Good Friday

 We often think of good in terms of a productive activity or a joyous event. We would comment, “I had a good day at work.” Or we would reflect, “That was a good birthday party; everyone had a lot of fun.” We enjoy good times with our friends and are encouraged when things go well.

On the Friday in which Jesus was crucified, suffered, and died, the Christian Church seeks to engage people with the word good, as in Good Friday. What's good about putting anyone to death, especially by the Roman means of crucifixion? The good in Good Friday refers to what this death means for us. The Apostle Paul concluded: For our sake [God] made [Jesus] to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God” (2 Corinthians5:21).

On Good Friday our sins are paid in full. Nothing could be better for us. That is why we worship “Jesus Christ Above All.”

Rev. Robert Mundahl

Junior Counselor
Lutheran Women’s Missionary League

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Are you able to absorb all that Jesus taught this special night we call Maundy Thursday? We call this Thursday, “Maundy” because that comes from a Latin word which means command, and Jesus gave some very special commands that night, like “love one another as I have loved you” (John 13:34a) and “do this in remembrance of me” (Luke 22:19b). Jesus not only gave us those commands but He put them into practice Himself. 

So very often people in charge don’t do a very good job of that. The boss likes to dictate your hours and coffee breaks and what you can and cannot do on company time, but he never follows his own rules. After all, he’s the boss! All too often, parents send the message to their kids: “Do as I say and not as I do.”  

However, Jesus is in charge of everything! He’s the master! He not only tells us what to do, He does it Himself first. So, on this Maundy Thursday let your actions follow the actions of Jesus through your time, talent, and the giving of your mites for mission!

 

 

Rev. Dr. Robert Roegner

Senior Counselor
Lutheran Women’s Missionary League

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Miss Leading Has Spring in Her Step

Spring brings new life and new beginnings. The earth itself comes back from winter’s dormancy in the season we call spring. Yay! This year, the first day of spring is also Palm Sunday. What an appropriate beginning to Holy Week, celebrating our new life in Christ’s resurrection from the dead! In His death and rising, we are assured of our own eternal life after death.  On Palm Sunday we sing the ancient song “Hosanna in the Highest!” as we welcome new life to the earth and salvation for our souls.

Also, making her LWML debut this spring is Miss Leading! She has been introduced on the LWML website and through social media. Maybe you’ve met her already. A purple (to the core) LWML leader who may speak your language as she relates to leadership challenges and snafus. She’s all about engaging, encouraging, equipping and enjoying leaders in the LWML (and future leaders too.)

Ms L, as we endearingly call her, will be featured in each quarterly Follow the Leader (http://www.lwml.org/developing-leaders) newsletter. She’ll also pop up in other media so be on the lookout for her. She’s new this spring, fresh and ready to serve the Lord with gladness!

Nancy Kohrs

Leader Development Committee Chairman 
Lutheran Women’s Missionary League

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Lutheran Women in Mission, what does this mean?

Lutheran Women in Mission, what does this mean? Sounds like a good Lutheran catechetical question to me. The answers are as diverse as the women in the LWML.

Our mission reaches far beyond all the busy tasks of being in an organization. Individually and collectively we offer ourselves to do the work of the Lord in our homes, congregations, communities, and worldwide. Our mite offerings help to supply the needs to mission grant recipients who then share the Gospel with others. Participation in many ministries is not only financial. It involves our prayerful support of their efforts to bring Christ to people worldwide. We are part of the team.

The LWML Mission Grants committee has provided on the website at lwml.org/mission-grants stories, devotions, prayers, bulletin information, and Facebook postings for the current 19 mission grants. We encourage you to use them as a way of getting to know your fellow teammates in the mission field. Connect directly with the recipients by going to their websites for more specific information about their ministry and possible ways to personally engage in their outreach.

“May you be strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy, giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light” (Colossians 1:11-12).

Sally Handrick

Mission Grants Committee Chairman 
Lutheran Women’s Missionary League

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It’s a Race!

I am not a runner. That’s why I can relate to the cartoon that reads “I don’t run. And if you do see me running, you’d better run too, because something is probably chasing me.” That is so true!

And yet, here I am, running a race. Hebrews 12:1 says in part “… and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us …”

So, it’s pretty obvious that I am going to need the right equipment and lots of encouragement! One great resource is the Mustard Seed set written by DCE Amanda Stacy, The Race of Faith. She compares a runner's activities with living the Christian faith. Even non-runners (like me!) find meaningful applications for life in Christ. Will you join me in this race?

You can sign up to receive daily Mustard Seed devotions via email. Click here.

Eden Keefe

Vice President of Christian Life
Lutheran Women’s Missionary League

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Then and Now

75th Anniversary Committee

"For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven...a time to plant...a time to speak...a time to build. So says Ecclesiastes 3, and so it was for the women of the Missouri Synod in the late 1920s. They planted seeds... Now it was time to increase the yield by sharing, by cooperating, by expanding. Spontaneously, almost simultaneously in scattered locations throughout the continent, women's societies began building linkages with others that were committed to the Lord's service."

These words from WINGS* by Marlys Taege show the joy and determination of women who encouraged the establishment of what would become the Lutheran Women's Missionary League in 1942. Women today are still connected to these visionaries as they, too, engage in serving Christ through the LWML.

LWML TURNS 75 IN 2017!

Start planning now, encourage your friends and come enjoy the Diamond Dazzle Celebration at the LWML 37th Biennial Convention, June 22-25, 2017 in Salt Lake City, Utah Albuquerque, New Mexico (updated March 2016)! 

*Copyright©1991 Lutheran Women's Missionary League

Edie Norris

75th Anniversary Committee Chairman 
Lutheran Women’s Missionary League

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M&M's® in LWML

I’ve always liked M&M's® candies.  It doesn’t matter what color, size, plain, mint, peanut, almond, peanut butter, or crunchy.  I like them all!  How about you?

New LWML M&M's® now available for purchase!

Thinking about M&M's® got me thinking about the LWML and all the M&M's® incorporated within our framework. For example, there’s mission ministry, messages, mites, music, meetings, mentors, and magnificent relationships to name a few.

As you grab another handful of M&M's®, think about our LWML.

• Mission Ministry – Mites with a goal of $2,000,000.
• Meaningful meetings and motivational Bible studies chaired by our mentors.
• Messages sent through Media.
• Making Music - we sing unto the Lord. Oh come, let us sing to the Lord; let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation! (Psalm 95:1) for the many M&M's® we have in LWML.

So, let’s put on our purple and gold team uniforms, and with team spirit enjoy some M&M's®. Serve the Lord with gladness!

Marilyn Schroeder

Treasurer
Lutheran Women’s Missionary League

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