Our Offerings: A Spiritual and Holy Privilege

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1 The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod Winter In This Issue... President s Letter Page 2 Camp CILCA News Page 3 Tax Credit Scholarship Program Page 4 Watch for the Rural Shift Page 5 National Youth Gathering Meeting Page 6 Official Notices Page 7 LERT Events Page 8 Partnership in the Gospel Video Page 9 Our Offerings: A Spiritual and Holy Privilege While conducting a church service, a pastor paused before the offering. We bring our offering to the Lord, he said. With all respect, I should say to our visitors that this is not a collection of money. This is not a collection for charity. More surprisingly, he continued: Those who are not Christians are not permitted to contribute to this offering. This is a privilege, a spiritual and holy ritual for those who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and are baptized. Of course, no one can give God anything that He does not already own. The cattle on a thousand hills belong to Him, and every beast of the forest (Psalm 50:10). He made them all. He made you. And most surprisingly of all, despite your sin and unworthiness He also accepts you because Jesus our great High Priest made Himself the sacrificial Victim in your place. God accepts you solely on account of the Christ Who died for you and lives to tell the tale. What about Electronic Giving? These days, church contributions can be made via electronic transfer of funds. Likely, more and more people will use this option in the future. To prevent such giving from becoming unthinking, some congregations encourage automatic withdrawal users to take time and prepare an (empty) offering envelope, then place it in the plate during the service. As they do, these givers have one more opportunity to consider their offerings reasonable service that is a spiritual and holy privilege for those in Christ. Baptized into union with the Lord in His death and resurrection, yours is a whole new life and a completely renewed outlook. You see yourself for who He has made you to be: a little Christ to your neighbor. Because of Jesus, THE high priest, you are a priest. As a holy priesthood, God s people offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ (1 Peter 2:5). The Lord accepts our offerings because, in His wonderous love, He accepts us! St. Paul wrote: I appeal to you, therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God. As New Testament priests we offer not dead animals, as did Old Testament priests, but rather our own selves: living sacrifices. Continued on Page 3

2 2 The GatePost Winter From the President s Desk Participation Although not a Biblical Principle, per se, it makes some earthly sense that you take greater stock in something in which you are a part, when you have some skin in the game. A child who gets a free education may become a perpetual student so that he remains forever supported by Daddy s dollar. He never is independent. He very well may never fully appreciate his easily gotten education. An absentee businessman who is just gleaning the returns but doesn t make his voice heard in forming the policies that produce that profit has no one else to blame when he is disappointed with those earnings. Another take on that is exemplified in a tongue-in-cheek statement made by one of my seminary professors who said that he d rather have as his personal physician someone who believes that he is saved by works than by grace. What does this mean? A works-righteous doctor may be more concerned, for personal reasons, about your wellbeing than a doctor who knows his mistakes are pardoned. That analogy can only be taken so far before it breaks down tragically but the point is still the more things are personal the more we are interested. One thing about the church is that we have the privilege of participating in something that could very well be accomplished without us. The Lord of the church made this whole thing very personal when it took a one hundred percent sacrifice on His part to found it, sustain, pardon, and preserve it. He has given His personal and irrevocable promise that the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. The Spirit has given gifts and talents that thereby the body might benefit and the members edified. Through His effort we have received life as a gift the truth of which our sinful flesh so quickly sets aside. The Scriptures remind us that we were bought at a price We are not our own As God s own royal children we get to proclaim the wonderful deeds of Him who called us out of darkness into His marvelous light. We get to approach our heavenly Father as dear children knowing that He will hear and deliver us. In loving our neighbor we get to share the bounty He grants us with those less fortunate or in any need. The Lord plants us in the midst of our family of faith and also ties us by fellowship bonds with those who believe throughout the world. We are blood-line members of our own families in which we live out our Christian calling in the most intimate setting. These are duties most certainly, but they are opportunities and a privilege in every instance when the Lord serves the world through us. The Scriptures remind us that we were bought at a price We are not our own As God s own royal children we get to proclaim the wonderful deeds of Him who called us out of darkness into His marvelous light. We live out our vocation in the world into which we have been thrust. We have no time to rest on our laurels when there are still many who are in need of the blessings we have come to know and enjoy. The Lord Jesus would not have us do any of this under compulsion which removes the motivation of love and the incentive of freely giving one s self. The sanctified life of God s child is the result of the overwhelming generosity of our heavenly Father in saving us by the blood of His only begotten Son. I acknowledge that who I am today is not due to happenstance. I am a product of my mother and father much more than biologically. My personality was fashioned under their tutelage. Their advice and Rev. Mark A. Miller, President discipline framed who I became as an adult. But in each instance the Lord guided and directed so that my education, provided by mother church, had the greatest influence. My home congregation, its pastors and people, did much in my formation as the pastor I have become. I ( As for me and my house ) have a strong loyalty to serve in that church the Lord founded and I am surrounded by a company of godly people who were and are of the same mind and judgment who played a profound part in producing the Me of today. My heavenly Father made sure that, though He is the Author, He used many that His Will might be done in me. As our District Convention approaches, I pray that together we will serve the Lord in the opportunities He places before us, even as the world throws challenges and obstacles in our path. Despite the obstructions we have a command, a promise, and plenty of prospects because we never enter the fray empty-handed or alone. As you consider your place in the Lord s plan I pray that you see that the District and our mission together is not us vs. them but always the work of the body under the direction of its Head for the common goal of the salvation of all. There s no standing on the sidelines but rather, in regards to the Lord s saving work, we are privileged to participate. Reverend Mark A. Miller, CID President 1 Corinthians 2:2

3 Telling The Good News About Jesus 3 Our Offerings: A Spiritual and Holy Privilege Continued from Page 1 Our monetary offerings stand for the allencompassing sacrifice of ourselves to the One Who sacrificed supremely for us. The apostle added that this is your spiritual worship (Romans 12:1), which is even better translated reasonable service. That is, offering ourselves is worship of the mind and of awe and of faith and of prayer and of thanksgiving. No wonder the pastor declared that only Christians should contribute to the offering! We respond to God s love and grace, he said. We return part of the money we have received from Him to build the church and reach out to the world (quoted in Myth or Faith? [CPH], part 1, lesson 6). The offerings we give to the Lord differ from: Paying dues: If you join some club, paying your dues qualifies you for various benefits. In the church, however, none other than the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light (Colossians 1:12). Meeting budgets: We love because Jesus first loved us (1 John 4:19). We give because He gave His all for us (2 Corinthians 8:7-9). Meeting budgets does not form the purpose for our giving. It s a result. Filling envelopes: To reach for whatever lies at the bottom of one s pocket when the plate comes by, just to have something to drop in, makes for no reasonable service to God. Instead, Scripture mentions giving that is regular, careful, proportionate, and timely (1 Corinthians 16:2). As we make spiritual sacrifices, we pray that our giving would be like our Lord s self-giving: thoughtful, not automatic ; considered, not impulsive; and planned, not irregular. For us as Christians, offerings are a spiritual and holy privilege. Camp CILCA News 2018 Summer Schedule June 3-7 Joyful Hearts Camp ($135 / $270) CILCA welcomes campers of all ages with developmental disabilities for a half or full week. June Pathfinders I ($130, grades 1-4) June Dauntless Souls ($300, grades 6-8) June : *Wonder Week * NEW! Art Camp ($330, grades 6-10) In addition to typical camp activities, campers will spend 1-2 hours each day exploring the artistic capabilities of nature under the instruction of St. Louis based sculptor Abraham Mohler. June 22-24: Generations ($140 per twosome) Introduce the next generation to camp! Campers from 4 years old through 4th grade can stay the weekend with a parent or adult guardian while getting acclimated to camp. June 24-29: Bold Spirits ($300, grades 4-6) June 24-29: *Aqua Week* NEW! ($300, grades 4-6) Aqua Week is for campers who have completed grades 4-6 and love the water. Sessions will include water sports, boating, swimming, creek walking, and other innovative aqua-activities. Evening sessions will join the other campers for whole camp activities such as capture the flag, lights, and more. July 1-3 Pathfinders II ($130, grades 1-4) July 6-7: Generations II ($70 per twosome) 4 years-4th grade, one night only. July 8-13: Dauntless Souls II ($300) July 8-13: Dark-Night Owl ($330) Grades 6-8 will stay up all night and sleep all day! July 15-20: M.A.D. Week ($330, grades 5-8) Music - Athletics - Drama: Campers will choose from one track and participate in activities which concentrate in that area. July 22-27: Intrepid Hearts ($300, grades 9-12) July 29-August 3: Bold Spirits II ($300) Men s Woodcutters Retreat February 16-18, 2018 There are programs for everyone from preschool through high school. Find out more about these and other camp programs at under the Summer Camp FAQs tab. Call (217) with any questions. Summer camp registration opens on January 1, Register on-line at THANK YOU to all the generous donors who have given time, money, talents, gifts, and supplies this year. CILCA continues to stay financially strong due in large part to the unwavering support of these gracious individuals, schools, and churches! 4124 Camp Cilca Road, Cantrall, IL (217) camp@cilca.org

4 4 The GatePost Winter Tax Credit Scholarship Program LCMS Lutheran Schools in Illinois have the greatest opportunity in our time to plan and act in alignment with God s calling in the Great Commission to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ to our communities! We have the opportunity to share the love of Jesus Christ to more children in our communities! Created in Illinois to benefit children whose educational options are limited by household income, the Invest In Kids tax credit scholarship program allows our schools to go beyond traditional boundaries, bringing hope to those families and children who could only dream of attending our Lutheran schools. This means that more children will have the opportunity to experience the love of Jesus Christ every school day while attending our Lutheran schools. Through this scholarship program, we all have a great opportunity to expand and share the Gospel with our community. If you have any questions, please call the Central Illinois District office at (217) About the Scholarship Program Invest In Kids Act Illinois enacted the Invest In Kids Scholarship Tax Credit Program in This program offers a 75 percent income tax credit to individuals and businesses that contribute to qualified Scholarship Granting Organizations (SGOs). The SGOs then provide scholarships for students whose families meet the income requirements to attend qualified, non-public schools in Illinois. Empower Illinois Empower Illinois is an independent 501(c) (3) non-profit SGO responsible for serving approximately 80% of participating private schools statewide, including Lutheran Schools. Empower Illinois is responsible for: Processing donations from individuals and corporations; Accepting scholarship applications from students/families; and Distributing scholarships to eligible students/families in accordance with the law. Tax Credit Scholarships The Tax Credit Scholarship will cover up to 100% of private school tuition up to a maximum of the average Illinois cost to educate which is roughly $13,000. Students with unique learning needs will receive larger scholarships. Tax Credits Individual and corporate donors may receive a credit for their Illinois state taxes equal to 75 percent of donations to an SGO. Tax credits are capped at $1 million per taxpayer per year. Total tax credits are capped at $75 million per year statewide. Please consult a tax professional to determine how such gifts will affect tax liability. Designating Donations Individuals may direct their donations to a particular school or subset of schools, but not to an individual student or group of students. Corporate donors cannot designate their donations to a particular school. Donation Process Donors can begin the process by registering with mytax.illinois.gov. After the registration process, which can take up to 10 business days, donors will be ready to reserve their tax credit beginning January 2 on a first-come, first served basis. Once credit has been reserved, they have 60 days to make their donation to an SGO. Engage the Wandering Saturday, March 3, :00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. St. Paul, Strasburg Every congregation has members who, for whatever reason, have become less involved in worship and other congregational activities. Sometimes these are called inactive members. LCMS Rural & Small Town Mission (RSTM) and the Central Illinois District will host an Engaging the Wandering event from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 3, 2018, at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Strasburg, Illinois. The Rev. Todd Kollbaum, RSTM director, will provide those in attendance with practical approaches for engaging inactives with the Gospel. You are invited! The cost is $25 per participant or $100 for a congregation s group of four or more. The registration deadline is Friday, Feb. 23, and early registration is appreciated. For more information, call (888) or rstm@lcms.org. The above information was reprinted from Empower Illinois and is available on their website. (

5 Telling The Good News About Jesus 5 Watch for the Rural Shift! A fictional dinner conversation, conveying solid facts, between sisters and their husbands, all faithful members of CID churches. The two couples live one hundred miles apart. It s amazing, Ellen, Eileen was saying. My friend in Missouri told me that a whole cornfield is being devoted to this. It s something, all right, Ellen replied. Her husband Gene, who had just returned to the restaurant table, sniffed: What s this? Some new parking lot? No, Eileen said. It s senior living duplexes. A developer built 10 or 12 of these in a city in Missouri, then another 10 or 12, and now it looks like the development will total 50 or 60, complete with new streets. Eileen s husband Tom chimed in, How big is this city in Missouri, anyway? With a wink, he added, Who s moving to rural America, anyway? It s no metropolis about 14,000. Remember, these duplexes are being built where there used to be a cornfield, Eileen said. Besides, who says no one moves to rural America? Tom smiled, I was kidding. He told Gene and Ellen, You know, I sit on our town council, and I ve heard our population has been inching up. A few years ago, it was 4,000. Now it s more like 4,300. I may be just a farmer from the middle of nowhere, Gene said, but I m not surprised. Our pastor brought back some interesting information from the Synod s Rural-Small Town Ministry Conference. Oh, our pastor wanted to attend that this year, but he didn t make it, Eileen said. What did they say there? Gene replied, For one thing, since 1970 there has been an 11% increase in the rural population nationwide. Even with all the young people graduating and leaving? Eileen asked. Others move in, though, Ellen pointed out. Right, Gene went on. About two-thirds of them have bachelors degrees and annual household incomes of over $50,000. And many of them are fairly young. Well over half have children at home. Well, Eileen responded, I suppose people are looking for safety. We ve seen that in our town. Sure, Tom said. And where we are, housing costs less than in the city 25 miles down the road. There is something to be said for a slower pace, too, Ellen added. Gene agreed. Some people look for where to live first, then they hunt for a job. Look, Pastor said a conference speaker was talking about a big shift that s coming for rural America, maybe the biggest since the 1930s. Well, what is it? the other three asked, almost all together. Gene said, Right now 75% of rural homeowners are about 55 or older. Chances are, these people won t be living in those houses for a great many more years. Maybe, Eileen thought out loud, it s not so amazing that a bunch of senior living duplexes are going in to a community of 14,000. Her husband Tom agreed. It s really smart. I mean, what usually happens when someone wants to downsize and move? Without those duplexes, those folks could be lost to that whole area, and sooner than later. He mused, Not a bad idea even for our little town... Gene went on, Rural communities ought to pay attention to this, and rural churches too. Both should extend themselves and welcome fresh faces. In the years ahead, there will be a lot of newcomers in rural areas. Many of them will be unchurched. Snapping his fingers, Tom said, In some small towns, the church may be about the only stable connection between new folks moving in and the ones who have been there for years. Ellen added, Some of the people who move from their own homes to other living arrangements will already be church members. They may need special attention. Some of them could be shut-ins. Eileen said, And our churches should remember that many will be trying to sell the homes they have lived in for years. That s stressful. Gene summarized, After the conference, Pastor remarked that the Good News about Jesus will be needed inside and outside the church. Tom told Gene, This is a stewardship discussion, then. Gene said, Don t get me started on the dollars and cents of all this! What about the person whose house doesn t sell, or sells at a disappointingly low price? Or what if the house sells all right, and the sellers want to give some proceeds from the sale to the church, but they wonder whether their little church can handle a big gift? What if... Tom said, Whoa, I wasn t even thinking about all that. I thought you mentioned stewardship, Gene wondered. Yes, Tom replied, stewardship of opportunity. Your pastor was right: Churches and church members have great opportunity to speak and show the love of Christ in rural places.

6 6 The GatePost Winter LCMC Youth Gathering Minneapolis July 11-15, 2019 National Youth Gathering Planning Event Thursday, February 15, 2018 The Northern Illinois District will be hosting a National Youth Gathering (NYG) planning event that includes the Northern Illinois District, the Central Illinois District, Wisconsin South District, and Northern Indiana District. This special event is for Parish Professionals and Lay Volunteers who will be attending the 2019 NYG in Minneapolis. Rev. Derek Broten, Asoociate Director, Gathering Program, will be sharing information about the gathering site and ideas for planning. This will be a great opportunity to come together in fellowship and receive NYG information straight from the source. This is a FREE event. Please RSVP to Debbie Arfsten at debra.arfsten@cuchicago.edu by February 1st to indicate how many people from your church will be attending. Visit the official NYG website to learn more: Trinity Lutheran Church 1101 Kimberly Way Lisle, IL 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Parish Professionals (DCE, etc.) Lay Volunteers also Welcome Lunch Provided 6:30-8:00 p.m. Especially for Lay Volunteers Dinner Provided Lutherans for Life Conference in CID National Lutherans for Life conducted a regional conference at St. John s Lutheran Church in Pekin this past November 11. There were 102 in attendance, including 18 pastors. The conference theme was Hope For Life, based on 1 Peter 3:15. Speaker Brian Young spoke about Creation and its role in the pro-life arena. Dr. Sheila Page gave information about fetal pain. Kim Laube, Life Ministries Director for Lutheran Family Services of Iowa, made a presentation on embryo adoption. Sherry Sherwood, Chief Executive Officer of Living Alternatives PRC, spoke about Pregnancy Centers vs Illinois Law Requiring Abortion Information and the value of pregnancy centers. An LFL update included a video by Chrissie Gillet, PsyD., Deaconess Intern, and the new Director of Word of Hope, a ministry of LFL. Award-winning LFL life essays were shared. Kenzie Boozikee from Glencoe, MN, was present to present her high school division essay, and a video was shown in which Ellie Nixon of St. Charles, MO, read her essay from the grades 6-8 division. There was also a video of several LFL Life Teams and Life Chapters sharing their joy and activities serving the Lord of Life. Last, but not least, Rev. Michael Salemink, Executive Director of Lutherans for Life, closed out the conference with an inspiring Pictured left to right: Diane Albers, President of LFL of Missouri; Kenzie Anne Boozikee, essay contest winner; and Sherrie Boozikee, Kenzie's mother. talk on Standing Out in the Life Field. He spoke of how to be a life-minded congregation and community. LIFE SUNDAY 2018 was held on January 21st. A video of the Regional Life Conference from Pekin will be posted on soon.

7 Telling The Good News About Jesus 7 Official Notices 9/23/2017 1/30/2018 Ordained Called to Glory Rev. Robert Rediehs, EM (August 15, 2017) Transferred In Rev. Ken R. Schurb from MO Rev. Ryan W. Meyer from NEB Rev. John A. Laux from TX Rev. Marcus G. Manley from IDW Rev. Jerald E. Firby, Emeritus from IDW Transferred Out Rev. Douglas J. Bender, Associate Pastor, St. Paul, Decatur to SWD Rev. David A. D. Bergelin, Sole Pastor, St. Paul, Lexington to SWD Rev. Keffie A. O. Deen II, Chaplain/ Teacher, Christ High School, Buckley to AT Ordained and/or Installed Rev. Dr. Ken R. Schurb, MO to Administrative Assistant to the CID President, Springfield Rev. Ryan W. Meyer, NEB, to Sole Pastor, St. Peter, St. Peter Rev. John A. Laux, TX, to Sole Pastor, Our Redeemer, Jacksonville Rev. Marcus G. Manley, IDW, to Sole Pastor, Bethlehem/Zion, Altamont

8 8 The GatePost Winter The Lutheran Early Response Team (LERT) volunteer training program is provided by the LCMS Office of National Mission. This is a simple training program designed to help attendees serve as a trained Christian volunteer when a disaster strikes. This training is part of a Synod-wide disaster response program, facilitated by a network of District Disaster Response Coordinators and Teams, under the direction of LCMS Disaster Response. At the close of the program, attendees will receive a certificate of participation and a LERT volunteer credential issued by LCMS Disaster Response. Saturday, March 3, 2018 Holy Cross Luth. Church st Avenue Moline, Illinois :30 am 4:30 pm Registration begins at 8:00 am LERT Volunteer Training Events In the chaos of disaster, it s important to stay focused on the task at hand. This training will help attendees focus on the most important thing to remember as they prepare for or respond to a disaster in their community or beyond. At the center of our LERT volunteer training is one thing MERCY! Christ s mercy is the basis for everything we say and do. This 6-hour training event will equip attendees to be an effective volunteer should a disaster strike their community. After a brief introduction regarding the goals and theological rationale of LCMS Disaster Response, the LERT volunteer training will address the following areas: 1) Christian Care in Times of Disaster 2) A Ministry of Presence 3) The LERT Program 4) Introduction to Disaster Response 5) At the Work Site a. Debris Clean Up b. Tarp and Patch c. Flood and Mud Clean Up d. Chainsaw Safety e. Necessary Paperwork Saturday, May 5, 2018 Trinity Lutheran Church 1201 West Jackson St. Auburn, Illinois :30 am 4:30 pm Registration begins at 8:00 am Saturday, July 28, 2018 Concordia Luth. Church 316 S. Oakwood Ave. Geneseo, Illinois :30 am 4:30 pm Registration begins at 8:00 am The $35 registration fee includes a disaster response training manual, disaster response vest, Certificate of Completion, I.D. badge, breakfast, and lunch. Please register at least one week before the event, if at all possible. Walk-ins are welcome. Please pay with check made out to the host church. For more information, visit humancare.html. To report a disaster in Central Illinois or to schedule disaster training, please contact Stephen Born, District Coordinator, at (217) or bornstephen@yahoo.com CID Youth Bible Bowl March 18, :00 p.m. Trinity Lutheran School Springfield, IL As we have been celebrating the 500th anniversary of the start of the Reformation, which is all about Jesus as He is presented to us in Holy Scripture, we continue God s work of reforming His Church by proclaiming Jesus Christ, our Savior from the Scriptures. So the CID Youth Bible Bowl topic is all about Jesus: The Gospel according to St. Matthew. Help the youth of your congregation search the Scriptures and find Jesus as they study for circuit and District Bible Bowls this Spring. The CID Bible Bowl is scheduled for Sunday, March 18, 2018, at 3:00 p.m. at Trinity Lutheran School in Springfield. Circuit Bible bowls should be scheduled at least a week before that. For assistance in getting your circuit Bible bowls together, you may contact Pastor Mark Eddy in Taylor Ridge at zionlcms@juno.com or (309) Why hold a Bible Bowl for junior and senior high school youth? Because we believe the Bible is God s word (2 Tim. 3:16-17). Because we believe in youth ministry (Eph. 6:4). Because the primary ministry in the Bible is the ministry of the word (Acts 6:4). Because youth ministry, therefore, starts with God s word (Ps. 119:9). Because the Bible Bowl can be an effective way to get youth to study God s word. Check out LERT on Facebook at

9 Telling The Good News About Jesus 9 Partnership in the Gospel Video Online Where do your District mission dollars go? Partnership in the Gospel is a recent half-hour video on the work of the Lord in the Central Illinois District. Circuit Visitors are showing this video and distributing accompanying print materials as they make their rounds to call on congregations, but you can view this same video anytime by clicking on the logo on the home page of the District s website, Endowment Fund? Does your congregation and/or Lutheran school have an endowment fund? Has your church or school ever considered one? An endowment can be a very helpful tool for gathering gifts and putting them to use for the Lord s kingdom both in your midst and in missions at the District level, nationally, or internationally. If you would like to learn more about endowments, contact Pastor Charles Olander at (217) Central Illinois District 1850 North Grand Avenue West Springfield, IL Are you receiving the E-GatePost? Sign-up now it's easy! Give your address to your Church Office or sign-up at Fast and efficient delivery of timely information. Stewardship Resources The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod website features a Stewardship page that offers a number of helpful resources. These include Stewardship Basics, an eight-part Bible study; bulletin sentences and newsletter articles for congregational use; a monthly e-newsletter called StewardCAST; and Biblical Stewardship Principles. The page also offers links to a couple of entire books that can be downloaded: The Chief Steward by J. E. Herrmann, which is a classic work, and a recent book by current Synod Stewardship Coordinator Pastor Heath Curtis, Stewardship Under the Cross. All of this and more is available at The GatePost for The Central Illinois District of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod is published 3 times per year. It is a supplement to congregational newsletters. Submit all articles to the Editor: Lewis Trip Rodgers 1850 North Grand Avenue West Springfield, IL trodgers@cidlcms.org Layout and Design by: Deverman Advertising Pekin, Illinois Deadline for Summer 2018 Issue: April 20, 2018 Communications Committee: Rev. Mark Miller, Advisor Lewis Trip Rodgers, Editor Rev. Bob Bruer Jim Deverman Shawn Hoffmann Tim Mathis Mobile Friendly.

10 10 The GatePost Winter CHURCH EXTENSION FUND, INC. (CEF) Central Illinois District - LCMS (CID) 1850 North Grand Avenue West Springfield, IL TELEPHONE: (217) FAX: (217) cef@cidlcms.org New Investment Certificate Application Enclosed $ investment in CID-CEF should be issued as follows: TERM *RATE* MINIMUM INTEREST PAYMENT METHOD (CHOOSE ONE) Flexible savings 0.25% $25 Accumulate interest and add to note balance 1 year 0.50% $100 Investment check semi-annually (if over $25) 3 year 1.00% $100 Direct Deposit - requires completed enrollment form. 5 year 1.50% $1,000 Go to or contact CEF to request the form 6 months 0.25% $5,000 * INTEREST RATES ARE EFFECTIVE 10/1/2016 AND SUBJECT TO CHANGE - CALL TO CONFIRM CURRENT RATES* OWNERSHIP TYPE (CHOOSE ONE) Individual Ownership - Name Joint Ownership Primary Owner Name (See below to complete Secondary Owner) Minor Ownership Child s Name (See below to complete Adult Custodian Name) Address City State Zip Telephone Number Church Congregation (to meet 25% supporting investment requirement of mortgage loan) Social Security or I.D. Number Signature CERTIFICATION: Under penalties of perjury, I certify (1) that the number shown on this form is my correct taxpayer Identification number and (2) that I am NOT subject to backup withholding under the provisions of section 3406(a)(1)(C) of the Internal Revenue Code. INFORMATION BELOW IS REQUIRED IF JOINT OR MINOR OWNERSHIP IS CHOSEN ABOVE: JOINT OWNERSHIP: circle one: AND OR Secondary Owner Name As joint tenants with right of survivorship and not as tenants in common MINOR OWNERSHIP: Adult Custodian Name Under the Illinois Uniform Gifts to Minors Act Address City State Zip Telephone Number Social Security or I.D. Number Signature CERTIFICATION: Under penalties of perjury, I certify (1) that the number shown on this form is my correct taxpayer identification number and (2) that I am NOT subject to backup withholding under the provisions of section 3406(a)(1)(C) of the Internal Revenue Code. BENEFICIARY INFORMATION (OPTIONAL) (Name) (Address) (Social Security Number) (Percentage) 1) 2) 3) 4)