Last Sunday, I attended what will most likely be the last service I attend in the sanctuary of my home church. This is the sanctuary where I sang in many VBS programs, recited my Christmas program lines, pulled my dress over my head (more than once I'm sure), performed dozens of puppet programs, was baptised and was married. Over the last three years the church has built a new building complete with a 625+ seat sanctuary, 18 new adult classrooms, a new preschool wing, new choir room and other amenities. They are moving from a building that was built around 1976 (I believe) with a sanctuary that seats around 225. The current building was built after the previous building was destroyed by a direct tornado hit. The history of the church though goes all the way back to a little wood framed church on the hill, and in fact, the first services took place under the oak trees on the property. But it was 
time to grow. The new building is located across the street where I grew up playing softball. That building holds many, many memories for me. Growing up, church wasn't somewhere we went or something we did, it was (and is) a part of who we were. My best friends were my church friends and my extended family all came from the church. I was born into that church and remained a member there until Kevin and I married when I was 21. So many things there have changed. New faces, older faces, people who have now gone home to be with the Lord, babies of the friends I grew up with now fill the nursery. But seeing the lights turned out in that old sanctuary will be a bitter sweet time. By the next time we go home, the move will be made across the street to the new building. It's a beautiful building with great potential for the church. I'm excited for them. But as I sat there this past Sunday, I knew it would be the last time I looked up into the curved wooden rafters, heard the old hymns resonate through the room and saw Mrs. Nancy standing on the right side of the choir loft. But now I look forward to seeing those member celebrate their accomplishments of building this new building nearly all on their own and without borrowing any money to do so. That is a great accomplishment for any church now days. I'm hopeful that we can go home the weekend of the church's homecoming when they will be dedicating the building. What a celebration that will be for the current and past members.
time to grow. The new building is located across the street where I grew up playing softball. That building holds many, many memories for me. Growing up, church wasn't somewhere we went or something we did, it was (and is) a part of who we were. My best friends were my church friends and my extended family all came from the church. I was born into that church and remained a member there until Kevin and I married when I was 21. So many things there have changed. New faces, older faces, people who have now gone home to be with the Lord, babies of the friends I grew up with now fill the nursery. But seeing the lights turned out in that old sanctuary will be a bitter sweet time. By the next time we go home, the move will be made across the street to the new building. It's a beautiful building with great potential for the church. I'm excited for them. But as I sat there this past Sunday, I knew it would be the last time I looked up into the curved wooden rafters, heard the old hymns resonate through the room and saw Mrs. Nancy standing on the right side of the choir loft. But now I look forward to seeing those member celebrate their accomplishments of building this new building nearly all on their own and without borrowing any money to do so. That is a great accomplishment for any church now days. I'm hopeful that we can go home the weekend of the church's homecoming when they will be dedicating the building. What a celebration that will be for the current and past members.
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