More wet weather, yet still progress!

Another week of weird, wet weather has come and gone, yet we are still seeing progress on the construction of our new Worship Center! More steel studs have been placed and one section of the outside wall has been fitted with GlasRock, which will provide the foundation for the brick work. Several loads of brick have already been delivered and we anticipate seeing some bricklaying begin in a week or two.

We are still on schedule to have the roof put in 7-10 working days and the parking lot poured in two weeks. As a reminder, the parking lot will not be striped until the last phase of construction, so while we will have much more room in which to park, we will have to be careful where and how we park. Plans are already underway to train parking lot greeters to help direct traffic and provide parking instructions. If you would like to help in this important ministry, please contact Pastor Phil.

To date, we are still an accident-free construction zone! Once we have the roof on, we will see a marked increase in the number of workers as electricians, plumbers, brick layers, etc. will all be onsite at once, so let's keep up those prayers for all the workers!

Watch your step!

You know the old saying, "It's always darkest just before the dawn?" Under the circumstances, we might edit it a bit to say, "It's always messiest just before it's finished!"

Yes, our parking lot has been even more reduced by the construction activity this week. Large sections of asphalt have been removed to make way for the new concrete islands which will direct traffic flow in the finished parking lot. As I write this Thursday, August 13, the workers are busy laying new rock and building forms for the curbing on the first four islands. According to the foreman, they hope to have at least the curbing poured by the end of this week. This is a necessary step in the process of expanding our parking.

That's right. The finished parking lot will be larger, but it will also feature a completely different traffic pattern and layout of parking spaces, so you will need to pay attention to the markings and curbing and be aware your favorite parking space may not be there anymore. In the meantime, for this Sunday at least, parking will be even more limited. Please, please, please park at Wal-Mart this Sunday if you are able and take the shuttle bus to church. If you park in our parking lot this Sunday, please, please, please be careful and watch out for the safety fencing which marks the construction spots for the new islands.

The good news is we should have a completely finished, expanded, newly repaved and striped parking lot by Homecoming, which is scheduled for September 20! Mark your calendars to come celebrate fall with us as we enjoy a cookout together after services. More information on Homecoming will be coming soon, so watch for future postings and newsletter articles in The Heartbeat, available online at www.aldersgatechurch.com.

The cross is up!

This morning at 10 AM sharp, Flintco began installing the large steel cross on the southwest side of our new Worship Center. Lead Pastor Dennis Miller led all those who had gathered to witness this historic occassion in a prayer of dedication before the cross, bearing all the prayers and blessings of the many people who inscribed their thoughts on it, began its ascent to the steel girders which now support it.

Many of those who watched as the cross was welded to the steel frame of the building remembered the construction of our first sanctuary as well as the later addition of the Christian Life Center (CLC). For them, the installation of the cross was the capstone of many years of hopes, dreams and sacrifices. Nearly an equal number of newer members and children were present, those who had never known anything but worshipping together in the gym of the CLC. For them, the installation of the cross was the first flagstone on the exciting path of expansion for both their faith and their worship experience here at Aldersgate.

Whether young or old, longtime members or brand new attenders, everyone present rejoiced at the visible reminder of God's faithfulness and our commitment to follow His leading wherever it may take us.