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OUR FATHER'S
HOUSE!
OPC BUILDING PROGRAM Building Committee Project Reports The Plan Architect drawing (main level) Architect's visualization (from Ashlawn Av.) Architect's visualization (from Route 25) Power Point Presentation of plans Let's Finish It Checklist
After our expansion dedication, it's time to pause and reflect on the new space we are adding — what's it all about? We've been talking finances and timelines — but why even begin such an ambitious project? The simple response is: as an answer to God's Call for OPC to reach out and bring others to Christ. It's true that ALL churches are called to do that, but very FEW Presbyterian churches actually have GROWN over the last generation. OPC is among only a handful of growing PCUSA congregations! A Dynamic Church OPC is answering the call to be "a dynamic church reflecting the growth in our community" (a self-descriptive phrase penned by the Pastor Nominating Committee in 2002, when Pastor Terry was called to Oswego). Our families, our worship, our mission, our youth ministry — all of these reflect the dynamic call of God in our midst. We Become Stronger Please remember that people don't simply "join" us at OPC, they walk with us on a faith journey in Christ, and we become a new and different fellowship of believers EVERY TIME someone walks in the doors and sits next to us in worship. We become stronger, more diverse, more gifted with every Christ follower. 30% Growth in 7 years At the beginning of 2002, Oswego Presbyterian was 560 members strong. Seven years later, God has blessed our fellowship to 738 members. The total number of persons who have joined OPC since 2002 is 329 persons... with the movement of some to the inactive roll, others by transfer to new locations, and losing some good souls to death, our net 'gain' of fellow travelers in faith is almost 200... an amazing 30% growth Ten Year Trends The PCUSA keeps track of congregation's
statistics and charts them over a ten year trend. OPC's most recent
numbers are exciting: It's not the one who
plants or the one who waters who is at the center of this process but
God, who makes things grow. July 18, 2010 - "Let's Finish It" Fund Established There are many items that still need to be purchased to complete our expansion project. We don't need donated items, just donations. Click here to check out our list. May 23, 2010 - Expansion Dedication and Celebration
Click here for more pictures of our May 23, 2010 Dedication Service. April 4, 2010 -
Easter service in our new sanctuary Click here for more Easter and Palm Sunday Pictures. Papers were signed to rollover our $2.65M construction loan balance into our mortgage arrangement with First Midwest Bank. Pictured below are (left to right): Art Drummond (OPC President), Charissa Dehler (First Midwest Bank), John Kellogg (OPC Expansion Team Chairperson and Debra Krase (OPC Treasurer).
Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for New Education Wing
In the new sanctuary ! Praise the Lord! Click here for more Dec. 20-24 pictures! Or Dec. 1. Or Dec 6. Or Dec. 13.
December 1, 2009
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June 19, 2009 entry from Dick Krase Praestant Associates company, whom we had contracted with to help us remove our current pipes for storage (at a cost of $5,000), has agreed to BUY our pipes from us and remove them without any cost or assistance. They will pay us $2,500 for the value of the pipes, which we will apply to an Organ Fund for the new sanctuary. We will not have the burden of storing pipes, but we will store a few items associated with the organ console just in case they can be used in the new space. Also, beginning on Monday, the wooden and fabric façade at the front of the sanctuary will be removed. The cross will be stored, refinished and placed in the new sanctuary.
3/12/09 entry
from Dick Krase
3/5/09 entry by
Pastor Terry “Everyone started shouting and praising the Lord because work on the foundation of the temple had begun!” -- Ezra 3:11 THIS Sunday, March 8, 2009, at OPC we too will praise the Lord because work on the foundation has begun!! Actually, progress on the expansion this week has included trusses and steel beams for the roof – come take a look at the new OPC taking shape! Pledges will be received and celebrated as part of our second With Faith campaign. Another GREAT video will be seen as we come forward to dedicate ourselves to an exciting, growing future. THANK YOU, for your faith and commitment to God’s work here at OPC! 3/4/09 entry by Grant Castleton March is here and hopefully spring will be here soon so construction can start to pick up. Work continues on the concrete block walls in the new classroom addition and sanctuary. The outline of the windows allows you to imagine what the building will look like. The trusses (rafters and ceiling joists) are being installed on the classroom addition. The trusses for the sanctuary will be delivered next week. Inside the church, the contractors are doing electrical and plumbing work and installing the pipe for the fire protection sprinkler system. Please be careful driving through the parking lot. With the improved weather, there is a lot more construction activity, traffic and building materials stored in the parking lot. 1/05/09 entry by Grant Castleton - Happy New Year! Construction is progressing on the days that the weather cooperates. All the precast concrete flooring for the first floor has been installed. The masons have been installing the concrete block for the walls and the new addition is starting to take shape. 11/05/08 entry by Grant Castleton - The construction of the parking lot expansion has started. The parking area by the labyrinth which will be enlarged has been excavated and stone is being placed to get it back to its final grade. Next, the concrete curbs around the parking lot will be poured, and the plan is for this area to receive its first lift of asphalt later this month. Hopefully, the weather will cooperate. At some time, the remainder of the existing asphalt parking lot will get a new overlay of asphalt to match the final grade of the new parking lot expansion. Storm sewer to drain the parking lot and the areas around the new church addition will also be installed in November. 11/06/08 entry by Grant Castleton - The part of the parking lot that is under construction will be closed for the near future until it is paved. The contractor is setting the steel beams across the foundation to support the precast flooring which is on order. 11/21/08 entry by Grant Castleton - The reconstructed area of the parking lot is being paved with the first layer of asphalt. The week of November 24th, the precast concrete flooring should be delivered to the site. It will be placed on the steel beams already in place. The brick masons have started installing concrete block around the elevator shaft and some of the inner walls of the sanctuary. The next big step is to open a 24 foot wide hole in the west wall of the existing sanctuary in order to install steel columns and a beam to support the framing for the main entrance into the new sanctuary. This work will start the first week of December and will be boarded and cleaned up before the next Sunday's services. 12/03/08 entry by Dick Krase OPC Sanctuary and Seating:
The plan for
seating and flooring in the new sanctuary has gone through a variety of
options before settling on a plan similar the current configuration.
The aisles and area surrounding the altar will be carpeted. The area
under the pews will be tiled. Pews will be padded on both bottom and
back. Although our old pews can be refurbished, the shape of the new
sanctuary will not accommodate them without considerable and costly
alterations. The actual cost of retrofitting the old pews compared to
new pews is a per seat difference of $10-$13. Temporary use of the old
pews without alterations causes problems with anchoring brackets that
may not be compatible with new pews. 10/22/08 email from Rev. Terry:
OPC Members and
Friends:
As the days grow colder and shorter, thought that you might want to know the progress on our exciting building expansion project. An udpate is posted regulary on our webwsite, www.opchurch.org, but here it comes directly to you via our ALL-CHURCH e-mail!
Remember
that if you are curious or have questions, don't hesitate to
ask! Our Project Manager, Grant Casleton, is busy with many
construction details and plans and does a GREAT JOB of keeping
us all informed!
10/3/08 comments by Dick Krase: Mathew 23:23: Read Mathew 23:23, translations vary but the theme is pretty clear. Jesus admonishes the Pharisees. He calls them hypocrites for tithing down to the last spice leaf in their gardens while neglecting faith, justice and mercy. Tithing is a given, it’s what is expected with the full knowledge that we can live comfortably on 90% of our earnings. The really important stuff of living is faith, justice and mercy. 10/1/08 report from Grant Casleton (Project Manager):
The concrete foundations and basement walls for the new classrooms have
been poured. Presently, the plumbing is being installed in this area as
well as construction of the elevator shaft. 8/22/08 report from Rev. Leon:
FOOTINGS, WALLS, REBARS AND
CONCRETE – it’s happening/it’s
happened folks. First it was a pit, then the forms, then the footings,
then more forms with rebars forming a powerful grid. And this morning
the concrete flowed. Come and be surprised at the walls of the new
elevator shaft, new restrooms and Christian Education space.
WO
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------7/23/08 report from Lisa Sidles: BLESSED GROUND-BREAKING! At
a groundbreaking ceremony Sunday, June 29, Presbyterians of all ages
took shovel in hand and broke ground for the OPC Building
Program.
(left to right) Budd Wormley, John Kellogg, Rev. Leon Aalberts, Neal Dodd, Rev. Terry Hennesy
Optimism and excitement filled the air June 29 as more than 200 members gathered for food, fun, fellowship, and flinging dirt! It was a day to celebrate where we’ve been and where we’re going. Time to look back, with friends old and new, upon 155 years of OPC’s history and to look forward to serving God and our community in the years ahead. There was fellowship – getting reacquainted with old friends and meeting new friends, chatting, laughing, enjoying each other’s company.
There was worship – a special service of prayer and dedication led by Pastor Terry and Reverend Leon to rejoice and to anticipate spreading God’s love as we serve our community in the years ahead. There was music – hand bells played by Bob and Marcie Gilchrist and Dick and Deb Krase, guitar played by Sam Perkins, choir and congregational singing led by Paul Ropp and Earlyne Dodd. There was friendly competition – a water relay, bubble-blowing contest, three-legged race, water balloon toss and a moon jump for the young and young at heart. Add to that an old-fashioned pie judging contest and it was a recipe for pure fun!
There was thanks – for all that we have and for the opportunities before us, and because the rain held off until the event was over! There was food – lots of food! Hamburgers and hot dogs grilled to perfection, delectable dishes to share, cake, and a special s’mores dessert. Yum! Throughout the afternoon members took the opportunity to write messages of hope and faith on wooden stakes which were then driven into the ground inside the perimeter of the fenced construction area. Some of the sentiments written on the stakes:
Everyone attending, from the youngest to the oldest, also had the opportunity to break ground for the addition. Children, teens, and adults took the opportunity to shovel dirt – with Virginia Campbell, who has just celebrated her 100th birthday, turning over the last shovel of dirt to usher in a new era for OPC. Our building expansion will give us additional space to worship, praise, teach, learn and welcome more worshippers into our midst. God has blessed this congregation! 3/19/08 status report from Dick Krase:
OPC is on line with the Fox Metro sewer
system. Everything is working fine. We can flush with confidence. The
septic system will be disconnected at a later date at a time convenient
with the construction process. 215/08 status report from Dick Krase: OPC has a newer sewer. The sewer is in and must “rest” for thirty days before the Village inspects it and allows hook up to the Fox Metro system. With Village approval the sewer may then be connected to the building and we can by-pass the septic system. The connection to the building is called “routing” and will require the digging equipment currently on site. This portion of the project is weather dependent but will be completed as soon as possible. Expansion drawings are currently out for bid. It is anticipated the bids will be in by the beginning of February. The Expansion Committee will evaluate bids and make awards by the end of February. Weather permitting, ground breaking can happen any time after the tulips bloom. Financial arrangements have been completed. We have procured a construction line-of-credit for up to 1.2 Million. When construction is completed, the line-of-credit balance will be converted to a mortgage with payments spread over 25 years with the interest rate adjusted every 5 years. The rate for the first 5-year period is expected to be about 5%. We have embarked on a great adventure. For all those who have and will support this program, we are grateful. Together we can serve our present and our future to the greater glory of our Lord. For more information, click one of the links below: Architect drawing (main level) Architect's visualization from Southeast side (Ashlawn Av.) Architect's visualization from Northwest side (Route 25). Power Point Presentation of expansion plans (may take a while to download) Send a question by email to Expansion Team
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The exterior work is almost done!
W!
There
was reflection and anticipation – a memory board displayed photos and
other mementos of pastors who have led before, previous church
buildings, the dedication of our church labyrinth, and many special OPC
moments.