July 14, 2008 by Larry Resch.

Here are photos taken by Connie Ballenger.

Pastor Andy Lunt and the cross before leaving the Glen Mar site.

The procession also included drums and a bagpipe. Below are some more photos from the procession.

Pastor John Nupp outside the Spirit Center doors looking happy. (Or was it relieved?)

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July 14, 2008 by Larry Resch.

Scott Johnson has taken some great shots of the procession on the 13th.  A link to all of his shots can be found here.  Below are some of the photos.

Here is the cross waiting to lead off the procession.

 
The cornerstone from the original church is removed and was part of the procession to the new site.

 
The procession down Route 104 was lead by the cross and followed by this banner.

Another shot of the procession. It is said that we had 300 people in the procession!

The cross is being put in a stand at the new site until it is mounted to the wall.

Praise God!

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July 13, 2008 by Andy Lunt.

Dear Glen Mar Friend,

What a special, glorious day today! After many years of praying, planning and working, we made the move today to our new home virtually without a hitch. It would be hard to imagine things going any better than they did today. Both our Service of Leave Taking on Glen Mar Road and the first worship in the Spirit Center praised and honored God, while moving and inspiring many people.

And the walk in between was surely something to be remembered for a long time. More than 500 persons gathered in the sanctuary where we have worshiped for the past 19 years to sing, pray, and give thanks to God for all God’s goodness to Glen Mar on that site. Then between 300 and 350 hardy souls–more than I would have anticipated–walked the one and one-quarter miles to our New Cut Road site on a beautiful, but hot, morning.

By the time worship began in the Spirit Center, our numbers had swelled to more than 700. And did we ever praise God! The music was great and inspiring, the Spirit was clearly present, and the preachers were absolutely magnificent. I’m very grateful to Taylor Burfeind, Hannah Hardin, and Paul Behrens for providing just the right message to get us launched from our new “base” on New Cut Road.

Such a powerful, moving, and nearly flawless morning didn’t just happen by accident. I want to express my thanks to the many, many people who put in countless hours of planning and work to make everything come together today the way it did. To the many musicians and worship leaders who offered their gifts to God, to those who helped move equipment, set up chairs, and provide refreshments, to those who served as greeters and directed traffic….to everyone who volunteered their time and effort, thank you very much.

And I especially want to thank the members of Glen Mar’s Transition Team who have worked hard for the last six months (and furiously for the last two weeks) to put together the complicated logistics for today’s move. Though much of their work was behind the scenes, what you saw and experienced today couldn’t have happened without their efforts.

In addition, I want to thank my colleagues of the Glen Mar Church staff. Without exception, they have worked themselves literally to the point of exhaustion (and sometimes sickness) for endless weeks trying to prepare for our move under trying circumstances and shifting dates. I trust you know this, but I just want to affirm publicly that God has been honored, and you have been well served, by the members of your church staff.

And, lastly, I want to thank you, the members and friends of Glen Mar Church. Nothing that occurred today would have been possible without your presence, your prayers, your gifts, and your service. Your support through this long (8-year) process has sustained me through many dark nights. And the promise of what lies ahead for us together fills me with energy and enthusiasm for this next year.

As I said this morning during the Service of Leave Taking, “God is good all the time; but God has been extraordinarily good to Glen Mar Church.” What a great time to be part of Glen Mar! To God be the glory; great things God has done.

See you in church!

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July 9, 2008 by Andy Lunt.

I am grateful for the honor and blessing of sharing with so many last Sunday our last full worship services at our current site on Glen Mar Road. We had the opportunity to remember with joy and thanksgiving the many saints of Glen Mar whose faith and commitment have meant so much. And we were able to reflect on the way God, the Prodigal Sower, has sown seeds that have produced fruit that resulted in nearly 5,000 members, 1,500 baptisms and 500 weddings at Glen Mar over the last 54 years.

Now, I’m grateful for the honor and blessing of sharing with you our move to the new site on New Cut Road this Sunday, July 13. While I regret that some will be, unavoidably out of town and unable to participate, I’m looking forward to joining with many in this historic occasion.

Remember, we will gather for a single brief service of leave-taking at our current site beginning at 9:15 am. Following conclusion of the service, all who want to walk to the new site will assemble on the upper parking lot in preparation for the walk.

At exactly 10:00 am, the walk will begin. Our plan is to be led by the cross, carried by 8 persons at a time, with individuals stepping in to relieve others along the way so everyone who wants to will have a chance to carry the cross. We will also be carrying hymnals, paraments, candles, and other elements that we use for worship. Our procession will be led by a bagpiper. After all walkers and drivers have arrived at the New Cut Road site, we will have a service of celebration in the Spirit Center. This service will begin at 11:00 am. Refreshments will be available prior to the service time. Because of the central role youth play in the Glen Mar congregation, and because ministries with youth and children have been such a high priority in our decision to relocate, I have asked a team of individuals representing our youth ministry to deliver the first sermon in the Spirit Center.

There are several options for parking. You may want to drop other family members off at the Glen Mar Road site, then drive to New Cut and park, taking the shuttle back for the 9:15 Service of Leave Taking. Or, you can leave your car at Glen Mar Road and take the shuttle back there following conclusion of the 11:00 service.

Please be aware that–as exciting as it will be to worship in the Spirit Center for the first time–the building is not yet fully ready. Over the coming weeks the work of finishing and furnishing will continue as we prepare for our grand opening on Sunday, September 7. It will be a bit like the first night in a new house with just a mattress and card table, while still waiting for the rest of the furniture to arrive, curtains to be hung and pictures put on the wall. Nevertheless, it will be a great joy, after all the years of praying and preparing to be able to worship in the Spirit Center.

I know you will want to be part of this day of celebration. So that you will have all the details regarding timing and logistics of the walk-especially information about parking and transportation-today I mailed a first-class letter with this same information and I’ve enclosed with the letter a detailed description of logistics for Sunday prepared by members of our Transition Team. Please call the church office or email me with any questions.

See you in church!

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