How many of you have been part of the planning process for a group, zone, district, or maybe even national gathering? Planning takes time, energy, ideas, creativity, and more. Whenever I’ve been privileged to be a part of planning for an event, a meeting and/or discussion, they begin with prayer because we have a God we can go to, rely on, and know that each phase of our planning is founded on Him.

Is the LWML any different? Absolutely not! What you see on our fabulous website comes from many dedicated conversations and meetings (usually via conference calls) founded on our Lord’s principles and designed to be uplifting and encouraging to all women. We serve the Lord with gladness, because God is good … all the time, and all the time … God is good! 

A while ago, my LWML group at my home church began planning an event to celebrate God’s love through our Baptism. We wanted to sponsor an event that would bring all members of God’s family together to celebrate the day we became part of His family. We encouraged all … women, men, and children … to come together for a celebration, a sharing of baptismal memories, and fellowship.

In looking for ideas, where did we go to find them? The LWML website, of course! Under The Word tab in the menu bar, we clicked on Program Helps and after the page opened, we scrolled down to the resource titled DEVOTIONS & DEVOTIONAL COLLECTIONS (see picture to the right), clicked on the picture, and were led to a wealth of possibilities.

We found a number of listings about baptism and chose a couple for our gathering. Make a Splash! was our opening devotion and CELEBRATE BAPTISM! was our closing.

Do visit our website often. As you do, may you also find just what you’re looking for as you plan and encourage one another in celebrating God’s goodness.

Char Kroemer

Vice President of Communication
Lutheran Women’s Missionary League

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Remember the LWML 37^th Biennial Convention in Albuquerque, NM? Remember our enthusiasm as we voted to pledge $2,075,000 to fund our 2017-2019 LWML Mission Goal?

Now, almost two years later we are approaching March 31, the last day to give offerings toward that mission goal. The time is now! Pray for our mite offerings, give toward mite offerings, and encourage others to participate in giving. Secure online giving is available on this website at lwml.org. A gift offering can be made by clicking on the Donate tab.

As we gather again, let’s rejoice that the mission grants have been funded, rejoice that God’s Word is reaching others with His saving Gospel message, and continue to pledge abundant blessings to God’s glory.

Come and celebrate with thanksgiving, “In Praise to the Lord” at the 38^th LWML Biennial Convention in Mobile, Alabama, June 20 – 23, 2019.

And a poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which make a penny. And Jesus called his disciples to him and said to them, ‘Truly, I say to you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the offering box” (Mark12: 42 – 43).

Jennifer Huecker

Vice President of Christian Life
Lutheran Women’s Missionary League

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I’ve always liked M&M candies.  It doesn’t matter what color, size, plain, mint, peanut, almond, peanut butter, or crunchy.  I like them all!  How about you?

Thinking about M&Ms got me thinking about the LWML and all the M&Ms incorporated within our framework. For example, there’s mission ministry, messages, mites, music, meetings, mentors, and magnificent relationships to name a few.

As you grab another handful of M&Ms, think about our LWML.

• Mission Ministry – Mission Grants with a goal of $2,075,000.
• Meaningful Meetings and motivational Bible studies chaired by our mentors.
• Messages sent through Media.
• Making Music - we sing unto the Lord. Oh come, let us sing to the Lord; let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation! (Psalm 95:1) for the many M&Ms we have in LWML. 

So, let’s put on our purple and gold team uniforms, and with team spirit enjoy some M&Ms as we join in convention in Mobile, June 20-23, 2019, “In Praise to the LORD!” For information about convention details, click here.

Marilyn Schroeder

Treasurer, 2015–2019
Lutheran Women’s Missionary League

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Do you understand God’s command to “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, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded of you” (Matthew 28:19)? Jesus gives this command and provides us the tools to make disciples: Baptism and His teachings.

The LWML—Lutheran Women in Mission—is engaged in that command. That is why our mission is to enable women to use their God-given gifts in ministry to the world. We are equipped to witness about Jesus ourselves and to assist with missions and our missionaries so that they can baptize and make disciples in locations where we can’t go.

Every two years we adopt at the LWML national convention a mission goal. Two years ago at our 75^th Anniversary Albuquerque convention we pledged $2,075,000 towards carrying out that command of Jesus. As of March 31, 2019 those two years are up! We still have grants that have not been funded. Grants that would carry out this command of Jesus.

Please pray for generous offerings over the next two months so that all our grants to our ministries around the world will be fully funded. Immerse yourself in Scripture. See how God’s work is accomplished through His Word. Ask God to assist you in carrying out your part of His great commission—your part of spreading His teachings. Then, do what you can to contribute the resources needed to aid our grant recipients to do the same.

A quote attributed to Saint Augustine says, “Pray as though everything depended on God. Work as though everything depended on you.”

See which grants are depending on us for funding and the current mission offering balance at http://www.lwml.org/mission-grants.

Patti Ross

President
Lutheran Women’s Missionary League

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One of the choices for the Friday Noon Info Gatherings at the 2019 LWML Convention in Mobile, Alabama is: Lunch with My Friends (Item S. on the convention registration form). To link to that form, click www.lwml.org/2019-convention. Even if you do not sign up to attend this specific choice of the Friday Noon Info Gatherings, since we are all sisters and brothers in Christ, we will be having lunch with friends at noon on June 21.

The Scripture readings which we heard in Church this week included:

• Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer (Psalm 19:14).
• For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body — Jews or Greeks, slaves or free — and all were made to drink of one Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:13).
• “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor” (Luke 4:18–19).

I invite you dear sisters and brothers, in one Spirit, to please join me in Mobile, Alabama as we rejoice in the 2019 LWML Convention goal, “Led by God’s power, praise and proclaim the Lord among all the nations.” 

Michelle Zollinger

Public Relations Director, 2017–2019
Lutheran Women’s Missionary League

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I heard someone remark in the grocery store line, “Well, Christmas is over.” I have put away my decorations but the celebration of Christmas is not over for me. For Christians, Christmas is a celebration of the birth of Christ — a little baby born in a stable destined to save His people from their sins. I observe Jesus’ birth because He brings me the hope of everlasting life and that hope becomes a daily celebration throughout the year.

Just as I observe the birth of my loved ones, I observe the birth of my Savior. And just as I grow daily in my relationships with my loved ones, by the power of the Holy Spirit I grow in my relationship with Jesus. I am blessed to make my Lord and Savior a part of my day through Bible study, prayer, and fellowship with other believers.

I invite you to let the wonder of that first Christmas fill each of your days. On this website you will find many Bible studies, devotions, and other resources to help you and your family and friends celebrate Christmas all year long!

In His service, filled with His joy,

Debbie Larson

Vice President of Organizational Resources
Lutheran Women’s Missionary League

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Epiphany is a huge celebration in Spanish-speaking countries. The center of the celebration around each home is the infant Jesus in the manger. On January 6th a small gold crown is placed on His head and a regal gown adorns el Niño Dios (the Christ Child). The figures of the wise men have reached Bethlehem, completing the nativity scene. The family then exchange gifts and a Rosca De Los Reyes Magos  (Pastry of the wise men) is served with hot chocolate.

In the book of Matthew, it says that the Magi traveled to Bethlehem led by the star to the house where Mary and Joseph resided with Jesus.  And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh (Matthew 2:11).

The wise men came bearing gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh after learning of Jesus’ birth and came to worship him. Epiphany is a special time to remember that Jesus was born to save all people of every nation!

As we begin a new year let us remember our promise to bear our gifts to support missions around the world. A world in dire need of a Savior!

The LWML website is rich with activities for a year's worth of mission service activities, laid out in one document for ease of use. www.lwml.org/posts/mission-servants-activities/2019-calendar

… wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him” (Matthew 2:1-2).

Angelina Jauregui

Vice President of Gospel Outreach
Lutheran Women’s Missionary League

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