Building in Faith
The First Evangelical Lutheran Church Expansion will greatly improve the congregation’s ability to serve all its members and the West Anne Arundel County community. The church is already growing by leaps and bounds. And with the influx of people to Ft. Meade as a result of the base realignment and closures (BRAC), First Lutheran must be prepared to share fellowship and God’s word to ever more of His people.
Check our weekly progress at http://felcexpansion.shutterfly.com/.
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FELC EXPANSION UPDATE
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By Mike Petersen
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Landscaping Help Needed: Frank Hart will be heading our FELC landscaping work. We need workers for this committee. This work should begin in mid/late April and is for only as long as it takes to plant bushes and shrubs needed to beautify the construction areas of FELC. Please contact Frank at 410-799-4824 or hd00001@verizon.net for more information.
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POC for Basement Air Conditioners: We need someone to plan for the purchase and installation of air conditioners in our basement and Sunday School classroom window areas. Planning would also include arrangements for security cages (welded heavy mesh screening or R-bar cages) to protect the air conditioners from damage or theft. Protection of church property from Skateboarders: Skateboarders continue to use our outside ramp and stair railings and are beginning to damage church property, primarily our railings. We will be ordering skateboard barriers that will fit over portions of the railings to prevent skateboarders from using and damaging them. Cost for these materials and installation is between $800 and $1,000.
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Emergency Backup Sump System: Our architects recommend we purchase an emergency backup sump system for the plaza area in addition to our regular sump pump. This emergency system will have a battery backup and a smaller pump mounted higher in the sump than our regular pump. This will allow, in the event of a power failure during rainy weather, for the smaller backup pump to operate up to 24 hours on battery power. Cost is expected to be about $5,000.
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Inputs Needed for Electronic Sign for FELC: We are looking at pur-chasing an electronic signboard for the front area of our church. These signs can be programmed to publicize FELC events and other pertinent information. We have essentially two options: 1) a double-sided sign that will face both Piney Orchard Parkway and Odenton Road for about $41,000 for full color and $33,000 for monochrome; 2) a single-sided sign that would face Piney Orchard Parkway and that portion of Odenton Road coming from the MARC Station for about $26,000 for full color and $22,000 for monochrome. The signs would have metal frames and posts, but the potential exists for a brick base to be installed at additional cost. Actual electronic sign size would be about 42 inches high by 71 inches wide. We currently have or will shortly receive two separate sign company bids covering options 1 and 2 above. If any FELC members know of a sign company that would bid on this project, please contact me for specifics. We‘d like to complete our evaluation of all bids by the end of April. Your inputs are also needed to ensure we answer any concerns, meet information needs, and that we are good finan-cial stewards. Please also note that the FELC Ladies‘Auxiliary has indicated that they will be providing financial support to this project.
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Among the most significant improvements the project will provide are:
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Better handicapped access
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An enlarged narthex
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A new nursery
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Crying room
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Additional meeting rooms for church and community use
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Joining the church and fellowship hall
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Improved lighting
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Refinished pews and sanctuary floor
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New sanctuary carpeting
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Central heat and air conditioning
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Increased storage area, especially for the CAP pantry
First Lutheran’s expansion will enable us to better serve the needs of our growing congregation and the community. We have been truly blessed with the growing number of people that have generously supported and shared the vision
Building in Faith …Begins with you
Your first Step: Pray
Sacrificial giving usually requires us to move outside our comfort zone and stretches our faith as we give beyond our normal gifts. Please make the amount of your gift a matter of daily prayer, seeking to find what God wants you to give.
Your Second Step: Discuss
Couples and families should take time to discuss this matter and seek God’s guidance together.
Your Third Step: Commit
It is vital that everyone in our church faithfully seeks God’s guidance about what they should do and then express that faith in a financial and prayer commitment. This vision will only become reality through the sacrificial commitments we make.
Your Gift Makes a Difference
Please take a moment to look at the table below and you’ll see what a difference you can make!
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Weekly
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Monthly
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Annually
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3-Year Total
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$ 5.00
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$ 21.67
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$ 260.00
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$ 780.00
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$ 8.00
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$ 34.67
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$ 416.00
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$ 1,248.00
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$ 10.00
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$ 43.33
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$ 520.00
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$ 1,560.00
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$ 15.00
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$ 65.00
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$ 780.00
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$ 2,340.00
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$ 20.00
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$ 86.67
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$ 1,040.00
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$ 3,120.00
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$ 25.00
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$ 108.33
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$ 1,300.00
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$ 3,900.00
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$ 30.00
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$ 130.00
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$ 1,560.00
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$ 4,680.00
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$ 40.00
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$ 173.33
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$ 2,080.00
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$ 6,240.00
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$ 50.00
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$ 216.67
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$ 2,600.00
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$ 7,800.00
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$ 60.00
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$ 260.00
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$ 3,120.00
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$ 9,360.00
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$ 75.00
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$ 325.00
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$ 3,900.00
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$ 11,700.00
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$ 100.00
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$ 433.33
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$ 5,200.00
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$ 15,600.00
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$ 300.00
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$ 1,300.00
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$ 15,600.00
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$ 46,800.00
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