Serve the Lord

Fall has always been my favorite time of the year. God provides such beauty in the changing colors. I love the cooler temperatures. I must admit, I love routine and the schedules fall brings as well — back to school, sports calendars, organized church activities, and just plain old structure after the unscheduled days of summer.

As you begin to think about your fall planning, I encourage you to view the Mission Service Activities on the Gospel Outreach page. This page has some wonderful resources that bring service, mission, and God’s Word together. Last biennium, I had the privilege to serve as the chairman of the Gospel Outreach Committee. We spent some time reviewing the existing Mission Service activities and updating them to make them more current and relevant.

Whether you are planning for your women’s group, a child's activity, or a family night, you will find some great ideas using the resources. How blessed it is to be able to serve together with your church community!

Serve the Lord with gladness! (Psalm 100:2).

Anne Hartman

Vice President of Gospel Outreach
Lutheran Women’s Missionary League

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Seek. Pray. Serve.

Where have all the lazy, hazy days of summer gone? It is now time to begin planning for the events and servant activities for our Lutheran Women in Mission groups across the nation.

Is the excitement and enthusiasm building in your local, zone, or district groups as you plan for fall activities? Please make use of the wealth of resources provided by LWML in planning your activities or retreats. Click on the “The Word” tab on this page and then click on “Program Helps” or simply click on this link, Seek-Pray-Serve 2025-2027 Planner. You will find information about the 2025–2027 Seek, Pray, Serve: A Two-Year Planner that includes over 50 devotions, Bible studies, and sketches. In addition, check the website for even more ready-to-use retreat planning, as well as other printable program helps.

We pray that the Lord will lead and guide our endeavors. We proclaim with the Psalmist in Psalm 20:4, May he [the LORD] give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed.

Shari Miller

Vice President of Christian Life
Lutheran Women’s Missionary League

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Harvest Season

As the long, hot humid days of summer begin to wind down, my soul is awakened by the anticipation of thoughts of cool nights, roasting marshmallows over an open fire, pumpkin spice everything and the onset of the harvest season.

As believers in Christ our walk is in a constant state of tilling the soil of hearts who may not have ever heard the Gospel, planting seeds of faith, and leading people to the Living Water while praying for the Word to be heard by open ears and growing in believers’ hearts. As we serve, we pray for God’s bountiful harvest as He draws all His children to himself.

Listen to the LWML On The Go Podcast and hear more about how God, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth, (1 Timothy 2:4) is preparing a place made specifically for you.

And he [Jesus] said to them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore, pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send our laborers into his harvest.” (Luke 10:2).

Read the devotion: Pray for a Bountiful Harvest

Linda Guteres

Vice President of Communication
Lutheran Women’s Missionary League

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Displaying His Power

Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, (Philippians 2:9–10a).

While touring East Berlin this past spring, our tour guide shared that when the Berlin Wall was erected religion was banned, and all crosses were removed. To celebrate the communist power and technologic prowess, the German Democratic Republic erected a broadcasting tower in the shape of the Sputnik satellite. As a Christian, imagine how you would feel living in East Berlin at the time. You would possibly feel defeated and alone, but God was at work.

God had other plans. When His sunlight hits that Sputnik sphere, a giant cross is displayed for all to see. God does not share His glory. Today LWML has German and Russian Bible studies available for others to learn about our Risen Savior. Talk about displaying His power!

To God be all honor and glory!

Cheryl Mattil

Strategic Plan Facilitator
Lutheran Women in Mission

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LWML Board of Directors Meeting

LWML Mission Statement: As Lutheran Women in Mission,
we joyfully proclaim Christ, support missions, and equip women
to honor God by serving others.

And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; being strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy (Colossians 1:9–11).

The 2025–2027 LWML Board of Directors is meeting in St. Louis this week (August 12–15, 2025). They will be welcoming new LWML Board members, continuing to seek God’s will for strategic planning for this wonderful organization, and prayerfully choose committee chairmen and committee members. Please keep the LWML Board of Directors in your prayers this week.

Leslie Colligan

Meeting Manager
Lutheran Women’s Missionary League

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Prepared to Share

“But to be a witness between us and you, and between our generations after us,” … (Joshua 22:27)

“I like your shirt, where did you get it?” My reply: “This is my Serve the Lord with Gladness shirt from Lutheran Women in Mission.” On our way home from the Lutheran Women in Mission Convention in Omaha, my husband and I stopped for gas and snacks. The attendant at the counter asked about my tee shirt. We had a short conversation about our Lord; she reached out her hand and said, “We are sisters.” Wearing our LWML shirts gives us unexpected opportunities to witness to others about our Lord and Savior.

A Bible study to help you is Proclaiming Christ Simply and with Urgency.

Be prepared to share about Jesus anywhere and anytime.

Arlene Naasz

Vice President of Organizational Resources
Lutheran Women in Mission

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Creating Memories

Recently, my granddaughter Liz came for an overnight visit. As we were visiting that evening, Liz asked me how it is living in my new home after living in a log home for 24 years. She went on to share her memories. She still talks about the golf umbrellas used as tents, protection from the water from the garden hose, and pretend parachutes!

As we sat on my patio late that afternoon, we listened to the birds, watched the clouds, and played the game of what the clouds looked like. We were creating memories for both of us.

Being a grandparent is a privilege and a blessing. Sharing a prayer, celebrating holidays and milestones, and giving and receiving the hugs are treasures for me as the grandmother and for a grandchild.

In the devotion, Grandma’s Building Blocks, based upon these words: Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths (Proverbs 3:5–6), you will read a true story about a grandmother, but also a lesson for our lives in any season.

Karol Selle

Vice President of Special Focus Ministries
Lutheran Women in Mission

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