The roof is up!  Last Thursday, January 26^th, surely you heard the great hurray!  We needed to succeed in getting an alignment in our sagging roof timbers and by the grace of God we did.  The wonderful prayers of the people on Sunday were heard; without incident the 120 year old timber structure creaked into place so our steel reinforcement can begin.

Now the construction workers are beginning in earnest to extend the roof over the walls to provide new soffits, to reinforce the structural elements and shore up the walls, and soon they will commence the refinishing of the interior space.  With the good weather we have enjoyed the slates will be reinstalled on the roof and the already improving exterior of our building will have a grand “facelift.”

While all this incredible work is taking place we have been preparing and thinking about re-occupying the sanctuary; some interesting revelations have occurred to us that might not have been shared.  Did you know for instance that by the time we get back into the sanctuary two years will have passed?  What are the implications of two years without the sanctuary?

• There are people worshiping with us in the Underground Church who have never been in the sanctuary.
• There are children who have been baptized in our church who weren’t alive that last time we worshiped in our sanctuary.
• There is a comfort in the practice of worship, ministry, and fellowship in the Underground Church that we have grown to embrace.
• There will be a lot of room in the sanctuary for the welcoming of new people. 
• The sanctuary may impose certain expectations on us due to its history, its structure, its formality, its beauty…
• There are adaptations we have made for accessibility and integration that have been elementary in the Underground Church that will now require much more intentional thought.

All these elements are so positive and so ripe with possibility; however, we need to start thinking about and planning for them now otherwise they will catch us unprepared.  The leadership team of our church has been working diligently on the Restoration Project and its funding, focused on this massive undertaking.  We thank God for the skill and commitment of these people in pulling together an amazing task.  What lies ahead of us, is perhaps even more joyful, more purposeful, to embrace and enjoy our work.  It reminds me of the first question of the Westminster Catechism: 

Q. 1. What is the chief end of man?
A. Man’s chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy him forever.

In this context our restored sanctuary is to become a welcoming place of worship for the healing and restoring of the soul.  It is a place where people may gather to glorify God and enjoy him forever.  If we have done our job faithfully, this restoration is a parable for the restoration that the Holy Spirit longs to accomplish for all who gather within this wonderful place.

May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ,

The love of God the Father,

And the blessing of the Holy Spirit,

Be with each and every one of you,

Now and evermore.

Amen.

Pastor Howard

0 COMMENTS | POST A COMMENT

Post A Comment

Name
Email
Email
Comment
Please enter the text you see in the image above. (This is just so we know that you're human.)	Can't read this image? Click SUBMIT for a new image.