Building Quiz

Here's a little test: How many of these things can you identify? They are all in our new worship center on the building sight at St. John.
A:

B:

C:

D:
E:
F:

G:

H:
I:
J:
Here are the answers:
A: Lightening protection cable - a braided copper cable running from the roof into the concrete footing.

B: Electrical conduit with pull string. The pull string will be attached to the cabling in the conduit - whether CAT-5 computer, electrical power or A/V cabling - and the wire will be pulled through the conduit from one location to another.

C: The ends of the metal framing that is used for building the interior and exterior walls.

D: Gutter spouts.

E: Sprinkler system pipes

F: Isolation legs on which the air handlers in the upstairs A/V area.

G: Conduit connectors.

H: The back side of the glu-lam beams showing where the large boards are glued together.

I: Plumbing connectors in the women's restroom

J: Part of the boom lift which reaches across and up to various parts of the roof and construction project.

These are but a few of the various tools of the trade and parts of the puzzle that go together to build a church building. But there is a spiritual truth here: there are many parts and pieces that make up the body of Christ, and they're all important. Maybe you're one who reaches high across the aisles and into the far reaches of peoples' lives. Perhaps you're a connector, holding conduits of God's grace together. You might be someone who sticks closer than a brother (a true friend who makes others stronger and is part of something bigger and more beautiful than any one part of the whole. Be sure of this, however, it is God who builds his Church. And he uses people as different and unique as parts of any building project. He does it by the power of the Holy Spirit and his grace in Jesus Christ, to the glory of God the Father.

Forward in Faith: First and Goal

Week three into our series Forward in Faith: First and Goal...and some are beginning to get restless.

I often wonder how individuals responded to Martin Luther after his sermons on Sunday morning.. .or Sunday evening...or Wednesday night...or any other time when he stood up in public and shared some insight from God's Word. This past week, we walked through the narrative of Numbers 13-14--the story of the 12 Israelite spies going into Canaan to see what there was to eat and to see how the people who lived there were organized.

If you have the time to read the story (and you probably do if you're surfing blogs online), I encourage you to do so. [If you don't have a Bible at home, you can use this one: http://www.biblegateway.com/; type in 'Numbers 13' in the Quick Search box.]

Long story short--they came back after 40 days of spying with food galore, and knew that this new place was much better than wandering in the wilderness eating manna and quail...however, 10 of the spies were afraid of the men they would have to fight to acquire it, and so they gave the rest of the Israelites a 'bad report' (Numbers 13.32). Only Caleb and Joshua wanted to go in and fight, because they knew that God would protect them.

The Israelites were swayed by some bad influences--and those 10 guys were 'heads of the people of Israel' (13.3). How can you move forward in faith when you're constantly battling negative influences?!

The question asked this past Sunday: What is your influence? Are you hearing only those who constantly question God's grace and promises, only to promote their own fears or desires? Do we rely heavily on what our favorite talk radio host, our favorite tv program, our favorite 'personality' shares with us more than the truth that God has laid out?

Mark Hall of Casting Crowns sings:

What if the life that we pursue - Came from a hunger for the truth
What if the family turned to Jesus - Stopped asking Oprah what to do

What if being a Christian was more involved than just being 'a participant' on Sunday morning? How would the world respond? What should our response be to the negative influences of the world? Caleb and Joshua tore their shirts and proudly told all of their friends and family about what God had promised them in terms of the 'Promised Land'. Jesus use those negative influences for our benefit--he allowed those with unbelief to nail him to a cross, so that he would be able to forgive the sins of the world.

What do you know about God? What do you share about your faith? What do you allow into your life to influence you? How are you moving forward in your faith? If you have any questions, don't hesitate to contact me about your thoughts or concerns.

Have a hunger for the things in this world that matter. Seek the truth. Turn to Jesus.

The View from the Cross: The Sacristy

Behind the cross in the chancel will be a large opening and wall that will hide the sacristy. The sacristy is a room in which the communion ware, banners, paraments, as well as the pastors' vestments are kept. It is used by the altar guild to prepare for communion and baptisms, as well as acolyte robes and supplies.



We are served by an active and dedicated altar guild at St. John. They do their duty faithfully and joyfully. The new space will have cabinetry, storage, counter top space, and other accoutrements that will support their service. A sidewalk will come to the back door of the sacristy and allow access to the sacristy from the outside. In addition, steps on either side of the altar lead to what will be a walk-through storage area that will allow access to the sacristy.

I am thankful for the Altar Guild at St. John. They are responsive, creative, and faithful servants of Christ. Their work is regularly seen in the banners, preparation for Holy Communion and baptisms, parament changes and general altar care each week. But their work is often taken for granted. They are often the unseen servants of Christ for the sake of the worship life of the church. I thank God for the women of the altar guild! I look forward with them to this new space from which their work will continue to be done.

The View From the Cross - 2

Here are two important photos. One is of the steel plate to which the large cross in the chancel will be attached. The other is the view, from the cross of the A/V booth. If both of these areas and designs of the building do their job properly, you'll not have your attention drawn to them.


This steel plate is for the large cross to be erected in the chancel. If it does it's job well, we'll never give it a thought; the cross will stand as a strong visual image and a strong witness to the love of God in Christ. The attention will be on the cross, not the steel plate that holds it erect.
It's not obvious, but the A/V booth is pictured here--as seen from the cross. I think of the people who will staff that booth: sound techs, PowerPoint or worship presentation persons, video camera operators, and other folks who will help people to hear and see the message of the Gospel, and aid those who are in worship in singing praise to our God.

If both of these areas and designs of the building do their job properly, you will see the cross standing--it's strong silent witness--and you will hear the message or see the words of the hymns and songs. If we do our jobs well in the church people will glorify God, not the steel plate that holds up the cross, nor the sound system that broadcasts the sounds.

I'm thinking this morning of people who will gather to worship Christ and hear his word and sing his praise. It's not about the building, nor any of the features of the building; it's all about Jesus and the people for whom he died and in whom he lives. Jesus himself said, "Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven." (Matthew 5:176- ESV)

A View From the Cross

I've been taking photos of our construction project since it began several months ago. Recently, however, I had an idea about some specific photos I am going to take from time to time, along with some commentary regarding them. The subject will be, "A View From the Cross." This is the first installment.


I will provide a photo of the place in the chancel behind the where the altar will stand from which these photos will be taken. There is a 4" x 10" steel plate in the concrete there on which will be placed a large cross. That marks the spot from which I will take photos of various parts of the building and offer some thoughts about the people who will be in those spaces.

These two photos are of the area to the left as you walk into the new worship space (the technical name for that is "Nave" which is the seating area of the church building). Walk in and head to the far left and you will be in these seats - which are on the opposite side of the choir area.

The ceiling above this section (and all the interior of the new worship space) is a light pine glue-laminated beam and tongue and groove decking. This is the same construction as our current sanctuary. The striking differences are the size and color: much larger and lighter in color.

The people who sit in this area of the new church will include both long-time members of St. John, as well as new members and guests. They will come for worship services, funerals, weddings, and programs of the Early Childhood Center, or other events - perhaps a high school choir or orchestra concert?

Have you thought of where you will sit in the new church building? Will you sit in the same place each week? Will you look for friends and family members? Will you look for guests and those who need a special word of welcome or encouragement? Will you spend time in prayer as you prepare for worship and examine yourself before the Lord's Supper? Will you sit in this area of the nave?

The view from the area shown above looking toward the chancel, altar and cross.

Lord, it's Now

"If we've ever needed You, Lord, it's now. Lord, it's now." These words are echoed a few times a day on KSBJ through the song (by the same title) performed by Casting Crowns.

I remember a marquee outside of a sports bar in St. Louis: Free Beer Tomorrow. This was a great message for all those getting ready for the big game and wanted an establishment to enjoy some frosty beverages and nachos. However, when the clock struck midnight and 'tomorrow' came to be, the marquee still advertised the same deal: Free Beer Tomorrow.

Many of us look forward to tomorrow for many reasons, especially when it's Friday afternoon. You may have brunch plans with your family, or a trip coming up for the weekend; sporting events may rule the day. Or, you may be looking forward to just a couple days off from your 'everyday' routine...and tomorrow will bring you a brighter outlook.

Unfortunately for some, today may be their last day. For those who are sick and dying, death slowly draws near. Even those of us who are healthy and seem to be in our 'prime', life may come to a close much sooner than expected.

"If we've ever needed you, Lord it's now." There's no waiting, no delaying our faith. You may think that these lyrics are true for the sin-filled world that we live in here in 2010, and that's fine, but that's not the whole truth of it. If it were 1517, when Martin Luther posted the 95 Theses, they needed a Savior--'now'. If we lived in 1862 Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation, they needed a Savior--'now'.

Sure, our world has issues, and some may believe that the signs of the Apocalypse are upon us. But that doesn't really matter--today we need a Savior.

Over the next three weeks, we will begin our 'Time of Abiding' here at St. John. How will you become more intimately acquainted with your Savior during this time? How will you use this time to call out to God and say, "Father, I'm done with the business and craziness of my everyday life. How can I place my relationship with you first--now?"

May the Holy Spirit give you the will to do this good work through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

A Few More Construction Photos

Here are some more daily construction photos of our new worship center construction program:

June 3:
http://fbgpbd.smugmug.com/SJLC/June-3-Construction-Photos/12424736_ZrAWu

June 7:
http://fbgpbd.smugmug.com/SJLC/June-7-Construction-Photos/12473532_Pdtp4

Time Lapse from the same location for 17 Days:
http://fbgpbd.smugmug.com/gallery/12445717_UkKPm#891079185_Tfze7