There are two events coming up that I am very excited about. The first one…any guesses? If you guessed the opening and dedication of the elevator you would be correct. The elevator is in and, as far as we know and have experienced, it is in fine working order. I rode up Sunday night with Phyllis Croft, Wanda Browder, Betsy Helander and Mary Braxton. Hallelujah. So, it will be open this Sunday. Now, if all goes well, we are planning to have the Elevator Dedication Service on Sunday, October 6. That gives us a few weeks to take care of the finishing touches.
At that service, we will do three other exciting things. First, we will reveal all the Elevator names that have been submitted and will share the grand prize winner! Second, we will reveal the contents of the “time capsule” that had to be relocated in order to install the elevator. No one, as of this writing, has seen inside the time capsule. I do plan on having a meeting with some of our leaders for a sneak preview! Third, we will be taking suggestions on what to put into the new time capsule that will go into the new niche being made. Put those thinking caps on! What would you leave for future JIBC families to see and know about 2019 JIBC?
By the way, as the good Lord has blessed, would you consider making a special thanksgiving offering to Daring Faith: Renovation Believers and Buildings? The elevator took longer than anticipated, but it was one of the main features of Daring Faith. It is a great example of daring faith in this way: Some, not all, of the people who need the elevator the most might be unable to make significant offerings to help pay for such a ministry. Some of the sweet old saints that asked for an elevator so many years ago, had no idea that it would cost $125.00 a month for the security and safety features of the elevator. It really is an act of daring faith to give to a mission and ministry that hopefully, we will never have to use, but one that so many absolutely need. We have many people who have never been upstairs simply because they cannot handle stairs. Others have been temporarily kept from upstairs classes and ministries because of surgeries or injuries. Now, they have options!
That being said, as our Father has blessed and you are able to make a “thanksgiving offering” this would be a good time to do so. So far, we have been able to pay for all parts of the Daring Faith Renovations without borrowing money or paying any interest. That is always a good thing. Janie and I will have our offering ready on October 6. Thank you, Jesus.
See you this Sunday as we continue going through the Book of Ephesians!
Pastor Tom
