A Faithful Encourager

If I were to try to come up with one name as to who was a personal influencer for LWML, I’d be hard pressed. I don’t recall much about LWML until after I was in the parish. My mother was very active in the Ladies Aid at our home congregation, in rural north central MN, but I don’t recall any trips to larger gatherings. I do recall going to several larger LWML gatherings in east Texas when I was in my first parish.

If I were to pick a name, it would have to be my dear wife, Judy. She, too, was always active whether it was while we were still on the farm or after I became a pastor. She has always been a faithful encourager for our ladies and for me. After my retirement from the Air Force, I have become much more aware of the magnificent activities of the LWML and have seen some truly godly workers for Christ in NM and beyond. I praise God for all of them.

Rev. Gary Piepkorn

Senior Pastoral Counselor
Lutheran Women’s Missionary League

Get ready for Giving Day
on Tuesday, September 12, 2023

Opposites, But the Same in Christ

Introvert/Extrovert. Homebody/Adventurer. Seamstress/Shopper. Yes! We are exact opposites, but we have the same DNA, both physically and spiritually. I take after my father in many ways, but I received my LWML genes from my mother. From a very young age, she “dragged” me to Ladies Aid in Lockett, Texas. The only thing I got out of it at first was snacks and gum from the other ladies’ purses, but, as I grew, I noticed my mother always had her Mite Box. Each member’s journal is made by her every year and at the age of 89 she will present a topic to her small group. She easily shares her quiet, amazing faith. You can always find her Bible opened with several devotion books strewn on her favorite chair. I cannot tell you how many devotion books she has handed out as comfort to hurting people in time of need and she is an amazing prayer warrior. It’s true our personality traits differ, but my mother made sure our DNA is the same in our Risen Savior.

Charm can be deceiving, and beauty fades away, but a woman who honors the Lord deserves to be praised (Proverbs 31:30).

Cheryl Mattil

Strategic Plan Facilitator
Lutheran Women’s Missionary League

Get ready for Giving Day
on Tuesday, September 12, 2023

Heartfelt Hymns

I love to sing old familiar hymns. Do you? When our grandchildren were babies, I would sing them to sleep with Amazing Grace or How Great Thou Art. When I rocked my grandson, if I had not started to sing quickly enough, he would very gently hum to me as a reminder that I was to sing. I chuckle at his insistence that I sing because I do not have a great singing voice, but my singing is heartfelt.

My love for singing old familiar hymns began way back when I was in the church children’s choir. We would sing the children’s songs that we would be singing during the offertory, but Mrs. Anderson would also have us practice the hymns that everyone would be singing during the service. She explained those familiar words. Her music ministry assisted in building my faith, the faith of my siblings, and that of countless other children.

Oh sing to the LORD a new song; sing to the LORD, all the earth! (Psalm 96:1).

Leslie Colligan

Meeting Manager
Lutheran Women’s Missionary League

Get ready for Giving Day
on Tuesday, September 12, 2023

Through the Work of Their Hands

I have been blessed with two special women in my life who exemplify "serving with gladness," my mother, Gladys, and my mother-in-law, Mary Ann. Both women were avid quilters and knitters. They showed their love for others through the work of their hands. Items were prayerfully constructed for fundraising events and for use by ministry partners including Orphan Grain Train and Project Linus as well as local hospitals and care facilities. Their visible legacy of love and compassion included baby blankets and hats, lap robes, prayer shawls, and quilts. These gifts provided warmth and joy to their recipients.

Lutheran Women in Mission support the world around us through our prayers, our mites, and our service. How will you support Lutheran Women in Mission during our "September to Remember" day of giving?

Debbie Yocky

Public Relations Director
Lutheran Women’s Missionary League

Get ready for Giving Day
on Tuesday, September 12, 2023

A Woman of God

Emma, a woman from a small Wisconsin town, was a model for me as a young pastor’s wife years ago. She loved LWML, people and missions. Her face radiated her love for the Lord and His love for her. On many occasions she was my encourager and mentor. One example was when our children were very young and were not the quietest during worship. This dear friend said to me after one of those days, “When I hear children in church laughing, crying, whining, I know the church is alive!” I will always remember those words of her love and grace and have shared them with other young mothers. She was a model of a woman of God and a woman in mission. I thank God for Emma Rhode.

As I wrote this memory moment, I am grateful for “September to Remember,” an avenue on Tuesday, September 12, to give a special gift to the LWML Mission Grants goal in her honor and memory. I encourage you to do the same for someone who has guided you, befriended you and loved you as a sister in Christ.

Karol Selle

Vice President of Special Focus Ministries
Lutheran Women’s Missionary League

Get ready for Giving Day
on Tuesday, September 12, 2023

Moms, Mite Boxes, and Mission Grants

The women who taught me the most about the importance of contributing to mission grants through mites were my dear, departed mother-in-law, Lorena Werner and my “El Paso Mom” Sue Anderson.

As a young bride and new member of the Lutheran Church my mother-in-law Lorena explained what LWML’s mission was and gave me my first mite box. She invited me to the LWML meeting at our church, Christ Lutheran, Yuma, AZ and I got involved, serving as a society officer, and helping with various fundraisers to contribute to the mission grants via our mite boxes.

After we relocated to the El Paso, TX area 25 years ago Sue Anderson (former Rocky Mountain District President) encouraged me to get involved in LWML at Ascension Lutheran, El Paso, TX. With Sue’s mentoring I served as an officer in our Zone and on the Rocky Mountain District Mission Grants Committee. Serving on the Mission Grants committee really opened my eyes to all the opportunities our district and national mission grants provide to spread the good news of Jesus to people locally and world-wide. I was hooked! I hope you will join me in furthering our mission outreach by contributing to the September to Remember campaign.

Anita Werner

Treasurer
Lutheran Women’s Missionary League

Get ready for Giving Day
on Tuesday, September 12, 2023

Serving with Gladness

When I think of someone that exemplifies “serving with gladness”, the person from my church that comes to mind is Wanda. Wanda seeks out all the visitors attending our church and encourages them to worship with us again. Goodie bags after the Sunday School Christmas Service are due to Wanda purchasing treats and assembling the bags. Thanks to Wanda, shut-ins are remembered many different times throughout the year; one I enjoy is singing Christmas carols to them. The joy on their faces is evident as we make a joyful noise unto the Lord.

Years ago, Wanda invited me to our church LWML group. She has been and continues to be a mighty prayer warrior for any and all. Her service to the LWML and God’s church is an amazing testament to Christ’s redeeming love for her.

Who in your church exemplifies “serving with gladness”? Consider contributing to “September to Remember” in thankfulness for them and the example they are to all they meet. Thank God for all the Wandas in your life. May we all strive to show God’s love where He has placed us.

Arlene Naasz

Vice President of Organizational Resources
Lutheran Women’s Missionary League

Get ready for Giving Day
on Tuesday, September 12, 2023