Contribute Online

Contributing to Bethany Lutheran Church online through the Bethany Web Site has been implemented on June 1, 2009.

CLICK HERE to go to
the secure (encrypted) web pages
specially designed to handle these transactions.
(see IMPORTANT new information below)

This is similar to what many of us do in online banking.  You can authorize automatic withdrawals from either Checking or Saving accounts, but at this time it does not include Credit or Debit Cards.  Withdrawals can be set up for:

  • One-Time Only, or

  • Weekly, or

  • Monthly

Posted July 29, 2009.

Just now implemented, a NEW version of E.SERVICE® by Web has exciting new features that allow donors to log in at anytime to manage all of their own donation activity.  The NEW version now active has some added ways of donating – overcoming some of the limitations of the original setup.

IMPORTANT: If you have already made donations under the original setup, you will be able to access your information once we take the following quick step:

  • Add your email address into your member record in the Vanco Online Service Center.

Once the email address is added to your record, you can click on “Create a Profile” under the above new donation link and the system will recognize your email address and send you a temporary password.

Highlights of the new version:

Online donors will still set up donations by first linking from this website to a set of secure Vanco donation pages.  But now, donors will be able to make many of the changes and perform many of the tasks that previously required staff assistance.

Donors can:

  • Set up personalized giving schedules

  • Make one-time donations

  • Change the dollar amount on an existing donation plan

  • Change the account used to make donations

  • Change the frequency of donations

  • View and print a personal donation history

Below is some additional information including Answers to possible Questions.

The Stewardship Board has arranged this service through a company called “Vanco.”  Now it is possible to make one-time, weekly or monthly contributions to Bethany’s ministries.  This allows you to have contributions continue automatically during the vacation months of June, July and August which are usually our low cash flow months of the year.  This service is not limited to just Summer months but can be used any time of the year.

Online giving is a safe and easy way to support the ministries of Bethany.  This system allows you to make contributions by authorizing a specified amount of money to be electronically transferred directly from your checking or savings account.

To set up your contributions, simply CLICK HERE to go to the secure (encrypted) web page.  Follow the form completion process to sign up for this service.

Below are Questions and Answers to help you understand the process of using this new service.

Q. What types of bank accounts can I give from?

A. You can give online from either your checking or savings account.

Q. Why can’t I give with my credit card?

A. Bethany has carefully and cautiously decided not to allow gifts to the church to be charged on credit cards.  Although many people pay their credit cards off each month, some struggle in this area.  We felt that it was not right to potentially put someone in the position of going into debt and paying interest on gifts given to the church.

Q. Are there any fees involved with giving online?

A. No.  You will not pay any fees with an online gift.  In addition, online gifts are a more cost efficient way for the church to process donations.

Q. Can I make a one-time contribution?

A. Yes.  The system allows you the option of either making a one-time contribution or setting up a recurring contribution that is scheduled to come out of your bank account at dates specified by you during the month.

Q.  If I want to set-up a recurring gift, what are my options for frequency of my gift?

A. For recurring gifts, you have the option of giving weekly or monthly.

Q. Will I receive regular contribution statements from the church?

A. Yes.  Your electronic contributions will appear on your quarterly and annual statements.

Q. Is it safe to give online?

A. Yes.  In many ways giving online is safer than writing a check in that an electronic gift cannot be lost or stolen.  Keeping your information and contribution secure is a top priority to Bethany.

Here is information from VANCO about Security and Privacy.

Vanco Services is proud to be one of fewer than 400 companies designated as a PCI (Payment Card Industry) Level 1 Compliant Service Provider.  PCI compliance is a comprehensive standard intended to help organizations proactively protect customer account data.  This insures your data is managed under the highest security standards.

Q. If I have additional Questions about online giving, who can I talk to?

A. For any questions, concerns or comments about the online giving system, please contact the church office or any stewardship board member.  You will receive a response from a stewardship board member as soon as possible.