Volume 5, Issue 9

Women’s Group

August Summary

2

Adult Discipleship Sem-

inar

School of Outreach

WELS Mobile

Birthdays and Anniver-

saries

3

Purchase of Land

Adopted!

4

Choir Time?

Grant Update

Military Care Package

Bible Studies Offered

Divine Call Extended

5

September Calendar &

Serving Teams

Insert

Inside this issue:

When Labor Day hits and footballs begin to fly… you know that

Fall is not far off. This year, we chose the last Saturday of Septem-

ber for our 3rd Annual Harvest Fest and Chili Cook-off.

We invite you to celebrate the coming of fall with your friends

and family at The Springs as well as those in our neighborhood.

September 28 ~ 10:30 am to 1:00 pm

@ The Ministry Center

We will have fun fall crafts, games and a Bible lesson on letting

our Thankfulness for all God’s blessings shine! The fun all begins

at 10:30 and then concludes with a Chili Cook-off at noon. A num-

ber of our members have signed up to prepare their secret recipes

for everyone to sample. There will be two winners de-

clared: a “Fan Favorite” chosen by the crowd; as well

as the “Judges Favorite” chosen by a panel of

“experts”.

The fun doesn’t stop there, but continues the next day with:

Friendship Sunday ~ September 29

A special 10:30 am service is being

planned to focus on the wonderful relation-

ship we have with God because of Jesus our

Lord and Savior. Afterwards there will be a

pie and ice cream social.

Perhaps you have a friend, neighbor or co-

worker whom you’d like to invite to worship.

This would be the perfect time to extend that

invitation. Special invites will be available on

the Information Table at church. Pick up a

few and hand them out!

In Jesus’ name ~ Pastor Steven Hillmer

September 2013

News & Highlights flowing from

Jesus himself says,

"Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of

water welling up to

eternal life."

(John 4:13-14)

Harvest Fest & Chili Cook-off

“Sharing the unchanging Word of God with a changing world!”

The Stream

PAGE 2 THE STREAM VOLUME 5, I SSUE 9

Women’s Group

Our worship attendance for August was the best on record, averaging 74 people each week! Our “Back to

School” emphasis kicked off our Christian Education Sunday on August 11. We are pleased to offer 4 different

classes for children. The adults are studying the topic of “Burden Bearing” which has been a real blessing for all.

Our Building Fund continues to grow. *At this time $5000 has been transferred to our checking to act as a buff-

er. It is all still there. Gifts to the General Fund exceeded expenses by $16, but on the fiscal year (which begins in

July) we are $598 behind. We finished last fiscal year almost $2800 ahead, so there is a buffer. The budget that was

adopted called for very minimal increases in expenses. May

we use this opportunity to rebuild a buffer as well as repay

the $5000 borrowed from the Building Fund.

Online Giving through our website is now being used by

more and more of our members, as well as others who re-

ceive this newsletter and are moved to contribute. If you

have not yet done so and would like to explore this as an

option, you can check out the link on our website. Look for

this image in the upper corner. You may also contact Pastor

Tom Valleskey who helped set up this giving avenue. Re-

member that if you use a credit card or debit card, a small %

is deducted to cover costs. Using the EFT method is com-

pletely free: meaning that you entire

gift comes to the church.

August’s

Attendance

Worship Adult

Bible

Class

Children’s

Bible

Class

Thurs.

Bible

Class

Aug 4 75 18 12 11

Aug 11 74 17 10 9

Aug 18 73 14 14 10

Aug 25 74 19 11 12

Averages 74 17 12 10

Gifts & Subsidy August Year to Date

General Fund $6,691 $57,292

Subsidy from WELS $2,500 $20,000

Subsidy from SotM $2,000 $16,000

Rental Income $565 $4,620

Gifts / Other Income $0 $371

Totals $11,756 —

Special Missions $98 $701.75

Love Fund $75 $1198

Building Fund $855 $63,744*

Expenses August Totals

CMO Remitted (5.5%) $344 $2,416 YTD

Monthly Expenses $11,740 ($598) FY

Balance in Checking $10,335 —

Balance in Savings $48,750 —

August Summaries

There is interest in getting our Women’s Group started once again. We would like to meet for Bible study, fellowship, assisting with needs in the congregation and community, and con-nect with our other WELS women’s groups through the LWMS Rallies that happen twice a year. LWMS stands for Lutheran Women’s Missionary Society. The Fall Rally is at St. Mark’s Citrus Heights, CA on October 19.

Cindy Porath is preparing an “Interest Questionnaire” that will be circulated this month. Some of the questions that need to be addressed is WHEN the group will meet, as well as what other activities and projects we can assist with.

As we continue to grow, we look forward to this opportunity to support and encouraged one another. May God bless this ministry among us.

PAGE 3 THE STREAM VOLUME 5, I SSUE 9

School of Outreach (Mini-version) Sept 22

The WELS Commission on Evangelism exists to encourage WELS congregations to seize the many op-portunities for ministry. To assist churches, “Schools of Outreach” are held each year in various areas. I serve as our AZ-CA District’s Coordinator and a presenter. Two seminars are scheduled this fall; one in Redding (9/21) and one in Las Vegas (11/2). Pastor Mike Hintz is our Synod’s coordinator and chief pre-senter. We will lead the session in Redding on Sept. 21 and then he will lead a “mini-version” at The Springs on Sunday Sept 22 during our 9:00 am Bible Class hour entitled Friendship Evangelism. Make plans to come for this special Bible Class! It will help you invite folks for our Friendship Sunday on 9/29.

WELS Mobile July’s WELS Connection Video highlighted some

new advancements in technology for our synod:

including mobile. I would encourage you to down-

load the WELS App on your android or I-phone.

You’ll find daily devotions, read the

Forward in Christ for free, watch

videos, use the WELS Locator app

when travelling to find the nearest

church and more! You’ll also find

under “READ” a link for “Worship

Helps” which gives you the upcom-

ing week’s Scripture readings and

questions to help you prepare for

Sunday’s worship. Neat!

Angela Rowan Sept 9

Mary Smith Sept 20

Kim Schlittenhart Sept 21

Larry Porath Sept 25

Mel & Marlene

Schlicker ~ 9/5

Dave & Pam

Clizer ~ 9/6

Roger & Patsy

Ruchala ~ 9/8

Zach & Christina

McGrath ~ 9/9

Bill & Sue

Long ~ 9/13

Joe & Angela

Rowan ~ 9/26

September Birthdays

and Anniversaries

For those who have joined The Springs over the past 2 years, the long awaited BIC II is here. Pas-

tor Hillmer will lead two Saturday mini-seminars entitled “Discipleship Training.” These semi-

nar/workshops will be held on Sept. 14 and Oct. 12 at the Ministry Center from 9:30 until 11:45 am.

Adult Discipleship Seminar ~ Sept 14

Session One ~ Sept 14:

Christ’s Disciples are Students of the Word

Christ’s Disciples are People of Prayer

Christ’s Disciples Know and Seek to Carry

Out the Mission of the Church

Christ’s Disciples Use their Spiritual Gifts

for the sake of the Body + Take Home—

Spiritual Gifts Discovery Tool!

Session Two ~ Oct 12:

The Definition of Biblical Leadership

The Attitude of Christian Leaders

Christian Leaders Provide Leadership in

Planning the Work and Working the Plan

If you are able to attend, please let Pastor

Hillmer know so that he can prepare enough

materials for everyone. Make plans to grow in

your faith and service to the Lord!

PAGE 4 THE STREAM VOLUME 5, I SSUE 9

Report from Land Search Committee to the Voters - September 1, 2013

The parcel of land that we have been looking at has been transferred to the previous owner Mr. Ar-

thur Pastel. He has agreed to sell the land to the Church for $50,000.00. We tried to negotiate the

price down but he was not interested in any lower offer. This still appears to be a good deal compared

to other land we have looked at around the area and compared to what some other new mission

churches may have to pay. We have not opened an escrow account yet.

I have hired a local engineering company (Pezonella Associates, Inc.) to do a Phase 1 Environmental

Site Assessment of the property. They will charge us $1,800.00 to do this report. SEE HANDOUT.

They have reported informally that “the investigation revealed no evidence of recognized conditions in

connection with the Property”. SEE HANDOUT.

We still need to do an appraisal for the property for the CEF grant money for the down payment.

We have asked Charles Kitchen Realty to assist us with the purchase transaction and he has agreed

to help (at no charge). He and his family are members of Shepherd of the Mountain.

We will still need to do a Special Use Permit from Washoe County for the right to build a church on

the property. I have contacted Lisa Menante, P. E., from C & M Engineering and Design, LTD. to help

with the Special Use Permit Application. She has also agreed to go with us to the county for a primary

meeting to see if they are still in favor of us building a church on the property.

I am in the process for getting, if possible, commitment letters from key entities that will provide the

land with water and sewer. I already have a letter from NV Energy for gas and electricity. I am going

to also ask Washoe County Zoning and Planning for a meeting to get some reassurance that we can in

fact build a church on the land before we finalize the purchase. My intension is to do this before we

send an offer to purchase.

With a purchase price of $50,000.00, WELS CEF (Church Extension Fund) will match a 10% down

payment 4:1 for a grant towards the purchase price. We will calculate the 10% of $50,000 at $5,000 x

4 = $20,000.00 grant that goes toward the $50,000. The Church would then pay a total of $30,000.00

for the land. There will be other fees and costs that will have to be paid by The Church.

Therefore: I recommend to the Church voters that we proceed with the Offer to Purchase be sent to

Mr. Pastel for the purchase of the 2.6 acres for land (APN 534-071-05) for $50,000.00. (We will then

open an escrow account to start the necessary paperwork to close the sale as soon as possible.)

I also recommend the following expenses (up to $14,200) to be paid from the Building Fund:

$1,800 to Pezonella Associates, Inc. for the Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessment report;

$500.00 for the WELS CEF for the Grant Application;

Up to $1,300 for closing costs (might be able to split with seller);

Up to $600 for an appraisal done on the property;

Up to $3,000 to Washoe County for Special Use Permit;

Up to $7,000 to C&M Engineering and Design, LTD for design require-

ments for the Special Use Permit application.

Paul T. Cox ~ Land Committee Chairman

Land Search Committee Proposal Adopted!

These recommendations

passed unanimously at our

Sept. 1 Voters’ Meeting. We

will now enter escrow with

Mr. Pastel. We will also com-

plete the 13 requirements for

the CEF Grant Application

for the $20,000.

PAGE 5 THE STREAM VOLUME 5, I SSUE 9

Bible Classes Offered

At the May meeting for the Church Ex-

tention Fund—C.E.F. and the WELS Board

for Home Missions, B.H.M., discussed the

matter of the $1,000,000 grant. Nationally,

The Springs, is prioritized as the #2 project

for BHM. We submitted a request for

$250,000. The CEF and BHM will meet

September 16. We anticipate hearing from

them shortly after the meeting.

We invite you to one or more of the Bible Studies offered. Gain a deeper understanding of

God’s love for you as you get to know your fellow church members better as well.

Sunday Mornings - 9 am Old Testament Bible History for kids; Teen Bible Class; Adults: “Burden Bearing”

Midweek Adult Bible Class - 7 pm Thursday - “Revelation”

Men’s Bible Breakfast - 8:30 am on the 3rd Saturday - September 21

Bible Information Class - As scheduled

WELS CEF Grant

Military Care Package to be sent out

Bruce Clark has asked about the possibility of putting together a

care package for our member Gabrielle Silva, who is serving in

the Air Force, stationed in Japan. Over the next 2 weeks (Sept 8

& 15) we’d like to gather items, cards, pictures, letters of encourage-

ment for Gabrielle. There will be a box in the entryway where we

can place these items. You can visit the website for tips on care

packages: www.MilitaryBenefits.info

The first official Choir Practice for The Springs Lu-

theran Church will begin this month. We will meet

every other week for an hour at the Ministry Center.

The first practice is:

Tuesday September 10 @ 7:00 pm

We will be working on songs and psalms to sing in

church on October 20 and November 3 (Reformation).

Everyone is welcome!

Lou Margullis ~ Director

Choir Practice Begins

Divine Call Extended On Wednesday, August 21, Shepherd of the Mountains Lu-

theran Church in Reno extended a Divine Call to Pastor Thomas Engelbrecht who is

currently serving Amazing Grace Lutheran Church of South Beloit, IL. He was assigned to

this congregation upon his graduation from Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary in 2008. He

and his wife Jacquelyn have three boys ages 4, 2 , 1 and are expecting a girl in September.

Please keep Pastor Engelbrecht, his family and both congregations in your prayers as he

deliberates this call and where he can best serve the Lord and His people.

150 Isidor Ct. Suite 203

Sparks, NV 89441

Church Office & Ministry Center 150 Isidor Ct., Suite 203 Sparks, NV 89441

Phone: (775) 354-2800

Email: PastorHillmer@TheSpringsLutheran.org Website: www.TheSpringsLutheran.org

Our Place for Sunday Worship Lazy 5 Regional Park - The Cottonwood Room 7100 Pyramid Highway

Sparks, NV 89436 Behind the Spanish Springs Library

Sharing the unchanging

Word of God

with a changing world!

www.TheSpringsLutheran.org

Harvest Festival Saturday September 28

@ the Ministry Center

Friendship Sunday

Sunday September 29

@ the Lazy 5

See page 1 for more details.