JANUARY 2015
When you invest in Lutheran Church
Extension Fund (LCEF), you become part
of something bigger.
As an LCEF investor, you are
empowering the ministries of
The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod.
• StewardAccount
• Family Emergency StewardAccount®
• Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs)
• Young Investors (Y.I.) StewardAccount
• Term Notes
• Dedicated Certificate
• Coverdell Education Savings Account
• ConnectPLUS Term Note
LCEF investors help make funds available for loans and support services that help ministries share the Gospel.
Learn more at lcef.org or call 800-843-5233.
New LCEF Board Member from PSD
We are excited to announce that David Worthington was elected at the Fall Leadership
Conference to the Board of Directors as the Layperson from the West Region. The West
Region consists of the following Districts: California, Nevada, Hawaii; Rocky Mountain;
Montana; Northwest; Pacific Southwest; and Wyoming.
David has dealt with church and school finances for over 15 years. He has a unique
perspective on balancing finances while doing God’s work. He has helped prepare several
congregational strategic plans to help prepare for future growth and has worked extensively
with LCEF on church loans and promoting LCEF to congregations. David works for Vulcan
Materials Company in Phoenix, AZ and is a member of Christ Church Lutheran, Phoenix.
Approval Received for LCMS-Focused Credit Union
After almost three years of work and collaboration with partnering agencies and individuals, Lutheran
Church Extension Fund (LCEF) is pleased to announce that the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA)
has granted a charter for the launch of a Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod-focused credit union, effective
December 23, 2014. The approved name of the new entity is Lutheran Federal Credit Union, with offices at
10733 Sunset Office Drive, Suite 460, St. Louis, MO 63127.
Along with the granting of a charter, the NCUA has approved the field of membership for the credit union to
include The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS); associated districts; congregations and schools, and
their members; LCMS agencies, employees and their families.
The Lutheran Federal Credit Union is a totally separate entity from the LCMS and LCEF, with its own
governing Board of Directors. LCEF’s role has been to provide organizational assistance and start-up capital to
bring this new entity to fruition. The LCEF board and staff are pleased to have been part of the process that has
led to the granting of a charter to operate.
The Lutheran Federal Credit Union will serve the transactional banking needs of the nearly three million
prospective members through a broad array of deposit and lending products with state-of-the-art technology,
providing responsive and exceptional customer service.
The Lutheran Federal Credit Union could become operational as early as spring 2015. Details surrounding
the offerings, scheduled launch and timeline for full roll-out will be announced by the credit union board and
those selected to lead this new enterprise in the coming months.
Should you have any questions, you are welcome to send them by email to [email protected].
Happy Birthday to:
Special Prayers for:
Gene Grefe January 7
Larry Sanders
Promotion Coordinator, Region 4
Marilyn Gourley January 18
Our Savior Lutheran Church, Henderson
Larry Sanders January 23
Larry as he continues to battle cancer.
We are thankful that his chemo treatments are complete.
Family of John Bentz
John went to his heavenly home on December 24, 2014.
John was the CR at Christ the Cornerstone, San Diego.
Promotion Coordinator, Regions 1 & 2
From Larry Dunkirk Region 3 [email protected] 1-877-777-8032
Happy New Year all! Once again we closed out an exciting and eventful LCEF year! The wonder of God continues to
amaze as we surpass goal after goal. And you, our cherished Church Representatives, are always the key to this continued growth. This year I want to try to impress upon all of you just how important it is to keep your display boards
up-to-date. Especially the current interest rate page as that always generates so much interest. (Pun intended!)
Occasionally I visit a church where the display board does not have the current rate sheet. If for any reason your
church display board does not offer this information nor has no place for the monthly update sheet, please contact me
immediately and I will bring an updated board to you as soon as I can. All you have to do is print out the rate page in
the Newsletter each month, and slip it into the plastic page holder. If you do not have a printer, just email me or Gail
Kanneg at the Pacific Southwest District office and we will mail one to you immediately.
Recently I designed a new Display Board with some updated graphics and have received a very positive response
where they have been delivered. Eventually, as the older boards wear out, the new boards will be the replacement.
You certainly do not have to wait however as I will bring a new one to you at your request any time.
I can not stress enough just how important the display boards can be. Usually the board will be the first place many
people in your church will even become aware of the LCEF. That is one reason the display should be in a prominent
place such as in the Narthex or near a church bulletin board for upcoming events. Then, as they learn that you are the
representative for your congregation, they will in turn contact you regarding obtaining more information. Your job then
is to just point them towards the LCEF website where all questions can be answered in a timely fashion. Also our staff
here at the Pacific Southwest District office will assist you in any way we can. In many instances the growth of the
LCEF can be accented through the use of these displays. Always try to keep the board neat and in good repair as the
blessings from your display will continue to multiply for you each month.
From Gene Grefe Region 4 [email protected] 1-800-279-8930 code 1142
Happy New Year! We’re probably all anxious to see what the year 2015 will bring to each of us. We do know that
there will be changes in each of our lives but we do not know what God has planned for us. Whatever it is, we must be
ready, in our personal lives as well as what will be ahead in our work for the ministry of LCEF.
Looking back on the last year, I think we can all probably realize that we could have done more, I know I could have!
Do we all make a New Year’s resolution to attempt to do that in the New Year? Let’s each try. OK? Whatever you set as
your goal, even if everyone does not reach it, it should make a difference.
I’m not exactly sure if I have current information on each of you, due to a glitch mainly on my part. I need to get my
directory up-to-date so would each of you do me a favor by e-mailing me with your current info, i.e. name, address,
phone #, e-mail address, Pastor info, etc. If you have told me that you want to step aside from current responsibilities
please give me the information on your replacement, if one is in place. Otherwise help me by discussing this with your
Pastor & keep me informed. When I do get a name, or names, of a potential representative I will be happy to talk/meet
with them. It is not ‘lifetime’ commitment but hopefully would be for a few years at least. I would love nothing more
than to reach maybe mid-year and be able to have a full slate of LCEF reps in each congregation. With the help of each
of you it is possible to do it !
Do any of you have success stories that you wish to report with regards to how things have been going at your
church over the last few months? Y.I. Club growth? ‘ConnectPlus’ investments? Drawing & Essay contests? Take Heart
Scholarships, etc….. You can stay up-to-date by going to the website to see what is happening. Each of these opportunities will help promote stewardship within our youth, and adults as well. Remember, encourage the adults in particular, that earnings of 3% are available with the ConnectPlus program. How is your planning for your LCEF Sunday going?
Need help? Get in touch!
Blessings to each of you and your families as we look forward to what God has in store for us in 2015.
$ Bills have been discontinued.
LCEF Ads
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Position mouse over the ad.
Left click to highlight the ad.
Right click
Choose Copy Image
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Resize as needed.
LCEF Call Center
1-800-843-5233
7:00 am to 6:00 pm
PSD Office
toll-free number
855-856-5350
LCEF Videos
If you would like to use a video in your congregation,
share these links with your worship technician, or visit
www.vimeo.com/lcef.
All videos run approximately 30 seconds.
http://vimeo.com/112086972 for “Building the Kingdom”
January Bulletin Bits
http://vimeo.com/102950400 for “ConnectPLUS”
http://vimeo.com/95874973 for “LCEF By the Numbers”
http://vimeo.com/91958029 for “Special Interest”
http://vimeo.com/85470283 for “Spring into Savings”
http://vimeo.com/70554230 for “Young Investors”
http://vimeo.com/65252366 for “Future Friends”
http://vimeo.com/64386473 for “Kingdom Work”
http://vimeo.com/59604057 for “Young Investor”
http://vimeo.com/46291866 for “Now It’s Your Turn”
http://vimeo.com/48909134 for “Experience LCEF ”
http://vimeo.com/57069732 for “A Place to Grow”
Be Part of Something Bigger
When you invest in Lutheran Church Extension Fund (LCEF), you become part of something bigger. As an
LCEF investor, you are empowering the ministries of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. LCEF investors help make funds available for loans and support services that help ministries share the Gospel.
Learn more at lcef.org or call 800-843-5233.
CONTACT US
Gary Spencer
Gail Kanneg
District Vice President
949-854-3232 Ext. 217
Toll-free 855-856-5350
[email protected]
Administrative Assistant
949-854-3232 Ext. 205
Toll-free 855-856-5350
[email protected]
LCEF Mission Statement: To support the Church in fulfilling its mission of sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ by being
a Christ-centered servant partner of the LCMS, ensuring that funds and services are available now and in the future..
News
Where saving money is fun… and helps others learn about Jesus.
DRAWING & ESSAY CONTEST: “Responding to His Love”
Y.I. Club members in the Pacific Southwest District have the opportunity to participate
in our first-ever Drawing & Essay Contest. Prizes will range from $25—$100 and will be
given in five different age categories.
Category #1: Kindergarten, 1st & 2nd Grade: $25 Prize
Draw a picture of what your do because God loves you.
Category #2: 3rd, 4th & 5th Grade: $50 Prize
Draw a picture and write 5 sentences about what you do because God loves you.
Category #3: 6th, 7th & 8th Grade: $75 Prize
Write a 250 word essay about what you do because God loves you.
Category #4: 9th & 10th Grade: $100 Prize
Write a 500 word essay about what you do because God loves you.
Category #5: 11th & 12th Grade: $100 Prize
Write a 500 word essay about what you do because God loves you.
Contest Launch: January 5, 2015. Submission Deadline: January 31, 2015.
Open to Y.I. Club members who reside in the Pacific Southwest District .
Full contest rules can be found on our Pacific Southwest District website at psd-lcms.org on the LCEF page.
Y.I. CLUB MEMBERS EARN EXTRA CREDIT
Young Investors can earn "extra credit" for good grades and participating in community service
projects (up to $25 per year). Use the forms provided on the Y.I. Club page at lcef.org to submit
the information to LCEF. The funds will be credited to the designated Y.I. Club investment.
TAKE HEART SCHOLARSHIP: For Y.I. Club World Changers
The Take Heart Scholarship was developed for you, our Y.I. Club World Changers,
who are high school seniors and will soon be advancing to your next level of higher
education. During these times of excitement, anxiousness, and uncertainty, "take heart!"
As you begin your new journey, the Young Investors Club wants to assist your transition
by offering financial support through the Take Heart Scholarship with up to three awards
of $3,000, $1,000 and $500.
To Enter
1. You must be an LCEF investor.
2. You must be a high school graduating senior.
3. Download and submit a completed application.
Application, terms, and conditions can be found at lcef.org/scholarship
4. Submit an essay (up to 1,000 word) on a predetermined topic.
All submissions must be fully completed and electronically submitted to LCEF by March 2, 2015.
Questions: If you have any questions, please contact us at [email protected].
Investment Interest Rates—January 2015
StewardAccount ® —Individuals
Fixed -Term Notes
Minimum
Investment
Rate
APY
Term
Min. Investment
Rate
APY
Less than $1,000
$100
0.250%
0.250%
6-month
$500
0.125%
0.125%
$1,000 and less than $5,000
$1,000
0.375%
0.376%
9-month
$500
0.250%
0.250%
$5,000 and less than $10,000
$5,000
0.500%
0.501%
1-year
$500
0.375%
0.376%
$10,000 and more
$10,000
0.750%
0.753%
18-month
$500
0.500%
0.501%
2-year
$500
0.625%
0.626%
3-year
$500
0.875%
0.878%
4-year
$500
1.000%
1.004%
5-year
$500
1.250%
1.256%
Family Emergency St ewardAccount
Minimum
Investment
Rate
APY
$25
1.000%
1.005%
Required minimum monthly investment of $25
until the balance reaches $10,000.
Young Investors StewardAccount
Floating-Term Notes
Min. Investment
Rate
APY
Term
Minimum
Investment
Rate
APY
$25 to
$1,000
$25
3.500%
3.557%
2½-year (30 month)
$100
0.310%
0.310%
$1,000
and more
$1,000
1.000%
1.005%
5-year (60 month)
$100
0.740%
0.742%
Portion of balance > $1,000 earns second tier rate.
ConnectPLUS Two -Year Term Note (for new investors, 18 and older)
Term
Investment
Rate
APY
Investment
Rate
APY
2-year
$500 to
$5,000
3.000%
3.034%
Over $5,000
1.000%
1.004%
PartnerPLUS Term Note (for new money)
Term
Investment
Rate
APY
Investment
Rate
APY
2-year
$500 to
$25,000
2.000%
2.015%
Over $25,000
1.000%
1.005%
4-year
$500 to
$25,000
2.500%
2.524%
Over $25,000
1.000%
1.005%
LCEF is a nonprofit religious organization; therefore, LCEF investments are not FDIC-insured bank deposit
accounts. This is not an offer to sell LCEF investments, nor a solicitation to buy. LCEF will offer and sell its
securities only in states where authorized. The offer is made solely by LCEF’s Offering Circular. Investors should
carefully read the Offering Circular, which more fully describes associated risks. LCEF StewardAccount access
features provided through UMB Bank n.a. The Dedicated/Demand Certificates and StewardAccount are not
available to investors in South Carolina. The Family Emergency StewardAccount is known as the Family StewardAccount in the State of Ohio. ConnectPLUS is not available to investors in Ohio and Pennsylvania. Neither LCEF
nor its representatives give legal, accounting or tax advice. Consult your tax advisor as to the applicability of this
information to your own situation. UMB Bank serves as a custodian of the LCEF IRA/HSA Programs.
Learn more about LCEF products and services at lcef.org