Together for 70 More | Church in Leawood, KS

November 2022

By God’s grace through the amazing generosity of those who call LPC home, we were able to meet our goal of raising $2M+ for our Building Renovation Project!

Financing was approved by Commerce Bank for a Term Loan of $750k from (secured by the Mustard Seed property) in addition to the $500k Loan which had already been approved (secured by Merrill Lynch Trust account).

The Renovation Project began with Asbestos Abatement of the upper level of the main building the week of Thanksgiving.

On November 30th LPC received word that the City of Leawood has approved the Interior Renovation portion of the project.

December 2022

12.5 - Demolition begins on the upper floor of main building and playground areas.

12.8 - Bi-weekly Renovation Team meetings begin with Pearce Construction, BNIM Architects, and LPC Representations.

12.30 - Goal is to have the Demolition Phase completed!

Sunday morning services & ministries will meet regularly as planned during the project. Restrooms on the lower level will be accessible throughout the project.

January 2023

We are pleased to report that the Renovation Project is on schedule!

• January is slated to begin the two-month Rough-In portion of the Project (Jan. / Feb. 2023), including the preparation for and rough-in of the Mechanical / Electrical / Heating / Cooling systems.

• Metal Framing and Insulation of the interior walls on the main level of the new Community Commons, Restrooms, Nursery, and Office spaces are scheduled to begin during the latter part of the month.

February 2023

Project continues to make good progress and remain on pace.

• Mechanical rough in was completed in January, including plumbing/electrical, and interior framing finished. This prepares us for HVAC ductwork installation to begin this month, starting on the west end of the building and working east.

• We are currently waiting on glass “storefront” windows (both front and rear of the building), which - when completed - will allow for sheetrock installation.

• Upcoming target dates include removal of Narthex wall and beginning exterior site work / mechanical yard (week of April 10th, after Easter).

• As you know, we decided to move children’s ministry spaces from the lower level to the Prayer Room (nursery) and Red Door (pre-K), which has been better for children, staff, and volunteers.

• We will be planning our Sunday Service approach when HVAC is off-line, either inside (without conditioning) or outdoors (this will be 6–8 weeks, post-Easter to early summer).

Thank you to all who have given generously towards our Together for 70 More initiative, including those who contributed to our Christmas Offering at year-end. We appreciate you!

March 2023

We are pleased to report the progress that has happened thus far in 2023 for our Building Renovation, and are told that the overall project timeline continues to be on track (September 2023). Since January 1, we have completed the mechanical rough-in, finished the framing / electrical, & plumbing of the Community Commons, restrooms, nursery, and office spaces, we contracted and approved the data & surveillance providers, and recently completed the sanding, staining, and sealing of the wood ceilings of the main floor (they look AMAZING!).
Due to winter weather and (mostly) foreseen supply realities of the HVAC & storefront windows, in light of the solid progress to date, our Pearce Construction (LPC’s Contractor) elected to wait to initiate the exterior Site Work and removal of Narthex Wall until after Easter (April 9, 2023). This decision ultimately resulted in saving LPC money (by maximizing subcontractors time) and optimizing our community comfort (since the months of April-June are milder), while keeping the overall project time-line on track. Thanks again LPC for your generosity and support! Thank you to all who have given generously towards our Together for 70 More initiative, including those who contributed to our Christmas Offering at year-end. We appreciate you!

April 2023

We are poised and prepared for the Next Phase of the Renovation Project to begin in earnest the week after Easter (week of April 10-14th)! This includes the exterior Site Work on the new Mechanical Yard (east side of building), installation of north & south storefront windows, and decommissioning of current HVAC equipment (just outside south double entry doors).

Assuming weather permits, the following will take place the week of April 10th - 14th

Excavation work of the Mechanical Yard and west parking lot
Exterior Utility Work will begin, from the City lines to the LPC Building
Demolition of East half of front Circle Drive
Decommissioning of current HVAC System
Preparations for Removal and Install of Storefront Windows (scheduled for late April / early May)

Implications for Sunday Worship Services, beginning Sunday, April 16th

There will be no Air Conditioning of the LPC Main Building and Sanctuary (estimated duration is 8 weeks before commissioning of new HVAC system)
The Rear Parking lot WILL continue to be available, including continued exit access to 83rd Street throughout the duration of the Project.
The Circle Drive will no longer be a thoroughfare, but the West half of the drive will remain to retain Accessible Access for those who require Handicap Accessibility. The LPC Parking Team is enthusiastically poised and ready to assist all who have needs!
The Red Door facility will continue to be utilized on Sunday for kids / student ministry and mid-week for staff, and will retain Air Conditioning since it utilizes a distinct system.

This is an exciting time to be part of LPC! Thank you for your commitment to give of your time, talent, and resources to advance the mission and vision of our church. Please be patient as we update our facility to accommodate future ministry impact, and continue to invite others to come Grow With Us during this as well!

May 2023

We are pleased with the good work on the Renovation, and continue to be on pace for project completion in September 2023.

This month's projected progress includes;

Interior HVAC installation, on lower level of church building
Exterior Mechanical Yard concrete pad poured, preparation for June HVAC system install
Interior Narthex rough-in work, including beginning to lay floor tile
Removal & replacement of Exterior Doors on church building
Connect updated city utility lines to church building (& disconnecting from current electrical service week of May 15th)

Implications for Sunday Worship Services, beginning Sunday, May 21st:

Since there will be no power in the main building, we are moving to Outdoor Services from May 21 - June 18th (Father’s Day / Baptism & BBQ)

We will continue to have Children’s Ministry each Sunday in Red Door classrooms & Fellowship Hall following worship, and will have families check-in on the Mustard Seed patio each Sunday (except for May 28, which is Worship Together).

Thank you again for your support & patience as we update our facility to accommodate future ministry impact, and we believe now is a GREAT time to invite others to come Grow With Us as well!

JUNE 2023

We are pleased to report that there has been great progress on our Renovation Project, and are told that the overall project timeline continues to be on track (September 2023). Since Easter Sunday we have installed new storefront windows, demoed the narthex wall and begun laying tile in the community commons, upgraded city utilities and begun interior HVAC install in the lower level, and have excavated AND POURED the exterior mechanical yard - thus preparing for the installation of the new HVAC system! We are also prepared to continue the 5 weeks of Outdoor Worship Services while the building is offline from power and air conditioning, planning to culminate on June 18th for our Baptism & BBQ Celebration. In June, we expect to have the HVAC system installed and commissioned, along with drywall & finishing beginning in the Community Commons. We are told that we will be able to return to Indoor Services (with air conditioning) by June 25th!

JULY 2023

We are excited to report that city power was restored in the building and that the new HVAC Units were online by Sunday, June 25th as planned. Praise God & way to go LPC! In addition to installing all interior & exterior AC Units, in June we installed new exterior doors, fixed the exterior soffits, connected to city utilities, began sheet rock, commissioned an Interior Decor team to find and secure furnishings and much more. In July, we anticipate exciting progress by sheet rocking of the Community Commons, installation of new soffit and gutters, and work on front entry and new ramp. July 10th is another milestone day as we will demo the remaining front drive to prepare for the last thrust of our exterior work. We are told that the overall project timeline remains on track (September 2023), and we are making preparations for a church-wide Party on Sunday, Sept. 10th to celebrate together following service.

More info will be forthcoming and will be updated here.

NEW HVAC, BATHROOMS & EXPANDED LOBBY

This project addresses the practical needs that we have right now. It also creates space for people to gather and grow together to build transformative relationships. In addition to putting in a new HVAC and expanding the lobby, we will be replacing the one bathroom we currently have with two multi-stall restrooms and a coffee bar, and we will also be renovating the nursery and staff offices.

New HVAC/Windows/Utilities: Just like with a house, things get old, the HVAC and windows are original to the building! Safety, comfort, and efficiency dictate that we have to do this.

Two Additional Bathrooms & Coffee Bar: The bathrooms are needed so when you have to go, you don’t have to go. The coffee bar helps foster an environment of community and fellowship.

Expanded Lobby Area: We will create a beautiful gathering space for more people to linger longer. Being there for our community means having a place to gather and get to know one another.

Renovated Nursery & Staff Offices: Because the HVAC and lobby projects will impact the entire first floor, we are making the most practical use of funds to renovate these areas at the same time.

Improved Lower-Level Environments: Similarly, because the HVAC project will open up the ceilings, this will be the most cost effective time to update the paint and carpet for a practical use of funds.

TOTAL PROJECT COSTS $3.25 MILLION

By God's grace, we successfully raised our goal of $2M+ through the Together For 70 More initiative. In addition to these resources, we plan to took out a loan of up to $1.25M to be paid off in up to seven years which would increase our annual budget by up to 10%. Our church leadership will seek to pay off the loan sooner and will apply any increases in general giving towards paying off debt.

Over the past five years, we have significantly improved our financial health as a church. We have aligned our budget with best practices and carry no debt. It may feel safer to move forward without debt or wait until we have cash in hand. However, the elders of LPC believe that addressing these immediate, practical needs today is important for the long-term health of our church.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

This is where ALL OF US need to partner together. We believe when our entire church family gives sacrificially, not just out of surplus, we will raise the resources we need over the next three years to make this Kingdom investment in our church, community, and world. And, it is not too late to join us on the journey of generous giving

The Renovation Project is scheduled to be completed by September, 2023, and due to the nature of the three-year campaign, we are seeking additional contributions to meet this deadline. Additional monies received will also decrease the amount of debt necessary to take on, allowing us to accelerate putting additional recourses into the ministry fund.

Together for 70 more means as a church family, we PRAY for God’s direction and provision, COMMIT to follow God’s lead, and SACRIFICE so others can come to know the love, grace, and hope found in Jesus. Now is the time. We are the people together for 70 more!

 2715 West 83rd Street Leawood, KS 66206