Finance Corner

2010 GIVING OPTIONS

By popular demand, we are excited to announce the addition of some new electronic giving options, like debit card use, for the 2010 calendar year. Below is a complete list of available options.

ON-LINE BILL PAY

Many banks now offer electronic bill paying with no fees. Contact your bank and learn how to set up recurring payments, or a one-time gift payment using your home internet connection. The electronic transaction will be sent to the church office which will then be recorded and included in your quarterly statements.

MASTERCARD/VISA

Effective January, 2010, Grace will begin accepting MasterCard/Visa credit cards. You may set up an account at the church office and have your credit card automatically charged each month as a recurring gift, or you may come into the office and make a one-time gift as you are able.

(This service is an added feature from the bank- transaction rates are less than 2% and there are no monthly fees or transaction fees charged to the church)

DEBIT CARDS

Effective January, 2010, Grace will begin accepting all debit cards with the MasterCard/Visa logo imprinted on the card. You may set up an account at the church office and have your debit card automatically charged each month as a recurring gift, or you may come into the office and make a one-time gift as you are able.

OFFERING ENVELOPES

Offering envelopes are provided at the beginning of each calendar year for your convenience and use. Offering envelopes are labeled by envelope number, making sure your offerings are confidential and secure. This option will continue to be made available to you.

Electronic giving provides a more consistent income for our ministries and reduces administrative costs. We encourage you to say “yes” to one of the electronic options which are more efficient, and make a great statement about your personal commitment to the Lord’s work through Grace.

THINK ENDOWMENT– THINK FOREVER

The Mission Endowment Fund allows the church to enhance the mission, outreach and ministry of the Congregation. By using only a portion of the annual earnings of the Endowment Fund, the Fund continues to grow and provide a permanent source of income to support the church's outreach with a variety of special ministry opportunities.

Stocks, bonds & securities great alternatives!

Noncash donations to the church, such as gifts of stock and bonds is an attractive alternative for many people. Giving a gift of publicly traded stock may, in some circumstances, provide greater tax benefits than giving cash.

thrivent simply giving program ends this year

Due to new mandated fees by Thrivent, Grace has cancelled its affiliation with the Simply Giving program effective January 2010. (Less than 1% of our members currently participate in this program, and the per-transaction fees are assessed to each donation)

If you have questions or would like further information

about any of these options, please contact the church office.

GRACE LUTHERAN CHURCH AND SCHOOL

Changing the World with Christ’s Love

13123 Highway 105 West | Conroe, Texas 77304 | 936.588.1944| 936.588.0388 fax www.graceconroe.org