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DEDICATION SERVICE – OPEN HOUSE
We will host a Dedication Service—Open House Sunday, June 2, beginning at 3:00. There
will be refreshments following the service with opportunity to view the building.
Announcements will be posted on MonticelloLive and in the Advance prior to the service and
announcements will be mailed to the area congregations and to others who have been such a part
of the work of the church here in Monticello. We are very excited about being in our new facility
and want very much to share with so many others.
As we begin our regular meetings in the new building, I turn our attention to the beginning
words of one of the “songs of ascent” used by God’s people of old as they made their way to the
temple in Jerusalem. These words were penned by King Solomon. “Unless the Lord builds the
house, they labor in vain who build it; unless the Lord guards the city, the watchman keeps
awake in vain” (Psalm 127:1).
We have witnessed the construction of this building from the breaking of ground in a wide
open pasture (July 16) to the final cleaning and decorating of rooms in preparation of our
“ascent” into the building to worship the Lord. Yes, it would be easy to get caught up in what
“we” have accomplished in the past 10 months. But, “we” need to remember that it is with the
Lord’s hand that “we” have been allowed to complete the construction. And it is by the Lord’s
hand that “we” will be used as a light in the community to shine toward Jesus Christ. No, not the
building, but rather each one of us as we let the light of Jesus Christ shine in our lives for the
community of Monticello and southeast Arkansas to see.
Letting our lights shine will demand each of us to re-commit ourselves to living the life the
Lord wants us to live (Luke 9:23). Perhaps over the years of our lives we have unknowingly
allowed ourselves to develop some habits that are contrary to the Lord. As we transition into the
new building, may we also use this time to re-examine our lives (2 Cor. 13:5) in all areas to be
sure our lights are shining brightly in our little part of the world (Philippians 2:15). This will
include not only the things we may say to others, but also in the way we say them. “By this all
men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:35). How
are we showing our love for one another?
Yes, this building is made up of “wonderful stones” (Mark 13:1), but the “greater and more
beautiful stones” are you and me (1 Peter 2:5), offering spiritual sacrifices which are acceptable
to God through our Lord and Savior in everything we do! ~P. Mowrer
