| May 2007 Link Article |
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Endowment “Before you go to your heavenly home, help your church home also live forever.” Honoring the past and the future 100 years This is the Ministry Moment presented by Jim Brenneman at the January 14th worship services.
Because of the organizations that have touched our lives, Mary Jane and I have witnessed the benefits from Endowment funds. Examples of this include the Artman Lutheran Home and Ken Crest Centers. Because they each have Endowment funds which generate meaningful levels of income year after year, they are able to provide care to individuals with very special needs – which would not otherwise be available.Having been actively involved with our college, we’ve heard first-hand from many students who are receiving financial assistance. They say, “I would not have been able to attend this college if there had not been annual income available from endowment funds to help support the cost of my schooling”.We think of our church, and we can form a mental image of what our congregation would be able to accomplish with a larger Endowment fund providing greater annual income year after year. That would allow us to do even more within our own church, within our community, or for other missions throughout the world.But just as important as what an Endowment fund can provide financially – Mary Jane and I think of the significant impact that Christ’s Lutheran Church has had on our family’s lives – Mary Jane’s, mine, our children, and indirectly our grandchildren. It’s compelling to us that we somehow leave a legacy for tomorrow’s Christ’s Lutheran Church, so that families of future generations will receive similar exposure, education, and benefits to those that our family has experienced. We believe that gifts to the church’s Endowment fund - during our lifetime, and planned giving for the time that we’ve passed on, are meaningful steps to accomplish that.There is an opinion in society that an Endowment fund is only for those who have the ability to contribute large-size gifts. That is not true. We all know from experience, every gift adds value and it’s the cumulative effect of all gifts that makes a significant difference. And in the case of the Endowment fund, it’s the benefit of increased income being generated for our church’s use year after year.Each of us, as an individual or family, can decide whether we wish to leave some sort of legacy with Christ’s Lutheran Church that will assist in its continuing mission, both during our lifetime and for generations beyond. Mary Jane and I have found it extremely gratifying to know we have participated in helping to make this happen. Such a satisfying feeling is available to all who wish to experience it. Does that include you? May God bless each of us and Christ’s Lutheran Church.
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