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As I write these words, we are very close to the demolition of the remaining 1950s and 1960s school facilities on our St. Paul’s campus. I cannot help but reflect upon the scores of children whose lives were formed and shaped within those walls over the past 60 to 70 years. Within those walls, they learned about the world God created and the Creator of that world. Within those walls, they learned that this same God loves them and sent His Son to redeem them with His holy, precious blood and His innocent suffering and death. Within those walls, children developed and displayed the gifts God had given them in academics, music, drama, and athletics. Within those walls, there was much happiness and laughter. Within those walls, there were also tears shed and prayers offered in times of great tragedy.
I also cannot help but reflect upon the dozens and dozens of faithful, dedicated faculty and staff members who served God and those children over the years. They witnessed decades of students growing and maturing physically, academically, and spiritually. They provided great role models for children and adults, demonstrating how Christians live joyfully and in service to others. They prayed without ceasing for their students and the families of those students. They played significant roles in the lives of children and families, both in times of great joy and in times of great sorrow.
Some of these former students, teachers, and staff members are still at St. Paul’s. Others have moved to different parts of the nation and even different parts of the world. Some have gone on to the church triumphant. Yet they all have one thing in common: the blessings described above within the walls of those 1950s and 1960s school facilities.
While we look ahead with great anticipation to the new, magnificent facilities that will be constructed over the next 18 months, let us also remember with great thanksgiving all that God has accomplished over seven decades in the facilities soon to be removed. The prayer we offered at the decommissioning of those classrooms on March 3 is appropriate once again as we approach the time of their removal:
Almighty God, our heavenly Father, as You have committed the care and nurture of children to Your people, so You have graciously enlightened those who have taught and those who have learned in these classrooms, so that they have known the truth and trusted in You all the days of their lives.
We remember with gratitude Your blessings granted to those who have gone before us in these spaces. Even as we recall with great fondness all that has occurred in these facilities, so we also look ahead with great anticipation to the new and expanded facilities that will replace them. Just as You have blessed those who have come before us, so we are confident that You will continue to bless us and those who will come after us as we “Tell the Wonders You Have Done.” In Your Son’s name, we pray. Amen.
In the words of the Psalmist: “Oh give thanks to the Lord, for He is good, for His steadfast love endures forever” (Psalm 107:1)!
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