UPDATE DURING COVID-19:
Offering Options
Completed pre-authorized debit application forms, along with a void cheque or bank authorization can be returned by email to stlukeottawatreasurer@gmail.com. Please read about the Pre-Authorized Offering Program below.
We are also able to:
process e-transfers to stlukeottawafinance@gmail.com
receive donations through Canada Helps
receive cheques via Canada Post (there may be some delay in processing)
arrange to have your offering picked up at your door by a Council member
Questions or concerns? Please email stlukeottawatreasurer@gmail.com.
Offering Options
Pre-Authorized Offering Program
The Lutheran Church Canada-East District Corporation Pre-Authorized Offering Program is a low-cost direct debit service that allows people to support their church through a convenient automatic monthly bank account withdrawal.
Click Here to download the Pre-Authorized Application Form for LCC-East District (pre-authorized offering program). Please indicate in the white space on the form if you wish to designate a portion of your offerings to LCC Missions.
Contributions to special projects other than the above can be made through offering envelopes at worship services.
Benefits for the Contributor
- Regular withdrawals help you budget for your household expenses
- No more envelopes, cash or cheques to remember every Sunday
- Completely confidential
- Special contribution cards are provided so you can participate during offering
- Flexible - adjust your offering amount or cancel any time, no fees to the contributor
Benefits for the Church
- They receive a regular, dependable flow of contributions - helping them budget
- Periods of lower attendance don't result in lower donations
- Electronic payment programs reduce paperwork
- Administrative & banking costs are reduced
FAQ:
Withdrawals take place on the 1st of each month (may take a day or two to process through your account)
St. Luke receives a monthly report, records the gifts and issues tax receipts at the end of the year.
Return the application form with a void cheque/or PAD form from your bank, in a sealed envelope in the offering plate or directly to the treasurer at stlukeottawatreasurer@gmail.com. Forms returned prior to the 20th of any month will be processed on the first day of the next month.
You may wish to continue to use your regular offering envelopes:
- For special offerings at Easter, Christmas and other festivals
- To give to a specific fund not already designated monthly
- To give additional gifts to one of the funds designated monthly
- To give to a sister organization (for example: LWML, CLWR)
Canada Helps is an secure, alternative way to donate, processing gifts to St. Luke and on behalf of St. Luke via credit card, PayPal or interac online and they issue tax receipts. Over 17,000 Canadian charities fundraise through Canada Helps, and it is a trusted partner of sister organizations such as Lutheran Hour Ministries, Concordia Seminary-St. Catharines and Lutheran Church Canada-East District.
Simply go to www.canadahelps.org to make an online gift. Search for St. Luke Lutheran Church, Ottawa and follow the steps. There are many giving options: create an account, make recurring donations or a one time offering.
When you make a gift through Canada Helps, you may want to let us know by using your regular St. Luke Offering envelopes.
FAQ:
- Receipts are e-mailed immediately after processing, or if you create an account, receipts are issued at the end of the year.
- Processing fee is 3.5% on each gift (1.8% helps CanadaHelps, the remainder is bank charges). For example: from a gift of $100 through Canada Helps, $96.50 will be remitted to St. Luke. You receive a tax receipt for 100% of the value of your donation. The charity receives the amount of your donation less our processing fee.
For more information, check out the FAQ webpage:
https://www.canadahelps.org/en/why-canadahelps/frequently-asked-questions/donating-with-canadahelps/