In HIM We Built

by Daniel. Posted on May 20th, 2008

In 1998, our current site as an older office complex was acquired by Lord’s Grace Christian Church (LGCC). At the time of purchase, our church had the full intent to utilize the entire facility for church ministries at God’s timing. As we looked back in the last few years on our 35 year journey, we are amazed how things are working together for good. It is for the good of those who love God.

During the internet bubble era, the supplemental income from rent made the campus affordable for our financial plan. After the burst of the internet bubble, our out-dated property was no longer competitive in the rental market. In 2003, we launched the “Together we Build” stewardship campaign in our 30th anniversary for the purpose of refinancing the mortgage of the church property. It was your response to the calling of that purpose together with your participation and support in the fundraising that bring all things work together for good. Together we built up the body of Christ with emphasis on the importance of participation, involvement, and working together as a way to build unity and body growth.

After the refinancing, we gain the financial strength to receive the blessing of more pastoral staff. It is your willingness to co-work with our Lord that makes the difference. The difference on mortgage expense builds up our faith to take a more proactive approach on the budget for church growth. The Pastoral Team and Deacon Board came to the decision to terminate the rental business and the determination to grow the church. Our church has pulled by the vision of church growth and pushed by the needs of ministries to undertake a major facility plan – “Remodeling” Project. In His time, the needs become the lenses that help us to focus on the vision at this stage.

1. Leadership – in His time, our church is equipped with full pastoral team and co-workers for the opportunities to reach out and the opportunities for us to serve in our spiritual home. We would like to grow in prayer, evangelism and mission. In Him we build His Kingdom.
2. Worship, Fellowship, and Discipleship – in His time, we need more physical space to provide purpose-driven worship services for different demographic groups (i.e. Mandarin, Cantonese, English and Children). Facility with the proper form and function for fellowship and discipleship among various age groups (i.e. Children, Youth, and Adult) is in great demand. In Him we build the Body of Christ with sincere relationships.
3. Stewardship – reserve fund is allocated by the Board to cover extraordinary maintenance on repair, renewal, and replacement expenses as well as upgrade that usually do not require major code-compliance. Our facility is currently imposed with immediate action on substantial maintenance due to end of the life cycle and previous postponement. In His time, we have the opportunity to do the facility improvement in a window that overlaps with the remodeling activities. The improvement and remodeling efforts can be leveraged and integrated in a more cost effective fashion. In Him we build the church buildings.

In 2008, we launched “In Him we Build” stewardship campaign in our 35th anniversary. “In Him” is the God-centered message – we build because of Him (why), we rely on Him to build (how), and we build accordance to His calling (what). “we Build” – we build the church building, people, Body, and Kingdom.

The objective of the project is to build a second Worship Center, expand Children’s Center, renovate Body Life Center, allowing for future church growth. The budget of $1.2M for the Remodeling Project is consists of $1M from fund raising and $200K from the reserve fund. Our fund raising target is to collect the pledge for the amount of $1M by the end of March 2008.

• Invite – We invite each one in the LGCC community to join us to work together under the providence of our gracious Lord again. We trust our Lord will lead each one of us in the Remodeling Project and we urge you to follow His calling on your participation. Whether it is the last 2 coins from a widow or 5 loaves and 2 fishes from a boy, it is our goal to see FULL participation on the offering. Your contribution will be a blessing to the others.
• Include – We ask you to include the entire Remodeling Project in your prayers. Please include planning, execution, and communication; most important of all is the application of the facility in your prayers. While every part of the Body is included in the Remodeling Project regardless of your age, language or dialect and gender; we also ask you to include the Remodeling Project as part of your church ministries as well.
• Involve – We ask you to get involved in the Remodeling Project in many different ways. Your head (talent & skill), heart (encouragement & suggestion), and spirit (prayer & inspiration) are vital to the progress.

Let us invest our internal faithfulness in the Remodeling Project and pray for the Lord to bring external fruitfulness in His way.

Bring Your Pledge or Offering to Church
If you would like to make a pledge or write a check or give cash, you may bring it with you to a Sunday service, drop it in the offering bags as they are passed.

Mail Your Check
Sometimes it is easier to simply mail in your gift like you would any other bill. Many choose this option by sending their offering to:

Accounting Department
Lord’s Grace Christian Church
1101 San Antonio Road, #409
Mountain View, CA 94043

Your gift will be processed and counted toward the following week’s offering.

Gifts of Stocks and Bonds
Stock is a great way to give without incurring capital gains on appreciated assets. You can transfer your stock gift from your account directly to the church’s account. The church will sell the asset on the same day and apply the amount of the sale to your annual contribution statement. If you have a stock certificate on hand and want to discuss how to make the transfer, contact the Accounting office at (650) 623-0916 x104 on Monday, Wednesday, Friday between 9:00 AM and 1:00 PM or email account “@” lordsgrace.org.

 

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