Homestreach

There is nothing quite like knowing you are on the homestretch. No matter how hopeless it may have felt along the way, no matter how tired you have become, the end is now in sight.

By Bryan Clark
Senior Pastor

You are going to make it to the finish line.  The homestretch is a time for the final burst of energy in order to reach the finish line.  It’s hard to believe, but we are now on the homestretch of the Upper Room simulcast service and getting into the new auditorium.

The simulcast service began in September 2000 to creatively accommodate growth until we could grow big enough to build a new auditorium.  Complete with its ups and downs, it has served us well over these past six years and allowed us to continue to grow our body.  Many of you have become Upper Room regulars helping us make more room in the auditorium in the 9:30 and 11:00 a.m. services.

There are several hundred people who have grown in their journey to completion in Christ over these past several years because of the sacrifice of so many of you in faithfully attending and serving in the Upper Room.  No visitor has had to hear the words, “Sorry, there is no room for you.”  We thank you for that.

We are now beginning to count down the months until we are in the new auditorium.  Included in that countdown is thinking through what life will be like when we’re all back in one auditorium and preparing for that day accordingly.  One strategic decision involves creating a worship ministry that focuses on one venue rather than two venues.  In other words, we need to build the worship ministry for the future, which means some changes.

To do this we need to structure the ministry around one worship venue to prepare for the way it will be next spring in the new auditorium.  This will allow various musicians, planners, tech people, etc., to work with one another in a way that most simulates where we’re headed in the new auditorium. 

Therefore, beginning July 30, we will simulcast the entire service each week until we are in the new auditorium.  This is not ideal, yet we greatly appreciate your support and patience as we make the necessary adjustments for the future.  We encourage people in the 9:30 and 11:00 a.m. hours to take their turn and rotate through the Upper Room every other month according to the rotation schedule.

(July - last names beginning with A-L to Upper Room; August - last names beginning with M-Z to Upper Room; September - last names beginning with A-L to Upper Room; October - last names beginning with M-Z to Upper Room)

The simulcast service will continue as before, only rather than live music, the worship from the main auditorium will be simulcast to the Upper Room.  We will continue to do our best to make the Upper Room a quality worship experience week by week down this homestretch.

Hang in there, the finish line is in sight, and the rewards will be worth the cost.  Let’s work together to finish this race well and prepare for the challenges and opportunities to come.