June 26 - Roof Sheathing Almost Finished

The next step is for volunteers to begin putting on the "tar paper" and metal roofing.

June 25: Trusses Went Up This Morning

The guys from Oak Ridge Construction set the roof trusses in place this morning (with help from a crane - not pictured). They will start on the roof sheathing boards late today or tomorrow.  Praise God for more good construction weather!

From the LCMS Office of the President

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, Greetings in the name of Jesus Christ, the Resurrection and the Life. In response to the incursion of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) into the realm of religious freedom with its controversial contraceptive mandate issued earlier this year, we are compelled to offer “Free Exercise of Religion: Putting Beliefs into Practice,” an open letter to our members and, indeed, all Americans. Twenty-four leaders of religious organizations across the country have joined with us in signing the letter. Together, these signatories represent more than 10 million American men, women and children. They represent religious organizations that stand with us in opposition to the contraceptive mandate on the grounds that it is an infringement of our God-given right to act according to the tenets of our faith. We are preparing to issue this letter even as we await a ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court on the constitutionality of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA), a historic piece of legislation meant to extend health coverage to millions of uninsured Americans. The HHS contraceptive mandate represents one of the reforms included in the law. The ramifications of the anticipated ruling are, of course, as yet unknown. That said, our action in authoring this letter is not a statement on the global design of PPACA. As Christians living out our calling to serve our brothers and sisters with the mercy and love of Jesus Christ, we support and engage in wide-ranging efforts to restore health and well-being to the sick and suffering. Thus, this letter specifically is in response to one effect of the contraceptive mandate—one that would require religious organizations, with only narrowly defined exceptions, to include coverage for contraceptives, including those that could cause the death of unborn babies, in their employee health plans. This is in direct opposition to a core teaching of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod—that only God gives and takes life. I encourage you to read the letter and to share it widely.  In Christ, The Rev. Dr. Matthew C. Harrison, President The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod If you have questions about this email or need assistance, please contact the LCMS Church Information Center at 888-THE LCMS (843-5267) or infocenter@lcms.org. Email Preferences | Privacy Policy  The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod All Rights Reserved.

June 21 - Ready for the Floor

The roof trusses were delivered today (If you look closely you can see them in the distance, stacked near the church in the photo of the sign).

Oak Ridge Construction will be setting the trusses on the walls on Monday (weather permitting).

Plans are for our volunteers to begin installing the metal roofing late afternoon and evening next Wednesday (June 27).  Drop a note in the comments (or text pastor@livingwordlutheran.net) if you can help us with this. Thanks.

June 20 - Walls Are Up !

Several views of the church building walls. Praise God for the couple-day delay that caused to the walls to be put up after, not before, Sunday's storm. If you have a chance, take a drive out to the building site and walk around inside the church.

June 19 - Walls Going Up !!!

Guys from Oak Ridge Construction putting up our SIP (Structural Insulated Panel) walls.

Wall Sections Delivered

The SIPs (Structural Insulated Panels) arrived on Thursday. They look like Giant Vanilla Oreos - thick white foam sandwiched between two OSB boards. Weather permitting, Oakridge Construction will be setting these wall panels in place this week.

June 15 - The Floor is Poured

Joe Caskey Masonry and New London Concrete providing the manpower and materials for the church floor!

June 8:

Still on target for getting the walls put up within the next 10 days...

Cleaning Up God's Creation

Last evening nine of us waded through the knee-high thistles that infest our adopt-a-highway section. (Try doing that in flip-flops - Eve did!) Our goal was to do our part to clean up a small part of God's creation. Thanks to Carrie, Tyler, Terrell, Bryson, Eve, Phil (left to right in the picture!. Thanks also to Tim, Mike and Pastor Dave who aren't pictured. We all have one simple reminder:  It really isn't a hardship to keep stuff in your car until you can toss it in the garbage can at home or the gas station next time you fill up. It's just the right thing to do.

June 6: Heating Rough-in Completed

Nothing "exciting," but simply more good progress going smoothly. Darryl Sanderson of Riverview Refrigeration completed the heat-duct rough-in. The duct work will be covered by the cement slab (floor) which could be poured later this week.

Praise God!
Pastor David