Date:
September 2007

Church:
Cornerstone United Methodist Church

Pastor: Charles L. Aaron, Jr. Pastor

About The Church:

Cornerstone United Methodist Church is a wonderful mix of newness and continuity.Two congregations, St. Paul UMC and Richland UMC, came together in the 90s to form Cornerstone.The new congregation, cherishing its heritage, but looking to the future, moved to the Firewheel area of Garland in 2002.The members of the former congregations enthusiastically drive to the new location, willing to minister to this growing community.

Cornerstone has a thriving children’s ministry, with a children’s choir,Mother’s Day Out and After School Care programs, and numerous presentations throughout the year.Our active missions committee raises money and awareness for several projects.We support The New Beginnings Center, a shelter for women who have experienced domestic violence, and a missionary couple in Africa.Our youth program, led by our new youth director, provides our teenagers opportunities for study, service and wholesome recreation.Lock-ins are a particular favorite of our youth, along with “messy night” during Vacation Bible School.The church is active with scouts, sponsoring a Venture Crew. Our talented musical staff blesses us with everything from traditional hymns to toe-tapping contemporary praise songs.

Our men’s group has worked with the scouts to erect a playground.They sponsor “Breakfast with Santa” every year for children in the community who might not have presents for Christmas.Our women’s group conducts retreats and raises money for missions and the church budget.Every November, the women put together a bazaar that is praised by vendors and shoppers alike.A big project every year, run by the education committee, but supported by the whole congregation, is our Pumpkin Patch, which helps our visibility in the community and raises money for missions.

As typical Methodists, we “think and let think,” but find unity in the Lordship of Jesus the Christ.With a thriving Sunday School and regular Bible studies, we feed our minds as well as nurture our “warm hearts.”We hold both “traditional” and “blended” worship services each week, always remembering that true worship is offered to God.We congratulate our officers who keep us going, and our staff who work hard to make us the best church we can be. Cornerstone is honored to be selected as Church of the Week by CSS, and we look forward to using the literature they provide for us.

Date:
August 2007

Church:
Sanibel Community Church 

Church Contact Info:
1740 Periwinkle Way
Sanibel, Florida 33957
United States 
Phone: 239-472-2684

Pastor: Dr. Daryl G. Donovan 

About The Church:
At the very center of beautiful Sanibel Island, Florida, Sanibel Community Church offers a vibrant ministry proclaiming Christ in word and deed. With historic roots of ministry on the Island for nearly 100 years, the multi-denominational church has stood as a beacon of truth and love.

While Sanibel Island is a retirement destination, the church conducts an exciting ministry to over 100 children and youth. With a full time children’s director and youth pastor, Sanibel Community Church has a heart to minister to the whole family.

World Missions is one of the top priorities of the congregation. Approximately 25% of all church receipts go to out reach missions around the globe. Each year, local members are sent on short-term missions trips. The church has had tremendous impact in many countries including, Russia, Ethiopia and Haiti.

Sanibel Community Church has as their vision: “That every person would come into a life-changing relationship with the person of Jesus Christ.” Because of that vision, evangelism is at the core of all that happens. There is passion to exalt the Lord Jesus Christ and to introduce him to all who visit the Island.

Because of the beautiful location of Sanibel Island, 1000’s of snowbirds and tourist flock to the area each year. Many times in the winter months there are more visitors than members present on a Sunday morning. Each year the church sees dozens of these visitors discover a relationship with Jesus Christ.

A highlight of Sanibel Community Church is the Easter Sunrise Service on the beach. 100’s gather for an inspiring service, with the opportunity for baptism in the cool gulf waters.

Dr. Daryl G. Donovan has served at Sanibel Community Church for five years.