In 2009 we celebrated the placement of a cross atop our church's bell tower.

Today that cross continues to stand above downtown Laguna Beach as a

symbol of God's grace to us.

Because God sacrificed his Son, we are free to live the abundant life,

unshackled by sin and death. In one moment 2000 years ago, humanity's debt

was paid for all time. At the cross, God stamped it

Through the indwelling Spirit of God, the power of the cross has been

breathed into each of our lives. And now we have an opportunity to share

the good news of this amazing grace by repaying the debt we have incurred

for our church building's restoration.

A final repayment of this debt will allow us to remain––powerfully

committed and fully dedicated, in resources and heart––to the fulfillment of

our mission as a living church.

We have built a strong foundation of faith here in Laguna Beach, a lighthouse

of the Gospel, shining forth to the south coast of Orange County and

throughout the world. As we approach our 100th birthday, we pray that we

will be here standing firm––witnessing as God's committed people,

responding to a gracious and faithful God.

May God give us the desire to joyfully sacrifice––

to be God's church fully

Faithfully,

Pastor Jerry Tankersley

PAID IN FULL!

ALIVE FOR MISSION!

FROM JERRY'S DESK

Cover photo by Rick Lang.Historical photos archived by Jim Hind.Photos throughout brochure by Rick Lang and John Cullings.

1890s

1915

1917

1925-1947

1948-1971

1972-2012

Sabra and Sylvanus Ferris start a Sunday school on the porch of their beachfront cottage, not

wanting to "leave their faith behind while on vacation." The group expands and meets in the

Village Meeting Hall. They soon outgrow that space.

Rev. Paul Stevens, a Presbyterian missionary, oversees the construction of a chapel on 2nd Street.

The Little Brown Church, built upon two lots purchased for $500, is dedicated on August 29, 1915.

The congregation calls its first pastor, the Rev. A. W. Prewitt and becomes a part of the Presbytery

of Los Angeles. Artist, Anna Hills, and her sister, Nellie Hills, oversee a burgeoning children's

Sunday school and Women's Missionary Society, bringing together faith, arts, and culture.

The Rev. Raymond I. Brahms oversees construction of the Spanish Colonial Sanctuary.

The congregation is 100 strong. The Sanctuary is dedicated on March 18, 1928!

Under the new leadership of Rev. Dallas R. Turner the church celebrates its 50th anniversary:

a Christian education building is completed, Vacation Bible School begins, the Community

Presbyterian Preschool opens, and the carillon rings out over Laguna.

Rev. Jerry Tankersley begins his ministry with a vision––a church of devoted, committed disciples

of Jesus Christ––a “Lighthouse of the Gospel." In 2005, when the historic church is imperiled, the

congregation raises $9.5 million over the next five years and saves the sanctuary––an amazing

demonstration of bold vision, faithfulness and stewardship by God's people!

The newly renovated Sanctuary and Youth Center are rededicated to the glory of God on

January 24, 2010. Since Sunday, December 13, 2009, over 41,000 worshippers have praised

God in our Sanctuary!

A LEGACY OF BOLD VISIONARIES

WE GIVE THANKS & CELEBRATE THE...

women and men educated for

ordained ministry

high school students

confirmed since 1992

volunteers who gathered at LPC, ready

to serve, immediately after the '93 fire

high school students who have traveled

to Molokai, Hawaii on mission since 1992

dresses, hand-made by members and

friends of LPC, sent to children in Africa,

Haiti and Vietnam

children welcomed to Vacation Bible

School over the past 10 years and

students who have surfed through

Club H2O over the past 20 years

women and men ordained as deacons

and elders since 1919

32

490,000

2,144,435

9,500,000

children who have skipped

through our preschool

people in the city of Laguna that

we seek to love and serve

tamales served on Hospitality Nights to

benefit the La Playa ESL program

dollars given by the Carson Trust Fund to

train women and men for ordained

ministry in the church

dollars given to local outreach and

world mission over the past 10 years

(this includes $500,000 given to

Joining Hearts & Hands)

dollars raised as a part of the "Open

Door" and "Build It for Him" capital

campaigns to restore our Sanctuary and

transform the Youth Center––all for the

purpose of spreading the good news

1164004 36475

1,200

41, 18

5,000+22,72324,100

OUR FUTURE IS BRIGHTbut to continue the mission of our church we must address our current debt.

How much was the loan?

What are its terms?

When is the final payment due?

How much is needed for the debt to be PAID IN FULL?

Why pay off the debt now?

How much money do we currently have in the bank?

$7 million.

It's a 10-year mortgage. The interest rate is 4.5%. The monthly payments are $73,000 or

$876,000 per year. We praise God for making available to us a loan with such a great rate

and terms.

August 1, 2020.

$5.7 million (the unpaid balance as of January 1, 2012).

The longer we wait to pay the loan "in full," the more we will ultimately pay in interest. If

we simply continue to make the required monthly payments of $73,000 until the 2020 due

date, we will have paid $7.6 million against the remaining balance of $5.7 million.

$954,000 as of January 1, 2012.

This amount represents 13 months of payments.

So, by February 1, 2013, the pool for repayment on the loan will be dry.

Q: A:

Q: A:

Q: A:

Q: A:

Q: A:

Q: A:

baptisms celebrated in our Sanctuary on Sunday mornings

1,916

cups of coffee lovingly served during Sunday fellowship

hour in 2011

8,900

graduates of our Disciple Bible classes since 1998

473

Laguna Presbyterian Church stands at the center of Laguna Beach and the south coast of Orange County as a lighthouse of the truth, grace, love, and compassion of the gospel of Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. We come to this place not as an end in itself, but as a launching pad for God's mission to the whole world.- Dr. Jerry Tankersley, Sanctuary Rededication on January 24, 2010

Why is debt retirement so important to the future mission of LPC?

What encourages us to believe that we can retire this debt in full?

We cannot make the loan payments out of our operating budget without eliminating staff (including pastoral staff). Without staff,

we can't do much of the work God has called us to, here or abroad.

Until the note is paid off in full, the annual payment of $876,000 would consume over 70% of our annual operating budget. It

follows that we cannot service the debt from our operating budget without crippling cuts to all aspects of the church's programs.

What we do know is that we raised $9.5 million in the last two campaigns, which occurred in the midst of the worst and most

prolonged economic downturn since the Great Depression. We do know that God is faithful and has abundantly blessed this

church by the sacrificial giving of members and friends beyond what we could have ever asked or imagined.

We believe that we are called to be faithful stewards of this church, these facilities, and this campus. We are grateful that God has

entrusted us with this mission at this time. We are inspired by the bold visionaries of this church. We are encouraged by their

witness to a faithful God and their desire to serve Christ in this community and in the world.

WHY DEBT RETIREMENT IS ESSENTIAL TO THE FUTURE MISSION OF LPCQ: A:

Q: A:

Our Sunday school rooms were filled to capacity

Sunday morning services were so full we needed to add

another service

Bible studies were overflowing with disciples of all ages, members

and non-members, in every stage of their faith journey

More people in our community came to see LPC's programs

and connections as vital for their lives––their anchor

Our facilities hosted events and gatherings that brought hundreds

of people onto our campus

Glorious music floated over the campus from concerts held

in our Sanctuary

We were able to have an even greater impact for the kingdom

of God in our community and the world

WHAT IF?

Give thanks!

Attend the Dialogue Gatherings.

Pray.

ALIVE FOR MISSION!

Celebrate God's faithfulness to this church over

its long history, and the faithfulness of God's people.

As you do, ask how

might God use your unique gifts and talents to help continue

and grow the mission of Laguna Presbyterian Church.

Pray for the leaders of this campaign. Pray for the bold

witness of our church and this congregation as we seek to be

God's church––

WHAT CAN I DO?

WHAT IF PAID IN FULL?

WHAT IF

WHAT IF ALIVE FOR MISSION?

the debt were

we could focus fully on participating with God in

the great commission here in our community and in the world?

we were a church fully

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the sake of the joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God. - Hebrews 12:1-2

Phone: 949.494.7555415 Forest Avenue, Laguna Beach, CA 92651 Fax: 949.497.6465 www.lagunapreschurch.org