Give to the Max Day!
You can be one of more than 40,000 generous Minnesotans who make a difference this Wednesday. It's Give To the Max Day on November 16, and Woodbury Lutheran's Endowment Fund is participating in the challenge. Help us win a Golden Ticket! Each hour beginning at midnight, one participating not-for-profit will receive a $1000 gift, with a grand prize of $10,000 awarded at 11:59 p.m. Your online donation of $10 or more will enter us in the drawings.
What does a contribution to the Endowment Fund do? Your gift is invested and the earned income is used to support ministries and missions not currently funded in our annual budget. These fund disbursements could include, but are not limited to, local (Twin Cities) missions, scholarships for full-time pastoral students at an LCMS seminary, youth development and youth ministry, disaster ministry, and pastoral discretionary emergency funds for those in need. Because only the interest is disbursed, the fund is intended to provide support to our "above and beyond" ministries for generations to come.
For more information, visit our Give To the Max page at http://givemn.razoo.com/story/Endowmentforwlc.
Life Planning Ministries
Welcome to Life Planning Ministries. This ministry is funded under a $100,000 grant from Thrivent Foundation that was provided to equip each member of Woodbury Lutheran to reexamine their lives from an eternal perspective. Our goal is to provide for the future of Woodbury Lutheran Church, its member families, and the people we serve in missions and outreach.
In addition to establishing an endowment fund to set priorities for the future of Woodbury Lutheran Church and to provide smart ways to invest in that future, we will invite you to personally explore smart ways to plan for your future, your family's future and your eternal future.
Through seminars, Sunday classes, Sanctuary Bible studies, library resources and special events, we'll work with you on issues that impact all of our lives, but which we are often hesitant to address. We'll talk about setting family goals and budgets, finding financial harmony in marriage and in family, and working with your kids to develop savvy consumers. We'll give you ideas for best managing the resources of time and money God has provided you. We'll engage you in discussions about planning for the future, including long-term health care issues, health care directives, estate planning, pre-planning of your funeral. We'll work with you on developing a last will and testament that can be your final witness in the name of Jesus Christ. We'll give you ideas on investments that will provide for your family first, and leave enough for your church family and/or other Kingdom work that you hold closest to your heart.
You'll work closely and confidentially with a WLC commissioned life planning counselor and, if you choose, a representative from the LCMS Foundation. They can lead you through a personal or family Life Plan to give you clearer vision for your future and provide you with referrals to Christian legal and financial advisors (including but not limited to Thrivent Financial). We hope you will find eternal blessings in the work we do together.
For more information on Life Planning Ministries, contact Vicki Strong, Director at 651-739-5144, ext. 236 or via e-mail
Calling Congregation Members!
Life Planning Ministries is currently inviting congregation members to participate in our ministry as commissioned Life Planning Counselors. You would work with individuals and families in confidential, private conversations to lead them through a personal Lifetime Plan. In-depth training will be provided. For more information, pick up a job description at the Connection Corner in the main lobby, or contact Vicki Strong.
Life Planning Information
What does the Bible say about managing resources God has given us?
"Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life." (1 Timothy 6:17-19)
"The earth is the Lord's and all that is in it, the world and all who live in it." (Psalm 24:1)
In Matthew 6, Jesus continues teaching that began with the Beatitudes in chapter 5. We learn about gifts to the needy, the Lord's Prayer, and fasting. In verses 19-24 Christ has clear instruction about money and possessions. "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." (Matthew 6:19-21)