On October 1st at 6pm, October 2nd at 10am and 6pm we will be holding services of dedication. This will be a time of praise, worship, thanksgiving, and much more. If you’ve enjoyed watching or taking part of this whole process I invite you to come as we dedicate this building and ourselves to the Lord once again.

There are these special people that sit up behind us making sure we have words, pictures, and sound. While I don’t know all the crew here are few that were hard at work on Sunday. (I didn’t get up there quick enough to get Richard, but he plays a big part in this as well). Thanks boys!!

Laird working at his postPastor Chris explaining details to Shawn & Kurtis

Today was our first day for worship service in our new sanctuary and Pastor Phil said, “the words that come to mind, are WELCOME HOME.” The Lord speaks to all of us in different and unique ways and today as I sat in service I saw Pastor with his wife and grandson, Asher, and as I watched Asher look intently at Grandpa, sit close, in sweet comfort of just being with Grandpa. The Lord said, sit with me, look into my face, find your comfort and security in me, I Love You!

Pastor Phi, grandson Asher, wife Jan

As I think about this word sanctuary, it stirs lots of emotion within me. Sanctuary was the most sacred part of the religious building, holy place, & a consecrated place. In the 14th century people would cry sanctuary to find refuge. Do these meanings still hold true for us today?? If I’m honest I’ve struggled with this part of the church building probably the most, having a husband that is highly involved with all the details can be challenging. I see the behind the scenes and some have been hard to swallow & have caused me to question, with delayed or no praise, others have been so elating that praise was the natural response. However through ALL this I have found the Lord. I’ve study the scriptures in building of the tabernacle and the temple, what reverence people had for the building and the building process, and why? Because the Lord was in it. Sanctuary for me isn’t a building but more a person in Jesus, he is my refuge! He is who I call on! He is holy. The outside world is loud and very tempting I pray that in this sanctuary we will detach ourselves from all outward things and attach ourselves inwardly to the Lord alone. This is where God works his wonders. I pray in this sanctuary we will find the quietness we so desperately need and require, to hear the very voice of God. We live in a broken world with broken people (& yes they are found within church too) who frequently break my heart . Nevertheless, I am deeply loved by a God who is not broken at all.

YEE HA!! The fellowship hall has a new look. One that I pray will be home to lots of dinners, lectures, weddings, laughter, tears, and much much more. So when you come for prayer on Saturday night you’ll be able to find sanctuary in the SANCTUARY! Sorry the quality of these pics is so poor, so maybe stop in and take a look for yourself! Thanks to the helpers who moved chairs and tables your leg and arm work is much much appreciated!!

Above the sanctuary sits a balcony, which is going to be the home to all the sound, projection, & lighting equipment, (at least I think so). Late Tuesday evening after the elders meeting some of the elders stayed late to build the frame work for the counter.

balcony all empty, (before counter/equipment)

Laird & Tom helping build the framework for the counter

Pastor Chris working on getting sound ready (counter in)

My “boys” have been working on building the cross for the sanctuary and as I think about this I ask…. Whatdoes the cross mean to you? This is a question that we must each ask ourselves. As I think about the cross, it was a symbol of death for many years and yet to those of us who live a cross centered life it is a symbol of life also. “Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it” Matthew 10:39 It is the cross that reminds me of my ugliness, it reminds me that each and everyday I mess up, yet it is the cross where I find my peace and peace is a person in JESUS. Dying is a very personal & unique thing. No one can do it for us, it’s something that we must do. So are you dying everyday in your personal way that Christ asks you? Remember this is how we truly LIVE!

Carpet complete in the sanctuary and these chairs are waiting for their permanent home. I pray that all these seats are filled and I pray the holy spirit will rain down on every body that fills them.

updated photos of the boiler room 9/11

Room above the fireside room is getting filled up and the “new” boiler room is getting put together. Thanks to Derrick from Terpstra’s plumbing and heating. We will be comfortable, but remember comfort is not where God calls us, He calls to live outside of our comfort and trust in Him.