Focus on Jesus

Now may the God of peace … equip you with everything good that you may do his will (Hebrews 13:20-21).

Did you celebrate LWML Sunday today or are you planning on celebrating Lutheran Women in Mission Sunday later this month? If you are observing it later this month, a suggestion you might want to consider is showing one of the Focus on Jesus presentations during your coffee or fellowship time. They are based on the mission statement of the LWML. There are five narrated videos — each only a few minutes long — and give a great overview of our mission and why we joyfully proclaim Christ. These videos are well done and were just completed this past summer. Another use you might consider is sharing them at your group meetings or a servant event where you invite guests and non-LWML members. Be creative and use this resource to help share about our wonderful LWML.

Arlene Naasz

Vice President of Organizational Resources
Lutheran Women’s Missionary League

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Are You "Hooked"?

The women who taught me the most about the importance of contributing to mission grants through mites were my dear, departed mother-in-law (MIL), Lorena Werner and my “El Paso Mom” Sue Anderson. Both women truly lived the LWML motto: Serve the Lord with gladness! (Psalm 100:2).

As a young bride and new member of the Lutheran Church, my MIL Lorena explained what LWML’s mission was and gave me my first Mite Box. She invited me to the LWML meeting at our church, Christ Lutheran, Yuma, Arizona, and I got involved serving as a society officer and helping with various fundraisers to contribute to the mission grants via our Mite Boxes.

After we relocated to the El Paso, Texas, area 25 years ago, Sue Anderson (former Rocky Mountain District (RMD) President) encouraged me to get involved in LWML at Ascension Lutheran, El Paso, Texas. With Sue’s mentoring, I served as an officer in our zone and on the RMD Mission Grants (MG) Committee. Serving on the MG committee really opened my eyes to all the opportunities our district and national mission grants provide to spread the good news of Jesus to people locally and world-wide. I was hooked!

How about you? Are you “hooked” on feeding your Mite Box regularly to support the mission grants in your district and nationally? Are you “hooked” on Serving the Lord with Gladness? I pray so!

Anita Werner

Treasurer
Lutheran Women’s Missionary League

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The Lord’s September

He has made everything beautiful in its time (Ecclesiastes 3:11).

I hear it now! It’s in the air and it is beautiful! Fall has appeared and the lovely colors of the season are visible. The crickets are singing, the squirrels gathering acorns, the geese flying overhead, the crackling of a campfire, the smell of warm cider, and the crunch of leaves on the ground make it all the Lord’s September.

I sometimes forget to pause and take in all the beautiful sights and sounds of this season. My mind goes ahead to the snow and cold that will come soon. It is in those wondering moments when I must stop and take in the moments of today.

Take time in your life to enjoy the Lord’s September and all of the beauty of the season. You might be amazed at what you will hear and see.

To enrich your spiritual walk, here is a devotion for this time of year: Pray For A Bountiful Harvest.

Karol Selle

Vice President of Special Focus Ministries
Lutheran Women’s Missionary League

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Thank you from LWML President Eden Keefe and the Board of Directors

Thank you, dear sisters and brothers in Christ, for your generous support during our annual September to Remember Giving Day! What a privilege it was to read the home page articles and social media posts highlighting our Christian mentors and role models. It was awesome to read your responses! I loved the stories of how these people lived out their faith through mission service, care, encouragement, ministry support, and sharing the Gospel. It is inspiring to see how God works through His children, isn’t it? But the blessings don’t end there. Every donation given on this day goes directly toward the 2023–2025 LWML Mission Grant goal. We rejoice in the ways God provides and how people will be touched with the saving message of Jesus through your gifts. Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all we ask or think, according to the power at work with us, to him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen (Ephesians 3:20–21).

Eden Keefe

President, 2023–2027
Lutheran Women’s Missionary League

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September to Remember

Do you have a special person in your life? Someone who makes you smile with gratitude when you think of him or her? Maybe it was (or is!) a teacher, a friend, a family member, or an LWML sister or brother.

One that often comes to mind was a special someone to my mom. Her name is Mary. She and my mom (Marlene) were great friends and LWML sisters. They served in various roles in their groups, zone, and district, and were known as the M&Ms. This dynamic duo brought attention to the Gospel impact of mite offerings and missions with presentations filled with love for their Lord, laughter, and of course, M&Ms®! Although my mom is now in heaven, Mary continues to serve the Lord with gladness! (Psalm 100:2).

Today, I will have an opportunity to honor both my mom and Mary by giving a gift to Lutheran Women in Mission for September to Remember.

Who is your special someone? Would you consider honoring her with a gift to LWML — Lutheran Women in Mission? To donate today, follow this link to secure online giving.

Eden Keefe

President, 2023–2027
Lutheran Women’s Missionary League

Give to the Mission Goal TODAY, 
on LWML's GivingDay

A Faithful Encourager

If I were to try to come up with one name as to who was a personal influencer for LWML, I’d be hard pressed. I don’t recall much about LWML until after I was in the parish. My mother was very active in the Ladies Aid at our home congregation, in rural north central MN, but I don’t recall any trips to larger gatherings. I do recall going to several larger LWML gatherings in east Texas when I was in my first parish.

If I were to pick a name, it would have to be my dear wife, Judy. She, too, was always active whether it was while we were still on the farm or after I became a pastor. She has always been a faithful encourager for our ladies and for me. After my retirement from the Air Force, I have become much more aware of the magnificent activities of the LWML and have seen some truly godly workers for Christ in NM and beyond. I praise God for all of them.

Rev. Gary Piepkorn

Senior Pastoral Counselor
Lutheran Women’s Missionary League

Get ready for Giving Day
on Tuesday, September 12, 2023

Opposites, But the Same in Christ

Introvert/Extrovert. Homebody/Adventurer. Seamstress/Shopper. Yes! We are exact opposites, but we have the same DNA, both physically and spiritually. I take after my father in many ways, but I received my LWML genes from my mother. From a very young age, she “dragged” me to Ladies Aid in Lockett, Texas. The only thing I got out of it at first was snacks and gum from the other ladies’ purses, but, as I grew, I noticed my mother always had her Mite Box. Each member’s journal is made by her every year and at the age of 89 she will present a topic to her small group. She easily shares her quiet, amazing faith. You can always find her Bible opened with several devotion books strewn on her favorite chair. I cannot tell you how many devotion books she has handed out as comfort to hurting people in time of need and she is an amazing prayer warrior. It’s true our personality traits differ, but my mother made sure our DNA is the same in our Risen Savior.

Charm can be deceiving, and beauty fades away, but a woman who honors the Lord deserves to be praised (Proverbs 31:30).

Cheryl Mattil

Strategic Plan Facilitator
Lutheran Women’s Missionary League

Get ready for Giving Day
on Tuesday, September 12, 2023