Courtyard and Garden

One of the quiet places on campus is the new garden courtyard between the existing school building and the new fellowship hall. Marty Thomas has done a wonderful job landscaping the space so that over time we will have a wonderful garden space. A large portion of the space is covered and the benches donated in 1994 by Jane and the late Robert Schoen have found a new home.

Youth Room

The "coolest" space in the new building is the youth room. This state-of-the-art room has plenty of space for our youth (junior high and high school) to live and learn. The new furniture will be arriving later this week and use of the space will begin. High end AV means our youth can watch moves (projection TV), play Wii on the 60 inch flat screen, or just listen to music (a very nice JBL system). The room has a warm "warehouse" feel and promises to be the "coolest" room on campus. No adults allowed!

Infant Wing

The newly designed infant wing offers clean and colorful spaces for learning and development. The five classrooms are for our youngest children (six weeks to twenty-four months). The space also includes both indoor and outdoor play spaces.

Music Room

The main music practice room is allowing for the continued expansion of our growing music program (choirs, handbells, orchestra, band, etc.) The strong A-frame windows bring back the rhythm of the original sanctuary (over which the new music room sits). The lighting and acoustics make this a marvelous space for learning and living the church's song.

Covered Walk

One very nice addition is a covered drop-off located on the west side of the sanctuary. Through the years we have often been left out in the rain (people sprinting into the sanctuary or walking in slow procession with a casket to the hearse). How nice to have a space where we can load and unload and move between building without being out in rain.

Fellowship Hall

The fellowship hall is the "nicest" addition to new facilities. This formal space is quickly becoming the gathering space for study, food, and fellowship. As a space that we haven't had in the recent past, this hall offers the ability to host large and small events for the congregation and community.

Commons

Here is a picture of the completed church commons. This is a gathering area before and after services for coffee and fellowship. The commons has already been the place of a funeral visitation and a wedding reception.

New Photos

Our architect, Ziegler Cooper, has provided us with wonderful photos of the exterior and interior of the new building. Here is an early morning view of the music room and the main school entrance which attaches the new building into the existing building.

Post Ike Update

We weathered the storm at the church and school. We sustained only minimal damage when compared with others in the neighborhood. Some roof leaking, one down tree, a broken brick wall, and a few others bits were all we saw. All in all we were very luck. The only damage to the new building was a bit of water that came under a door (from the heavy winds) which has ruined some base boards. Thanks be to God. He has spared us and granted us life and salvation.

Where is Your Treasure?

After the dedication I was approached by one person who thanked me for my forthright remarks. They commented that they were impressed that I spoke, on the day of the dedication, about the building wearing out over the years, perhaps even being destroyed through the ravages of time (as were our old buildings). When we started the building process I shared the words below with the congregation. I think them appropriate again as we have weathered IKE but still remained focused on the heart of the gospel and not the things of this world.

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” — Matthew 6:19-21

I recently had the privilege of speaking at the Salem Lutheran Ladies Retreat in Gretna, Louisiana. As the ladies began to arrive the stories about “it” began to spill out. (Katrina is now referred to as “it” by many locals.) The stories came quickly, the next seemingly worse than the one before. As we began the retreat and introductions started each lady was asked to say something good about “it”. While some struggled to find anything good to say, many gave great and awesome testimony to the gracious protection and loving kindness of the Lord.

There was a lot said about the “stuff” of this world. The treasures, as Jesus would say, that we have laid up on earth, which fade away or are destroyed. One woman, who had lost much, made the most profound statement of the entire retreat. “All of this stuff keeps us fixed on the earth rather than keeping our eyes and lives fixed on heaven. Having all the stuff taken away allows you to fix your eyes heavenward, on Jesus.”

The “stuff” of this world often stands between us and our Lord. We spend our whole lives in a ravenous race to collect wealth and riches which only make us more deeply rooted in this world. Good things created by our Lord have been marred by sin, death, and the devil so that what was meant to serve the creator has itself become our god. How we love the “stuff” of this world. We can’t imagine that we could ever live without the “stuff” we have and the “stuff” we don’t have we sinfully covet and desire.

In the coming month the church and school will embark on a capital campaign to expand our campus. I must admit my excitement over the proposals that are being considered. As various committees do their specialized work the overall plan continues to grow together into one glorious creation. There is no doubt, the new and renovated spaces being proposed would be glorious.

But “stuff” is still “stuff” even if it belongs to the church. Certainly we bless and set apart those earthly things that are used in service to our Lord but that doesn’t lessen our ability to place our hope and trust in such earthly treasures that too will spoil and fade. While new buildings, signage, and landscape may all look glorious, they are not worth comparing to our true hope of glory: Christ in us. If our development plans move forward with the hope of making our earthly dwelling more appealing or comfortable then we have missed the point (and the gospel!).

Driving through the neighborhoods of New Orleans was devastating. Seeing block after block of abandoned neighborhoods is indescribable. Clinging to faith one can only confess with Job, “The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised!” When our earthly “stuff” is taken away we feel stripped, naked, vulnerable and abandoned. But such things can happen to us. New Orleans was not singled out to be punished because of their sin. Rather, all creation continues to suffer under the devastating power of sin, groaning as in the pains of childbirth (Rom 8:22) right up to the present time.

Under the theme “For Tomorrow” we look forward to bettering our facilities but always with a purpose much greater than brick and mortar. Whatever we build must be to the glory of God for the purpose of expanding His kingdom on earth. Whatever we renovate and remodel must be done for the ultimate purpose of proclaiming the gospel and bringing the life-saving sacraments to those in need. We dare not store up treasures on earth, which can be taken away in blink of an eye.

“For Tomorrow” we provide a place of refuge for those who need so desperately to hear and receive Christ in Word and Sacrament. “For Tomorrow” we provide a place where our children learn to confess the faith given them in Holy Baptism. “For Tomorrow” we provide a welcoming space where those wearied from the sinful world come, and for the very first time, hear that their sins are forgiven for the sake of Christ. “For Tomorrow!”

And then, when what is made with human hands spoils and fades (and it will), we have lost nothing. For all that we have really done is store up treasures in heaven, which will never be taken away.

Final Payout

On Thursday morning (pre IKE) we sat down and signed the paperwork for the final payout to Fretz Construction. Present were architect Paul Lodholz, building committee chairman Ed Jutzi, captial campaign chairman Bob Harvey, and congregation president Wayne Murray. A huge thank-you to these men for their faithful and loving service throughout the project.

Singing in the Space!

As the afternoon came to an end we gathered in the new music room to "sing in the space." The hand bells and children led us and we joined our voices in song to the Lord. What a marvelous facility in which to sing God's praise.

The People of God

The day was really about the people of God. What a tremendous crowd that attended the dedication service. It is wonderful to see our members excited about the life and ministry of our church and school. I pray that this enthusiasm will continue as we work to spread the gospel to the very ends of the earth.

Kudos Mr. Harvey

Mr. Bob Harvey shared a few words with the group as part of the dedication festivities. Bob has faithfully guided the congregation through the financial maze of the project. He has done a tremendous job working with congregation committees as well as Amegy Bank. Bob deserves a hearty thank-you for his time and dedication to this project.

Ribbon Cutting!

Sunday afternoon was the ribbon cutting for the new building. It was a glorious afternoon filled with festivities and activities. We had a special dedication service (Matins) at 2 PM with our guest preacher Rev. Daniel Preus of the Luther Academy. With readings and hymns we rejoiced in the gospel and the new opportunity the Lord is giving us with this new space. To God be the Glory!

Dedication Today!

This afternoon at 2 PM we will dedicate our new facilities to the glory of God for the purpose of proclaiming the gospel to the ends of the earth. Rev. Daniel Preus will be our guest preacher. Immediately following the service will be various building activities: ribbon cutting, short remarks from several members, tours, and light refreshments.

Later in the day KKHT (100.7 FM) will be airing live from the new commons. Please come by today and help us celebrate this special moment in the life of our church and school.

Final Aerial

We have received the final aerial view of the work site. It is amazing how much the space has been transformed over the last ten months. We continue to great reviews about our new Westheimer face. The new sign, parking, and landscape have really opened us up to the neighborhood. People know we are here and they are stopping by the check us out.