March 21, 2007 by Andy Lunt.

At 3:00 this afternoon, I stood on a hilltop and watched concrete footers being poured for the foundation of our new building. Along with you, I have looked forward to this moment for a long time (since 2000, when we purchased the land, in fact). Still, I wasn’t prepared for how emotional the experience was for me. I was filled with a mixture of awe and gratitude, relief and excitement.

And what filled me with those emotions had very little to do with a building. What gave me such overwhelming awe and gratitude was a vision that I could “see” almost as clearly as if it–instead of concrete forms and cranes–had been in front of my eyes. It was a vision of people, people of all colors and races, young and old people, children, youth and adults, all coming to a deeper relationship with God and Jesus through other people who will use the facility on top of the hill as a base for ministries of all kinds. I “saw” people coming into a building with smiles on their faces; I “saw” people laughing and crying, working and playing, praying and singing, I saw people feeding the hungry, visiting the sick, sharing their faith through words and actions that told of God’s love. I saw changed lives and a changing community–all made possible by God’s grace through the people who will come to this building to grow closer to God and closer to each other and be nurtured and inspired to go out into the community–to schools, neighborhoods, factories, offices, fields and parks–to share the good news of God’s love and lead other people back to the activities that happen in the building to begin the whole process all over again. With only a few footers in place, I saw a building that will be inviting, encouraging, and inspiring people to grow in all kinds of relationships. What I saw rising from the ground on that hilltop was not so much a building, but a community that will serve as a beacon drawing more and more people closer to God.

For seven years I’ve seen that vision in my mind, in hopes and dreams. Today, I saw it with my eyes. And I invite you to “see” it too. Very soon daily updated pictures of construction progress will be available on our web site, www.glenmarumc.org. As you look at them, I pray your vision, like mine, will focus not on the building–exciting as that is–but on the people and possibilities it represents.

This Sunday in worship, I’ll be talking about the generosity and gratitude illustrated by an encounter between Mary and Jesus shortly before his death. As of today, I’ve gotten something of a jump start, since my gratitude meter is off the charts. God is good, all the time. To God be the glory; great things God has done, is doing, and will continue to do. Praise the Lord!

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March 21, 2007 by Al Hammer.

D. C. Veale and I went back up to the site about 1:30 p.m. which is when we were told the concrete would arrive.

The trenches for the footers had been dug and tested and workmen were putting final touches on the forms and rebar that will give the footers shape and strength.

A little after 2:00 p.m. the first concrete truck rolled into the site and the workmen began to assemble the trough that was to deliver the concrete from the truck to the footer.

As they prepared to pour the first footer, due to the narrowness of the access road and the wetness of the soil the concrete truck had a difficult time positioning so that the trough could easily feed the concrete to the proper place.

Not to worry!

They simply had the crane pick up the concrete bucket from the far side of the work site and bring it to the truck.

But when they sat it down at the truck to load,… it wouldn’t fit under the output channel.

Not to worry!

They just brought over the backhoe and lowered where the bucket was to sit.

Then it worked just fine!

And within a few minutes (seemed like forever because it was cold, damp and windy)

They were pouring the first footers and Glen Mar Church at New Cut Road was underway!

And we cheered them on!

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March 21, 2007 by Al Hammer.

Today at about 9:00 a.m. the building pad was ready to go!

The backhoe was positioned and the first footers were dug.

As the footer was being dug one of the workmen would make sure the depth was correct by using the white measuring pole with laser guided accuracy. (notice the trust between the backhoe operator and the guy measuring depth - they seemed to work at ease with only inches between them)

As they moved along another workman comes right behind to test the soil compaction. Obviously we want this foundation on solid ground.

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