august 2011 lcef on the move

MISSOURI DISTRICT EDITION

August 2011 Dear Friends, Welcome to the August 2011 edition of LCEF on the Move

We are nearing the end of summer and in just a matter of a few weeks some of our schools will begin another year and churches will be looking at increased activity levels after a few weeks of vacations and the like. I pray your summer has been a blessed time.

I know that when God created people, He did not “wire” all of us in the same way. We have different emotions and different ways of approaching various situations. That being said, I believe that most of us like to think that in one way, shape, or form, we are responsible for planning out schedules and organizing ourselves to accomplish something with our lives.

I like to think of myself as a very organized person who has a good idea of where I will be going and what I will be doing in, at least, the short term. If you had asked me a few months ago what I would be doing this summer, I would have told you where the family was planning to vacation and what other major activities were on the calendar.

Imagine my surprise when I learned that I would require surgery to remove a cancerous thyroid gland and then go through a “clean up” process involving radioactive iodine to kill any remaining thyroid cells. The entire process would take about two months from start to finish. My life was not in danger and it was not imperative that I undergo the process on an emergency basis. However, life would not be “normal” until it was taken care of. My summer plans went out the door and were replaced by surgery, recovery, and preparations for and eventually acting upon a follow up treatment.

Everything went well and the doctors tell me that I have a very low risk of any future complication. That being said, the events of the summer demonstrate that I am not in charge. God spoke very clearly to me that there will be times that I need to put my plans on hold and be open to something else. In hindsight, I have had an opportunity to reflect on the blessings of family, friends, and (yes) the good health that I have been given. All in all, it was not a bad summer.

God has plans for all of us as individuals, churches, and beyond. My prayer is that we remain open to His leading and then act upon what He leads us to do.

Thank you again for you support of the ministry of Lutheran Church Extension Fund. In HIS Service,

Dennis Klussman LCEF Vice President

LCEF Featured in LCMS Reporter

The July 2011 edition of the Reporter, the official newspaper of the LCMS, included a four-page feature insert on the work of Lutheran Church Extension Fund. The insert featured a number of stories under the heading “Discover the Opportunities” and included stories about how LCEF can be of assistance in the areas of stewardship, disaster assistance, loans for rostered church workers, KIDS Program, Laborers for Christ, and Project School Zone. An electronic copy of the insert is available by contacting Dennis Klussman at the contact information provided on Page 4 of this newsletter. There are also a limited number of hard copies that are available as well on a first-come, first-served basis.

KIDS Stamp Corner

The Blurb (for use in church bulletins, newsletters, etc.)

As summer ends, children will be returning to Lutheran elementary and secondary schools to continue and further their education. Did you know that Lutheran Church Extension Fund has provided funds to thousands of school and early childhood programs in our Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod? These funds provide place and space for Christ-centered education programs. Call 1-800-THE-LCEF (843-5233) or visit www.lcef.org for more information on how you can support these ministries.

At Your Service (LCEF Services Update)

We are nearing the end of the summer months and many churches are breathing a big sigh of relief that their finances made it through the summer. Does this sound familiar? Is this type of talk in line with what Scripture says about personal stewardship? Many congregations are seeking a new direction in stewardship education and are utilizing Consecrated Stewards, an intensive 8-10 week stewardship emphasis that focuses on Biblical stewardship principles and celebrates the ministry of a congregation. At the end of the process, members are asked to commit to a giving level for the coming year. The difference is that the commitment is based on what God says about our financial blessings, not on what the budget says. For more information about Consecrated Stewards visit the LCEF website at www.lcef.org or call (800) 843-5233.

Did you know that the average increase in pledged income for a congregation undertaking a Consecrated Stewards emphasis is 15 – 25%

No two congregations are alike and this rate of increase is not guaranteed. However, Consecrated Stewards may be a valuable process to undertake in your congregation. For more information about Consecrated Stewards visit the LCEF website at www.lcef.org or call (800) 843-5233.

We are nearing the start of another school year when young people begin to again learn all the various disciplines if life in a school setting. How about the principles of Christian stewardship and the benefits of saving for the future? That is why LCEF offers the KIDS Program. KIDS stands for Kids Into Discipleship and Stewardship. This program, offered in day schools and Sunday schools, allows children to purchase stamps that can be exchanged for investments in an LCEF account upon completion of a stamp booklet.

LCEF is also pleased to offer KIDS Count, a curriculum designed for day schools that digs deeper into the principles of Christian stewardship, as well as personal finance.

Whether it is through KIDS or KIDS Count, young people learn the benefits of investing for the future while also supporting the mission and ministry of a congregation. Activity books help keep kids involved and encourage them in their stewardship life.

For more information about the KIDS Count or the KIDS Program call LCEF at (800) 843-5233 or visit the LCEF website www.lcef.org.

http://www.lcef.org/�




Current LCEF Loan Rates

Congregations (Loans Amortized Up To Twenty Years): Annually-Adjusted Loan: 4.875% (Loans > $2 Million Adjusted Monthly) Five - Year Balloon Note 5.250%

Ten - Year Balloon Note 5.625% Construction Rate is 1% Higher During Construction Period

1% Loan Origination Fee Rostered Church Worker Mortgage Loans (Loans Amortized Up To Thirty Years): Five Year Adjustable Rate Loan (10% down payment): 3.875% - 4.375% Ten- and 15-year Fixed Rate Loan (10% down payment): 4.125% - 4.625% Final Interest Rate Based Upon Down Payment and Credit History

LCEF On The Move A Monthly Newsletter of the Missouri District LCEF

Contacts: Dennis Klussman, District Vice President E-Mail: [email protected] Mailing Address: 660 Mason Ridge Center Drive #100 St. Louis, Missouri 63141 Telephone: (314) 317-4550 (800) 233-9812 For additional information, visit the LCEF website www.lcef.org or call (800)-843-5233.

LCEF is a nonprofit religious organization; therefore, LCEF investments are not FDIC-insured bank deposit accounts. This is not an offer to sell investments, nor a solicitation to buy. The offer is made solely by LCEF’s Offering Circular. Investors should carefully read the

Offering Circular, which more fully describes associated risks.

Next Generation Note* (Minimum Investment $5000)

Fixed Term - Rate APY

Next Generation -- 3.375% 3.418%

Congregation Endowment Note (5-Year Fixed)

Minimum Investment Rate APY

$1,000 -- 1.975% 1.990%

$10,000 -- 2.100% 2.117%

$100,000 -- 2.225% 2.244%

Dedicated Certificate


$100 -- 0.250% 0.250% Custodial accounts for minors: $25

$1,000 -- 0.375% 0.376%

$5,000 -- 0.500% 0.501%

IRA Dedicated Certificate


$100 -- 0.375% 0.376%

$1,000 -- 0.500% 0.501%

$5,000 -- 0.625% 0.626%

$10,000 -- 1.250% 1.256%

HSA FlexPlus Certificate


$1 -- 1.125% 1.131%

$2,500 -- 1.625% 1.637%

$5,000 -- 2.125% 2.146%

$15,000 -- 2.625% 2.657%

StewardAccount® Certificate


$100 -- 0.375% 0.376%

$1,000 -- 0.500% 0.501%

$5,000 -- 0.625% 0.627%

$10,000 -- 1.250% 1.257%

Family Emergency

StewardAccount Certificate


$25 -- 1.375% 1.384%

Balances of <$10,000 require monthly electronic investments

Lutheran Church Extension Fund Investment Interest Rates

August 2011

Congregation Certificates (Minimum Investment $100)

Rate APY Demand -- 0.375% 0.376% StewardAccount® Certificates

$100 -- 1.125% 1.131% $250,000 -- 1.250% 1.257% $500,000 -- 1.375% 1.384%

$1,000,000 + -- 1.500% 1.510%

Congregation Endowment Note (60-Month Floating)


$1,000 -- 1.975% 1.990%

$10,000 -- 2.100% 2.117%

$100,000 -- 2.225% 2.244%

IRA Jumbo Notes (Minimum Investment $100,000)

Rate APY

5 Year Fixed -- 2.250% 2.269%

60 Month Floating -- 1.975% 1.990%

Cemetery Perpetual Care StewardAccount® Certificate

Rate APY

$1,000 -- 1.125% 1.131%

$25,000 -- 1.250% 1.257%

$50,000 -- 1.375% 1.384%

$100,000 + -- 1.625% 1.637%

Floating Term Notes (Minimum Investment $100)

Rate APY 2½ Year

(30 Month) -- 0.730% 0.732%

5 Year (60 Month)

-- 1.600% 1.610%

*In conjunction with the purchase of the Next Generation Note, you have made a contribution to the LCEF. A portion of this contribution is non-deductible and considered a premium on the purchase of the note since you are receiving a benefit in return for the contribution (i.e., a 1.5% higher interest rate on the balance of the note). The APY on the principal amount of the Next Generation Note is 3.418%. If the non-deductible portion of the contribution (premium) is deducted from the interest you receive on the note, the yield-to-maturity is reduced to 1.70%.

Fixed Term Notes (Minimum Investment $500)

Rate APY 6 Month -- 0.375% 0.376% 9 Month -- 0.500% 0.501% 1 Year -- 0.625% 0.626% 18 Month -- 0.875% 0.878% 2 Year -- 1.000% 1.004% 3 Year -- 1.250% 1.256% 5 Year -- 1.875% 1.888% 6-10 Year -- 2.125% 2.142% 11-15 Year -- 2.375% 2.396% 16-20 Year -- 3.000% 3.034%

1-800-843-5233 www.lcef.org

10733 Sunset Office Drive

Suite 300 St. Louis, MO 63127

august 2011 lcef on the move

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