Thanksgiving Eve Service Notes

Opening (Pastor Gary)

Theme: Giving thanks, sharing encouragements about God's grace.
Read President Trump's 2025 National Day of Thanksgiving Proclamation (Nov 27, 2025), highlighting history from Washington/Lincoln, blessings, economy, peace.
Read Psalm 100 (full).
Opening prayer for sharing, God's glory.

Steve Ruff (joined 2021 via Antoine Watson; prayer ministry participant):
- Diagnosed Ewing sarcoma (rare; initially bladder cancer); chemo, surgery (bladder/prostate removal), sepsis, hernia, blood infection.
- God's interventions: Angel wings sunlight (Dec 22, 2024), still small voice for surgery peace (May 12), stopped bleeding pre-procedures (June 18).
- Trusts God's future; invites others to Christ.
- Prayer for full healing.
Eliana Joy Bracino (Patrick Henry College student):
- Cornerstone mission trip to Asheville, NC post-Hurricane Helene (Mar 2025): Built with nail gun despite inexperience.
- Connected with homeowner John & transgender-identifying daughter (15, art/masks/demonic influences, paganism, disabilities).
- Shared faith/Jesus; gave prized guitar; taught worship song.
- Follow-up (June): Family transformation, GED enrollment, restored pronouns, cut pagan ties (Acts 26:17-18).
Conlin Rupp:
- Stage 3 Burkitt's lymphoma (Apr 2024); 7 chemo rounds; full remission (recent PET scan).
- God's love via community support; quotes 1 John 4:16-19.
- Emphasizes experiencing Christ's love, future hope.
- Prayer for complete removal (beyond remission).

Josh Marzano & Mom:
- Josh: Found Jesus visiting ill friend; dove into faith post-surgery.
- Mom: Synced salvation with son; baptized at Cornerstone.
Del Nika Cox:
- Troubled past (relationships, drinking/smoking); saved via Romans 10:9 discussion.
- Joined Cornerstone; benevolence/US Outreach helped relocate after eviction.
- Delivered from addictions/anxiety/depression; family equipped via ministries.

Thanks to pastoral team for K-group support.
Husband saved (3 months).
Conception after infertility (Anthony & Bree).
Reconciliation with son (3.5 yrs; Scott, Raleigh, NC).
First ultrasound/heartbeat.
Marriage restoration (45 yrs).
Found Cornerstone.
Baby girl after 3 miscarriages.
Survived 2 kidney transplants/health issues.
Reconciliation with mother/brothers.
Recent salvations.
Brother Spencer (Down syndrome): Lung mass gone (special needs ministry attender).

Chris Garcia & Ashlyn (5 yrs married, 4 kids):
- Chris: Dark past (anti-Christian, drugs/overdoses); met Ashlyn at Giant Food.
- Clean 5+ yrs; home purchase; Ashlyn led to Cornerstone online.
- Saved 3AM via YouTube testimonies/sinner's prayer; stopped weed sales (ATM miracle, gave money to church).
- God provided job, homeschooling, church attendance; family saved (son baptized); mom's cancer healed, sister saved.