Victory Lutheran Church

WELS

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Stewardship

Stewardship

Our stewardship ministry assists church members in managing their time, talents and treasures for thankful service to their Savior, Jesus Christ.

Thank You!

We appreciate everyone who volunteers their time, talents and treasures in service to the Lord at Victory. Thank you for serving your Lord and giving back to him generously! The Lord has blessed each of us richly through our Savior Jesus. We can't help but give back to him with thanksgiving.

Time & Talents

Looking to Serve?
Are you looking for a way to serve your Savior through Victory Lutheran Church? Click here to contact us! We'll help you determine how you can best use your time and talents to serve the Lord through Victory.

Volunteer Schedule
Click Here to download the latest volunteer schedule. We appreciate everyone who has volunteered their time and talents! If you cannot serve at worship service for which you are scheduled, please find a replacement to fulfill your responsibilities. Thank you!

Treasures

Victory is very thankful for the financial offerings that are contributed to our congregation. Your generous donations are used to fund the teaching and preaching of God's Word in Jacksonville and used to support the missions of the WELS. Donations can be made electronically by clicking the link below.

Click here to
Make a Donation Today!

Five Key Financial Resolutions

Steve Scalici, a Certified Financial Planner with Treasure Coast Financial, offers the five following recommendations to help you exercise good stewardship of the finances with which God has blessed you.

1. Create a budget.
2. Live on the budget that you create.
3. Have a plan to get out of debt.
4. Begin saving money.
5. Have faith.

1. Create a Budget
Less than 5% of the population has a budget. Why is that? Haven't people figured out that living without a budget hasn't worked so far? Isn't it time to try something new? I love when people tell me they can't live on a budget because it's too constricting. That's the point! It keeps you within your boundaries, which in turn keeps you out of trouble. If you need help, check out our website at www.tcfin.com and click on "Budget Counseling." We have an Excel spreadsheet that has a budget that you can use for free (that's good stewardship). If you don't have Excel you can choose to view the file online and print it out.

2. Live on the Budget You Create
I know countless people that have beautifully planned budgets but never look at them. They've become glorified dust collectors. Having a budget and not using it is like having a car and not driving it. Used properly and regularly as a guide, that budget can make life really easy.

3. Have a Plan to Get Out of Debt
Debt can be one of the great attributors of wealth in your life. However, for most people, it is the "great inhibitor." If you have found yourself being squeezed by the "borrow constrictor," as Ron Blue calls it, stop overspending. Of course, this is easier to do if you have a budget (sorry to keep coming back to that). One of the most effective ways of getting out of debt is to "snowball" it. Here's an easy three step process to help you:

a. Line up your debts starting with the smallest balance. Don't look at the interest rate. The only time the interest rate comes into play is if you have two balances that are very close.

b. Focus on paying the smallest debt first. Once that debt is paid off, you use the money you were sending that creditor and begin applying that to the balance of the next highest creditor. Pay that one off and keep doing it with the third, fourth, etc.

c. All the while, you make the minimum payments to the creditors that you are not currently focusing on. Focusing on one debt allows you to feel a sense of accomplishment when you pay one off. That will keep you interested in paying off your debt. You can even have fun with it.

4. Begin Saving Money
I've heard it a thousand times: "I just don't have any money to save." That's gibberish. We live in the richest country in the world. What we consider to be middle class is outright wealthy in most parts of the world. We just have to get our priorities straight. Everyone can afford to save something, even if it's $5 per week. Start saving and allow the "eighth wonder of the world" to begin working in your favor instead of against you. What is the "eighth wonder of the world?" It's compound interest. Try out the old 10/10/80 rule. Give 10% to the Lord's work. Save 10% for yourself and then live on 80% of your income. The more you can reduce that last number the more you can give and save and help others which equals JOY!

5. Have Faith in God's Promises
Sometimes it's easier said than done. We have to trust God in all areas of our lives, even when it seems silly or even trivial. I'm reminded of the story in Luke, Chapter 5 where Peter met Jesus. Peter and his friends had fished all night with nothing to show for it. But, Jesus told them to cast their nets again. Peter, without hesitation (and presumably going on faith) immediately said "OK." They put out their nets and this time they caught so many fish, the nets began to break. Faith tested is faith rewarded. Because even if we don't get what we want, we get what we need.

Free Credit Report

Maintaining a good credit score is an important part of your life of financial stewardship. We encourage you to check your credit score often and to work at improving your credit rating. Visit www.annualcreditreport.com to apply for your free credit report today.

Free Financial Advice

DO YOU NEED SOME FINANCIAL HELP AND GUIDANCE?

Then check out this website: www.realsensejax.org/

Real Sense offers free financial classes, free budget planning and will do tax prep for free. Can't beat that price!

The Importance of a Will

Some things just can't wait! I don't need a will. Everything will just go to my wife. Right?

Some people never write a will because they feel they own too few assets; others believe that by having property held in joint tenancy they have solved the problem; some procrastinate.

I'm only 30. I have plenty of time to write my will. I know I should have a will. I'm just so busy, but I'll get to it next week. But many simply don't know how to get started.

By carefully planning today, you will save your loved ones unnecessary anxiety and you'll have the satisfaction of knowing your desires will be carried out.

Here are seven reasons to have a will:

· Distribute assets to family

· Provide for dependents

· Make special bequests

· Name a personal representative

· Save estate assets

· Remember the work of the Lord

· Memorialize others

Distributing assets to family
Without a will, the state will determine what becomes of your property, which family members will receive it, and in what proportions. Court decisions based on state laws must be general, and may be fair in one situation but not in another.

Providing for dependents
A will is a final way to distribute property directly or indirectly through trust arrangements. Trusts can be designed to fit almost any need. They can turn money management over to professionals for a certain period of time, i.e. until a minor reaches a certain age. The income can be fixed or variable. The principal can go to the same beneficiary as does the income, to another person, or to your congregation and/or synod.

Making special bequests
You may want to include in your will people who are not heirs but who have had an impact on your life or who need your special help. You cannot leave anything to anyone outside your family without a will (or contract).
For instance, you may own a piece of art or a special nativity set that your best friend has always admired. You need to specifically provide for this gift in your will.

Naming a personal representative
Through your will you can name the person to be responsible for settling your estate. Without a will, the court will name an administrator and approve a fee for his/her services.
It's best to select a person based on respect and trust, particularly someone with prudence in handling business affairs. The personal representative is usually an individual, a bank, or a trust company.

Saving estate assets
There are many other advantages to having a will, including the opportunity to save administrative costs and unnecessary taxes.
By having a will in proper order, it is possible to eliminate additional costs that might normally be involved in settling the estate.

Remembering the work of the Lord
For many it is very practical to provide gifts for their congregation and synod through a will. Perhaps family responsibilities have hindered you from giving gifts to the extent you would have desired.
Bequests can be made in any amount and can significantly reduce estate taxes. You may wish to leave your congregation and/or synod

· a specific dollar amount.

· a fixed percentage of your estate.

· the balance after providing for designatedindividuals.

Memorializing others
You may choose to make a charitable gift to your congregation and/or synodwhile also paying special tribute to a loved one. Memorial gifts are a fittingway to establish endowment and trust funds.

Have things changed?
Circumstances in your life may have changed whichsuggest that you update your will.

For example:

· Has your financial situation changed?

· Have you acquired new assets or sold others which are mentioned in your will?

· Have you married, become widowed, divorced, or are there new children or grandchildren in the family?

· Have your plans for making gifts to your congregation and/or synod changed?

· Have you moved to another state where the laws might be different?

When is the best time to write your will?
Don't wait until there has been a death in the family or until you areill and under emotional stress. Write your will now while you arethinking about it.

Last year Mr JD told a WELS counselor that he wanted to wait to writehis will until after the first of the year. But the first of the yearwas too late. His death was sudden and unexpected.

Adults of all ages need wills, but many tend to put it off. There will always be a reason to wait!

How do you get started?
Step 1: Many congregations choose to hold a Christian Estate Planning Seminar, presented by a WELS gift planning counselor. Attend a seminar for answers to many of your questions.

Step 2: Even if you don't have the opportunity to attend aseminar, schedule a private consultation with one of our WELS giftplanning counselors. He is there to assist you one Christian toanother. No cost; no obligation.

Step 3: Carefully read and consider the material your counselor sends to you prior to your meeting. Gather necessary information.

Step 4: Meet with your WELS gift planning counselor. He will answer your questions, helping you so that your will expresses your Christian desires.

Step 5: Together you will assemble the necessary information you need to take to your attorney, helping him to better meet your needs.

Click Here to learn more about how a WELS gift planning counselor can help you.

The gift planning counselor for Victory Lutheran Church is Mr. Gerald Heckmann. Please feel welcome to contact Gerry to set up appointment to discuss your estate plans.

Mr. Gerald Heckmann
gheckmann@sab.wels.net
920-390-0741