Who would think to make a crown of thorns to put on someone’s head? That is just plain cruel. Yet, the guards who watched over Jesus, those who taunted Him, made fun of Him and mocked Him did just that. They wove together a crown made of thorns. Then, in an act of complete mockery, they placed the crown upon His head.

Placed it on His head. I doubt if it was that easy. I have a crown of thorns that was given to me many years ago. Every year during Holy Week, I will take that crown out. I hold it in my hands and imagine what it must have been like to have that placed on Jesus’ head. I will gingerly place it on my head, careful to not let the thorns pierce my skin. Then I think about how they must have jammed that crown upon His head. The agony, the pain, the blood, the tears, the laughter, yes, laughter as they watched this “King of the Jews” cringe under the pain of that crown.

He wore that crown so that you and I can wear another crown. In Revelation 2:10, we hear Jesus say, “Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.” Through faith in Jesus Christ, you and I are given a crown to wear. It is not a crown of thorns to cause us to suffer but it is a crown of life, glorious life eternal, a crown of one who is given eternal life. We wear this crown while He wears the crown of thorns. It doesn’t seem right.

He does that to take our place. He suffered in our stead. He bore the pain of our sins and gives to us the joys of eternal life. A crown of thorns worn by the Son of God, so that the sinner, you and me, might be given the crown of life. Thank You Jesus for loving me so much, that You have taken all my punishment and have given me Your righteousness.

 May the Lord grant you a blessed Good Friday,

Rev. Mitchel Schuessler

Junior Counselor
Lutheran Women’s Missionary League

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I'm already getting a little excited for our Mobile, Alabama, Convention. To be engaged in the ceremonies that lead us In Praise to the LORD and to enjoy the fellowship of everyone who comes for this gathering, will be a highlight for me in 2019. I can envision the crowds gathering together, singing their praises, and proclaiming their heartfelt thanks to God for His blessings to them in Christ Jesus, our Savior.

As we begin Holy Week with this Sunday of the Palms I am reminded of another gathering of praise. As Jesus began to enter into Jerusalem the crowds went out to meet Him. With branches from Palm trees they hailed Jesus: “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel!” (John 12) The people longed for God to bless them and to encourage them in their life of faith. Their joy that day was seen In Praise to the LORD.

Check out the plans that are being developed for our gathering this summer and get ready for a time of praise and celebration. To God be all the glory. 

Rev. Robert Mundahl

Senior Counselor
Lutheran Women’s Missionary League

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It’s my extreme delight to announce that the 2017-2019 Mission Goal of LWML—Lutheran Women in Mission has been fully funded! Thanks be to God for His generosity and the generous offerings from men and women all over the United States as they faithfully filled their mission Mite Boxes and gave offerings towards this goal. Twenty-two ministries have received complete grants. To read about those grants click here.

Going forward into our new biennium, delegates will meet in Mobile, Alabama, at the 2019 LWML Convention, June 20-23 to vote on a new Mission Goal and select new grant recipients from a list of 31. What an exciting time in LWML! Register now to take part in that convention.

It’s easy to say, let’s not increase our goal and make it not such a push to get the goal funded. However, now more than ever, our families, our church, and our world are in greater need of the saving Gospel message than ever before. We, as Lutheran Women in Mission can and will meet the challenge to make sure that God’s Word, by the power of the Holy Spirit, gets shared around the world. Whether that is done by us as individuals, by LWML programming and resources, or by the ministries we support through our grants, we will do it! We are up to the next challenge!

Please join me in the following prayer written by our LWML Counselor, Rev. Robert Mundahl.

Dear gracious heavenly Father, we thank you for your great love to us through your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior. Through Him we have forgiveness of sins, life and salvation. As Lutheran Women in Mission our goal is to make this truth known all over the world. By the collection of Mite Box offerings over the past two years you have blessed us to raise the funds necessary to meet our Mission Goal of $2,075,000. Praise God! This has allowed us to supply the resources needed for missions and missionaries selected at the 2017 Albuquerque Convention.

As the Psalmist writes: Enter His gates with thanksgiving, and His courts with praise! Give thanks to Him; bless His name! For the Lord is good; His steadfast love endures forever, and His faithfulness to all generations, may we always remember God's faithfulness to us and every generation and in great joy, bless His name forever and ever.  Amen.

Patti Ross

President
Lutheran Women’s Missionary League

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Praise to the Lord, the Almighty, the King of creation!
O my soul, praise Him, for He is your health and salvation!
Let all who hear Now to His temple draw near,
Joining in glad adoration! LSB hymn #790 verse 1

Twenty-two years ago my husband and I moved to Monroe, Louisiana, where there is only one LCMS church. I was asked on several occasions at various public places by people of different religious denominations, “Have you found a home church?” Living in the South, this is not an uncommon question to be asked in the grocery store, doctors’ office waiting room, line at the post office, etc. Many wanted to invite us to their home church and share the Gospel message. Similarly, as Lutheran Women in Mission, we could invite and welcome others to our Lutheran churches in our communities.

Today, I extend an invitation to you to join the many thousands, “In Praise to the LORD!” as we worship together, Thursday evening, June 20, 2019 in Mobile, Alabama. Please take the opportunity to extend this same invitation to others including the Mobile area to join you in praising the Lord. Visit www.lwml.org/2019-convention for more information.

Praise to the Lord! O let all that is in me adore Him!
All that has life and breath, come now with praises before Him!
Let the Amen Sound from His people again;
Gladly forever adore Him! LSB hymn #790 verse 5

Michelle Zollinger

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

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This pin was designed to give to the Young Woman Representative (YWR).

The double links represent LWML women of all ages who are joyfully united in spirit and purpose. While each member is different, in Christ all are linked together, complementing one another’s gifts, talents, and strengths. As we read of the description of the pin, it leads us back to our mission, vision, and primary focus statements.  It is by God’s grace that we do what we do, and we are what we are. As Lutheran Women in Mission, we are young, younger, and young at heart, deaf and hard-of-hearing (HOH), and blind and sight challenged. We come from every nation. We all have unique gifts, sharing experiences, equipping and encouraging one another. At our upcoming 38^th Biennial Convention in Mobile, Alabama, we will have a flag procession on Saturday with our Young Women (YWRs), Heart to Heart Sisters (H2H), and YOUth in mission carrying flags representing the 77 countries that the LWML has supported through grants over our 77 years of serving the Lord with gladness. This year, we will add the Native American Flag which will be carried by a Native American Heart to Heart Sister. Yay! If you have not yet registered for the convention, please do so. Plan it as a family vacation linking us together through the love of Christ.

Click on the underlined words above to link you to more information about our mission.

Kaye Wolff

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

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Daylight Savings Time strikes again! In the wee hours of Sunday, March 10, we seemed to lose an hour of time. Where did that hour go? How do we measure its value?

Scripture often references the period of an hour:
“And which of you, by being anxious, can add a single hour to your span of life?” (Matthew 6:27). Throughout history, man has endeavored to live longer. As Christians, we know this world is not our home and we look forward to eternity with our Father in heaven.

Another reference from Scripture:
And He came to the disciples and found them sleeping. And He said to Peter, “Could you not watch with me one hour?” (Matthew 26:40). Instead of losing hours, however unintentionally, let’s strive, with the help of the Spirit, to always be using our time to the glory of our Savior!

Let’s begin each day in prayer, let’s serve Him by serving others, let’s tell of His grace and mercy, let’s share what God has given to us with others. Use this website to glean ideas and encouragement on how to do just that. Find prayers, service ideas, encouragement, and giving opportunities within these pages.

Let’s use our time in a manner pleasing to Him.

In His service, filled with His joy,

Debbie Larson

Vice President of Organizational Resources
Lutheran Women’s Missionary League

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DID YOU KNOW SAINT PATRICK WAS A CHRISTIAN MISSIONARY?

Saint Patrick’s Day is in honor of Saint Patrick, the missionary who brought Christianity to the Emerald Isles, as Ireland is known. It is truly a day of celebrating Irish history, ancestry, traditions, and customs.

The main priority of a missionary is to bring the Gospel of Jesus Christ our Savior to all people of the world who have never heard of His saving grace and Good News. There are many LCMS missionaries stationed all over the world and they are far away from their families.

LWML supports missionaries throughout the world. This month celebrate Saint Patrick’s Day by praying for our missionaries and send them a card of encouragement. Put a donation in your Mite Box to support LWML Mission Grants. Check out www.lcms.org/prayercards or call 1-888-843-5367 to find out about each missionary family and prayer requests.

And he said to them, "The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore, pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest" (Luke 10:2).

Angelina Jauregui

Vice President of Gospel Outreach
Lutheran Women’s Missionary League

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