Equipping the Saints (that’s you!)

Paul writes in Ephesians 4:11-12, And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ,

I, personally, would add writers, editors, reviewers, and organizers to that list! The Christian Resources Editors Committee, working with many writers, has provided two years of doctrinally-reviewed resources for your meetings, Bible studies, and events. They are grouped in monthly themes and include devotions, Bible studies, ice breakers, mission project ideas, and sketches.

The Time is NOW to check it out! The reSOURCEs for Planning Programs is available as a free download. Save it to your computer and print the pages you want to use, when you want to use them. Or you can order a print copy that is already 3-hole punched to fit in a binder. May these resources equip you for building up the body of Christ!

Eden Keefe

Vice President of Christian Life
Lutheran Women’s Missionary League

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Autumn Changes

This week we officially transition between summer and winter. Fall: the season where we relish cooling temperatures and vibrant colors displayed on changing leaves.

God’s Word reminds us our lives here on earth are temporary, but God and His Word endure forever: for “All flesh is like grass and all its glory like the flower of grass. The grass withers, and the flower falls, but the word of the Lord remains forever” (1 Peter 1:24-25).

The changing seasons of the calendar year or in our circumstances of life can’t shake the promise of God and His love. Take hope in the salvation message of Christ: For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 8:38-39).

Carol von Soosten

Public Relations Director
Lutheran Women’s Missionary League

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Going Around in Circles

Being from Texas, I have had very little experience with roundabouts. If you don’t pay attention, you could drive around in circles forever. I am used to stop signs and stop lights. Speaking of roundabouts, the Devil loves them. No, not the traffic kind, but the endless repetitiveness of our pet sins.

Paul, under inspiration, wrote, “No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it” (1 Corinthians 10:13). God has already defeated the Devil. He sent His beloved Son to live, die, and rise again for you! Of course, He will give you an escape route from temptation.

Next time you are sitting at a stop sign, a stop light, or entering a roundabout; STOP a second and thank God that He is with you during each temptation you face.

Cheryl Mattil

Strategic Plan Facilitator
Lutheran Women’s Missionary League

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Opportunity Knocks!

When the youngest participant in your society is 50 years old and there are women in your congregation in their 20’s, 30’s, and 40’s, this is an opportunity to encourage and mentor younger women to connect and grow in relationships as sisters in Christ.

As The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod membership becomes multicultural, the LWML has the opportunity to motivate, equip, challenge, and ensure opportunities for women of diverse ethnic groups to serve the church. We do this through the Heart to Heart Sisters Program.

We also have the opportunity to connect, support and engage our church workers in the mission of the LWML.

The Time is NOW to be welcoming and encouraging as we share the love of Christ with others.

As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace (1 Peter 4:10).

Kaye Dumas Wolff

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

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A Joyful Family Reunion

This summer has been full of reunions. Reunions with many during the LWML Convention, reunions with family, and reunions with friends from far away have filled my days. Getting together involves packing, traveling, eating too much, and even a little tension at times. This has been both fun and exhausting!

My thoughts are drawn to the reunion we will enjoy at life’s end when we will join our fellow-redeemed in heaven, praising our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in a joyful eternity. There will be no packing, no traveling, and no tension. There will be only peace and joy – and I will see Jesus face to face!

I love my family and friends and enjoy our time together. I also rejoice in the gift of faith that God has given me in my baptism. I thank God for the LWML, which provides resources for me to boldly share the Good News so all God’s children may look forward to a reunion in heaven!

“For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself” (Matthew 5:16).

Click here for mission opportunities.

Debbie Larson

Vice President of Organizational Resources
Lutheran Women’s Missionary League

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Connecting with Missions

Two months already! Two months since we gathered in Des Moines and celebrated with Bible studies, music, speakers, and God’s blessings through our mite offerings. Now we have taken up a new challenge. A two million dollar Mission Goal! With this goal, we have promised many agencies that we will support them through our Mite Box offerings and prayers.

Each one of our mission grants will be highlighted with a prayer, devotion, and short story. All of these will be posted, one by one, on our website as free downloads to encourage and share the mission work being done throughout the world.

Please try to connect with one or more of these recipients. Mission grant recipients get very excited to share their work for the Lord. President Patti has challenged each district to "adopt" at least one of our national grant recipients and get to know their work and how they do it. Maybe there is a grant recipient near you. Maybe you could have a guest speaker from one of our grant organizations at your district convention or other event. Check them out at http://www.lwml.org/mission-grants.

Let’s continue to share our theme: BOUNTIFUL! SOW. NOURISH. REAP

And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work (2 Corinthians 9:8 NIV).

Shelley Moeller

Vice President of Gospel Outreach
Lutheran Women’s Missionary League

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Painting Pictures

If you could paint a picture that highlights your 2015 summer experiences, what would fill your canvas? Would it be picture of a cross with dirt/seeds, growing corn, and then harvested corn?  That might be on the canvases of the 4600 LWML women and men who attended our LWML convention in Des Moines. Would yours be outdoor activities with family? Maybe your summer highlights canvas is waiting for upcoming events.

Unfortunately, every day our canvases are covered with the black of sin. But our heavenly Father loves us so much that we can start each day with a clean white canvas. His Son’s life, death, and resurrection have made us clean. The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness (Lamentations 3:22-23). May your day be filled with His mercies and may your canvas always bear the cross. This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it (Psalm 118:24).

Nancy Bogenhagen

Vice President of Communication
Lutheran Women’s Missionary League

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