Trusses were laid the first week of April so the rebuild of Hopewell Christian Fellowship’s lobby and cafe are underway in Elverson! This is very good news for the church that was forced to become instantly mobile after the roof gave way under the weight of snow back on Feb. 14.
The lobby, cafe, restrooms and nursing mothers’ room were damaged. The cost of the rebuild is close to half million dollars and is covered by insurance.
Hopewell has been meeting in the Middle School Auditorium since the roof collapse; however, they will be relocating some of their April worship services. On Good Friday and Easter Sunday they will be moving to the Twin Valley High School Auditorium in expectation of a much larger crowd. The Good Friday Service, April 18 at 7 p.m., will be more of a contemplative service in memory of Jesus’ death but the story doesn’t end there. On Sunday, April 20 at 10 a.m. the Easter Celebration Family Service will offer up a high-energy celebratory experience for the whole family. Special gift bags for young children along with themed coloring materials and activities, live contemporary music, compelling drama and a message by Interim Pastor Duane Britton will unpack the rest of The Story that gives us good reason to celebrate.
Hopewell has been very appreciative of the cooperation and accommodating spirit of the Middle School and Twin Valley School District Administrators and staff. The school district has opened their facilities to Hopewell through the end of June when the rebuild is projected to be complete. There is one Sunday, however, in which both the middle and high school facilities were already booked at the same time the church holds its worship service. So, Sunday, April 27 Hopewell will kick-off a four- part series, Be Happy (for the rest of your life), as they hold their service at the Morgantown Holiday Inn at 10 a.m. Hopewell will then return to the Middle School Auditorium Sundays at 10 a.m. May through June.
The community is always invited to join Hopewell at their worship services and are hoping people will feel welcomed when they choose to visit the church at these temporary locations. The roof collapse was certainly not in the church’s plan and becoming instantly mobile has had its challenges. Despite all that, the church, acknowledging there is a bigger plan, has rallied and is excited about the opportunities and new relationships being formed as a result of this short time out of their building.