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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June 30, 2008 by Larry Resch.

We will be moving from our current site on Glen Mar Road to our new site on New Cut Road on July 13th, 2008.  On this Sunday, we will have a Service of Leave Taking at 9:15 am at the Glen Mar Road site (in the Sanctuary). At 10:00, we will have a procession and carry the cross from the old site to the New Cut Road site along Route 104. At 11:00, we will celebrate the opening of the new site with a Service of Praise for God.

Starting on the 20th, we will start our new schedule of worship for the New Cut Road site.  Check out the home page (www.glenmarumc.org) for more details.

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June 25, 2008 by Beth Haynes.

The Spirit Center’s floor has been completed!  The stage floor is being installed.  The carpeting on the upper levels has been installed, and the tile on the main stairs has been laid.

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June 21, 2008 by Andy Lunt.

It has become clear this week that we will not be able to have occupancy of our new facility in time to allow for the last services here on June 29 and first services there on July 6.

I have delayed sending out this week’s Pastor’s Ponderings hoping to have more definite information to share. That has not happened, however.

So, rather than risk announcing new dates that may have to be changed once again, we will wait for more definite information before announcing a new schedule. Once that information is available, we will announce a new schedule on the Glen Mar web site, in a special Pastor’s Ponderings email, with a first-class mailing to every home, and-of course-in worship.

It is our hope that a schedule can be announced this next week.

For now, we do know the following:

a. Worship services will continue to be held at the current site and current times through at least July 6.

b. The previously announced new worship times will take effect after the move to the new site.

c. The July 4 Church Picnic will be held as planned at the new site. This event is open to all, church members and community.

d. Because of the uncertainty, we have decided to hold Vacation Bible School and the first three weeks of Summer Camps at the current Glen Mar Road site.

At this point, the most important thing any of us can be doing is praying. I encourage you to pray for timely completion of the final construction details, and successful inspections that will enable us to have occupancy of the new building. Equally importantly, though, I hope you will continue to pray for the ministries our new facility will support and–especially–the many people who will come to know God’s love through Jesus as we grow in our ability to be part of God’s mission in the world.

On another–though related–issue, it appears that my beard is not in jeopardy at this point. Currently, pledges to the Capital Campaign stand at somewhere between $2.0 and $2.1 million…which is a long way from $3 million. Nearly 100 families have still not made commitments, however, so we expect this amount to grow. If you are among those who haven’t yet sent in your commitment, I hope you’ll make it a priority this week.

See you in church!

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June 16, 2008 by Beth Haynes.

The floor of the Spirit Center has been poured, and the athletic lines are being painted on it.

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