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Summary

September 20^th, 2009, was a day of great rejoicing for the members and friends of St. Paul’s. After twenty-six months of planning, preparation, and construction, an afternoon open house, service, and meal was held to dedicate our new school building to the glory of God. Pastor Paul Wendland for Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary encouraged us on the basis of Matthew 7 with this theme: “Built to Last”.

We’ve posted some pictures of construction and the finished building for you to look at. We give thanks to God for the countless volunteer hours and the generous gifts of so many, many people that made this new school a reality. We pray that it serves both our members and those from outside of our church who wish to have their children receive a solidly Lutheran, Christ-centered education for many years to come.

If you would like more information about our school, or would like to stop by for a firsthand tour, we would be more than willing to do that. Please give us a call or send us an email.

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August 9, 2009

August has arrived, and we are nearing the completion date for the new St. Paul’s Lutheran School and Precious Lambs Preschool building! A walk through the facility will let you see that much of the flooring and carpet has been laid. Cabinets are being installed in the classrooms, lighting is nearly complete, and most of the painting is done except for finishing touches. The windows have been in for a couple weeks – but are still awaiting the specially-made egress windows (for fire escape) to replace the pink inserts. The completion date is expected to be Aug. 17^th, and move-in days will begin on Aug. 18^th.

Plans are underway for the special Dedication Service which will be held at 4:00 p.m. on Sept. 20^th. We will welcome many guests to worship along with us, participate in setting the cornerstone, tour the new building, share an evening meal, and rejoice together in God’s grace through Christ!

The Building Committee would like you to be aware of the following opportunities for service over the next few weeks. Please note the scheduled dates for the numerous projects that still need to be accomplished – and thank you to those who were able to help on Saturday!

Work Day Schedule (mostly outdoors – installing playground equipment, basketball hoops, flag pole, sign out front, begin landscaping, grind stumps)

Tuesday, August 11^th, 6-9 pm

Wednesday, August 12^th 6-9 pm

Thursday, August 13^th, 6-9 pm

Saturday, August 15^th, 9 am-noon

Down the road work days (Remaining outdoor stuff, setting up of desks and tables, hanging whiteboards and bulletin boards, hauling of books and other school items from the basement and storage, general cleaning)

Tuesday, August 18^th, 6-9 pm

Wednesday, August 19^th 6-9 pm

Thursday, August 20^th, 6-9 pm

Saturday, August 22^nd, 9 am-noon

Finally, the Finance Committee would like to remind everyone of the financial goal the Voters placed before us – to have $350,000 in hand by the completion of the building. We remain thankful for the generous gifts of time, treasures, and talents – motivated by our Savior’s love for us - that have been given in support of the Building on Christ project since its beginning!

Gifts given: $317,805.38 Commitments: $3,640.00

Total Gifts & Commitments: $321,445.38

Update # 10 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------August 9, 2009

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July 12, 2009

On Wednesday of this week the various contractors working with Caspers Construction met with members of the Building on Christ Committees. The current status of the building project was described, and specific timetables were developed to allow for coordinating the work of each of the contractors. We have all seen the quick progress that is being made on a daily basis, and we will see much more accomplished in the next 3-5 weeks!

The immediate focus is to complete drywalling, ductwork, and ceiling grids in the classrooms, making way for painting to begin. Installation of windows and doors, lighting, and cabinetry and counters will follow closely behind, along with ongoing work on the plumbing and heating/air conditioning. Flooring installation will begin as painting and other finish work gets completed. The strategy for construction work is to make sure that the four classrooms are finished first. We continue to see everything proceeding on schedule, so that we can realistically plan to be ready for fire marshal inspection on Aug. 18^th.

As we move into midsummer we are thankful for the many people who are working diligently to make our new educational facility become a reality. How exciting to anticipate Sept. 2^nd, when by the grace of God our children will be entering the doors of their new school!

Gifts given: $307,055.38 Commitments: $5,055.00

Total Gifts & Commitments: $312,105.38

“Unless the Lord builds the house, its builders labor in vain.” Psalm 127:1

Update #9-----------------------------------------------------July 12, 2009

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May 24,2009

This update begins with a big thank-you to the many members that have volunteered their time on various aspects of the Building on Christ project in the past few weeks. We cleaned out and moved items from the old school, removed the asbestos tile, and prepared for and completed the auction on May 8^th – all fairly daunting tasks but made possible by the willing service of our members. What a blessing to see Christ’s love reflected in these works of service! As you may have seen in our bulletin, the total of food donations, auction proceeds, and a $500 Thrivent matching gift was $9840.

Building Progress – The floor for the classroom portion of the new school was poured on Wednesday. This coming week we expect the block layers to construct the meeting room, which the Building Committee designed to also serve as a storm shelter. It will have cinder block walls and a flex-core roof.

The following questions have recently come up about the building project:

1. “How close to the street is the new building?”

Answer – The new building is 5-7 ft. closer to the street than the old building, but there will be no doors on the south side, thus keeping the children away from the highway.

2. “How much bigger is the new building than the old building?”

Answer – It is about three times the size of the old building. The classrooms were all made larger, and the library and computer lab were each given their own space. In addition, the new educational facility includes a principal’s office, faculty work room, preschool room, meeting room, kitchen, and multi-purpose room which were not in the old school.

3. “How much further west does the new school sit than the old one?”

Answer – The western edge of the classroom building is where the edge of the sidewalk used to be.

Website – If you would like to see up-to-the minute video of the building process, check out the “Construction Cam” that is now accessible on our website, stpaulsplymouth.org! Picture highlights of recent events are also posted for everyone to see.

Finances – The Finance Committee would like to remind all Thrivent members to submit their matching funds forms for 2009. Thank you!

Gifts Given to date: $233,361.94; Commitments (by 9/1/09) $35,755;

TOTAL GIFTS AND COMMITMENTS -$269,116.94

“In Christ alone, my hope is found.

He is my light, my strength, my song;

This cornerstone, this solid ground,

Firm through the fiercest drought and storm.

What heights of love, what depths of peace,

When fears are stilled, when strivings cease!

My Comforter, my all in all,

Here in the love of Christ I stand.”

CWS 752

Update # 7 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------May 24, 2009

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April 26, 2009

After many months of planning and preparation it is exciting to see the progress being made on our new educational facility!

Looking across the parking lot we see the foundations poured for the north section – this area will house the multi-purpose room, meeting room, restrooms, and Mr. Plitzuweit’s office. The first part of the building itself will be arriving tomorrow (Apr. 27^th) and the rest of it on Friday (May 1^st). We are asking that there please be no parking in the church parking lots on those days.

Plans are being finalized for the auction of old school items to our congregation members on the evening of Friday, May 8^th. A meal of sloppy joes, hot dogs, baked beans, chips, relishes, cookies & bars will be served by Communications Committee members from 6:00-7:00 p.m. At 7:00 p.m. we will gather all former students in front of the school for a group picture, and the auction (conducted by Don Kracke from Zion-Clatonia) will follow. We would welcome help from any members willing to sign-up to bring cookies and bars for the meal! (The list of items to be auctioned is included on the back of this sheet.) Thrivent will be able to provide matching funds for this auction event, as well.

The Finance Committee reports that the bank loan has been secured from Jefferson County Bank in Daykin. Funds are available to be disbursed as needed. We are thankful for the gifts already given and committed for Building on Christ - Our Foundation and Our Future. Our congregation members are encouraged to prayerfully consider the $350,000 Sept. 1^st financial goal in their offerings over the coming months. A BOC envelope will be included in the bulletins on Sunday, May 3^rd. (Current gifts and commitment amounts are: Received-$188,014.30; Committed by Sept. 1-$36,745.00; TOTAL GIFTS AND COMMITMENTS-$224,759.93)

A letter describing the Building on Christ project was sent to former and distant members of

St. Paul’s shortly after the groundbreaking service on March 8^th. Information included a history of the project and ways to keep abreast of the progress being made, including the BOC webpage on our website (stpaulsplymouth.org) and the option of being part of an email group which would receive Building on Christ updates. We have received some responses from former members in the form of financial gifts and letters of encouragement.

Our St. Paul’s faculty will be packing boxes and moving school items to storage on Thurs. May 7^th and Friday, May 8^th. Help from congregation members anytime on these 2 days would be much appreciated! Talk to Mr. Plitzuweit or Miss Wilkens for more information.

Part of our Sunday morning service on May 10^th will recognize the many blessings God has granted St. Paul’s in association with our school. A second opportunity for a photograph of former students will take place in front of the school immediately after church on this Sunday. The school demolition is tentatively scheduled for May 11^th.

“But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him.” 2 Cor. 2: 14

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February 22, 2009

The Building on Christ committees have been moving forward quickly in the last couple weeks to prepare for the construction of our new educational facility. Here’s the latest information on their progress:

The Finance Committee is investigating different sources of financing and loan options that might be available to us. In addition to lending institutions, member loans, and loans or gifts from Beatrice and Clatonia congregations are being considered. Thrivent matching funds are also an important source of funding – members will be encouraged to submit their 2009 Giving Plus forms early in the year to allow for more timely payments and to help us access funds while they are available. Plans will be made for a bidding process for congregation members to allow for purchase/removal of any excess items from the old school building. This process will probably happen during the last couple weeks of the school year.

The Building Committee and Trustees met last week with Casper’s Construction and the architect. They did an extensive review of the plans for the building structure and made numerous modifications on such items as the exterior details, number of windows, types of doors, color, and the placement in the new building of the old school cornerstone and cross (which will be saved). After the final changes were made the Building Committee moved ahead with ordering the building. Construction will probably start sometime around the 2^nd week of March.

The Education/Interior Committee met to decide upon many details concerning the interior furnishings, such as colors for carpet, paint, interior trim, vinyl flooring, bathroom stalls, etc. Other items decided upon were the types of classroom doors, library shelving, height of cabinets and sinks in the preschool rooms, and how to furnish the meeting room. Lists of what to do with all of the items from the current school are being developed. In addition, this committee is choosing the items to be purchased with the Antioch Foundation grant, which will include kitchen appliances, computers, midi-capable keyboards, tables/chairs, smart board & LCD technology.

BOC gifts received: $159,232.37 Commitments for Jan. 1-Sept. 1, 2009: $43,515.00

Total of BOC gifts and commitments: $202,627.37

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. (Ephesians 2:8-10)

 

 The voters’ decision included the intent to evaluate in January 2009, the financial gifts our congregation members have given towards this building project. At that Annual Meeting the voters will decide whether we can order a building to be constructed starting in May of 2009.

FINANCE SUBCOMMITTEE (overseen by the church treasurer)

• Develop a budget for the project
• Oversee the incoming and outgoing of funds
• Provide opportunity for members (past and present) to donate to the project
• Gather information from lending institutions (if necessary) for funding the project

BUILDING SUBCOMMITTEE (overseen by the church trustees)

• Work with engineers/architect/general contractor to develop plans for the new building as well as the site
• Oversee the construction process
• Organize work days and schedules as necessary for a timely completion of the project

EDUCATION SUBCOMMITTEE (overseen by the Board of Education)

• Meet with the Board of Ed. and faculty to see that we meet the requirements of the State of Nebraska.
• Give input to the building committee for the layout of the classrooms
• Provide information to the appropriate committees to ensure a high quality learning environment

COMMUNICATION SUBCOMMITTEE (overseen by the church elders)

• Keep the membership informed with the progress of the project
• Work with the Finance, Education, Building committees to provide/gather information
• Provide membership with opportunities to be involved in the project

Originally two possible building sites were being reviewed, and on October 19th the voters decided to move forward with the south site pictured below.

1 Peter 2:4-6 (NIV)