Shout For Joy!!!

"When the builders laid the foundation of the temple of the Lord, the priests in their vestments and with trumpets, and the Levites(the sons of Asaph) with cymbals, took their places to praise the Lord, as prescribed by David king of Israel. With praise and thanksgiving they sang to the Lord: 'He is good; His love to Israel endures forever.' And all the people gave a great shout of praise to the Lord, because the foundation of the house of the Lord was laid." Ezra 3:10-11. The people of Israel had waited a long time to rebuild the temple for God. We haven't had to wait as long as the Israelites waited to build the temple, but we have waited. Sometimes we have waited patiently, sometimes not. Years ago, when I was expounding on how impatient I was about waiting for something that I thought God had promised a pastor reminded me that while we may think that God is a "twelth hour" God, He is always on time and His timing is perfect. We like the people of Israel that Ezra wrote about can give a great shout of praise to God. The city of Redmond has granted the permits for us to begin building the ReCreation Center. Tomorrow, weather permitting, the foundation for the ReCreation Center will start to be laid!!!!!!!!!

God breaks into our lives, in the middle of challenging circumstances to bring us hope. Somehow today the fact that some of us still have no power, heat, etc., fades into the background as we take time to thank God for the things that we do have. We thank God that the city has issued the permits so work can begin. We can thank Him for the many opportunities that we will have to serve those around us in the ReCreation Center.

Good News!!!!!!

Good news everyone!!! We have received word that our loan with the Ziegler Corporation has been funded. Now we are just waiting for the permits to come from the city of Redmond. Please continue to pray that the different departments that need to sign off on the paperwork will do that in a timely manner. Please continue to pray for the safety of the workers.

A Grand and Glorious Gift!!!!

What a blessing this Sunday to hear and watch the Spirit Singers and Shining Stars. As we wait in anticipation of the celebration of our Savior's birth, we also wait in anticipation of the issuing of our building permits. I was reminded on Sunday that our new ReCreation Center will be a place that young people (of any age) will be able to come and share their gifts of music, drama, dance. Martin Luther said that "Music is a Fair and Glorious Gift of God". We see and experience that gift everytime we meet as a worship community. During this Advent season as we sing the carols and hymns, we are in touch with the history, we live in the present and look forward to the future in Christ. The carols and hymns of the season help us to remember who we are and tie us to the history and traditions of Christmas. We celebrate the present by participating in the pageants, worship services and opportunities to go out into the community with the Santa Conspiracy. We anticipate the future. We continue to pray for favor with the city of Redmond. We pray for the swift signing of the permits. We pray for the quick funding of our loan. We pray for the workers on the building for their safety and health. We ask the Lord to bless everyone involved, who have given of their time, treasures and talents to build this ReCreation Center. We look forward to the ReCreation Center being a place where young and old can celebrate the gift of music, drama and arts.