Month: April 2019

bloghome, Lutheran Reflection, LWML Convention

Botanical Gardens

When I travel I never miss an opportunity to go to botanical gardens. I love flowers, plants, and trees. God has given us such beauty to surround us! Even in desert settings the variety of plants and how they live in that environment is amazing.

It’s azalea time in northeastern Oklahoma and I’m sharing some photos from around our house. Most of our azaleas are 15-20 years old. Apparently, the winter weather we had was just right for them because they are incredible this year. The rhododendrons are just ready to pop open.

Traveling is such an eye-opener to customs, environs, language and food! I want all of you to come to Mobile, Alabama for our LWML convention June 20-23, 2019. We will experience all of the formerly  mentioned eye-openers. Don’t say, “I don’t think I want to go there because I’ve never been there.” Instead say, “Wow, I want to go there because I’ve never been there before!” Experience something different than you have at home!

There are several tours of the area that you can go on while there. You’ll experience some of the southern ambiance at convention and more by going on several tours offered. Go to the website and see what you can sign up for. https://www.baycityconventions.com/lwml-2019-group-tours Thinking of going but not sure? Call your LWML District President and find out what her plans are. Sign up for a tour. Remember, “nothing ventured, nothing gained!”

I have a photo of my mother at the 1973 LWML convention in Mobile in front of Bellingrath Gardens. I hope to have the same photo taken this year!

Enjoy my azalea photos and if you do you will surely want to take this tour: Bellingrath Gardens and Home – Visit one of America’s most beautiful gardens and home built by Coca-Cola magnate, Walter Bellingrath. Gardens, multiple water features and fountains, such as the three-tiered Rose Garden fountain fill the once two-cabin river retreat that has been transformed into an amazing 65 acre estate. The home features antique furnishings collected from all over the world. Also on display is the world’s largest private collection of Boehm porcelains.

Be encouraged! Be engaged! Be Equipped! by attending your convention in Mobile, designed with your Christian growth and mission outreach in mind! And be sure to stop and smell the roses!

Patti

Sing to the Lord all the earth! Tell of his salvation from day to day. Declare his glory among the nations  (1 Chronicles 16:23-24a).

In Praise to the LORD!

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Christ is Risen! He is Risen Indeed! Alleluia!

What a glorious Easter service we had at church on Easter! So much music! Choir, bell choir, brass, and tympani, and our fantastic organist, Jacob Dengler! A little taste of heaven! The youth group, earning funds to attend the National Youth Gathering in Minneapolis this summer, served a giant Easter breakfast for the congregation. We saw many members who only make it to church a couple times a year and what a joy it was to see them worshiping with us again! I got to attend worship with my husband, Bill, son David’s family and our “extended family” of Christ the Redeemer Lutheran Church. (Son, John, is filming Portland and wasn’t able to come home).

We had Easter dinner at our house. Bill and I, David, Sarah, Adelaide, Jackson, and Charlotte. Joining us were John, Joan and Erin Busch, Camp Directors of our Lutheran Camp in Oklahoma, Camp Lutherhoma and our dear friends, Dave and Teresa Nightingale just returned from Hawaii. Conversation around the table was pretty dynamic! A wonderful day with the concluding remarks being “your family has been such a blessing in our lives” coming to and from each family around the circle.

One of the books I frequently pick up is The Spirituality of the Cross by Gene Edward Veith, Jr. I am reminded and give thanks for people like we spent the day with today in his chapter titled, “The Spirituality of Everyday Life”. He talks about “Luther’s common order of Christian love. This is the realm of the Good Samaritan, of friendship, of the everyday interactions of the people whom God has brought into your life and whom God calls you to love and to serve”.

I pray you had people to spend Easter with that you love and encourage. To be told you are a blessing to someone is huge! I hope you will be bold to tell people when they are a blessing to you. As women in LWML we encourage each other in the spirituality of our everyday lives through the Word of God, the service to others, and the expression of our joy in the Resurrected Christ!

He is Risen! He is Risen Indeed! Alleluia!

Patti

The Spirituality of the Cross, Gene Edward Veith, Jr., Concordia Publishing House.

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Gifts of Love

President Patti,
new Gift Planning Counselor Carol von Soosten, Gift Planning Counselor Linda Gage, new Gift Planning Advocates Beth Marth and Ann Carrick, and Gift Planning Counselor Pat Bilow.

I was fortunate to join our LWML Gift Planning Counselors, Gifts of Love Advocates and Supporters, and our Planned Giving Council last week in St. Louis, Missouri, April 10-13, 2019. These hard-working women received training and spent time preparing for the upcoming LWML Convention where they are excited about these opportunities to share information with you:

1. Contact your District President to register to attend the Thursday Gifts of Love pre-convention seminar,

2. Sign up and attend the Friday Gifts of Love luncheon,

3. Visit the Gifts of Love exhibit booth,

4. Attend the historic launch of the Legacy Circle at the kick off dinner on Saturday night. This is a special invitation dinner for those who have included LWML in your estate and/or gift plans. Contact our Gift Planning Counselors for more information. Will bequests and beneficiary designations can make a huge impact on Mites in the future to continue our mission work in the name of Christ. Many of LWML’s efforts this past biennium were linked to estate giving over the years. For example, the estate gift of 2 savings bonds years ago enabled us to move our offices and remodel with no use of Mite Box money!  

I didn’t realize how easy it is to work with an LWML Gift Planning Counselor and have them help you organize your estate. They do most of the work! Bill and I are putting our plan in place with the help of one of our Gift Planning Counselors.  We learned there are many options available to us that bless both our family and ministries. We are thrilled that our planning now will help LWML in the future to continue its important Gospel-focused work for generations to come. I encourage each of you to consider having one of our Gift Planning Counselors guide you in your planning. You’ll be glad you did, just as Bill and I are!  


Gifts of  Love Ministry training meeting last week in St.Louis

Contact LWML Gift Planning Counselors for more information at www.LWMLgiftplan.org or call 1-800-741-4138.  You can also email: Pat Bilow: pat.bilow@lfnd.org; Linda Gage: linda.gage@lfnd.org; or Carol von Soosten: carol.vonsoosten@lfnd.org

Patti

All your works shall give thanks to you, O LORD, and all your saints shall bless you! They shall speak of the glory of your kingdom and tell of your power, to make known to the children of man your mighty deeds, and the glorious splendor of your kingdom.  Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and your dominion endures throughout all generations (Psalm 145:10-13).

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More Bible Study! Yes!


LWML Executive Committee members are eager to welcome you to the
Mobile Convention Center, June 20-23, 2019!

One thing comes up on evaluations for all conventions whether it’s a district or national LWML convention or zone events and that’s, “Need more time for Bible study”. I know a lot of districts have Christian Life conferences or retreats. I hope yours does! We have a new women’s day retreat called, “Let’s Grab Our Shoes and Go!”

At our convention in Mobile this June, if you get up early, you can choose from eight Bible studies happening between 6:45-7:45 on Friday and Saturday mornings at the convention center before convention starts. Four each morning. The Saturday one conflicts with the Mission Walk but we know not everyone can do the Walk so why not go study God’s Word? Or you can walk really early or fast and make it to one. Here’s the list of what’s being offered. Thanks to these Bible study leaders who are volunteering their time and sharing their knowledge to lead these studies.

Yes, I know that it will still show up on the evaluations but it’s a great sign that LWML women LOVE to study God’s Word—our mission inspiration!—we never get enough!

Friday, June 21, 2019

  1. An LWML Bible Study, led by Terri Bentley from the new retreat, “Let’s Grab Our Shoes and Go”.
  2. A Spanish-language LWML Bible Study, led by Deaconess Marta Luna.
  3. A CPH-sponsored Bible Study, led by Christina Hergenrader entitled “Create Olive Branches in Your Family Tree”.
  4. An LWML Bible Study, led by Karol Selle entitled “A Missionary? Me?”. 

Saturday, June 22, 2019

  1. Bible study led by author/speaker Donna Pyle, “Perseverance: A Prayer Battle Plan”.
  2. A Bible Study led by the LCMS Black Ministries Director, Rev. Dr. Roosevelt Gray
  3. Ministry to the Armed Forces Bible study by Chaplain Craig Muehler.
  4. A CPH-sponsored Bible Study, led by Deb Burma entitled “JOY! -Philippians, the Letter of Joy”. 

Hoping to see you in Mobile! Patti

“If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (John 8:31-32)


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March Madness to March Gladness!!

Last week I wrote about it being a week of March Madness as we worked hard to make our Mission Goal with one week left. Today I can happily report that we will be celebrating last week as a week of March Gladness! You did it! The Goal was met and although we have not gotten our reconciled numbers yet from our LWML accountants and Treasurer, Marilyn, we did make it and I think went a bit over!

To God be the Glory, His Grace and blessings are immeasurable! May the funding of our Mission Goal make an eternal difference in people’s lives! Praise be to God!

We will be sharing exact amounts with you probably by the end of the week so watch the LWML website and LWML Facebook!

It was a week of March Gladness for me as I got to award several grant checks for you in St. Louis. LWML was celebrated at the LCMS International Center with a reception and lunch. The final three grants going to the LCMS were awarded after Chapel services. The Sierra Leone Seminary received $20,000 for upkeep and remodeling of student facilities. The LCMS Medical Missions received $25,000 to scholarship nursing students on mission trips. The Deaconess Ministry received $7,000 for Liberian deaconess training. Lots of smiles all around!

President Patti delivering a grant check

Later that day at the Seminary Library, a grant check for $40,000 was presented for African Graduate Student Scholarships. It was another very happy group attending!

Monday evening, LWML hosted a dinner and program at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, for Vicars, Deaconess Interns and spouses. This was a great opportunity to talk about LWML with these new church workers before they go out to many of your congregations next year. I pray they will find welcoming LWML groups who will invite them to come and see what LWML is all about and see how we can partner with them in ministry. About 113 people attended, including Seminary President and Mrs. Dale Meyer.  Along with me were LWML PR Director, Michelle Zollinger, who did most of the planning, LWML Business Manager, Vanessa Johnson, and LWML Administrative Coordinator, Karen Andersen. Those attending were presented gift cards from LWML.

I wish you all could have been with me to feel the “gladness” at these events! You all made that possible. Whether large or small, given with love and prayer, your Mite Box offerings have impacted many lives during last week’s March Gladness!

Let’s continue to Serve the Lord with Gladness as we start the next biennium! Come to convention in Mobile, Alabama, June 20-23 and get excited about mission outreach! Come and be part of choosing the next mission grants. Elect a new President and other officers. Jump start our 2019-2021 Mission Goal by participating in the Mission Pledge Walk, the Golf Tournament, and bring an offering for the Mission Goal at the Opening Worship.

See you there!

Patti

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