We (Christians) build to see God. In 1 Chronicles 22:19 God says “Seek me, build me a temple”. Building a
space for a community to encounter God is one of the most basic acts of drawing heaven into your world. It
has been this way for centuries.
The Shunamite woman built a room on her house for Elisha in 2 Kings, and it attracted the favor of God,
bringing her out of her barrenness. Abram built an altar and called on the Name of the Lord, as did countless
other heroes of faith. Moses put up a tent, David and Solomon built a temple, the Jews established their
synagogues. When Elijah built that altar, it was an act of sacrifice where God’s fire fell.
There is something about building that seeks God. To designate a place in the heart of a community, to
seek God together, a place to pray, mourn, celebrate, ask, dream , for centuries, this has been the activity of a
people that seeks God’s blessing. In turn God responds. When you build a church building, you’re not just
building a community center; you’re building an altar for God’s fire!
We build in response to God’s presence. Man is strangely wired. Once he encounters God’s presence, he is
always inclined to build something! In Genesis 28 Jacob met God in that dream at Bethel; he “sets up a
pillar” in response. Noah built an altar. David was filled with zeal to build a temple.
In Luke 9 Peter, James and John experience the powerful transfiguration. Somehow it must be hardwired in
humanity, because the bible tells us “he did not know what he was saying” as his heart burst out with “Let’s
build tabernacles! It’s good to be here!”
A church building resonates with the soft presence of God throughout the week because like Jacob
experienced, God can be awesome in a geographical space. “Ground” can be made “holy” (Ex 3:5).

WHY Series article – 2020

The WHY Series

Welcoming the Thompson Family into Saint Michael

Dear Miles, Hailey and Jason,
On behalf of the good people of St. Michael, I welcome you into our spiritual family and thank you
for becoming our members today. We thank God for this wonderful day and we glorify his most
holy name for granting you all a safe drive to our Parish.
Indeed, we are highly excited to welcome you in our midst—to pray with us. And more importantly,
to participate in the Holy Eucharist with us, which is the source and summit of our life. Our Joy is
even greater as we welcome on this very same day, our little friend Miles who will be baptized
shortly. Your presence here today will ever remain fresh and green in our grateful hearts.
Jason, Hailey and Miles, we are so blessed to count you as new members of our congregation. We
pray that your participation and your implication in the ministry of this church will continue to bear
fruit for eternal life. We also pray God to grant you good health of mind and body to bear further,
meaningful, and effective witness to God’s divine love at all times and in all places.

Enjoy this hospitality of your good people in this parish. Once more,
Welcome, thank you and have a wonderful day!