2017 A New Year: Time to Take Stock

Now that we’ve survived the first month of 2017, I like many of you, are likely taking stock of what seemed like some really good personal new year’s resolutions. Perhaps you’ve already given up on one or two of them. Don’t do that, especially if spending time with God in daily devotions and growing in His Word is one of those resolutions.

It’s not too late to take stock of what’s available at your fingertips on the LWML website, and on the store shelf, to energize and inspire you for your spiritual growth. There are many excellent Bible studies, devotions, tracts, and periodicals for your society and zone as well. Check out the website:  www.lwml.org

It’s a new year and certainly a good time for you to take stock and engage with God on a more personal level. Spend time with Him. You are precious to God. 

Marilyn Schroeder

Treasurer, 2015-2019
Lutheran Women’s Missionary League

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2017 To Do List

In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly (Psalm 5:3 NIV).

Years ago I learned I do much better with a “To Do List” rather than a resolution list for each New Year.

Here’s a sneak peek at a few of my “to do” items for early in 2017. Are these on your list?

• January 2: LWML Convention Hotel Reservations opened. Check out the information at http://www.lwml.org/2017-convention. Talk to friends and reserve a hotel room now!    
• February 1: Early Convention Registration opens. Register for convention and select a Friday Noon Info. Gathering and Saturday Special Interest Luncheon session. Pray for everyone attending convention during this special 75^th anniversary year!
• March 14: Regular Convention Registration opens. Check with women in my congregation to see if they registered and are making plans to go to convention and the Saturday night “Diamond Dazzle” event for the 75^th anniversary.
• March 15: Gather final Mite Box offerings to send in for the 2015–2017 Mission Goal. (March 31, 2017 is the deadline.) We still need to fund, “Bringing the Gospel to the Lost Sheep of Israel” to help spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Use the online link at http://www.lwml.org/donate-online to help.

Carol von Soosten

Public Relations Director
Lutheran Women’s Missionary League

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Building the Future Today

The Latino confirmation class of Hope Lutheran Church, Woodburn, Oregon was introduced to the work of the LWML by Oregon District President Carmen Nagel. DP Carmen shared the mission and ministry, and the history of the Mite Box with the youth, along with members of the Hope Ladies Aid LWML Society. These young ladies will be mentored as LWML YOUth in Mission. They will be included in the planning for the District Retreat, and the 2018 District Convention. It is not too early, and never too late, to include the youth of your congregation in your society’s activity. Our youth are our future. They have a lot to offer, to teach, and to learn.

To hold true to our 2015–2017 Primary Focus, let us always be mindful to include our youth, young women, and multicultural sisters in our LWML group activities. Follow the hyperlinks for more information. If you have something new to share, please contact us at depsfm@lwml.org.

Kaye Dumas Wolff

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

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A New Year – An Everlasting Promise

Jesus said, Do not be anxious… But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you (Matthew 6:31a, 33). As Christians we know we should trust God in everything, but as sinners we do worry.

God sent His Son Jesus and sacrificed His life for the purpose of saving us from our sins. Jesus rose from the dead defeating sin, death, and the power of the devil for us. By faith we know this to be true, and yet we worry, or doubt, and even ignore this great story of salvation in our daily journey through this life.

Today and every day, by God’s grace, let’s follow His direction, seeking first His kingdom, and trusting in His promises. In this gift of faith, we will find peace and true joy!

Each day we are given opportunities to seek His kingdom and share Jesus with others. How may we do this? One way is to sign up for free Mustard Seed Daily email devotions at http://www.lwml.org/mustard-seed-devotions. Check out all LWML devotional resources at http://www.lwml.org/program-helps.

Seeking God and trusting His promises,

Debbie Larson

Vice President of Organizational Resources
Lutheran Women’s Missionary League

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Have You Been Counting the Days?

Have you been counting these days? We are actually in the twelve days of Christmas now.  Epiphany is at the end of the twelve days. Our family tradition was to add the baby Jesus to the nativity scene on Christmas Eve and then wait twelve more days to add the Magi.  This helped remind us that Christ is given to the Gentiles also.

Keeping Christ in Christmas is getting difficult these days. However, keeping our focus on the facts of our Savior’s birth, death, and resurrection is most important. Jesus is not only THE reason for the season, he has A reason for coming.

Have you had the opportunity to share with someone the reason Jesus came to all of us? Begin by simply sharing a cup of coffee or tea with them. Reflect Jesus’ love through unassuming acts of kindness. This may open the door to conversations where you can share God’s saving grace. For more tips, go to http://www.lwml.org/free-resources/2015/7/just-a-cup-of-coffee.

Shelley Moeller

Vice President of Gospel Outreach
Lutheran Women’s Missionary League

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Christmas

 What a joyous season! Christmas marks God’s gift of love to us in His Son. Notice how the Apostle Paul wrote of it in his letter to Titus: “But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, He saved us” (Titus 3). Paul writes in an interesting way here … did you catch it? We know that God is love and of His nature is an aspect of divine kindness, but here we see the expression of His love and kindness through the appearing of His Son in human flesh. What a gift! Because of sin and every evil we need a Savior. In His love and kindness, the answer was Jesus. By His perfect life, His sacrificial death on a cross, and His resurrection from the dead, forgiveness of sin, life and salvation have been won for all. Jesus’ appearing brought joy to the angels and true peace on earth. Rejoice and be glad, this gift is for you!

It is truly 'Jesus Christ Above All' that makes this Christmas Season one of great rejoicing. Let’s carry this joy forward throughout this coming year as we celebrate the 75^th Anniversary of The Lutheran Women’s Missionary League in Albuquerque, NM. Set aside the dates and join in on a chorus of praise to the Lord. Joy to the World, the Lord is come!

Rev. Robert Mundahl

Junior Counselor
Lutheran Women’s Missionary League

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User Friendly

User-friendly. It’s a common term these days, implying that something is easy to use. The LWML has amazing resources — and we certainly want them to be user-friendly! One of the recent changes for program helps — those FREE downloadable devotions, Bible studies, and sketches — has been to organize them with descriptor “tags” in a few new categories.

• programs/collections
• litanies/responsive readings
• retreats/workshops

As you plan for the New Year we hope this new, user-friendly format will be beneficial to you!

Eden Keefe

Vice President of Christian Life
Lutheran Women’s Missionary League

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