As you finalize your budget for Christmas gifts and celebrations with family and friends to close out the 2015 calendar year, consider also giving a special gift to ministry. You have the opportunity, through Lutheran Hour Ministries, to help make sure the Gospel message is available to those who are searching for more meaning in life. Through weekly sermons on The Lutheran Hour, video-based Bible studies, topical Project Connect booklets, culturally-relevant outreach programs and resources offered by ministry centers in more than 30 nations, and much more, Lutheran Hour Ministries' goal is to make HIM known around the world.
Here are some ways that you can help share the Gospel:
1. Give a direct gift. Direct gifts given by check that are postmarked by Dec. 31, 2015 are tax deductible as allowed by law. Credit card gifts given by phone or online must be received by 9 p.m. central time on Dec. 31. Give online here. You can also give by phone at 1-800-876-9880, or by sending a check to Lutheran Hour Ministries, 660 Mason Ridge Center Drive, St. Louis, Missouri 63141.
2. Set up Automatic Giving. Are you interested in making consistent gifts that will be put to work faster? Then schedule secure donations to Lutheran Hour Ministries via credit card or automatic bank withdrawal on a monthly, quarterly or semi-annual basis. Sign up for automatic giving online today at www.lhmgift.org/gme.asp or call 1-800-944-3450, ext. 4130 for more information.
3. Give an IRA gift. The Tax Increase Prevention Act of 2015, which was just signed into law, allows owners of individual retirement accounts (IRAs) who are age 70 ½ and older to make rollovers up to $100,000 this year from their plans to qualified nonprofits, including Lutheran Hour Ministries (LHM). This gift giving opportunity provides you with an excellent opportunity to make a special gift to LHM and, at the same time, lower your taxable income for 2015. Gifts must be made by December 31, 2015 to count for calendar year 2015. Contact your financial advisor for more information or call LHM's Ministry Advancement staff at 1-877-333-1963.
4. Give a gift in honor or in memory of a loved one. Just use the general donation form and mark the check box that says "This is a memorial or special occasion gift."
