Construction Has Begun - Praise God!
FROM THE DESK
Of Pastor Ryan Gephart - September 2016 Newsletter
Construction has Begun – Praise God!
“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” – Philippians 4:13
I am excited to announce that on Wednesday, August 17, 2016 Hepco Construction began the excavating process as the first part of building the new Christ United Methodist Church. I am also pleased to announce that as I am writing this, we are finishing up the last bit of paperwork (99% is already done) with our attorney and Northumberland National Bank to provide the financing of approximately $550,000 to $700,000 (praying for the lower number, we are approved for up to $800,000). Title insurance is secured, stipulation against mechanics liens is filed, and letters of credit are on file with us from Hepco and with Penn Township from Christ United Methodist Church. God is great and is moving our church forward.
I am so amazed at the giving and generosity of Christ United Methodist Church. We are projected with giving, insurance money, the sale of 8th Street and special gifts to put down more than $1.4 million dollars. At this point, I just want to say thank-you for your faithfulness. Thank-you for the love you are sharing and thank-you for your prayers. As with everything that matters, the work has not and will not always be easy, but with the power of the Holy Spirit, the Apostle Paul reminds us that we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us. The work of proclaiming the gospel in all the ways we possibly can is one of the main reasons why we are building. We build not for our glory but for the glory of God.
Over the next several weeks and months, please pay attention to your bulletins, emails, and Facebook statuses as I am planning to go back to my weekly updates we had after the fire. If you have any questions during the building process, please feel free to email or call. Sometimes, when you are living day to day with a project, you can think you have communicated an area of work when you have not fully vetted that area of work to the congregation. One way I am seeking to overcome that from happening is to communicate weekly but to also encourage congregation members to ask questions.
As I conclude this article, I have one piece of information that I need your input on over the next couple weeks. We need to name the road between the OWC and the new church. Please be thinking and praying about a name and be ready to share your suggestions at church over the next couple of weeks. Also, be in prayer for Building, Finance, Administrative Board, SPRC, Worship, Imagine Christ, Drama Team, Small groups, Youth, Children’s Ministry and more as we begin in September plans for the future.
As one grateful for God’s grace through Jesus Christ and the people of Christ UMC,
Pastor Ryan
