Mission Service Activity of the Month

May 2021: Raising Christian Children

Including children in mission service activities is important. Serving others is a blessing! Seeing happiness result from our efforts is affirming and uplifting. During this month, take advantage of ways to include children in outreach efforts. 

Activity ideas:

Invite children in your congregation to make May baskets. These can be delivered to homebound congregation members, neighbors, family members, police officers, firefighters, health care workers, or anyone you think of who might need a smile.

Possible items to include:

• Card saying “God bless you!” or “Jesus loves you!”
• Card or bookmark from LWML downloadable resources
• Small plant for indoor or outdoor use
• Artificial flowers — purchased or handmade
• Packaged sweet or salty snack items

Assemble items in small box, basket, or bag. Delivery on May 1 is traditional, but happy surprises are a treat on any day!

Another thing that can be done is to make a happy phone call or online visit. Have children prepare for the conversation by making, drawing, or finding something they can share in conversation. When making a phone call, if the technology is available to both parties, encourage the children to take a picture of the item and send it via text or email.

Possible items to discuss:

• Explain the chosen item or drawing
• Share things for which they are thankful
• Ask what the call recipient is thankful for
• Ask how the call recipient can be supported in prayer
• Remind the call recipient that they are loved by our Lord
• Sing a song together like “Jesus Loves Me”

Gospel Focus

Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it (Proverbs 22:6).

Devotion as you Plan and Prepare:

Foot Washers from www.lwml.org

Prayer as you Plan and Prepare

Loving God, You have demonstrated the need to show love through caring for others. Bless these gifts, those who prepare them, those who distribute them, and those who receive them. May Your love be evident through their use. Help us always remember how Christ served us by paying for our sins through His death and resurrection. 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

April 2021: From Good to Better to Best

Christ has taken us from “damned” to “saved.” It doesn’t get any better than that! The Holy Week\Easter story can seem fragmented when it is spread out over several weeks. The Easter joy doesn’t always carry over after Easter Sunday. Plan a Victory Party to be held two or three weeks after Easter. Gather together in person, virtually, or celebrate in your homes at a common time.

There are some wonderful free resources available through LWML that can serve to set the stage ahead of the Victory Party or remind us of Christ’s Victory if used after the Victory Party. Check them out here.

Possible Victory Party plan:

• Begin with the prayer listed below.
• Sing a favorite Easter hymn or “Jesus Loves Me.”
• Read Matthew 28, Mark 16, Luke 24, and/or John 20:1–23.
• Make a list of blessings we receive because of Jesus’ death and resurrection.
• Shout: “Hallelujah! Christ is Risen!”
• Closing prayer: But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 15:57).
• Serve refreshments.

Gospel Focus

But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 15:57).

Devotion as you Plan and Prepare:

Redeemer from www.lwml.org devotion archives 

Prayer as you Plan and Prepare

Heavenly Father, You created us and You continue to care for us. We praise You! Christ Jesus, You have redeemed us lost and condemned creatures. Thank You! Holy Spirit, You give us faith and its blessings. We adore You! Father, Son, and Holy Spirit — the one True God — we glorify You! 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

March 2021: Serving One Another

There are those in our communities who need our service, help, and prayers. During this month, take advantage of ways to reach out to them with loving care through blessing kits. Items for kits can be donated and kits assembled at a safe gathering, or completed kits can be donated. 

Contact your local law enforcement, fire department, social service agency, or homeless shelter. Ask for items they need for immediate use. See what restrictions they might have on contents for such kits. Depending on your community’s needs, and your opportunities to reach out, it might also be appropriate to keep a few kits in your car.

Blessing kit content ideas:

• Athletic crew socks
• Small hand sanitizer
• Small tissue pack
• Bottle of water
• Gum
• Packaged snack items like cheese and crackers or granola bar
• Other items of need suggested by the agency you contacted

Assemble items in large plastic zipper bags:

• Mark as male or female, if appropriate
• Include a Mustard Seed Devotion or Bible verse if possible
• Include a note of care and encouragement

Gospel Focus

Through love serve one another (Galatians 5:13b).

Devotion as You Plan and Prepare

Foot Washers or Jesus’ Servants

Prayer as You Plan and Prepare

Loving God, You have demonstrated the need to show love through caring for others. Bless these kits, those who prepare them, those who distribute them, and those who receive them. May Your love be evident through their use. Help us always remember how Christ served us by paying for our sins through His death. 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

February 2021: Prison Ministry

Why is prison ministry important? Lives that had no hope can have hope. The main purpose of Prison Ministry is to share the Gospel of Jesus with others. The Holy Spirit, through prayer, will prepare and guide you to deliver God's Word to all inmates unconditionally. 

One way to do this is by marking Bibles for Prison Ministry. You can find the instructions here. 

Additional resources may be found archived in the March 2019 Mission Service Activity. 

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

January 2021: Serving the Least of These

January can be a hard winter month for all of us, but if you are a child in crisis, the darkness and the cold can be especially frightening. Plan an ingathering of items to bring comfort to children in your community who are in crisis.  

Contact the local law enforcement, fire department, or children’s social service agency and ask for a list of items to collect that could comfort the children they encounter during these cold winter months. Ask, “Are there any items you cannot accept? Are there age restrictions?”  

Ingathering ideas:

• Small fleece blankets (these can be tied blankets, no sewing necessary)
• Small stuffed animals
• Child-sized stocking caps or winter hats
• Child-sized gloves or mittens
• Flashlight and batteries
• Other items suggested by the agency you contacted

Assemble a healthy snack box or basket to deliver to the agency staff members when you deliver the children’s items. Possible items to include:

• Pre-packaged sweet or salty snacks
• Fresh or dried fruit
• Gum
• Flavor packets for bottled water
• A note of encouragement and thanks

Gospel Focus

And the King will answer them, 'Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me' (Matthew 25:40).

Devotion as You Plan and Prepare:

“You Look Like Your Father” 

Prayer as You Plan and Prepare

Heavenly Father, You have called us to take care of the “least of these”, which includes children who are in need. We know there are many hurting children in our community and we place them in Your loving hands. Please guide and direct our efforts as we gather items to provide comfort. We also lift up those who serve these children. Be with them, providing the strength they need to support these little ones. 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

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