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

Lutheran Resources

LWML History Books

While researching for an article I wrote last week, I was deep into the LWML history books:

  • Women on a Mission by Ruth Fritz Meyer, 1967
  • Women IN God’s Service, WINGS by Marlys Taege, 1991
  • Women In League With the Lord by Marlys Taege Moberg, 2005

LWML History Books

The first two listed are now out of print. If you have extras of these lying around the house would you consider sending them to the LWML Office, please? Also, if you are cleaning up a house of a past LWML member who might be downsizing or has gone to her heavenly home, would you consider mailing them in? It’s a great resource for those who are called on to write about our history.

Carolyn Blum

Carolyn Blum

Carolyn Blum, former LWML South Wisconsin District President, former Associate Editor and News Editor for the Lutheran Women’s Quarterly, past LWML Vice President of Organizational Resources, and 75th Anniversary Committee member has taken the job of writing the next history book.

Our LWML history is filled with changes. Even our beginning as an organization was influenced by the changing role of women in society. They were looking outside the sphere of the home and family to become more involved in the work of their church. Missions, foreign and domestic, held their interest. Caring and loving outreach were the interests of others. Still others, gifted as writers, ventured into writing Bible studies and devotions. Pooling resources and focusing on certain joint ventures enhanced the effectiveness of women’s outreach in their church body. Coming together as a national organization gave strength to these initiatives.

As our 75th year anniversary approaches, we must embrace changes within our organization to respond to changes in our church, family life, culture and soccer. (Yes, soccer games on Sunday is one of my bugaboos!) (I’ll probably get some angry emails for saying that!) (I don’t do Twitter!)

Where am I going with this? Oh yes! We have some big changes coming up in LWML. Be prepared, as we step out of our comfort zone and change something.

Through it all Lutheran Women in Mission will continue to represent the church in mission, the all-inclusive mission of serving their fellowman though the preaching of the Gospel and the practical application of that Gospel. May all be done to God’s Glory!

Lutheran Resources

Wake Up with the Word

Many of you do morning devotions faithfully, don’t you? A great way to start the day. If you are rushed and off to work, you may have the Mustard Seed Devotions that come into your work email daily from LWML. Those quick devotions and the ability to click on the Bible verse and be taken into the Bible to read more are a blessing to the start of your day. They are also a way to share God’s message by easily forwarding them to friends or sharing on your Facebook page. Sometimes they prompt you to remember to do something you’ve been putting off or have forgotten about.
Thanks be to God that He has put those into our hands and (into our computers). If you know someone who would benefit from receiving these daily devotions, please tell them about them.
There are some other “morning devotions” I’d like to tell you about. At our 75th Anniversary Convention we are continuing to offer Bible study before convention sessions begin. We call them “Wake up With the Word” and they take place from 6:45-7:45 on Friday and Saturday mornings. There are three each morning. No prior sign-up is required. This will be nice for you who are early-morning people or for you who come from the Eastern Time Zone and are 2 hours ahead of time during convention!
Here are the studies we have planned for you to enjoy.
Friday morning, June 23, 2017
1. An LWML Bible Study, led by Jan Brunette
2. A Spanish language LWML Bible Study, led by Marilyn McClure.
3. A CPH-sponsored Bible Study, led by Deb Burma.

Saturday, June 24, 2017

1. An LWML Bible Study, led by Janice Wendorf.
2. A Bible Study led by the LCMS Ministry to the Armed Forces Chaplain Craig Muehler and Chaplain Steven Hokana
3. A CPH-sponsored Bible Study, led by Donna Pyle

Lutheran Women in Mission have always embraced the importance of being in God’s Word as the starting point of our mission outreach and service. I hope you have your favorite times and places where you delve into God’s Word daily.

In joyful service,
Patti

LWML Convention

In Memory Of…

LWML Conventions bring remembrances of all the sisters we have enjoyed knowing and working with in our years of service as Lutheran Women in Mission. That is especially true during this 75th Anniversary Convention June 22-25 in Albuquerque. Our second offering at convention will be for our LWML Endowment Fund. We have used funds from this endowment in the past for leadership training events and planning meetings which bring women from across the United States together for face-to-face engagement, encouragement, and equipping. Wouldn’t it be great if we could build the fund to take more operating expenses from it and thereby channel more money to the mission grants?

LWML has been blessed to receive some wonderful donations and beautiful notes included with these offerings.  I want to share some of these with you and encourage you to share with your daughters, granddaughters, nieces and young women friends. We ask God to help us continue the legacy of LWML with those sisters coming after us!

In Celebration of… being part of this great organization locally, and also in all parts where the LWML shares God’s love; for God’s blessings of a successful liver transplant given to a daughter-in-law; for blessings of children and grandchildren; for being part of the LWML for 53 years; for the wonderful women who serve in leadership positions; of the joy of being active in LWML and in fellowship with other Sisters in Christ sharing the same mission – to help spread the Gospel message.

In Honor of… Elise Saeger Troester who was present at the original organizational meeting in Chicago and the encouragement she gave us young women.

In Memory of… Christian mothers, aunts and grandmothers; of past LWML President, Betty Duda; of faithful friends now with Jesus.

I hope you will participate in the legacy of the LWML by sharing your remembrances along with your offerings.

One generation shall commend your works to another, and shall declare your mighty acts. On the glorious splendor of your majesty, and on your wondrous works, I will meditate. They shall speak of the might of your awesome deeds, and I will declare your greatness (Psalm 145:4-6).

In joyful service,

Patti

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!