Back From Blog Sabbatical

WOW!!! It’s hard to believe that I haven’t blogged since  July.  (Sorry MW)  Where has the time gone?  It sure seems to fly by when you are having fun doesn’t it?  

The good news is that the dust has settled, the dozers have disappeared and the two heads in my last blog no longer have boxes over them.  We have ENTERED THE BUILDING!  In fact, we arrived in the building on September 14th to find 104 people there waiting to worship God.  We had a fantastic time of worship and celebration as we thanked God for our new home.  Words cannot express our gratitude nor the sense of relief that comes from being in our own space.  God is so good!

It is now time for us to look to the future.  We have been uniquely positioned to offer hope, healing and compassion to our community.  Every day the news reminds us of how frail economies, jobs, and even our lives are in this world.  In the midst of the bad news we have great news.  There is hope because of Christ!  He has OVERCOME THE WORLD!!  May God grant us wisdom and discernment as we endeavor to serve him in the days, months and years ahead.  PW

Ministry Center Update #15

Come One Come All

2 Heads Are Better …

Something has changed!  In fact, many things have changed since I last updated my blog.  Going on vacation, coming home for a couple of days then leaving for a week of youth conference has put me behind on some things.  It’s great to be back and see things headed for the home stretch.

 

As you can see by the pictures the Ministry Center is nearing completion.  The front entrance is done except for landscaping and painting the overhead tusses.  The main power to the building has been turned on which means we now have electricity and AIR CONDITIONING!  The toilets have been installed and (yes lady’s) the mirrors in the RR;’s.  In fact, the RR’s are complete except for the light above the mirrors and a final coat of paint.

 

There are some substantial things happening this week.  The paving will commence on Wednesday and should be completed by Friday and the final coat of paint is being applied in the CR’s, RR’s, Halls and Kitchen.  Lights for the Worship Center are also supposed to be installed this week.

Excitement is building as we prepare the minstry for arrival at our new Ministry Center.  Stay Tuned! PW

Ministry Center Update #14

We’re Back!!!  Vacation is great, but so is coming back to a ministry center that is nearing completion.  August 1 will be here before we know it and we will be ministering out of a facility that is ours…and the banks.  )

I was unable to get a post done before I left last week, but here are the latest pictures taken just an hour ago.  The far left image is the west, outside wall of the building.  It is finished !!!  The stucco is completed and it looks great.  The picture to the left of center was taken in the men’s RR and shows the grid work for the ceiling tile that will be going in two weeks from now.  The picture just to the right of center was taken in the toddler room and shows the handywork of all three Doug Wilsons (Grandad, Dad and Son), Jerry Horseman, Dee Dee Atcheson and the girls.  They have been paintng rooms that last two nights and it also looks GREAT!!!  The picture on the far right shows the frames after they have been painted.   I took pictures of the main sanctuary painting that is taking place but they did not turn out very well.

A big thanks to all who helped with the painting.  Things continue to move along on schedule.  Stay tuned for next weeks update.  Peace, PW

Ministry Center Update #13

Do you see what I see?  Are those front doors?  Yes they are!  It is true, the front doors have been installed on Faith Community Church as well as the windows in the rest of the building.  It seems that the further we go in this process the faster things are moving.

The picture in the upper left corner shows them setting up scaffolding on the exterior of the building.  The scaffolding is in preparation for masons who will be putting the lathe and stucco on the exterior of the building.

The pictures on the right show the roller compacting the sand for the parking area.  The next step is to mix lime rock with the sand and create a 2 inch base.  On top of this 2 inch base they will put an additional 6 inches of lime-rock only.  It is on top of this the the asphalt will be placed.

The sheet-rock is  being finished this week and next and will likely be primed for painting late next week.  The Construction Supervisor has asked that we be ready to put one coat of paint on the walls the week of June 15.  If you would be available to do so, please let me know right away.  I will be on vacation beginning a week from today and will not be available until the following Friday.  Peace, PW

Ministry Center Update #12

This sure is an exciting process!  It is interesting to watch the building transform right before my eyes.  The picture on the left is taken from inside the nursery looking out into the worship area.  This opening will contain two windows.  The inside window will be completely clear, however, the pane on the outside will be one way glass, offering nursing mothers inside the nursery some privacy.

The second picture introduces you to “The Big Wall” located at the back of the worship space.  It is 70 feet wide and 26 feet high at it’s peak.  The far left door way is for the kitchen/office area.  The door immediately to the right is to a hallway that takes you to the RR’s at the back and a classroom.  To the right of that dooway you see the window into the nursery and to the right of that is the door to the hallway that leads back to the nursery, a two classrooms and the kids worship area.

We received official word from the builder this week regarding the estimated time of completion.  As of right now they are on schedule to complete the building on August 21.  It will likely be September before we take occupancy but this is still substantially earlier than anyone anticipated.  We have much to do to get ready to do ministry there.  WE ARE ALL NEEDED to make this transition smooth and to be ready to minister.  Until next week.  Peace, PW

Ministry Center Update #11

There are so many things going on I couldn’t communicate it in four pictures so I posted five of them.

The far left picture shows them installing “Densglas” on the north exterior wall.  This is a fiberglass product over which the stucco finish will be placed.  As you can see the north wall is almost done as is the east wall.

Another significant step was made this week.  They started installing doors and their respective hardware this week.  Soon the building will be secured.

The center picture is a view from inside the worship area looking toward the class rooms.  Note the ductwork which has been installed above the nursery this week.  These ducts will provide the heating and air for the worship area.

The picture just to the right of center was taken in the large Classroom in the back.  It shows you how extensive the duct-work for the heating and air conditioning system is.

The picture on the far right shows the plumbing for the sinks that will be located in the Ladies RR and the sink that will be located in the Kitchen.

As you can see things are progressing rapidly.  We are ahead of the schedule put forth at the beginning of the project.  Until next week…Peace. PW

Ministry Center Update #10

Hello once again from the Faith Community Church Ministry Center.  It is amazing how quickly one can fill up 7,000 square feet.  The picture in the upper left corner is taken from the main entrance doorway looking toward the sanctuary/stage.  To the right of this picture will be the coffee area and to the left will be the office/kitchen.

The left center picture is also taken from the main entrance and is looking to the left as you enter.  It shows the main wall framing that separates the sanctuary from the classrooms.  The framing is just about complete.  As you can see, the space is gobbled up pretty quick.

The right center picture shows an installed electrical outlet.  “Why is that important?” you ask.  Great question!  It means that the electrical work has begun, which is another milestone in the process.

The picture in the right corner shows the formation of “Lake Faith Community” wrapping around the building.  For the last week they have been averaging a truck load of sand leaving every 15 minutes.  “Where is that sand going?” you ask.  Another great question!  The next time you are driving by the Publix shopping center on CR 210, you will notice a “Bank of America” sign on the lot in front of The Loop restaurant.  You will also notice a bunch of white sand on that lot.  If you are saying to yourself right now “AHA”, then you must be pretty smart.  For those of you who are thinking “HUH?”, well…   Until next week.  PW )

Ministry Center Update #9

This has been another busy week at the buidling site.  They are doing a lot of work on infrastructure this week.  The water supply line for the fire sprinkler system was completed and passed inspection by the Fire Marshall. The electricians have set the power pole which brings power to the property and are laying the underground lines that will carry power from the pole over to the building.

The Ministry Center is progressing daily.  The fire sprinkler system is just about finished and half of the roof is done. They started framing this week and have the outer wall framed as well as the nursery.  In fact, yesterday they completed the ceiling of the nursery which will eventually be home to the HVAC units.  They will sit directly above the nursery. Well, that’s all for now.  I’ll keep you posted.  PW

Ministry Center Update #8

Can you believe it? The builders have been busy this week and much has changed since our last update. (If you double click the pictures they will enlarge to ”full-screen” and you will be able to see more detail.) 

Starting at the far left, this picture was taken from the stage area looking out toward the back of the building.  Note the black pipes hanging down from the roof.  This is the sprinkler system that is a part of the fire protection system.

The picture immediately to the right shows 3 1/2 sides completed.  They should have all of the sides sheeted by the end of the week.

The picture to the right of center is taken from the outside and shows the entry way framing complete.

The picture all the way to the right is taken from the inside looking out of the main entrance. 

As you can see it is really beginning to take shape.  I believe the roof will start to go on next week and soon we will have a building with an “intact” exterior.  Say tuned for more updates.  By the way, check out my blog entitled “In My Minds Eye”.  Peace, PW

Ministry Center Update #7

The steel erectors have been busy.  The picture on the far left shows the forms for the concrete columns that are located at the main entrance to the building. The center picture taken from the lake side of the building shows the north wall partially sheeted.  The picture on the right is taken from the parking lot side and shows the north wall completely sheeted and insulated.  The erectors have stopped sheeting for the moment while the work out a problem with the insulation manufacturer.  They continue to work in other areas of the building. 

The site contractors finished laying the domestic sewer lines Wednesday and installed manholes on Thursday.  They will begin work on the storm sewer lines this coming Monday.   Stay tuned for more updates.  PW