Gifts from the Heart has changed for the 2025 LWML Convention in Omaha this June. Lutheran Women in Mission have the opportunity to purchase and ship needed items for the three recipients before convention, instead of hauling boxes of items to the convention location. This benefits our LWML volunteers and our selected recipients from hours of intense labor and the need for huge amounts of storage. Thank you for being open to this NEW way of serving others.

Shopping for Gifts from the Heart (GFTH) via Amazon Wish Lists

These links will be live through the week of the convention in Omaha. Shopping through Amazon allows our recipients to have continuous restocking of their top items all the way through convention. As items are filled, new items could be added. Use the Amazon links to review all the items needed for our three selected GFTH recipients for Omaha. Get creative! Set up shopping times during your group meetings. 

Additional Shopping Option: The Gospel Outreach Committee will also be accepting VISA gift cards at the convention. Please make sure to write the dollar ($) amount on the outside of each card. These will be dropped off at the GFTH collection location at the convention. 

CAMP LUTHER of Nebraska 

Camp Luther of Nebraska is a non-profit Christian ministry of the LCMS. Their mission statement is “To create and renew disciples.” The camp is located on 160 acres and offers a wide variety of programs and services including the following: Day and overnight camps, Family camp, VBS, His Kids (a special needs ministry), Youth, Confirmation, Women’s (including LWML) and Men’s retreats.
Amazon Wish List Link: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/29OI5SU82AB46?ref_=wl_share

LUTHERAN FAMILY SERVICES of NEBRASKA 

Lutheran Family Services of Nebraska is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing vital support and resources to individuals and families in need across Nebraska. Their comprehensive services span from adoption and foster care to behavioral health and refugee resettlement, embodying a commitment to compassionate care and empowerment. With a rich history rooted in Lutheran values, they strive to build resilient communities and promote well-being for all. 
Amazon Wish List Link: https://a.co/6ow7M0W 

UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA AT LINCOLN CAMPUS MINISTRY

The University of Nebraska at Lincoln Campus Ministry is a student-led ministry with oversight by a pastor who himself was impacted by this ministry as a university student. They have a building and a Word and Sacrament ministry on campus. The student leaders are active in welcoming and engaging students (including many international students) and hold Bible study huddles. Their coffee hub is a great draw for students, and they plan creative activities for students to have fellowship in a safe environment. 
Amazon Wish List Link: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/39L1XE0U5ACMJ?ref_=wl_share

Prayer as you plan:

Heavenly Father, this is a new experience for many. We ask that you give us open hearts and minds, realizing that your work is still being accomplished but in a new and innovative way. We continue to serve others with gladness, which is our motto. We lift these three ministries to you, asking that you bless them in the Gospel-sharing work that they do. In Jesus name, Amen.

Download the printable PDF of this Mission Service Activity

Gifts from the Heart flyer

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

December: CHRISTMAS COOKIE EXCHANGE

What is a cookie exchange? It’s a party to which guests each bring one–four dozen cookies (depending on how many guests are invited) to share and swap. This way, you only bake one recipe but get to enjoy many different types of cookies. It’s a delicious way to spend an afternoon or evening with friends during the Christmas season. 

Preparations for the Activity:

• Select cookie exchange date and put together a guest list (six–12 guests).
• Decide upon and set ground rules. What qualifies as a cookie or could it also be homemade candies (Saltine Cracker Toffee or fudge)? Are store bought or slice and bake cookies okay to bring? Please keep in mind that not everyone loves to bake.
• Remember, this is not a competition but a friendly get together.
• Invite friends by email, text message, printed invitation, or by personal contact. Remind them to bring copies of their recipe to share with other guests. Label cookies for allergens.
• Plan what cookie you are going to bake and tell your guests.
• Plan what, if anything, you will serve along with the cookies.
• Plan on what you are going to serve the cookies.
• Provide to-go containers for each guest.

Is this a group project? Take pictures of this activity in progress. Get permission to take pictures of the individuals as they enjoy and share their cookies. Submit the pictures to share on your district website or in your district newsletter.

Gospel Focus

Let them thank the LORD for his steadfast love, for his wondrous works to the children of man! For he satisfies the longing soul, and the hungry soul he fills with good things (Psalm 107:8–9).

Devotion as You Plan

Use the Mustard Seed devotion, “Walking with My Lord: No Cookie Cutters.” 

Prayer as You Plan and Prepare

Heavenly Father, thank You for Your steadfast love. You provide so many good things for us every day. Help us to acknowledge these things and be ready to share the gift of Your Son, Jesus, with others. In His holy name, we pray. Amen. 

Download the printable PDF of this Mission Service Activity

CHRISTMAS COOKIE EXCHANGE — Dec 2023
 

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: HOLIDAY MEAL BASKET

The holidays are a time for thankfulness, gratitude, friendship, and giving. We celebrate Thanksgiving, Advent, Christmas, and New Years over a very short time. Joining together to eat is integral to most family get-togethers. With prices rising, many families may need the benefit of a blessing this holiday season. Give the gift of a Holiday Meal Basket. Gather food items from your community, host a “pack day” to stock the baskets, and connect families in need with a gift of a complete holiday meal.

Items Needed

• Collect holiday meal items of your choice
• Include staple items like: butter, milk, or eggs
• Grocery Store Gift Card
• Basket to take donations home
• Mustard Seeds or another holiday-themed devotion

Gospel Focus

I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart; I will recount all of your wonderful deeds (Psalms 9:1).

Devotion as You Plan

Use the devotion Advent Joy-A-Tude when you gather to pack or give out the baskets. Remember to focus on what is important during the holiday rush; keep your eyes and heart on the cross.

Prayer as You Plan and Prepare

Heavenly Father, thank You for all You provide for us. We are very grateful for Your love and guidance. We truly need You in our lives. Open our eyes to see the ones who need Your love, Lord, this holiday season. In Jesus’s name, Amen.

Download the printable PDF of this Mission Service Activity

HOLIDAY MEAL BASKET — Nov 2023
 

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

October: FILL BACKPACKS FOR THE HOMELESS

Preparations for this activity:

Homelessness is increasing in our country. One of the most frequently requested ingathering donations is a backpack filled with needed supplies for people who are homeless. To assist in caring for this growing population, let’s fill backpacks with needed supplies. To begin, research agencies in your area serving the homeless that accept backpacks. Print an LWML devotional to include, and purchase or have your group or congregation donate supplies for the activity. The supplies could include:

• Small Backpack 
• 1 Liquid Hand Soap - 3.38 oz. 
• 1 Pair of Men's Cotton Crew Socks
• 1 Pair of Adult Knitted Gloves 
• 1 Adult Knitted Hat Beanie 
• 1 oz. Hand Sanitizer
• 1 Disposable Rain Poncho 
• 1 0.6 oz. Fluoride Toothpaste 
• Toothbrush
• 1 oz. Shampoo
• 1 oz. Body Wash
• Deodorant Soap
• 5 Inch Black Comb 
• Single Blade Razor

Place all the supplies in the backpack, adding the devotion and your prayers for the recipient.

Take pictures of this activity in progress, if doing it as a group project. Get the individuals’ permission to take and share pictures. Submit pictures to share on your district website or newsletter.

Gospel Focus: Serving the Saints

For God is not unjust so as to overlook your work and the love that you have shown for his name in serving the saints, as you still do (Hebrews 6:10).

Devotion as You Plan

Share this Mustard Seed devotion as you pray for the homeless, by Alma Kern, “Be All You Can Be”. 

Prayer as You Plan and Prepare

Lord, You are the giver and sustainer of life. Please encircle all who are homeless in Your loving arms. Help us to meet their physical needs and to lovingly share Your comforting Word with them. Give them extra warmth, Your peace, and Your eternal direction. Give us a kind heart and compassion to help the homeless in their need. We ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Download the printable PDF of this Mission Service Activity

FILL BACKPACKS FOR THE HOMELESS — Oct 2023
 

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: KEEP MY TEACHING

Let’s support and encourage teachers in our schools. 
Share with them that they are appreciated and are being lifted in prayer.

Put together Encouragement Gifts for Teachers. Ideas could be a bag for each teacher that contains individual items, or it could be an envelope with a small gift card from a local coffee shop or fast-food restaurant. 

• Select a school that you can bless.
• Contact the office to find out how many teachers are on staff. Consider including secretaries, principals, and other support staff. 
• Purchase or have an ingathering of gift sacks and a variety of items to include such as snacks, lotion, and eye masks or purchase gift cards from a local business. 

At your group meeting, write personal notes on notecards to include with each gift. Thank the teacher for his or her contribution to the student’s growth and love for learning. If you choose to recognize teachers in a Christian school, you could include Bible verses for example: Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity, and sound speech that cannot be condemned, so that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say about us (Titus 2:7–8).  In the note, remind teachers that they are a blessing to the children and parents of the community. 

Optional: Take pictures of this service activity and submit them to share on your district website or in your district newsletter!

Gospel Focus

Keep my commandments and live; keep my teaching as the apple of your eye; bind them on your fingers; write them on the tablet of your heart (Proverbs 7:2–3).

Devotion as You Plan

As you plan this service activity, you may want to share with your ladies the devotion: Day By Day – Growing in the Lord. This devotion reminds us we should continue learning all our lives. 

Prayer as You Plan and Prepare

Lord Jesus, in Your mercy, guide and lead us as we study Your Word daily. Help us to understand what it means to continue to learn and grow spiritually, in our relationship with You and others. May the Holy Spirit allow Christ's message to abide and be alive in our hearts. Thank you, Lord, for the teachers who touch the lives of young people each day, and bless their teaching. Amen.     

Download the printable PDF of this Mission Service Activity

KEEP MY TEACHING —  Sept 2023
 

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: OFF TO COLLEGE “GOODIE” BAGS

Once again it is time for school bells to start ringing to signify the beginning of a new school year. For those who are entering college for the first time, these days can be scary and the student may be a little apprehensive. This is an awesome time for us to make connections and bring reminders of God’s presence to these first-time college attendees.

Preparations for this activity:

• Check with the church office for the names of those attending college.
• Purchase or make small bags to hold items.
• Prepare Bible verse cards for each item.
• Purchase items and attach Bible verse card as noted below;

1. Flashlight: God will help you find your way: Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path (Psalm 119:105).
2. Tape: God sticks with you: It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; He will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed (Deut. 31:8-9).
3. Umbrella or Poncho: God is your protector: You are my hiding place and my shield; I hope in your Word (Psalm 119:114).
4. Para cord keychain: God will save you: For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ (1 Thessalonians 5:9).
5. Hand Sanitizer: God washes your sins away: If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9).
6. Pencils: God’s Word is written for you: I delight to do your will, O my God; your law is within my heart (Psalm 40:8). 
7. Purchase one or both of the following, College 101: A Christian Survival Guide (CPH #124468) or Blessings & Prayers for College Students (CPH #124267).

Take pictures of this activity in progress if doing it as a group project. Get the individuals’ permission to take and share pictures. Submit pictures to share on your district website or newsletter.

Gospel Focus: Direct My Path

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path (Psalm 119:105).

Devotion as You Plan

Share this Mustard Seed devotion as you pray for college students, “Comfort from the Psalms:  Finding My Way”. 

Prayer as You Plan and Prepare

O God, source of all knowledge, through Word and Spirit, look with favor on those entering colleges and universities. Bless those who teach and those who learn, that they may apply themselves with ready diligence to Your will and faithfully fulfill their service according to Your plan; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. 

Download the printable PDF of this Mission Service Activity

OFF TO COLLEGE “GOODIE” BAGS — Aug 2023
 

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

Fill Backpacks with School Supplies

Although it seems like summer has just begun, it’s back-to-school season already. Teachers are getting their classrooms ready, and schools are sending out supply lists. Over the last few years, school preparation has been difficult for parents, students, and teachers. Many parents struggle to fully supply their children’s back-to-school lists. Help ease the transition back to school by gathering school supplies for local children in need and placing the supplies in a backpack. 

Prepare for This Activity:

• Contact a local school to ask if you can donate school supply backpacks.
• Get a list of most needed school supplies.
• Fill a backpack from the list provided from the school. List might include notebooks, paper, pencils, crayons, glue sticks, scissors, dry-erase markers, folders, etc. 
• If the school gives you permission, include a colorful child-centered encouragement card.

Gospel Focus: THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law (Galatians 5:22–23).

Devotion as You Plan

Read Back to School in the Word!

Then learn “The Fruit of the Spirit” song. You really can go back to school in the Word by sharing this song. Maybe start a new tradition and share this with your Sunday school class or other children in your life.

Prayer as You Plan and Prepare

Dear Lord, bless our teachers and schools as they prepare to begin another new school year. While we can provide supplies, you supply the grace that allows teachers to love and teach the students in their classrooms. May the children be blessed with the fruit of the spirit that you provide. In Your name, we pray. Amen.

Download the printable PDF of this Mission Service Activity

Fill Backpacks with School Supplies
 

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