It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like.....

Enjoy some holiday music while you read....

At 55 degrees outside, it's not exactly beginning to look an awful lot like Christmas.....BUT our building project is surely beginning to look a lot like an elegant Fellowship Hall and facility!

We're still hoping that by year's end the majority of work will be completed and soon into the new year we can begin enjoying this gorgeous space! God has been so good to us!

I have come to a new appreciation of the workers God has used throughout this project. Especially Clayton Hinegardner, our project manager. Clayton is a gifted builder. He takes great pride in his work and likes to embellish the "ordinary" into something very special. Take the windows in the Conference Room (beside the Foyer). The arched windows were lovely enough, but Clayton wanted them to really *pop* so, as a gift to us, he made rounded window moulding and added special caps. Isn't that wonderful? Here's a pic of the one of the windows, sans paint, mind you.

Like Clayton, every worker goes above and beyond to add a personal touch to their work. This project has become intensely personal to the men working. They have built relationships with each other (some had not worked together before this project), and we have been blessed by their good naturedness (is that a word?)

I have a deep appreciation for things that people make...from children's Christmas crafts that get pulled out each holiday season to decorate the house to the wood that's going into my office (that's another story for another blog...) Each building project worker is a true craftsman. This project has become personal for them. They know that they are building something that will be used for God's kingdom, something that will last for generations to come.

At WPC, we've done a good job of decking our halls this Advent season. Won't it be terrific next Advent/Christmas to decorate our new facility!?

Here are a few more pics from work being done today:

Tiles installed into the kitchen ceiling!

White trim work being applied to the front.

The back is almost ready for the white siding!

Time for Giving Thanks

It's always time for giving thanks, but this year we are all so thankful for the beautiful new facility that the "thanks" rolls off our tongues easily!  God has been with us every step of this project. We are grateful for that. We are grateful for the Holy Spirit's guidance and the presence of the living Christ as we've built relationships with our work crew. Many wonderful people have crossed our path through this project. We say "thank you" to them. And "thank you" to God for bringing them into our lives.

We say "thank you" to the congregation who answered the call to step out in faith and support this project, especially in "these economic times" (my favorite new phrase). People gave sacrificially and joyfully, and for that we are grateful. Your generosity will never be forgotten; rather, it will live on as future generations are blessed by this amazing facility.

What are you thankful for this year? I'm especially thankful for the joy-filled purpose this project has brought to so many people. To see men and women, boys and girls, working together on the old barn, delivering wood to persons in need, pulling nails, painting the outside of the ed wing, boxing up books and supplies to be stored, taking tours of the new space, enjoying fundraising tenderloin dinners....the joy all this brings truly makes me thankful. Our purpose is clear; we are living into the mission God has for us.

Today's pics show how far we've come with the interior work. It's really taking shape! And it's beautiful! Great skill has been used to choose trimwork, paint colors, textures and tiles. Our workers will enjoy a well-deserved Thanksgiving break. But, rest assured, they'll be back bright and early Monday morning!

Some of the lovely trimwork on the west wall.

The tray ceiling will be spectacular!

Clayton (right) and two of our wonderful workers.
God has blesed us with a great crew!

Electrical panel boxes in the new space.

The skylights - the amount of light is amazing, especially on cloudy, rainy days!

Looking in to Linda's office from the Fellowship Hall.
Isn't the trim work beautiful?!

Clayton has moved his office to the new Conference Room
just off of the foyer.

One of our Latino workers caulking up the trim work.
He was excited that we offer ESL classes and he offered to teach me Spanish!
Muchas Gracias!

Yes, we have so much to be thankful for ~ this year and every year. Today and every day. Let's be like the Psalmist who said, "I will sing of the Lord's great love forever; with my mouth I will make God's faithfulness known through all generations!" (Psalm 89)

HAPPY THANKSGIVING from your blogging pastor.....