Featured Post

October 2 - Meetings, Grading and Pews

Image
Another Status Meeting in the Church - A week ago Sunday the second status update meeting was held at the church. While there were some assembled pews, they were all in the sanctuary, and not in the dining hall where the meeting convened. So, everyone that wanted to sit had to bring their own chair. In the picture, Bob is standing but not because he failed to bring a chair. He wanted attention so he stood up in the front to give his status update. After Sam reported on the finances discussion ensued about whether or not to increase our self imposed debt ceiling. While the church could be 'completed' without the increase, some desired items like an epoxy sealed kitchen floor would have to be deferred. The congregation agreed to up the debt limit. Sam stated that the bank is fine with the new debt ceiling. Sam also said the projection stand in the picture is only temporary. With the current projected spending, we will still not have a completed kitchen so the eagle-eyed shoppers ...
Post a Comment

July 17 - Noting an Anniversary and Reflecting on a Song

Building Project Update-
Construction boss Bob gave the customary building update to the congregation after the sermon and just before the last song of the morning service. He noted that on Tuesday, July 18 it will be one year to the day since construction started on the church building. The blog post with that date is entitled 'The Work Begins' and one picture shows a brown dirt patch in a green grassy field where the excavation was started.
In his update, Bob stated that the end is perhaps now in sight but a great deal of work remains before the end is realized. He encouraged the congregation to remain diligent in working on the church. The sooner our building is ready, the sooner we can make the school into a memory.

The service closed with the congregation singing song #253. It seemed odd to me to sing a 'wedding song' at the closing of services. As we sang, the words penetrated my wee mind.
"You made us for each other, God, You gave us one another." Clearly the words fit well at a wedding but never in all my born days had I applied those words to my fellow travelers, the workmen at the building site, and the rest of the families supporting the work however they are able.
'Oh, may our hearts abide in love that each would serve the other."

We continued on  to the second and third verses:

"O Jesus, come and guide our plans; we need Your gracious blessing, We give our lives into Your hands; keep us from fears distressing."

"O Spirit, rich in truth and grace, bestow Your warmth and power, and shine the light of Jesus' face on us each day and hour."

As the words soaked in, a tear welled up in this old guy's eye.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular Posts

February 17 - Pouring the Floor, Part 2

Image
Pouring it On Sweatshirts and jackets came off as the morning wore on, the temperature rose, and that heavy concrete hose was dragged all over the church.  When I returned to the church at about 11:30 that morning, I saw the last of the concrete truck parade.  One truck was emptying its load, another was cleaning up, and a third was pulling away to return to home base. Inside was a surprise -- the floor was almost finished!  The last of the narthex, office, coat room, and mechanical room was being poured.  Here you can see the power screeding machine in action again.  The reference laser it uses can be seen in the distance, fastened high on the door jamb leading to the sanctuary, visible just above Brian's head. By now, everyone seemed to know exactly what to do and when to do it. The pump outside is controlled remotely by Jeff Wikman, via the yellow control box he's holding.  While Mark directs the hose, Jeff monitors the progress, ready to stop the pump i...
Read more

October 2 - Meetings, Grading and Pews

Image
Another Status Meeting in the Church - A week ago Sunday the second status update meeting was held at the church. While there were some assembled pews, they were all in the sanctuary, and not in the dining hall where the meeting convened. So, everyone that wanted to sit had to bring their own chair. In the picture, Bob is standing but not because he failed to bring a chair. He wanted attention so he stood up in the front to give his status update. After Sam reported on the finances discussion ensued about whether or not to increase our self imposed debt ceiling. While the church could be 'completed' without the increase, some desired items like an epoxy sealed kitchen floor would have to be deferred. The congregation agreed to up the debt limit. Sam stated that the bank is fine with the new debt ceiling. Sam also said the projection stand in the picture is only temporary. With the current projected spending, we will still not have a completed kitchen so the eagle-eyed shoppers ...
Read more

September 25 - Last Saturday: A Really Big Day

Image
Concrete Pour -  Another concrete pour, this time the sidewalks across the front and the walk under the portico. Two truckloads of mud got all the sidewalk done and half of the dumpster pad beyond the back edge of the parking lot. Sonny Johnson, Phil Johnson and Charlie Halonen from the Minneapolis congregation as well as Dale Muhonen from Rockford volunteered to help with the job. Once again, a helping hand from the neighboring congregations is greatly appreciated. It is always fascinating to watch this work - when the truck is spilling its contents, many hands and feet are required to coax the heavy goo into its desired location. Phil is shown pushing the goo around while Sonny and Dale operate the screed. After the concrete is leveled out, the bull float is used to smooth the surface. The float may reveal a spot lacking just a little material so the master adds a shovelful here and there to make sure the surface is just right. After the mix has a chance to set up a bit, the red ...
Read more