Consider paying special attention to them with a gift that is easy to share: the interest from your Lutheran Church Extension Fund (LCEF) investment(s). You can contribute your investment interest directly to the ministry of your choice for a specific time period or for as long as you are invested.

Just as LCEF embraces the LCMS, you can embrace the ministry of your choice. Tell them you value their mission by contributing your interest.

Learn more about our Special Interest Program at lcef.org or call (800)843-5233.

"As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another,

as good stewards of God's varied grace..." 1 Peter 4:10

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The chart below details LCEF services requested by South Wisconsin District Pastors before and during the May 2014 Pastors' Conference.

Please let me know if your congregation would be interested in any of the above.

Blessings to you and your family as you enjoy the warmth of summer and especially the warmth of God's love.

Yours in Christ,

Diana Raasch, M.B.A, CGP

Vice President

414-464-8100, ext 25, raasch@swd.lcms.org

Music Events Around the District

Organ Dedication Recital at Beautiful Savior, Mequon: Friday, June 6th - 7:00 p.m.

All music lovers are cordially invited to the Dedication Recital of Beautiful Savior, Mequon's new T3 Martin Digital Organ. Guest organist Mr. Christopher Martin of Santa Fe Springs, California will present a one hour

performance at 7pm on Friday, June 6th. A champagne reception will follow the recital, during which time Mr. Martin will be available to greet guests and answer questions about this beautiful instrument. Kindly reply to the BSLC church office at (262)242-6650 or bslcmequon@gmail.com to assist the reception committee.

Hymn Festival at Pilgrim, Wauwatosa: Sunday, June 15th - 3:00 p.m.

Do you love to sing hymns? In celebration of the new pipes on our Martin Ott Tracker Organ, Pilgrim is hosting a Hymn Festival for Trinity Sunday, June 15 at 3pm for anyone and everyone who loves to sing! The Festival includes the choirs of Pilgrim and Trinity Lutheran Churches, as well as the Master Singers of Milwaukee, under the direction of Dr. John Behnke of Concordia University Wisconsin, who will be playing our newly completed two new stops) Ott organ. Click here for more event information.

LCEF Video of the Month

Your Investment
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Your Interest > Your Choice

Special Interest Program

Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others,

faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms.

1 Peter 4:10

St. Paul's Brings Ministry Into Sharper Focus with VisionPath

Like most congregations, the members of St. Pau'ls Lutheran Church, Oconomowoc, Wis., have varied interests-and varied ideas about the ministry direction their church should pursue. Some prefer to focus on St. Paul Oconomowoc VisionPath

facility needs, while others favor a greater emphasis on emotional care. Still other members want more outreach to young adults, senior citizens or the unchurched in general-depending on whom you talk to.

"While everyone's hopes and dreams [for the church] have merit, there's no way at this stage in our journey that we have the resources to do everything," said the Rev. Lance O'Donnell, St. Paul's senior pastor. Read more...

2014 LCEF Upper Midwest Districts Scholarship Winner
Congratulations Aerwyn Debroux! Aerwyn Debroux will be awarded a $1,000 Scholarship from the Lutheran Church Extension Fund (LCEF) of the upper Midwest districts. She is a member of Divine Redeemer in Hartland, Wisc. and plans on transferring from UW-Waukesha to Concordia University Wisconsin this fall to pursue a degree in Lutheran Early Childhood Education. Read more...

Celebrate Your Graduate

Pre-Retirement Workshop

Concordia Plan Services and the South Wisconsin District are hosting two 1-day workshops for professional church workers and their spouses to help them understand the process and importance of planning for retirement.

Basic Finances & Budgeting
Retirement Income & Concordia Plan Changes
Health Care & Costs
Envisioning Retirement Life
Advance Directives
Personal Q & A Time (as time allows)

September 12, 2014 - 9am to 3pm September 13, 2014 - 9am to 3pm

Bethlehem Lutheran Church South Wisconsin District Office

300 Broadway Dr., Sun Prairie 8100 W. Capitol Dr, Milwaukee

There is no cost to attend these workshops! The district will be providing morning refreshments and lunch. But advance registration is needed for planning. You can register by contacting Karen Rayner no later than Monday, August 22, 2014. We will need your name, spouses name if attending, email address and your phone number. Shortly before the workshop you will receive some preliminary worksheets to complete, as well as questions to begin asking yourself about your potential retirement.

Please distribute this flyer to all benefit-eligible workers within your church and/or school.

Early Childhood Literacy Festival on the Lake
Playing with Literacy and Language: Creating Stories August 1, 2014 at Concordia University Wisconsin Cost: $85 (includes workshops, snacks, lunch, and a mini concert) Featuring: Candace Fleming Special Guest: Eric Rohmann Register before July 9th for a $10 Discount! Flyer Online Registration

The Joy & Privilege of Ministry

Randy Raasch has served as pastor of First Immanuel Lutheran Church of Cedarburg, Wisconsin for more than 25 years. Here He shares with LCEF blog readers about leadership within the church: blog readers about leadership in ministry.

Just a few weeks ago the congregation I have had the honor to serve for the past 25 years had a celebration to commemorate our ministry together for the past quarter of a century. I was humbled by the entire day, and as I reflect on the worship and the celebration program I come to realize how wonderfully the Lord blesses us as we serve Him in His church. Here's what I learned:

**Click here to read other blogs submitted weekly by LCEF

Too many of us put off planning our wills and trusts for "another day." Host a workshop at your church, or schedule a personal visit by contacting Diana Raasch at (414) 464-8100, ext. 25, or email Diana.

LCEF is a nonprofit religious organization; therefore, LCEF investments are not FDIC-insured bank deposit accounts. This is not an offer to sell investments, nor a solicitation to buy. LCEF will offer and sell its securities only in states where authorized. The offer is made solely by LCEF's Offering Circular. Investors should carefully read the Offering Circular, which more fully describes associated risks. LCEF StewardAccount access features provided through UMB Bank n.a. The StewardAccount is not available to investors living in South Carolina.