first lutheran church - june 10 & 11 · 2019. 3. 25. · these are exciting times in the life...

COMMITMENT WEEKEND

JUNE 10 & 11

Worship Saturday - 5:00 p.m.Sunday - 9:00 and

11:15 a.m.

Bring your commitment forms

to worshipTogether, we will offer our commitments, offerings,

and prayers with faith and thanksgiving.

Breakfast Served All Sunday Morning

Come before or following worship

8:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.Please plan to join us for

worship, a meal and Fellowship.

First LC Cedar Rapids 8 pg horizontal brochure GOLD at 100% 4 21 17 FINAL REPRINT 5 5 17.indd 1 5/5/2017 1:44:24 PM

“We are renewing the foundation stones of worship and building for the sake of the whole work of the church.” Pastor Knudson

“Together, we can enhance our current ministry and expand our vibrant, caring community.” Lois Buntz Co-Chair

“I am honored to lend my skills and experiences to help ensure that the legacy to First Lutheran Church will continue for generations to come.” Chris DeWolf Co- Chair

1000 Third Avenue SE Cedar Rapids, IA 52403 319.365.1494

firstlutherancr.org

Cedar Rapids, Iowa

May 2017

Dear Members and Friends,

These are exciting times in the life of First Lutheran Church. Renewing God’s

House Capital Campaign will strengthen our facility for effective ministry long

into the future.

Now, you are invited to join with the whole congregation in making a three-year

capital campaign gift. What does this mean? Each gift will be unique to each

person’s circumstance. Yet, one of the following guidelines may be helpful to

you.

• For some with accumulated assets, it could mean a leadership or

pacesetting gift.

• Others might match their regular giving for three years and give the match

to the capital campaign.

• Others might decide to give a full 10% tithe and designate the increase to

the capital campaign.

I invite you to pray about your gift - to reflect on God’s blessings in your life and

what your commitment will be.

Enclosed you will find a commitment form and specific information about how

gifts can be given. Complete the commitment form, enclose it in the envelope,

and bring it to worship on Commitment Weekend, June 10th and 11th. If you

cannot be present that day, or wish to make an early commitment, please mail

your form ahead of time.

I ask your prayers, for we can only accomplish this vision with God’s Spirit

working in our midst.

In the name of Christ,

Steve Knudson, Pastor


WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY ABOUT GIVING?

First fruits - giving first and best.

Honor the Lord with your substance and with the first

fruits of all your produce.Proverbs 3:9

Proportionate - giving from blessings received.

No one should appear before the Lord empty-handed; all shall give as

they are able, according to the blessings of the Lord your God that he has given you.

Deuteronomy 16:16-17

Sacrificial - giving honor to God, doing God’s will.

For as I can testify, they voluntarily gave according to their means, begging us earnestly for the privilege of sharing in this ministry to the saints - and this, not merely as we expected; they gave themselves first to the Lord

and, by the will of God, to us.

2 Corinthians 8:3-5


Mission of WorshipThe sanctuary remodel and organ replacement goes to the heart of our mission by maintaining the strength of worship at First Lutheran Church. Two-thirds of worship attendance happens at the traditional service, and the vitality of the trandtional service plays a central role in supporting all other ministries. Work on the sanctuary will support both traditional and contemporary worship, as well as provide a more flexible chancel area for community worship services for healing. Renewing our house of worship will make an impact now and sustain vibrant worship for the sake of all ministries.

Sanctuary Remodel - $1,190,000 New Organ - $1,300,000

Mission of MaintenanceWork on the roof, air-conditioning, heating, bell tower, and Mother’s Lounge are all needed maintenance items that fulfill our commitment to God’s mission in the heart of the city. We are here to make a difference.

Maintenance - $1,215,000

Fixed Planning and Finance Costs The major fixed “soft costs” for the projects includes pre-planning and architectural fees, fundraising and construction loan.

Fixed Costs - $550,000

Mission PartnersIn an effort to be faithful in outreach to our community and the world, the Renewing God’s House campaign will support the following ministries: Willis Dady Shelter, UI Campus Ministry, Anamosa ELCA Prison Ministry and Global Outreach.

Mission Partners - $40,000

ENHANCING FIRST LUTHERAN’S MISSION AND MINISTRY

WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THIS

CAMPAIGN?

U First Lutheran’s existing facility has served God’s mission well for many years. Now, we have come to see that it is time to renew this house of worship.

U Renewing God’s House will take care of deferred maintenance, provide upgrades, and bring the facility back to a condition that says we are good stewards.

U We will also remodel and renovate the sanctuary and organ to carry out God’s mission more effectively.

WHAT IS THE FINANCIAL GOAL

OF THIS CAMPAIGN?

Our goal is to raise $4.2 million in cash, gifts given from assets, and three-year commitments.


5

Mission of WorshipThe sanctuary remodel and organ replacement goes to the heart of our mission by maintaining the strength of worship at First Lutheran Church. Two-thirds of worship attendance happens at the traditional service, and the vitality of the trandtional service plays a central role in supporting all other ministries. Work on the sanctuary will support both traditional and contemporary worship, as well as provide a more flexible chancel area for community worship services for healing. Renewing our house of worship will make an impact now and sustain vibrant worship for the sake of all ministries.

Sanctuary Remodel - $1,190,000 New Organ - $1,300,000

Mission of MaintenanceWork on the roof, air-conditioning, heating, bell tower, and Mother’s Lounge are all needed maintenance items that fulfill our commitment to God’s mission in the heart of the city. We are here to make a difference.

Maintenance - $1,215,000

Fixed Planning and Finance Costs The major fixed “soft costs” for the projects includes pre-planning and architectural fees, fundraising and construction loan.

Fixed Costs - $550,000

Mission PartnersIn an effort to be faithful in outreach to our community and the world, the Renewing God’s House campaign will support the following ministries: Willis Dady Shelter, UI Campus Ministry, Anamosa ELCA Prison Ministry and Global Outreach.

Mission Partners - $40,000

ENHANCING FIRST LUTHERAN’S MISSION AND MINISTRY

WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO INVEST IN OUR

BUILDING?

U When we take care of the building, we affirm our commitment to be a place of mission in the heart of the city.

U This church is about the present and the future. It is what we need to do now to continue to be the church we hold dear.

U Because prior generations built a solid building, there is much we don’t have to do. Now it is our turn to leave a legacy of quality that will last.


MAY I CONTRIBUTE GIFTS OTHER THAN CASH?

The church can accept gifts of real estate, stocks, securities, certificates of deposit, or other forms of personal property. A gift of stock or other property is deductible at its current value when given-not at your original cost. As the deduction is based on worth, not cost, this type of gift is very popular.

Distributions from retirement accounts provides a charitable giving opportunity for IRA owners who are 70-1/2 years of age and older. The direct transfer to the church may be up to $100,000 in one year from each individual IRA account. This rollover distribution will not be taxable in the donor’s federal tax return.

See the enclosed pamphlet entitled, “Who Says It Has To Be Cash?” for more giving opportunity details. Contact Tim Box, at the church, for additional help in your gift decision.

HOW WILL WE ATTAIN OUR CAPITAL CAMPAIGN GOAL?

We ask you to prayerfully consider a sacrificial gift for this campaign. We need gifts in the ranges on the chart below,

given over a three-year period,to reach our goal of

$4,200,000 or more

Legacy Gifts $500,000 to $1,000,000

Major Gifts

$250,000 $100,000 $ 75,000 $ 50,000

Pacesetter Gifts $ 45,000 $ 35,000 $ 25,000 $ 10,000

Weekly Gifts $50 per week$40 per week$30 per week$25 per week$20 per week$15 per week$10 per week


HOW TO COMPLETE THE COMMITMENT FORM:• The commitment form is for your three-year gift to the capital campaign.• Please make any corrections to your contact information on the form.• You can fulfill your gift in a number of ways, or a combination: Weekly gifts for 156 weeks Monthly (36 months), quarterly, or yearly gifts. One time gifts of stocks, assets.• Sign the form and and seal in the enclosed return envelope.• Bring your commitment to worship on Commitment Weekend,

June 10th and 11th.• If you cannot be present those days, or wish to make an early

commitment, mail your commitment form ahead of time.• The three year giving period runs June 18, 2017 through June 17, 2020.• Please call the church office at (319) 365-1494 with any questions.

WHY IS MAINTAINING MY REGULAR

STEWARDSHIP GIVING IMPORTANT?

We need to support our ongoing ministry and outreach if we are going to continue to make an impact in this community. Our regular giving supports our ongoing ministry efforts.

Gifts to the capital campaign need to be over and above regular annual giving. Please continue to support our ongoing ministries.

HOW CAN I MAKE THIS CAMPAIGN A SUCCESS?

• By praying for First Lutheran Church.

• By returning your gift form to the church on Commitment Weekend, June 10th and 11th.

• By prayerfully responding to God’s gift of love with your generous gift.

WHY ARE COMMITMENTS IMPORTANT?

• The pledges we receive will determine what we can accomplish for the building.

• The campaign is based on the commitment to build in proportion of what we can raise.

• This is why our shared participation is so important.


We have the opportunity to do God’s mission

in this time and place, while creating a legacy

for ministry which will continue into the future.

First Lutheran Church1000 Third Avenue SE

Cedar Rapids, IA 52403319-365-1494

www.firstlutherancr.org

“Come to Jesus, a living stone…and like living stones, let yourselves be built into a spiritual house..” 1 Peter 2:4-5


first lutheran church - june 10 & 11 · 2019. 3. 25. · these are exciting times in the life...

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