Worshipping at Watson Lane

Yesterday was our third Sunday worshipping in our new facility.  People are still coming up to me and saying things like “It’s so exciting to finally be here!” or “It’s beautiful!”  I love seeing their excitement.  I love seeing the new faces. Some are new to our Sunday worship. Some worshipped with us at Carroll Lutheran School (CLS), but I never had the opportunity to meet them.  With three services, how can you?

We did receive our final U&O permit.  There are a few things the Facilities Team is wrapping up, but otherwise we are done.  Tony is following up on some punch list items.  I’m taking care of the last of the bills.  Pete is coordinating with Stambaugh’s to convert that pond behind the barn into a dry storm water management pond.  Jon will coordinate with Outside Unlimited to plant some trees in the fall as part of our reforestation requirements.  And Craig, well Craig will probably never be done.  He’s always using is electrical talents to serve the Worship Team.

The Facilities Team has decided to take a sabbatical.  Our purpose has been fulfilled.  Our job here is done.  There are two other phases of expansion planned for this church.   Before planning for Phase II begins, the Elders will start up the Facilities Team again.  Maybe some of us will be back, but chances are we will all be off on God’s new purpose for us…whatever that may be.

Tim mentioned it in his sermon yesterday – we are all called to ministry.  What is your ministry?  What is your dream?  What are your passions?  All the members of the Facilities Team have a passion to build.  Each of us brought different gifts and talents to the table that were used to get the job done.  Our dream was to build a House of Worship, a House of Ministry, a House of Missions, a House of God!  And it is finished.

I walk around the church now and I am in awe and greatly humbled.  God built this building.  I know this beyond a shadow of a doubt.  And he allowed us to be part of the process and journey.  Why?  God could have just plopped this building down on top of this hill without any effort at all.  He doesn’t need us.  He allows us to serve Him.  Isn’t that awesome!  Through serving Him we establish a more intimate relationship with Him.  I know and understand Christ better now than I did six years ago when I started this project.  Were there trials and tribulations along the way?  Of course!  But the sheer joy of serving the Almighty God far surpasses any of the trials we experienced.

May you all discover your passion.  May you all step our of your comfort zone and set off on your journey to fulfill the dream God has set before you.  May you all experience the joy of serving an Awesome God!