God Prunes Us and We Become More Fruitful ​​

​

John 15:1-2
"I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. (NKJV)

​

 Welcome to Cornerstone 
October 18, 2026

 Weekly Service Schedule 
Sunday

  9:00 am - Sunday Morning Bible Study - Pastor Gregg is teaching on Genesis Chapter 1 - Creation

10:00 am - Praise & Worship Service

Sermon by Pastor Gregg Clemons.

(Our a.m. Service is also livestreamed on Facebook)

 7:00 pm - Sunday Evening Bible Study - Church History - (Pastor Gregg)

Wednesday
7:00 pm - Wednesday Evening Bible Study

Book of Ephesians - (Pastor Gregg)

​

Every Day

Read God's Word daily and try to live the way the Lord is showing you.
Pray for Pastor Gregg Clemons, our Leadership Team, and one another.
Pray for God to guide and protect our Local, National, and World Leaders.
Pray for our U.S. military deployed overseas, stationed in U.S. and for our Vets.
Pray for Israel. Pray for Ukraine. Pray for an end to the Conflict with Iran.
Pray for Christians who are suffering persecution for their faith.
Pray for the Lord’s protection upon our schools, students, and teachers.
Pray for the Bible Studies and Services at the Jail and Juvenile Center.
Pray for God's continued blessing on the many Ministries of Cornerstone.

​

 Coming Events ​​​​​​​​

* October 24th – A Farewell Party for Connie Spain will be held at Lucy Ussatis’ Home at 11 a.m. The women of Cornerstone are invited. Please RSVP to Lucy so we will have a count of those attending. Thank you.

​​

 The Joash Chest - Offering for Building Repairs, Etc. 

​* Offerings given in the Joash Chest last Sunday totaled $20.00 - Thank you!

 Things to Note ​​​​​​​​​​​​

 

* Thank you to everyone who helped with Fellowship Sunday last week.

​

* Today is Mission Sunday and Samaritan’s Purse is our ministry of the month. We will be taking an offering for them today. Please pray and ask the Lord what He would like you to give. Thank you.

​

* Baby Dedication today for Damien and Grace’s new baby girl Vivian.

​

* Please be praying for these people on our list to receive a physical healing. ~ Members: Anna G, Barb M, Bob S, Carol R, Christine A, Mary H, Maye C, Mickey L, Phyllis M, Roy Sw, Sharon T, & Vic H. ~ Family & Friends: Barb K, Barb N, Bob B, Carol H, Cathie T, Dan B, Darren S, Eddy F, Ellie H, George W, Gloria M, Janet M, Jean N, Joan M, Joanne B, John T, Joyce K, Judah James D, Judy S, Julian D, Julie S, Louise S, Margaret S, Mary Jane S, Michael G, Michelle V, Mike J, Nancy C, Owen K, Paul M, Peggy M, Rich P, Rosie D, Sam F, Sandy R, Sarah G, Skylar A, Steve S, Susie J, & Terry S. Thank you.​

* Thank you to all our volunteers. We couldn't do it without you!​​

​

* Thank you for the cards and thoughtful notes last Sunday! Yours in Christ, Charlie Bzoskie

​

 Devotion of the Week ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

​​​​​​

Letting God Rake Away What Is Covering Your Heart - By Lia Girard

​

Psalm 139:11-12 I could ask the darkness to hide me and the light around me to become night, but even in darkness I cannot hide from you. To you the night shines as bright as day. Darkness and light are the same to you. -NLT

​

I love the way fallen leaves in autumn cover landscapes across many parts of the world. Carpets of fall foliage everywhere. It’s like a song of sweet surrender, as vivid colors float and fall to the ground, then fade into nutrients for the soil. 

​

But when we live in modern, manicured places, we often rake these leaves into piles, either composting them for reuse or disposing of them. It’s a common seasonal sight, though I’m still not sure if it’s better to rake or not rake the leaves that grace our lives. It’s always interesting to me that we don’t need to rake wild forests. They remain entirely in God’s hands.

​

However, when it comes to my heart and yours, let’s consider that God may do some spiritual raking. Because sometimes we want to hide ourselves, our feelings, our habits, or our lack of faith, from God. That’s why Psalm 139 lays out clearly that God sees everything, anyway. In fact, Psalm 139:11-12 proclaims that “even in darkness I cannot hide from you.” This entire psalm rejoices that you can turn to God and ask him to search you, bring you into His light, and lead you on the path of everlasting life.

​

The freedom you gain when you let God “uncover” you is celebrated in 2 Corinthians 3:16, when Paul says, “But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away.” Paul is referring to how Moses would cover his face with a veil be-cause the glory of God he reflected was too much for his followers to receive. So, in his New Testament letter, Paul teaches that you and I have been reconciled to God through Jesus. You can let God lift the veil, rake away what you’re hiding under, and fully receive the Holy Spirit within you. There’s no need to bury your-self in secrecy.

​

Not only will God rake away what’s covering hearts, but he will also dig deeper to pull up stones and plant new life. When Ezekiel 36:26 tells us, “and I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a new heart of flesh,” it refers to God’s miraculous power to completely transform a hardened heart that has become cold, inflexible, or impenetrable. 

This hardening could be the result of self-protection over many years of pain. Or, it could be a heart turned away from reconciliation by unforgiveness. Or, it could be a refusal to share fears and feelings with God. Ezekiel 36:26 is God’s reminder to you and me—that he sees our struggles anyway.
 
So, even if you don’t see a way to cultivate peace in your own heart, or feel courageous enough to be exposed, God’s promise here is that he can do the work for you, if you let him. You and I can bring our hurting, hiding, hardened hearts to God, and welcome his healing. He will rake away what’s weighing you down, warming and softening your heart. 

​

So the next time you’re working in the yard, or marveling at leaves, re-member: John 15 says God is your gardener. Let him rake, prune, and shape you ... so that you will bear much fruit for His glory. 
 

​​​​

(You can find most of the devotions posted on our site at www.crosswalk.com/devotionals)

​​​​

​

​

 The information below is for those of you who cannot attend service in person. 

​

* You can give by clicking the Donate Button at the top of this page.

​

* If you cannot attend Church, and have a tithe or offering you would like to give, please mail to:     
Cornerstone Bible Church, P.O. Box 454, Hastings, MN 55033

​

* Please join us on Facebook. Search for Cornerstone Bible Church on your Facebook page to find our live streaming and also a few of our other recent Sermons.

 

God bless your faithfulness.

​

* Need to Contact us?  Email us at: cornerstone55033@yahoo.com

or call us at and leave a message. (651) 437 5458​

​