In Praise to the LORD!

After an inspirational evening with sand artist Joe Castillo on Friday, many woke early to attend a Wake Up with the Word Bible study and participate in the Mission in Motion Pledge Walk. Apple of His Eye Missionary Steve Cohen opened the walk with the sounds of a Shofar, followed by the enthusiastic Excelsior Band of Mobile leading the way. Over 848 walkers joined in the fun, some carrying bright purple umbrellas. All proceeds from the walk go to the 2019–2021 LWML Mission Goal.

The past LWML Presidents Ida Mall, Gloria Edwards, Virginia Von Seggern, Linda Reiser, Jan Wendorf, and Kay Kreklau led the Saturday morning procession which highlighted 76 flags representing countries in which LWML has supported a mission grant. 81 YWRs and 12 H2H Sister Leaders helped carry the flags and participate in the procession. Rounding it out were 50+ youth from the Insta Friends Camp offered at convention for children and youth ages six months through high school.

Author Donna Pyle led the 2nd part of the Bible study and Mites in Action speakers Laura Hemminger, Rev. Gary Manning, and Stephanie Schulte, recipients of 2017–2019 mission grants, shared updates of their ministries in Y4Life (Equipping Youth to Witness for Life), NOLA4H (Hearts for the Hungry, Homeless, and Hurting), and Mercy Medical Work for the LCMS respectively.

Offering #2, divided between Medical Mission Teams and Expanding the Disability Ministry in the Dominican Republic received $24,722.60. Saturday evening, attendees were inspired as they listened to the VOICES of Mobile, a highly versatile vocal ensemble consisting of students from The University of Mobile.

A mission goal of $2,100,000 for the 2019–2021 biennium will fund 21 LWML Mission Grants.

God’s leaders elected in Mobile are:
President: Debbie Larson
Vice President of Organizational Resources: Marie Chow
Vice President of Special Focus Ministries: Deaconess Betty Knapp
Treasurer: Karla Koehler
Pastoral Counselor: Rev. Brian Noack
Nominating Committee: Brianne Stahlecker, Chairman, Crystal Miller, Sylvia Bean, Carrie Brumbaugh, and Mary Harrington.

Sing to the Lord, all the earth! Tell of his salvation from day to day. Declare his glory among the nations (1 Chronicles 16:23–24).

In Praise to the LORD! You can view the archived exciting action by accessing www.livestream.com/TheLWML  

Char Kroemer

Vice President of Communication
Lutheran Women’s Missionary League

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In Praise to the LORD!

Almost 3000 women and men have come together in Mobile, AL for the 38th Biennial Convention of the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League. Led by past LWML Presidents Gloria Edwards and Linda Reiser, the Tee up 4 Mites golf event brought 27 golfers to the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail with proceeds going to the 2019–2021 LWML Mission Goal. Pre-convention seminars gave valuable information for those seeking insight into writing a Bible study, how to best use social media, discovering helps for leaders, and more. The exhibit hall, Jubilee Junction, continued to be full of energy as about 70 exhibitors shared their goals and projects for missions and ministries throughout the world. Another busy place was the Servant Connections area, where LWMLers spent time serving the Lord with gladness as they worked on cards of encouragement for cancer patients, made bookmarks for Lutheran Hour Ministries outreach to worldwide missions, tied quilts and fleece blankets, assembled Personal Care and School kits, and participated in a Red Cross blood drive. Rev. Dr. Ulmer Marshall inspired worshippers at the opening service with his message based on the convention verse, Sing to the Lord, all the earth! Tell of his salvation from day to day. Declare his glory among the nations (1 Chronicles 16:23–24a). The offering of $43,693.31 will go to the newly adopted mite goal of $2,100,000. A procession which included beautifully created district banners depicting the convention theme began the Friday morning meeting followed by the first session of a Bible study led by author, Donna Pyle. Mites in Action speakers, Jaclyn Rachel, and Lynn Corker and Jean Jaskierny, recipients of 2017–2019 LWML Mission Grants, gave highlights of their respective ministries in Haiti and Tanzania. Rev. Dr. Brent Smith from Mission Central in Iowa, brought greetings and a message of service and outreach through his keynote address. Delegates listened to a wonderful presentation of the proposed 2019–2021 Mission Grants, eagerly anticipating the results of those selected for God’s plan to provide support to missions in the next biennium.

In Praise to the LORD! You can be part of the exciting action by accessing www.livestream.com/TheLWML  

Char Kroemer

Vice President of Communication
Lutheran Women’s Missionary League

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We have arrived! Many of us are in Mobile, Alabama, or soon will be traveling to Mobile for the 38^th Biennial LWML Convention. In Praise to the LORD! Isn’t that a great convention theme? As we gather at the Arthur R. Outlaw Convention Center to celebrate God’s goodness, we are mindful of why we “do” convention every two years.

Delegates have the privilege of selecting new Mission Grants for 2019–2021 and the joy of voting for new officers to lead the LWML in the coming biennium. Attendees experience a feeling of pure happiness as they greet old friends, meet new ones, and become inspired to serve Him with gladness with renewed vitality. Led by God’s power, we praise and proclaim the Lord among all the nations is what we pray every attendee will experience. During and after convention we also pray those physically present or attending via livestream, will

Sing and rejoice in celebration of His Word,
Tell of His salvation for all,
Declare His glory among the nations, and
Go forth in His joy!

Through Bible studies, fellowship, Mites in Action speakers, servant connections, Jubilee Junction exhibit hall, business accomplished, energizing Mobilized for Missions pledge walk, special luncheons and pre-convention seminars, entertainment to God’s glory, uplifting opening and closing worship services, special speakers, flags representing LWML supported missions, LWML district banners, ingathering for Gifts From the Heart, and much more, the convention Bible verse becomes real ...

Sing to the Lord, all the earth! Tell of his salvation from day to day.
Declare his glory among the nations (1 Chronicles 16:23–24a).

To God be the glory forevermore!

Join us virtually and watch via Livestream at livestream.com/thelwml

Char Kroemer

Vice President of Communication
Lutheran Women’s Missionary League

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This past Sunday was the celebration of Pentecost. At our church we also had a blessing for all those going to convention in Mobile next week, June 20-23. It really fit together well. Pentecost and the giving of the Holy Spirit to the church and our convention, which is focused on spreading the Gospel worldwide. The logo for Mobile is a globe with a heart around it signifying God’s love for the people of the world and it converges right over Mobile, Alabama.

The poetry of our hymns is so rich! This particular hymn spoke to me as a prayer to the Holy Spirit. I hope you will pray it with me and pray for the inspiration of the Holy Spirit in Mobile during the convention, “In Praise to the LORD!”

Come, Holy Ghost, God and Lord, with all Your graces now outpoured on each believer’s mind and heart; Your fervent love to them impart. Lord, by the brightness of Your light In holy faith Your Church unite; From every land and every tongue this to your praise, O Lord, our God, be sung: Alleluia, Alleluia!

Come, holy Light, guide divine, now cause the Word of life to shine. Teach us to know our God aright and call Him Father with delight. From every error keep us free; Let none but Christ our master be, that we in living faith abide, in Him, our Lord, with all our might confide. Alleluia, alleluia!

Come, holy Fire, comfort true, grant us the will Your work to do and in Your service to abide; Let trials turn us not aside. Lord, by Your power prepare each heart, and to our weakness strength impart that bravely here we may contend, through life and death to You, our Lord, ascend. Alleluia, alleluia! LSB 497

Almighty and ever-living God, You fulfilled Your promise by sending the gift of the Holy Spirit to unite disciples of all nations in the cross and resurrection of Your Son, Jesus Christ. By the preaching of the Gospel spread this gift to the ends of the earth; through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen    Collect for Pentecost Eve

We have worked together for four years to engage, encourage, and equip the women of our church to use their God-given gifts in service to God and His people. I have enjoyed my time as your President and been privileged to receive many thanks and much appreciation on your behalf for our mission service. I look forward to all that we will continue to do as we Serve the Lord with Gladness!

Patti Ross

President
Lutheran Women’s Missionary League

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He who testifies to these things says, “Surely, I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus! (Revelations 22:20) 

This verse, from the three year lectionary, is one we heard this seventh Sunday of Easter. Like the apostle John, we as Lutherans not only pray for the day that our Lord Jesus will come again to spend eternity with Him; but, we also pray daily the Common Table Prayer. In this prayer we ask Jesus to be with us at our tables, and to say to Him, Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever! (Psalm 118:29)       

As we gather together in Mobile, Alabama, for the 38^th Biennial LWML Convention, let us join our voices in prayer to our Lord Jesus that He guides and blesses us with His grace; all in praise to the Lord.

I invite you to share the message of our Lord’s grace and mercy with others by blessing them with a Living in Prayer Mustard Seed Devotion such as this one which may be purchased here online by clicking on the SHOP tab or in the LWML Store at the LWML Convention.

Michelle Zollinger

Public Relations Director, 2017–2019
Lutheran Women’s Missionary League

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Come to the LWML Convention in Mobile, Alabama, on June 20-23, 2019. You are invited! Why do these Lutheran women spend their time in service to God and give money to missions? Come and see.

Opportunities await you, even before you arrive in Mobile. We invite you to bring Gifts from the Heart to share with those less fortunate. Take a full or half day tour of the area or enjoy golfing. We offer pre-convention seminars to equip leaders in your district and servant event opportunities on Thursday morning. Take part in the Mission Walk at the river’s edge and Bible studies abound. Find all information here.

Make a commitment now to attend. Conventions give new vitality to local groups as the women and men who attend return and share information and enthusiasm. They allow all LWML women, through their delegates, to choose mission grants to support during the next biennium. Along with the necessary business, we share our Savior and mission with the community.

Engage, encourage, equip, enjoy … These four keys words have been President Patti Ross’ mantra as she has served these last four years. Our LWML Convention offers Bible studies, Christian fellowship, and brings missionaries to speak and share the Good News from the mission field.

Come and See! Come … In Praise to the LORD!

In His service, filled with His joy,

Debbie Larson

Vice President of Organizational Resources
Lutheran Women’s Missionary League

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With God there is no tribe or race; In Him we all are one.
He loves us as His children through our faith in His dear son.
Join hands disciples of the faith, what-e’er your race may be; 
Who serves my father as His child is surely kin to me.
In Christ now meet both east and west; In Him meet south and north.
All Christian souls are one in Him through-out the whole wide world.
LSB 653 v1, 4-5

I love it when little kids and big kids call me Auntie Kaye. I am either little sister or big sister to many. The hymn above gives me joy in those relationships. While serving as Vice President of Special Focus Ministries, I have felt such a family connection to so many people I have met from all over the country, from many cultures, and all ages. The LWML Convention in Mobile, AL, June 20–23 will be another opportunity for me to meet new family members, and to once again see those with whom I have formed relationships during past events. There is still time to register for the convention. Come and be part of our family reunion.

Click on the underlined words above to see more information about our cultural, young women, and youth outreach programs.

Kaye Wolff

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

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