Lutheran Reflection

My Favorite Part of the Lutheran Woman’s Quarterly

 

Sheila Lutz

Sheila Lutz

Do you receive the Lutheran Woman’s Quarterly? That is our LWML magazine published four times a year (quarterly) for all women–not just Lutheran women and not just women participating in LWML. It is a great magazine. It has feature articles, mission grant updates, Bible studies (one is always translated into Spanish), news from LWML groups, a note from the Gifts of Love team and updates on new “witness wear” or resources.

My favorite part of the magazine takes up one column on one page. It’s called “Praying the Psalms”. Christian Living Editor, Sheila Lutz, takes a Psalm each issue and reflects on the text in poetic form. I take out my Bible and read the psalm she has selected and then read her phrasing of the verses. It becomes a study of what the psalmist is saying to us! Above all, it is beautiful to read.

I’ve often told Sheila, who is currently working on the Quarterly and also serving as LWML District President of Central Illinois District, that I love her reflections. She will tell you that she doesn’t always know what she will write but the Holy Spirit guides her as she sets about her task.I strongly urge you to read this part of the Quarterly and see if you will agree with me that it is a wonderful part of a wonderful magazine.

 

Lutheran Woman's Quarterly

Lutheran Woman’s Quarterly

This magazine is available in print or electronically. Every woman should receive a copy and find their own favorite part. Praise God for women who use their unique God-given gifts to encourage the rest of us in our faith walk! This is what LWML is blessed to do.

What is your favorite part of the Quarterly? We’d love to hear from you!

 

Blessed to serve with all of you,

Patti

 

Lutheran Women in Mission

Diving into His Word Part II

Karen Kolke is a member of Christ Lutheran, Albuquerque, NM. She will be an airport greeter for those of you flying to our June 22–25, 2017 LWML 75th Anniversary Convention. She also enjoys working as an LHM Petal Pusher every December! I have invited her to share her Diving into His Word story here:

My husband Jerry and I were involved in a very serious car accident 25 years ago. There were many prayers said for us. Those prayers were answered according to God’s Will.

The accident left me in a wheelchair, but I don’t let that hold me back! After the accident, I did a lot of water therapy. This gave me strength in my quads to move and stand; however, I don’t have any balance to walk.  In the water you are buoyant and don’t need any balance — what a freedom!

My husband convinced me to learn to scuba dive. This really opened up my world to traveling with my dive buddies and seeing “God’s Amazing Underwater Aquarium!”

I love to scuba dive … it is always an adventure diving into God’s Underwater Aquarium! To drop into the water and be free … free from the world above with its noise and seemingly endless problems and distractions — to be free from anything touching me, namely my wheelchair. When I am underwater there is no difference between me and anyone else. I don’t use regular fins on my feet, but I have webbed gloves that I use for my propulsion. There is no noise, your thoughts go right to the wonder of God and His workmanship. You see the brightly colored fish, the imagination that God had for the shapes, sizes, and beauty of a world that many will never see.

In one coral cave there was a wooden cross placed on a shelf with memorabilia around it. The cross replaced a cross-shaped coral that was broken off during hurricane Wilma. I had seen this cross — it was beautiful! Life changes above the water and below. God is always there through the easy times and the hard times. Changes occur, but God’s love is constant. There is such a peace underwater, I feel closer to God when I am on a dive trip. That freedom and peace fills me up, I take that back with me to the world above. When your focus is on God and His workmanship, the world is an easier place to be.

Missions for God

Diving into His Word

Imagine slightly claustrophobic me when my husband asked if I would consider taking scuba diving lessons along with our three children! Not a rousing “let’s go” from me, but sounded like an adventure. So began a family sport and 26 years later we are still diving! God has always used my husband, Bill, to push me, encourage me and love me.

So I find myself on a heaving dive boat, strapping on at least 25 pounds of gear, trying to balance on a slippery deck and making my way to the jump off area with fins on! Are we having fun yet? Jump in, try airing up the vest, adjusting mask, salt water in your mouth, fighting wind and sometimes rain, waiting to go down.

Going down takes some effort. Do I have enough weights on, are my ears equalizing, is my mask fogging up? Then at about 35 feet, all is adjusting and it’s clear descent from there on down. Now I am surrounded by the peace and beauty of God’s creation underwater. I focus on the tiny creatures with unique colors, shapes and hideouts. The beautiful shapes and colors of the corals serve as background for turtles and barracuda, while the sandy bottom hides rays and flounder and eels.

At times life feels like being on that rocking boat and being swamped by salty waves, doesn’t it! And working on LWML business can feel like that at times, too! But getting through those times is like being on the dive boat. If you keep going, heavy load and all, and get in, just 35 feet down things are going to be calm and peaceful. The only place you’ll find peace in the midst of life’s storms, is through the in-depth experience with God—a deeper relationship. Diving into His Word, going deeper into your prayer life, can bring peace that “passes understanding”.

Has someone urged you to take on something that puts you in a rocking boat? Feeling unsteady? Keep going and dive deeper into God’s peace that He wants you to enjoy! Experience it and then share it!

Calling on all LWML scuba divers! Let me hear from you!

Missions for God

Reflections on Best Practices for Ministry

Last week I joined over 2,000 Lutherans at the Best Practices for Ministry event in Phoenix, Arizona. The three day conference provided engaging and inspiring ideas to help support our missions for God. The keynote speakers provided wonderful Christ-filled messages and reminded us of the importance of love and grace for one another.

As we enter the final month to reach our 2015–2017 Mission Goal, let us be reminded that in addition to your financial support, love and grace are needed for these missions. We are $117,736 away from the financial goal that must be met by March 31, 2017, but let’s also focus on spreading Christ’s love to one another.

Many of the speakers at the Best Practices in Ministry event talked about the challenges of engaging Millennials, those between the ages of 18 and 35. It seems to be a unified concern that the younger generation must be engaged now. Here are some of our ideas for meeting that challenge:

-Develop Podcasts;

-Build social media platforms;

-Be brief, not lengthy, in details and express the need right away; and

-Mentor these young adults to become leaders.

There are lots of good resources out there that offer ideas on how to engage the younger generation. Here’s an article I found helpful:

https://www.vanderbloemen.com/blog/churches-reach-millennials

By the end of the conference, as we reflected and prayed in the closing service, I felt inspired and optimistic about the future of LWML and the other Lutheran groups. Let’s all keep this next generation in our prayers. As long as we continue to support one another with love and grace, our future will flourish.

Pictured above are photos from Best Practices for Ministry from left to right:  Vicar Tim Norton a featured speaker for the LWML Convention and I; Me, Kelley Young, Carol von Soosten, and Ashley Jenkins presented a session on How to Engage, Encourage, Equip, and Enjoy Serving the Lord with Gladness in YOUR Mission Field; My presentation to a group of ladies at Best Practices on How to Engage, Encourage, Equip, and Enjoy serving the Lord with Gladness in YOUR Mission Field.

 

Lutheran Reflection

My Dream Missionary Job Would Be…

Do you see yourself as called by God to make known the love of Christ by word and deed within our churches, communities, and the world? And part of a league that enables Lutheran women to use their gifts in ministry to the people of the world?

I hope you do! Last week I asked the LWML national officers to complete the phrase,  A missionary is … Here are their thoughts

My dream missionary job would be …

… to be in a field that would help the elderly and mothers with young children.

… to go somewhere where I could help make a difference in sharing Jesus’ love with those eager to hear about Him.

… in Turkey … retracing Paul’s steps in the 1st century.

… trusting Christ fully, and love as He loved, knowing that the power of forgiveness and faith comes from God alone. My dream is not a place or a specific culture. My dream is trusting that God will work through me in His way, in His time, every day.

… going to an African or Asian country to work in an orphanage. I would hug and educate the children, teach daily Bible studies and start a church choir. (I might still have my chance on a short term mission opportunity)

… working in a medical mission setting outside the United States.

… locally spending time with women of all ages using visual faith resources to provide opportunities for faith talk, Christian encouragement, and a deeper understanding of their Savior. (Someday I want to go on a MOST mission trip! Or visit my cousins in Costa Rica where they oversee children’s homes.)

… to be a partner in the global mission field through Mission Central.

… to go to a difficult spiritual environment like Israel. Oh wait, God is already calling me to do this in 2019!

… where my husband and  I could work together to help build a community and share the Gospel. Like with Laborers for Christ and Disaster Relief. Travel is a bonus thus the disaster work. We’d even travel abroad rebuilding homes, churches, and schools. Bringing with us Bibles, Bible studies, and devotions to share with people.

And he (Jesus) said to them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few.” Luke 10:2

Lutheran Reflection

A Missionary Is…

At the LWML organizing convention July 7-8, 1942 at St. Stephen’s Lutheran Church in Chicago the delegates chose the name Lutheran Women’s Missionary League over the name Lutheran Women’s League. They noted that “missionary referred to the individual member, who would be encouraged and enabled to win and hold souls for the Master.”

We see from the very beginning of our organization that missionaries are not just “them”, they are “us”. I recently asked the LWML national officers to complete this phrase. I’ll share their answers. What would your answer be?

A missionary is …

… Me! I am a missionary. Sent by Christ’s command, I share the Gospel message, do servant events, and present educational opportunities and charity work as I am going throughout the states and while traveling abroad.

… someone inspired by the Holy Spirit to communicate the salvation of Jesus Christ through word or deed.

… anyone who shares the message of God’s grace and mercy.

… someone who seeks relationship with others in order to share the Gospel.

… one who reaches out to the lost and erring to make a difference in the Lord’s Kingdom here on earth.

… someone who is called by God to go to unbelieving areas to bring the good news of Jesus Christ.

… someone who steps out their door and talks about Jesus.

… a messenger bringing the hope found in Jesus Christ to the nations, one soul at a time, using their gifts, words, and actions.

… a faith-raiser, not a fundraiser.

… A disciple of Jesus Christ who is called to go where God has called him/her to go to give a witness to the Good News that Jesus Christ has died on the cross for everyone’s sins and came alive and rose from the grave for everyone’s eternal salvation. Jesus Christ IS Above All!

…  in the strictest sense, someone who leaves their home to share the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. In the simplest sense, someone with a heart to spread the Gospel and does so by their best means: prayer, giving time, and when possible, resources.

Next week we finish this phrase,

My dream missionary job would be …

 

Lutheran Reflection

Valentine from God

My Valentine cards are ready to give. The gifts for the grand kids are sitting on the dining room table. Now I just have to get through Monday, February 13. You see, two women who loved me unconditionally and cared about me both died and went to heaven on February 13. They passed on the same date but different years.

My mother, Anita Brase Mahnken, died of complications from breast cancer after several years of battling it. It finally wore her down and God called her home. She was ready but I wasn’t. She was active in church and LWML and loved her Lord. I never doubted her faith. I learned about Jesus from her. I learned about LWML from her. I thank God for her in my life.

My daughter, Gayle Anne Ross, died of complications from treatment for acute lymphocytic leukemia after battling it for four years. She was 18 and a senior in high school, planning to attend college in Chicago. She, too, was firm in her faith. I got to teach her about Jesus. I taught her about LWML. When she was little and went to meetings with me she called our group, “The ladies who eat cake”. I was loved by God through her.

I love the young women working on the LWML committees and in the LWML Office. I love talking with the Young Woman Representatives at conventions because they are my “Gayles” now.

I love remembering with older LWML women who have been such a big part of my faith walk over the years. We share experiences and some have shared working with my mother.

The loss and pain of separation remembered on the 13th gives way to the joy of knowing that we await a reunion in heaven. And that is because of the love of God in Christ Jesus in whom we have the hope of eternal life together with Him—just as my mother and daughter have.

So, my Valentine from God, “I have loved you with an everlasting love”, Jeremiah 31:3, waits for me on the 14th. There is one for you, too.

I know many of you have experienced sadness at the death of children or parents. Here are some of my favorite verses I relied on: John 11:25-26; Job 38:1-40:2; 1Thessalonians 4:13-18; Isaiah 40:11. Please write me if you feel a need to talk.

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Lutheran Women in Mission

A View from Behind the Scenes of the LHM Float – Part III

Yvette Seltz and I have given you our views from the float but I wanted to highlight what happens behind the scenes and all the preparation that goes into the Rose Parade. I invited Lynn Gast, LHM Float Committee Petal Pushers Chairman to share her story here:

Since the mid-80’s, Petal Pushers have come from all over the U.S. to decorate not only the Lutheran Hour Ministries float but other floats in the parade. For the 2017 Parade, over 4,500 Petal Pushers worked on seven floats. The value of this labor of love offsets a large portion of the cost of the Lutheran Hour Ministries float.

Petal Pushers work for a day, two days, or perhaps for the whole week leading up to the parade, which takes place on New Year’s Day (on January 2 if the first falls on a Sunday). Anyone 13 years or older can be a Petal Pusher. Some come as a group with their church, as a family unit, with their youth group or on their own. Once there, the Petal Pusher decorates the float in a variety of ways. Some do more detailed work with seeds, bark, or parts of flowers. Some actually push the tiny vials that hold a delicate flower into the polyvinyl material covering the float. Every inch of the float must be covered by natural materials. Sometimes there is a special call for volunteers who don’t mind being high up on the scaffolding. Sometimes there’s a call for people to prepare the flowers in the flower tent.

Often the Petal Pushers work alongside other volunteers on other floats providing many Christian witnessing opportunities. On Sundays, a church service is held next to the LHM float, and all who work in the building are welcome to join. AWs Petal Pushers check in for their shift we often remind them of the song, “They Will Know we are Christians by our Love.” That’s why these Petal Pushers come: to be a witness not just by preparing the float that will broadcast a message of God’s love to the world, but to be loving witnesses to those they work with in the Rose Palaces.

The Lutheran Hour Ministries Float Committee received an invitation to be in the 2018 Pasadena Tournament of Roses Parade, for the 68th time.  The Theme of the 2018 Parade is “Making a Difference.”

On Saturday, January 21st, while The LHM Float Committee was celebrating their past year’s efforts, they voted to accept the Tournament’s invitation and are beginning the process all over again to have a strong Christian Message to the World on New Year’s Day 2018.

Thank you to Yvette Seltz and Lynn Gast for sharing their stories about the Rose Parade. Join me next week as I discuss Valentines Day.

Pictured below Lynn and Dick Gast

Lutheran Women in Mission

A View from the Front of the LHM Float – Part II

One of my fellow riders on the Lutheran Hour Ministries Rose Parade float on January 2, 2017 was Yvette Seltz. It was interesting to hear her perspective of the crowd from her view from the LHM float so I have invited her to share her story with you. Here’s what Yvette had to share:

Parades are typically held for celebration or for military purposes which are quite declarative and ceremonial. I believe that our LHM float represented both — a celebration and a proclamation that Christ is with us. Indeed, my position next to my husband, Rev. Dr. Gregory Seltz, Speaker of the Lutheran Hour, had us seated at the right hand of Jesus, represented by Pastor Matthew Nolte, of St. Paul Lutheran Church, Agoura Hills, CA. Our unique position on the float allowed us to view people’s expressions as Jesus came into their sight. So many children shouted out “Jesus, I love you!” and “Happy Birthday Jesus!” Many posed for pictures with Jesus and people wanted Jesus to hand them a flower.

 

Riding in the front was exciting and a bit unnerving as one doesn’t know what to expect in terms of reactions. I was fully aware that I was being viewed and representing Lutheran Hour Ministries, our Church, and other Christian communities.  Being a pastor’s wife and being a Christian who chooses to share faith in Jesus is a lot like riding in my position on that float. We sit at His feet, we proclaim Him, and we open ourselves up for any reaction all for the sake of others.

 

I couldn’t help but notice the different expressions between socio-economic classes and our float. Those who were weary were not as joyfully expressive; rather, their expressions were more expressions of hope. You could almost see them breathe easier as our float paused before them. Christ’s message of peace, love, and hope brings real comfort. Dick Gast said, “The float is a billboard”, indeed it is. And it carries a priceless message.

Missions for God

A View from the Side of the LHM Float – Part 1

I must admit I was skeptical of the reception of the only Christian float in the Rose Parade in Southern California, an area known as a rather “uninterested-in-religion” area of the country. That the title of the float had been chosen to be “Celebrate Jesus” and would have someone portraying Jesus on it added to my feelings that it would probably be superseded by an advertisement on the TV stations. Was I surprised!

Coming around the first turn onto Colorado Avenue, Rev. Dr. Dale Meyer, sitting beside me sighed loudly and declared, “Oh, how I would love to preach to this crowd!” It was a fantastic crowd. Bundled up in the cold hundreds of people were waving, watching the floats, bands, horses and surfing dogs go by. Every so often we would come upon cheering and shouting “Petal Pushers” now in the audience to watch the float they had worked so hard on go by. We went by an area filled with a deaf audience and had a man signing information to them as he walked along in front of their section with the float.

Given my initial skepticism I was keyed in to the reaction of the crowd to the float. It was amazing. So much cheering — and they were cheering “Jesus”. I saw grown men and women cross themselves, men and women giving the thumbs up sign, yelling “thank you for having this float”, “pray for us, Jesus”, “we love you, Jesus”, “Jesus – you’re the man” and little children smiling and waving to him. There were sullen faces here and there but it was hard to tell if it was because of the cold and having to camp out overnight for their spot or if they had no expression because of worry, unhappiness or fear in their lives. It made me think of what the crowds in the real Jesus’ time must have been like when he came to town. I thought, “this must be what Palm Sunday was like for the disciples following behind Jesus.”

It truly was an incredible, once-in-a-lifetime experience. Probably worth the six hours of gluing dried lima beans onto the float while balancing on a 12 inch board 10 feet above the floor. If you ever need the lima bean queen to return, I’ll be there.

Incredible people to work with – incredible people to ride with – and incredible people to “celebrate Jesus” with! May God bless and work faith in those who saw “Jesus” and the message of the bells.

Have you ever worked as a Petal Pusher? Do you see the Lutheran Hour Ministries Float as a witness opportunity?