Living God's Word means doing God's work. Enjoy some samples.

Circles of Service

Some circles are mere geometrical figures, but the six circles of St. John's LWML, Yankton, South Dakota are living, serving circles. Cheryl Hirsch tells of the many ways they share God's Word. She writes, The Dorcas Circle sews quilts for LWR, the Mary Circle distributes the Portals of Prayer to all the motels in our area, the Rachel Circle hosts the "Banquet" once a year serving over 300 needy people, the Elizabeth and Lydia Circles take care of making sure our Sunday and special church services are complete with paraments, flowers, baptismal and funeral banners and finally the Ruth Circle sends all kinds of greeting cards and devotional booklets to the ill and shut-in. This unique group of circles has successfully shared the Good News of our Lord and Savior with the community by using a variety of talents in specific ways.

If your group needs something new, perhaps the circle plan could help.

Taking It In ­ Giving It Out!

You can't share God's Word until you know God's Word. So the women of St. Mark in Sunnyvale, CA provide two opportunities each week for Bible study. Each study meets on a different evening and uses a different study guide. Many relationships have been built and strengthened through prayer and study. Helen Bartz, Chr. of the San Jose Convention, provided more on sharing the Word, We purchased inexpensive paperback New Testaments and marked them to guide readers through a summary of the Gospel. It took about an hour to mark each NT. The group then distributed the Bibles in the local correctional facility. Helen adds, We pray that hearts were touched and lives changed by the message of God's forgiveness and love in Christ Jesus.

If your group is interested in giving marked Bibles to inmates, check with your local or county correction facility to make sure what their guidelines are. You may also contact Lutheran Prison Ministry for printed instructions (available also in Spanish) on how to mark a Bible.

Faith Petals Sad things happen to people even when they are living God's Word. When Jean Werth, Highland, IL lost her youngest son Stephen in a car accident, she was led to start a ministry of love and support for families struggling with grief. Jean's ministry is called Faith Petals. This is what she says, The Lord has used the strength He has given our family to help others who are following the journey of grief healing. We are blessed and humbled by His love for us. Does your congregation provide support for those grieving the loss of loved ones? Now might be a good time to organize a grief support group. For more information, contact your local hospital or Hospice. To learn more about Faith Petals, go to the Web site: www.faithpetals.com.

It Only Takes a Spark Daily Bible reading for all members of the congregation is the goal of (St. Paul) LWML Harve, MT. Betty Flechsig writes, four years ago we purchased 12 copies of Today's Light two-year read-the-Bible guide this year we had a total of 36 subscriptions. Funds received during Lenten meals and matched by Thrivent were used. Betty continues, we know this project has encouraged many families to read the Bible daily. If you are a daily Bible reader, encourage someone else. Give him/her a copy of Today's Light or Portals of Prayer. Be that spark to get someone ignited in God's Word.

Hope In a Basket Easter baskets that is, 165 of them! For 45 years, the LWML of First Lutheran in So. San Francisco, CA has prepared Easter baskets, which are taken to the County Juvenile Holding Facility in San Mateo County where they are distributed by the chaplain's office on Easter Sunday. Judy Korte reports, We have young girls from 10 years old to our seniors in their 90s helping us do this project. Our pastor helps us, too! The baskets include candy and a Christian tract. Making Easter baskets for distribution is a short-term service opportunity for those who would like to serve but have busy schedules.

LWML of First Lutheran, So. San Francisco, CA with Easter baskets

Wrapped In Love

Warm, soft, colorful fleece robes make a warm difference to dialysis patients. The women of the Juniper Zone-Oregon District make each of the nearly 100 patients at the St. Charles Dialysis Center a fleece lap robe. Patients must sit for upwards of four hours in cold, sterile conditions. Pat Reck, VP Gospel Outreach shares, The robes were accompanied by little "love notes," explaining the love of God stitched into each colorful robe. The robes were incentive rewards for patient self-care programs, good nutrition, low potassium levels, constant blood sugars and good management on the diabetic patient's part.

Your community might benefit from a project similar to this. Call the local hospital or dialysis center to make sure there is a need before you start a project.

Gifted to Live

The gift of writing helps Valerie Rousseau live God's Word. A member of St. John, Augres, MI, Valerie shares original Bible studies, devotions, poems prayers and inspirational writings so that by His grace we are reaching many nations. Translations can be available in Finnish, French, Arabic and the Fijian language.

Valerie and her husband Dennis encourage young people to share their gifts and talents by offering contests on their Web site. For contact: haven@centurytel.net