Read the weekly blog of Pastor Schmidt.
Pastor Schmidt would love to hear from you. You're invited to read the blog and reply. This is just another way Pastor Schmidt is reaching out and speading the Good News of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
2011 St. John Lutheran Church Renovation Project
The last several months St. John has coordinated a capital improvement campaign to update the sancturary. The project includes:
Phase 1: Repair walls, ceiling and paint (including decorative), includes scaffolding, protection and furnishings, lighting, water proofingm hardwood floor at the altar.
Phase 2: Remainder of the floor (Carpet & Wood or Linoleum), new pews, air conditioning, refinish exterior doors.
The project will cost $260,000. If you would like to contribute to this project, please send checks to St. John Lutheran Church, 655 Wayne Ave, Defiance, OH 43512. Attention: God's House Renovation.
Pastor Donald L. Luhring received a check from the Virgil and Ruth Cupp estate. The check was given to the God's House Renovoation Porject in the amount of $84,750.82. This generous gift will help with the project and get Phase 1 started this summer. Thank you to executors of the estate: Susan Kozumplik and Scott Rohrs, cousins of Ruth (Geiger) Cupp.
Welcome Zech Teasdale
Zech interned this past year at St. John from 2010-2011. He has directed the youth program here at St. John. He has done a great job and the kids like him. We welcome Zech to St. John in the position of the Director of Christian Education. The weekend of June 11 & 12 we will have the installation of Zech in all church services. God's continued blessings on your ministry at St. John!
Simply Giving
Simply Giving is a program designed to help you conveniently contribute to a Lutheran congregation or institution or to pay tuition at a Lutheran school. Through Simply Giving, your gifts or tuition payments are made through a pre-authorized withdrawal from your bank account or credit card. You determine the frequency of your automatic gift—weekly, semi-monthly or monthly. Your gift or payment is deposited into the organization's bank account on the same day it is withdrawn from your account, at no cost to you or the recipient. Enrollment Forms for Individuals To participate, first make sure the institution you wish to benefit is enrolled in Simply Giving. Then download and complete the following form and return it to the congregation or institution that will benefit from your giving. Simply Giving Individual Enrollment Form (PDF, 58K).
https://www.thrivent.com/community/outreach/giving/simplygiving/index.html
St. John Lutheran Endowment Fund
Purpose
The St. John Lutheran Endowment Fund was set-up to receive and administer gifts, trusts and bequests of cash, securities, insurance policies and real estate given to St. John Lutheran Church. The assets received by the Endowment Fund are administrated separately from the General Fund of the church. The Endowment Fund invests and re-invests assets of the fund to produce income to carry out the objectives of the Endowment Fund.
Objectives
The St. John Lutheran Endowment Fund was formed in 1992 to establish a fund dedicated to the Glory of God and to enhance the work of the Church in non-budget areas with emphasis on new ministries, capital improvements, educational supports and evangelical outreach, and to perpetuate St. John Church until He calls all believers to His home above. Benefits to St. John Lutheran While the regular work of the Church is supported by the proportional giving of its members, there must be provision for non-budgetary needs. The Endowment Fund strengthens the Church by providing a permanent source of funding for long range planning, emergencies and growth in many areas.
READ MORE ABOUT HOW YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE!
WIN-WIN SITUATIONS
Recently we lost Vi Memmer, a dear family friend and great christian lady. This article is for all who knew and loved her and who may find themselves in a similiar financial situation. Several years ago Vi told me about a vacant lot she owned adjacent to her home. This produced no income but required payment of real estate taxes and upkeep.
fter discussing her concerns I mentioned that a Charitable Remainder Trust (CRT) might accomplish several objectives for her. She set up a CRT through the LCMS Foundation and enjoyed the following benefits:
1) A dormant asset was sold and quarterly income was generated for Vi and capital gains taxes were avoided
2) An income tax deduction was claimed in the year of the gift saving Vi some tax dollars 3) A life insurance policy was written on Vi for the value of the donated land with her two children as equal beneficiaries and the income generated went to help pay the insurance premium
4) Her children got the value of the lot in a tax free life insurance benefit, SJL Endowment Committee receives the remainder of the invested funds through the LCMS Foundation, and Vi got great satisfaction out of leaving a lasting legacy for her church. Should you find yourself desirous of a similiar arrangement please contact a member of our committee.
Dave Memmer,Chairman
SJL Endowment Committee
First Base-Second Base-Third Base and now making our way to Fourth Base
Our congregation is making progress! We are making it to third base this fall. If you have not taken First Base, Second Base or Third Base Bible Study then plan to do so. That way you will be ready for Fourth Base Bible Study. Pastor is preparing the materials so the Bible Studies will be launching on September12th. We will need people to host a small group Bible Study in their homes or at church. The materials are ready.Pick-up the Study Guides and DVDs at the church office. Please prayfully consider hosting a small group.