Share This

Be Second

For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son,
so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.
John 3:16

500 years ago, the Protestant Reformation proclaimed that our salvation depends upon God’s grace in Jesus Christ. It also taught us to respond to this amazing grace by acknowledging God’s sovereignty over all of life, particularly our life as disciples of Christ. Simply put, we are to:

Put God first…Be second.

When God is first in our lives, doing God’s will becomes the focus, priority, and center of our lives. We seek to live God’s will. Everything else is secondary.

The Reformation also taught that active participation in the Body of Christ, the church, is most important for our life as disciples. In our congregation, this creates a perfect play on words:

Put God first. Be second. (as an individual believer).
Put God first. Be Second. (as an active participant in our church).

Second’s mission is to be a welcoming congregation where Christ transforms lives through worship, mission, discipleship, giving, and fellowship. That defines what we do. But do we make a difference?

In a recent survey of more than 900 members:

82% indicated that “Second Church helps me sustain and strengthen my Faith.”
95% agreed that “being affiliated with Second has made a difference in my spiritual life.”
One member wrote, I remain a member after many years because Grace abounds in so many ways here. Through worship, education, mission work, and the music and arts programs, we have opportunities and resources for ongoing stretching and growth in our faith journeys.

Moreover, our community ministries, such as CenterPoint Counseling, Northside Food Pantry, Great Banquet, Christmas Benevolence and Children’s Circle Preschool, impact thousands of lives. We do make a difference!

Thank you for the many ways you support Second!

Watch Stories & Shop!

2018 Stewardship Pledge
Submit Online Today.

2018 Stewardship Pledge

Make a Pledge Now

IRA Contributions
Rollover Provision and Beneficiary Designation

Transforming Lives Through Your IRA!

Have you saved for your retirement through an IRA (Individual Retirement Account), only to discover that you don't need the additional income right now?

That's a nice place to be!

You might prefer to keep your funds in the IRA so they can grow toward your future needs. But after age 70 1/2, you are required to take a minimum distribution from your IRA whether you want/need to, or not.

And this distribution is subject to income tax.

The Basics

Recently, the IRA Rollover Provision was extended by Congress. This allows taxpayers over 70½ to make a tax-free contribution directly from their IRA to a charity, like our church.

The amount directed to our church counts toward your Required Minimum Distribution, but it is not subject to income tax.

What a great way to support our mission while saving income taxes at the same time!

If you have already been supporting Second Church through your IRA, thank you!!! You'll be pleased to know that the Rollover Provision has been extended without an expiration date!

People Who May Benefit Are Those:

Who are over "70 1/2" years old and required to take minimum withdrawals, but do not need the income.
Who do not itemize deductions and therefore do not receive a tax benefit for their charitable contributions.
Whose major assets reside in their IRAs and who wish to make a charitable gift to the church during their lifetime.

IRA Beneficiary Designation

Your IRA assets can also support the work of our church far beyond your lifetime. There are several ways to do this.

You can make Second Presbyterian Church the beneficiary of your IRA.
Second Presbyterian can be a partial beneficiary, receiving a percentage or fixed dollar amount of your IRA.
Our church can be a contingent beneficiary. After providing for your family and loved ones, the church can receive a contribution from your IRA.

Please remember it is always important for you to consult with your professional advisers before taking any action.

Please call if you have any questions,

Dr. John Koppitch

Director of Stewardship and Endowment

Second Presbyterian Church

317-202-2252

Sharing your financial resources.

Sharing Your Financial Resources

Each of us has three “pockets” of resources from which to make charitable contributions.

We have an Income Pocket of resources, which, as its name implies, consists of our income. Typically, we use this pocket when we contribute weekly/monthly/quarterly or annually to the church General Fund. Our pledge to the church, based on a percentage of income, comes from this pocket. We may also use this pocket for gifts to a special cause (like Christmas Benevolence or Souper Bowl Sunday).

Each of us has an Accumulated Assets Pocket. This includes savings, Certificates of Deposit, stocks, cash value of an insurance policy, annuities, an inheritance, real estate, etc. We may use this pocket when contributing to the General Fund of the church, determining our annual pledge, or making a special gift or planned gift.

Finally, whether we think about it or not, each of us has an Estate Pocket of resources. Precisely because we cannot “take it with us” when we die, each has an estate that will be divided up and distributed somehow. We manage this pocket by having a will and including the church in that will.

For more information on how to contribute from each of these pockets, please contact Dr. John Koppitch.

Planned Giving
The Beecher Society

Planned Giving

Gratitude
Give thanks to the Lord For He is good; His loving kindness endures forever. - Psalm 107:1

Thoughtfulness
Giving in sensible and effective ways will maximize the size of your gift and may minimize your tax burden.

Download the Planned Giving brochure.

How to make a Legacy Gift

GIFTS NOW

Appreciated Securities (or other assets): The gift of appreciated securities is most often in the form of common stock or mutual funds. Such a gift is a valuable way to benefit Second Presbyterian Church and for you to receive tax benefits based on the fair market value of the assets. Other appreciated assets, like real estate, may be gifted, but it is important to discuss these in advance with Second Presbyterian Church.
Charitable IRA Rollover: A giving opportunity for those over 70½: Federal legislation may allow you to make tax-free distributions from your IRA directly to Second Presbyterian Church. This distribution is not included in your adjusted gross income, but does qualify in meeting your annual required minimum distribution. Before making a distribution, check with your investment or tax professional.
Real Estate: Real estate may be deeded outright to Second Presbyterian Church or left by bequest. The irrevocable gift of property may provide an immediate tax deduction and avoid capital gains. Due to complexities, be prepared to work with Second Presbyterian Church and qualified advisors to ensure that this is a suitable gift for both you and for Second Presbyterian Church.
Life Insurance: Make a gift or buy a policy making Second Presbyterian Church the owner and beneficiary.

GIFTS THAT PAY INCOME

Charitable Gift Annuity: The gift annuity is an irrevocable gift of cash or securities where you receive a predictable fixed income for life. At termination, Second Presbyterian Church receives the residual value of the annuity. There are also potential tax benefits depending upon your particular situation. You may request your own customized sample through the Presbyterian Foundation at (800) 858-6127.
Charitable Remainder Trust: The remainder trust is an irrevocable gift of assets into a charitable trust that provides you a fixed (Annuity Trust) or variable (Unitrust) income for life or for a set term. At the trust’s termination, the trust assets become a generous gift to Second Presbyterian Church. There are also potential tax benefits dependent upon your situation.
Charitable Lead Trust: The lead trust’s income payments are distributed to Second Presbyterian Church for a set period of years, after which the assets are transferred back to the grantor or whomever the grantor has named the beneficiary. This provides generous annual support for Second Presbyterian Church now, removes the asset from the estate and passes an asset to a designated beneficiary with little or no tax.

GIFTS LATER

Bequest: The bequest is a gift through your will or revocable trust that enables you to retain the asset during your life and provide significant support when you no longer require the asset. You may choose a specific item, a percentage, or a residual bequest. You may also choose to make Second Presbyterian Church a contingent beneficiary in case the heirs are unable to receive the estate.
Retirement Plan Assets: In some cases, retirement assets can be the heaviest assets taxed in an estate. Naming Second Presbyterian Church as beneficiary can avoid that taxation, enabling the asset to pass tax free to Second Presbyterian Church. You may also designate Second Presbyterian Church a percentage beneficiary or a contingent beneficiary of a retirement plan.
Bank or Investment Account: Financial accounts can be a simple and inexpensive way to leave a legacy gift for the Second Presbyterian Church. Contact your financial advisor to see how easy the process is to make Second Presbyterian Church beneficiary of a particular investment or bank account.

Thank you for considering a legacy gift to Second Presbyterian Church.
Please consult with your professional advisers on how this gift would fit into your overall plans.

You are cordially invited to join the Beecher Society.

The Beecher Society is composed of faithful members who have made a provision for a gift to the Endowment Fund of Second Presbyterian Church in their will or estate plan. Founded in 2007 to increase awareness of the vital role of the Endowment Fund in extending the outreach and ministry of Second Church, the Society is named in honor of our first pastor, the Rev. Henry Ward Beecher.

NEXT STEPS:

IF YOU ARE STILL EXPLORING:

Speak with your financial and legal advisors.
Contact Rev. Dr. John Koppitch (317-202-2252, jkoppitch@secondchurch.org)

IF YOU HAVE ALREADY MADE A PLANNED GIFT FOR THE CHURCH:

Please contact Dr. Koppitch and share the information with us so that we may THANK YOU!

Serve At Our Church

Give of your time and talents at Second Presbyterian! Volunteers are needed on Sundays and throughout the week.

Why We Give

First, it is a matter of our identity. We are created in the image of God who is exceedingly good and generous. When we are good and generous, we fulfill a deep truth of our identity and purpose as children of God. Be generous is the way to really live.

Second, it is a matter of gratitude. Being generous is a way to thank God for all that has been given to us: our home on earth; our individual lives; our time, talent, and treasure; the forgiveness of our sins; and the promise of resurrection to eternal life. We express our gratitude by loving God, following Christ’s teachings, generously sharing what God has given us.

Third, it is a matter of impact. Jesus told us to make disciples, feed the hungry, clothe the naked…to transform both people and the world. Our generosity and good works make a difference.

The amount to give is a very personal decision. All gifts at all levels make a difference. A one-time contribution counts. Many people pledge to give a particular amount over time. A pledge helps you to be more intentional about your giving. When making a pledge, a lot of people pledge a tithe (10%) of their income.

There are a lot of ways you can make a financial contribution: cash, check, on-line, credit card, ACH, stock, IRA Rollover, bequest….

There are a lot of ways you can make a contribution of your time through volunteering.

May the features on this giving page both inspire and help you to be generous!

Your Gifts in Action

The single-most effective gift you can make is to the General Fund. This supports all our core ministries of worship, mission, discipleship, fellowship, and giving of our congregation.

Because of your generosity: