UPDATE! (what happened?)
Psalm 115:3 – “Our God is in the heavens; he does all that he pleases.”
As I write this, I should be finished with my sermon and singing with everyone. Instead, I’m sitting at home sending this update.
But I wanted to let you know - the problem has been solved! Big thanks to Nathan Flynn for figuring it out. It took a while, and it seemed like it could be a very significant electrical issue for a while.
There was a “service disconnect breaker” that was blown. It sits behind another panel, and short of a lightning strike, it should be really hard for it to trip. It’s one of the main breakers for the entire building. Nathan had to remove a panel to access it.
While I always hate to cancel church for any reason - with very little light, no sound system, and no power on the stage - it would have been difficult to pivot pull everything off. Additionally, water on the floor along with unknown electrical problems, could have been potentially dangerous. And as we were on a short timeline from discovering the problem to our worship start time, we had to make a quick judgment call. Our building has a LOT of power running through, and in a normal situation, it’s totally fine and perfectly safe.
The sermon passage (John 16:16-24) is one addressing troubles, difficulties, and sorrow, so we have a built-in illustration for next week’s sermon already! The sorrow of not gathering will be replaced by the joy of worshiping the Lord together next week. I always look forward to Sunday - but next week will have a heightened anticipation! I already can’t wait!!
In the meantime - big thanks to everyone who jumped in to help clean up the water and ceiling tiles that had fallen - The Westerns, Dugas’, Halstead’s, and Kris Baldwin all jumped in and got things cleaned up and back together. Thanks to Chase, Corey, Kyle, Ryan, Brent, Kris, and Nathan for all the trouble-shooting and figuring out what was going on.
REMEMBER: God is not surprised by any of this. His sovereignty is still there. And even though we weren’t able to gather today (my week Is always thrown off when it’s not anchored by worship and meeting together), He is still on HIs throne. Be praying for our time together next Sunday. Pray for those leading worship, running tech, Scripture reading, and prayer. Pray for me as I now have an extra week to prepare the sermon - clearly it wasn’t quite ready to preach!
Read John 16:16-24 a few of times this week in preparation for next Lord’s Day.
Pray for me as I spend time revising and refining the sermon.
Come expectantly, Our call to worship will be from Psalm 34:3 – O magnify Yahweh with me, And let us exalt His name together.
And remember Daniel 4:35
He does according to His will in the host of heaven
And among the inhabitants of earth;
And no one can strike against His hand
Or say to Him, ‘What have You done?’
We serve a risen, sovereign Lord!
Grace & Peace
Pastor Rob