were we to do? Could we possibly hold school in local homes, or find a place
suitable to rent for the duration? Again, the Lord did provide, for just two
miles down the road the Largo Community Church was willing to rent (at
a reasonable rate) eight classrooms and an office until we could move back
into our building. Although it was difficult to hold classes off-site, we cannot
say enough for the charity and kindness shown us by the Largo Community
Church and we hope this will be the beginning of a lasting friendship.
Finally, at the end of October we began the move out of LCC and back
HOME! Yes, more work needed to be done, but the congregation rose to
the occasion, along with help from Bryn Athyn College CARE one weekend
and a group from Kempton another weekend. They helped us unpack, move
furniture, landscape, organize and clean in preparation for school.
Finally on Sunday, November 23, Bishop Brian Keith led a re-dedication
ceremony during the children’s talk at the beginning of the service. It was a
moving ceremony. Bishop Keith called the children forward to sit on benches
and carefully explained what the dedication was all about.
He then called forward the chairman of our Board, David Radcliffe, who
came carrying the ceremonial key from the first dedication, as well as a basket
of keys for our new spaces. While presenting the keys David said: “Bishop
Keith, I present to you the key from the dedication of our original building
in November, 1965 - 49 years ago. I also present to you these keys (the basket
of keys) that enable us to open and bring our Church and School to life every
day. With the presentation of these keys, we pledge that we will serve the Lord
in everything we do.”
The dedication was followed by a sermon by Pastor Gladish that focused
on the personal rededication of our own lives and “the honest work of
repentance, reformation and regeneration.” He added, “In the end, physical
things – even our material bodies – are really only means to an end, and that
end is a heaven, not just from the human race broadly speaking but from us,
you and me specifically, if we are willing to receive that precious gift.”
In attendance were many from our congregation, along with friends old
and new from other parts of the church, as well as the lead architect, fatherand-son team, Mark and Eric Beck.
Following the service everyone gathered in our new spacious lobby for
toasts to the Church and for many, many a thank-you to key members. A soup
and bread lunch was served to all in the larger multi-purpose room just off
the lobby. This celebration gave us a chance to show off our new place and to
realize how our vision had indeed become reality.
As noted in the sermon that day:
This new sanctuary has been designed not only to lift our spirits in joyful
anticipation and acceptance of all the good that the Lord offers us, but to
strengthen and confirm our solidarity in that effort whenever we turn to Him as
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