Tuesday, February 16, 2016

Cornerstone Church Family,

Before Lee and I transitioned out of Cornerstone, I had hoped to catch each person, to look you in the eye and tell you exactly what it has meant to our lives to be a part of this family, but unfortunately we just couldn’t connect with everyone. If we missed you, please forgive us, it was not our intention!

 Although tears flowed freely that final Sunday, I was clearly reminded in your precious faces of the ultimate reason for being a shepherd: loving amazing people and hopefully equipping them to better love and become more like Jesus. I saw in your countenances the love of Christ week after week and I am so thankful that the Father planted Lee and I to walk out the first two years of my pastoral calling there…it has been our clear joy and outstanding privilege to do so!

Words fail me to fully express the depth of our gratitude for the opportunity to live life together with you - knowing and loving each of you have been some of the most precious treasures we have ever experienced! Thank you for letting us serve with you - it has been a delight and honor and we are so much better for having shared our lives with yours! While we will sorely miss seeing you on a regular basis, we know that you are in good hands with your pastoral team who watches diligently over you.

In the coming months I hope you will remember our time there affectionately, as we certainly will. Please pray for us…we are not sure what the Father has for us in this next season, but we do know that all that lies before us will be built upon the foundation of love and ministry we experienced there at Cornerstone. You will always hold an incredibly special place in our hearts and we will continue to pray for you and hopefully get to hear about some of the amazing things that God will do in and through this wonderful church family!

For any who want to stay in touch, we’d like that. You can reach me at sandy.lee.anderson@gmail.com and Lee at paul.lee.anderson@gmail.com .

I am truly thankful that although we are now separated by distance and ministry location, we all love and labor for the same Lord Jesus Christ - to Him be the glory now and forever! May the Father who passionately loves you, watch over you, guiding you into His perfect plan for each of your precious lives…ultimately bringing Him great glory and an expansion to His glorious kingdom!

This is the pastoral blessing I pray over each of you today.

Father, I come to You in the matchless name of Jesus and I lift up this precious church family to You. Lord, You fully know their every need, You see each place where they are strong and gifted and You also know every area where they need Your power and guidance the most. Bless them by always being their Good Shepherd who will release their gifts for Your glory and bind up their wounds for their restoration. 

 Father God I pray that You would confirm Your great love for them, help them to walk out each day of their life in the shadow of that unconditional love. Bless them Father not to miss a single facet of the amazing plan You have for them. Let every purpose of their lives be fully realized as they yield more and more of who they are into Your capable hands.

Finally Father, please bless them with a passionate desire to share You with those around them, for it is only as we share You with our watching world that we can fully understand our ultimate reason for being…the Great Commission.

Lord please continue to bless their pastors and leaders with wisdom and guidance to abundantly care for this flock who is both a passion for You and a priceless gift from You and remind the flock to faithfully intercede for the shepherds who lovingly watch over them. May all be done in Your time and for Your glory. Amen

Much Love and Prayers,
Pastor Sandy and Lee Anderson


Note: For my readers who are not from my Cornerstone church family, my husband and I recently transitioned out of this amazing church but were not able to catch everyone our last Sunday there, so I am using this space to speak to them and share a final blessing. Thank you for your understanding and for your prayers for this next season of ministry! ~Sandy