Connecting with Veterans

On November 11 our country will celebrate Veterans Day, a federal holiday established to honor all who have served in the military. My parents were both veterans of World War 2 with my dad serving as a U.S. Army paratrooper and my mom a member of the Marine Corps Women’s Reserve.

While my parents modeled good citizenship for me, they also modeled Christian values. Worship was the focus of our Sunday, evening devotions were held around the dinner table, and prayer was the foundation of family life. Just as my parents instilled a love of country, they also modeled a love of our Savior.

A few years ago LWML supported the 2017–2019 Mission Grant: Christ for Veterans and Their Families. Funds were used to expand “Operation Barnabas” offering resources to help congregations care for all military-connected people through intentional outreach.

Consider connecting with the military veterans in your church or community this month by using some of the mission service ideas provided on the LWML website.

Deaconess Betty Knapp

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

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Saved by Grace

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God (Ephesians 2:8).

One of our Junior High Youth Group’s favorite songs was Saved by Grace. We loved that this was a favorite because its lyrics were based on the words of Ephesians 2:8 — we are saved by grace through faith which is a gift from God.

This is what Martin Luther discovered when he spent time studying Scripture. Instead of redemption through works as was taught by the church at his time, he discovered what was God’s plan all along, that he, and we, are saved by God’s grace in Christ Jesus.

To learn more how Martin Luther was impacted by his study of the Word, I encourage you to read the Bible study, From Fear to Faith + The Reformation Story found on the LWML website. Our LWML group studied this during our October meeting and were blessed to be reminded it is by God’s grace that we are saved through faith.

May this time of reformation remind you of God’s saving grace.

Michelle Jenks

Strategic Plan Facilitator
Lutheran Women’s Missionary League

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Remember: It’s Church Workers Appreciation Month

We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work (1 Thessalonians 5:12-13a).

Did you remember that October is Church Workers Appreciation Month? The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod changed it from Pastor Appreciation Month in 2021 since we recognize that all church workers are important in our faith and life.

Here are some ideas to show your appreciation:

• Send a thank you card or note for all the work that they do. You can download a thank you card from the LWML website.
• Record a short video of you sharing words of encouragement and thanks and email it to the church worker.
• Surprise them with cookies, brownies, or candy and include a personal note of thanks.
• Offer babysitting services for those with young children as a sign of appreciation.

For other ideas, check out Ideas to Support, Encourage, and Care for Church Workers on the LWML website.

Most importantly, remember to pray for the church workers in your congregation, thanking God for their service.

Thank you, Church Workers, for all that you do!

Marie Chow

Vice President of Organizational Resources
Lutheran Women’s Missionary League

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Time Management

I love learning new things including topics related to my profession and personal development. I recently found some interesting online sessions on time management with catchy titles or phrases that lured me in. Words like “superpower”, “anchored”, “formula”, and “power” were all part of the marketing of these sessions.

Did I learn something from these sessions? Yes, but I felt like something was missing. What was missing was the ultimate “power” — God’s Word. For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven (Ecclesiastes 3:1). He changes time and seasons; he removes kings and sets up kings, he gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding (Daniel 2:21).

God’s Word is the ultimate guide for our lives and the LWML website is full of materials that help ground us in the Word and guide us in our day-to-day living. Part of LWML’s mission is to equip women to honor God by serving others. Manage Yourself, Not Your Time is one of several great leadership development articles that can equip each of us as we lead and serve our Lord.

Karla Koehler

Treasurer
Lutheran Women’s Missionary League

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Pray for the LWML Mission Grant Selection Process

The LWML mission statement is — As Lutheran Women in Mission, we joyfully proclaim Christ, support missions, and equip women to honor God by serving others. Supporting missions that spread the Gospel message has been a key priority for LWML since its beginning in 1942.

At the national level we have supported mission grants to spread the Word of Christ to 83 countries and have supported nearly 500 grants in the last 80 years.

Mission grant proposals for the next biennium have been received and now is the time for the Mission Grant Selection Committee to evaluate the submitted grant proposals to determine which ones will be on the ballot at the LWML Convention in 2023. The Mission Grant Selection Committee meets in January. Please keep the members of this committee in your prayers as they begin this task which will impact ministries around the world.

Sharon von Qualen

Mission Grants Committee
Lutheran Women’s Missionary League

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LWML Sunday — “For Us and With Us"

What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? (Romans 8:31).

LWML Sunday is often observed on the first Sunday in October. Did you celebrate LWML and the blessings God has bestowed upon it in worship this week? If yes, thank you! If no, please consider asking your pastor if LWML Sunday may be incorporated into an upcoming worship service. There are a multitude of resources available including a children’s message, PowerPoint template, and even a sermon that your pastor may use.

“For Us and With Us,” based on Romans 8:31–39, is the theme for LWML Sunday 2022. In this epistle, Paul tells us we each face challenges and circumstances greater than our own strength. However, we are more than conquerors through Christ, who loves us, for He is for us and with us! LWML Sunday reminds us of this victory, which is already ours through Baptism, so we might live each day confidently trusting in Christ.

Brenda Piester

Recording Secretary
Lutheran Women’s Missionary League

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Two-Way Communication

A new school year has started and I am excitedly planning lessons that I hope will have a positive impact on student learning. However, students will not be the only ones learning. I glean much from the students when I truly listen during our conversations and carefully read their responses on assignments and surveys. Because communication is not one-directional, I am a better teacher when I tweak lessons based on what I learn about the students’ needs and interests.

Similarly, I want to ensure that prayer time is not one directional communication with me just rattling off all my concerns and desires. I grow in my faith and better understand Christ’s love for me as I read Scripture and pray Teach me to do your will, for you are my God! Let your good Spirit lead me on level ground! (Psalm 143:10).

This month’s featured devotion at www.lwml.org/program-helps is “Waiting.” Take time to read it and find many verses of Scripture communicating comfort to you even as you cry out to Him in prayer.

Tiffany Harkins

Christian Resource Editors Committee
Lutheran Women’s Missionary League

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