Author Archive

Progress has been made on the building project in several areas.

The building permit has been reviewed and extended.

Water samples were taken from the well and tested successfully by the lab. Results have been sent to the Tacoma Pierce County Health department.

Interior window and door trim has been painted and installed. Replacement emergency exit compliant door hardware has been installed on the single external doors.

Interior doors have been hung for the restrooms. The restrooms are now functional with toilets, sinks and doors.

The parking lot is being graded with the final work expected to be completed this week.

A letter of agreement has been signed with Riviera and the water contract is being prepared. Please support the chat session and board meeting on July 30th

The building project has about $39,000 currently in the bank.

God bless you and thank you for your support.

The Building Committee.

There will be a one week delay in posting the sermon from May 23rd. We appreciate your patience and understanding.

Building Project Update- April 11, 2010

In the last month we have made some substantial progress- praise the Lord. We have completed laying the tile in the kitchen, nursery, restrooms, North hallway, and closets. We have also installed a toilet in each restroom and put up doors on the restrooms. We have been informed that Pierce County Planning and Land Services (PALS) has approved our revised application for an on-site fire hydrant and fire sprinkler hookup. It now needs to be presented to the Riviera BOT. Please mark your calendars and show your support by being in attendance at the chat session and the board meeting on April 30th at 11:00 AM and & 7:00 PM respectively. More importantly, we request that all of you pray daily that we find favor in this endeavor.

Thank you, The AICF Building Committee

Don’t forget tonight is Game Night at Pastor Ray and Desiree’s home. It starts at 5 PM. Bring an appetizer and come prepared to share in many laughs.

More information. Call 884-5242

This calendar year has seen the Lord bless the building project with some good progress. Starting with the re-instatement of our building permit, we were able to get the sheetrock installed and mudded, taped textured and primered. It made a dramatic difference in the appearance of the insides. Fortunately, Carl Brumfield dropped by for a look-see and we nailed him to help us paint the interior. Carl and his brother Darrell and their wives, Patti and Lucy did a great job getting it all done over President’s Day weekend. Now we are busy installing underlayment in preparation for putting down finish flooring. We have the tile to install in the kitchen, restrooms and nursery. When that is complete we can put in the plumbing fixtures and other finish items such as interior doors and trim. We reached an agreement in principle with the Riviera BOT on what measures we have to take to allow us to install the additional needed hydrant. Our attention will now be focused on getting Pierce County approval and getting contracts in place with RCC and the fire sprinkler contractor. Please continue to pray that we will find favor with the RCC BOT and with Pierce County. Also pray for the building project leadership, for the safety of our workers, and that God will provide the necessary resources to see his will done.

Respectfully,

Jim Singer

Building Project Chair

Treasurer’s Report – Kendel Lyman

Despite experiencing a down economy in 2009, God again showed his faithfulness and blessing in allowing the church to meet its needs and continue its mission.  Following is a summary of the financial operations of the church for the year.  As always, please feel free to ask for further clarification of anything you wish to know or do not understand.

Operations

Contributions and offerings increased by $10,000 over 2008.  However, operating expense increased almost $25,000, even though expenses came in under budget by almost $3,800.  We ended 2009 with an operating loss:

$146,480.20  Operating Income (offerings and contributions only)

− 151,833.03 Operating Expense

$ − 5,352.83 Net Operating Loss, 2009

For those who remember, we ended 2008 with a $20,000 “cushion”, which we used all year to not only meet expenses, but to help a number of people who were in great need.

For instance, the elders authorized $7,809.44 (line 1.2.2) in Benevolence expenditures, an amount far exceeding the budget.  However, our members also demonstrated concern for others by donating $5,181.95 over and above their regular giving for Benevolence.  Isn’t God great?

In addition, we better targeted our missions giving and were able to increase our monthly giving to our foreign missionaries.  In fact, “Missions”, both foreign and home, comprise 19.8% of our operating expense.

Last year, we had a 15.7% budgeted increase in operating expense, reflecting growth in the church itself and emphasizing youth and missions outreach, and the addition of our great Associate Pastor.  We experienced a 7% increase in pure offerings and restricted donations (other than building funds)—this in the face of a recessive economy.

We bit into our 2008 cushion early in the year, running at deficits of from $2,000-$6,000 monthly.  But the Lord enabled us to meet our expenses without running the checkbook into the ground.  Praise be to the Lord!

And, as stated above, we were under budget by $3,800 at the end of the year.

Building Fund

Returning briefly to our other Contributions on page 1, we received from all sources a total of $83,019.83 towards the Building Fund. This includes a $100 per month rent reduction from the Community Church to be applied as a donation to be continued until our building is completed.  This is very generous of that congregation, and it would be gracious of each of us to thank their members personally when we see them.

In 2008, we received $91,505.51 in Building Fund contributions (some of it coming in the first quarter of 2009 for tax reasons).  At the outset it looks like donations were down last year compared to the year before.  However, the 2009 contributions actually represent an increase in general giving, because 2008 saw a $10,000 one-time gift from a non-member, and another large 3-year pledge paid all at once.  Seen in that light, it looks like the 2009 donations in general were actually up over the general 2008 contributions.

Details on building expenditures and progress will be handled in the Annual Report from the Building Committee.

Balance Sheet

The church’s Assets at 12/31/2009 total $67,169.82. That is about $32,500 less than the 2008 total.  The difference is due to our draining the Building Savings account and the last CD other than the one we must retain as security.

What it means is that we had to use all the funds at hand to meet the heavy expenses incurred on the building last year.  This will continue in 2010 to completion of the building, so we are at a critical point.  And the only assets we have left are the Donation Account and in the monthly contributions which are transferred into the building checking account.

A note on the Balance Sheet:  because the building fund expenses are kept separately, the “retained earnings” and “net revenue” lines are not accurate reflections of our net income.  So treat the Balance Sheet as Assets-only at this time.

Final comments

The church is growing.  We saw this weekly throughout the year.  Ministries have grown and we are able to support our youth especially, and our adult programs, as well as the community at large.  It will be wonderful to see our new building completed and occupied, so we can continue to grow and serve, expand and fulfill our mission.

It is my pleasure and privilege to serve as Treasurer of this organization.  I especially thank Cliff Purdy for his guidance and support, which make this task a lot easier.

Church Property – Jim Singer

Vision: The vision for the building project is that we will soon have a beautiful worship center that will meet the needs of the Anderson Island ministries.

Goal: Our goal is that we will be able to occupy the building by the end of the year.

Progress to Date – 2009

Construction Summary

The year 2009 began with work being done inside the building. Most of the early part of the year focused upon electrical wiring with Vista Electrical doing the work. The code is very strict on commercial wiring so we were limited in our participation in this activity. The wiring was pretty much completed by midyear allowing us to proceed with installation of the insulation.

We contracted with Boulton Insulation to install the installation. Because of our need for a fire sprinkler system we had to insulate the roof and not the ceiling. Boulton also installed the underfloor insulation. The decision to subcontract this task was based upon the amount of high work and the availability of low priced subs due to the economic downturn.

We contracted with Emerald Fire to install the overhead fire sprinkler system. About midyear, we were blessed with an opportunity to participate in a Riviera Community Club bylaws revision election. We proposed a change to the bylaws that would make it clear that RCC could allow us to connect to their water main for emergency firefighting purposes only. This bylaws revision passed with an overwhelming majority. We contracted with RCC to tap the water main and cut the road and install the main across the road. We contracted with Emerald to run the line from the road to the building and to connect to the sprinkler riser.

Unfortunately, as of this writing, we are dealing with a misunderstanding with the requirement for emergency vehicle access from the nearest fire hydrant to the building. Early in this project we had Riviera install a hydrant at the intersection of Kootenai and Yoman at our expense. This hydrant met the standard of being within 350 feet of all points on the structure. This issue is being resolved by working with the Fire Prevention Bureau, Planning and Land Services, and the RCC. It has caused us to lose a couple of months progress this winter. At this time the “Hold” on our framing inspection has been released and our building permit has been reinstated and we have faith that God will complete the work.

We also completed the rough in wiring for the fire alarm system, the security system, telephone and audio and video systems. With all of that done we are ready to start hanging sheetrock.

Future Plans

Projects planned for 2010 include the following:

1. Sheetrock
2. Interior painting
3. Complete fire underground
4. Install interior lighting
5. Lay flooring
6. Place plumbing fixtures
7. Install fire and security monitors, alarms and controls.
8. Install cabinets and appliances
9. Complete interiors
10. Pour sidewalks and curbs
11. Final grading
12. Landscaping
13. Exterior lighting

Financial Performance

This past year we spent $107,658 as follows:

Clearing/Grading……………………………….	$1279
Permits……………………………………………..	$360
Electrical……………………………………………	$17,734
Fire Sprinklers……………………………………	$35,354
Fire Underground……………………………….	$14,409
Fire Alarm System………………………………	$5849
Insulation……………………………………………	$18,549
Security System………………………………….	$3000
Sheetrock…………………………………………..	$9747
Miscellaneous…………………………………….	$1053

Building Fund income for the year totaled $83,019 from all sources.

Financial Summary

At year’s end, we had the following funds on hand:

Checking…………………………………………..	$28,331
Savings……………………………………………..	$0
CDs……………………………………………………	$3000
Donation Account…………………………….	$16,097
Total funds on hand………………………….	$47,428

The total cost of the project is estimated to be $720,000 with a balance to go estimate of $225,972. With $47,428 available we will need additional funds of $178,544. Most of the additional funds will go toward outside work- landscaping, grading and paving.

Conclusion

God has continued to bless us. We have made solid progress this year and have not been limited by lack of funds or resources. We must give a big thanks for the way God moved in our favor and prompted everyone on the island to support the Riviera By-Laws revision that allowed us to hook up the fire sprinklers to the Riviera water main.

Now we are again asking for your prayers to move Riviera to install an additional fire hydrant in our parking lot to satisfy the fire protection bureau.

Continue to pray for the strength, endurance, safety and wisdom of the people working on the project.

Building and Finance – Cliff Purdy

Jim Singer’s building report covers 2009 building progress well.  Again and again God has answered our prayers concerning the building’s progress.  We are grateful for the funding of the building by you, our members and friends.  Funding did not halt progress, but miscommunication with the county did.  They put a hold on working for about three months.  That being resolved has us back on track.

We serve an “awesome God”.  Kendel’s treasurer report testifies to this fact.  God has met our financial needs in this time of financial turmoil as we continue forward in faith and desire to serve Him.

Our year 2010 budget indicates a marginal increase, however the programs covered under the 2010 budget show our faith in God.  As we continue to move forward in our service to Him and the work of the Kingdom, we will receive the funding.  2010 will be a great year for us to continue our witness of God’s awesomeness to His people.

Music Department – Kelly Wolffe

Purpose: To use music as a vehicle to “worship the Lord in spirit and in truth” and lead others
to do the same. (Romans 12:1-2)

Vision:

• Shift focus from simply performing music toward becoming lifestyle worshipers and influential lead worshipers. (Colossians 3:16)
• Multi-generational involvement through musical mentoring, friendship, and discipleship. (Psalm 33:3, Matthew 28:18-20)
• Provide opportunity beyond Sunday AM services for cultivating hearts of worship, devotion, prayer, and intercession.

Goals: Colossians 3:16

“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.” Individual devotion: Encourage choir and worship team members to diligently practice the prerequisite of Colossians 3:16- Bible study, meditation, & application.

1. Small group devotion: Admonish one another in fellowship, prayer, Bible study, accountability and musicianship
2. Corporate devotion: Encourage the congregation through songs and lead worship by
   lifestyle example
3. Outreach devotion: Uplift and encourage people beyond church settings

2009 Progress:

• Worshiping intercessors continue to meet weekly for the 3^rd year, led by Tim Kobernik.
• Youth Worship Team has consistently led worship once a month for the last 18 months.
• Cellist, Isabel Anderson, joined the Youth Worship Team.
• Pastor Ray & Desiree have joined Pastor Steve & Kelly to continue an avenue of spiritual accountability for the YWT and other youth serving in our church through a monthly discipleship gathering.
• Each member of the YWT began meeting monthly with their adult worship team counterpart to form Musical/Worship Mentorships.
• Lynn Baker stepped up to learn & operate our Power Point Program for our services.
• Father-son team, Robert & Jacob Coon have joined Dave Hummel as sound techs.
• Our 3-G choir sang at the Johnson Farm Christmas open house & caroled various island neighbors, including those recovering from illness.

Foreign Missions – Sharrie Donough

Our ministry exists to do the following:

• Give financial and prayer support to foreign missionaries AICF has chosen to support.
• Uplift these missionaries as they do the Lord’s work.
• Keep the congregation informed of needs, prayer requests and follow-ups to these requests.
• Constantly remind our members to pray and seek God’s will with regard to our church’s mission contributions.

Your AICF Missions Committee’s goals are to meet monthly and bring the needs of the missionaries before the congregation in the form of monthly “Moments for Missions.”  In September, we came under new leadership and began seeking ways to assist our missionaries.  It was determined that we would have a booth at the AI Bazaar whereby we earned over $800 that was sent to a foreign missionary.  We hope to repeat this endeavor for 2010 and have already begun enlisting membership participation.  Also for 2010 we are seeking God’s will in a new ministry of providing infant burial clothing to be given to families who lose their babies at birth.

As your Missions Committee, we are committed to a vision of better identifying needs of those in foreign lands.  Each committee member is assigned an AICF missionary family.  They then communicate with their assigned missionary and report back to the full committee.  Presently we are a committee of seven:  Sharrie Donough, Hank Hollenbaugh, Beth and Tim Kobernik, Bridget Larsen, Marge Luther, and Trina Wiggins.

Finally, we have a vision of providing for more missionaries as funding permits.