Remember: It’s Church Workers Appreciation Month

We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work (1 Thessalonians 5:12-13a).

Did you remember that October is Church Workers Appreciation Month? The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod changed it from Pastor Appreciation Month in 2021 since we recognize that all church workers are important in our faith and life.

Here are some ideas to show your appreciation:

• Send a thank you card or note for all the work that they do. You can download a thank you card from the LWML website.
• Record a short video of you sharing words of encouragement and thanks and email it to the church worker.
• Surprise them with cookies, brownies, or candy and include a personal note of thanks.
• Offer babysitting services for those with young children as a sign of appreciation.

For other ideas, check out Ideas to Support, Encourage, and Care for Church Workers on the LWML website.

Most importantly, remember to pray for the church workers in your congregation, thanking God for their service.

Thank you, Church Workers, for all that you do!

Marie Chow

Vice President of Organizational Resources
Lutheran Women’s Missionary League

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Time Management

I love learning new things including topics related to my profession and personal development. I recently found some interesting online sessions on time management with catchy titles or phrases that lured me in. Words like “superpower”, “anchored”, “formula”, and “power” were all part of the marketing of these sessions.

Did I learn something from these sessions? Yes, but I felt like something was missing. What was missing was the ultimate “power” — God’s Word. For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven (Ecclesiastes 3:1). He changes time and seasons; he removes kings and sets up kings, he gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding (Daniel 2:21).

God’s Word is the ultimate guide for our lives and the LWML website is full of materials that help ground us in the Word and guide us in our day-to-day living. Part of LWML’s mission is to equip women to honor God by serving others. Manage Yourself, Not Your Time is one of several great leadership development articles that can equip each of us as we lead and serve our Lord.

Karla Koehler

Treasurer
Lutheran Women’s Missionary League

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Pray for the LWML Mission Grant Selection Process

The LWML mission statement is — As Lutheran Women in Mission, we joyfully proclaim Christ, support missions, and equip women to honor God by serving others. Supporting missions that spread the Gospel message has been a key priority for LWML since its beginning in 1942.

At the national level we have supported mission grants to spread the Word of Christ to 83 countries and have supported nearly 500 grants in the last 80 years.

Mission grant proposals for the next biennium have been received and now is the time for the Mission Grant Selection Committee to evaluate the submitted grant proposals to determine which ones will be on the ballot at the LWML Convention in 2023. The Mission Grant Selection Committee meets in January. Please keep the members of this committee in your prayers as they begin this task which will impact ministries around the world.

Sharon von Qualen

Mission Grants Committee
Lutheran Women’s Missionary League

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LWML Sunday — “For Us and With Us"

What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? (Romans 8:31).

LWML Sunday is often observed on the first Sunday in October. Did you celebrate LWML and the blessings God has bestowed upon it in worship this week? If yes, thank you! If no, please consider asking your pastor if LWML Sunday may be incorporated into an upcoming worship service. There are a multitude of resources available including a children’s message, PowerPoint template, and even a sermon that your pastor may use.

“For Us and With Us,” based on Romans 8:31–39, is the theme for LWML Sunday 2022. In this epistle, Paul tells us we each face challenges and circumstances greater than our own strength. However, we are more than conquerors through Christ, who loves us, for He is for us and with us! LWML Sunday reminds us of this victory, which is already ours through Baptism, so we might live each day confidently trusting in Christ.

Brenda Piester

Recording Secretary
Lutheran Women’s Missionary League

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Two-Way Communication

A new school year has started and I am excitedly planning lessons that I hope will have a positive impact on student learning. However, students will not be the only ones learning. I glean much from the students when I truly listen during our conversations and carefully read their responses on assignments and surveys. Because communication is not one-directional, I am a better teacher when I tweak lessons based on what I learn about the students’ needs and interests.

Similarly, I want to ensure that prayer time is not one directional communication with me just rattling off all my concerns and desires. I grow in my faith and better understand Christ’s love for me as I read Scripture and pray Teach me to do your will, for you are my God! Let your good Spirit lead me on level ground! (Psalm 143:10).

This month’s featured devotion at www.lwml.org/program-helps is “Waiting.” Take time to read it and find many verses of Scripture communicating comfort to you even as you cry out to Him in prayer.

Tiffany Harkins

Christian Resource Editors Committee
Lutheran Women’s Missionary League

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In God's Word

And we also thank God constantly for this, that when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men but as what it really is, the word of God, which is at work in you believers (1 Thessalonians 2:13).

A first line of a popular Sunday School song is “The B-I-B-L-E yes that’s the book for me!” One of the core values of the LWML is “In God’s Word.” It is important to be in the Word of God for it works to strengthen our faith.

Perhaps you have been asked to lead a Bible study and that has your knees knocking. LWML has many resources that can assist you in preparing to lead a Bible study. Look on our website and you will see that many of the Bible study resources include a leader’s guide. Simply click here and search through all our doctrinal-reviewed Bible study resources. Studying with others can be very uplifting. May God bless the time you spend in His Word.

Arlene Naasz

Meeting Manager
Lutheran Women’s Missionary League

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Thank You for Sharing the Treasures of Your Hearts!

For the last two weeks, the LWML Board of Directors have shared with you the treasures of their hearts. We hope you have enjoyed these stories and we hope you have shared those people and things that fill your hearts. We celebrated LWML’s Giving Tuesday — September to Remember — September 13th and want to thank you all for your love of God and your generous hearts toward His people. Including a $10,000 matching gift, donations totaling $46,851 were given to His glory!

The Holy Spirit touched your hearts — and you responded with your gifts. By God’s grace and through His Word, you know all earthly treasures fade away, but the treasures in heaven will last forever.

Thank you and thank God for all His blessings!

LWML Board of Directors

give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you” (Luke 6:38).