A note from your pastor...

When our elders decided at the beginning of 2022 that the time was right for us to launch a new capital campaign to finally realize the dream of building a multi-purpose facility, I decided to read John Ruskin’s classic, The Seven Lamps of Architecture. I wanted to sharpen my vision and prepare my heart for this great undertaking. I am so glad I did. 

Though I had read the little book numerous times and even used it as the primary text for a college course I taught a few years ago, I needed to be reminded that the work before us was not merely for the utilitarian purpose of build- ing an adequate meeting space. We were laying foundations for covenantal succession, for generational continuity, for a long-term Gospel commitment to our community. As Ruskin declared, “When we build, let us build for the future and not merely for present delight, nor for present use alone; let it be such work as our descendants will thank us for, and that men will say, ‘See! This is what our fathers did for us.’” 

Of course, that exhortation is as apt for our tasks of preaching, teaching, evangelism, discipleship, counseling, worship, missions, and fellowship as it is for building buildings. My prayer for us in 2023 is that we would set our hearts and minds on building for the future—perhaps the distant future that some of us may not even see! 

Now, to be sure, I very much am looking forward to all the immediate benefits of our new facilities. But even more, I am looking forward to that day when our sons and daughters can say, “See! This is what our fathers did for us.” May we build for this day and that day.

Financial report

Total Pledges
$3,290,488.00
Total Pledges Paid to Date
$1,419,405.62
Total Collected to Date
$1,629,605.18

*Some of the collected A&B funds were used to pay off the existing mortgage making the church debt free. 

Building updates

As the markets for capital have tightened and as interest rates have increased, banks have tightened their lending practices for construction projects in many sectors. The requirements for loan approval have become more stringent and this has led to further delays in negotiating financing with banks. 

Members of the Building Commission are diligently working with Studio Bank on possible financing for the desired site work and for construction of the Multipurpose Building. This has taken longer than expected due to complexities in the capital markets discussed above and with the results of an appraisal that was previously completed for our building and property. The appraisal valued the PPC land and building lower than expected, making financing it more complicated. 

We are hoping to complete discussions soon and will report formally to the congregation in the coming months as there are new developments to report. 

The status of our Arise & Build funding as of 3/05/2023 is as follows:
Current Building Fund Balance $1,004,189.10
Down payment needed to start project $2,400,000
Current estimated cost of project $5,400,000

PRAY WITH US
O Lord God, holy Father, be you now and forever blessed. For as you will, so it has been done; and what you do is good. Let your servant rejoice in you, not in myself or in any other. You alone are my true joy. You are my hope and my crown. You are my gladness and my honor. O Lord, what has your servant but what has been received from you without deserving it? Yours are all things that you have given and have made.

Amen.

Thomas a Kempis (1379-1471)