Steel!

In case you have not been by the site since Christmas, the steel has finally arrived! Monday, all day, there was a large crane (did not have my camera with me!) unloading, lifting and placing the steel beams for the infrastructure of the addition to the Church. The steel beams are the main support structure for the new gathering area on the first floor as well as the meeting space on the second floor. It also is the main support for the new steeple which should soon be appearing. Somewhere in the slide show is the artists concept for what the Church could look like. The beams in place now let concrete and block work continue. Thanks for following along!

Ps. 66:20 Blessed be God, who has not turned away my prayers, nor his loving kindness from me.

Working Indoors

The first storm of the winter season will slow things down a bit on the outside. As we see on the inside, though, things are moving along at a good pace. In this photo, you can see workers making progress on the reredos on either side of the Crucifix. Color 'swatches' can be seen on the right side. The wood on the east and west walls is complete, though there is some finish work to do for trimming out the stained glass windows. Duct work is still a work in progress. Thanks for following along. John 3:16 For God so loved the world that he gave his only son, that whomever believes in him shall not perish, but have everlasting life. Merry Christmas!

Obscured From View

As work continues into December, we see a new face taking shape on the front of our Church. While early estimates were to have the project done by Christmas, we remain hopeful the later estimate of Easter will hold true. With the foundation complete, backfilling has been done and the large mound of dirt in the parking lot is shrinking. You can begin to get a feel for how the entrance will look. On the inside, the fresh smell of hardwood is in the air as work continues on the walls as new wood is added to reach up to the stained glass windows and new details can be seen at the base of the support arches that reach across the ceiling. Also inside, the sprinklers are being boxed in and the reredos (rear walls behind the altar) are being started. New photo's continue to be added to the slideshow, so spend a few moments to see what's happening! Thanks for following along. Ps 63:4 So I will bless you while I live. I will lift up my hands in your name.

Manhattan Declaration

While this blog is not intended for editorial purposes, I would ask those of you who are following along to please read the Manhatten Declaration, a call of Christian Conscience at the link below.

Christians, when they have lived up to the highest ideals of their faith, have defended the weak and vulnerable and worked tirelessly to protect and strengthen vital institutions of civil society, beginning with the family.
We are Orthodox, Catholic, and evangelical Christians who have united at this hour to reaffirm fundamental truths about justice and the common good, and to call upon our fellow citizens, believers and non-believers alike, to join us in defending them. These truths are:

1.the sanctity of human life
2.the dignity of marriage as the conjugal union of husband and wife
3.the rights of conscience and religious liberty.

Inasmuch as these truths are foundational to human dignity and the well-being of society, they are inviolable and non-negotiable. Because they are increasingly under assault from powerful forces in our culture, we are compelled today to speak out forcefully in their defense, and to commit ourselves to honoring them fully no matter what pressures are brought upon us and our institutions to abandon or compromise them. We make this commitment not as partisans of any political group but as followers of Jesus Christ, the crucified and risen Lord, who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.

http://manhattandeclaration.org