User-friendly. It’s a common term these days, implying that something is easy to use. The LWML has amazing resources — and we certainly want them to be user-friendly! One of the recent changes for program helps — those FREE downloadable devotions, Bible studies, and sketches — has been to organize them with descriptor “tags” in a few new categories.
The holiday "to do" lists seem to be never ending as the calendar fills with events. Memories from years past come to mind as new memories are being made that will be reflected on in the future. Lutheran Women in Mission will take a trip down memory lane as they gather in convention and commemorate the LWML 75th Anniversary in Albuquerque, New Mexico, June 22–25, 2017.
LWML personnel ready to dazzleAt the convention there will be a special time to celebrate on Saturday night at the Diamond Dazzle. Right now there is a wonderful opportunity to help expand the LWML Endowment Fund through the special 75th Anniversary Thank Offering. The dream is to eventually have the interest from this fund pay the operating expenses of the LWML, continue to train and equip leaders, and enable the LWML to more fully carry out the mission of sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ.
Donations may be given online at www.lwml.org/donate-endowment-fund or mailed to the LWML office at 3558 S. Jefferson Ave., St Louis MO 63118. Note the donation as LWML 75th Anniversary Thank Offering.
Have you ever found yourself running here and there in an attempt to make the most of your day, only to realize that you hadn’t taken the time for a quiet moment with God? We’ve all had those days. Our days are especially busy during the holiday season.
LWML’s Mustard Seed Devotions provide the perfect opportunity for times like these. It’s Scripture at our fingertips. Although not meant to take the place of your personal time with God, these unique devotions are quick and easy. Mustard Seeds have been developed on various topics, are wallet size, and are available electronically from your mobile device on the new LWML app! In an emergency, they can be carried with you for the times you find yourself running short on time, or simply waiting in traffic. It’s the perfect picker upper to help refocus your day.
The Christmas Mustard Seeds are perfect to fit inside your Christmas cards!
The LWML store offers many other devotional resources. Some are designed for more personal spiritual growth, others for group study, all of which aid in making His Word a priority in our life.
It’s a celebratory time of the year! Advent season is filled with special events. Some are religious, some are traditional and some are purely social. They all lead us toward the grand celebration of the birth of our Redeemer, Jesus Christ, on Christmas. It is a time to celebrate and to be thankful.
As Lutheran Women in Mission we celebrate and give thanks.
Today — Let’s celebrate the generous response to LWML’s Giving Tuesday! God blessed us with generous givers who raised $13,270 for the mission and ministry of our 19 mission grant recipients for 2015–2017! He also inspired an anonymous donor to offer a matching grant of $10,000 bringing the total amount to $23,270. We celebrate and we give thanks to God for people who continue to pass along their blessings to those in need.
Yesterday — We are preparing to celebrate our 75th Anniversary of LWML in 2017. We celebrate the blessings God has bestowed on the LWML these many years. We celebrate the ministries that have benefited from 75 years of mission support. We thank God for His faithfulness and abundance of blessings that we have received and share with others.
Tomorrow — We celebrate the work we have ahead because we are confident God is still guiding us, loving us, and sustaining us. To fund the remaining mission grants we must raise another $400,000 by March 31, 2017. Can we actually celebrate this? Yes! We give thanks for the honor bestowed on us that our God — Creator, Redeemer, and Sanctifier — has empowered us to do His will. How awesome is that?
Let’s prepare to celebrate the greatest gift ever this Christmas and be thankful we are called to tell others about that greatest of all gifts — Jesus Christ. We are Lutheran Women in Mission — Serving the Lord with Gladness!
Celebrating with you,
President Patti
Giving Tuesday is coming!
What is it?
When is it?
Celebrated on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving and following the shopping events of Black Friday and Cyber Monday, Giving Tuesday is observed on November 29 and kicks off the charitable season, when many focus on their holiday and end-of-year giving.
Even if you support LWML through regular mite offerings, you can still participate in this Day of Giving in these ways:
As we head into this week of celebrating the holiday of Thanksgiving, be encouraged in overflowing love for our Lord at all times.
Thank God, not only for obvious blessings, but also for life’s unexpected situations. Praise the Lord. Praise the Lord, my soul. I will praise the Lord all my life; I will sing praise to my God as long as I live (Psalm 146:1–2 NIV).
The popular saying, “An Attitude of Gratitude” emphasizes thanking God, even in the midst of adversity. Give thanks in all circumstances for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. (1 Thessalonians 5:18 NIV).
During this holiday season of giving thanks and sharing joy, check out the Mustard Seeds Devotions in the LWML Store for ways to spread that joy with those around you, especially Living in Joy Item #: LWML40202 On sale now for $1.75.
Girls from Faith Lutheran Church in Collierville, TN., met for Bible study once a week this summer at a local Whole Foods Market to discuss the book of Proverbs. Ages 14–19.Our youth and young women are our present and our future. Faith sharing, fellowship, and fun are a part of the convention experience. Please plan to make the LWML Convention in Albuquerque NM., June 22–25, 2017, a family affair.
These mother daughter teams support and encourage each other as they serve the Lord together with gladness.
Four generations of mentoring.
The Joy of Christmas Mustard Seed Devotions
