Celebration Sunday
LET US REJOICE AND BE GLAD!
Our "Renovation Celebration" on September 26 was a glorious day! Every seat in the sanctuary was filled, including overflow seating, as we gathered on this morning to celebrate the completion of a long-awaited dream of a new worship setting.
God was certainly glorified through music filling the room with hymn singing, participation by our choirs, praise band, and special instrumental and vocal numbers performed by guest musicians, and culminating in the "Hallelujah Chorus."
To demonstrate our new state-of-the-art audiovisual equipment, there was a multi-media presentation showing pictures of the renovation process on the large screens, and text for congregational participation was displayed. Highlights of new furniture and accoutrements were shared.
Guest speakers included Rev. Dr. Kathey Michelle Wilborn, Superintendent of the Long Beach District; Rev. Joanne Satterburg, Senior Pastor, 1998-2006; and a message was shared by Senior Pastor Bob Isip. Visiting dignitaries who were recognized included the Annual Conference loan officer, the architect, the general contractor and workers, and others who traveled to join us. Church members who were active in the renovation process were also acknowledged. When asked how our renovation compared to other funded renovations in the conference, loan officer Kris Hodson said, "It's a jaw-dropper!"
"Oohs" and "aahs" were comments of the day as former members and pastors returned, visitors from other churches including a contingent from Faith UMC who shared our facilities in 1995 to 1997, and church neighbors and others came to join us in worship and open house on this day of celebration.