Bethlehem Lutheran Church

In our church - at Bethlehem - we have the opportunity to give a weekly offering. We have the challenge to give to an occasional capital campaign, like Share the Spirit. And we have the privilege to leave a legacy by giving to the Bethlehem Lutheran Church Foundation. Three-legged giving. Wow!

Do you know about the third leg we mention here? The Bethlehem Lutheran Church Foundation was started in 1957 by some very forward thinking gentlemen. Today the assets exceed $1.5 million. The principal of the fund is invested and never spent. This will ensure this fund living into perpetuity ... forever!

The income has generally been about $50,000 for the past several years. Records indicate that since the first grant was made in 1963 through July 2006, $984,654 has been given to the glory of God for the following purposes: Bethlehem programmatic needs 20%; for BLC Staff enrichment 11%; for Bethlehem building and equipment needs 39%; for the tuition of seminary students 6%; and for general outreach to the community and the world 24%. [note:The total grants likely topped $1 million at the October meeting which was held after publication date.]

If you have any questions about the Bethlehem Lutheran Church Foundation, please contact a board member: Bill Fredell, Paul Hauge, Kathleen Hokemeir-Seim, Roy LaFayette, Naomi Staruch, Paul Steen, Dorothea Tenney or Pastor Chris Nelson.

You may say to yourself, "My power and the strength of my hands have produced this wealth for me." But remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth... Deuteronomy 8:17 & 18.

I pray that I will never lose sight of this truth, Lord. All I have comes from You. Help me to hold all I have very lightly and may I always be ready to pass it along at Your request. Amen.