Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say rejoice. (Philippians 4:4)
As I sat with the choir facing the congregation, I was overcome with the splendor of our renewed sanctuary. A real cause to Rejoice! The sermon was titled "To Be Chosen" and it was the installation service for a new class of deacons and elders to serve our congregation during the coming years. The hymns we sang, "Take My Life" and "O Jesus, I Have Promised," had special meaning as did the choir anthem "Nia." It was another reason to rejoice.
The order of worship included a listing of all those (over 400) who contributed to the renewal of our sanctuary. We can all rejoice in what has been accomplished. Each person on this list has a special reason to rejoice because of the feeling of ownership that his or her contribution to the beautiful upgrading of our sanctuary provides.
In the Old Testament book of First Kings, chapters five and six, we read about how much care was taken in the building of the temple. Under the leadership of King Solomon, no time, talent or treasure was spared by the Israelites to build a worship space in which they could praise and glorify their God. It took them seven years! King Solomon arranged with King Hiram of Tyre (Lebanon) to obtain the best timber, cedar and cypress, and the best wood workers and other artisans to aid in the construction and decoration of the temple. Finally, he "overlaid the whole house with gold, in order that the whole house would be perfect." We too have employed the best architects and engineers, builders and materials to achieve an awesome sanctuary where we can praise and glorify God. Rejoice!
2007 has given us many, many reasons to rejoice in the life and mission of our church. The slogan for our capital campaign, "Rejoice and Renew" helped make the renovation of the sanctuary and the new organ project a success. The work is not complete but we can and should rejoice in what has been accomplished thus far.
"Rejoice and Renew" would be a good 2008 New Year's resolution. Each day we can rejoice in the blessings God has provided, and we can renew our commitment to Christ and the work of His church.
Dale Raar
As I sat with the choir facing the congregation, I was overcome with the splendor of our renewed sanctuary. A real cause to Rejoice! The sermon was titled "To Be Chosen" and it was the installation service for a new class of deacons and elders to serve our congregation during the coming years. The hymns we sang, "Take My Life" and "O Jesus, I Have Promised," had special meaning as did the choir anthem "Nia." It was another reason to rejoice.
The order of worship included a listing of all those (over 400) who contributed to the renewal of our sanctuary. We can all rejoice in what has been accomplished. Each person on this list has a special reason to rejoice because of the feeling of ownership that his or her contribution to the beautiful upgrading of our sanctuary provides.
In the Old Testament book of First Kings, chapters five and six, we read about how much care was taken in the building of the temple. Under the leadership of King Solomon, no time, talent or treasure was spared by the Israelites to build a worship space in which they could praise and glorify their God. It took them seven years! King Solomon arranged with King Hiram of Tyre (Lebanon) to obtain the best timber, cedar and cypress, and the best wood workers and other artisans to aid in the construction and decoration of the temple. Finally, he "overlaid the whole house with gold, in order that the whole house would be perfect." We too have employed the best architects and engineers, builders and materials to achieve an awesome sanctuary where we can praise and glorify God. Rejoice!
2007 has given us many, many reasons to rejoice in the life and mission of our church. The slogan for our capital campaign, "Rejoice and Renew" helped make the renovation of the sanctuary and the new organ project a success. The work is not complete but we can and should rejoice in what has been accomplished thus far.
"Rejoice and Renew" would be a good 2008 New Year's resolution. Each day we can rejoice in the blessings God has provided, and we can renew our commitment to Christ and the work of His church.
Dale Raar
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