OCTOBER 17, 2010 GRAND OPENING SERVICES

I write this post with mixed emotions… First off, I’m thrilled to write about the day that we had our very first services in our new facility (the old Shoprite building in case you are wondering).  But I’m sad, because, at least for this specific blog, I am writing our last entry.  Well…… maybe my emotions aren’t so mixed.  Today was an awesome day. 

We had two worship services, one at 8:30, one at 11:00.  We worshipped with a total of 501 people, some of them Parkway House of Prayer (our mother church), but most of them ELCCers and visitors.  The services were incredible.  (You can check out the video streaming at elcchurch.com)  Worship, special music, two sermonettes, a video, the Lord’s supper, baby dedications… the works.  Oh, and we celebrated.  Awesome day.  In the evening we enjoyed an incredible concert with the Collingsworth family.  People were everywhere.

Check out the pictures from the day…

October 15, 2010!!!!!!!!!

It’s official! We are going to worship in our new facility this Sunday.  We got our certificate of occupancy today!  What a relief it is to have that out of the way.  And it brings a great deal of excitement to know that we have a new home and Grand Opening is just a couple days away.

Over the past couple days a lot of the detail stuff is being taken care of.  We’ve cleaned out all the construction supplies and have done a good bit of cleaning.  Decor has started making its way onto the walls.  Blinds have been put up.  The parking lot has been pressure washed.  Handicap spaces have been lined out.  Internet has been hooked up.  Seats have been arranged.  And pavers have been put down at the entrance, which is really dressing it up.

Tomorrow is another big day.  Final preparations will be made for Sunday.  Final cleanings and coats of paint.  Landscaping.  Rehearsal.  Come on over and we’ll find a job for you.

October 13, 2010

It’s crunch time at the old Shoprite.  Lots of stuff coming together.  Lots of stuff still yet to do before we get in.  A big thanks right up front for all those who have been coming out this week to help with the work.

Over the past few days we’ve seen the installation of the audio/video equipment get done.  Last night we even had a training session with all the guys involved in that ministry (and then we had a singing session when it was all done… it sounds really, really good).  The chairs in the sanctuary have almost all been set up, as well as the drums and the piano.  The heating and air work is pretty much done, done enough to have it turned on for a little bit yesterday before they had to shut it off to seal everything.  Cooled down the sanctuary in about 15 minutes.  The ceiling tile is all in.  The bathrooms are nearly completed, they’re actually usable.  The island has been installed in the kitchen and the counter top on everything else.  There has been a lot of cleaning going on.  Several of the classrooms and offices have had their doors shut after having the walls wiped down and the floors vacuumed.  Windows have been washed.  Painting is almost complete, just a closet or two and a second coat to put up in a couple rooms is left.  Stone work is coming to a close.  The foyer is in the process of being set up and decorated.  It’s really just starting to look less and less like a construction zone and more like a church… which is a good things seeing as it will be used as a church this weekend.

Be praying over the next day or so about us getting the CO.  Tomorrow the inspector is coming to do a, Lord willing, final inspection which will obviously determine whether we will be able to worship here or not.  And, of course, if you’ve got an evening open tonight come on over and we’ll put you to work.

October 9, 2010

Some more great changes have taken place the past couple days.  I’ll let the pictures speak for themselves.

October 7, 2010

Today was a big day at the old Shoprite building.  Of course, there were the continued jobs of the past week or two… stone work, etc.  But today some great steps were taken towards making this place move in ready.  Here’s the list: 1. Work was begun to connect the A/C units to the building.  2. Carpet was laid in the main and office hallways.  3. The tile in the foyer is laid, just needs grout.  4.  The last of the polyurethane was put on the doors.  5.  The audio board was installed in the sound booth.  6. The majority of the painting has now been accomplished, just a few closets and cut-ins to do.  7.  The front parking lot was cleaned up.  8.  Several of the toilets and other plumbing were installed in the bathrooms.  9.  And, oh yeah, those infamous sanctuary lights arrived today.

Awesome, awesome day.  A ton was accomplished.  Thanks to the volunteers who have been showing up during the days and evenings this week.

October 6, 2010

Tile work continued in the foyer today.  Stone work continued, as well.  Interior hvac work was completed.  Bathroom tile was finished.  More audio/visual work in the sanctuary was done.  And another bunch of volunteers showed up this evening to take another good chunk out of the remaining painting and polyurethane-ing.  Two other very visible bits of progress took place today, as well… the church sign in the dryvit out front was painted and looks awesome, and the cabinets started being installed in the kitchen.  This place is starting to look like a church.

God’s Building A Church- video

October 5, 2010

Major progress is being made these days.  Carpet is being put down at a quick pace (the kid’s worship center is now completed).  Paint is being put up (bathrooms, hallways, kitchen, projector screens).  Lots of painting was accomplished last night, thanks to several volunteers who showed up.  Tile work is beginning in the foyer, the bathrooms are pretty much done.  Stain/polyurethane work on the doors is nearly complete.  Of course, stone work continues.  Wednesday is looking to be another day of great progress.  Check in later for a new post about that. Even better, come on over and help make that progress from 6-9 PM.  We’ll meet at the old church first.

October 4, 2010

The old Shoprite has been buzzing with activity over the past few days.  If you were to walk in today you would notice some exciting things taking place.  Carpet is now down in the sanctuary, classrooms, and offices.  Tile is nearly completed in the bathrooms.  Stage sound guys have projectors, speakers, spot lights, etc in place.  Painting is moving along.  Door staining is nearly finished.  The hvac units are in place behind the facility.  Stone continues to be put up.  In fact, board was put up across the remaining metal strip to be covered in stone so Calvin should be able to fly through the rest of it.  And cabinets have been completed for the foyer/coffee bar/welcome center and are starting to be put in.

Things are really kicking and with God’s help we’re going to be set to go on October 17.  If you have time this week your help would be appreciated to finish up painting and cleaning and other miscellaneous tasks to be completed.  Come on over.

September 29, 2010

Work continued in the old Shoprite on Wednesday.  Pretty much a continuation of the work done the past few days.  One thing that was forgotten yesterday was that not only were the stage lights put up, but so were the speakers.  But, as has been a couple days before, the big news of the day was all the volunteer work that was completed.  Painting, applying polyurethane, cutting a little “ditch” in the kitchen for the electric to the future island, and cleanup work.  Thanks again to everyone who came out.