This week is the beginning of October. October is traditionally when many local LWML groups celebrate LWML Sunday and look forward to sharing their passion for the Gospel. LWML encourages and equips women to share their Savior and serve His people.

LWML focuses on mission inspiration and education, mission service, and mission giving. We focus on Christ!

Women often display the handmade quilts they’ve worked on all year on the backs of the pews or chairs in their sanctuary. They set out information about the mission grants in their districts and those at the national level. They may show a video highlighting those grants. Many churches sponsor a congregational meal.

Does your church celebrate LWML Sunday? If not, visit with your pastor about taking part in LWML Sunday. This year’s LWML Sunday resources are found here. I won’t tell you what the theme is … click on the link to find out! Do you think it’s too late to organize a Sunday celebration in your congregation? It’s not! Lutheran Women in Mission may celebrate LWML Sunday whenever they would like to share the benefits with others. Work together with your pastor and choose a date to celebrate!

In His service, surrounded by His grace,

Debbie Larson

President
Lutheran Women’s Missionary League

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I reside in a college town whose school color is purple. The street signs and trash cans are purple, my neighbor’s mailbox is purple, and last week I saw a display of purple vacuum cleaners in a shop window.

Emblazoned across the entryway to the football stadium are the words “Purple Power.” When fans on the west side chant “purple,” those on the east reply back with “power.” My team, along with every other team, begins the season thinking we have the power to be number one. Yet only one team ultimately has the power to win the championship.

God reminds us that He is the one with true power. He will not only lead all season, He will be champion in the end! As Christians we know that power is from God alone. As Lutheran Women in Mission, we love our purple, but power is not in the color purple. It is in our almighty and all-powerful God.

The LWML Bible studies Who is Number one? and All Things Through Christ remind us of God’s power. Both are available as free downloads at www.lwml.org/program-helps-bible-studies

By the power of the Holy Spirit, help us to take to heart the words, I can do all things through him who strengthens me (Philippians 4:13).

Susan Brunkow

Vice President of Christian Life
Lutheran Women’s Missionary League

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Thanks be to God for those who give aid to hurting people, for those who help people experiencing devastating losses, and for those who give sacrificially of their time, talents, and treasures to support others.

LWML Toolkits are available as free downloadable resources to help in offering encouragement to first responders, teachers, care givers, and more — anyone who may be giving aid and helping others in distress. The What’s New in LWML tab on the right side of this page spotlights two of those kits, First Responders and Teachers.

To access more free resources, type “toolkits” in the search bar on this home page for a list of categories ranging from baptism, to cancer care, to a toolkit for teachers; or click on one of the kits listed below. Let someone know you are thinking about them.

Baptism Kit
Cancer Care Kit
First Responder Kit
Shut-In and Nursing Home Kit
Teacher Kit

May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus (Romans 15:5).

Char Kroemer

Vice President of Communication
Lutheran Women’s Missionary League

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In August, the LWML Board of Directors met in St. Louis to prepare and plan for the new biennium. What an exciting time as we prayed for the Lord’s guidance to select women He had already chosen to serve Him for the next two years! Committees and their chairmen were appointed, and we praised God for the women who said, “Yes! I’m honored to serve the Lord with gladness!”

As LWML Women in Mission let us share with each other the opportunity to be in the Word and encourage her to use her unique gifts in God’s service. Let each of us, by God’s grace, strive to make a significant difference in the lives of all people. As servants of the Lord let us help women in our congregations to grow in their relationships with others so they can help them know forgiveness, life, and salvation through Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.

Now in September, as you plan events in your local group, help is available with new resources here on the LWML website. A Missionary? Me? presents real-life, non-scripted stories, written by women serving in the mission field. Study how Jesus not only leads, but carries these women through many difficult challenges. Check out Where Love Abides, an 8-lesson DVD Bible study based on John 15:1–17. Written by Donna Pyle, this study takes an in-depth look at what it means to abide in Jesus, the True Vine, to bear lasting fruit.

Angelina Jauregui

Vice President of Gospel Outreach
Lutheran Women’s Missionary League

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Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain (1 Corinthians 15:58).

Labor Day is being celebrated across the United States of America this week. Have you ever wondered if the labor or tasks you do are meaningful?  St. Paul assures us that when we do our labors to the glory of God, they are pleasing to Him. Christ did the ultimate labor for us by giving His life as atonement for our sins. Now we know our labors, from changing diapers to serving in the military to taking food to a shut-in, when done to the glory of God will not be in vain. As you go about your labors this week, thank God for His Son and the ability to serve Him in all your labors.

After thanks comes the action. Look at the Mission Service Activities under the Service tab on this website. What activity or service of love could you do this week? Perhaps an encouraging post one someone’s Facebook page or a personal note in their mailbox at church. Labor for the Lord in all you do.

Arlene Naasz

Meeting Manager
Lutheran Women’s Missionary League

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The disciples had other occupations before Jesus called them to be His disciples. Peter was a fisherman and Matthew was a tax collector.  Many of us began with one job and ended up doing another.

When I went to my first LWML meeting, the president said, “You’d make a good secretary.” Who knew? God did. I served as secretary, later as LWML District President, and most recently as chairman of the LWML Mission Grant Committee which was a joy.  Here I am now, wondering what God has in store for me as I change courses yet again to serve as the new LWML Public Relations Director. What a tremendous opportunity to serve our Lord in an entirely new way and I am excited.

We need to open our eyes, ears and hearts to know where God wants us to go, to be, to serve. Pray and be ready for when God calls you. Find opportunities to serve here!

And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” Then I said, “Here I am! Send me” (Isaiah 6:8).

Susan Donnelly

Public Relations Director
Lutheran Women’s Missionary League

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As I read through some LWML devotions I came across one that caught my eye. When I began reading, it felt familiar. It wasn’t so much the words used, but how the words were used that drew me to it.

I glanced at the bottom of the page to see if I might know the author, and much to my surprise it was someone I had worked with for 10 years in the LWML. Her distinct writing style was what was familiar. Over the years we had formed a very special bond, along with our third task force member, to the point that when I read the devotion, I just knew those were her words and phrases.

Friendship comes in many shapes and forms. Friendship — dare I say “sisterhood” — in the LWML is unique. Our friendship is based on the bonds we have through God’s Word and service to Him. He is the source and the example of love shared between friends.

Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. … Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another (1 John 4:7, 11 NIV).

Lord God, Heavenly Father, bless our times together in service, witness, and study of Your Word. Help us through our LWML friends to find ways to support and encourage one another in our daily walk, keeping our eyes focused on You. In Jesus’ name we pray. AMEN.

(For resources like the one my friend wrote, check out www.lwml.org/program-helps. Devotions, Bible studies, litanies and planning helps are available free on the LWML website.)

Deaconess Betty Knapp

Vice President of Special Focus Ministries
Lutheran Women’s Missionary League

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