The new DVD Bible study, authored by Donna Pyle, is titled Where Love Abides. It was filmed at a vineyard in upstate New York, where not only grapes, but fruit of all kind is grown.

Stretch your Bible study time by offering to share God’s Word with others as you host a Bible study at your church or in your home.

Search for more available resources at lwml.org/bible-studies

So, the question is, where does love abide?

This DVD study suggests that love abides, when we are “Abiding in the True Vine to Bear Lasting Fruit”.

During this Christmas season, rejoice that “Love” has come to us through our Savior, Jesus Christ.

The King of Kings and Lord of Lords became a human man for us, who were lost in sin. Born in a lowly stable, He fulfilled the Law for us, when He gave Himself totally, on that cross on Calvary. Triumphantly, He rose from the dead as our Victor over death.

This is where love abides, in Him, in us as we worship our God, when we share His Word, when we gather together at His church, during Holy Communion, singing His praises, praying for each other, showing compassion to those in need.

May our lives be filled with His Love, during this Christmas season and for years to come!

As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love (John 15:9).

Jennifer Huecker

Vice President of Christian Life
Lutheran Women’s Missionary League

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Advent is a time of preparation as our King of Kings draws near. The poetry of this old hymn says it all so well.

Lift up your heads, ye mighty gates! Behold, the King of glory waits. The King of kings is drawing near; The Savior of the world is here. Life and Salvation He doth bring; Therefore rejoice and gladly sing, To God the Father raise Your joyful songs of praise.

A righteous Helper comes to thee; His chariot is humility, His kingly crown is holiness, His scepter, pity in distress. The end of all our woe He brings; Therefore the earth is glad and sings. To Christ the Savior raise Your grateful hymns of praise.

How blest the land, the city blest, Where Christ the ruler is confessed! O peaceful hearts and happy homes to whom this King in triumph comes! The cloudless sun of joy is He Who comes to set His people free. To God the Spirit raise Your happy shouts of praise.

Fling wide the portals of your heart; Make it a temple set apart From earthly use for heaven’s employ, Adorned with prayer and love and joy. So shall your Sov’reign enter in And new and nobler life begin. To God alone be praise For word and deed and grace!

Redeemer, come and open wide My heart to Thee; here, Lord, abide! O enter with Thy grace divine; They face of mercy on me shine. Thy Holy Spirit guide us on Until our glorious goal is won. Eternal praise and fame We offer to Thy name.

“Lift Up Your Heads, Ye Mighty Gates” LSB 340

May your Advent activities provide you, with the help of the Holy Spirit, a chance to share the Gospel message and grace of God as seen in the giving of Jesus Christ for our salvation.

Patti Ross

President
Lutheran Women’s Missionary League

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God has called you through Baptism to be a spiritual leader!

Yes, we’ve all been created by God through the Holy Spirit to lead in our home, church, and community.  This may seem easier for some than others, but keep your trust in God – He will bless you with all that is needed.

Leadership can be seen by how we influence other people.  As a follower of Christ, you are called to influence them by your faith.  Jesus said it this way: “You are the salt of the earth … You are the light of the world … Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matt. 5:13–16). 

Sociologists say that an introverted person will influence an average of 10,000 people.  Just think about that.  Someone who’s not even trying to lead will impact them by what they do and how they live. See yourself as a leader for the Lord and learn from the men and women who did so in the Bible.  Embrace your Spirit given gifts and find joy in leading — for God has blessed you.

LWML leadership tips are available at www.lwml.org/leadership-tips.

Marilyn Schroeder

Treasurer, 2015–2019
Lutheran Women’s Missionary League

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LWML Mission Grant #14, Laborers of Love – Lutheran Braille Workers

The mission grant “Laborers of Love” is for Lutheran Braille Workers (LBW) to transcribe the English Standard Version (ESV) of the Bible into Braille. This enables the blind to participate in Bible studies and worship services using the same version of Holy Scripture that their sighted fellow believers use.

Having attended the 75^th Anniversary celebration of Lutheran Braille Workers this past October, I saw firsthand the ability of a fourth grader to read Braille while quickly passing his fingers over the page and talk about his favorite books of the Bible. I heard a nationally known speaker talk about the Scripture being the “light” in his life.

Many LWML women and their congregation members work in local Braille Workshops all over the United States. These volunteers produce the Braille and mail the books to recipients around the world. It is truly a “labor of love” to help the blind touch the Word of God in the form of Braille scripture and feel the love Jesus has for them.

[Jesus said] “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind” (Luke 4:18).

Continue to pray for all the mission grants. On this Tuesday after Thanksgiving, Giving Tuesday, November 27, you may donate toward the 2017–2019 LWML Mission Goal by using LWML Facebook, or at this website, lwml.org/givingtuesday. Your donation will be doubled on that day, thanks to the commitment of one generous couple and one generous individual.

Patti Ross

President
Lutheran Women’s Missionary League

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My dad was in church Thursday morning giving thanks to our Lord for all his earthly and heavenly blessings. Thanksgiving is one of my dad’s favorite holidays not only because of the delicious smoked turkey legs shared at the dinner table with family, but because of the gifts received through the sacrament of Holy Communion shared with God’s children at the Lord’s Table.

As a child, I remember my dad getting up at 4:00 a.m. to begin smoking the turkey. He would start it early enough so that he could attend the Thanksgiving Day worship service. Thank you to my dad for the turkey and for bringing me to church. Although I am grateful to have now made it to the big kids’ dinner table on Thanksgiving, the best table is the Communion table where our Father invites us to His banquet feast.

Recently, I read a Mustard Seed Devotion about gratitude. I thank Rev. Larry and Shari Miller for authoring this Faith-Filled Parenting Mustard Seed Devotion. I thank my mom for sharing her faith with me and for spreading the Gospel by giving Mustard Seed Devotions along with a tip to servers, attendants, and caregivers for their service.

You too can share the gift of the Gospel in thanksgiving by purchasing Mustard Seed Devotions at lwml.org and click on SHOP or receive the daily Mustard Seed Devotion through your email or LWML app and share them with all of God’s children.

Michelle Zollinger

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

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Have you ever thought about how your mite box is a “Gift of Hope?”

On October 29, 2012, a storm hit the northeast coast with such a fury that people were not prepared for the aftermath that it left behind. That storm was named, Superstorm Sandy, it was the largest hurricane to hit the states north of the Carolinas.  A storm surge would devastate the coastline of my home state of New Jersey and the neighboring New York City area. Homes would be laid to waste, fallen trees would take out electricity, and the shoreline topography would change forever.

before

after

I personally was without power for almost 2 weeks and experienced many down trees in my heavily wooded area here in northwest New Jersey. The need was great for chainsaws, generators, and equipment for tree and debris removal off of homes, roads, and highways.

Now you’re probably wondering how your mites would impact devastation of such magnitude? At the 2015 LWML Convention in Des Moines, Iowa, you voted to help support Lutheran Disaster Response Trailers. Every trailer was outfitted with a variety of tools, such as ladders, respirators, generators, saws, and safety equipment.

Your mite giving has allowed Lutheran Disaster Response Teams to have the resources needed to quickly respond to those areas in need that have been affected by disasters. 

You have given the “Gift of Hope” to communities in need through your faithful mite giving. Please pray for these teams as they help those affected by Hurricane Florence and Michael. 

Remember, lwml.org/givingtuesday

LWML Mission Grant # 5

Romans 10:15 And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!”

Mission Central in Mapleton, Iowa is a place of beautiful feet. The staff of Mission Central together with the LCMS Office of International Mission use their beautiful feet to help missionaries secure funding.

They are an avenue for continued support for missionaries who use their beautiful feet to take the Gospel of Jesus Christ to people throughout the world.

$100,000 would provide for a variety of necessary missionary resources such as orientation, language training, transportation, insurance, housing, medical care, utilities, and education of missionary children.

Your mite offerings help fund mission grant, #5, Current Missionary Need.

May God bless your beautiful feet as more missionaries are enabled to be sent and preach the good news. To God be the glory!

Continue to pray for all the mission grants. On Giving Tuesday your donation will be matched. Your support is needed. Please donate your offering at www.lwml.org/givingtuesday.

Char Kroemer

Vice President of Communication
Lutheran Women’s Missionary League

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