Then the women and children come down for our Chapel worship service. We are able to begin early in each service by praising our Lord as we are so blessed with many gifted musicians who play guitars, and even a ukulele, as we sing 3 hymns or praise songs during our service and pray with them as well. Thank you to those who serve in vital portions of this ministry diligently and faithfully.

Typically after the second song, if there are enough children, (and enough workers to work with the children), we send the children upstairs to hold a Cornerstone Kids ministry where we read them Bible stories, sing children’s praise songs with them, and do arts and crafts or play games with them.

After the second song in our worship service we begin the most important part of this ministry as we open Gods word and let its power touch the hearts and lives of the women present, (and ours too naturally). His word never goes forth void. I have seen it change the lives of these women as they often attest to after the service when they come up for prayer or to speak to us. God is often so clearly working in their hearts and lives during these hardest times they are experiencing.

Think about it. Can’t you look back at your hardest times in life and admit this is when God had changed you the most? I myself can, and often do, testify that at my own lowest point in life, that is when He “grabbed me” and literally brought me to my knees in saving faith. Many women at Cornerstone Manor are bowing down in saving faith before the Lord of all creation during this difficult stage in their life as well. Some already know the Lord but they testify they are encouraged by His word.

What better way is there to serve them then to bring them the truth of God’s holy and inspired word we ourselves hold with such high regard and due reverence. This is our honor and duty as we seek to go forth as ambassadors of Christ. All are welcome to join us as we do so monthly…. as long as the Lord shall tarry.

On the 2nd Friday of every month we spread the good news to the women and children of the Cornerstone Manor Women’s shelter. We host two separate ministries. First we feed a snack to all the residents of the Manor, then the children remain upstairs to attend the Cornerstone Kids program where we tell them Bible stories, sing songs with them, and do arts and crafts or play games with them. Meanwhile, the ladies come down for our Chapel service where we lift Him up in songs and in praise and present the living water of His word to the women. Many women stay after for prayer and with questions for us. Won’t you consider joining us as we seek to touch lives with the gospel of Christ?

In April, we said good-bye to Joel and Anna Hamilton, as they returned “home” to Pennsylvania upon Joel’s completion of dental school. We sent them off with a special dinner at the FLC and were blessed by Elder Eric Lasch’s devotional on the biblical way to say “good-bye.” We are so thankful for the time Joel and Anna spent with us and look forward to hearing about how God continues to use them in the future!

In the summer we took a break – if you could call it that – for a few months, as many of us were involved with VBS, Presbytery Camp, and other church ministries. We met up again in August for a Picnic/Water Ski on the great Niagara River. The Lord blessed us with an absolutely beautiful day. With no one feeling young and daring (and in shape) enough to put on the skis, we instead enjoyed some swimming and tubing. Many thanks to Bob and Carolyn Thompson and Mark and Letty Dahlquist for graciously hosting us on their boats.

Our next event will be a dessert night at the Zilbauers’ on September 25th, at 7 pm. Please sign up in the church foyer. If you have questions about the BP Marrieds Group, please see Mike and Sarah Pawlak or Joe and Erin Zilbauer.

18 “The Spirit of the LORD is upon Me,
Because He has anointed Me
To preach the gospel to the poor;
He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted,”
To proclaim liberty to the captives
And recovery of sight to the blind,
To set at liberty those who are oppressed;

Jesus gave us a clear example of who was a priority for Him to reach out to, and how He might do so.

I am reminded how He then gave the great commission to the disciples in Matthew 28:19: “‘Go therefore’ and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.

Every 2nd Friday of every month we are seeking to do just that for the women and children of the Cornerstone Manor Women’s shelter. We host two separate but similar ministries. First we feed a snack to all the residents of the Manor, then the children remain upstairs to attend the Cornerstone Kids program where we tell them Bible stories, sing songs with them, and do arts and crafts or play games with them.

Meanwhile the Ladies come down for our Chapel service where we lift Him up in songs and in praise and present the living water of His word to the women. Many stay after for prayer and with questions for us. This is a wonderful ministry and an extension arm of the church as we seek to go into the world (OK maybe just Buffalo) to be an instrument God can use to change lives.

The night before VBS began the church discovered that the van on loan, from another ministry, could not be used. Despite the setback, most students were able to come. The Lord certainly reminded us this year that He is in control, and that this is His work.

The theme for the morning school this year was “Operation Space: A Close Encounter with God’s Word.” The lessons focused students’ attention on the uniqueness and value of God’s Word and the glory of God’s creation. Each day, the children sang excitedly about blasting off into God’s Word to explore the vast riches of it. They learned that it has the greatest impact on our lives, because in God’s Word we hear the good news of salvation through Christ Jesus. They also learned that the Bible is the only absolute authority for their lives, and they were challenged the last day to read the Bible daily over the next year.

Each day, the young people were challenged with the daily lessons. These lessons ranged from, the creation of mankind, sin, obedience, salvation through Christ, and the cadet challenge to grow in God’s Word. These lessons were reinforced by the various activities in the classes, such as: songs, crafts, memory verses, and games.

The Puppet ministry has been a hallmark of the Vacation Bible School Ministry at Bible Presbyterian. In keeping with the theme of “Operation Space,” the stage was set for an adventure in space. Students boarded the “USS Wisdom,” which accidentally blasted off on a voyage. This ship was unique in that it did not run on solar power or electric power, etc. It ran on Scripture power (Hebrews 4:12). The Jr. Cadets provided that power daily as they said their memory verse to the Admiral (Pastor Kevin). The crew of the ship had to work together to make their way back to earth, all along the way trusting in God to guide their way.

Several teachers have shared how students were so excited about reading God’s Word on their own and wanting to carry their Bible with them everywhere. Second through fifth grade students who did not own a Bible were each provided one, through the generous donation of one of our church members. Please pray for those who came to VBS this year, that God would continue to work in their hearts by His precious Word.

The theme for the evening school this year was “One ‘Way’ = Christ.” The lessons for each night were: “One Destination,” “One Truth,” “One Name,” “One Word,” and “One Life.” One of the unique things about the evening school is the “Breakout Session.” After each lesson, the boys and girls separated to further discuss the message’s application in their lives. The young people were encouraged to bring a Bible, bring friends, and learn memorize verses.

Of course, Bible Presbyterian evening VBS would not be complete without the amazingly fun (and sometimes messy) games. The games this year included the Highland Games, Soccer, Swine Night, Jello Fest, and bucket ball. See the photo album for a closer look.

The game time was not only a time for tremendous fun, but also an opportunity for the Harvest Team to talk to the young people about their spiritual condition. This time was used to discuss salvation and issues in the Christian life with the young people.

Praise the Lord for another great year of Vacation Bible School ministry. May He continue to work in the lives of the young people on Grand Island.

Our Cornerstone Ministries is where we do just this.  As an outreach of Bible Presbyterian Church we go forth to the hurting and needy and bring them before Him, whom they need the most.  For those that know Him, we are feeding them the meat of His Word.  For those who do not, we are allowing them the opportunity to hear the living Word of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

We are blessed to lift Him up in songs and in praise, to be able to present His Word to these women and children in their time of need.  The need is great, but we are often short-handed, in need of help.  This reminds me when Jesus said in Matthew 9:38, “Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.”

If this outreach interests you, won’t you consider joining us on the second Friday of every month at the Cornerstone Manor Women’s shelter to host the Cornerstone services?  It is such a joy and a blessing to help these women and children in need as we lift up our Savior in service and ministry to them.

Lives are changing in these ministries and we welcome you to join us to do your part.