Daily Devotion

 We are moving!   The new building is really three units for a grand total of over 11,000 square feet.  That is more then double the space we currently have, at about the same rent.

As you know we have been taxing our current facilities, the buildings are crowded and the parking situation is strained. The new facilities have plenty of parking along with enough space for everyone.

Our move in schedule is very aggressive.  We have started construction, painting and cleaning.  Moving should mostly take place the last week of Feburary. 

In order to keep from paying rent in two locations, we are planing our first service in the new facility Sunday March 2^nd. Between then and now we have a lot to do.

How can you help? There are three areas that each of us can be a part of this project.

1. Volunteer labor.

• Construction, Painting, Moving & Refreshments for the workers.

2. Pray.

• For the project, the workers, the leadership, the landlord.

3. Financial help.

• There will be huge outlay up front to make the building what we want, some of which will be reimbursed in rent reductions.

When Ezra and Nehemiah were rebuilding the city of Jerusalem, there were people who opposed them, and others who mocked them. But God’s people came together in these same three areas and when it was done, the bible records the results.

Neh 6:15-16 So the wall was completed… in fifty-two days. When all our enemies heard about this, all the surrounding nations were afraid and lost their self-confidence, because they realized that this work had been done with the help of our God.

I am working on posting a few pictures but have been unable to do so.  Keep checking or better yet, come by the facility, we are there working 6 days a week.

Blessings and Grace

Pastor Rich <><

 Nehemiah was a man on a mission. God’s city, Jerusalem was in ruin, the walls were torn down, but even more the temple was in disarray.  So God called two men, Ezra, and Nehemiah, nether were builders, but both had a passion for the Lord and for his city.

Ezra was a scribe, a man who wrote out the scriptures. Long before there were printing presses, Scribes were responsible to copy the holy text of the old testament without a flaw. If they made a mistake, they would burn the entire page, no white out, no erasers, perfection was required, for every copy of scriptures.

Nehemiah was a cup bearer to the king of Babylon, he was in charge of tasting the kings food and wine to make sure it was safe to eat.  Yet God called these two men to go and do practical ministry in Jerusalem.

The book of Nehemiah records hundreds of names of the families that went to rebuild God’s city.  Starting with the walls, Nehemiah came against unsurmountable odds. Outsiders who did not want to see the Jews succeed. Insiders who thought the old temple and the old walls were much better.  Yet Nehemiah was not swayed in his commitment.

Nehemiah 6:15-16 So the wall was completed on the twenty-fifth of Elul, in fifty-two days . When all our enemies heard about this, all the surrounding nations were afraid and lost their self-confidence, because they realized that this work had been done with the help of our God.

In 52 days, Nehemiah did what others said could not be done.  In 52 days, the enemies of Israel lost their confidence, because they saw the hand of God.

Ok, here we are, we just got a signed lease on a new facility.  There will be those who will say, “The old building was better.”  Not seeing this as the hand of God.  There will be others that will think we can not do what we want, to take a warehouse and make it into a place of worship.

But we know that we are the temple of the Holy Spirit, the people are the church, and as the Psalmist said so well.

Psalm 127:1 Unless the LORD builds the house, its builders labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city,the watchmen stand guard in vain.

Our new facility is 1424 Industrial way, (the old Grace Community Church building). For us the bottom line is it is twice the size at the same rent we are now paying.  Plus there is room to grow beyond that.

It needs a lot of work to be what we want for our congregation.  The youth and children’s facilities are not able to handle the young people that are so important to our church. The decor is not what we envision for a comfortable place to worship.   So here we go, we need your help.  Labor for building, painting, pulling up old carpet, and general cleaning. Then the move.  

The plan is March 2^nd we will worship in our new facility.  It most likely will not be completely finished, but with the Lord’s help we will be able to occupy. 

Beginning this week we will put together teams to accomplish all the tasks.  Like Nehemiah we will complete our task as we keep our focus on the Lord and not the project.  Like Nehemiah’s project, this could be a witness to all the community that God has helped us.

Grace — Pastor Rich   <><