Today there is a work day at church at 9am. I remember when the 20 acres that the church is on was barren wilderness. Prairie grass, thorn trees, scrub trees. Rocks, junkpiles, barbed wire. The tree line across the north side of the pond was an overgrown mess.
Well, 10 years later, your church sits on one beautiful piece of property. Oak trees, Ash, Cleveland pear, maple, redbud and more. Walking trails. Gardens. The shade garden, the rain garden, the garden of hope, the giving garden, and the other one whose name escapes me. All beautiful gardens. Tulips and hosta and 6,000 daffodils.
A state of the art play ground. Benches to sit and rest in the shade. Manicured lawns. The rose terrace with fountain. Crosses. The Celtic cross on the south. The old rugged crosses in the giving garden and at the baptismal pouring station. Three crosses together out by the road.
Rocks. Big beautiful landscape rocks. The cross and flame out front surrounded by its own garden. All of this set to the hourly music that plays from the belltower's carillon bells.
Future plans include paving the walking trails, a prayer garden with stone labyrinth, more large shade trees, and a pavilion on slab.
Every improvement came with hard work and loving care. Pat Riley, former basketball coach, offers one of my favorite quotes, "excellence is the gradual result of always striving to do better." Little by little, this muddy, barren, thorn infested piece of ground has been transformed to a beautiful park whose voice declares the glory of God. When I drive onto the property I often think, even if the preaching is bad inside, the outside is so beautiful, this is where I want to go to church.
Thank you to everyone who planted, weeded, trimmed and worked to care for your church property. If you can make it by for a little bit for this work day or any work day, it is always a rewarding time.
It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.
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