Menu

Weekly article

RSS Feed

Holy Saturday

null

Holy Week waits in relative silence on Saturday. The tomb has been sealed, the guards stand watch, the disciples likely hide in confusion, fear, and devastation. And the Savior lies lifeless, having surrendered all to save his people from their sins.

Holy Saturday. A pause. A space between Good Friday and Easter. A full tomb and, except for the guard, an empty garden. Still. Silent.

Now 2,000 years later … oftentimes, this Holy Saturday is just another day of preparation for Easter Sunday. The youth group needs to get ready for the Easter breakfast. The altar guild is busy arranging lilies and preparing the altar. Grocery stores are filled. Eggs are dyed. We are occupied with busy anticipation. We have moved on from Good Friday. So, what is the rest of the story?

The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Corinthians 15:56–57)

We know the rest of the story. He is risen! He is risen indeed!

 

null

 

The Hour of Darkness

null“When I survey the wondrous cross On which the Prince of Glory died, My richest gain I count but loss And pour contempt on all my pride” (LSB 425:1). There can be no doubt — Christ had it all. He is the Prince of Glory. Our Savior also gave it all. Isaiah 53 tells us He was stricken, smitten, afflicted, pierced, crushed, punished, led like a Lamb to the slaughter, cut off from the land of the living, and assigned a grave with the wicked. And Jesus delivers it all! The absolution declares it. The baptismal font seals it. The Holy Communion table celebrates it. This is the “good” in Good Friday! When these great truths strike our hearts, we cannot help but sing, “Were the whole realm of nature mine, That were a tribute far too small; Love so amazing, so divine, Demands my soul, my life, my all!” (LSB 425:4).

 

null

 

“He Prepares A Table … For You!”

nullThursday: The night on which Jesus was betrayed. The night on which the King served and washed His own with water and Word. The night on which the Lamb of God shared with His disciples the very body and blood that gives them life. As we gather together on this night, we remember Him. We remember the One who loves, who serves, who forgives, and who calls us to do the same. Gathered in the name and remembrance of Jesus on this Holy Thursday, may He ready our hearts to receive what is His alone to give … “Take, eat; this is my body … Drink of it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.” (Matthew 26:26b and 27b-28) ESV 

 

null

 

Details, Details, Details …

nullLots to think about as you make plans for the LWML Biennial Convention, June 22–25, 2017, in Albuquerque, NM. Some things to contemplate:

  • Train, plane, car, or maybe district bus?
  • Sign up for a pre/post convention tour?
  • Make hotel reservation
  • Order a convention shirt
  • Tee Up for Mites and/or Mission in Motion Walk?
  • Shop for Gifts from the Heart
  • Servant Events, Noon Gatherings, etc.
  • What to wear, especially to the Saturday night "Diamond Dazzle"

Information on all this and more are available in the convention insert of the Winter issue of the Lutheran Woman's Quarterly or online at www.lwml.org/2017-convention

Another important item to consider is your gift to the LWML 75th Anniversary Thank Offering for the Endowment that will help continue the legacy of LWML. Donations may be made online at www.lwml.org/donate-endowment-fund, or mailed to the LWML office at 3558 S. Jefferson Ave., St Louis MO 63118. Please note the donation as LWML 75th Anniversary Thank Offering.

null

Praise God for His Faithfulness

Lutheran Women in Mission  across the United States have united in the common desire to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ throughout the world. As of March 31, 2017, our Mission Goal for 2015–2017 has been met! Praise God for His faithfulness and the determination of faithful women to raise over $2 million for mission grants! A final total will be released next week after all contributions with a postmark of March 31 have been totaled. Many thanks to all who shared their blessings with others through LWML mission grants.

null

Please take a moment to thank our Lord with words from our Lutheran Service Book.

Thank the Lord and sing His praise; Tell everyone what He has done.
Let everyone who seeks the Lord rejoice and proudly bear His name.
He recalls His promises and leads His people forth in joy with shouts of thanksgiving.
Alleluia, alleluia.

Serving with Gladness!
Patti

null

Who Are They?

Two years ago LWML Lutheran Women in Mission voted to raise $2 million by March 31 of this year to fund 19 mission grants. Why did they do that? They are dedicated to what Jesus tells his followers to do, “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 you” Matthew 28:19.

Who have been working to raise $2 million dollars over the past 2 years, with God’s blessing and help? Lutheran Women in Mission — regular women like you and me. No “Wonder Woman” appears to write a $2 million dollar check. We haven’t found the ultimate fundraising strategy. Women (and men) across the United States unite to fill mission Mite Boxes with money above and beyond their regular gifts to their church. Prayers go along with those offerings.

Let us praise God and pray for His blessing as we enter the final week of receiving offerings for our $2 million goal. 

Serving with Gladness,
Patti

null

Faith-raiser or Fundraiser?

A while back, President Patti asked members of the LWML Executive Committee to describe a missionary. Obviously, the responses were varied.

One of the responses, “A missionary is a faith-raiser, not a fundraiser”, however, I wonder if we aren’t both.

null

LWML’s adopted Mission Grants are great examples of missionaries in action. You and me! Sharing His love, including our monetary gifts, to help bring His saving light into a very dark world. As a Missionary, even one in training, we are able to live out our Christian life in mission ministries and support of missions in and around the world.

The spring issue of the Lutheran Woman’s Quarterly highlights four Mission Grants from this biennium that are still in need of our financial support. We are called to be the Light of the World and Christ’s witnesses through acts of mercy. Let’s share God’s light through prayer and monetary support. We are faith-raisers and fundraisers.

null

Posts

LWML Resources