November 2015 Newsletter

Who Can Be Saved?
“Jesus, seeing that he had become sad, said, ‘How difficult it is for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God! For it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.’ Those who heard it said, ‘Then who can be saved?’ But he said, ‘What is impossible with man is possible with God.’ –Luke 18:24-27

Mark Twain once wrote, “It ain’t those parts of the Bible that I can’t understand that bother me, it is the parts of the Bible that I do understand.” I think Jesus’ words are understandable but bothersome. And because they are so bothersome it is tempting for us to make them incomprehensible. We convince ourselves that because these words were addressed to this particular rich man and his particular sin at this particular time in history, that there is nothing to be learned. To think this would be both wrong and unwise.

Here Jesus states what many people have considered “bothersome” by saying, “it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.” When we talk about Jesus saying “a camel going through the eye of the needle,” and equate it to a pathway in Israel where camels had to walk on their knees, or that this passage refers to camel rope, we are doing a disservice to Jesus’ teaching. Jesus was using a hyperbole, an exaggeration to make a point. It was not meant to be taken literal, but as an amusing image to teach a lesson. The whole point of Jesus’ hyperbole about the camel and the eye of the needle reinforces the truth that those who are ruled by money cannot be ruled by God.

Who then can be saved? Who can enter the kingdom of heaven? Jesus says, “No one qualifies by themselves.” Here Jesus answers them in absolute terms in order to show them that salvation is not a human achievement, but a miracle from God. He says, “What is impossible with man is possible with God.” If you rely on yourself and self-salvation, you will not see the kingdom of God. If you rely and put faith in God, then the kingdom is yours. The great won’t be let in because they are great. The good won’t be let in because they are good. The rich won’t be let in because they are rich. Our dependence, our salvation, comes from God and God alone.

Meet the Students

Meet Andrew Thorpe a Mechanical Engineering major from Eighty Four, PA. Andrew is a transfer student from a branch campus, the University of Pittsburgh at Titusville, and has made a home here in Pittsburgh. Read more about him…

1. What is your favorite childhood memory? My favorite childhood memory would probably have to be the first time I got to ride in a classic automobile. I was somewhere around 8 or 10 and one of my cousins (who was in is 20's) had just bought this 1963 Jeep Wagoneer. What made this interesting is that it had all the same safety features from when it rolled off the assembly line in 1963, so there were no seatbelts at all and I believe the rear shocks were bad (which led to a very bouncy ride). What I remember most about it is that I ended up laying across the backseat, hugging it as tightly as I possibly could just so that I wouldn't end up on the floor or hitting the roof with my head. It was terrifying but invigorating all at the same time and has led to my fondness of vintage automobiles since.

2. What has been your involvement in Cornerstone? My involvement in Cornerstone so far has been mostly of attending the Wednesday night service, a weeknight Bible study, a weekly discipleship group and participating in various weeknight events. I have also been an emcee for a Wednesday night service. In the future, I hope to become even more involved.

3. How has Cornerstone helped you during your years at Pitt? So far, I am a recent transfer from the Pitt-Titusville branch campus so I just started going to Cornerstone this semester. But, while at Titusville I was active in a group called Alpha Omega in which the faculty advisors for the group (Mr. Jeff Ledebur and Nurse Kim Roser) made sure to get everyone involved with various CCO events such as Jubilee (a necessity for any college student who is a follower of Christ). Going to Alpha Omega definitely shaped me a lot by keeping me entrenched in my faith while in Titusville, and Cornerstone is continuing to do so this semester along with challenging me and causing substantial growth in my faith. So even though I haven't been involved for long, Cornerstone is an integral part of my week that I center myself around.

Financial Update

October was a wonderful month for us! As you can see from the chart, we made 100% of our monthly goal! Thank you to everyone who has supported us in our ministry. Cornerstone would simply not be possible without you. Just because we made our goal for a month does not give me an excuse to rest or be lazy, however. We are always in need of help financially, and are always looking for new supporters. If God leads you to do so, we would love for you to be a part of this ministry through gift and/or prayer. I am asking that my current supporters give an extra 10% on top of their usual giving. This will help to make up the difference from what I currently make and from my goal. Remember that any gift is a good gift. Please be in prayer that God will continue to build our support team and that we would be faithful in doing our part.

Moore News

Futsal (indoor soccer) season is upon us. Both Benjamin and Joshua are participating in futsal this year. Ben has moved up a league, and Joshua remains in the same league. Taking two kids to two different games on two different schedule and two different practice times can be a bit tricky, but so far we’ve managed. Both seem to really enjoy soccer (which is funny, because neither Emily nor I played it), and both seem to be doing really well.

Asher is excelling in school, and (like Ben and Josh) seems to have a knack for making friends. Every time I pick him up from school, he always takes the time to say “goodbye” to all of his classmates and friends. It has been a joy to watch him learn to read and broaden his academic abilities. He has an infectiously positive and joyful spirit about everything he does.

Emily continues to spend her time involving herself in different church activities, and doing those things that are difficult to do with 3 boys under foot. She is enjoying this time to decide where she would like to use the gifts and abilities she has been blessed with.

In Christ,
Andy Moore

May 2015 Newsletter

The Heart
“You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below.” –Exodus 20:4

Children often have a tendency to emulate traits or mannerisms of their parents. My sons have picked up one of my traits that I can’t stand, and that I wish they hadn’t: obsession. I, like so many people, suffer from obsession. I easily fixate on things, and it often takes over part (or a good majority of) my life. My kids obsess as well.

The other day I was talking to my boys about obsession, and the problems it holds. I quoted Blaise Pascal’s famous quote to them, “There is a God shaped vacuum in the heart of every man which cannot be filled by any created thing, but only by God, the Creator, made known through Jesus.” I explained that trying to fill this God shaped hole with things other than God was like trying to fit a square block into a round hole; you might be able to cram it into there, but it does not belong.

John Calvin once said that our heart was a “perpetual factory of idols.” The more I have examined my own heart, and seen my personality reflected in my kids, the more I realize just how right Calvin is. We were all made to worship God weather we realize it or not. I believe it is engrained in us since birth. The problem is that we have been filling that God shaped vacuum with things that do not belong there. We cram idols into that hole again and again and again. We all worship something.

You can probably guess that when I was talking to my kids, I was actually talking to myself. That is why the Gospel is so important to hear, even if you have heard it a million times. Hearing the words of Christ’s death and resurrection refocuses our heart and helps us do some “spring cleaning,” preparing our hearts for the only one is truly worthy of worship.

Meet the Students

Meet Julianna “Jules” Saviola, a Junior Industrial Engineering student from Olney, MD. Jules is one of the prayer team leaders whom I oversee. Her energy and organizational skills bring a lot to the team. Read more about her:

1. What is your favorite movie, book, and band/music? Some of my favorite movies are You've Got Mail, Pride and Prejudice, The Bourne Trilogy, and the Underworld series; which seems like a weird list but they're my favorite in their different genres. One of my favorite books is The Lotus Eaters by Tatjana Soli. My favorite band is The Fray, but I also like most types of music.

2. What has been your involvement in Cornerstone? So my freshman year I didn't go too often to Cornerstone in the fall because of a night class recitation I had, but I went to Freshman Bible study. In the spring I started going more and participated in a Bible study. I wasn't on leadership for the first half of my sophomore year, but now I'm on Prayer Team, co-leading with Nick Lotz.

3. How has Cornerstone helped you during your years at Pitt? Being a part of the Cornerstone community has really been helpful with my mindset throughout the school year and how I have prioritized my life. Consistently being with other Christians at least three times a week: Sunday Church, Cornerstone, and Bible studies help me to constantly refocus towards God more and pull me out of the 'school is only thing that I can give time to' idea. It also has shown, with the help of older friends of mine, that in my college experience yes, sometimes you will hate almost everything and will feel burnt out but you're allowed to feel that way if are also willing to acknowledge that these waves of loathing school and doubting everything are temporary. That God has lead you, or in some cases dragged you like a child throwing a tantrum, to this point and will keep making sure you will end up where you're supposed to be.

Financial Update

For the past four months, we have included a financial ask letter to go along with our newsletter where we asked you to “tithe your tax return.” We thank everyone who responded, going above and beyond anything what you may have felt comfortable doing. We are so overwhelmed at your kindness, selflessness and generosity that we are at a loss for words. It seems that all too often that we step out in faith financially, and (admittedly) expect little in return. I am glad that I am wrong! Thank you all for making everything possible!

Our financial journey is not over, however. For the first time in approximately four years, we are receiving a raise of an extra $300 a month. It is hard receiving a raise, mainly because the burden of raising the extra money falls on us asking you all for more help. We are stepping out in faith again, and knowing the God will provide financially. We could always use financial help, and if you are interested in supporting this ministry (or giving extra), I would love to meet with you. Please contact me using the information on the front of this newsletter or email me at amoore@ccojubilee.org.

Moore News

Baseball season is in full swing (pun intended), as I continue to be the assistant coach for Ben and Josh’s team. After some early struggles, mainly with fielding, our team is finally coming around. Benjamin has been our team MVP. His fielding is outstanding, but his batting is even better as he is hitting close to .900. That’s right, .900! What Benjamin lacks in athleticism, he makes up for with intelligence. He knows how to choose pitches, and where to place himself in the field. Joshua is just a pure athlete. He struggled getting used to a different pace of baseball, but now has adapted very nicely. He is batting .750 (remember that this is coach pitch), and has become quite the fielder. His arm is a force to be reckoned with, and when he gets hold of a ball it soars. Of course I say all of these things as a doting and biased father. I can’t wait to teach Asher all of these things!

While baseball has been all that Josh and Ben have been up to, Asher has been busy with soccer. Asher is way more of a homebody than the other two, so it’s good to see him get out of the house and do something athletically. It’s hard to gauge how good he is, because it just depends on his motivation for the day. He seems to have an interest in both soccer and baseball, so I can’t wait to see him really get into them.

Emily is preparing for the transition with all three boys back at home as the school year starts to come to a close. She is still continuing to work for AYPT (Auctions Your Possessions Today) as well as manage our household. Both of us participated in the Pittsburgh Marathon relay earlier in the month. She ran 6.4 miles, and I ran 6.2. It was a really fun activity that we got to participate in together. She has been a great equalizer for me, and I am very thankful for her.

We pray that this Newsletter finds you well! God Bless!

In Christ,
Andy Moore

April 2015 Newsletter

The Challenge of Narcissism
The New Age Movement calls us to look inside ourselves, to explore ourselves, for the solution to our problem is within. We do not need a savior to come to us from somewhere else; we can be our own savior. Unfortunately, some of this teaching has permeated the church, with some Christians urging that we must not only love God and our neighbor, but we must also love ourselves. But no, this is surely a mistake for three reasons. First, Jesus spoke of “the first and great commandment” and of “the second,” but did not mention a third. Second, self-love is one of the signs of the last days (2 Timothy 3:2). Third, the meaning of agape love is the sacrifice of oneself in the service of others. Sacrificing oneself in the service of oneself is clearly nonsense.

What then should our attitude be to ourselves? It is a combination of self-affirmation and self-denial – affirming everything in us that comes to us from our creation and redemption, and denying everything that can be traced to the Fall.

It is a great relief to turn away from an unhealthy preoccupation with oneself to the healthy commandments of God (united and reinforced by Jesus), to love God with our whole being and to love our neighbor as ourselves. For God intends his church to be a community of love, a worshipping and serving community.

Everybody knows that love is the greatest thing in the world, and Christians know why. It is because God is love. The thirteenth-century Spanish courtier Raymond Lull wrote that “he who loves not, lives not.” For living is loving, and without love the human personality disintegrates. That is why everybody is looking for the authentic relationships of love.

-John Stott, The Radical Disciple

Cornerstone Update
It is here: the last month of the school year. That’s right; graduation is in a few weeks (April 26th). To be cliché, it has flown by. I shouldn’t be surprised at how fast the semester has gone, yet I always am. As soon as spring break ends…BOOM…it’s finals week. That means that the last Cornerstone will be “Senior Share,” a special Cornerstone in which the seniors share memories and give advice. That means that Pancake Study Break is coming up, an event in which we hand out all-you-can-eat, free pancakes for students who need a break from studying. That means that our annual kickball cookout is coming up, where we dine on the best hot dogs you will ever eat and play a rousing game of kickball. That means that the senior breakfast is coming up, where we get to dine with seniors and their families. That means graduation, which always brings large changes in our ministry. We prepare and mourn as Seniors graduate, and prepare and celebrate as we receive new freshmen into our ministry. It is the cyclical life of being a campus minister; a roller coaster of emotions. And I would not trade it for anything. I have been doing this job for eight(!) years, and I still fall in love with what God has called me to each and every year. For that, and for the students God has put me in contact with, I am truly blessed.

Meet the Students

Meet Steph Diewald, a sophomore, Communication Science and Disorders major from Downingtown, PA. Steph has been a part of Cornerstone since her first week at Pitt. Read more about her:

1. What is your favorite movie, book, and band/music? My favorite movies of all time are really The Little Rascals and High School Musical, but when I’m in mature company, I say When Harry Met Sally so as to not have the movie taste of a six year old. My favorite book is The Fault in Our Stars. (Fun fact: I got to be an extra in the movie, and made the cut for about 0.2 seconds as I walk across the screen holding a cup of coffee!!) My favorite music is 90’s rock, specifically Matchbox Twenty and The Goo Goo Dolls. Anything with an acoustic guitar is always good. Also Taylor Swift.

2. What has been your involvement in Cornerstone? I started actively coming to Cornerstone events at the very beginning of my freshman year, and was given the opportunity to be on the Freshman Ministry Team starting in the spring of freshman year. Now I co-lead a small group bible study, which was slightly intimidating at first, but is now a really beautiful opportunity for me each week to be in smaller community with about 12 other girls, where we’ve been going through the book of Galatians and just talking about our lives (with the occasional trek to SkyZone or the Milkshake Factory).

3. How has Cornerstone helped you during your years at Pitt? It overwhelms me in the coolest way to think about the impact my experience in Cornerstone has had on my life and my relationship with God. To find such a close-knit, delightfully weird, and loving community at a critical time in my life has been the biggest blessing by providing me with an outlet for all of my faith questions, as well as peers and mentors who both encourage and challenge me as I discover more and more my need for a Savior. I find myself increasingly in awe of God’s gift of grace as my understanding of God’s greatness grows and I come to realize my own shortcomings. It has been especially neat for me to be able to seek out ways to glorify God through Speech Pathology and my passion for language in general. As I go to my classes, I am constantly finding all sorts of ways that God is working in my field to care for His people. The intricate system that allows humans to communicate is so complex that we can’t even fully understand it yet. Communication is such a precious blessing that God has given many of us to allow us to support, learn, and be united with one another, and I am so grateful to have my Cornerstone community to urge me to find the ways that I can serve God in all aspects of my life and not just a designated, separate sphere of it.

Financial Update
Please read the following new pledge letter. Click on the link for the full picture, or on the picture itself. If you would like to donate, please use the information on the navigation bar or email me at amoore@ccojubilee.org.

Financial Pledge Full (Link)

Moore News

It is my favorite time of year: baseball season. Yes, I love watching the Pirates, but now that I am a father of older boys, I get to participate again! Luckily I’m blessed with three boys that have taken an interest in baseball and two of them (Benjamin and Joshua) are playing…and I get to help coach them. Both Ben and Josh are playing on the same team Benjamin played for last year (The Mariners), and both are doing really well. Granted, Joshua took a little bit more to adapt to a league higher than his previous league, but it did not take long. Both Ben and Josh are natural baseball players, and take instruction very well. It has been awesome watching them grow in my favorite sport!

Asher, we felt, was still a bit young to join a team, so he has joined soccer again. I was playing both soccer and baseball with him in the backyard, and was stunned at how much he has improved in both. He had some great foot skills and soccer, and was hitting everything in baseball!

Emily is adjusting to sport’s life again, but seems to love watching the boys play. She manages to juggle the three boys, work around my crazy schedule, stay active in the church, and manage a household all at once! No idea how she does it, but she is surely appreciated.

In Christ,
Andy Moore

October 2014 Newsletter

Is God's Will My Will?
“This is the will of God, your sanctification . . .” —1 Thessalonians 4:3

Sanctification is not a question of whether God is willing to sanctify me— is it my will? Am I willing to let God do in me everything that has been made possible through the atonement of the Cross of Christ? Am I willing to let Jesus become sanctification to me, and to let His life be exhibited in my human flesh? (see 1 Corinthians 1:30). Beware of saying, “Oh, I am longing to be sanctified.” No, you are not. Recognize your need, but stop longing and make it a matter of action. Receive Jesus Christ to become sanctification for you by absolute, unquestioning faith, and the great miracle of the atonement of Jesus will become real in you.

All that Jesus made possible becomes mine through the free and loving gift of God on the basis of what Christ accomplished on the cross. And my attitude as a saved and sanctified soul is that of profound, humble holiness (there is no such thing as proud holiness). It is a holiness based on agonizing repentance, a sense of inexpressible shame and degradation, and also on the amazing realization that the love of God demonstrated itself to me while I cared nothing about Him (see Romans 5:8). He completed everything for my salvation and sanctification. No wonder Paul said that nothing “shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:39).

Sanctification makes me one with Jesus Christ, and in Him one with God, and it is accomplished only through the magnificent atonement of Christ. Never confuse the effect with the cause. The effect in me is obedience, service, and prayer, and is the outcome of inexpressible thanks and adoration for the miraculous sanctification that has been brought about in me because of the atonement through the Cross of Christ.
-Oswald Chambers, My Utmost for His Highest

Fall Retreat
On September 26-28, we had our signature fellowship event: The Fall Retreat. It was a great weekend away from the city for approximately seventy students, with food, games, and teaching by Cornerstone alum Rich Herbster. Rich, a pastor of Mt. Pleasant Church in Aliquippa, PA and an adjunct professor at Trinity School for Ministry in Ambridge, PA, spoke on Elijah. I don’t ever recall hearing a lesson on the Prophet Elijah (other than what I’ve heard in Sunday school or through personal study), so I found this talk series quite refreshing and engaging as did the students. The Fall Retreat was wonderful opportunity to connect with students that I haven’t had the chance of getting to know and deepening continued relationships.

Meet the Students

Meet Samantha “Sam” Gremler, a sophomore Developmental Psychology major at the University of Pittsburgh. Sam has a very bubbly, infectious personality that has been a welcome addition to Cornerstone. She is one of our three prayer leaders, and is currently being discipled by Emily. Read more about her…

1. What is your favorite movie, book, and band/music? For my favorite movie, this one’s a tough one, I would have to say Bicentennial Man. But Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire is up there, too! I don’t get to read many books in my free time, but one I could read over and over again is Christmas After All: The Great Depression Diary of Minnie Swift. I love Christian music and movie soundtracks, particularly Disney. And I also love oldies (60s and 70s music) because I grew up listening to that in my dad’s car.

2. What has been your involvement in Cornerstone? I joined Cornerstone almost immediately last year as a freshman, and have been involved ever since. I decided to apply to join the prayer team during the second semester to try and become more involved and to help the ministry of Cornerstone and to help future freshmen and Cornerstoners on their walks of faith. Because of band, I am never able to be a part of everything, but I try to attend and participate as much as I can!

3. How has Cornerstone helped you during your years at Pitt? The journey from high school senior to college freshman was particularly rough for me, but having a community at Cornerstone of people who genuinely and sincerely wanted to encourage me and hear about my life was so helpful last year and even going into this year. I have found some of my best friends through Cornerstone and the people I have met have truly influenced and helped me on my walk with Christ, and have helped me stay grounded and firm in my faith through the tough times college can bring.

Financial Update
Please read the following pledge letter.  Click on the link for the full picture, or on the picture itself.  If you would like to donate, please use the information on the navigation bar or email me at amoore@ccojubilee.org.

Financial Pledge Full (Link)

Moore News

There is not much to report from the Moore household. The boys are continuing to play soccer until the end of October, and then they will join a futsal league (a variation of soccer played indoors and with a heavier ball) in the winter which will help them work on the technical aspects of soccer. It has been interesting watching them play, since I don’t really know anything about the sport (other than when my sister, Bekie, used play in high school). All seem to be naturals. Benjamin is the better all-around player: great at defense and can shoot or get the assist when necessary. Joshua is better offensively, however, and is natural at scoring goals for his age group. Asher is learning to get in the action and get his foot on the ball. Other than that, their time is either consumed with homework, Pokémon (Pokémon cards have invaded our house), Star Wars, or playing with their friends. They are quite good at keeping themselves busy, and in turn keeps Emily and me busy.

Emily is doing well, and has been heavily involved with the women’s ministry at the church. She also was overseeing the new landscape project at Bellefield, which seems ideal since she is a landscape architecture major. She is going to be running the Hershey Half Marathon this October, and has been training hard and diligently for that. I even got to run eight miles with her one day, and know that she is going to do great.

We hope that this newsletter finds you well, and pray that God continues to bless you.

In Christ,
Andy Moore

September 2014 Newsletter

Welcome and Wanted
“So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God.” –Ephesians 2:19

I believe that there are two things people want to feel in this world, and that is to feel welcome and wanted. This is especially true if moving to a new place like many freshmen have. Sometimes you have to go out of your way to make yourself feel welcome and wanted, and sometimes others will do it for you. We want so desperately to feel included. Like we belong.

Verses 11-18, which preface this verse, possess a stunning dramatic sweep. It’s a beautiful thing. It begins with two groups at odds with each other, the Jews and Gentiles, and their radical alienation from each other and from God. Then they rise to their radical reconciliation. The death of Christ has created them to be a new humanity, reconciled both to each other and to God. For the Gentiles, the effects of this radical reconciliation are immediate and astounding. Upon believing, these outcasts moved to the very center of God's purpose. They went from being interlopers to insiders, from aliens to heirs, from the lowest class to first class. With their radical reconciliation they became a radical blessing.

Citizenship was an even greater source of pride in the ancient Greco-Roman culture to which Paul was writing in Ephesus, and was highly personal. Realizing this, we see that Paul was telling the Ephesian Christians something absolutely amazing: their citizenship did not lie in a Roman province, but with God himself! They had been "foreigners and Aliens" before, but now they had become fellow citizens with God's people! They had come to possess a citizenship that superseded city citizenship and even coveted Roman citizenship. They were part of a supreme cosmopolitan community, a third city, God’s city, for a third humanity. That went to their heart because they had been strangers and aliens.

We can travel throughout the world, but as believers wherever we go we are free from alienation, for we are reconciled to God and his Church and we belong. And one day we are going leave this life as we are unavoidably drawn to our city and our people. To a third city; a heavenly city. No longer strangers. No longer aliens. Fellow citizens with the Saints. Here Christ will proclaim, “I will make you feel welcome! I want you!”

Cornerstone Update
Things are officially back in full swing. At the end of August, leadership students moved back and the whirlwind known as orientation week began. Orientation week is truly like no other. During this time, we have the opportunity to "blitz" the freshmen and begin relationships. We do this through various activities or giveaways. That week we gave away bottles of water to students moving in (and their parents who were doing the heavy lifting), coffee and tea, cupcakes, freeze pops, and hot dogs and hamburgers. During the process of giving away these things, we were able to meet hundreds of students and have meaningful conversations with quite a few. Like I said, the week is truly like no other and can be quite exhausting, but also quite worth it. Our leadership students were beyond outgoing this year, and not afraid to get a little uncomfortable as they met new people.

Classes began the week after orientation, bringing our first large group meeting, where my coworker, Bobbi Perkins, spoke on identity. The following week, I was able to kick off a series on the epistle of Ephesians, starting with our core verses in Cornerstone: Ephesians 2:19-22. In fact, the devotion from above is a brief snippet of my talk. The year has truly started off strong. Pray that momentum will continue as we continue to meet new students and seek God in all that we do.

Meet the Students

Meet Chris Chong, a sophomore Electrical and Computer Engineering major that goes to Carnegie Mellon University. Originally from New York City (he's a Yankees fan, but I don't fault him for that), Chris seems to have found a home at Cornerstone. He has an infectious personality, and randomly likes to dance...seriously. Read more about him:

1. What is your favorite movie, book, and band/music? I don't like answering questions about favorites, because I have a hard time deciding. I haven't watched many movies, but I think out of the ones that I have and can remember, my favorite would be either Wreck-It Ralph or Up, but my favorite TV series is definitely Scrubs. I honestly wish that I read more, but I think my favorite book would be Maus. There's just something about historical stories that appeals to me. I don't know if I have a favorite genre, since a lot of it depends on how I'm feeling, but my favorite song would be “Everything's Not Lost” by Coldplay.

2. What has been your involvement in Cornerstone? I started coming to Cornerstone because a friend invited me one night in about the third week of classes, and I decided to give it a shot. I just couldn't stop coming, and there wasn't a good excuse to miss Cornerstone for me. Even though I struggled with feeling loved, I knew that this was the community that I had been looking for a long time now. I started to open up a lot more after the spring break trip to Arizona and feel so connected and loved in Cornerstone. I am now a leader for the Freshman Ministry Team and absolutely loving it.

3. How has Cornerstone helped you during your years at Pitt? Before college, I had been involved in some Christian communities, but I always felt like an outsider and never was able to fully embrace myself or the community. However, in Cornerstone, I have really learned about the love of Christ from this community. I see how it is poured out on the members of Cornerstone and how we show love to one another. Because of God and Cornerstone, I've been learning what it means to love myself and to love others. It's given me a greater sense of God's peace and love and because of that, God's freed me from my insecurities and allowed me to be a lot bolder for Him than in the past.

Financial Update
Please read the following pledge letter.  Click on the link for the full picture, or on the picture itself.  If you would like to donate, please use the information on the navigation bar or email me at amoore@ccojubilee.org.

Financial Pledge Full (Link)

Moore News

When one sport ends, another begins. With the end of baseball, all three of the boys have begun to play soccer through an organization called Ambassadors Football Club through a local church called The Open Door (a former Church plant of Bellefield). Though my sister played soccer in high school, it was never a sport that I was really into, until now. I really enjoy watching all three of the boys learn how to play. Through that I am learning as well. Benjamin is the most natural soccer player of the three. He shows excellent ball skills, and is a great offensive shooter. Joshua, though naturally more athletic than Benjamin, is a great defenseman, and can also shoot. Asher...well, Asher is fun to watch. One of the youngest in the league, it is fun watching him pick up the nuances of the game. He also loves taking water breaks. Asher is finally starting to show some interest in sports, but that might be do to two older brothers.

Joshua and Benjamin also began school a few weeks ago being in first grade and second grade respectively, and they seem to be thriving. Asher still loves his mommy and daddy time at home, but often misses Benjamin and Joshua while they are away. Asher will begin Kindergarten next year. I’m not sure what Emily and I are going to do with the upcoming "empty nest."

Thank you for reading this newsletter, for your support, and for the blessing each of you are to us. May God Bless your richly!

In Christ,
Andy Moore