Abiding Word nearly complete

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STERLING - Abiding Word Christian Center's dream is fast becoming reality in a cornfield north of town.

The first service in the new $3 million, 18,000-square-foot church at 806 Lynn Blvd. will be held early next month, the Rev. Scott Porter said Friday.

"This has been a dream for our church since it's [inception]," Porter said.

The entrance to the nondenominational church is flanked by stone columns, and a stained-glass window with an image of a dove will greet the 700 to 800 congregants, who come from all over the Sauk Valley.

Abiding Word has outgrown its downtown church, at the corner of Fourth Avenue and Fourth Street. Now the 400 people who attend its Sunday services must meet in the Coliseum auditorium.

Space won't be a problem in the new building, though - the main sanctuary seats more than 500.

An early September open house is in the works.

In the meantime, tiles and carpeting must be laid, the audio/visual system must be installed and workers must finish painting the themed children's rooms.

The nursery has an "Under the Sea" motif, with turtles, fish and an octopus on the ocean-like walls. The 2- and 3-year-olds will have Sunday school in the "Bug's Life" room, which features cartoon ladybugs and ants walking around in the grass.

The "Jungle Room" is the classroom for 4- and 5-year-olds. It will have a talking tree that will help convey the message of the week. Its monkeys, parrots, elephants and jungle were painted by Sterling High School art students.

The exterior is nearly complete, although the parking lot needs to be striped.

Abiding Word Church is planning to hold an open house the weekend of Sept. 6 and 7, but details are still being worked out. For more information, call the Rev. Scott Porter, 815-626-1827.