I knew it was coming, but I wasn’t totally prepared for it on Monday as a dozen people descended upon the Sanctuary to begin the “demolition” phase of the Sanctuary renovations. By the end of the day, the space was hardly recognizable. One day later, there is no more noise, no more people coming and going – just an empty shell of what has been Resurrection’s Sanctuary for many years.

I was interested seeing some pictures from the last time the Sanctuary was updated. Did you know that the organ, that is now up in the choir loft, originally sat on the floor where the Praise Teams now reside? The stained-glass window had not been installed. The chancel area was stone, not carpet…

My point? This is not the first time that the Sanctuary has been “renovated,” “modified” – changed from what we may have been comfortable with, or, at least, used to. Things change; that’s the nature of life. The caterpillar spins the cocoon and emerges a butterfly. The seed sprouts and forms the blossom that envelopes the grain. The 46-inch chest of the 20-something athlete becomes the 48-inch waist of the 50-something couch-potato. Things change.

Just a reminder: We will begin worshiping in the Fellowship Hall this Sunday at our regular 8:00 am and 11:00 am schedule. It will look different; it will feel different; just remember that different isn’t bad, it’s just different. It will be okay. Take a deep breath; exhale – there…feel better? In a couple of months, we will all be back in the place we’ve worshiped, probably sitting in the same pew (although it will have moved a little bit) and being glad that we’re back. Until then be patient with one another and with the leaders – we’re all making the best of the situation – and God can (and will) still be praised as He comes to His people (even in a fellowship hall) with His Word and Sacraments.