Building Renovation Project
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Former Senior Pastor Wes Swanson Ian Thomsen Senior Pastor John Martz Student Ministries Andrea Wright Sonja Netzer Don Omi Seth Montoro Children's Ministries John Mullis Julie and Matt Powell Carol Gustafson |
Lobby Jim and Karen Johnson Pauleta & Ron Oehlerking Library / Lounge Joanne Bradley & Bonnie Wasinger Dave Higgins Aurilla Woodburn Young Adults David Craig Stewardship Arnold Wheat Ceil Higgins Julie Anderson Mark Thompson Mary Lou Schwab Dave Kellenberger |
Former Senior Pastor Wes Swanson says:
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Ian Thomsen has been our church's administrator since 2001. With ease and professionalism, Ian has managed the many details involved in ensuring our facility operates at the highest quality.
Ian says:
Over the past several months, I've been personally involved on a daily basis in helping the remodeling project come to fruition. It's been a challenging task, but it's enormously rewarding now that the purpose of the renovation project is being realized.
The functional building changes made in the youth and children's ministry areas were long overdue and relieved a number of problems in each of those areas. The student ministries gathering area has been greatly expanded in size to accommodate their growing numbers. Significant improvements have been made in both ministry areas to accommodate stage lighting, adequate sound, and theatrical/drama productions. LaunchPad can now accommodate approximately 20 percent more children in a large group gathering, which is critical in meeting their progressive approach to creative bible teaching.
Finally, the changes on the main level not only brought numerous functional improvements, but they also updated the church's appearance with a contemporary look that has already helped draw in visitors and guests, allowing us the opportunity to bring them to the Kingdom of God - our ultimate mission. In all, the remodel project has been a tremendous success, and it has brought much needed changes to help us keep pace with rapidly changing times.
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Senior Pastor John Martz says:
It's exciting to see the remodel of our church come together and take shape! Not only is it crisp and attractive, but it also enhances the functionality of our church on many levels. Our Children's and Student Ministry areas will now support large group gatherings while providing flex use space that enhances our outreach to children and youth. And, the lobby, library, and patio are already warm and inviting. These areas will greatly enhance fellowship and the warm welcoming of our guests. Not to mention, the patio offers friendly curb appeal to passers-by driving on Ward Road.
In America today, the viability of a service or a ministry is linked to the look and the feel of a given space. Our building is just a tool, but it is a tool that says something about who we are and whether or not we choose to be in touch with the world around us. Reaching out to Arvada with the Good News of Jesus Christ is a must, and our remodel is one exciting piece in helping us reach that goal!
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Student Ministries
Andrea Wright is the Chair of Student Ministries CommissionAndrea says:
The youth room has experienced space limitations since last year when we combined the mid-high and high school groups together into one room. In addition to the room being too small, it was also odd-shaped and not easy to use. We weren't easily able to split up the two groups for their individual class times on Sunday mornings.
Mid-week youth group times are arranged so kids can bring their friends, and they do! Space was tight in the youth room on nights when the youth events happened indoors.
With the remodel, it has tremendously opened up the room, allowing comfortable space to accommodate the many activities the youth program has to offer. It will also allow the program to create more activities that they were unable to provide due to space limitations. Since the room has a divider, it can be separated into two rooms, allowing mid-high and high school to have their own space when needed.
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Sonja Netzer is a long time volunteer in student ministries
Sonja says:
We've been part of the youth department for many years, thirteen years to be exact, and we guess that makes us official teenagers of "youth". Over the years, we've watched the program change many times, from crowded and off-sectioned off rooms, to the new look of openness and welcome that our youth will find today. The warm, neutral colors are calming and there's no space that's closed off as to exclude anyone. The windows to the outside and to the offices open up the area even more. Our youth are blessed to have a room, which offers so much to so many. Come down and visit. It isn't scary. In one corner, you might see a group of kids playing video games while others are playing foosball. Others are on couches sharing experiences about their lives. There's truly something for everyone in our youth department. Come by and visit our newly remodeled space!
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Don Omni is an active lay leader on the Youth Ministries Commission.
Don says:
The obvious benefit of the remodeling project for the youth has been more room to work with. There is versatility in the way the room can be set up, as the project designers were able to take advantage of some non-functional dead space. There can be one large area for a big event or there can be a division of the large area for smaller groups. Worship and teaching are enhanced because there are improvements in the stage, the audio/ visual system, and lighting. An office space for the youth directors puts it in close proximity to the worship area and allows easy access for the students. The cafe area is a nice place for the students to grab a snack. Overall, the hope for Student Ministries is to let God use the newly remodeled environment as a place where students are challenged to think about and experience a relationship with Christ.
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Seth Montoro is a student leader in the Senior High Youth Group. He has served the Lord on the youth group's mission trips to Guatemala, Trinidad, Mexico, and San Francisco
Seth says:
Before the remodel, the Senior High room took a rather awkward shape. It was unique and fun in some ways, but it definitely took away a lot of functional space and made additions and improvements difficult. It was appropriate and acceptable for a period of time, but it was time for a change. I think the greatest improvement to the room it is now a fairly general shape where the stage will be more in the middle of the room. Having one consolidated office is more fitting for Kurt and Joel, our youth group directors, since they work closely together. Once the room is finished, it will be a great environment for both fun and hanging out and learning and discussing the bible.
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Children's Ministries
John Mullis is the Director of Children's MinistriesJohn says:
One of the great benefits of the remodeling project for the children is the large space we have to gather together for worship, learning, and fun. Each week, our leaders teach the bible to children in engaging ways using drama, creative storytelling, and video. The way the room is now set up for these activities creates a wonderful environment. In addition, the enhanced audio and visual systems are great tools to help us engage the children. Everyone is excited by the way the children are singing out LOUD while they worship and honor Jesus Christ. The larger room and raised ceiling seem to create an inviting place for children to worship and sing. The change over last month, before the remodel was completed, is noticeable and thrilling!
Other great benefits of the remodel are improved lighting, attractive and child-targeted colors and really fun and durable carpeting. All of these elements combine to make the children's ministry area a great tool for our dedicated and gifted leaders to use in leading the children into a growing relationship with Jesus Christ. Thanks for your partnership with the team!
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Julie and Matt Powell's children are actively involved in Children's Ministry
Julie says:
As the new children's curriculum transitioned to creative bible teaching, the original classrooms had structural limitations for large and small group settings. There were challenges with lighting, stage, and sound equipment. As a result of the construction, there are now enhanced opportunities to teach bible lessons creatively with an assortment of stage settings for the large group. It also has increased the working area in several classrooms, which will allow them to be utilized in a variety of ways. Consequently, the "Launch Pad" has a new atmosphere where our children are excited to go and learn lessons that apply to their lives.
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Carol and Greg Gustafson's children are actively involved in the Children's Ministry
Carol says:
With the new bright colors and comfortable carpets, our remodeled Children's Ministry space just seems happy to me. There is a kid-friendly welcoming feeling that makes me believe good things - God things - are going to happen here. The former space has been entirely refitted with areas that now give us greater flexibility to minister to kids. We have new ability to bring large groups together for worship and creative Bible teaching. Then, we can have the kids break into small groups where we can pray, share, and care for them.
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Lobby
Jim and Karen Johnson often manage the Welcome Desk on Sunday morningsKaren says:
The size and shape are just right. It's small enough to not be in the way for people coming into the lobby and just the right shape - including being on wheels. It can easily be moved during special functions that will take place in the lobby area.
The location of the desk is much better now than before. Previously, only if someone stumbled onto it or was specifically directed to it, such as by an usher or a greeter, did they even notice it was there. Now, its location itself is a "greeter". It's there for the newcomer who needs to know where to go and how to get there. Being that "customer service friend" by the Welcome Desk goes a long way to help a visitor feel like it was worth the trip to experience our church.
The location is also great for the regular attendee. Handouts and questions about events, small groups, and ministry projects can be followed up with as soon as the individual or family walks in, or as they are leaving.
Arvada Covenant Church's new Welcome Desk is the "sunny, bright" spot in the lobby.
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Pauleta and Ron Oehlerking often serve as Sunday morning greeters.
They say:
It was just over ten years ago that we were heavily involved with the building of Arvada Covenant Church on Ward Road. Ron was the co-chair of the building committee. Now, after ten years of daily use, the building was getting "tired". It was time to update our facility.
The newly remodeled lobby and library has opened up the entire area with warmth, spaciousness, and most importantly, it is now inviting! We are putting together teams of official greeters and the remodel is making the welcoming of visitors and members much easier and more vibrant.
A friendly smile, a firm handshake or hug, and then what? Before the remodel would visitors find their way to the Welcome Desk near the nursery to get the information they needed? Often, they would but not without difficulty. Now that the lobby and library space have been opened up to give a warm and welcoming feeling, we can greet, introduce people to friends, and guide them to the Coffee Cart or the Welcome Desk.
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Library / Lounge
In their careers, Joanne Bradley and Bonnie Wassinger worked as librarians. Since our church opened its doors on Ward Road in 1999, they've managed our library with love and dedication.Joanne says: Our remodeled library-lounge is now more visible and inviting, and it encourages spontaneous fellowship. The new shelving makes for better organization and display of our many Christian books and videos available for all ages. In the children's area, the videos and books are now shelved together making for easier selection and check-out.
Bonnie says: The new library-lounge area is now more relaxed and engaging. The space is open, inviting, and encourages browsing of our many Christian titles, both fiction and non-fiction, for mend, women, and children. We've worked hard to stock the shelves with books and videos that our church members have requested. With easy access to the fireplace, chairs, and tables, the reconfigured space encourages reading and fellowship.
Joanne and Bonnie invite everyone to come to the new library-lounge and discover the wonderful selection of books and videos...again. And, they encourage you to embrace this unique opportunity to read a Christian story or watch a Christian video with your children or grandchildren.
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Dave Higgins often manages Sunday Morning Fellowship
Dave says:
Serving coffee and donuts on Sunday morning provides a fellowship rich experience for our members, our guests, and their families. It's exciting to know that with our church's remodel, we can now expand our hospitality to include not only the Family Life Center but also the lobby and its charming fireplace area and inviting outdoor patio. In an age of rampant complexity, the remodel is radical in its simplicity and can only serve to make us the friendliest church possible. It now presents an amazing opportunity to get to know each other better and to embrace our guests with warmth and the love of Jesus Christ. Carol and Greg Gustafson's children are actively involved in the Children's Ministry.
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Aurilla Woodburn says:
Joe and I just returned from a trip to Greece. As we walked the narrow streets of Athens, we would pick a place to eat by how crowded and lively a street cafe was. If it was busy, and people seemed to be having a good time, we concluded, "This must be a good place to eat!" So we joined in and ate. Oh, the olives and spanakopita!
This past Sunday I checked out the changes: the coffee and donut ministry in the Family Life Center was packed and full of activity... and so was the lobby with its expanded space and rich new colors. It is a space that is welcoming... a place to linger... a place to belong, much like the cafe in Greece. I was not fully in favor of the remodel, but our leadership encouraged the changes, so I voted 'yes' along with a majority of the congregation, and financially support the update. I urge you to look with fresh eyes and open heart at this beautiful, welcoming church and support these changes with your gifts and pledges. Share in the vision of a community reached for Christ!
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Young Adults
David Craig, Director of Catalyst, is in the process of doing a lot of exciting and Spirit-led things to reach our young adults.David says:
Until the remodel, Catalyst had a flip-flop focus. In trying to pull off the kind of environment for today's young adults, age 19 - 29, our team of leaders and volunteers in the Young Adult area had a difficult task. For Catalyst, our Sunday night service, we had to move, flip around, scoot, and hang: all in order to help make our foyer and worship space warm, welcoming, and inviting. It was truly a weekly "flip flop" focus that stretched the capabilities of our volunteers. With the advent of the remodel and the changes it brought to the lobby and worship center, our teams have tremendously benefited. We now have space that is very "young adult friendly" in its look and tone. Thanks, Arvada Covenant!
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Stewardship
Arnold Wheat says:In sports, it's easy to separate spectators from athletes. In God's work, the only spectators are those who haven't seen or heard about God's love.
The athletes in the contest need to be you and me. Our personal investment in God's work can come from several perspectives, but our goal is best met when it involves our talents, time, and monetary treasures. We can't assume that "someone else will take care of it." That "someone" is each of us.
Join me by supporting Arvada Covenant Church through the funding of God's programs and our goals.
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Ceil Higgins says:
Our church is holy ground amid blue-sky days and when the leaded sky, restless with rain clouds and wind, garners enough force to produce a perfect storm. We've known times of abundance, and now our country knows times of uncertainty. But either way, we stand on holy ground.
It's important to recognize that holy ground is one of those between things, like mist and fog and twilight. It's not just God and it's not just man. It's both. Eternity touches time, Divinity touches humanity. And, where they meet, the holy that is God and the ground that is man becomes one thing: holy ground.
Our congregation embraced a bold decision. During tumultuous times, we chose to remodel our "holy ground" to better serve our church family and to reach out and better serve people in our community who haven't heard the Good News of Jesus Christ. It was a God-inspired and God-led decision.
Let's avoid the bitter winds and catch the rare tailwind. Many dying churches have made the tragic mistake of doing nothing in an attempt to avoid the tempest and maintain the status quo. At Arvada Covenant Church, we didn't ignore or patch a problem. We moved forward with a sense of shared responsibility and took a leap of faith to ensure the purpose of our church, God's Great Commission, would be more effective in our rapidly changing world. We'll honor our church's past but will move forward with renewed vision and heart.
Prayerfully consider making a pledge and help our church reach its financial goal. Remember a church without a vision is like a person without a soul.
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Julie Anderson says:
God promises to bless us when we give to advance His kingdom. One of the greatest blessings is the opportunity to build a legacy of faith for the next generation of believers. As newcomers to a church, my family was the recipient of such a legacy. The gospel message was shared with such clarity and simplicity that we could do nothing but embrace Christ! Arvada Covenant is building such a legacy where visitors feel welcome and children and youth can encounter Christ in a way that is both age appropriate and relevant. The kingdom of God is advanced! Will you join us in building a legacy of faith through supporting our capital fund drive while experiencing the blessings of Godly stewardship?
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Mark Thompson says:
I believe that the decision to remodel was not a wise one, in light of our nation's economically unstable times. For this reason, I voted against it. When our congregation voted in favor of renovating our church to better suit the needs of our church family and enhance our ability to reach out to the community, my wife, Linda, and I decided to financially support this venture. We believe in our church's form of governance and feel that it's important to support the decisions of the congregation and executive council.
Perhaps some of you, like me, did not vote in support of the remodel. Now, however, it's time for all of us to stand together and help Arvada Covenant Church reach its financial goal. Please prayerfully consider making a gift or pledge.
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Mary Lou Schwab says:
As we all enjoy the benefits of the building remodel project we also need to be concerned about good stewardship. Without meeting the 100% pledge goal, ACC will be forced to cut deeply in our budget for 2009. Your pledge can be paid over three years at as little as $17 per month or up front. Please prayerfully consider helping our church reach the 100% pledge goal.
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Dave Kellenberger says:
In actually seeing the final product of our remodel, I can truly say God is good, God is faithful!! Being part of Council, I can honestly say I have seen all sides of this remodel project: to God's faithfulness and grace in providing low rates on our loans; to the hundreds, if not thousands, of hours of volunteer work; to the struggles in making decisions on paint and carpet; to the construction crews hard work; to the teamwork between staff and commissions to make wonderful spaces for our youth, children and lobby areas... it is truly amazing!! We as a body of believers, through our many congregational meetings have approved this remodel. We have taken a bold step of faith in completing this remodel. Let us remember to take a bold step in our commitments to the funding of the remodel. Thank you all for your participation in making this all possible!! It truly is a beautiful thing!
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Arvada, CO 80002 
