Town Square Dedication

After the final worship service on Sunday, November 28, hundreds of Redeemer members and guests moved to the new Town Square for the dedication of this new Sacred Space.

Pastor Cary Richert lead those in attendance through a short dedication service, which borrowed from the 1957 order of dedication services for our then renovated sanctuary.Pastor Randy Schlak then invited the assembled group to proceed outside onto the steps of the new Main Entrance where the new date stone, marked "AD 2010", was blessed, before being permanently placed just outside the doors.Hundreds of members in the days leading up to the date stone laying ceremony had each drafted personal letters, to a future generation of Redeemer members. These "2010" letters, written by children and adults, were placed securely behind the new date stone, for the benefit of those in the future.



Below the "2010" stone now lays the "1970" date stone (that was moved 50 feet south from where it had been installed outside the old West Entrance.)

And just above the "2010" stone is a third stone, left blank, as an intentional signal to future Redeemer members to boldly consider what additional work may be needed to expand our mission and ministries in His name.

Many special guests attended the dedication service. Leadership Team President, Joe Conte, spoke, as did our Head Elder, Rick Russ. The services were also attended by our stewardship consultant, Greg Gibbs, our construction superintendent, Craig Collins, and the Mayor of the City of Birmingham, Gordon Rinschler. Also present were Rick McDonald and David Mammel who both served as Leadership Team President and Sacred Space steering committee members over the five year project term.

At the conclusion of the morning's celebration, Steve Scheidt was presented a special plaque for the new lower level classroom "named in thankfulness for his hard work and dedication to this Sacred Space we call Redeemer."

More Grand Opening Celebration

Enjoy these photographs taken by Dave Peterson...

Grand Opening Celebration

Enjoy these photographs from our November 28 Grand Opening celebration. A special thanks to Bill Leahy for taking these pictures, and so many more, throughout the project.

Date Stone

At every step in the process Redeemer members and friends have had the opportunity to personally leave their mark on our Sacred Space project.

At the April kick-off, Easter weekend 2010, each of us had the opportunity to sign the large steel beam that forms that top of our new worship and performance stage in the renovated gymnasium.

At or annual Homecoming picnic, September 2010, each of us had the opportunity to sign the floor of the new Town Square that greets members and visitors as they first enter Redeemer.
And now, another special opportunity, to leave a message for a future generation of Redeemer members, by writing a personal letter to be secured behind the "2010" date stone that will be installed on Sunday, November 28, 2010.

What should the letter say? Consider writing about what Redeemer has meant to you and your family in your faith walk; perhaps examples of how the Lord has worked in your life, or, the relationship you have with your Lord; perhaps a favorite Bible verse; perhaps a hope or prayer you have for future generations of Redeemerites. And for the kids, it might just be a crayon drawing of themselves at church. Of course we would accept crayon drawings from adults as well...

Where should I take the letter? Just outside Pastor Randy's office, at the side of the sanctuary, is a white box where you can place your letter. For your letter to be installed behind the date stone it must be deposited before 10:30 a.m. the morning of Sunday, November 28.

By the way, why three date stones in the photo above? The bottom stone, from the old West Entrance, installed during the 1970 renovation, was saved and re-installed. In the middle, our 2010 date stone, commemorating our Sacred Space renewal. And on top, a third stone, to be left blank, as a message to future Redeemer members, that our work is never finished as we seek to spread the Good News.

Carpet and Counters

Our new central gathering space, the Town Square, accessible from the new Main Entrance, is nearing completion. The number of tradesmen trucks parked in our lot each day is dwindling to just a handful.

The work this past week concentrated on carpet and counters as well as a host of other important details (working coffee pots, signs on the new bathrooms, labels on light switches, etc.)

Excitement is buiding as we move towards our Grand Opening and Dedication on Sunday, November 28. Remember, the Westmaple Rededication, lead by Pastor Mark Wuggazer, will take place at 10:00 a.m. that day. And the Town Square Dedication and Date Stone Laying, lead by Pastor Randy Schlak, will take place at 11:45 a.m. that day. Worship services are at 8:00 a.m. (chapel), 9:00 a.m. (sanctuary) and 10:30 a.m. (sanctuary.) Please join us for a great morning -- with special food and music planned throughout the building.