Grace Church's Relocation

the walk

2007-11-13T06:51:00.001-08:00

This week we are moving from our current facility on West 38th to our new one at Grubb Road. We had an incredible ribbon cutting and ceremonial walk there this weekend... You can see photos down below!

I started by taking pictures of the current facility and then the walk, then moving along to the new one. I couldn't believe how emotional we all were. It is definitely the term "bittersweet" to be sure. It is so exciting, and it's been such a long time coming, which I think is what makes it insane and so moving. When we walked in I turned to Derek and said... "This is it. This is where we're going to be for the rest of our lives."

That was a crazy realization.

We've Got Seats!

2007-11-07T22:02:00.001-08:00

It's really wild to see these things going in! They look really cool.

weary

2007-11-06T08:07:00.001-08:00

Well here we are. The last week in our current facility - it's so weird to think that next week at this time I'll be setting up my new office on Grubb Road. Everyone here is weary. It's a good weary, but weary nonetheless. This has been a really long and really amazing process. The staff and key volunteers have been amazing through this process. But just recently you can see the droopy eyes, the sloughing shoulders, the somtimes quick reactions and even short tempers! Yeah - we're a church - but we're very real people too. This week I'm excited to see the tired emotions start to give way to the excitement of all the possibilities that we've been dreaming about for years. We're moving. It's a new day. God is up to something. Buckle up and get ready for the ride...

visit to the building on october 28

2007-10-29T10:15:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone!

I was lucky enough to get another chance to visit the new facility... the hardwood floors and clouds have ben put into the worship center. It is so beautiful! Check out these pics :-)

Honoring the Workers

2007-10-19T19:56:00.000-07:00

We had a lunch today for the guys who have been working on our building - some of them for over a year! It was cool to have them all in one place. I have gotten to know most of them either by name or by face over the course of this project. Each one has a life and story and a spiritual journey. I'm so thankful for their efforts - and whether they are conscious of it or not, they are all extending God's kingdom in Erie because of the excellent work they're doing. Our staff served the meal and a number of wonderful volunteers provided the food and the big hit - the homemade pies! There wasn't much fanfare, these are quiet blue collar guys who were probably put in a weird spot by being publicly thanked by our meal. It wasn't immediately clear that they were moved or even grateful for our effort today. But after everyone was cleared out, after the tables and chairs were gone, as they went purposefully about their business, one by one with tremendous sincerity many of them approached me and offered a heartfealt thanks a handshake and a smile. Deep down, they experienced the love of Christ today as extended by the people of Grace. Thanks to all who participated.

A visit to the new building

2007-10-15T08:01:00.000-07:00

On Sunday, the worship and technical ministries got together at the new facility to discuss some changes with the sound system, music, etc and pray over the worship area. We were able to tour the building as well and go up in the lighting booth and see the incredible sanctuary from a birds eye view. I hadn't been in a month or so, and I was struck by the simplicity and beauty of the building. Especially when you go into the lobby area in the front...t he sense of light and air is almost palpable - holy... I just can't wait to be there. The worship center is so cool too, with it's black ceiling. I can't wait to get a new set of pictures after the floors are all put in - I bet the difference will be staggering. A lot of things are close to being done but you can't really tell because of the cement floors. Here is a slideshow of the visit... feel free to click on the link and also view many other grace albums. I've FINALLY figured out the best place to get them all in one spot.

The Power of All of Us

2007-10-11T06:36:00.000-07:00

During the last couple of weeks we launched a effort to recruit many needed hands and feet to help during this transition process. People with construction skills and cooking skills and children's ministry skills and assembly skills, it's an all out effort. I'm pleased that about 120 people responded and made themselves available to help during this really crucial time. Many of those people are very new to the church and looking for a place to get involved. That was one of the secondary benefits of this effort. Allowing folks who are new to Grace to serve side by side with regular Grace folks and get to know some people. I'm a little disappointed that more Grace folks did not respond. It could be because they're already involved, or feel like all the effort is being covered right now. But we need EVERYONE! So we're making one more push this weekend. If you're reading this and would like to look at the opportunities check them out here.
Power%20of%20All%20of%20Us%20-%202007.pdf

I hate dirt

2007-10-02T19:51:00.000-07:00

I know "hate" is a strong word, and dirt is God's magical substance from which he created all things including the first man and woman. I know it is the final resting place for this mortal body of mine, so I should be careful what I say about it. But I can't help myself... I hate dirt (heretofore referred to as "the D-word"). Why? It has cost us so much time, headaches, money, and sleepless nights on Grubb Road that it's driving me nuts. It seems like we finally take care of getting it all settled and something else comes up and we have to pay someone to come in and do more work with the D-word. It's unbelievable. Hopefully this week is our final major go-round with it. It is being finish graded today and will be ready for seeding. Hopefully within a week or so the grass will be before us and the D-word will be behind us. Whenever I see the D-word now I see dollar signs and that's a pretty warped perspective against an otherwise innocent substance. Here's to not having to see another bull dozer for many years to come...

Creative Uses of the Cross

2007-09-30T05:56:00.000-07:00

Throughout the new building we have used the symbol of the cross creatively reminding all who come to the church both in obvious and subtle ways that we serve the God of the cross. When the building is complete I want to count the various expressions of the cross in the architecture. Even the window grills reflect the cross throughout the building. You can see it in the picture below of the entry windows in the lobby that were just recently installed. You can also check it out in the windows of the worship center.

Portable Baptistry Woes

2007-09-22T20:51:00.000-07:00

Well we are getting a portable baptistry for the new church. There are a lot of plusses to a portable system. Obviously the biggest one is flexibility. We could utilize it throughout the church (ie a special youth baptism service in the youth wing), we can use it in multiple locations in the worship center, and could even take it off site for church picnics etc. The problem is there are just not a whole lot of good options out there. I'm surprised no one has come up with a good system. We even checked with a local pool and spa place to see if they would custom build something for us. Nothing. I have a clear favorite out of the three choices below but am open to any votes you may have!

Driveways and Parking Lots and Sidewalks, oh my!

2007-09-09T05:55:00.000-07:00

As sad as it may sound, one of the things I'm most excited about on Grubb Road is the parking. It has been such a problem here at our 38th Street building for so long - that it seems like one of the great blessings of the move! No more parking for miles lined up along side the roads, no more neighbors complaining about Grace people parking too close to their grass, no more trying to coordinate snowplowing to go around all the cars lining the roadways. Ample parking is a beautiful thing.

The whole issue of surfaces on the driveways and parking lots has been under discussion since this project began. We have gone round and round about whether to blacktop the whole area, whether to leave it gravel, or some other option. We have decided to blacktop all the driveway surfaces and put a different finish on the parking lots. It is called "tar and chip" but it is not what you're imagining right now when you think about that term. If you drive on the Whispering Woods Golf Course driveway that goes through our property you will be driving on the surface that we will have in our parking lots. It's going to be very cool and it's scheduled to go down sometime around September 16th. It's going to make getting around the new site that much easier. Hurray for parking lots!

Volunteer Helpers

2007-08-29T13:24:00.000-07:00

We have had some amazing volunteer help on this project to date. In fact the whole preliminary design of this building - all the way through has been shaped by Grace volunteers. Most recently 5 guys gathered on a Saturday to pull wiring for networking to the children's wing. It was a great blessing. There are a bunch more opporutnities to come for volunteer help -from laying tile, to spreading bark, to helping with the move, to baking for the workers, etc. Keep your ears open for more info on that. Thanks to Dave, Randy, Bud, Trevor, and Jim. You guys are awesome!

-Derek

A Week of Furnishings

2007-08-27T12:55:00.000-07:00

Well, cabinets are being installed throughout the children's wing right now. As you can see from the picture they look fantastic (you can also get a shot of the mini-toilets that are in all the classrooms in the preschool wing!). The cabinetry really gives each room a great look. I met with a couple of members from the furnishings team today up at the new building and we walked through some of the furnishings options for the large and open spaces. It's going to be absolutely stunning. We actually even got a lead as we were talking on some great park benches on the cheap at Lowes that will grace the walkways as you approach the building. There are loads more decisions being made this week - but I would say that the major priority is furnishings. The staff is having a big meeting tomorrow to make sure that everything that is needed is accounted for.

-Derek

Guess Which One is the Ladie's Room...

2007-08-23T12:30:00.000-07:00

It's amazing that building codes account for our restroom tendencies. It's hilarious to me. Anyway, the toilets are being set and installed this week and most of the sinks are in place in the restrooms at the new church. The countdown has begun!

Worship Center Seating

2007-08-06T13:24:00.000-07:00

I just finished mailing in our approved layout for the seating in the new worship center. I'm very excited about the seating choice in that room. I believe that we have contracted with a very high quality company and that we'll be very happy with the seating. It is a theater style seat, so there are individual seats, but there are no intermediate arm rests which gives the feel of a pew when they are in the down position. The lack of arm rests will be great for young families and will also allow worshipers to spread out if there is room next to them. The final number is 650 fixed seats in the room plus room for approximately 150 matching folding chairs bringing the total seating capacity to 800. That should get us started. Check out an article on our new seats here.

-Derek

Into Another Week

2007-08-05T07:39:00.000-07:00

I'm excited about this new blog and the opportunity to let the church in on some of the day in and day out decisions that go into this relo project. First thing tomorrow morning I'll be meeting a potential landscaper at our site to get some pricing on seeding the areas of our yard that are ready to be seeded.

With the sidewalks all in now and much of the earth work completed, we will need to have most areas seeded with grass so that the DEP will be assured that the site erosion from the construction phase of the project is over. Green grass growing is the benchmark that that phase is complete.

We have a site meeting every other Wednesday morning and will be having one this Wednesday. We will be placing our carpet order and will begin ordering some of the bigger pieces of furniture this week. We're closing in on some big milestones. Obviously the biggest from last week was the raising of the cross on the top of our building. Check out the photos below. Continue to check back for all the breaking news.

-Derek

Progress so far

2007-08-05T07:32:00.000-07:00

The Cross Being Raised onto our New Building

2007-08-05T07:31:00.000-07:00

Week of Fasting

2007-07-29T07:30:00.000-07:00

On August 5th, Grace Church is embarking on a week of corporate prayer and fasting for the sale of our church building. It is exciting to think about all of us joining together, humbling ourselves and interceding for this very real need. It is God’s good plan and desire to supply a buyer for our building. He is just waiting for us to ask for His will to be done.

Throughout the week we are asking everyone to participate by fasting and by taking time each day for focused prayer regarding the sale of our building. Your times of prayer can begin with praise, worship, gratitude and confession for sins such as grumbling, apathy, and prayerlessness. Then you may wish to conclude your time of prayer by entreating God to bring forth the buyer whom He has prepared to purchase our building. Feel free to come "prayer walk" around the property, lay hands on the "For Sale" sign or stop in the parking lot for a few minutes to bring this need before God.

Every Grace ministry meeting this week, including our children, will take time for focused prayer to ask God to bring a buyer for our building. Consider joining the Wednesday night prayer meeting on August 8th at 6:30 p.m. for an additional time of intercession this week.�

Click here for more detailed information on the types of fasts that are options for you!

July 28, 2007: Drywall is Up!

2007-07-28T07:29:00.000-07:00

Over the last 2 weeks, most of the drywall was put in place, and the walkways and concrete have begun to be poured.

Concrete Walkway

Lobby and Windows

Worship Center

New Fellowship Hall

Staff Office Area

Main children's room

Prayer Day July 15, 2007

2007-07-15T07:28:00.000-07:00

Many of you came out to the building and land to cover our new facility in prayer and get a walk through.

Church from the back

Church from side view

Prayer in our new worship center

Cross in lobby area under skylight

Hallway to childrens wing

Staff office area

Construction Update

2007-06-25T21:23:00.000-07:00

(June 25, 2007)

This week: Drywall installation has begun in the children's wing and in the music room/utility room. 90% of the shingling is completed on the areas of the roof that will receive shingles. A color board was delivered to Grace this week outlining all of the color selections for the building. Dozer work continues around the outside of the building preparing the future expansion areas of the church. People may visit the site after 4:00 each day or on Saturdays and Sundays. Guided tours will begin soon!

April 07 Photos

2007-04-20T07:26:00.000-07:00

March 07 Photos

2007-03-05T07:25:00.000-08:00

photos from early 2007

2007-02-08T10:24:00.000-08:00