God’s View

On vacation, my husband Mike and I decided to participate in a corn maze. Since Wisconsin corn grows considerably taller than Texas corn, we were going to have to be on our A game. We soon discovered that we did not bring enough water. Slightly giving up, but shortening our time, we decided to take the “Kids’ Path.” We consoled our bruised egos by telling ourselves that people were waiting for us in the store. Once inside, we discovered a drone map of the corn maze. That would have made it much easier, don’t you think?

Similarly, to how the drone viewed the maze, God views our lives. He sees everything. We only see the snippet of time in which we reside. Whenever we start a new adventure in life, we should go to God’s Word and approach our Lord in prayer asking Him to guide our steps.

Commit your work to the LORD, and your plans will be established (Proverbs 16:3).

LWML Devotion suggestion, “What Shall I Do?” by Virginia Von Seggern

Cheryl Mattil

Strategic Plan Facilitator
Lutheran Women’s Missionary League

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Endings and New Beginnings

Summer is over. Fall breezy days are here. The leaves are turning brilliant colors. And we are starting to glimpse the end of this calendar year as the months pass by with increased speed. Although with each season passing there are inevitable endings, there are also new beginnings with all its wonder and joy.

What’s new in your life? Has God been giving you a little nudge to step out in faith and serve Him in a different way? 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 (Jeremiah 29:11). God is always with you.

Behold, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands (Isaiah 49:16a). It does not matter what season of life we are in; God always has a plan for us. Even to your old age I am he, and to gray hairs I will carry you. I have made, and I will bear; I will carry and will save (Isaiah 46:4).

Nudge.

Leslie Colligan

Meeting Manager
Lutheran Women’s Missionary League

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Focus on Jesus

Now may the God of peace … equip you with everything good that you may do his will (Hebrews 13:20-21).

Did you celebrate LWML Sunday today or are you planning on celebrating Lutheran Women in Mission Sunday later this month? If you are observing it later this month, a suggestion you might want to consider is showing one of the Focus on Jesus presentations during your coffee or fellowship time. They are based on the mission statement of the LWML. There are five narrated videos — each only a few minutes long — and give a great overview of our mission and why we joyfully proclaim Christ. These videos are well done and were just completed this past summer. Another use you might consider is sharing them at your group meetings or a servant event where you invite guests and non-LWML members. Be creative and use this resource to help share about our wonderful LWML.

Arlene Naasz

Vice President of Organizational Resources
Lutheran Women’s Missionary League

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Are You "Hooked"?

The women who taught me the most about the importance of contributing to mission grants through mites were my dear, departed mother-in-law (MIL), Lorena Werner and my “El Paso Mom” Sue Anderson. Both women truly lived the LWML motto: Serve the Lord with gladness! (Psalm 100:2).

As a young bride and new member of the Lutheran Church, my MIL Lorena explained what LWML’s mission was and gave me my first Mite Box. She invited me to the LWML meeting at our church, Christ Lutheran, Yuma, Arizona, and I got involved serving as a society officer and helping with various fundraisers to contribute to the mission grants via our Mite Boxes.

After we relocated to the El Paso, Texas, area 25 years ago, Sue Anderson (former Rocky Mountain District (RMD) President) encouraged me to get involved in LWML at Ascension Lutheran, El Paso, Texas. With Sue’s mentoring, I served as an officer in our zone and on the RMD Mission Grants (MG) Committee. Serving on the MG committee really opened my eyes to all the opportunities our district and national mission grants provide to spread the good news of Jesus to people locally and world-wide. I was hooked!

How about you? Are you “hooked” on feeding your Mite Box regularly to support the mission grants in your district and nationally? Are you “hooked” on Serving the Lord with Gladness? I pray so!

Anita Werner

Treasurer
Lutheran Women’s Missionary League

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The Lord’s September

He has made everything beautiful in its time (Ecclesiastes 3:11).

I hear it now! It’s in the air and it is beautiful! Fall has appeared and the lovely colors of the season are visible. The crickets are singing, the squirrels gathering acorns, the geese flying overhead, the crackling of a campfire, the smell of warm cider, and the crunch of leaves on the ground make it all the Lord’s September.

I sometimes forget to pause and take in all the beautiful sights and sounds of this season. My mind goes ahead to the snow and cold that will come soon. It is in those wondering moments when I must stop and take in the moments of today.

Take time in your life to enjoy the Lord’s September and all of the beauty of the season. You might be amazed at what you will hear and see.

To enrich your spiritual walk, here is a devotion for this time of year: Pray For A Bountiful Harvest.

Karol Selle

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

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Thank you from LWML President Eden Keefe and the Board of Directors

Thank you, dear sisters and brothers in Christ, for your generous support during our annual September to Remember Giving Day! What a privilege it was to read the home page articles and social media posts highlighting our Christian mentors and role models. It was awesome to read your responses! I loved the stories of how these people lived out their faith through mission service, care, encouragement, ministry support, and sharing the Gospel. It is inspiring to see how God works through His children, isn’t it? But the blessings don’t end there. Every donation given on this day goes directly toward the 2023–2025 LWML Mission Grant goal. We rejoice in the ways God provides and how people will be touched with the saving message of Jesus through your gifts. Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all we ask or think, according to the power at work with us, to him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen (Ephesians 3:20–21).

Eden Keefe

President, 2023–2027
Lutheran Women’s Missionary League

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September to Remember

Do you have a special person in your life? Someone who makes you smile with gratitude when you think of him or her? Maybe it was (or is!) a teacher, a friend, a family member, or an LWML sister or brother.

One that often comes to mind was a special someone to my mom. Her name is Mary. She and my mom (Marlene) were great friends and LWML sisters. They served in various roles in their groups, zone, and district, and were known as the M&Ms. This dynamic duo brought attention to the Gospel impact of mite offerings and missions with presentations filled with love for their Lord, laughter, and of course, M&Ms®! Although my mom is now in heaven, Mary continues to serve the Lord with gladness! (Psalm 100:2).

Today, I will have an opportunity to honor both my mom and Mary by giving a gift to Lutheran Women in Mission for September to Remember.

Who is your special someone? Would you consider honoring her with a gift to LWML — Lutheran Women in Mission? To donate today, follow this link to secure online giving.

Eden Keefe

President, 2023–2027
Lutheran Women’s Missionary League

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