October 13, 2019
Move Team Update
Last Wednesday I headed to Kansas for my Aunt’s 101st birthday. After arriving at Dulles, an unexpected crew disturbance was announced, so I had a 6 hour wait for my flight and missed a visit with a cousin I hadn’t seen for years. St. Paul’s travel schedule was also changed, and he was unable to visit the believers in Corinth as planned. He said, “I planned with this confidence to come to you...So when I planned this, was I irresponsible? Or what I plan, do I plan in a purely human way so that I say “Yes, yes” and “No, no” simultaneously? As God is faithful, our message to you is not “Yes and no.”...Every one of God’s promises is ‘Yes’ in Him. Therefore, the ‘Amen’ is also spoken through Him by us for God’s glory.” 2 Cor. 1:15-20
Immanuel prepared to begin building the new church this summer for God’s glory; and like Paul, our Move Team, Vestry, and congregation prayed, planned with confidence, and experienced a delay. Even so, the Listening Tour results were “Amen” (so be it), spoken through Him by you to continue seeking His plans for His church on His schedule. “Unless the LORD builds the house, the builders labor in vain.” Ps. 121:1
The Move Team took the month of August to pray, thanking God for leading us and asking Him how to proceed. Then we met with an appraisal reviewer to discuss the appraisal and other pertinent information. He suggested several parts of our appraisal that are worth further discussion with the bank; named other banks that might help us obtain a mortgage; and didn’t charge us for his expertise. Others met with a civil engineer to request a fresh look at cost saving options. He will prepare a proposal to do value engineering on the Hoadly Road site and to determine whether another location could be more suitable for our church. Please continue to pray for the Move Team as we meet on October 10 to discuss the appraisal reviewer’s comments, and to discuss the engineer’s proposal when it is received.
In Exodus chapters 25-31 and 35-38, God gives Moses very specific directions for building His tabernacle and the specific names of two skilled craftsmen to design, craft, and supervise the construction of the tabernacle. In Exodus 36:3-7 the people continue to bring offerings until Moses tells them to stop because there is more than is needed to complete the work the Lord has commanded to be done. God has given us specific directions for building the new church; specific names of those who will design and supervise the work; and a generous congregation that faithfully brings offerings until the work is completed. May the fresh insights of the appraisal reviewer and the engineer ensure that we hear correctly and build God’s church on His schedule according to His specific plans. As we do this, He is faithful to complete His plans.
Blessings,
Bob Mann, Chloellen Miller
Move Team Co-chairs