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Zion as we are now is the fruit of investments made by generations of Zion saints since before Zion was founded in 1862. On All Saints Sunday, November 1, we remember our living connection to saints alive on earth and alive in God.

Next week, on Sunday, November 8, we celebrate the investments we get to make. Our estimates of giving are expressions of praise and signs of belonging. Prayerfully consider your 2027 giving, then submit your estimate online (securely and privately) or bring your card to worship for Celebration Sunday.

Perpetual Offering

Harriet Ebeling is one of Zion's saints, alive in God. She will give an offering to Zion forever.

She named Zion in her will. When she died in 2022 at age 99, Zion received $100,000 from her estate. Under the terms of the gift, Zion may spend only the earnings, never the principal, and those earnings support our general offering. This generous gift is one form of what's called a "perpetual offering."

You too can give Zion a perpetual offering!

A gift of any size can provide a perpetual offering to God through Zion. Or, to continue your annual offering after you’re gone, multiply it by 25. For example, a $50,000 gift could generate about $2,000 a year, the same as a $2,000 annual offering.

Planned Giving

You can include Zion in your estate plan. It can be quite easy. The first two options below require you only to complete a form from your bank or plan administrator, with no attorney required.

  • Name Zion as a beneficiary of an IRA, 401(k), or life insurance policy
  • Name Zion as the payable-on-death (POD) or transfer-on-death (TOD) beneficiary of a bank or investment account
  • Include Zion as a beneficiary of your will or trust

Talk with your family, attorney, or financial advisor. Then let Pastor Clark know, so Zion can thank you and honor your wishes. Zion's legal name is "Zion Lutheran Church of Davenport," EIN 42-6005500.

Letting Go and Being Held

Money has a grip on all of us. When you give, you have less money; that’s just math. But every gift also bears witness to the freedom Christ gives. We aren’t fully free yet. We still worry, still fear not having enough, still hold on. The saints alive in God are free completely, and one day we will be too. Until then, giving is how we practice. Each time we open our hands, Christ loosens money’s grip a little more, and we discover we were held all along.

Harriet’s generosity didn’t end at her death. It’s still at work at Zion every year. A planned gift lets our last word about money be a gift, and that can free us to live, and give, God’s grace now.

See you on Celebration Sunday, November 8.

Thanks be to God.

Pastor Clark Olson-Smith

Ministries
Learning & Growing Together