LWML Mission Grant 2015–2017 Mission Grant: Disaster Response Trailers — LCMS Disaster Response, $80,000 

“Blessed to be a blessing” … a simple but powerful phrase that cannot adequately describe the joy expressed when a Disaster Response Trailer shows up in time of need. This Lutheran Women’s Missionary League (LWML) Mission Grant of $80,000 paid for one third of the costs per trailer for requesting congregations in each of 21 districts. The congregation/district and The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) Disaster Response paid the remaining two thirds. Since receiving the $80,000 grant money from the LWML, the LCMS was able to fund 26 Disaster Response Trailers.

It multiplied into nearly $270,000 which was used to purchase equipment for the trailers, enabling Disaster Response volunteers to be better prepared when offering relief and comfort to people who suffer after a disaster. LCMS Disaster Response continues to provide a ministry of presence before, during, and after a disaster, giving the volunteers more opportunities to speak the comforting truths of the Gospel to the affected individuals and families. LWML has been part of this amazing outreach. Indeed, God has blessed us to be a blessing! Thank you for being a blessing this Giving Tuesday, December 3.

Char Kroemer

Vice President of Communication
Lutheran Women’s Missionary League

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Our country celebrates Thanksgiving Day in November. We have much for which to be thankful! Our highest thanksgiving comes from the gift of Jesus, our Savior. God has given us everything in Christ; and, therefore, we thank and praise Him, serve and obey Him, and devote ourselves to His service.

Recent storms and disasters have challenged us and may make us wonder and question God. At those moments let us go the Psalms and other passages in God’s Holy Word for comfort and assurance.

“Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the LORD; I will take joy in the God of my salvation” (Habakkuk 3:17–18).

Heavenly Father, grant that we follow Your Word and thank our dear Lord for His holy precious blood, which He so freely offered for us on the cross. In His name we pray. Amen.

Angelina Jauregui

Vice President of Gospel Outreach
Lutheran Women’s Missionary League

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Flying to the LCMS convention last July, a passenger across the aisle noticed my LWML socks. The resulting conversation confirmed that both of us were headed to Tampa. A new sister in Christ! We are now Facebook friends and the picture she took of my socks appeared on her Facebook page.

What do you wear that points to the LWML? What do you wear that points to Jesus? A cross? A pin? Maybe an LWML sweater with our logo? There are many items which can point to our organization and give us opportunities to witness to our faith in our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Scroll down this home page and click on the “Shop LWML” box at the bottom. Discover something you might like to wear that would speak of your faith and the LWML. Have fun shopping!

and I pray that the sharing of your faith may become effective for the full knowledge of every good thing that is in us for the sake of Christ (Philemon 6).

Char Kroemer

Vice President of Communication
Lutheran Women’s Missionary League

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And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. And God saw that the light was good. And God separated the light from the darkness. God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And there was evening and there was morning, the first day (Genesis 1:3-5).

Did you remember to turn your clock back an hour on Sunday? It may take several days to adjust to how early the darkness arrives. God created both light and darkness. In Genesis, He frequently reminds us that “it was good.”

Our lives can also have periods of darkness and light. In the darker times, remember that God is with you and His redeeming love is more boundless than the stars in the sky.

If you know someone who is experiencing a darker time in their life, pray for them, send a text or a call; invite them to a church or LWML activity. Offer a ride. Give them a copy of the Mustard Seed Devotion Light in the Darkness (available at www.lwml.org/posts/todays-mustard-seed-devotion/light-in-the-darkness).

Arlene Naasz

Meeting Manager
Lutheran Women’s Missionary League

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As the newly appointed LWML Public Relations Director for the 2019–2021 biennium, I’ve been reading helpful advice offered by my predecessors. You might think all the remarks would be very specific to the position, but many apply to all of us as we live our daily lives. One email read, “Keep smiling, have a positive and ‘can do’ attitude, have your cell phone with you at all times, wear comfortable shoes, pray earnestly, and love the Lord.”

The qualities mentioned actually describe all Lutheran Women in Mission; they are things we do every day. We accomplish more with the right attitude, and we can keep smiling when our feet are comfy and we’re ready to communicate via our fully charged cell phone. The last two items — praying and loving the Lord — are things we do constantly. We pray at the beginning, middle, and end of a task, or meeting, or of our day. We pray earnestly. We know that God is listening and will answer our prayers. We love the Lord. When we do these things, we are living in the Spirit, which changes our attitude. One of our Mustard Seed Devotions tells us more; read it here.

Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus (Philippians 2:5 NIV1984).

Susan Donnelly

Public Relations Director
Lutheran Women’s Missionary League

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At the age of 98 years and nine months, it seemed like Esther would be with us forever, but God called her home while she was resting on the couch. She was one of the first people I met when I moved here 40 years ago to serve as the parish deaconess. Her gift of hospitality was well known, as was her jello fluff salad brought to all church functions.

A picture board was displayed at her funeral with photos of family, summer outings, and friends. But also noticable on that board were pictures of the church staff. For her, they were part of her family. We celebrated with Esther at family birthday parties, confirmations, and weddings. Now we were celebrating her going home to heaven.

In October, churches around the country celebrate Pastor Appreciation Month. For Esther, every day was clergy appreciation day. With the apostle Paul, she frequently exhibited his words: I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that was given you in Christ Jesus (1 Corinthians 1:4).

Take time this month to appreciate those who serve at your church. Expressing your gratefulness for their service can show them how much you care. Pray that the Holy Spirit will give them strength. Provide them with small gifts or notes of encouragement. Volunteer when extra help is needed.

The LWML website has many suggestions for supporting, encouraging, and acknowledging pastors. Check out www.lwml.org/posts/kit-ideas/pastor-support-and-involvement-ideas. Sharing these supportive gestures with your whole church staff can encourage them to continue serving the Lord with gladness.

Deaconess Betty Knapp

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

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

Has anyone asked you the question, “What is LWML?” Did you pause for a minute before you answered?

The Lutheran Women’s Missionary League started over 77 years ago. The organization has changed through the years to stay current with the times, but the mission statement remains the same: “… to assist each woman of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod in affirming her relationship with the Triune God so that she is enabled to use her gifts in ministry to the people of the world.”

If you need a refresher on the basics of the LWML, take a look at “Women in Mission University” on the website’s “Service” tab (Group Resources). Look at “LWML 101 — The Basics,” where you’ll find helpful statements such as “LWML women gather with a purpose: to be in God’s Word, to be in fellowship with one another, and to participate in servant opportunities.” We also support missions here in the United States and around the world to spread the Gospel through our mite offerings. Use LWML Sunday, or any other day, to share what LWML is all about!

The best answer to “What is LWML?” is rephrasing the question to ask, “What is the LWML to me?” and answer how you personally serve the Lord with gladness through the organization.

Marie Chow

Vice President of Organizational Resources
Lutheran Women’s Missionary League

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