The new Cornerstone Large Group format continues. This semester, we have had students voluntarily plan our Wednesday nights with the staff. They came up with some great themes, speakers, experiential ideas, and unique worship nights. Not only did they help plan the nights, but the buy in is through the roof. Students have been not just enjoying the night, but growing in their relationship with God because of it. They have been so excited that they are bringing their friends, so we are seeing quite a few new faces. Pray that God continues to work within Cornerstone, and that it would be a welcoming environment where the Holy Spirit is evident.
Habitat for Humanity Spring Break Trip
As many of you know from reading past newsletters, I took over as the adviser for Habitat for Humanity four years ago. This role has given me the unique opportunity to meet and work with students. One such opportunity is taking part in a spring break trip to Ft. Lauderdale, Florida (March 9-17) to help build and work on houses. I cannot, however, do this alone. The trip costs $600, so I would like for you to prayerfully consider supporting students, my intern (fellow), and me in this endeavor. The expenses include transportation, housing, and food for the week. If you are able and willing, I’m asking for your support to help to cover trip expenses for students and me. I realize that some of you already support me and I am thankful. So, I am asking that you to pray about giving an extra $20-$100 on top of your usual contribution. If you would like to help support me on this trip, please make a separate check out to:
Bellefield Presbyterian Church
Attn: Habitat Trip
4001 Fifth Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15213
Meet the Students
Cornerstone has been a huge blessing in my life during the last two academic years. I always knew that I wanted to get involved with a campus ministry group when I got to Pitt, but as a member of the Pitt Band, which practices four days per week, it was hard to find a ministry group that would fit into my schedule. A friend from my church at home was involved with Cornerstone, and he invited me to attend. I figured I would try Cornerstone out since it met on the only day that I did not have band practice. I am so glad that I decided to try it out. As soon as I walked into the fellowship hall of Bellefield Presbyterian Church, I felt at home. Everyone was so welcoming and kind, and the atmosphere gave me instant peace and rest from the stressors of college life. I quickly became a regular attendee, and now only on rare occasion will you not find me at Cornerstone on Wednesday nights.
During the spring semester of 2018, I went on a backpacking trip with Cornerstone that focused on spiritual disciplines, such as prayer, silence, and solitude. The trip was a very eye-opening experience for me because it showed me a new realm of ways to spend time in the presence of God, and it humbled me, as I realized that most of the people on the trip were more theologically and spiritually knowledgeable than I. That trip gave me an opportunity to just dwell in the presence of God in a way that I had not before, and I felt that I returned from spring break with a renewed soul and sense of purpose.
This fall, I applied for a leadership position on worship team for the 2019 calendar year so that I could give back to Cornerstone, and that leadership position has also been such a blessing for me. As a leadership team, we have seen a lot of turnover in singers and musicians this semester, and God’s presence has been very prevalent. He has brought in a lot of musicians for us that are not necessarily believers. People come to play on the worship band because they just want to play music, and then they stay for the message. One of our musicians has even started attending a Bible study. To see God working so obviously right in front of my eyes is an extremely exciting feeling, and I am very grateful that I have gotten the opportunity to see His work unfold. Cornerstone has been a huge blessing to me, and I have had the privilege to see God at work and grow spiritually in my first two years of college.
Financial Update
Moore News
Ben has been thriving at Sci-Tech. It not only integrates classic learning styles, but integrates some more hands-on, tactile learning styles. He has created science projects and robots, as well as composed some various songs in his music class. They are pretty darn good. Soon, he (and Josh) will be back to enrolling in baseball. We took last year off, so the will be a welcome reunion for them.
Josh has officially been accepted to Pittsburgh Schiller, a STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math) Magnet School serving students in grades 6-8 on the Northside of Pittsburgh! We are thrilled that he got in! It will be challenging having three kids in three schools next year, but we are excited! He continues to be busy on the Fulton Basketball team. It is a joy to watch him play.
Asher recently won Student of the semester at the gifted center! He has enjoyed the gifted center so much, and we are so proud of what he has accomplished there. Asher continues to love anything that involves art, creativity, and storytelling. Recently he told us that he would like to direct movies as an adult. That’s right up his alley!
Emily continues to keep herself busy with her new work at Haiti H2O and nannying. In May, she plans on running the half-marathon portion of the Pittsburgh Marathon. It will be the second half marathon that she has ran.
I pray that you all are well!
In Christ,
Andy Moore
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