The big event of April was the Windows of Opportunity Banquet held at the Rockland Country Club on April 28, 2001. The Banquet was attended by 71 friends and members of NLBC. High points of the evening was the music provided by Helen Titland and Bob Higgins and the testimonial video put together by James Hernandez. The guest speaker for the evening was the president of the architectural firm, Whitehead, Phillippi and Harris. Other speakers included Pastor Tom, who gave an inspiring message for the future, Randy Ostman (chairman of the Fund Raising Committee) and Rob Burden, who provided a fine talk on the current building progress.

All in all, it was a fine evening, full of inspiration and hope for the future of NLBC. We would like to thank the Stewardship Committee members who made it all possible. Special thanks go to Rosie Chin for organizing it all. Assisting with Banquet and related work included: Pat Chin, Kari Doolittle, Karen Dyvik, Marie and Randy and Kristyn Ostman, and Shannon and Tom Seaver. Most of all, we thank all those who attended the Banquet – they made it a big success.

Windows of Opportunity Banquet

April 2001

Stewardship Committee Update

As of 7/11/01, the church has raised $358,693, in pledges and cash raised. Of this amount, $191,693 is new money raised, and not carried over from the previous building funds. The Building Committee has been authorized by the congregation to use an interest-free loan of $300,000 for building expenses. The original cost estimate for the building is covered, however, cost estimates may change and the building loan will have to be paid off. Your prayers and assistance are needed more than ever.

-Submitted by R. Ostman,

Chairman, Stewardship Committee

The building process can best be described as a "journey". Each step along the process is critical having an impact on the timing of the next step. As each step is completed, we celebrate victory as it has been done with the help of God.

"So the Wall was completed on the twenty-fifth of Elul, in fifty-two days. When all our enemies heard about this, all the surrounding nations were afraid and lost their self-confidence, because they realized that this work had been done with the help of our God." Nehemiah 6:15-16

I am amazed as I read about Nehemiah "the great wall builder" and see the similarities of the building of the wall in Jerusalem and NLBC’s building addition. Not necessarily in relation to bricks and mortar but in the process:

Nehemiah - asked questions about his people, and the land, particularly the city of Jerusalem

NLBC – accessed facility needs and how the building addition could help in mission of reaching a spiritually lost and dying world for Christ.

Communion with God

Nehemiah – Prayer & praise. Prayed about need and praised God for who he is.

NLBC – Pastors office created Windows of Opportunity prayer letter and so many have been praying for not only the building but for ministries and specific prayer requests. God is being glorified through our prayer.

 

Complications

Nehemiah – At each obstacle, Nehemiah handled it with 1) prayer, 2) Dealt with the problem, 3) Continued to work.

NLBC – we have already been faced with obstacles in the process and understand there may be more, yet God continues to provide and we can continue to follow Nehemiah’s 3 step resolution.

Completion

Nehemiah – "The wall was completed in 52 days".

NLBC – unfortunately today we have what I have come to appreciate as a "complex" Town approval process. Certain steps in the Town approval process alone can take in excess of 52 days, an example would be the environmental process which requires a minimum of 40 days. This is why continued prayer, as well as, patience is so important.

God’s presence and help has been felt in the "Windows of Opportunity" project. We all share in and celebrate in the most recent victories:

Town Planning Meeting held June 20^th – We received approval to move forward to meet with the Zoning Board and to file plans for review by the Architectural and Landscape Commission (ALC). The Town required no further modifications to our construction documents.

Final Architect Construction Documents – The Architects have received all the information from the Building Committee and will have finalized plans by the end of June.

Final Civil Engineering Documents – The civil engineer can now finish drawings including lighting, landscaping, and drainage plans.

Zoning Board Meeting (open to public) – We need to be in prayer regarding a timely meeting as this could delay the Town approval process by several months.

ALC Approval – We need approval from the Architectural Landscaping Commission on the lighting, grading, and landscaping plan.

Permit Approval – After successful Zoning and ALC approvals we will receive a permit from a final Town Planning Board Meeting.

Bidding Process – We will send construction documents to 3 to 5 Contractors to bid on the job. The bids will be reviewed by the B.C. and Architects at which time the project will be awarded (bidding process takes about 1 ˝ months).

Construction – (takes approx. 6 months).

Are you in on the Windows of Opportunity journey? There are so many ways to be included, the most important which is to stay in communion with God through daily prayer. If you are interested in getting involved in a committee please contact Pastor – Prayer Committee, Randy – Stewardship, or Rob – Building.

Continue to keep the building process in prayer including the town approval process, the selection of a contractor, unity, and that God would provide the capital through those whom would continue to give generously.

- Submitted by Rob Burden,

Chairman Building Committee

1. Pastoral Word & Opening Prayer

Greg Gran opened the meeting with a prayer. Pastor Seaver gave a brief update on the ongoing activities. The first "come and see" session was held with a couple. Weekly activities include youth group for 7^th, 8^th and 9^th grades, crafts, women’s bible study. The monthly activities include MOPS and men’s breakfast. Stu MacArthur will be assuming the leadership for the men’s breakfast; Ann Fareth will be the lay leader for youth activities.

The minutes of the Annual Business Meeting held on January 31, 2001 were read. There was a motion to accept the minutes with three corrections. The corrections were made and the amended page was substituted. The motion carried to accept the amended minutes.

The Treasurer’s report was read by Gunvald Eidet. Greg Gran has been the interim Treasurer. There was discussion and a recommendation was made to continue seeking a Treasurer within the membership for 3-4 months. James Hernandez volunteered for the position during the discussion. A motion was made, seconded, and unanimously carried to appoint him as Treasurer (He will take office in the Fall. – Ed.).

Rob Burden described an initiative to design a membership pamphlet for the Church. The Lutheran Brethren bookstore has a draft pamphlet, which may be customized for a church. The pamphlet describes the CLB beliefs, contains a statement of faith and includes frequently asked questions.

At a retreat held in January 2001, the elder board decided to bring the following recommendations to the membership.

Recommends that the congregation approves a budget to purchase a carousel slide projector, wireless remote, and long distance lens for projection of chorus’ during Sunday Morning Worship.

The recommendation was worded as a motion and carried.

Recommends that the congregation approves and budgets a Pianist/Keyboardist position. Position to be filled in a timely fashion to ensure a seamless transition preceding our current pianist’s extended vacation and to supplement our worship ministries.

A number of questions were raised during discussion of the motion. The position will be for 6 months/year for 1-2 years to begin sometime before September 2001. The payment rate has been investigated and it is appropriate for the level of service requested. The motion was put to a vote and it carried.

Recommends that the congregation make Scholarship and Youth Funds available for the children of two families within the congregation. These funds are to be used for Junior Week and Teen Week camp fees at Tuscarora.

There was discussion on the recommendation prior to a motion. A motion was worded and carried.

Glenn Ellingsen was asked to serve as Trustee Board chairman for an additional six months, since no one volunteered to assume the position.

The Trustee Board recommended that the congregation approve of Edge Landscaping to perform lawn maintenance from April to November. The recommendation was worded into a motion. The motion was seconded and carried.

The additional following items/issues were brought to the membership by the Trustee Board:

Custodian position – A family discussed the position with the Trustees last week. The Trustee Board has not voted on their acceptability. There were several questions raised during the discussion. Because there is no policy in place, what are the requirements for religious beliefs for the custodian and family? There was no resolution of the issue. A motion was made to have the Joint Board screen candidates for the custodial position. The motion was seconded and carried.

The custodian apartment is in need of repairs, which would include bathroom renovation and painting of the entire apartment.

Pastor’s Compensation Package A compensation recommendation was made in the form of a motion. After discussion, the motion was seconded and carried.

Sanctuary Cross – Pricing has been requested from a woodshop in Long Island City, and their reply is awaited.

A workday is being planned for the Church and grounds.

Fence for the Parsonage Yard – The planned configuration for the fence is not acceptable, because it interferes with the parking area required for the new extension. A temporary fence may be installed in the interim.

The speed bump has been delivered, and the installation will be scheduled.

The process for obtaining the needed permits/ variances is on going, with the next meeting with the Town scheduled for June 6, 2001. After the permits are obtained, the design will be submitted for bids.

The banquet was held in April 2001, and 71 attended. The total cost of the banquet was $3500. Pledges continue to be received.

The Stewardship Committee made the following recommendations, which were worded into motions:

The motion was seconded and carried.

The motion was seconded and carried.

Rockland Korean Presbyterian Church – Rob Burden met with Pastor Kim on April 18. The following items were discussed:

The arrival time for the RKPC members was reiterated to be 12:45 on Sunday mornings.

Reverend Kim was updated on the building project status.

RKPC will not have a summer program this year.

The Elder Board is not willing to further extend the usage times for the facility.

A motion was made to adjourn the meeting. It was seconded and carried.

Submitted by Marie Ostman

Please keep praying for Karen Dyvik and Ted Fareth. Both are doing much better, but they can always use the prayers for continued recuperation. Don’t forget all of the other folks who have had health problems over the year, keep them in prayer also.

To all unable to attend the Windows of Opportunity Banquet in April, I wish for you to receive a vision of Windows of Opportunity I shared with many of the Nanuet Lutheran Brethren Church family that evening. To all who were able to attend, may you receive encouragement in reading my words…

"In 1975 my father began a new work in our family – he moved our family from the town into the country of Le Sueur, Minnesota. I remember us driving down the rough lane which was to be the driveway, sitting behind my parents and asking my mother something to this effect, "Mom, do you want to move out here?" Her response was a reluctant response. She doesn’t prefer big changes.

"We did move into our new home overlooking the Minnesota River Valley. You know what a new lot looks like in its beginning stages, right? The ground needs to be tilled, perhaps cleared. Young, scrawny, tender trees get planted. There is an exciting feel to it.

"I remember my dad and uncle and their friends from Word of Life Lutheran Brethren Church Of Le Sueur, MN; working into the night hours by headlights laying sod, their forearms soiled up to their elbows.

"I remember a following summer or two tromping around the yard shooting a little stick bow and arrow set, and I sank an arrow into the base of one of those very young trees. I worried that I might have injured it to the extent that it could die. What would Dad say? Well, having returned there recently, the tree is strong, sturdy, and branching out along with the other trees providing shade, rest, and beauty for God’s creatures, a place where birds can be heard singing.

"Over 40 years ago God began a new work in Rockland County. A church was planted as God’s Word was communicated. This church, a part of the body of believers in Jesus Christ, soiled their forearms by putting up a gathering and worshipping facility on 107 N Middletown Road. There have been some arrows shot your (and our) way over the years, yet God’s visible expression of His Church at NLBC has withstood those arrows and we remain deeply rooted, we have been branching out, and we have been bearing fruit.

"Windows of Opportunity symbolizes the branching out of Nanuet Lutheran Brethren Church. May God keep us deeply rooted in Christ to be branching out and to be producing spiritual fruit through the years, being a place where God’s creatures can find shade, beauty, and rest; a place where we sing for joy over the forgiveness of sins because of Jesus Christ, our Savior; and all this to God’s eternal glory."

In Christ,

Pastor Tom

Saturday April 28, 2001

Dear Friends at the Nanuet Lutheran Brethren Church,

It is with much thankfulness in my heart that I tonight attend the "window of Opportunity" banquet.

As I reflect back over the years, I can see God’s many blessings upon my family through this church. I remember my children, Ingrid, Christine and Daniel attending Youth Group. They always returned with much enthusiasm from the many fine outings the Youth Group offered: ski-trip to Vermont, ice-skating, Action Park, Tuscarora, etc. Especially comes to mind, a bus trip to Rhode Island and staying with church families in that area. It was just so much fun, and it inspired them greatly.

It was here that Daniel become acquainted with "Camp Northern Frontier", a fine Christian camp in the beautiful Adirondack Mountains. Here he learned so many outdoor skills and formed many friendships nearly every summer. And it was here that Christine was offered the very fine opportunity to teach English in Japan. A stay that came to mean so much to Christine and us as a family.

My family and I would like to wish you much success with the new building program, and God’s blessings. My prayers will always be with you.

Love from "The Mellemstrand Family"

Ingebord and Ingvar, Ingrid, Christine, Daniel

Last year at this time, an editorial was offered concerning what would you sacrifice for a belief or a cause. I am certain that we all would give our lives for our loved ones - especially one of our children. But what would be will to sacrifice for a cause or our faith. The backdrop to the discussion was the real and tangible sacrifices of the Founding Fathers for the cause of liberty. To recap some facts concerning the 56 signers of the Declaration of Independence

It is clear that the signers knew their lives and those of their families were at risk before they signed the Declaration. They signed because of their belief in their cause. It is worth noting that all believed in God. If the need ever arose, I pray that I will be counted upon to stand up for my faith in God, whatever is the cost.

I am in the midst of reading the book, Left Behind. Essentially, it is a story of individuals left on Earth after the Rapture has taken the believers to Heaven. As a Christian, I look forward to the coming of Christ, and meeting with God at His throne. But I must admit I have not given much thought to those not coming with me during the Rapture. I always assumed that they were ‘those’ people and not ‘my’ people. I assumed my wife, kids, close friends, sister, nephews, nieces, and cousins are also going with me. I am beginning to wonder, if I assumed too much. They are all ‘nice’ people, but are they believers?

The book also got me to thinking, "What if I’m not taken?", and my wife, kids, close friends, etc. are taken. How will I feel? Where will I go? The question arises, then, for those whom are left, is there another chance for Heaven. I believe that at this stage, you still have choice – you still can turn to Christ. However, it has to be more difficult. We often rely upon our religious leaders for guidance – what if they have been taken? Would you trust a pastor that was left?

So what does this all mean? For me, it means I must be diligent and humble in my faith. I must strive to bring the Word of Christ not only to strangers, but especially to my loved ones. I must take a stand for my faith, and be willing sacrifice for it. The Rapture is not a punishment, but a blessing.

-Submitted by R. Ostman

On the Lighter Side

This was written by an 8 year old, Danny Dutton of Chula Vista, CA, for his third grade homework assignment. The assignment was to explain God.

"One of God's main jobs is making people. He asks them to replace the

ones that die, so there will be enough people to take care of things on earth.

He doesn't make grown-ups, just babies. I think because they are smaller and easier to make. That way He doesn't have to take up His valuable time teaching them to talk and walk. He can just leave that to mothers and fathers." "God's second most important job is listening to prayers. An awful lot of this goes on, since some people, like preachers and things, pray at times beside bedtime. God doesn't have time to listen to the radio or TV because of this. Because He hears everything, there must be a terrible lot of noise in His ears, unless He has thought of a way to turn it off."

"God sees everything and hears everything and is everywhere which keeps Him pretty busy. So you shouldn't go wasting His time by going over your Mom and Dad's head asking for something they said you couldn't have."

"But...you shouldn't just always think of what God can do for you. I figure, God put me here and He can take me back anytime He pleases. And that's why I believe in God."

- Submitted by Rev. Hal Christensen

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A Kindergarten teacher was observing her classroom of children while they drew. She would occasionally walk around to see each child's artwork. As she got to one little girl who was working diligently, she asked what the drawing was.

The girl replied, "I'm drawing God."

The teacher paused and said, "But no one knows what God looks like."

Without missing a beat, or looking up from her drawing, the girl replied, "They will in a minute."

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A Sunday school teacher was discussing the Ten Commandments with her five and six year olds. After explaining the commandment to "honor thy Father and thy mother," she asked, "is there a commandment that teaches us how to treat our brothers and sisters?"

Without missing a beat one little boy (the oldest of a family) answered, "Thou shall not kill."

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One day a little girl was sitting and watching her mother do the dishes at the kitchen sink. She suddenly noticed that her mother has several strands of white hair sticking out in contrast on her brunette head. She looked at her mother and inquisitively asked, "Why are some of your hairs white, Mom?"

Her mother replied, "Well, every time that you do something wrong and make me cry or unhappy, one of my hairs turns white."

The little girl thought about this revelation for while and then said, "Momma, how come ALL of grandma's hairs are white?"

- Submitted by Elaine Wiggers

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Donations can be specifically ‘ear-marked’ to any of the above items. Commemorative plaques will be placed upon donated items, wherever feasible. Please contact Randy Ostman for details of the commemorative plaque requirements.

Have you thought about donating your IRS refund check to the Building Fund? It would be a big help!