Legacy of Faith… Moving Forward

Really Moving Forward

July 14, 2013 By Faith

Generous support of the Legacy of Faith…Moving Forward capital campaign allowed Faith to make $221,757.00 in additional principal payments on our mortgage this year! It would take 3 years to reduce the principal by that much through regular monthly payments. This will make a huge difference in the length and total expense of the mortgage.

The loan is being re-amortized, too, which will also help to reduce the principal more quickly and save thousands in interest costs over the years. Please continue to support Legacy of Faith…Moving Forward!

Read more of Faith’s 2013 mid-year financial report here.

You can also give online to Faith Lutheran. Learn more here.

Pentecost Challenge: Successful!

May 28, 2013 By Faith

Thank You to everyone who supported the Pentecost Paydown special offering in May. About $11,000 was received for principal reduction on the church’s mortgage. At the same time, a building donated to the Legacy of Faith campaign finally sold. Together with a bequest from Maureen Hantge’s estate, the church council just approved a $71,000 principal reduction on the mortgage!

That’s not all. Last January, the annual meeting approved a $150,000 principal reduction! This means that Faith has reduced its mortgage by more than $220,000 this year, in addition to our regular monthly payments.

As a result, the mortgage is melting down much faster than planned—from $3.2 million to just over $2.8 million in only three years! We now have an opportunity to reamortize the mortgage, which will accelerate the paydown further.

It is only your generous support that makes any of this possible. Please continue giving generously as God first blesses you.

Not a fan of checkbooks? Click here to learn about online giving at Faith Lutheran.

Pentecost Challenge

May 19, 2013 By Faith

Our church recently received a generous bequest from the estate of Maureen Hantge. Part of her gift was given to the Legacy of Faith… Moving Forward capital campaign. By doing this, Maureen’s gift will support Faith’s ministry far into the future.

Estate gifts like hers can significantly reduce the term and cost of the mortgage on our new building. This frees up thousands of dollars for our ministry, which would have gone to interest payments.

Your Challenge: give a special offering on Sun. May 19 to the Pentecost Paydown.

This is the second High-5 special offering for this year, and the only High-5 offering designated to support our mortgage. Ask yourself:

Could you help our church match all or most of Maureen’s $31,000 gift to Legacy of Faith… Moving Forward with extra or accelerated gifts to the capital campaign?
Would you remember Faith Lutheran in your estate plans, so you can keep supporting this ministry far into the future?

Thank you for all of your support of Faith Lutheran Church and the ministry God has given to us here! We are so grateful for Maureen’s faithful generosity! God has richly blessed us to be a blessing.

Learn about online giving to Faith Lutheran.

For all who are thirsty…

March 7, 2012 By Faith

On Sunday, February 26, Faith Lutheran announced the results of the Legacy of Faith… Moving Forward capital campaign. As of that date, the congregation had pledged about $675,000 toward the effort to pay our mortgage and reduce our debt. This amount is, all at the same time:

A Half-Full Glass – the amount pledged will cover Faith’s mortgage payments for the next three years. THANK YOU to all those who made a commitment to support this vital effort.
A Half-Empty Glass – the amount pledged is about half of what was required by Faith’s lender to receive an interest rate reduction or make a significant reduction in the mortgage principal – either of which would save the church thousands of dollars over the years.
A Glass that Still Needs Filling – several hundred households have not yet responded to Legacy of Faith… Moving Forward, but it’s not too late to do so. A follow-up letter will be sent soon to encourage further response to the campaign.

glass — Image by Michele Molinari, aka micmol (via Flickr), used under Creative Commons

The best news, though is that Legacy of Faith… Moving Forward is not over. It is just beginning. The previous capital campaign received significant support that was not pledged and from special gifts, like estates. It is entirely possible over the next three years for Faith to reach or even exceed the original goal of Legacy of Faith… Moving Forward.

If you made a pledge to support this important effort, THANK YOU.
If you did not make a pledge, but plan to support the campaign, THANK YOU.
If you are able at any time in the next three years to help reduce the mortgage, THANK YOU.
If you invest your time, ability and presence in Faith’s ministry, THANK YOU.
If you will hold Faith Lutheran, its members, ministries and mission in your daily prayer, THANK YOU.

Look for further updates on Legacy of Faith… Moving Forward in the months and years to come.

Grace and Peace,

Pastor Scott Grorud