February 2015 Newsletter

He Claims All
For it is not so much of our time and so much of our attention that God demands; it is not even all our time and all our attention; it is our-selves. For each of us the Baptist’s words are true: “He must increase and I decrease.” He will be infinitely merciful to our repeated failures; I know no promise that He will accept a deliberate compromise. For He has, in the last resort, nothing to give us but Himself; and He can give that only insofar as our self-affirming will retires and makes room for Him in our souls. Let us make up our minds to it; there will be nothing “of our own” left over to live on, no “ordinary” life. I do not mean that each of us will necessarily be called to be a martyr or even an ascetic. That’s as may be. For some (nobody knows which) the Christian life will include much leisure, many occupations we naturally like. But these will be received from God’s hands. In a perfect Christian they would be as much part of his “religion,” his “service,” as his hardest duties, and his feasts would be as Christian as his fasts. What cannot be admitted—what must exist only as an undefeated but daily resisted enemy—is the idea of something that is “our own,” some area in which we are to be “out of school,” on which God has no claim.

For He claims all, because He is love and must bless. He cannot bless us unless He has us. When we try to keep within us an area that is our own, we try to keep an area of death. Therefore, in love, He claims all. There’s no bargaining with Him.

-C.S. Lewis, The Weight of Glory

Habitat for Humanity Spring Break Trip

This past year, I took over as the advisor for the Pitt Habitat for Humanity. This role has given me the unique opportunity to meet and work with students. One such opportunity is taking part in an amazing Spring Break trip to Orange Park, Florida to help work on houses. I cannot, however, do this alone. The trip costs $300, so I would like for you to prayerfully consider supporting 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 or help to cover trip expenses. 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 $10-$50 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

Meet Nick Bersin, a freshman from Long Grove, Illinois with a dual major in German and International & Area Studies who is on the Russian & East European Studies track with minors in Polish and linguistics…quite the mouthful. Nick is quite the friendly person, speaks fluent German, and loves to give hugs. Read more about him…

1. What is your favorite movie, book, and band/music? Favorite movie: Monty Python & the Holy Grail. Favorite book: I really want to put something like Lederach's The Moral Imagination to seem thoughtful and worldly. Or C.S. Lewis' The Problem of Pain to show I know something beyond the main works of the greatest Christian thinker of the century. Or Goethe's Die Leiden des Jungen Werthers so you know how thoroughly versed I am in German literature. But, I only read 30 pages of the first and haven't even touched the last, so I'll just tell you I'm tied between The Bone People by Keri Hulmes and Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens. Richard Wright's Black Boy is a close second. Favorite music: Ellie Goulding, Macklemore, Matisyahu, German stuff (especially Casper), melo-death, folk metal, Rend Collective, Mumford & Sons, and black metal.

2. What has been your involvement in Cornerstone? I've been coming regularly on Wednesday nights and came to Freshman Bible Study first semester and am now being trained to lead that Bible study next semester as part of the Freshman Ministry Team. I am so, so excited to be able to get to know even more people and welcome them to Pitt and Cornerstone -- I love people and building new relationships. That's why I learn languages and study other cultures -- language is how you access a person on an intimate level, and the better you can speak their language the closer you can get to them. Particularly if it's one few people learn (like Polish or Serbo-Croatian). By studying how people view themselves through the examination of their literature, history, institutions, religion, personal stories, and social structures, you can gain a more holistic view and build a stronger relationship with them, along with getting a better perspective on yourself.

3. How has Cornerstone helped you during your year at Pitt? My first full day of orientation, I was leaving my advising appointment and still thinking about everything new that was happening. For some time I have had the thought of finding a ministry in the back of my mind, but after looking through the list of organizations on Pitt's website, I felt overwhelmed by the sheer number of them and had no way to distinguish on from the other. As I was walking in search of new adventures for the day, I saw a group of people in red shirts (or maybe pink -- I don't really know since I'm a bit colorblind) handing out water bottles. Having also once done campus outreach, albeit in high school, I immediately knew what kind of group this was. I approached them and asked when they met, and they gave me the info on all their activities that week. I went to each one, and from the very first, I knew that I had found home. I could tell that I was going to form some very special bonds with these people over the coming semester(s), and I was right. Never do I feel like I have to go through something alone, or that I don't have real friends here, because I have this massive, awesome family.


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

This month I had the privilege to fly out to San Diego, California to be a groomsmen in Sean Keefe’s (my best friend from college) and Melissa Covert’s wedding. It was an awesome time, and I enjoyed every single minute. About eleven years ago, Sean flew out to Colorado for Emily and my wedding, so it was really nice to return the favor. It was honestly one of the more beautiful weddings I have ever seen, and I’m so incredibly happy for them. It was also my first time to California, which was amazing. I can honestly say that I now realize why people fall in love with California when they visit. It was such a good time! I only wish that Emily and the boys were there to experience it with me.

All the boys are doing great. Both Benjamin and Joshua are excelling in school, both receiving the award of High Honor Roll as well as many other awards. Asher is really eager to start school and join his other brothers. I think it will be a tough transition, however, because he is such a homebody. Let’s pray that it is not.

Emily will be starting a new job soon. Our neighbor, Doug Graham, owns an online auction company, and Emily will be helping out with it. She hasn’t had a job outside the home since Ben was born, so I know she’s excited to try something new.

I hope this newsletter finds you well, and that God is blessing you richly!

In Christ,
Andy Moore

January 2015 Newsletter

Guilt and Shame
“Then the eyes of both were opened, and they knew that they were naked. And they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves loincloths.” –Genesis 3:7

We often see guilt as a bad thing, and it can be. I believe, however, that true guilt is a grace: it brings the guilty to seek forgiveness and to repent. We must remember that if it wasn't for guilt, none of us would have come to Christ. Guilt is the realization that we are in need of forgiveness, and if it wasn't for the realization of our wrongdoings against God, we would never realize that we need forgiveness. Guilt is a good, and at times great, thing.

But what happens when guilt becomes a bad thing? What happens when guilt escalates and becomes shame? We see a story of shame and how God deals with it beautifully in Genesis 3. Adam and Eve realized they were naked and desperately sought to cover themselves when their innocence evaporated. Guilt, fear and shame gripped their hearts. Their nakedness represents their sinful vulnerability before God. So, they tried to cover their nakedness, their shame, with fig leaves.

Leaves wither away. They crumble. They do not last. Fig leaves were a temporary solution to a permanent problem. We too, like Adam and Eve, try to cover and mask our shame with fig leaves, only to have them wither away, leaving us naked, exposed, and vulnerable. So we replace fig leaf with fig leaf, temporary with temporary, and we mask our shame.

But then God did something beautiful: he performed an act of magnificent grace. “And the Lord God made for Adam and for his wife garments of skins and clothed them”. (Genesis 3:21) Adam and Eve’s self-made attempts to cover themselves in inadequate fig leaves were replaced with clothing made by God. God's provision recognized their sin and shame, their nakedness, and covered them with grace. Just as an animal was sacrificed to cover the shame of Adam and Eve, Christ sacrificed himself to cover our shame for good. Are you suffering from shame that you just cannot let go? Quit trying to cover yourself with fig leaves, and give it over to God. He will cover you.

Spring Break
As many of you know from reading past newsletters, I took over as the advisor for Habitat for Humanity in the Fall Semester. This role has given me the unique opportunity to meet and work with students. One such opportunity is taking part in an amazing Spring Break trip to Orange Park, Florida to help work on houses. I cannot, however, do this alone. The trip costs $300, so I would like for you to prayerfully consider supporting 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 or help to cover trip expenses. 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 $10-$50 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

Meet Nicole Russo, a junior Marketing and Human Resources double major from Coopersburg, PA. I have really gotten to know Nicole through our work together on the outreach team. She has been awesome to work with. Read more about her:

1. What is your favorite movie, book, and band/music? My favorite book is probably To Kill A Mockingbird. Atticus is one of my favorite characters of all time. My favorite movie, I seriously can't pick! I love all types except horror. I watch so many movies but I could list a few of my top favorites: The Bourne Series, The Dark Knight Series, The Lion King, Inception, and The Pink Panther Series (the old ones with Peter Sellers). (I still have more favorites but the list would be too long) My favorite band/artist that's another tough one I love most types of music, but if I HAD to choose one band to listen to for the rest of my life it'd probably be The Beatles.

2. What has been your involvement in Cornerstone? Starting fall semester of this year I became a leader on the Outreach team and it has been such an amazing experience! We plan events throughout the semester to spread and show God's love on campus. Some of those events include: A few Saturdays during the semester handing out hotdogs at night on campus, every Wednesday selling tea for a suggested donation of 25¢, and playing hide and seek in the cathedral. I love being involved in outreach because I want to show students on campus what Cornerstone has done for me. It's an absolutely amazing community that I can lean on, be my broken imperfect self in, and grow in Christ with, and I hope to show others the love that was poured into me through these events.

3. How has Cornerstone helped you during your years at Pitt? Cornerstone has helped me in so many ways. Freshman year I was leaning on myself and thought I was alone in my problems. Over the past year at cornerstone two of the main things I've learned are: one, giving my problems to God and letting Him lead my path is the best way to live life, and two, I'm not alone in my problems and having a community (in my case Cornerstone) to lean on and grow in Christ with is KEY. Otherwise, I probably would have fallen apart without God. So thank you to my amazing campus ministers and friends in Cornerstone for being a second family to me and helping me grow in Christ. Y'all rock!

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

The Moore household had quite the wonderful Christmas! After our initial Christmas celebration, we were able to get away for a week to my hometown of Oak Hill, WV and visit my parents, and my sister, brother-in-law, and four nephews were able to come in as well. So you could say we had two Christmases. These two Christmases gave Benjamin, Joshua, and Asher seemingly hundreds upon hundreds of Pokémon cards and Star Wars paraphernalia which now litter our house. Admittedly, a good portion of the Star Wars paraphernalia is mine. It was a much needed time of relaxation, especially since I don’t get home as often as I would like. It is always cool to show the kids where I grew up…though Emily says that I tell the same stories over and over. Oh, both Emily and I added a number to our age…so, good birthdays as well.

We hope this newsletter finds you well, and that you were blessed richly over Christmastime!

In Christ,
Andy Moore

Bellefield Kids - How to Worship a King

I thought that you all might enjoy our children, along with the Bellefield kids, singing, "How to Worship a King." Merry Christmas!

2014 Christmas Letter

Merry Christmas everyone! Please click on the image or link below to read my Christmas Newsletter.  God Bless!

"Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men." -Philippians 2:5-7

Christmas Letter (Full Size Link)

November 2014 Newsletter

Our Arrabond
“In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.” –Ephesians 1:13-14

Along with his mark or seal, the Holy Spirit serves as a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance. We understand from the Greek and Roman culture of that day that it was customary to make a deposit, an arrabon as they called it, on the purchase of a possession. The arrabon was a down payment which announced more of the same would be coming – the first installment. Today we often call it “earnest money.” Thus we understand that the spiritual life given to us by the Holy Spirit is an arrabon of what is to come. The celebrated Greek scholar Bishop Lightfoot of Cambridge says, “The actual spiritual life of the Christian is the same in kind as his future glorified self.” It is the same in kind, though immeasurably less in degree. It is a true foretaste.

Imagine the sublimest, most treasured experience of the Holy Spirit we have ever had and then realize they are only a foretaste, the tip of the tongue on the spoon, of what is to come. Remember the release in coming to Christ and knowing you were forgiven? Remember the time when in worship you were smitten with awe? Remember the time you followed the Spirit’s leading and were wonderfully used? Remember the satisfaction of finding the fruits of the Spirit surprising to you with the goodness where you once responded wickedly? Think of all this and multiply it a million-fold. Here on earth we have experienced the first dollar of a million celestial dollars – the earnest. We have the dawning of knowledge, but then we will have the midday sun…

Do you have the arrabon of the Holy Spirit? It is the real thing, but nevertheless just a taste! What will the first five minutes be like when we come into the fullness of our inheritance? The first fifteen minutes? The first hour? The first day – week – month – year – thousand years? We must celebrate our seal or arrabon as his Spirit bears witness with our spirit because that foretaste is going to multiply a million-fold.

-R. Kent Hughes, Ephesians: The Mystery of the Body of Christ

Meet the Students

Meet Danny Snyder, a Sophomore Actuarial Mathematics and Spanish major from Hummelstown, PA (outside of Hershey). Danny has been involved in Cornerstone, thus far, through Freshmen Ministry Team, and I have also had the privilege of discipling him. He is funny, outgoing, and hyper. Read more about him…

1. What is your favorite movie, book, and band/music? These are all tough questions, because I have lots of favorites... I'd say my favorite movie is Star Wars VI: Return of the Jedi. It's just too awesome and action-packed with many feels to not love it! Music is the hardest (I could easily give 10 groups/composers as I like jazz, rock, classical, and indie music) but I'd say Fleet Foxes, they're an Indie band that have some of the most beautiful harmonies and textures I've ever heard. My favorite book would have to be Redwall by Brian Jacques. I loved the whole series as a kid, even it was just about a bunch of forest animals fighting with tiny swords.

2. What has been your involvement in Cornerstone? Since my freshman year (I'm currently a sophomore) I have both participated and now help lead Freshmen Bible Study, which has been a true blessing to my life and my walk with Christ. Additionally, I have played guitar and sang for worship in the past, and plan on continuing leadership in Cornerstone in some manner this coming Spring. I've also gone to Cornerstone events, went to the Dominican Republic last Spring break on one of the mission trips, and have enjoyed participating in outreach events when able (handing out hotdogs Saturday nights is the best!). I sadly haven't been as involved this year due to becoming a Resident Assistant at Pitt which has kept me from being super active.

3. How has Cornerstone helped you during your years at Pitt? Cornerstone has been essential in my continued faith in Jesus. I came to college seeking to find a group to help me grow in Christ and found an INCREDIBLE community! Having so many fellow friends who are Christians and phenomenal leaders (especially my Disciple group leader, who may or may not have three super adorable boys) has changed my life forever! The strength that I've found in my faith and beliefs has been supported by Cornerstone through experiences in reaching out to others and the mission trip to a poverty-stricken society that literally transformed how I perceive life in general. I can't imagine being at Pitt and not being involved in Cornerstone, like seriously...

Financial Update

For the past two months, we have included a financial ask letter to go along with our newsletter. This letter vulnerably explained our current financial state, as well as asked for your help. You all not only responded, but went above and beyond anything we could ever think of. We are so overwhelmed at your kindness and generosity that we are at a loss for words. Thank you for giving, and for following Jesus. We are always in awe how God has used everyone to help support this ministry, and could not do it without God working through you. The journey is not over, however. We could always use financial help to increase our ministry account, so that when those tough months happen we will be prepared. If you are interested in supporting this ministry, I would love to meet with you. Please contact me using using the information on the navigation bar or email me at amoore@ccojubilee.org

Moore News

Benjamin and Josh’s futsal (indoor soccer) league has officially begun. Unfortunately, they got drubbed in the first game 8-0. To be fair, their team had not even had a practice yet. Needless to say, Ben and Josh where not quite adjusted to the speed of the new game, along with the size of their opponents. The second game went a little differently, and we won 4-2. Ben had a beautiful goal in that one as well. He got the ball with a player to beat, and totally juked the kid out of his socks and ended up nutmegging the goalie (when the ball goes between the goalie’s legs). The best part, though, was his celebration. Joshua also did really well, and will be a star (I think) when he adjusts to the speed of the game. He has a lot of offensive skill and is working on being a bit more aggressive defensively. It was really fun to watch them play!

Asher might just be one of the sweetest children in existence. He is very counter-cultural in the fact that he often puts others before himself; often giving and not receiving. It probably also helps that he still has a very sweet “baby” voice, which just melts your heart. Currently he is really into the show Star Wars Rebels, which (being a huge Star Wars fan) brings a joyful tear to my eye.

Emily has been staying busy with the Bellefield Women’s Ministry, even helping to organize a retreat. She has a genuine passion for Christ and loves sharing that passion with friends and family. It has been wonderful to watch Emily and the boys grow spiritually!

We pray that this newsletter finds you well, and that God continues to minister to your lives! God Bless!

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.

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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