Mission Service Activity of the Month

December 2020: The Right Time

We are told to go and share God’s love. Sometimes that is a difficult task, but it is always the “right time” to give love and encouragement. Our world is in the midst of a long period of COVID-19 restrictions and isolation, and many people are feeling overwhelmed and anxious. The enemy is invisible and ever-present. Take advantage of this opportunity to reach out and send a care box or basket to show people they are not forgotten.

Ideas for Activities

Make a care package for children entering foster care.

They may have nothing but the clothes on their backs. Often, they need to sit in an office for a long time while an appropriate place is found for them. Items will vary depending on the child’s age. Make sure you label the box or bag with the appropriate age. Put the items in a pretty shoebox-style storage box or a tote bag that the children can keep and call their own. Check with your local social services office for specifics. Possible items to include in a care package are:

• A small stuffed animal
• A couple of prepackaged snacks to eat during the wait
• A coloring/activity book with age-appropriate crayons and/or pencil
• A notebook or paper pad for older children
• A toothbrush and toothpaste
• Pajamas or a tee shirt
• A small toy
• An age-appropriate book
• A squishy toy for younger children or stress putty for older ones
• Encouraging note (non-religious unless otherwise directed)

Make a care package for those in care centers. 

Contact the center for ideas and restrictions. Possible items to include:

• A pack of tissues or a handkerchief
• Socks
• Lip balm
• Lotion
• Fingernail file
• Prepackaged snacks if allowed
• Colorful encouraging greeting card (non-religious unless otherwise directed)

Make a care package for health care workers. 

Contact the center for ideas and restrictions. Possible items to include:

• Lip balm
• Hand lotion
• Gum
• Coffee gift card
• Essential oil roll-on
• Pre-packaged sweet or salty snacks
• Pens
• Note pads
• Encouraging note or note of appreciation (non-religious unless otherwise directed)

Check to see if your local police station or fire station will accept a gift box and ask for suggested items. 

Possible items to include:

• Protein bars or meal replacement bars
• Flavor packets for bottled water
• Coffee gift card
• Gum
• Prepacked sweet or salty snacks
• Individually wrapped snack-size candy bars
• Encouraging note or note of appreciation (non-religious unless otherwise directed)

While you probably can’t include any religious content in most of these care packages, you should be able to sign them with your group or church name. Remember to sign “Lutheran Women’s Missionary League” or “Lutheran Women in Mission” rather than “LWML.”

Gospel Focus

But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons (Galatians 4:4).

Prayer as You Plan and Prepare

Heavenly Father, help us to let every day be the right time to reach out with Your love. Guide our words and actions so our faith is evident in all we do. Forgive us when our actions do not show Your love. Help us to see the world through Your eyes of compassion and forgiveness. Bless all we do in service to You. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

The Gospel Outreach Committee would love to hear about, and share, your mission service activities! Please contact the Vice President of Gospel Outreach here. Thank you!

View past Mission Service Activities

Mission Service Activity of the Month

November 2020: God, You Want Me? 

And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” Then I said, “Here am I! Send me” (Isaiah 6:8).

If you are reading this Mission Service Activity for November, it means you have already heard God calling you, and now you are praying how you can best serve. Rev. Mitch Schuessler, LWML Senior Pastoral Counselor, shared in a devotion, “We all can be inspired to share HIS story … especially when we continue to learn and grow in the Word.”

Ideas for Activities

Send Me to My Neighborhood 

Send yourself, or go in a small group. Walk or drive on a neighborhood prayer walk to pray for people along your path:

Walking:

• Choose a route in your neighborhood that is a safe distance for you to walk. As you walk, pray for the people in the houses you pass. Pray for them to know and love Jesus and His saving Word. If you pass people along your walk, wave, and pray for them, also.
• Choose a nature trail that is safe and is a distance you can safely walk. Smile and wave to the people you pass, and pray for them. Thank God for His beautiful creation.

Driving: 

• Choose a route where you can safely stop your car at certain destinations to take time to pray.
• Your route could include stopping by the hospital, the fire station, the police station, a local grocery store, schools, or other places in your community needing prayer support.
• As you sit in your car at each stop, pray for the people inside each building. Ask God to keep them safe and help them to hear of His love through His Son.

Try to accomplish your walk and/or drive at least once a week for the month. You may choose to walk on a specified day of the week, or vary the days. Consider keeping a journal. Include God’s words of promise. Reflect on how you can share the Gospel and comfort people with His saving Word. Encourage others to complete their individual walk/drive with the Lord or invite them to join you. 

Send Home the News: God Sent His Son, Jesus! 

November 29, 2020, the Sunday after Thanksgiving, is also the first Sunday in Advent. 

Make Advent Wreaths

Review the online Gospel Outreach Service Activity for November 2018. It is an excellent resource containing information on wreath components, step-by-step instructions, descriptions of what each component of the wreath represents, videos, websites with directions for making Advent wreaths, links to children’s Christmas books and activities, and much more! 

This activity includes instructions for a wreath-making party which may not be appropriate at this time. To adapt: 

• Consider working in a large space and have participants wear masks.
• Have each woman work at her own house, but on a designated day or weekend.
• Consider preparing Advent Wreath “kits” ahead of time and place each kit in a bag for distribution

Gospel Focus

We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you (Colossians 1:3).

How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who publishes peace, who brings good news of happiness, who publishes salvation, who says to Zion, “Your God reigns” (Isaiah 52:7). 

Prayer as You Plan and Prepare

Dear Lord, lover of all souls, every day we pray, “Thy Kingdom come.” As we celebrate Thanksgiving, and prepare to observe the birth of Your dear Son, Jesus, we reflect on a year that has contained many challenges. Help us to focus on You. Open up opportunities for service in our congregations, our neighborhoods, and in Your world. Open the eyes of family, friends, and neighbors to see the wonders of Your love, the blessings of belonging to You, and the joy of serving You. Enable us to answer Your call and share Your Gospel story. Thank You, God, for being an unchanging, loving God. In Jesus’ precious name we pray. Amen! 

The Gospel Outreach Committee would love to hear about, and share, your mission service activities! Please contact the Vice President of Gospel Outreach here. Thank you!

View past Mission Service Activities

Be a “Barnabas” encourager. Download, save, and print this sheet of ten Bible verses to put in notecards, care packages, with delivered meals, as table favors, etc. 

Encouraging Bible Verses

Cut them apart and include one in a note or with a small treat that you can mail or deliver, such as:

• A teabag or instant coffee packet
• A pretty hankie or themed-tissue packet
• A sweet treat like candy, cookies, or a muffin
• A “coupon” for an “anytime” phone call
• Fresh fruit
• Veggies for a batch of soup
• Small plant
• An encouraging book
• A handmade or decorated item
   

View the rest of the October Service Activity here

Related Resources

• Crafts and Printables
• Theme — Relationships with others

Mission Service Activity of the Month

October 2020: Lord, I Can Only Handle this with You!

Life happens. Disasters change our circumstances. Illness impacts our daily lives. The unknown is frightening! How easy it would be to sink into despair. Our loving God knows all our needs and is always there for us. During times when we feel helpless, it is essential that we rely on God’s words of encouragement. It is also critical that we look for people who need to hear those comforting words. This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it (Psalm 118:24).

Encouraging Activity Ideas

• Download and print the PDF of the Encouraging Bible Verses resource. 
  Cut them apart and include one in a note or with a small treat that you can mail or deliver, such as:
  • A teabag or instant coffee packet
  • A pretty hankie or themed-tissue packet
  • A sweet treat like candy, cookies, or a muffin
  • A “coupon” for an “anytime” phone call
  • Fresh fruit
  • Veggies for a batch of soup
  • Small plant
  • An encouraging book
  • A handmade or decorated item
• Leave an encouraging sidewalk chalk message or a door note.
• Call someone you know who needs a listening ear or some conversation.
• Set up a conference call with a group of friends who are unable to meet in person.
• Plan an online coffee break.
• Call and pray with someone who is feeling alone.
• Share a link to an encouraging devotion, song, or video.
• Plan to attend online church together, and then share your thoughts after the service.
• Encourage a friend to sign up for daily Mustard Seed Devotions at www.lwml.org/mustard-seed-devotions.
• Plan a socially appropriate walk or coffee time.

Gospel Focus

[Cast] all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you (1 Peter 5:7).

Prayer as You Plan and Prepare 

Loving Father, we need Your comfort and strength. Help us to see the blessings You provide every day. Give us the strength to spend committed time in Your Word. Help us seek others who need encouragement and bless us through serving others. Thank You for providing so many Scripture passages of promise, love, and strength. Help us turn to You when we feel overwhelmed. Thank You for Your unending love! In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

The Gospel Outreach Committee would love to hear about, and share, your mission service activities! Please contact the Vice President of Gospel Outreach here. Thank you!

View past Mission Service Activities

Mission Service Activity of the Month

September 2020: Working Together for the Good of Others

As Lutheran Women in Mission, we adapt to ways we can safely support those in our community. We look for new ways to serve one another while social distancing. We continue to recognize the needs of others as we plan for a new school year. 

Ideas for Activities

Drive-thru Food Pantry or School Supply Collection Day

• Talk to your local food pantry, a neighborhood school, or a day care facility in your community. Get a list of their most needed items during this time and discuss distribution options.
   
• Decide who will be offered the service based on your group size. Develop a way to contact those people.
   
• Advertise the “Needs List” to your church/community. Consider social media to help spread the word. It might be helpful to mention that precautions are being taken when the items are packed (the packers will use hand sanitizer and wear masks), and that masks will be worn during pickup and delivery.
   
• Select a date, place, and time for dropping off items. Keep the drop-off time short and/or break up the drop-off times. Consider two hours in the early morning and two hours in the evening, or two days for drop-off if your group is large.
   
• Solicit a small group of volunteers for drop-off. The volunteers will accept the donation items from each vehicle when they drive up and take them to the holding area.
   
• Set up a small group to assemble the items into bags to make pick-up or delivery quick and easy.
   
• Establish a pick-up method. Take items to the food pantry or school for them to distribute, or set a pick-up time at a church or other location.
   
• Consider having another set of volunteers to deliver the items, if the project recipient cannot come to pick up the donated items.
   
• Contact the sewing ladies in your church/community. Ask them to provide masks, especially children’s sizes. Pack each mask in a zip-lock bag. Have them available for the volunteers to pass out to anyone in need of a mask, or give them to the school or daycare facility.

Gospel Focus

Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind (1 Peter 3:8).

Prayer as you Plan and Prepare

Heavenly Father, thank You for allowing us the privilege of creatively serving others in Your name during this time of pandemic. You have directed us to realize that there are still plenty of ways to be Your hands and feet and to think outside of our normal avenues. Guide us as we strive to reach out to others while keeping everyone safe. We know that You are the God of grace, mercy, and peace. Grant each of those strengths to us as we plan this servant event. In the name of Jesus, Your precious Son, we pray. Amen.
 

The Gospel Outreach Committee would love to hear about, and share, your mission service activities! Please contact the Vice President of Gospel Outreach here. Thank you!

View past Mission Service Activities

Mission Service Activity of the Month

August 2020: Being Content and Single

Being single is the result of a variety of circumstances. One may be single because of the death of a partner, or the end of a marriage. Being single could mean they have not yet found someone or are content without a spouse. Being single could mean circumstances have separated us from loved ones. This month, find someone currently single and be that missing support person. And remember, you don’t need to stop when the month ends!

Ideas for Activities that Encourage Singles in the Congregation

• Call this person and offer your presence.
• Suggest a time to get together and have a cup of coffee or tea, either in person or while visiting on the phone.
• Tell the person the strengths and gifts you see in her/him. Be an encourager.
• Ask about favorite activities and consider meeting to enjoy shared ones.
• Be a good listener without being overly demanding of her/his time.
• Be aware of this person’s needs and don’t focus on your opposite experiences.
• Support singles in area care centers.
• Write and send cards of appreciation. Use the resource “Encouragement Notecards” or “Bookmarks” from the LWML Coloring Sets on the LWML website: lwml.org/coloring-resources.
• Share a meal, a walk, a shopping trip, a movie, or a concert.
• Offer to share a Bible study like “The Task-Filled Life” podcast or “Where Love Abides.”
• Offer to include this person in an existing group you think would be a good fit.
• Drop off a favorite treat.
• Remember this person in frequent prayer!

Gospel Focus

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope (Jeremiah 29:11).

Prayer as you Plan and Prepare

Heavenly Father, there are people in our church family who are single. Help us to include them in our prayers and our activities. Give us wisdom to show them You gave them gifts to be used in Your service. Even when our lives don’t follow our plans, help us remember Your plans for us are only for good. We pray in the name of the Triune God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.

The Gospel Outreach Committee would love to hear about, and share, your mission service activities! Please contact the Vice President of Gospel Outreach here. Thank you!

View past Mission Service Activities

Mission Service Activity of the Month

July 2020: Sending our Graduates Off with God’s Blessings and Love

Our senior high students have graduated. Some will move away, and some will commute from home as they work or continue their education. Research shows college-age students tend to discontinue church attendance and distance themselves from their faith family, worship, and prayer. They can use as much encouragement and love as we can give them. Many messages from the media and their peers can leave teens feeling hopeless, lonely, and inadequate. Here are some ways you can shower your seniors with God’s Word. The loving messages of His hope, love, acceptance, and forgiveness will support these young men and women.

God’s Hope and Love in Action

There are many ways you can approach this service project. You know the strengths of your LWML and you know your youth. Pray, and then decide which idea works best for your resources and abilities. These steps can help you plan:

• Contact your church secretary, your pastor, or your youth group leader for help in identifying every graduating senior. Get all of their contact information. Try to find out their plans for the fall. Explain your service project plan.
• Decide on the due date for completion, so support is in place as soon as possible.
• Decide on a budget and method of funding. Remember you will need boxes as well as contents.
• Gather a team and plan ways to share the tasks.
• Teenagers primarily communicate electronically. Getting a card or note in the mail is an exciting novelty. You may want to set up pen pals for each graduate. These relationships could continue for years if appropriate.
• Write and send a short note to each youth. Use an LWML card if you have one. The note could simply begin with “Hi Graduate. Congratulations! Know you are in my prayers as you plan your next steps.”
• While the notes are being sent out, contact your pastor to see if a sending blessing during worship is appropriate
• Consider giving gift boxes to each graduate, no matter what their plans.
• Pray as the boxes are assembled. You might decorate the inside of the boxes! Decide how to deliver them. Giving the boxes to the youth before they leave will avoid postage costs.
• Check back at least once a month with your pen pal. Ask for prayer needs.

Some theme suggestions follow, but make plans based on your graduates, their plans, and your resources. No matter what the theme, include in the box one or more of the following: a note of encouragement, a Mustard Seed Devotion, Portals of Prayer or Daily Bread, a small book for journaling, a box of colored pencils, or “go to” Bible verses (see list below).

Coffee Lover Care package
Instant coffee packets, coffee creamers, a reusable insulated mug, sugar packets, and a gift card to a favorite coffee shop. 

Under the Weather
Tissues, hand sanitizer, microwavable soup, cough drops, plastic trash bags, a pocket devotional.

Medical Kit 
Band-aids, gauze pads, sterile strips, forehead thermometer strips, antibiotic ointment, hand sanitizer, hot tea bags.

Cleaning Supplies Kit or Loads of Love 
Multi-purpose cleaner, stain remover, small bottle of laundry detergent, paper towels, anti-bacterial cleaning wipes.

Stress–Relieving Care Package
Slinky, playing cards or card games; silly putty or stress putty, small plant, stress ball or koosh ball.

Studious Care Package
Bookmarks, highlighters, pens and pencils (especially ones with fun designs), handheld pencil sharpener, sticky notes, USB drive, paper clips, gift card for educational apps.

Snack Break 
Microwavable popcorn; chip clips; small bags of chips and cookies; squeeze bottle of jelly with a box of crackers; paper towels; microwavable cakes in a mug; small containers of fruit, pudding, or applesauce; dried fruit; small boxes of cereal; candy. Be aware of possible food allergies.

Hot Chocolate and Tea Lovers
Mug, hot chocolate packages or tea bags, bag of mini marshmallows, chocolate covered spoons, small packets of sugar.

Listed below are suggested Bible verses for the graduates:

Isaiah 40:29-31
1 Peter 5:7-9
Ephesians 6:10-18 (especially 10-11)
Psalm 139:1-16 (especially 13-14)
Proverbs 1:8-10
Matthew 11:28-30
Proverbs 3:5-6
Psalm 119:9
Psalm 119:105
Romans 15:13
Philippians 4:4-7
Philippians 4:8-9
Isaiah 41:10
Jeremiah 29:11
1 Timothy 4:12
Deuteronomy 31:6
1 Corinthians 10:13
Ephesians 4:29
Galatians 6:9

Additional Resources from the LWML website:

Text Messages from God 
YOUth in Mission Servant Event Ideas 

Gospel Focus

Be strong and courageous … it is the Lord your God, who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you (Deuteronomy 31:6). 

Prayer as You Plan and Prepare

Heavenly Father, we bring our youth before You. Lord, give them wisdom, enabling them to always look to You in everything they do. You know their challenges. Help them Lord; give them Your peace and joy. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

The Gospel Outreach Committee would love to hear about, and share, your mission service activities! Please contact the Vice President of Gospel Outreach here. Thank you!

View past Mission Service Activities