Elevator Dedication

The Elevator Dedication

at Tenth Presbyterian Church

by Lois A. Denier

God delights when we act in kindness, justice and righteousness. (Jer. 9:24) This elevator clearly shows that those who are weak are seen as indispensable to God and to the members of this church. (1 Cor. 12:22) As a result of the installation of this elevator, word will get out to the disability community of Philadelphia that Tenth Church cares and welcomes them with open arms, just as Jesus touched the sick, infirm and crippled of His day.


I praise God for those who caught the vision of seeing our weaker members as indispensable to this church's life. Starting with those who first saw what people with disabilities are capable of doing, to those who gave their hard-earned money to the “Elevator Fund,” to the leadership of Tenth who had the vision and courage to put the elevator on the front burner, giving it a higher priority, then adding it to the capital campaign and then taking the bold step of including three floors of Delancey in the project. I, and everyone who has trouble with stairs, thank each of you for taking your part in making this elevator possible.


We now are open to leading people in the disability community to Christ. We now can offer them the only true hope they can have in life – loving and knowing Jesus, seeing that He loves and cares for them and then their taking an active part in church life. They now see that we love and care for them in the same way that Jesus did. We can now disciple new believers who are disabled, teaching and helping them grow in grace and in their relationship with Jesus. We can now hire people who have trouble with stairs. And as a direct result of this elevator, all of us can now exercise the gifts, talents and capabilities that God has given us, to glorify Him, and to serve others who come to this church.


One of my favorite movies is Chariots of Fire. And one of my favorite quotes is when Eric Liddell explains to his sister why he is running in the Olympics before returning to the mission field. He tells her that when he runs he can “just feel God's pleasure.” Today when I see this elevator, and all the years of work that has gone into its arrival, I can say that I “ just feel God's pleasure” with the people of Tenth Church. Praise God!

[Speech given on October 17, 2010]