september newsletter - the springs lutheran church
TRANSCRIPT
Volume 5, Issue 9
Women’s Group
August Summary
2
Adult Discipleship Sem-
inar
School of Outreach
WELS Mobile
Birthdays and Anniver-
saries
3
Purchase of Land
Adopted!
4
Choir Time?
Grant Update
Military Care Package
Bible Studies Offered
Divine Call Extended
5
September Calendar &
Serving Teams
Insert
Inside this issue:
When Labor Day hits and footballs begin to fly… you know that
Fall is not far off. This year, we chose the last Saturday of Septem-
ber for our 3rd Annual Harvest Fest and Chili Cook-off.
We invite you to celebrate the coming of fall with your friends
and family at The Springs as well as those in our neighborhood.
September 28 ~ 10:30 am to 1:00 pm
@ The Ministry Center
We will have fun fall crafts, games and a Bible lesson on letting
our Thankfulness for all God’s blessings shine! The fun all begins
at 10:30 and then concludes with a Chili Cook-off at noon. A num-
ber of our members have signed up to prepare their secret recipes
for everyone to sample. There will be two winners de-
clared: a “Fan Favorite” chosen by the crowd; as well
as the “Judges Favorite” chosen by a panel of
“experts”.
The fun doesn’t stop there, but continues the next day with:
Friendship Sunday ~ September 29
A special 10:30 am service is being
planned to focus on the wonderful relation-
ship we have with God because of Jesus our
Lord and Savior. Afterwards there will be a
pie and ice cream social.
Perhaps you have a friend, neighbor or co-
worker whom you’d like to invite to worship.
This would be the perfect time to extend that
invitation. Special invites will be available on
the Information Table at church. Pick up a
few and hand them out!
In Jesus’ name ~ Pastor Steven Hillmer
September 2013
News & Highlights flowing from
Jesus himself says,
"Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of
water welling up to
eternal life."
(John 4:13-14)
Harvest Fest & Chili Cook-off
“Sharing the unchanging Word of God with a changing world!”
The Stream
PAGE 2 THE STREAM VOLUME 5, I SSUE 9
Women’s Group
Our worship attendance for August was the best on record, averaging 74 people each week! Our “Back to
School” emphasis kicked off our Christian Education Sunday on August 11. We are pleased to offer 4 different
classes for children. The adults are studying the topic of “Burden Bearing” which has been a real blessing for all.
Our Building Fund continues to grow. *At this time $5000 has been transferred to our checking to act as a buff-
er. It is all still there. Gifts to the General Fund exceeded expenses by $16, but on the fiscal year (which begins in
July) we are $598 behind. We finished last fiscal year almost $2800 ahead, so there is a buffer. The budget that was
adopted called for very minimal increases in expenses. May
we use this opportunity to rebuild a buffer as well as repay
the $5000 borrowed from the Building Fund.
Online Giving through our website is now being used by
more and more of our members, as well as others who re-
ceive this newsletter and are moved to contribute. If you
have not yet done so and would like to explore this as an
option, you can check out the link on our website. Look for
this image in the upper corner. You may also contact Pastor
Tom Valleskey who helped set up this giving avenue. Re-
member that if you use a credit card or debit card, a small %
is deducted to cover costs. Using the EFT method is com-
pletely free: meaning that you entire
gift comes to the church.
August’s
Attendance
Worship Adult
Bible
Class
Children’s
Bible
Class
Thurs.
Bible
Class
Aug 4 75 18 12 11
Aug 11 74 17 10 9
Aug 18 73 14 14 10
Aug 25 74 19 11 12
Averages 74 17 12 10
Gifts & Subsidy August Year to Date
General Fund $6,691 $57,292
Subsidy from WELS $2,500 $20,000
Subsidy from SotM $2,000 $16,000
Rental Income $565 $4,620
Gifts / Other Income $0 $371
Totals $11,756 —
Special Missions $98 $701.75
Love Fund $75 $1198
Building Fund $855 $63,744*
Expenses August Totals
CMO Remitted (5.5%) $344 $2,416 YTD
Monthly Expenses $11,740 ($598) FY
Balance in Checking $10,335 —
Balance in Savings $48,750 —
August Summaries
There is interest in getting our Women’s Group started once again. We would like to meet for Bible study, fellowship, assisting with needs in the congregation and community, and con-nect with our other WELS women’s groups through the LWMS Rallies that happen twice a year. LWMS stands for Lutheran Women’s Missionary Society. The Fall Rally is at St. Mark’s Citrus Heights, CA on October 19.
Cindy Porath is preparing an “Interest Questionnaire” that will be circulated this month. Some of the questions that need to be addressed is WHEN the group will meet, as well as what other activities and projects we can assist with.
As we continue to grow, we look forward to this opportunity to support and encouraged one another. May God bless this ministry among us.
PAGE 3 THE STREAM VOLUME 5, I SSUE 9
School of Outreach (Mini-version) Sept 22
The WELS Commission on Evangelism exists to encourage WELS congregations to seize the many op-portunities for ministry. To assist churches, “Schools of Outreach” are held each year in various areas. I serve as our AZ-CA District’s Coordinator and a presenter. Two seminars are scheduled this fall; one in Redding (9/21) and one in Las Vegas (11/2). Pastor Mike Hintz is our Synod’s coordinator and chief pre-senter. We will lead the session in Redding on Sept. 21 and then he will lead a “mini-version” at The Springs on Sunday Sept 22 during our 9:00 am Bible Class hour entitled Friendship Evangelism. Make plans to come for this special Bible Class! It will help you invite folks for our Friendship Sunday on 9/29.
WELS Mobile July’s WELS Connection Video highlighted some
new advancements in technology for our synod:
including mobile. I would encourage you to down-
load the WELS App on your android or I-phone.
You’ll find daily devotions, read the
Forward in Christ for free, watch
videos, use the WELS Locator app
when travelling to find the nearest
church and more! You’ll also find
under “READ” a link for “Worship
Helps” which gives you the upcom-
ing week’s Scripture readings and
questions to help you prepare for
Sunday’s worship. Neat!
Angela Rowan Sept 9
Mary Smith Sept 20
Kim Schlittenhart Sept 21
Larry Porath Sept 25
Mel & Marlene
Schlicker ~ 9/5
Dave & Pam
Clizer ~ 9/6
Roger & Patsy
Ruchala ~ 9/8
Zach & Christina
McGrath ~ 9/9
Bill & Sue
Long ~ 9/13
Joe & Angela
Rowan ~ 9/26
September Birthdays
and Anniversaries
For those who have joined The Springs over the past 2 years, the long awaited BIC II is here. Pas-
tor Hillmer will lead two Saturday mini-seminars entitled “Discipleship Training.” These semi-
nar/workshops will be held on Sept. 14 and Oct. 12 at the Ministry Center from 9:30 until 11:45 am.
Adult Discipleship Seminar ~ Sept 14
Session One ~ Sept 14:
Christ’s Disciples are Students of the Word
Christ’s Disciples are People of Prayer
Christ’s Disciples Know and Seek to Carry
Out the Mission of the Church
Christ’s Disciples Use their Spiritual Gifts
for the sake of the Body + Take Home—
Spiritual Gifts Discovery Tool!
Session Two ~ Oct 12:
The Definition of Biblical Leadership
The Attitude of Christian Leaders
Christian Leaders Provide Leadership in
Planning the Work and Working the Plan
If you are able to attend, please let Pastor
Hillmer know so that he can prepare enough
materials for everyone. Make plans to grow in
your faith and service to the Lord!
PAGE 4 THE STREAM VOLUME 5, I SSUE 9
Report from Land Search Committee to the Voters - September 1, 2013
The parcel of land that we have been looking at has been transferred to the previous owner Mr. Ar-
thur Pastel. He has agreed to sell the land to the Church for $50,000.00. We tried to negotiate the
price down but he was not interested in any lower offer. This still appears to be a good deal compared
to other land we have looked at around the area and compared to what some other new mission
churches may have to pay. We have not opened an escrow account yet.
I have hired a local engineering company (Pezonella Associates, Inc.) to do a Phase 1 Environmental
Site Assessment of the property. They will charge us $1,800.00 to do this report. SEE HANDOUT.
They have reported informally that “the investigation revealed no evidence of recognized conditions in
connection with the Property”. SEE HANDOUT.
We still need to do an appraisal for the property for the CEF grant money for the down payment.
We have asked Charles Kitchen Realty to assist us with the purchase transaction and he has agreed
to help (at no charge). He and his family are members of Shepherd of the Mountain.
We will still need to do a Special Use Permit from Washoe County for the right to build a church on
the property. I have contacted Lisa Menante, P. E., from C & M Engineering and Design, LTD. to help
with the Special Use Permit Application. She has also agreed to go with us to the county for a primary
meeting to see if they are still in favor of us building a church on the property.
I am in the process for getting, if possible, commitment letters from key entities that will provide the
land with water and sewer. I already have a letter from NV Energy for gas and electricity. I am going
to also ask Washoe County Zoning and Planning for a meeting to get some reassurance that we can in
fact build a church on the land before we finalize the purchase. My intension is to do this before we
send an offer to purchase.
With a purchase price of $50,000.00, WELS CEF (Church Extension Fund) will match a 10% down
payment 4:1 for a grant towards the purchase price. We will calculate the 10% of $50,000 at $5,000 x
4 = $20,000.00 grant that goes toward the $50,000. The Church would then pay a total of $30,000.00
for the land. There will be other fees and costs that will have to be paid by The Church.
Therefore: I recommend to the Church voters that we proceed with the Offer to Purchase be sent to
Mr. Pastel for the purchase of the 2.6 acres for land (APN 534-071-05) for $50,000.00. (We will then
open an escrow account to start the necessary paperwork to close the sale as soon as possible.)
I also recommend the following expenses (up to $14,200) to be paid from the Building Fund:
$1,800 to Pezonella Associates, Inc. for the Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessment report;
$500.00 for the WELS CEF for the Grant Application;
Up to $1,300 for closing costs (might be able to split with seller);
Up to $600 for an appraisal done on the property;
Up to $3,000 to Washoe County for Special Use Permit;
Up to $7,000 to C&M Engineering and Design, LTD for design require-
ments for the Special Use Permit application.
Paul T. Cox ~ Land Committee Chairman
Land Search Committee Proposal Adopted!
These recommendations
passed unanimously at our
Sept. 1 Voters’ Meeting. We
will now enter escrow with
Mr. Pastel. We will also com-
plete the 13 requirements for
the CEF Grant Application
for the $20,000.
PAGE 5 THE STREAM VOLUME 5, I SSUE 9
Bible Classes Offered
At the May meeting for the Church Ex-
tention Fund—C.E.F. and the WELS Board
for Home Missions, B.H.M., discussed the
matter of the $1,000,000 grant. Nationally,
The Springs, is prioritized as the #2 project
for BHM. We submitted a request for
$250,000. The CEF and BHM will meet
September 16. We anticipate hearing from
them shortly after the meeting.
We invite you to one or more of the Bible Studies offered. Gain a deeper understanding of
God’s love for you as you get to know your fellow church members better as well.
Sunday Mornings - 9 am Old Testament Bible History for kids; Teen Bible Class; Adults: “Burden Bearing”
Midweek Adult Bible Class - 7 pm Thursday - “Revelation”
Men’s Bible Breakfast - 8:30 am on the 3rd Saturday - September 21
Bible Information Class - As scheduled
WELS CEF Grant
Military Care Package to be sent out
Bruce Clark has asked about the possibility of putting together a
care package for our member Gabrielle Silva, who is serving in
the Air Force, stationed in Japan. Over the next 2 weeks (Sept 8
& 15) we’d like to gather items, cards, pictures, letters of encourage-
ment for Gabrielle. There will be a box in the entryway where we
can place these items. You can visit the website for tips on care
packages: www.MilitaryBenefits.info
The first official Choir Practice for The Springs Lu-
theran Church will begin this month. We will meet
every other week for an hour at the Ministry Center.
The first practice is:
Tuesday September 10 @ 7:00 pm
We will be working on songs and psalms to sing in
church on October 20 and November 3 (Reformation).
Everyone is welcome!
Lou Margullis ~ Director
Choir Practice Begins
Divine Call Extended On Wednesday, August 21, Shepherd of the Mountains Lu-
theran Church in Reno extended a Divine Call to Pastor Thomas Engelbrecht who is
currently serving Amazing Grace Lutheran Church of South Beloit, IL. He was assigned to
this congregation upon his graduation from Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary in 2008. He
and his wife Jacquelyn have three boys ages 4, 2 , 1 and are expecting a girl in September.
Please keep Pastor Engelbrecht, his family and both congregations in your prayers as he
deliberates this call and where he can best serve the Lord and His people.
150 Isidor Ct. Suite 203
Sparks, NV 89441
Church Office & Ministry Center 150 Isidor Ct., Suite 203 Sparks, NV 89441
Phone: (775) 354-2800
Email: [email protected] Website: www.TheSpringsLutheran.org
Our Place for Sunday Worship Lazy 5 Regional Park - The Cottonwood Room 7100 Pyramid Highway
Sparks, NV 89436 Behind the Spanish Springs Library
Sharing the unchanging
Word of God
with a changing world!
www.TheSpringsLutheran.org
Harvest Festival Saturday September 28
@ the Ministry Center
Friendship Sunday
Sunday September 29
@ the Lazy 5
See page 1 for more details.