Happy Mother’s Day?

To all mothers and those whose mothers are living, Happy Mother’s Day! Blessings abound!

For some women though, Mother’s Day is viewed through a different lens and may be a painful reminder of infertility, the grief of miscarriage, the untimely loss of a child, or the death of her own mother. Others, single or married, have no children. The informative Sharing Jesus’ Love in Action — Mother’s Day and Beyond suggests how to reach out to women who may not see Mother’s Day as a day of celebration.

As Lutheran Women in Mission, we thank God for ALL women who nurture in numerous ways — aunts, nieces, colleagues, medical workers, teachers, neighbors, friends, sisters, sisters-in-Christ, and countless more faithful, tireless, and loving servants.

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you (Jeremiah 29:11–12).

Happy Mother’s Day — and beyond!

Brenda Piester

Recording Secretary
Lutheran Women’s Missionary League

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Celebrate Mothers

This week we celebrate mothers! This is one of the best jobs I have ever had — being a mom! I have three Jesus loving kids. My daughter got married last summer to a wonderful Christian young man. My son is getting married in June to a lovely Christian young woman, and my youngest son is attending a Christian college in Phoenix where he has invested in Christian community. My prayer for them has always been that they would always follow Jesus. I am blessed that this prayer has been answered.

Do you know a new mom, or do you have a ministry in your congregation for new moms? LWML has a wonderful devotional book just for them. Those of us who are moms know it isn’t easy. New moms need our love and support! Why not bless them with this devotional book, Dear Mother — Devotions for New Mothers.

Anne Hartman

Gospel Outreach Committee Chairman, 2023–2025
Lutheran Women’s Missionary League

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Sowing Seeds

He put another parable before them, saying, “The kingdom of heaven is like a grain of mustard seed that a man took and sowed in his field” (Matthew 13:31).

Have you ever thought of yourself as a farmer? How about a “sower of seeds”? Many of you are gardeners and do sow seeds and tend plants. Our Lord gave us the parable of the sower to remind us how important it is that His Word be sown in this world. Lutheran Women in Mission can help in your “sowing” with the seed packets called Mustard Seeds. They are short devotions based on Scripture, either in single copy form or in a small booklet. Check them out here.

These devotions can be shared by giving them to your waitress at a restaurant, leaving them in your hotel room with a tip for the cleaning staff, including them in a card to a friend or loved one, giving them to a shut-in or someone in the hospital, and in so many other ways. May God bless your mustard seed sowing for Him.

Christie Steffens

Christian Life Committee Chairman
Lutheran Women’s Missionary League

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Chosen!

I will celebrate my baptismal birthday this week. I am reminded that He has chosen me! “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine” (Isaiah 43:1).

As God’s chosen one, I want to honor Him by showing love to others. Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, (Colossians 3:12).

Because God sent his only Son to die on the cross for our sins, we give thanks to our Heavenly Father for the blessing to be Jesus’ treasure. Every day, as Lutheran Women in Mission, we can remember that we are chosen and we can “joyfully proclaim Christ, support missions, and equip women to honor God by serving others.”

An excellent resource for this topic is the Bible study “Treasured by God” on page 173 in the 2023–2025 Equipping Saints to Serve: A Two-Year Planner.

Thank You Lord for choosing me!

Kathy Pavelock

Vice President of Communication
Lutheran Women’s Missionary League

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A New Name

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).

In 2020, my husband retired from ministry and we left our home congregation until this year to give them time to adjust to life without him in that role. When we returned, we were presented with new name tags. Our new pastor asked Mike what name he wanted on his and he said, “Just Mike.” Having an amazing relationship and sense of humor, our pastor created a nametag with that very title on it. Funny thing, mine is missing the “l.” We wear them with pride.

It reminds me that I have been made into a new creation. Just as my name and role has changed at Grace, my name and place in this world has changed as I was made into a new creation when I was baptized into Christ and saved from death through Christ’s saving action.

LWML has many devotions and Bible studies to remind us of this blessing as well.

Cheryl Mattil

Strategic Plan Facilitator
Lutheran Women’s Missionary League

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A Time for Everything

For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven (Ecclesiastes 3:1).

As we look at the calendar, we are beginning the season (April–August) of almost weekly Lutheran Women in Mission District Conventions. It is a time to celebrate God’s work throughout the last biennium in each of our LWML districts, and a time to pray for the conventions that are taking place, the convention leaders, the convention attendees, and the mission grants that will be selected to fund God’s continued work! Pray also for the grants that will not be funded by the districts — for God’s alternative funding. God’s will, His plan, in His time!

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you (1 Thessalonians 5:16–18).

To assist in our prayers, download the printable PDF of the 2024 Chronological List of LWML District Conventions with the District President’s name and their district website. Mission grants for which we can pray are listed on each district’s website. Click here for the link to the chronological list and prayer guide.

Leslie Colligan

Meeting Manager
Lutheran Women’s Missionary League

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With Joy Unending

Jesus said to her “Mary”. She said to him in Aramaic “Rabboni!”, (which means teacher) (John 20:16).

What a wondrous hope we are given in the celebration of the Resurrection of our Lord. It truly is the quintessential holiday in which we rejoice, for He Lives! The Lord Jesus who suffered and died for us, has now risen for us! He who has risen from the dead will now call all of His believers by name on the day of the resurrection of all flesh and we will be brought into His eternal kingdom. The Lord who called Mary by name, knows your name and He will call you from death to His eternal Kingdom! “I know My own and they know me!” (John 10:14). Because He lives, you believer, will be called by name and brought into the eternal kingdom of glory. The resurrection of the flesh is ours for our Lord Jesus Christ has conquered death and the grave — He lives! Hallelujah!

LWML has wonderful Easter resources to help you celebrate the Resurrection with joy unending.

“Christ is risen, Alleluia! He is risen indeed, Alleluia!”

Rev. Mark J. Maas

Junior Pastoral Counselor
Lutheran Women’s Missionary League

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