Greetings
school community as we bring to a close week five of student learning at
home. With one more week remaining in
April, we bring to an end 80% of the school year; and what a school year it has
been, especially the months of March and April.
We pray for the Lord’s continued blessing and guidance as we carry on
with home-based learning, at least until the end of May by the sounds of things.
In speaking with the staff and a number of parents, there
are four key words that summarize student learning, parent teaching, and
teacher from home planning and instruction: routine- many parents have said that once they established a
routine for teaching and learning at home, things have gone more smoothly; flexibility– the staff has commented
on the importance of flexibility when it comes to work completion and teaching expectations
of the parents, e.g. if you don’t get to something or a concept is particularly
difficult, leave it and move on rather than get stressed about it; consistency– important for both
parents and teachers in carrying out the expectations for home-based learning;and encouragement– provide that daily for one another as we go about
our respective tasks. May our Heavenly
Father continue to bless the work of parents and teachers as, together, we
instruct His covenant children in the fear of His Name. May
the words of Hymn 65 in our Book of Praise be a source of support and
encouragement during these challenging times.
Keep up the great work parents, students, and staff! And please, if you have any questions, don’t
hesitate to contact your child(ren)’s teacher.
If you have any questions of a general nature about home-based learning,
please don’t hesitate to contact the principal.
Please continue to pray for the staff as they continue to pray for
you. May our Heavenly Father continue to
grant us health, strength, patience and wisdom for our respective tasks during
the COVID-19 pandemic.
One
of our pastors at Cornerstone has been reflecting on the breathtaking character
of our God. Recently, he wrote about His
attribute of immutability. Yes, it’s a rather big word but, like God’s other
attributes (among them His omnipotence, omniscience, and omnipresence), it
ought to fill us with awe and joy.
God’s immutability means that God does
not change. It’s easy to react negatively to this at first. A picture forms in our minds of a ruler
sitting on His throne in stony silence, emotionless and motionless. But this
isn’t at all what we’re talking about. Rather God’s immutability means He never
changes “in His being, in His perfections, in His purpose, and in His promises”.(Berkhof)
He is the eternal “I AM.” He is always loving, always holy, always just,
always good, and always perfect. He is always true to His word and His plans.
When He says something, He will do it. He
is not fickle or unpredictable. We read
about this perfection of God all over Scripture. If you have time at some point
today, reflect on these passages:
• Exodus 3:14: “God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to
say to the Israelites: ‘I AM has sent me to you.’”
• Psalm 102: 25-27: “In the beginning you laid the foundations of
the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands. They will perish, but
you remain; they will all wear out like a garment. Like clothing you will
change them and they will be discarded. But you remain the same, and your years
will never end.”
• James 1:17: “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from
the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.”
The
truth that our God is immutable brings calm amidst the storm of life. We live
in a world that is constant changing, especially as of late. It’s hard to
predict what’s going to happen next. And not only is the world constantly
changing, so are our lives. We don’t know what the next weeks or months or
years will bring. Things probably will not stay the same. But there’s one thing
we can know for sure: our God will never change. He’s the same loving Father
into whose arms we fell long ago. He will always listen when we call to him in
the name of Jesus. His plan to lead us Home will never change. And our Saviour,
Jesus, will never change (Heb 13:8). He is the same Jesus we fell in love with
on the pages of Scripture: the one who
seeks out His falling sheep, the one who runs after the lost, the one who calls
us by name, the one who laid down His life that we might live.
In
this time of change, run to your God who never changes. He is your Rock in this
sea of trouble, He is your Fortress amidst many enemies, He is your Shelter
from the storm. Let go of all else and cling to Him and to His Son, Jesus. He will never fail you. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
When your life is bound to His by faith, you are safe in a world of change. No
situation can pry you from his grip. He
will hold you fast, regardless of what your future brings.
We congratulate our Grade 7B
teacher, Tim Breukelman and his wife Tiffany with the birth of their fourth
child and third daughter, Elyse Lily.
She is a little sister for Jasmine in Grade KA. We also congratulate Dan and Kim VanPykeren
with the birth of their fourth child and third daughter, Rylee Faith. She is a little sister for Mason in Grade KB. All is well with the moms and babies, and the
rest of the family members too. (“Our children all are gifts of God, our sons
and daughters his reward—each one a blessing from the LORD, as heritage on us
bestowed.” Psalm 127:3, BoP) May our Heavenly Father provide the
Breukelmans and VanPykerens with all they need as they raise their children in
the fear of His Name.
May the Lord continue to provide
for those in our community who need Him in a special way; be it those who are
sick, who are impacted by the corona virus, who are dealing with difficult
family situations, or those who are grieving the recent death of a loved one. Once again we think of the family of Mr.
Herman Poort and Mrs. VanAndel (mother-in-law to our Grade 6A teacher). May our good and gracious God continue to surround
us all with His love and care.
Reminders:
*The Spring Membership Meeting, originally scheduled
for April 29, has been postponed to May 20.
*The Open House scheduled for May 8 has been
cancelled while the Hike for Hospice has been postponed, likely to October.
*The Gauss Math Contest scheduled for May 13 has
been cancelled.
Have a
good weekend everyone and a blessed Sunday as you, once again, worship from
home. Until next week Friday, D.V.
G. Hofsink
