BabuLife

A Change

This whole move to a new building has gotten some of us here in the office into a state of remembrance of things past.  We're planning a special service dedicated to people here at Grace who have walked the road over the last 10 years.  Whether they've been a part of Grace for a month, or a part of Grace for 9 years, we want to thank them all for being a part of our history before a building.  We've been gathering ancient Grace artifacts in hopes of capturing them on a video presentation during the special service.

The first discovery is our introductory bulletin on Sunday, March 2, 1997.  This was about two years before I began attending Grace.  The first thing to note is the difference in name.  We were known then as "Grace Baptist Church".  The name change came later for various reasons (mainly the immediate assumptions many unchurched people draw from the word Baptist.)

When you turn the bulletin over, you can see a note on the back to all who may have attended the inaugural service.  It reads "CAUTION: This may be the last bulletin you read before the Rapture".  Clever idea, but just wouldn't pass our visitor friendly tests nowadays.  Makes the rapture sound like an event to be scared of not to mention the first thought an unchurched person might have of "What is a rapture?"  Two years later, under the wise direction of our leadership, we made a change and it read "Rejoice!! This may be the last bulletin you read before the Rapture."  Much more pleasing to "rejoice" rather than "beware".  But...it still wouldn't pass our unchurched smell test nowadays.

It's fun to have a look back and see how you have grown as an individual and as a church.   Our leadership is always looking for the best ways to successfully impact people for Christ.  This one sentence change on a bulletin signifies a greater change and risk our pastors took in seeing that vision of outreach become a reality.  Thanks all you Grace pastors who were constantly hammered for removing a word from the name of our church, to changing from traditional worship to rock/contemporary worship, from suit wearing to casual "be who you are" dress.  You guys took many shots for me with music...thanks guys!

"Grace Baptist Church" 1996-2001.  R.I.P.

Our Last Wednesday Night

Farewell old Blue Valley Middle School on Wednesday nights.  So long to setting up a portable sound system each week for our Family 15.  Yes, no longer will we be setting up a sound system.  Ahhhhhhh...I wish I would've had a camera to document the final night.  There was a little extra bounce in everyone's step tonight as we each told each other, "This is the last time we'll have to do this".  Thanks to EVERYONE who has invested so much time in making Wednesday at Grace an awesome experience for the last 7 years.  Enjoy the new digs!

Last Sunday is this week! 

Do or do not...

I met the other day with a local theatre company that is going to bid on our curtains for the stage.  I've also been communicating with a company from another state about this topic.  I have discovered that theatrical curtain companies have employees that are a bit eccentric.  Very "theatre arts" if that makes sense.

When I met the other day with two of the reps from the curtain company, I gave them the tour of the stage.  After explaining what we were looking to do, the first words out of the sales reps mouth were "Oh no...that's impossible.  You can't do that."  My internal response was..."Ok, we'll just get someone who can".  I HATE the "that's impossible" response.  At least try for crying out loud!  We left with them "giving it a try" then returning with a bid.  We'll see what happens.  As master Yoda would say..."Do or do not, there is no try".  I don't know if they have it in 'em.

What a Difference!

Man, a month has passed and you can see the amazing work our construction workers have done in the lobby.  Here's the first pic from a month ago...

Ta Da!!!!

March 1 Building Pics

Here's the stage from about the center of the room.  There will be large screens on both the left and right wall panels.  Those square holes under the stage are for the subs. Ooooh yeah, we will be feeling the bass baby.

This is backstage.  That door to the left of the exit sign is a bathroom.  For those of us who just can't hold it.  To the right of the exit sign is a staircase that leads downstairs to the media/"green room" and to a door outside.

Here's the media room downstairs.

It's coming along.  I'll post pics of the lobby and other areas soon.

Our Move In Date

We found out yesterday that we will recieve our temporary certificate of occupancy on March 30th!  This means our first Sunday will be April 2nd. Two weeks before Easter.  That's what we'd been praying for! 

Here's a recent picture of our lobby.  Our information kiosk will sit beneath this skylight. 

Almost there!

New Skill Acquired!

What can a youth director and worship director both do together?  Lay sod!  Oh yeah, we spent 6 hours outside today laying sod on our new facility for Grace Church.  It was pretty cold at about 25degrees, but I can now add another skill to my resume. 

Things are looking great at the building. If I would have had a camera with me I would post a shot of the sod being laid.  This will have to do instead.

If you would like to see the progress of our building, visit our building project website here.

Grace Building Updates

Stopped by the building today.  Man it's looking very nice.  We should know by February 16 the actual move in date. 

Here's a shot that was taken back in September 05.

Here's a shot taken today, February 6th.

Here's a shot from the stage back in September 05...

Here's a current shot from the stage.

Very exciting time for Grace.  Just three short months away...