Dear Friends,
What a stirring day this has been in the life of Fourth Presbyterian Church. A truly historic day.
This morning we marked the 100th anniversary of the laying of the Sanctuary cornerstone. We paused to give voice to our deep gratitude for the commitment and vision of those who have gone before us. That faithful congregation a century ago gave us an immeasurable gift and entrusted it to our care. We cannot help but be humbled by the great responsibility that is ours as caretakers of that extraordinary legacy and vision.
Laying the Sanctuary cornerstone on Sunday, September 17, 1912. Dr. John Timothy Stone, Pastor of Fourth Church, presiding. The cornerstone is at left, suspended from a crane, by the front steps of the church.
Today our abiding commitment to that legacy and vision was also made visible to our community and those who will come after us: in a joy-filled celebration, we laid the cornerstone of the Gratz Center and looked toward our second century here in this place.
The ceremony to lay the Gratz Center cornerstone on Sunday, September 16, 2012.
The cornerstone was laid just to the right of the stonework at far right,
by the steps to the Delaware entrance of the Gratz Center.
We imagined the vibrant life and service that will take place in the new building in just two more months. We welcomed twenty-nine new members to be part of our future. And we bore witness to our call to ensure that Fourth Church continues to be a light in this city of ours.
We were also reminded that it is a call in which we are all partners and whose fullest realization depends on each one of us, a call that is shaped by our "deep awareness of the abundant love and goodness of God," as K.C. Ptomey put it so well in his sermon this morning:
"Look at how generous God has been to you and then let your life reflect God's love--let your generosity overflow in your love of God."
And so please watch your mail in the days ahead for a letter inviting you to join me in pledging our commitment to this great enterprise of ours, to counting our blessings and showing--to use the words of Frederick Buechner--we know whom to thank.
In so doing, and in the joy of this great day and in the One who is our help and confidence, let us live lives of gratitude, fulfilling our call to love and serve--to reflect the love of the God who is our sure foundation, in ages past and years to come.
Faithfully,
Calum MacLeod
Executive Associate Pastor and Head of Staff
P.S. For pictures of today's cornerstone laying ceremony, check out our website and our page on Facebook (which you can view without signing up and even if you don't have a Facebook account). |
