Lutheran Reflection

Thankfulness

For all the faithful women who served in days of old. So starts hymn number 855 in our Lutheran Service Book.

As we near the end of our Lutheran Women’s Missionary League’s 75th Anniversary year of 2017 (http://www.lwml.org/75) and as we prepare to celebrate Thanksgiving this week and take time out to thank God for his abundant blessings, I was thinking of specific things our organization was thankful for. I thought of the women who worked hard for years prior to our founding convention who struggled for recognition, put up with all kinds of criticism, derision, and still kept on until they were able to organize a national women’s organization within the synod. They are in my prayers of thanksgiving this week and in my heart.

Today we are thankful for all Lutheran women and their dedication to work that shows God’s love and forgiveness to believers and nonbelievers through our LWML. Groups in the local church, the zones and districts and the national organization put in countless hours of work and prayer as we go about our business to enable women to use their God-given abilities to serve others. (http://www.lwml.org/get-involved)

I’ll share the rest of Hymn 855, For All the Faithful Women with you and let you know that I am thanking God for each of you this week that you continue to Serve the Lord With Gladness!

For all the faithful women Who served in days of old,

To You shall thanks be given; To all, their story told.

They served with strength and gladness In tasks Your wisdom gave.

To you their lives bore witness, Proclaimed Your power to save.

 

O God, for saints and servants, Those named and those unknown

In whom through all the ages Your light of glory shone,

We offer glad thanksgiving And fervent prayer we raise

That, faithful in Your service, Our lives may sing Your praise.

 

All praise to God the Father! All praise to Christ the Son!

All praise the Holy Spirit, Who binds the Church in one!

With saints who went before us, With saints who witness still,

We sing glad Alleluias And strive to do Your will.

 

 

 

 

Patti

LWML Convention

LWML Makeover Part II

Last week we talked about LWML receiving a makeover and compared it to a popular TV show called, “What Not to Wear”. After receiving a new “look”, the person with the new look often commented on how much more self-confident they felt. They frequently said that they felt better and had a happier outlook on life and themselves.

LWML is set to reveal a visual makeover at our 75th Anniversary Convention in Albuquerque this June 22-25, 2017. To back it up we look forward to providing more and better ways to enable women in the LCMS to use their God-given gifts in service to their Lord and the world. With resources, education and leadership help, just like the people who receive a makeover, we will have tools to go forward with confidence.

This new look will reflect the confidence we have in God’s continued blessings going forward for the next 75 years. His makeover of us through Jesus Christ is the basis for our confidence. Because of what Jesus has done for us we are moved by the Spirit to want others, who do not know Him as Savior, to be “made over” by Him as well. That is why LWML—Lutheran Women in Mission works to make people aware of those missions and support them financially through our mission offerings.

I pray your work in LWML and your association with your sisters in our wonderful organization will encourage you to face the future with confidence and joy! I’ll leave you with words from one of my favorite hymns:

Jesus lives! For me He died, Hence will I, to Jesus living, Pure in heart and act abide,
Praise to Him and glory giving. All I need God will dispense; This shall be my confidence. LSB 490

Here’s a look at some of our NEW resources. You can find them at www.lwml.org/store :
Dear Mother Book Cover
Text Messages from God coverTogether Is Better cover

LWML Convention

LWML Makeover

I used to love watching the show, “What Not to Wear”! The premise of that show was for people to nominate someone to receive a total makeover – clothing, hair, and makeup. Whether that was an honor for the person selected or not is debatable. That person would receive a gift card to go shopping in New York City after receiving ideas from hosts Stacy and Clinton on what style or “look” she should go for. She would then come back with a completely new wardrobe. Following the shopping trip she would get a totally new hairdo and makeup. Et voila’! She returns home to a party where she excitedly reveals her new look to the friends who nominated her in the first place.

Our LWML organization is about to undergo a makeover. Just like the show, the change has been recommended through friends of LWML, surveys and strategic planning. And just like the show, LWML will receive a new look. In place of Stacy and Clinton we have had James and Audra from Husbandman agency helping with the makeover. Now, after receiving their help, along with input from others, we are ready to reveal the new look!

Our party for the reveal will be our 75th Anniversary Convention in Albuquerque on June 22-25, 2017. We hope you will be part of the party and celebrate with all your sisters in LWML our new look! Along with the new look we will be celebrating the One who has made us new through His sacrifice on the cross for the forgiveness of our sins. The One whose name is above all names — Jesus Christ. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come (2 Corinthians 5:17).

2017 Convention Logo