My Soul Rejoices

But let all who take refuge in you rejoice; let them ever sing for joy… (Psalm 5:11a)

With a toddler in our family last Christmas, it was fun to see the excitement and joy as he discovered the wonder of Christmas lights, cookies, gifts and caroling. He probably didn’t totally understand the deeper meaning or how those traditions relate to the birth of Jesus Christ as the one who saves us from our sins, but, he did catch on that there was joy in each activity. His wiggly little dances and singing along, even thought the words weren’t quite right, remind us that we have much to be joyful about all year long. Our soul rejoices that we are free from the slavery of sin because of Jesus’ life, death and resurrection.

The 2023 LWML Prayer Service, My Soul Rejoices was written by former LWML Pastoral Counselor Rev. Dr. Mitchel Schuessler of Clarinda, Iowa. Singing familiar hymns, joining together in the Word, and spending time in prayer individually and corporately, will make your soul rejoice. You can look forward to a joyous and uplifting worship service whether it is used in the congregation or the LWML district, zone, or group.

The 2023 LWML Prayer Service is available at www.lwml.org/prayer-service.

Susan Brunkow

Vice President of Christian Life
Lutheran Women’s Missionary League

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Gifting Hugs

When gifting, we look for something that would delight or benefit the recipient. Gifts are tangible hugs, sharing who we are with others, defining relationships, or enabling friendships to grow deeper.

Consider gifting a tangible hug that shares your love for missions, a copy of the Quarterly. Say, “I’m not in mission like that story, but I’m a Lutheran Woman in Mission.” Share the Bible studies and devotions: “I’m a child of God. I want to know Him better, and I want us to share the journey.” View the Grants at Work and Heart of LWML together. Say, “This is why I have a Mite Box. It’s amazing what God can do with coins that are prayed over.”

Consider some possible ways to share your story as you share the Quarterly. Share an issue with your plane seatmate. Order extra copies for visitors or inactive LWMLers in your church. What’s your possibility?

Share who you are – one who not only gives her silver and gold, but one who shares herself and her God and His mission whenever and wherever He leads!

Sheila Lutz

Editor-in-Chief, Lutheran Woman’s Quarterly
Lutheran Women’s Missionary League

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God's Timing is Perfect

“… the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, which he will display at the proper time … (1 Tim 6:14b-15a).

It is a challenge for believers to wait patiently, even when we know God’s timing is perfect. A child can’t wait for Christmas. An adult has trouble waiting for news about a new position.

Speaking of waiting, the people of the Promise Era of old waited 4,000 years for the Messiah to come. Yet, the Messiah did come. He came as the baby Jesus in David’s town of Bethlehem. For many reasons, we can now see that when God sent His Son, it was the proper time.

We have the most incredible promise yet to be fulfilled — Jesus second coming. Even though we don’t know when that is, our dear Lord has sent His Spirit to create faith in us so that we can indeed wait and even wait patiently. That Coming is the one thing in all of life worth waiting for, indeed, more than anything else. For what Jesus did makes it all possible — His life, death, and resurrection — possible for us to know, without any doubting, that He is coming for the second time — coming for us! This is why we celebrate the First Coming—since we know the Second is coming. Merry Christmas!

The Rev. Gary A. Piepkorn

Junior Pastoral Counselor
Lutheran Women’s Missionary League

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Staying focused on Christ

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth (John 1:14).

Distractions abound this time of year. Between the church obligations, shopping, travel plans, or preparations to welcome visitors, and all the other Christmas traditions your family may have, there is A LOT going on in our lives. Yet, this time of year is all about the one thing that is most important: Jesus Christ, the Savior who is born for us. In Jesus, God dwells with us, and through Him, we have life and salvation eternally. By remembering that all of the other things of this season ought to point to Him, we can stay focused on what is most important, and bear witness to the joy that He brings. To assist you, consider looking at this Lucy Leader post which offers studies, service projects, and other activities to help you focus on Jesus in these joy-filled days. Happy Christmas!

In Christ,

The Rev. Brian Noack

Senior Pastoral Counselor
Lutheran Women’s Missionary League

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Be Contagious, Spread Advent JOY

And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people (Luke 2:10).

It is nearly Christmas, and life is busy with school programs, church events, social get-togethers, office parties, cleaning, baking, shopping, and decorating. How’s your attitude? Are you calm? Stressed? Overwhelmed?

The LWML website is a treasure trove of resources, and one title caught my attention: “Advent Joy-A-Tude.” The devotion begins with a story of a woman shopping with two children and she reaches her breaking point. Sound familiar? Joy-robber Satan tries to keep her — and us — focused on the immediate so we are blind to the permanent source of real JOY, Jesus Christ, the newborn King!

When overwhelmed, I will check my “Joy-A-Tude,” go to this devotion, delve into His Word, and be refreshed knowing that true JOY only comes from being in His presence. One small way I can share this JOY is by using Scripture gift tags.

May you also “Be Contagious” and “Spread JOY” this Advent season!

Brenda Piester

Recording Secretary
Lutheran Women’s Missionary League

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Prepare Your Heart

the voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight’” (Mark 1:3).

How are your Christmas preparations coming? Have you sent your cards, finished shopping, decorated your home, baked goodies? The list goes on and on.

Take a moment to pause and reflect on the real preparation you need to do — prepare your heart for the Lord. At the very top of this webpage, enter the word “Christmas” in the search box and your search will yield an abundant list of resources to help you prepare your heart for the birth of Christ. You will find Bible studies, devotions, litanies, and crafts. The list goes on and on. One devotion I especially like is “How Mary Prepared for the First Christmas”. Just as Mary listened to the Word of God, may we too prepare our hearts to receive Christ this Christmas.

Arlene Naasz

Meeting Manager
Lutheran Women’s Missionary League

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The Season of Advent is Upon Us
What Do You Mean, “Be Still”?

The season of Advent has begun. Christmas is less than four weeks away. How can anyone, in this busy season, be still? Yet, the Lord commands us, “Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” (Psalm 46:10).

The Lord is not scolding His people when He shares these words with us. He is simply giving us the opportunity to experience His peace. As we begin to make preparations for this busy time of year, I pray we will take time each day to savor the stillness and peace that comes when we trust our Lord and Savior.

In a short Bible study titled “What Do You Mean, Be Still?” written for LWML in 2014, the author shares that God has the power to speak to us anytime, anywhere, and in ways we cannot ignore. However, He often chooses to speak to us quietly. The stillness of the Christmas season is the stillness that comes from knowing the Lord Jesus Christ.

As you make all the preparations associated with this Christmas season, are you preparing your heart to receive His will for you? Join me and choose a different devotion, Bible study, litany, or mission activity each day. There is no better way to prepare for our Savior’s birth!

Today, and always, we are surrounded by God’s grace,

Debbie Larson

President, 2019–2023
Lutheran Women’s Missionary League

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