This document is a rant by the pastor of Cornerstone Fellowship about the changes that have occurred in the community of Mill Run over the past 50 years. It describes how Mill Run used to be like the town of Mayberry from the Andy Griffith show, with dozens of kids attending church every week. However, over time the church has become an afterthought for most residents as a culture of freedom and doing what feels good has replaced the traditional Christian values of the past. The pastor argues that the church needs to address its negative public perception and show more grace and truth in order to attract people back.

1. FlockFlocknotesnotes
Cornerstone Fellowship
of Mill Run
June/July 2013June/July 2013
The Paradise of Mill RunThe Paradise of Mill RunThe Paradise of Mill Run
••• a friendly Rant by Pastor Steve Olivieria friendly Rant by Pastor Steve Olivieria friendly Rant by Pastor Steve Olivieri
The community around Cornerstone church called Mill RunThe community around Cornerstone church called Mill RunThe community around Cornerstone church called Mill Run
is quite a unique little place with a history as colorful as theis quite a unique little place with a history as colorful as theis quite a unique little place with a history as colorful as the
people who live there. We are located just a little more thanpeople who live there. We are located just a little more thanpeople who live there. We are located just a little more than
a stones throw from the heart of Altoona, Pa, but if you opena stones throw from the heart of Altoona, Pa, but if you opena stones throw from the heart of Altoona, Pa, but if you open
the church doors and look out you would never know it. Allthe church doors and look out you would never know it. Allthe church doors and look out you would never know it. All
you would see is a baseball field, a little stream & housesyou would see is a baseball field, a little stream & housesyou would see is a baseball field, a little stream & houses
tucked up hollows. Also if you listen hard enough you’ll heartucked up hollows. Also if you listen hard enough you’ll heartucked up hollows. Also if you listen hard enough you’ll hear
a train passing over the colvert at the southern end of Milla train passing over the colvert at the southern end of Milla train passing over the colvert at the southern end of Mill
Run. It’s nothing fancy, but at first glance it would seem likeRun. It’s nothing fancy, but at first glance it would seem likeRun. It’s nothing fancy, but at first glance it would seem like
Mill Run is a little slice of rural paradise just outside of cityMill Run is a little slice of rural paradise just outside of cityMill Run is a little slice of rural paradise just outside of city
limits.limits.limits.
If you we’re to transport yourself back in time some 50If you we’re to transport yourself back in time some 50If you we’re to transport yourself back in time some 50
years Mill Run and Mayberry from the Andy Griffith showyears Mill Run and Mayberry from the Andy Griffith showyears Mill Run and Mayberry from the Andy Griffith show
would seem an awful lot alike. If you don’t know what thewould seem an awful lot alike. If you don’t know what thewould seem an awful lot alike. If you don’t know what the
Andy Griffith show is I’ll give you a hint. Before MatlockAndy Griffith show is I’ll give you a hint. Before MatlockAndy Griffith show is I’ll give you a hint. Before Matlock
became a lawyer he was a sheriff in the little town ofbecame a lawyer he was a sheriff in the little town ofbecame a lawyer he was a sheriff in the little town of
Mayberry. Still clueless, go ask your parents. During theMayberry. Still clueless, go ask your parents. During theMayberry. Still clueless, go ask your parents. During the
Mayberry years the church saw dozens of kids attendingMayberry years the church saw dozens of kids attendingMayberry years the church saw dozens of kids attending
Upcoming EventsUpcoming EventsUpcoming Events
Small Group Study ofSmall Group Study ofSmall Group Study of
The StoryThe StoryThe Story Ch. 31 “Revelation”Ch. 31 “Revelation”Ch. 31 “Revelation”
@ Dan & Sandy Morris’s@ Dan & Sandy Morris’s@ Dan & Sandy Morris’s
Mon. July 1 @ 7pmMon. July 1 @ 7pmMon. July 1 @ 7pm
••• Last meeting till SeptemberLast meeting till SeptemberLast meeting till September
Day One Kid’s CampDay One Kid’s CampDay One Kid’s Camp
@ Cornerstone Fellowship@ Cornerstone Fellowship@ Cornerstone Fellowship
MonMonMon --- Fri July 22Fri July 22Fri July 22 --- 26, 926, 926, 9 --- 3pm3pm3pm
Mill Run Community DaysMill Run Community DaysMill Run Community Days
@ Cornerstone Fellowship@ Cornerstone Fellowship@ Cornerstone Fellowship
Sat. August 24th @ 11amSat. August 24th @ 11amSat. August 24th @ 11am
The Rant continues on page 2The Rant continues on page 2The Rant continues on page 2

2. The Word became flesh and made his dwellingThe Word became flesh and made his dwelling
among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of theamong us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the
One and Only, who came from the Father, full ofOne and Only, who came from the Father, full of
gracegrace andand truthtruth..
John 1:14John 1:14
church every week. All you would have to do ischurch every week. All you would have to do ischurch every week. All you would have to do is
open the church doors on Sundays and peopleopen the church doors on Sundays and peopleopen the church doors on Sundays and people
showed up in droves. The pastor ate Sundayshowed up in droves. The pastor ate Sundayshowed up in droves. The pastor ate Sunday
dinner with various members of the communitydinner with various members of the communitydinner with various members of the community
every week. Sounds like paradise to any pastor.every week. Sounds like paradise to any pastor.every week. Sounds like paradise to any pastor.
Unfortunately long gone are those days. TheUnfortunately long gone are those days. TheUnfortunately long gone are those days. The
church in Mill Run is slowly growing, but thechurch in Mill Run is slowly growing, but thechurch in Mill Run is slowly growing, but the
church has largely become an afterthought forchurch has largely become an afterthought forchurch has largely become an afterthought for
most who used to attend. The big question ismost who used to attend. The big question ismost who used to attend. The big question is whatwhatwhat
happenedhappenedhappened &&& what can we do about itwhat can we do about itwhat can we do about it???
What Happened?What Happened?What Happened? If you’ve ever seen theIf you’ve ever seen theIf you’ve ever seen the
movie Pleasantville I think it kinda sums thingsmovie Pleasantville I think it kinda sums thingsmovie Pleasantville I think it kinda sums things
up best. David and Jennifer get sucked into theirup best. David and Jennifer get sucked into theirup best. David and Jennifer get sucked into their
TV and transported to a place called Pleasantville.TV and transported to a place called Pleasantville.TV and transported to a place called Pleasantville.
It’s a place of black & white where nobody doesIt’s a place of black & white where nobody doesIt’s a place of black & white where nobody does
anything wrong, nothing bad ever happens &anything wrong, nothing bad ever happens &anything wrong, nothing bad ever happens &
nobody ever questions anything.nobody ever questions anything.nobody ever questions anything.
That’s fine for David, but Jennifer will have noneThat’s fine for David, but Jennifer will have noneThat’s fine for David, but Jennifer will have none
of it. She shows this sheltered & naïveof it. She shows this sheltered & naïveof it. She shows this sheltered & naïve
community a wild carefree lifestyle. Soon “color”community a wild carefree lifestyle. Soon “color”community a wild carefree lifestyle. Soon “color”
begins to appears. Yet as this world of colorbegins to appears. Yet as this world of colorbegins to appears. Yet as this world of color
begins to take over those who remain black &begins to take over those who remain black &begins to take over those who remain black &
white begin seeing people of color as a threat towhite begin seeing people of color as a threat towhite begin seeing people of color as a threat to
their traditional ways. They harass and segregatetheir traditional ways. They harass and segregatetheir traditional ways. They harass and segregate
anyone of color. They even threated to throw intoanyone of color. They even threated to throw intoanyone of color. They even threated to throw into
prison anyone who promotes this kind of reckless,prison anyone who promotes this kind of reckless,prison anyone who promotes this kind of reckless,
rule breaking lifestyle.rule breaking lifestyle.rule breaking lifestyle.
At first glance it seems “color” is soo muchAt first glance it seems “color” is soo muchAt first glance it seems “color” is soo much
more fun. Whatever feels good DO IT! It doesn’tmore fun. Whatever feels good DO IT! It doesn’tmore fun. Whatever feels good DO IT! It doesn’t
take much to imagine those who are black &take much to imagine those who are black &take much to imagine those who are black &
white as oldwhite as oldwhite as old---fashioned Mennonite Christiansfashioned Mennonite Christiansfashioned Mennonite Christians
And the rant continues...And the rant continues...And the rant continues...
from Mill Run still holding on to outdatedfrom Mill Run still holding on to outdatedfrom Mill Run still holding on to outdated
traditional family values. On the surface people oftraditional family values. On the surface people oftraditional family values. On the surface people of
color seem much more opencolor seem much more opencolor seem much more open---minded & careminded & careminded & care---free.free.free.
They won’t be bound by their parent’s repressiveThey won’t be bound by their parent’s repressiveThey won’t be bound by their parent’s repressive
Christian rules. Unfortunately Mill Run is far fromChristian rules. Unfortunately Mill Run is far fromChristian rules. Unfortunately Mill Run is far from
the only place this type of thing has happened.the only place this type of thing has happened.the only place this type of thing has happened.
Somewhere between the Mayberry days & nowSomewhere between the Mayberry days & nowSomewhere between the Mayberry days & now
the gospel message of hope became blurred &the gospel message of hope became blurred &the gospel message of hope became blurred &
twisted into a religion of “do’s” & “don’ts”. Whentwisted into a religion of “do’s” & “don’ts”. Whentwisted into a religion of “do’s” & “don’ts”. When
being a Christian is based on being good &being a Christian is based on being good &being a Christian is based on being good &
following the rulesfollowing the rulesfollowing the rules onlyonlyonly it will certainly feel like ait will certainly feel like ait will certainly feel like a
prison. In comparison doing whatever you wantprison. In comparison doing whatever you wantprison. In comparison doing whatever you want
will always feel like freedom. When faced withwill always feel like freedom. When faced withwill always feel like freedom. When faced with
these two choices, to quote Braveheart, we willthese two choices, to quote Braveheart, we willthese two choices, to quote Braveheart, we will
always choose, “freedom”!always choose, “freedom”!always choose, “freedom”!
A while ago I read a fascinating book called,A while ago I read a fascinating book called,A while ago I read a fascinating book called,
Unchristian: What a new generation really thinksUnchristian: What a new generation really thinksUnchristian: What a new generation really thinks
about Christianity..and why it matters.about Christianity..and why it matters.about Christianity..and why it matters. TheTheThe
authors state they have polled thousands of peopleauthors state they have polled thousands of peopleauthors state they have polled thousands of people
discovering some disturbing things about thediscovering some disturbing things about thediscovering some disturbing things about the
image of the modern church. According to themimage of the modern church. According to themimage of the modern church. According to them
the church has the perception of, “being knownthe church has the perception of, “being knownthe church has the perception of, “being known
more for what we’re against than who we are for.”more for what we’re against than who we are for.”more for what we’re against than who we are for.”
Want more proof? Of those age 16Want more proof? Of those age 16Want more proof? Of those age 16 --- 29 years old29 years old29 years old
87% say the church is judgmental. 85% say the87% say the church is judgmental. 85% say the87% say the church is judgmental. 85% say the
church is hypocritical. At the same time only 54%church is hypocritical. At the same time only 54%church is hypocritical. At the same time only 54%
say the church offers hope for the future & onlysay the church offers hope for the future & onlysay the church offers hope for the future & only
41% say the Christian faith seems genuine & real.41% say the Christian faith seems genuine & real.41% say the Christian faith seems genuine & real.
Now just take a moment, & reread those stats...hasNow just take a moment, & reread those stats...hasNow just take a moment, & reread those stats...has
it sunk in yet? The current state of the church isit sunk in yet? The current state of the church isit sunk in yet? The current state of the church is
not good! Now yes Christians shouldn’tnot good! Now yes Christians shouldn’tnot good! Now yes Christians shouldn’t

3. ...the rant is almost done I promise!...the rant is almost done I promise!...the rant is almost done I promise!
be to blame for other peoples poor choices. Yes Christians shouldn’t apologize for the Bible calling usbe to blame for other peoples poor choices. Yes Christians shouldn’t apologize for the Bible calling usbe to blame for other peoples poor choices. Yes Christians shouldn’t apologize for the Bible calling us
to Christ centered virtuous living. Yes someone’s negative view of the Christian faith may simply beto Christ centered virtuous living. Yes someone’s negative view of the Christian faith may simply beto Christ centered virtuous living. Yes someone’s negative view of the Christian faith may simply be
because they would rather live for self instead of living for Jesus. So naturally that person wouldn’t bebecause they would rather live for self instead of living for Jesus. So naturally that person wouldn’t bebecause they would rather live for self instead of living for Jesus. So naturally that person wouldn’t be
too keen on letting someone else in charge of their life. The issues people, especially young people facetoo keen on letting someone else in charge of their life. The issues people, especially young people facetoo keen on letting someone else in charge of their life. The issues people, especially young people face
in this life, and the reasons why they may or may not embrace the faith & go to church in reality arein this life, and the reasons why they may or may not embrace the faith & go to church in reality arein this life, and the reasons why they may or may not embrace the faith & go to church in reality are
complex.complex.complex. What I am calling Christians to realizeWhat I am calling Christians to realizeWhat I am calling Christians to realize is that whether people are right or wrong for it,is that whether people are right or wrong for it,is that whether people are right or wrong for it,
whether we like it or notwhether we like it or notwhether we like it or not many people have a negative view of the faith.many people have a negative view of the faith.many people have a negative view of the faith. 75% of pastors polled said that75% of pastors polled said that75% of pastors polled said that
people’s negative experiences have created major barriers to their openness to Jesus. As Christianspeople’s negative experiences have created major barriers to their openness to Jesus. As Christianspeople’s negative experiences have created major barriers to their openness to Jesus. As Christians
instead of sticking our heads in the sand consider for just a moment...instead of sticking our heads in the sand consider for just a moment...instead of sticking our heads in the sand consider for just a moment...what if there rightwhat if there rightwhat if there right???
What can we do about it?What can we do about it?What can we do about it? Albert Einstein once said, “We can’t solve problems by using the sameAlbert Einstein once said, “We can’t solve problems by using the sameAlbert Einstein once said, “We can’t solve problems by using the same
kind of thinking we used when we created them.” In other words if the church has problems, don’tkind of thinking we used when we created them.” In other words if the church has problems, don’tkind of thinking we used when we created them.” In other words if the church has problems, don’t
ignore them and keep doing the same things we’ve always done, fix them! There is no quick easyignore them and keep doing the same things we’ve always done, fix them! There is no quick easyignore them and keep doing the same things we’ve always done, fix them! There is no quick easy
answer, but consider John 1:14 which states Jesus came to earth, “full of grace and truth.” There is ananswer, but consider John 1:14 which states Jesus came to earth, “full of grace and truth.” There is ananswer, but consider John 1:14 which states Jesus came to earth, “full of grace and truth.” There is an
important balance to be learned here. If Christians embrace too much truth and not enough grace weimportant balance to be learned here. If Christians embrace too much truth and not enough grace weimportant balance to be learned here. If Christians embrace too much truth and not enough grace we
become legalistic. If we embrace too much grace and not enough truth then the gospel becomesbecome legalistic. If we embrace too much grace and not enough truth then the gospel becomesbecome legalistic. If we embrace too much grace and not enough truth then the gospel becomes
watered down and shallow. Unpopular parts of Jesus teaching become dewatered down and shallow. Unpopular parts of Jesus teaching become dewatered down and shallow. Unpopular parts of Jesus teaching become de---emphasized or omitted allemphasized or omitted allemphasized or omitted all
together so as not to offend anyone. The Truth though framed in the context of love instead of an auratogether so as not to offend anyone. The Truth though framed in the context of love instead of an auratogether so as not to offend anyone. The Truth though framed in the context of love instead of an aura
of moral superiority will not only turn heads, but it has the power to transform the hardest hearts.of moral superiority will not only turn heads, but it has the power to transform the hardest hearts.of moral superiority will not only turn heads, but it has the power to transform the hardest hearts.
Finally, if we are to win back the hearts and minds of Mill Runners and a whole generation that hasFinally, if we are to win back the hearts and minds of Mill Runners and a whole generation that hasFinally, if we are to win back the hearts and minds of Mill Runners and a whole generation that has
largely turned it’s back on Jesus we need to realize that we have an uphill battle. Life is complex,largely turned it’s back on Jesus we need to realize that we have an uphill battle. Life is complex,largely turned it’s back on Jesus we need to realize that we have an uphill battle. Life is complex,
stressful, and many times harsh and unforgiving. This is true both of the Christian and the nonstressful, and many times harsh and unforgiving. This is true both of the Christian and the nonstressful, and many times harsh and unforgiving. This is true both of the Christian and the non---
Christian. So why as Christians are we so afraid to admit to others we don’t have it all together &Christian. So why as Christians are we so afraid to admit to others we don’t have it all together &Christian. So why as Christians are we so afraid to admit to others we don’t have it all together &
struggle sometimes too?? Wanna do something crazy? Find a nonstruggle sometimes too?? Wanna do something crazy? Find a nonstruggle sometimes too?? Wanna do something crazy? Find a non---Christian, build a genuineChristian, build a genuineChristian, build a genuine
relationship with them asking nothing in return. Finally, admit at least one embarrassing fault and/orrelationship with them asking nothing in return. Finally, admit at least one embarrassing fault and/orrelationship with them asking nothing in return. Finally, admit at least one embarrassing fault and/or
one fear about the future to them. Also If you care enough about them to first invite them into yourone fear about the future to them. Also If you care enough about them to first invite them into yourone fear about the future to them. Also If you care enough about them to first invite them into your
home for dinner chances are you may see them at church some time soon. How crazy would it be tohome for dinner chances are you may see them at church some time soon. How crazy would it be tohome for dinner chances are you may see them at church some time soon. How crazy would it be to
have a church where the Truth is proclaimed without apologize, yet people are open to express theirhave a church where the Truth is proclaimed without apologize, yet people are open to express theirhave a church where the Truth is proclaimed without apologize, yet people are open to express their
faults without criticism or condemnation? Sounds like paradise to me!faults without criticism or condemnation? Sounds like paradise to me!faults without criticism or condemnation? Sounds like paradise to me!
MonMonMon --- Fri July 22Fri July 22Fri July 22---262626
999 --- 3pm3pm3pm
@ Cornerstone Fellowship@ Cornerstone Fellowship@ Cornerstone Fellowship
••• Kids ages: KKids ages: KKids ages: K --- 6th grade6th grade6th grade
••• Games, Crafts, Bibles LessonsGames, Crafts, Bibles LessonsGames, Crafts, Bibles Lessons
••• & more!& more!& more!
••• Lakemont Park for free on Wed.Lakemont Park for free on Wed.Lakemont Park for free on Wed.

4. Mill Run
Community Day
Celebration
When: Saturday,
August 24
Starting @ 11am
Where: Cornerstone
Fellowship Church
Prayers & PraisesPrayers & PraisesPrayers & Praises
Makayla Olivieri: She has been having a
harder time breathing recently, and spent
three days in Children’s hospital of
Pittsburgh last week. She had two
viruses, but is doing much better now.
Patty Brandt: She has been having lower
back problems for sometime now. She is
experiencing some relief thanks to a
nerve block. Pray for continued healing.
Hulse Family: Continue to pray for the
entire Hulse family as they mourn the
passing of Jean’s father.
Arthur Burnham: Pray for answers and
continued healing as he is having
some setbacks as he recuperates
following shoulder surgery.
Sam Hulse: Pray for opportunities as he
continues to look for a welding job.
VBS 2013: Even though it’s a lot of work,
a big praise goes out to all that helped
make learning God’s word so much fun.
Dunk Tank
Live Chainsaw Carving
Outdoor Concert
Signup to be a vendor
Outdoor Movie