meeting “Joy In The Spirit!” September 17 – 19, 2010 Worship Celebrations: *Friday & *Saturday 7:00PM *Sunday 10:45AM *Southern Coastal Network Meeting: Sat. 10:00AM *Complimentary Lunch 12:00 Noon *Mass Choir Rehearsal 4:00PM *Sunday CMCC 25th Anniversary Food Fellowship 12:30PM >Special Music Guests< *Fred Francis *Judson Martin *Steven Jerome *Gulf Coast Mass Choir * Holy Cross Pensacola Praise Team *Affinity New Orleans * Baton Rouge Gospel Ensemble Rev. Dr. Yvette Flunder >Our guest of honor: “Mother Shirley Miller”< Experience Spiritual Renewal & Radical Inclusion With Guest Evangelist REV. DR. YVETTE FLUNDER Senior Pastor, City of Refuge United Church of Christ Presiding Bishop, The Fellowship Ordained clergy of the United Church of Christ and Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches Author, “Where The Edge Gathers”- Pilgrim Press Cornerstone MCC 1007 Government St. Mobile, Alabama Reduced accommodation rates $59.90 King or 2 Doubles at La Quinta Inns for Camp Meeting call 251-343-4051 and request a reservation for the Cornerstone Metro Community Church event PAG E 2 WHAT’S HAPPENING ARO UND THE CORNER? A Word from Pastor Lee YOU CALL ME FRIEND sinners. But, what the critics failed to ac- ter. Rabbi Harold Kushner said, ―The 23rd knowledge is that no one who encountered Psalm doesn‘t say, ‗I will fear no evil be- the friendship of Jesus was ever the same. cause people get what they deserve and I‘m Aristotle said, ―A true friend is one soul in So what barriers do we erect that forbids a good person.‘ Rather, it says, „I will fear no two bodies.” Solomon said, “A friend ‗this revelation of Christ‘ in friendships? evil because Thou art with me.‟ ‖ That‘s our loves at all times.” Prov.17:17 “Some Sometimes we look down on or scorn peo- promise! A six year old child was terrified to friends may ruin you but a real friend will ple based solely on their appearance or walk past the house of a bully. But when his be more loyal than a sister or brother.” social standing. Sometimes, we do the father walked with him, the bully never Prov.18:24 Isaiah even records that God opposite and prefer or envy people based showed his face. If we approach life on our called Abraham, “My friend.” Is. 41:8. on the same externals. Then sometimes we own, evil will bully us. However, we are re- And Jesus declares, “You are My friends simply misjudge others because of our own minded by Jesus that greater is the Holy One if you do the things I command you. I ignorance, religious or cultural bias. To be within us than the evil one in the world. The do not call you slaves or servants…but I the kind of friend Jesus is, we must respect victory of the risen Christ within has already call you My friends, because I have made all people. defeated our foe. Our worst demons of fear known and revealed to you everything I tremble, must keep silent and depart at heard and learned from My Father. You Jesus encourages us to have special fellow- sound of the name of Jesus. Such friendship have not chosen Me, (as a friend) but I ship with other believers. Jesus wanted us is priceless! As a friend of God, we also have have chosen you. I have planted you like to enjoy being together. He told a story opportunity to work with God. Paul said, ―We a chosen planting (of the Vine) so that about a single woman who lost one coin. are co-laborers together with God.” you might go and bear lasting fruit, so She searched until she found it and then 1Cor.3:9. As friends of God, we also have that whatever you ask of the Divine called her friends and said, ―Rejoice with access to unlimited Divine resources. James Parent in My name, as presenting all me, because I found the coin which was says, ―Whatever is good and perfect comes that I AM; God may give it to you! This is lost. In the same way, there is joy among down to us from God above, who created all what I command you: that you love the angels of heaven when one sinner has heavens lights. Unlike them, God never one another.” Jn.15:14-17 Yes, the a change of heart and life.” Lk.15:8-10. We changes or cast shifting shadows.” James scriptures have a lot to say about love need to know each other and maintain 1:17 and friendship and Jesus demon- contact and fellowship. That‘s what church strated the highest universal love for his families and communities of faith are Friendship is a powerful part of life and the friends. Jn. 3:16-17, Jn. 15:13. about. Interaction is essential for health, Gospel. Without others, we are less than the growth and productivity. We need each all, we can be. To have friends we must be a Jesus encourages us to show respect for other and we need unity and oneness of friend. We must respect all people, including all people. For Jesus, it was the joy of life purpose. One of the worst problems in the rich and poor, the down and outers, the to obey His Father‘s command and friendships is allowing isolation because of up and outers, the desirables and the misun- teach us the same. He said, ―I have told minor disagreements and conflict. Instead, derstood. Then we must have fellowship, you these things that My joy and delight to be the kind of friend Jesus was, we must encouraging and supporting each other. may be in you and your joy and gladness have fellowship with others. In fellowship, Finally, we must establish a personal rela- may be full complete and overflowing: love grows and covers a multitude of of- tionship with the One who offers the bless- Love one another just as I have loved fenses. ings of friendship and models what a friend you.” Jn. 15:11 Jesus joyfully accepted truly is. and honored all kinds of individuals from Jesus encourages us to have a personal the mainstream to the margins, in their relationship with God. One of the greatest You Are God‘s Best! journey of life. Just as His mother, Mary, compliments ever given to an individual had prophesied; “My soul magnifies the was when God called Abraham, His friend. Pastor Lee Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my ―Abraham believed God and God accepted Savior for… God has revealed the Word… Abraham‟s faith, and that faith made him My special thanks to Miles and Marlene and brought the mighty low and lifted the right with God. And Abraham was called, Wesner for inspiration and a guide for this lowly.” Lk.1:46-47, 51-53 Jesus learned God‟s friend.” James 2:23, Isaiah 41:8. writing, adapted from an unpublished sermon from our Divine Parent to look at the manuscript of Rev. Wesner, for Friends Day, heart of people and not their outward It is important to realize that Jesus offers August 15, 2010 New Perspectives Vol 7 no.29 appearance. The politics of Jesus were us the same privilege when He calls us his – to see the original: request from those of the Dominion of God as He friends. Nickolus Harrison of Affinity in New [email protected] preached and practiced ―radical inclu- Orleans sings the same in words of con- sion‖ and stood against the oppressive temporary praise when he wrote, ―Who am systems and exclusionary practices of His I, that You should know my name? Who am day. Both “Jesus Christ” and His ―good I, that You would die for me? Who am I, news‖ Gospel, “remains the same yester- that the Great I AM, would call me friend?‖ day, today and forever.” Heb. 13:8 So what does friendship with God mean? “Whosoever will”, Jn. 12:46 “I set before The greatest benefit is the assurance of you an open door, which no one can God‘s presence. Jesus promised, “I Am shut.‖ Rev.3:8. The One who knew no sin with you, always...”Mat.28:20. We were was criticized as a friend of outcasts, bar never promised a fair world or an easy life, owners, tax collectors, prostitutes and but we were promised something far bet- VOLUME 5, ISSUE 9 PAG E 3 The 4th Annual Great Gulf Coast Camp Meeting Proudly Offers a Talented and Diverse Group of SPIRIT-FILLED MINISTERS OF MUSIC Bishop Flunder is sure to set the Spirit free with her inspired and anointed messages from the Word. Our Ministers of Music Fred Francis will set your feet to dancing with their amazing gifts of song as well. This amazing , eclectic group is certain to provide something for everyone. On Friday evening, Minister of Music Ty Lovette, Holy Cross MCC in Pensacola, and the folksy tones their Praise Band will bring us into God’s presence with contemporary praise and worship pieces. Also joining us for the weekend will be Minister of Music Nickolus Harrison and Affinity from The Big Easy MCC in New Orleans and the Gospel Ensemble from MCC of Baton Rouge under the direction of Minister of Music Stephen Jerome. Gospel recording artist Fred Francis from Nashville will round out this beautiful blend of musicians with his own soulful sound. Nick Harrison Additionally, spirit-filled singers from across the region will join together in the Gulf Coast Mass Choir, under the direc- tion of Ministers of Music Steven Jerome, Fred Francis.