"Please! Hand ME Another Brick..."

"Please! Hand ME

Another Brick..."

Nehemiah 2:17-18: "...You see the trouble we are in: Jerusalem lies in ruins...Come, Let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem..."

Ever hear of Nehemiah? He was cupbearer to the king of Persia in about 440-450 B.C. God used him to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. Nehemiah accomplished in 52 days what people had said was impossible for about 80 years. It’s from the life and ministry of Nehemiah that we get our theme for our building project.

Nehemiah was a "Please! Hand ME Another Brick…" kind of guy. Undeterred by opponents both from within and without, Nehemiah built to the glory of God.

. For over 80 years, God’s grace has led and guided First Lutheran Church and School. It was then that Messers. Wetzel, Brunhoeber, Wolf, Blinde, Niemann, Hinrichs and Voorhies said, "Please! Hand ME Another Brick…" as they stepped out in faith to begin a church in Ponca City. Over 50 years ago, the first school building was built under the theme "Let Us Rise Up and Build," based on Nehemiah 2:18. Over the years, many, many other people, too, from FLCS said, "Please! Hand ME Another Brick…" as they: worshiped; prayed; sang; taught; learned; fellowshipped; served; witnessed and grew…. so that Jesus Christ may be proclaimed and lived out in Ponca City. Over the years, our ministries have grown and we have consistently added grounds and buildings to the glory of God so that His mission for us in Ponca City would expand His kingdom on earth as we pray in the Lord’s Prayer. Now It’s time to build again.

Why build? Because we face a number of challenges and future opportunities. We need to provide a safe and attractive building for our school students. Within three months of deciding to build, we were presented with a significant growth opportunity in our Junior High school ministry. We decided to add a second seventh grade class and the opportunity is there to add another class next year as well. Should the Lord send the expected growth opportunity for the ‘06/’07 school year, there will be literally "no room in the inn" to house the ministry that He is giving us.

Now…it’s our time to say, "Please! Hand ME Another Brick…" as we build to enhance school buildings so that the children of today may have their futures opened up and their hope lifted as they are brought into a deeper relationship with Jesus the Christ.

We are striving to build the following (estimated cost $1.5 - $1.6M):

6 Classrooms—providing space for our children to learn, grow and receive the best Christian education possible

Cafeteria—providing food, fellowship and social skills for our children

Library—providing the best learning resources and study environment

School Offices—providing space and place for our staff to be their best

Restrooms—providing comfortable and spacious room for students and staff

Nehemiah built because he knew that he was building not just walls, but a future and a hope for God’s people in Jerusalem. He had an eternal perspective in mind. Only God knows how many people Nehemiah, and the now restored people of Jerusalem, brought to God because Nehemiah allowed God to use him to build a wall.

God is now calling us to be used by Him to build new walls at First Lutheran Church and School. Nehemiah knew that alone, he could not accomplish the task that God wanted him to do. Only together with God and each other can such a large accomplishment be successful.

We are about to enter an exciting stewardship emphasis. An emphasis that will ask each of us to be like Nehemiah—allowing God to use our gifts, time and resources—to say,

"Please! Hand ME Another Brick…"

We encourage you to do the following as we embark on this journey:

PRAY—for yourself, your family, your school

PARTICIPATE—in the events and activities

PROMISE—to God and yourself that you will respond with the use

of your gifts, time and sacrificial gift to help build lasting walls.

The children of Ponca City…and most of all…Jesus are counting on us! No matter where the Spirit leads, please be assured that Jesus loves you…and so do we at FLCS!

THE PLAN

First Lutheran Church and School

1101 N 4^th ST Ponca City, OK 74601

(580)762-1111

www.flcspc.com

email: flssecretary@flcspc.com