Cornerstone University Baptist Church 50 West Lane Avenue Columbus, OH (614)

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1 Cornerstone University Baptist Church 50 West Lane Avenue Columbus, OH (614) Inside this issue: What Would Martin Do? Kerry Cheesman March Worship 2 March Birthdays & Pastor on Call for March 2 NSI Easter Basket Donations And then there s this thing about love Julius Mayo Holy Week Schedule 3 Memorial Easter Lily Form 3 Musical Ministry Notes David Tomasacci MMXVIII No. 2 April 2018 Oscar Party 4 March Calendar 5 Many submissions to the newsletter are voluntary contributions from individuals. The ideas expressed do not necessarily reflect the mission or views of University Baptist Church as a whole. Cover What Would Martin Do? Kerry Cheesman Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that. The assassination of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in Memphis 50 years ago (April 4, 1968) changed many of the debates going on in our country about racial equality, economic justice, and peace. He was a true champion of human rights and unwavering apostle of nonviolence, steeped in the gospel of Jesus Christ. His violent death at the young age of 39 opened in many communities new dialogues about these very important issues. Yet even today King s beloved community seems like a dream unfulfilled to so many. We have come so far, and yet remain so far from his dream. So where might we be today if Dr. King s life had not been cut so tragically short? In what non-violent campaigns might he be leading us forward? Perhaps his 9-year old granddaughter Yolanda gave us a clue last week, when she stood with the leaders of the March for Our Lives anti-gun violence campaign in Washington DC and declared My grandfather had a dream that his four little children would not be judged by the color of their skin, but by their character. I have a dream that enough is enough, and that this should be a gun free world, period. He would have been so proud of her! If there is one person who has been the most influential on the course of my own ministry it is Martin Luther King, Jr. An American Baptist pastor and prophetic voice for our world, Dr. King s writings, sermons, and speeches show us how Christian faith can and should be put into action. I have used his writings and speeches in sermons and in columns such as this more often that any other person, except for Jesus Christ. Maryann and I have visited the MLK National Historic Site in Atlanta, and I have stood in awe by the pulpit in Ebenezer Baptist Church where King was a co-pastor and preached regularly. We visited the Lorraine Motel in Memphis (now a National Park Service site as well) where Dr. King was killed 50 years ago, and stood with tremendous emotion where he stood that fateful night. We have visited the impressive MLK memorial in Washington, DC, and stood on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial where King gave his famous I have a dream speech. We have seen the Birmingham jail cell from which he wrote (on smuggled newspaper) his attack on fellow clergy who would

2 Page 2 not follow the way of the cross (later published as Letters from a Birmingham Jail). In the 1970s there was a movement, complete with wristbands and other paraphernalia, known as What Would Jesus Do? (also known as WWJD). The purpose of it was to help individuals think about the right response to situations that they encountered on a daily basis. I still use that image in my head when I am angered by the world around me and what is happening here and abroad. In ministry, however, I have also used the phrase What Would Martin Do?, referring to the tremendous positive influence that Dr. King has had as a prophetic voice for our times and one whose words I turn to hen trying to decide how to interpret the gospel message for the 21 st century. Although challenging and at times rather difficult, his words continue to inspire me in ways no other except Jesus can. On this 50 th anniversary of Dr. King s death, let us all remember how far we have come in our struggles to become the beloved community. But let us also remember how far we have to go, and pledge to continue his work of spreading the Gospel message through nonviolent means! Let us continue in his footsteps and continue to seek to do God s will. I just want to do God's will. And he's allowed me to go to the mountain. And I've looked over, and I've seen the promised land! I may not get there with you, but I want you to know tonight that we as a people will get to the promised land. (Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr, from his speech the night before April Services DATE SUNDAY PREACHER Sun, April 22, 2018 Sun, April 29, 2018 Birthdays & Birthdays 7 Megan Riley 11 Grace Hughes 19 Kay Monjot 29 Oliva Riley 4 Orin & Hanci Newberry Walking With the Lord by Julius Mayo Kerry Cheesman Ken Watkins Cornerstone One of the things I missed most when I moved into my condo a few years ago was the ability to go for long walks. When I lived on campus, I would often pop out of my apartment and take a quick spin around the university while taking in all the sites, stopping to talk with students and reflecting on my day. For some reason, I was sure living off-campus meant I would have to give that all up. After I year, I began to see the consequences of my decision. My health was not where it was, and I was feeling tired and depressed quite often. Last July, however, while I was about to lock my front door for the night and surrender to the living room couch for another Netflix binge, a voice inside me asked why I had abandoned something that brought me many personal and spiritual benefits? The human side of me rationalized that in my new neighborhood I could no longer interact with campus colleagues or take in all the familiar places I knew so well. The internal speaker inside me then asked me to think about who else was I interacting with on those walks in the past. After a few moments, I realized the answer was God. The voice agreed and reminded me that the Creator of all things was with me always and challenged me to no longer make excuses for not trying new experiences. Within the hour my shoes were laced, and I was out the door. Later, with my heart pumping, and sweat on my brow, I felt better than I had in months. In the coming months, I began walking more around campus during the day instead of taking the bus. I soon realized the familiar experiences I had had during my night walks could also occur during the day. While at home I also began to explore my surroundings and discovered several shortcuts and exciting finds that keep my interest as I walked further and further with each journey. In all these instances, I began to recognize and celebrate the grace and mercy of God in allowing all of us to do the things we need to be healthy and faithful followers of Christ. Fear and hesitation cannot be the stumbling blocks for doing what s right. We serve a mighty God, who is with us no matter what. A marvelous blessing indeed!

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4 April 2018 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat MMXVIII No. 2 April 2018 Page :30 am Worship Newsletter Deadline 9:30 Gardeners of Weedin Spring Class 28

5 University Baptist Church Progressive Welcoming Inclusive April 21 9am to 1 pm. Gardeners of Weedin Annual Spring Fling Garden Class. Class fee $15 proceeds to go to UBC memorial garden. Flyer inside! April 22 Interfaith Day of Community Service at Columbus Global Academy. Volunteers with all kinds skills needed. Co-Sponsored by the Peace-Builders. Register using Eventbrite. Search: Interfaith Day of Community Service. April 24 Screening of The Hunting Ground, an award winning documentary about sexual assault on college campuses. Presented by our own UB Waves. More information to come. Thursday, April 26th, 1-6 pm. The ABC/USA Creation Justice Network is cooperating with the Alliance of Baptists to co-sponsor a one-day workshop on "Climate and Faith" at the Alliance's Annual National Gathering which just happens to be near Dayton, OH. April 29 Interfaith March for Peace and Justice. Assemble in Genoa Park at 4 pm. University Baptist Church 50 West Lane Avenue Columbus, Ohio Phone: ubccolumbus@gmail.com Website: Return Service Requested 4/30/18 Pastor Moderator Barbara Bullock (2018) Choir Director David Tomasacci Pianist Mollie Rausch Office Manager Kerry Taylor Worship 10:30 a.m. Children s Sunday School 2nd and 4th Sundays 10:30 a.m. Office Hours Tues.-Fri. 9:00 a.m. 1:00 p.m.