How We Got Here

In Internet etiquette, capital letters represent shouting and are often associated with anger. Well, I’m definitely shouting, but I’m not angry! I am simply overwhelmed with gratitude, not only to God (who is definitely able to do exceeding abundantly more than we ask or imagine!) but also to the many, many people who worked so hard to make the grand opening of Goldthorpe Pentecostal Community Church such an outstanding success.

You will get the full story over the week to come as I try to process the hundreds of photos that were taken yesterday. But for now, I just want to say THANK YOU!

Thanks to all those from different churches who helped out tirelessly and who willingly gave up their time and talents for God. Thank you to Angie for the balloon modelling, to Joanne for the face-painting (ably helped by Emily & Emily), to Ian for the gazebo (it was a hot day and good to be able to be outdoors for some of it!) and to Mark for the sound checks at night. Thanks to Ruth for helping in setting things up and in singing.

Thanks to the Deputy Mayor (Cllr John Parkinson) and his wife and to the Chair of Coalfields Regeneration Trust (Peter McNestry and his wife) for the official opening and for providing such support.

Thanks to Paula and Beryl for the wonderful flowers and to Gemma for providing the ribbons to make bows.

Thanks to Gary for the many hours of work in preparing the presentation and in getting so much equipment for us to use and for Father’s House in Wath for allowing us to borrow this.

Thanks to all the church members who provided such lavish food and to all those who supervised games, worked with children on craft activities and colouring competitions and who worked tirelessly at welcoming people, serving refreshments and helping in so many different ways. There really aren’t enough words to thank you for your whole-hearted support, not only in the days leading up to the Open Day or on the day itself, but for your ongoing commitment to the church over so many years.

Thanks to all those who came from far and wide to share in our joy and to make the day such a wonderful event. It’s always difficult to predict how many people will attend, but we counted in about 300 people throughout the course of the day. That is such a blessing!

And finally, thanks especially to our wonderful leaders: to Stephen and Karen, to Ralph and Letty, to Garry, to Dave and Joan and especially to Mark and Diane, whose leadership by example simply cannot be faulted. You are an inspiration and a blessing to us all.

Thanks! Grazie! Mille remerciements! Vielen Dank! (Look, I’m a language teacher…!)

Last night, the finishing touches to cleaning and preparation were done by willing helpers!

Blowing up balloons and getting decorations ready (with new helper – thanks, Ruth!):

The photo gallery is now ready for viewing!

Testing the equipment!

As you can see, we were getting silly by the end!

We’re looking forward to a great day today and want to thank all those from church who have worked so very hard this week. It’s worth it!

People have been extremely busy this week getting things ready for the Open Day tomorrow!

The emergency lighting has now all been completed and much cleaning and re-painting have been done.

Displays have been put up:

The pens we will be giving away have arrived!

In addition, we have had music practices and a prayer meeting and distributed 1000 flyers to local residents.

In all of our activity, though, we are very conscious of the verse which says “Unless the LORD builds the house, its builders labour in vain.” (Ps 127:1) We realise that activity in itself is no guarantee of blessing, and we are desperate that ultimately the Open Day and official opening of Goldthorpe Pentecostal Community Church are simply tools for God’s glory. The building is His, how we came to be part of His story is a miracle and testimony to His grace and we simply want His name to be made famous in this part of the world.

Please pray that God will get all the glory and for His strength. There are a lot of very tired people in this area today!

Yes, we’re just one week away from the official opening!

Rather than focussing on what remains to be done before then (the thought of which, I have to confess, is bringing me out in a cold sweat..!), let me take this opportunity to let everyone know what is on the agenda for Saturday 3rd July.

The Open Day will start with an official opening of the building at 10 a.m. The Deputy Mayor of Barnsley will cut the ribbon on the main hall and the Chair of Coalfields’ Regeneration Trust will cut the ribbon on the community hall.

The Open Day will run from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. In the foyer and main hall, people will be able to see photographs and a presentation of all the hard work that has gone on to transform the building along with a timeline of this journey of faith and the way God has answered prayer. We will be looking to find out what activities people want to see in the building in the future as well as praying for any requests people have.

In the community hall, there will be a variety of activities, some using the equipment purchased from our previous CRT grant (Wii-fit, snooker, air hockey and table tennis) and some using the many talents of local people (craft activities, face-painting, balloon modelling and colouring and competitions for children.)

Free refreshments will be served throughout the day.

After a break to tidy things around, we will be holding an evening celebration service starting at 7 p.m.

We hope as many people as possible will be able to attend the day. It’s the Dearne Carnival in Goldthorpe on the same day, so we hope this will be an opportunity to see the masses of activities that can be done in the town. There really is a lot on offer here!

So, if you have some time spare next Saturday, come along and see the building in all its glory (something digital photos simple can’t capture!

With just over a week to go to the Open Day, there are a lot of final touches to be done!

Perhaps the most pressing thing is the emergency lighting which is being fitted:

New steps have been made to access the stage:

Badminton posts have been made for the Community hall:

Display boards were being cleaned for the Open Day:

The photos to be hung in the corridor have all been mounted and framed and are now awaiting hanging:

So much still to do and time is disappearing swiftly!

We’re still counting down…