WILLS AND BEQUESTS

Many years ago, a rich widow who lived in New York City died. In her Last Will and Testament she left all of her considerable estate to God. Her strange bequest gave rise to legal entanglements. In order to settle the estate, the lawyers in the case made doubly sure that all the proper procedures were followed to the letter. They prepared a law suit which named God as one of the parties. A summons was issued requiring God to file a legal response. The summons was delivered to the sheriff, whose responsibility it was to serve such papers. When the sheriff’s final report was delivered to the court, it read: “After due and diligent search, it has been determined that God cannot be found in New York City.”

Dear Friends,

We all know God can be found anywhere and that for many years, God has been encountered through the ministries of our church.  We want that blessing to continue.  Our building improvements and repairs over the years were all made possible through the generous gifts of those beloved members who thoughtfully remembered our church in their estates.

We need to replenish those Memorial Funds and provide for future needs as well.  The following illustrations will assist you should you choose to include St. Peter’s UCC in your will. Please consult your attorney for exact wording to meet your needs and requirements. Once you have completed your new will, we would be ever so thankful if you would be willing to share with us a copy of the section that pertains to our church. We greatly appreciate your thoughtful planning and generosity. This is a wonderful to way to support the continued vitality of our church well into the future.

Sample Gifts by Wills and Estates

Percentage:
“I give, devise, and bequeath to St. Peter’s UCC, a nonprofit corporation existing under the laws of the State of Indiana and located in South Bend, Indiana, a % of my estate.”

Specific Dollar Amount:
“I give, devise, and bequeath to St. Peter’s UCC, a nonprofit corporation existing under the laws of the State of Indiana and located in South Bend, Indiana, the amount of $.”

Specific Property:
“I give, devise, and bequeath to St. Peter’s UCC, a nonprofit corporation existing under the laws of the State of Indiana and located in South Bend, Indiana, (description of property), located at (exact location).”

Residue:
(A residuary bequest gives whatever is left after all debts, expenses and all other specific bequests have been granted.) “All the residue of my estate, including real and personal property, I give, devise, and bequeath to St. Peter’s UCC, a nonprofit corporation existing under the laws of the State of Indiana and located in South Bend, Indiana.”

Of course, you can always make a major gift to the church while you’re still in this world as well!  Please contact the office or me if you are interested and would like to talk more about such a living testimony.

                                                         — Pastor Bill