Our Needs

Worship Space Improvements

Our original 1963 worship space was built when we were a much smaller church with different worship practices and technological needs. Today, our 1991-era worship space again doesn’t meet our current or future needs.

Too Small: we cannot adequately accommodate larger crowds for special liturgical days, weddings, funerals, confirmations and other musical or community events.
Lack of Storage: our small sacristy is cluttered with seasonal worship space paraments, decorations, banners, and art which leaves little room to vest and properly prepare for worship.

Lack of Music Ministry Space: our growing and thriving music ministry’s very small space has limited flexibility.

Inability to Renovate: the low, sturdy ceiling beams prohibit further renovation and impede our capacity to appropriately livestream our services.

Inadequate Production Space: we don’t have adequate production space for live streaming and recording our services. Live streaming allows us to reach people around the world with the Gospel as well as connect with homebound, traveling, or relocated members unable to attend in person.

Inadequate A/V: we are unable to install the updated audio/visual technology that's essential for worship today, and our outdated systems cannot get maintenance parts. Also, our cramped production spaces are spread over disconnected rooms.

Old, Outdated Lighting: our house and chancel lighting aren’t optimal, or cost- or energy-efficient.

Inadequate Electrical System: we don’t have the built-in electrical system we need so electrical cables and cords now clutter many of our public spaces in large, unsightly bundles.

Dilapidated Organ: our 1960’s vintage electronic organ, which has led us in hymns of joy and praise for many years, is falling apart, becoming increasingly dilapidated, and no longer has repair parts available.

Narthex Improvements

We want Lutheran Church of Hope’s narthex, or lobby, to be a warm and welcoming space — not a pass through space. We want people to feel welcomed to stay rather than depart to find a more comfortable space.

Too Small Fellowship Space: the small area cannot adequately accommodate all who want to gather in fellowship before and after worship, weddings, funerals and other events.

Uninviting Furnishings: our few furnishings aren’t comfortable or conducive to sitting down for a quiet conversation with a friend or resting in a moment of silent prayer.

Difficult Repairs: there are under-slab plumbing issues that are difficult to fix. As is the north entry that can be hazardous because of snow buildup and melting.
Restroom Problems: the restrooms on the north side can be extremely cold in the winter and our HVAC is unable to mitigate this problem.

Office & Ministry Space Improvements

Limited Office Space: our office cannot adequately accommodate our existing staff, much less any additional staff to support future ministry. Currently, we don't have an office for the Pastor of Spiritual Formation.

Inadequate Office Space: some staff now have offices in out of the way areas. This isn’t efficient or conducive to building the connected and ever more committed and collaborative Ministry Team we want and need.

Limited Temporary Workspaces: temporary staff and church volunteers have limited workspaces.

Insufficient Workroom & Storage Space: our Director of Administration’s former office doubles as a shared workroom/office with printers and other equipment wedged into one corner. It is too small for this. We also lack a storage room for church and financial records.

No Conference Room: we don’t have a conference room or adequate small group meeting space for staff, board, committee and other church meetings.

Inadequate Music Ministry Space: we don’t have a dedicated music rehearsal room for our growing music ministry’s sectional and smaller groups. Instead, they now must practice and warm up in our worship space which is disruptive to those seeking a quiet place for contemplative prayer.  

Poor Youth Group Space: we do not have showers for the youth groups that often stay with us. Additionally, our youth now meet in a temporary annex set on the edge of our parking lot that has no running water or sewer. Not meeting within the church complex is uninviting, inefficient, and potentially dangerous in winter.

Other Improvements

Grading Issues: our north side's main entrance often has water pooling and backing up into our building. This is particularly hazardous when it freezes.

Unattractive Landscaping: our sparse, overgrown, and dull greenspaces do not create a warm and welcoming first impression of our church community.

Parking Lot Problems: our cracked and crumbling church parking lot with faded parking stripes is not inviting and creates parking and traffic flow problems.