Mustard Seed Devotion — A Timeless Resource

I found a 1985 version of an LWML Mustard Seed Devotion while cleaning out my home office. Its mustard yellow cover caught my attention, and I wondered how this wonderful piece of LWML history had found its way into my office. The Mustard Seed Devotional packets were developed in 1971 to provide a portable devotion for working women to use during their lunch hour. These small devotions have been “on the go” ever since. Lutheran Women in Mission add these devotions to tips in restaurants and hotels, and slip them into cards for soldiers, cancer patients, and friends. I use them as personal devotions and send them to LWML sisters in cards.

Last year we discontinued our current Mustard Seed Devotions packet due to increased production costs. We tried a few products as substitutes, but nothing caught on. I’m pleased to announce that a new version of the Mustard Seed Devotions entitled “Devotions to Sow: Joy in our Daily Lives” is in production. This tear-away booklet features 30 Mustard Seed Devotions, each with a duplicate copy, so you can easily share God’s love and encouragement with others. Visit the LWML SHOP at convention to be one of the first to purchase these Mustard Seed Devotions.

Debbie Yocky

Public Relations Director
Lutheran Women in Mission

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Resurrection

For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead (1 Corinthians 15:21).

What a joyous time for you and I who believe! We are in the time of recalling the resurrection of our Lord. We rejoice in the fact that the Lord Jesus Christ became man in order that, as a man, He could redeem us. His redemption of us has brought to us the promise of our own resurrection. We who believe are promised by the Lord’s resurrection that we too shall conquer death. The grave is not the end of our story, the end of our life. We who believe on the Lord Jesus Christ will be found in the heavenly kingdom for eternity. Lutheran Women in Mission have numerous Bible studies available for you to celebrate the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ and the role you now have as a believer living out the resurrection faith. Check out From Good to Better to Best.

Rev. Mark J. Maas

Junior Pastoral Counselor
Lutheran Women in Mission

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Holy Week

For the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23a).

This week, in the history of salvation, is a most momentous week — that of an incredible parade into Jerusalem, the last days of the Apostles’ seminary training, the institution of the gift of gifts — the Sacrament of the Altar, and then the most horrendous of deaths, Jesus’ death by crucifixion. A mix of the highest of highs and the lowest of lows. Jesus was carrying out what His Father designed from eternity, paying our sin debt. We rejoice with the crowds at Jesus’ arrival. We learn from Jesus’ teaching. We thank God for the forever-after forgiveness system put in place in the Maundy Thursday holy meal. We weep in sorrow for what Jesus had to go through for us in that horrific death. Thankfully, the rest of the verse tells the hope of all hopes, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 6:23b).

Rev. G A Piepkorn

Senior Pastoral Counselor
Lutheran Women in Mission

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Spring Growth — What Joy!

Spring certainly brings variable weather and new growth.

In Isaiah 55:10–11 we read, “For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, … so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose …”

Sharing God’s Word comes with the promise that it will accomplish God’s purpose. We may be the seed-sower, or the one who nurtures, but God gives the growth. (See 1 Corinthians 3:16–17).

Are you familiar with this verse? For you shall go out in joy …” (Isaiah 55:12a).

It is a lovely tie-in to the beginning of our mission statement — As Lutheran Women in Mission we joyfully proclaim Christ …!

This spring, I pray you find joy in sharing Christ, supporting missions, and serving others, knowing it is all part of God’s plan for us.

Eden Keefe

President, 2023–2027
Lutheran Women in Mission

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Growing in Leadership, Love, and Grace

The flowers appear on the earth, the time of singing has come, and the voice of the turtledove is heard in our land (Song of Solomon 2:12).

We eagerly watched for signs that spring was pushing winter into the past. Robins? Check! Dandelions (for the bees)? Check! Flowering trees? Check! Baby calves? Check! Kittens? Almost!

Zones are hosting spring events and will elect new officers to serve as leaders with other Lutheran Women in Mission. Have you been nominated for an office? Do you have leadership skills and wish to serve? Are you already serving and wish to hone your skills? Flowering LWML Leaders and Bloom and Grow are wonderful resources for encouraging and developing leadership skills. Other spring resources can be found on this website.

Speaking of spring — registration is open for the 2025 convention in Omaha where we will be Growing in God’s Grace with thousands of other Lutheran Women in Mission!

Happy spring!

Brenda Piester

Recording Secretary
Lutheran Women in Mission

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Telling Others

Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, (Matthew 28:19).

The season of Lent encourages us to focus on our lives with Jesus and to learn more of Him and His plan of salvation. There are many who do not know God’s plan of salvation. They do not know there is a God who loves them and cares for them. They do not know this loving God forgives their sins and welcomes them into His kingdom.

At the 2025 LWML Convention in Omaha, the delegates will choose mission grants to support during the upcoming biennium. The main criteria for each grant on the ballot is that it will spread the Gospel. With each mite donation we can be confident that the money will tell others of God’s salvation plan. Rejoice and give thanks that Jesus died for your sins. Rejoice and give thanks that your mite donations share the Good News.

To learn more about the mission grants on the ballot go to lwml.org/convention.

Sharon von Qualen

Mission Grants Committee Chairman
Lutheran Women’s Missionary League

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Object-ively Speaking: Reaching Out to Adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities

[God] desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth (1 Timothy 2:4).

Looking for a resource to involve adults in group home settings or those who are a part of your LWML group? Looking to start a Bible class in your congregation for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities? Object-ively Speaking is a new, free, downloadable resource for these special children of God. In this resource, object lessons are applied to a Bible verse or Bible account to help people grasp and relate to important Bible truths.

Object-ively Speaking takes common objects including a calendar, a star, a candy cane, and items of clothing to help people understand the Triune God and His work in our lives. Each object lesson includes a coloring page for the focus Bible verse. These object lessons can also be adapted for use in children’s messages for children ages four–eight.

The first 10 lessons in Object-ively Speaking are currently in production. Watch for their availability in the coming months.

Diane Grebing

Christian Life Committee
Lutheran Women’s Missionary League

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