If you will remember, we had several very large trees that were removed early in the construction project. But the wood was salvaged to be crafted into furniture for the chancel area.


The wood was taken to a sawmill near Charlotte, and the logs were sawed into long planks.  The lumber is curing now. A team of church members consisting of Walt Roth, Dennis Leffler and Roger Szymczyk is monitoring the curing process and working on the design of the chancel furniture. When the wood is ready, they will begin handcrafting the furnishings.

One of the sideline activities that is ongoing at the construction site is testing. There has been soil testing as the foundation trenches were dug, and in this picture a technician is preparing samples of the concrete being poured in the background. These samples will be tested for curing and durability.

                 

"X" marks the spot! Or in this case, maybe it is a Celtic cross! Where the red "X" is in the middle of this pictures is an "X" shaped foundation pit. This is directly beneath the steeple. Now of course, the dirt level here is the lower level, but if this were the upper level worship space, the "X" would be right in the middle under the steeple.

And the most exciting news this week.....!!!

We have some vertical concrete walls!!!

In Genesis 28, Jacob lays his head upon a stone to sleep, and the Lord appeared to him in a dream.

"Then Jacob woke from his sleep and said, 'Surely the Lord is in this place---and I did not know it.' And he was afraid and said, 'How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven.'" (Genesis 28:16-17)

We also have come from a dream of the new building into the reality of dirt and concrete and equipment, and it's a little scary and expensive. But as walls grow, and steel beams define shape in the weeks ahead, it will become awesome. "This is none other than the house of God..." Thanks be to God!