Published Saturday, September 13, 2008

Heatherwood members standing on God's promises

By ED CROUSE

For The Times-Herald

"Standing on the Promises" took on a special meaning with a recent Floor Signing Program at Heatherwood Baptist Church at White Oak.

Following Aug. 10 services, parisioners were invited to tour Heatherwood's new $5 million expansion and inscribe favorite Bible verses, prayers, praises or remembrances on the floors before tiling and carpeting began. The new building will double the size of the original building and will include a permanent contemporary service sanctuary, gymnasium, meeting and work rooms, office spaces and about 20 Sunday School class rooms.

"We held a signing day six years ago when our church was under construction," said Tom Daugherty, senior pastor of the church.

"I added my prayers and praises where the pulpit now stands so that every Sunday I know I am standing on the everlasting word of God. Wherever you walk in Heatherwood, you are standing on the promises, praises and prayers and evidence of our faith in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ," Daugherty said.

"Thanks to remarkable cooperation between our committee and General Contractor Headley Construction, we fully expect to hit our completion date of October of this year. With the Lord's blessings, we are on target both financially and time-wise," said Jeff Grubbs, building committee chairman.

A noon-time catered dinner was held for a capacity crowd in the church's fellowship hall immediately after the floor signing.

That same evening an overflow crowd attended Heatherwood's annual All-Church Birthday Parity. Following a casual buffet of finger foods, members and friends enjoyed baked delicacies at their birthday tables. Then an auction was held for cakes baked by church staff members.

Program chairwoman Lynn Irvin reported almost $500 was raised for Heatherwood's missionary outreach activities.

Assistant Pastor Jim Spradlin summed up the day with, "This truly was a day the Lord hath made, and for sure we rejoiced and were glad in it."