Celebration Address Shared on July 9th – CLC Ground Breaking
July 9th was a wonderful day in the life of Dickson First United Methodist Church. Thank you for all those who made the effort to come out and support the event! I know some people couldn’t make it that wanted to be there and others had previously scheduled travel plans. We wanted to share with you some of what said and some pictures of July 9th to honor the day’s events. Enjoy!
Excerpt from Celebration Address
I feel honored and excited to be here today to share a brief celebration message for the Ground Breaking Day of the Christian Life Center at Dickson First United Methodist Church. I think no one could argue that if you had ever been around Bill and I when we spoke about the Christian Life Center that we lacked Passion for the project!
Passion is defined as a strong and barely controllable emotion.
We certainly shared passion and determination for this project!
I have always known and continue to know that Dickson First is a strong community of faith.
Today is a true tribute to all those Saints who have come before and paved the path for Dickson First Members for today, tomorrow and 100 years from now.
Did you realize that working together we have raised over $1.4 million dollars for this project. The entire time paying all of our expenses for the church and all of our apportionments which I know the Bishop will be glad to hear!!
It is truly pleasing to my spirit and mind to think that people for over a decade continued to have faith , give their time and money , and prayed for a Christian Life Center for Dickson First United Methodist!
Today I implore each of us to keep praying…keep giving…keep investing in our church….. with your time, talents, gifts, and prayers.
Bill talked a lot about what the Christian Life Center means to the future of our church he spoke a lot about how this was for the future generations of Dickson First and to ensure our church would be here for many years to come.
Although he will never physically walk thru the building I know that his spirit will ever be present around us today and in all the days to come as our Christian Life Center takes shape. As we have fellowship together in the Christian Life Center and As we build programs in the Christian Life Center to bring people closer to GOD.
This past April one Sunday our church was so full of Life—The Bells were preforming,
The Sanctuary Choir was full, our precious children’s program gave a performance…During that service I was overcome with such emotion because on that day I had the clearest picture of Bill in Heaven sitting with Jesus and looking over our church and saying to Jesus with a Fist Pump- Oh yeah man that’s my church!!
Today I picture him in Heaven with all the Saints of Dickson First Gathered in Celebration for the momentous occasion ….. our Christian Life Center Ground Breaking!
Thank you from the bottom of my heart for all those who have worked so hard to make the Christian Life Center a reality!
– Patricia M. Terry
The following Liturgy was shared with the congregation:
- Bishop Bill McAlilly
o To the Glory of God, in the presence of this congregation
I now direct that the ground be broken for the Dickson First United Methodist Church Christian Life Center. The responsibility and the privilege rest upon us to cause a building to rise here.
That shall be a place of this people of GOD and a place devoted to the worship of almighty GOD and the glory of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
People Responded: WE BREAK THIS GROUND TODAY
- Kelsey and Keeley Bratton
That a church may meet here where children shall learn to love GOD and grow in grace and goodness, and in favor with GOD and all people.
People Responded WE BREAK THIS GROUND TODAY
- Harrison Terry
That a church may meet here; where youth shall be inspired to pray and serve
People Responded: WE BREAK THIS GROUND TODAY
- Jim Sowell
That a church may meet here; where the weary and heavy laden shall find inner peace that the world can neither give nor take away
People Responded: WE BREAK THIS GROUND TODAY
- Chris Greene
That a church may meet here where God is worshiped in prayer and praise, where the Word of God Shall be so read and preached that it shall become the living Word, and the Sacraments so celebrated that all life shall become sacramental
People Responded: WE BREAK THIS GROUND TODAY
- Frances Anderson
That a church may meet here where multitudes shall be refreshed in spirit, relieved from pain, released from bondage, and redeemed from sin
People Responded: WE BREAK THIS GROUND TODAY
- Shirley Rye
That a church may meet here where the grace of God may make our human lives into a Christ-like love and our homes places of living witness for that realm where Christ is Lord
People Responded: WE BREAK THIS GROUND TODAY
- David Shepard
That a church may meet here from which, by the power of your Holy Spirit, your people are sent forth into this community and all the world as champions of justice and peace to all peoples.
People Responded: WE BREAK THIS GROUND TODAY
So it has begun…
1st Step in the process –The salvage process for the Outreach House started Saturday— 7/15 by Kenny Imhoff and his crew. The remainder of building will be demolished and site prepared per Rose Construction’s specifications following that! Big changes to the area coming soon!