LEGACY 5K WALK/RUN

12th Annual Markham Stouffville Hospital Legacy 5k Run/Walk

SUNDAY APRIL 26

Here's your chance to have fun with your community and raise funds for women adn children at Markham Stouffville Hospital by supporting the Maternal Child Unit and Dr. Bear program. Plus you'll get to race yourfriendlyneighbourhoodyouthpastor!

Register and pledge online: http://www.legacy5k.ca/

Register in person at RUNNING FREE - Markham Store (Esna Park and Denison St.)

905 472 7373 ext. 6606

JESUS PAINTING

Check out this really cool video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8M4_IlbaZHA

JUNIOR HIGH YOUTHQUEST

It was a great night at the 'White' House! Tons of snacks, pizza and fun. We had a thank-off and started to realize how blessed we are with all the stuff we had (we'll talk more about this on Sunday). Our next meeting will be Friday the 13th at the Main Connection.

5 MINUTE DEVOTIONS

Matthew 6:33 - But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well (NIV)

There are so many responsibilities that can consume your time and priorities. Work. Family. Bills. School. Put God first, and He will take care of the rest of your needs. When is it hard for you to put God first?

* Taken from Bible League of Canada - Daily Devotional Planner

MY YOUTHQUEST

YouthQuest exists to EQUIP the youth of Cornerstone and the Markham community to GROW closer in their relationship with God; to MAXIMIZE their talents and potential; to SHARE their Christ-inspired lives through winsome activities and God-honouring SERVICE in Markham and beyond.
Your challenge is to create an event which will incorporate as many of these bold objectives as possible (EQUIP, GROW, MAXIMIZE TALENTS, SHARE CHRIST-INSPIRED LIVES, SERVICE). The deadline for your idea will be March 22. The winning idea will receive a $25 gift certificate to Markville Mall and the group will do your idea! Ideas can be handing in to pastor Kevin in person or by email: kevin@cornerstonechurch.on.ca
Rules: Ideas must be able to be done by a majority of the group and must keep the safety and well-being of the group members in mind as well as those we will come in contact with.

CORNERSTONE YOUTHQUEST BASKETBALL

What a night! It was our annual all-star team competition. We had 49 boys altogether!!!
Here are the winners:
Calvin - 28 seconds - point guard challenge (junior)
Andrew - 25 seconds - point guard challenge (senior)
Ned - perimeter shoot out - 9 points (junior)
Nahum - perimeter shoot out - 7 points (senior)
Overall champions - No Idea (Ehsan, Mostafa, Ned, Felix, Ninthujan and Gabriel) - junior
Markham 905erzzz (Ahman, Wilson, Timbit, Akeem, Kapilan and Nahum) - senior

Congratulations - Remember, we're off on the 4th and back on the 11th.

ASH WEDNESDAY

Today is Ash Wednesday, which officially marks the beginning of Lent— a 40-day season of repentance and spiritual renewal leading up to Easter. Traditionally, Lent is a time to give up an indulgence or habit which can tempt you away from Christ. You will have a special opportunity to make your Lenten commitments during this Sunday’s service at Cornerstone. Please prayerfully consider the following so you will be prepared to make your commitments on Sunday:

For the season of Lent (from now until Easter Sunday) I will surrender: ___________________________, which can tempt me away from Christ.

In it’s place, I’ll commit to: __________________________, in order to draw closer to Christ.

EXAMPLES OF THINGS TO GIVE UP:
Certain TV shows or TV altogether, late-night web surfing, coffee, unhealthy snacking, working late, video games, eating out, other frivolous purchases, etc.

EXAMPLES OF THINGS TO TAKE UP:
Various forms of prayer and/or scripture reading, serving others, donating to a Christian charity, volunteering, etc.

The key is to be SPECIFIC and GOAL-ORIENTED. “Quit complaining,” is probably too general. A better commitment might be: “Thanking God for a blessing in my life every time I’m tempted to complain.”

7 WONDERS OF THE WORLD

Check out this video

JUNIOR HIGH SUNDAY SCHOOL

Today our topic was, "Little Timmy, The Teenage Teacher - Timothy, on living for God while still a young teen." We learned that we don't have to be adults to really live for God. Our challenge was to choose one adult this week that we could be an example to. Our memory verse was 1 Timothy 4:12 - Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.

5 MINUTE DEVOTIONS

Jeremiah 1:5

Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart. (NIV)

With so many people in the world, you may not feel important and special. You are! God worked very carefully to make you the unique, precious individual you are. When was the last time you felt special?

SENIOR HIGH YOUTHQUEST

Tonight we met at the "White" house for a special rock band party. We also brought our real instruments and just jammed. Next meeting will be March 6 at the Main Connection.

5 MINUTE DEVOTIONS

Proverbs 10:5

A wise youth harvests in the summer, but one who sleeps during harvest is a disgrace (NLT)

This is the one chance you have to live, laugh, to cry, to work, to try, to accomplish, to dream, to perform. Grab it. Seize it. Enjoy it. Celebrate it. Don't waste it. What "harvest" opportunities do you see before you?

JUNIOR HIGH SUNDAY SCHOOL

On Sunday we looked at the story of Balaam, from a different perspective. We looked at how to respond to embarrassment using three case studies. Our memory verse was Proverbs 3:5-6

5 MNUTE DEVOTIONS

Matthew 6:19-20

"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy... (NIV)

People say, "You can't take it with you!" but they are wrong. What you do for others stores up treasures in heaven. Where are you storing your treasure these days?

* taken from The Bible League of Canada

JUNIOR HIGH YOUTHQUEST

On Friday we continued our study of making wise decisions. We also played the "no rules" game and did a quick intro to Sunday's lesson on Balaam.

Our next meeting junior high meeting will be at the "White" House on Feb. 27

5 MINUTE DEVOTIONS

Psalm 90:12
Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom (NIV)

There is only so much sand in the hourglass of your life. How much do you think is left? If there was only enough sand for this day, what three things would you attempt to do?

* Bible League of Canada - 2009 Daily Devotional Planner

DEEP THOUGHTS

Maybe the biggest single barrier to deep connectedness for most of us is simply the pace of our lives. The requirement for true intimacy is chunks of unhurried time - John Ortberg.

CORNERSTONE YOUTHQUEST BASKETBALL

Last night was another great night with over 30 boys out!!! Congrats to "Speedy" and Ahmad who won MVP honours for the night. They showed initiative (our Character Matters Trait for the month) on and off the court. Remember next Wednesday is our ALL STAR NIGHT! You do not want to miss it! Lot's of prizes, competition and fun!!!

5 MINUTE DEVOTIONS

1 John 4:19

We love because he first loved us (NIV).

Love is the greatest food for an emotionally starving world. but you have to have love before you can give love. God has a huge warehouse full of love. He will give you more than you need so that you can share it with others. How does God's love for you show itself in the lives of those around you?

JUNIOR HIGH SUNDAY SCHOOL

Today we look at Solomon, on making wise decisions. We identify a decision that we have to make this week and list the consequences of different choices in an effort to encourage good decision making. We will have a consequence analysis chart.

SENIOR HIGH YOUTHQUEST

Tonight we looked at the story of Jacob. We looked at the issue of control. We all wrestle with this issue now and then. Whether it's something we want to happen, something we want to have, or something we're waiting for, we often try to get ahead of God by taking into our own hands the control of our lives. And sometimes it may even look like it works.

We looked at how Jacob took a shot at making his life turn out the way it should, and how he discovered that winning at life means letting God lead. God is ultimately in control of our lives, whether we like it or not. His plan unfolds in His way. Perhaps we can learn from Jacob's lesson by reflecting on his story.

5 MINUTE DEVOTIONS

Colossians 4:6
Let your conversations be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone. (NLT)

What you say today may be forever printed onto a hearer's heart. When is it hard for you to speak with graciousness?

5 MINUTE DEVOTIONS

1 Thessalonians 5:18

Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. (NIV)

It may not be easy to give thanks today. But giving thanks when it is hard to give thanks is the perfect time to give thanks because of something inherent about giving thanks: You cannot be negative and positive at the same time. What things are you thankful for today?

* Taken from the Bible League of Canada

CORNERSTONE YOUTHQUEST BASKETBALL

We had a packed night with 48 boys out!!! Congrats to Ajay and Christian and who won MVP honours for displaying our Character Matters trait (Initiative).

5 MINUTE DEVOTIONS

Proverbs 3:5-6

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. (NIV)

There may be circumstances in your life that you don't understand. The loss of a loved one. A lost job. The betrayal of a friend. You don't need to understand. You need only to trust. What circumstances in your life are hard for you to entrust to God?

*Taken from The Bible League of Canada

5 MINUTE DEVOTIONS

1 Corinthians 9:24

Don't you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win! (NLT)

Today is one more chance to run for the winning team. Enjoy the race. If your heart does not beat strongly for the cause of Christ, what does it beat strongly for? What are you running hard for?

JUNIOR HIGH SUNDAY SCHOOL

Yesterday we started a new unit, "Wild Bible Truths Lessons" - on wild Bible characters. We looked at kid king Josiah (on influencing others). We wanted to understand our ability to influence others (in good or bad ways). We also want to choose a specific way to influence someone this week towards right living. Our Bible verse was the church's memory verse of the month - Proverbs 3:5-6, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him and he will make your paths straight."