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9-3-2021 September to Remember article

September to Remember


Let Your Light Shine

“Let your light so shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 5:16).

knitted hats

Certain people light up a room just by being there. The women and men in our church quilting group are prime examples. They come willing, eager to make quilts, plastic sleeping mats, and diapers. One member sews bears for agencies in our community and to give as a remembrance to those who have lost a loved one. An honorary member of our group, Millie, age 100 in October, made quilts and crocheted baby blankets and hats until her eyesight failed. She motivates the rest of us to let our lights shine to others.

Working together, we accomplish more than when we’re apart. Every time we gather, we have a time for sharing concerns and prayer requests. Remembering the less fortunate and doing things to help ease their burden is an example of glorifying God with your time and abilities.

How do you use the talents God gave you to remember and serve others?

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9-2-2021 September to Remember article

September to Remember


“First Responder” — A Shining Light

My shining light is a man with a kind word and a prayer asking God to bless His people. He’s a “first responder,” but not the kind you hear about on the news. This man responds with prayer — which should always be our first response.

He serves others daily by visiting with people, counseling and consoling them, and laughing or crying with them. His life is a life of service. He’s been there for me and many others; he listens and prays for you and with you.


Pastor Mitchel Schuessler

When the LWML “I am the Heart of LWML” Task Force first met, we began by looking to Scripture. This shining light quoted Matthew 6:21: For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Our treasure is Christ, our heart is with Him, and we show His love by serving others. That describes this man of God; he shines his light in service to the women and men of the LWML and to his congregation.

Thank you, Pastor Mitch Schuessler, for being a shining light for the LWML!

For LWML’s September-to-Remember campaign on September 14, consider donating to the LWML Mission Goal in honor of someone who is a “Shining Light” in your life.

Susan Donnelly

9-1-2021 September to Remember article

September to Remember


Shining Light: My Neighbor and LWML Friend

When we moved to Nebraska for my husband’s first call, we had two small children and were far way from our families. We met a wonderful woman named Norma who welcomed us with open arms, encouraged us, and made us honorary members of her family. She treated our sons as her own grandchildren and invited us to many special dinners, including holiday dinners.

This was not an unusual occurrence. Norma has a heart for service. She provides meals for members of the community dealing with illness or loneliness. An avid gardener, she shares her produce with neighbors, church members, the food pantry, and anyone in need.

Norma invited me to become a member of her LWML family. She belonged to LWML because she wanted to be in the Word and reach out to those who needed to hear of the love of Christ. She taught me where mite offerings went and what it means to live out your faith in day-to-day acts of service as a child of God.

Norma is a shining light and a true servant of God!

Michelle Jenks

8-30-2021 Prayer

Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,

Please join me in saying this prayer, written by LWML Senior Counselor Rev. Brian Noack.

Prayer for Our Nation and World
August 30, 2021

Almighty and Everlasting God, in Your Son You have assured us that You are with us always (Matthew 28:20), that You hold all the might of man, and that You have us engraved on the palms of Your gracious hand (Isaiah 49:16a). In this time of calamity around the world and in our own land, we ask Your eyes to turn in favor toward us and grant us Your protection, Your healing, and Your peace.

Give safety to all who find themselves in harms way in the face of natural disasters from wind or water, drought or fire, especially those impacted by the fires in the West and the hurricane that is affecting the Gulf region. Assist those who have evacuated in finding a place of refuge. Give courage to relief workers, firefighters, emergency management personnel, and all who render aid to Your people in their time of need. Where necessary, provide resources for the care and restoration of life and property, as well as opportunities to bear witness to Your mercy and faithfulness to us.

Be with all who are impacted by the events currently happening in Afghanistan. Protect our armed forces personnel as they carry out their duties in bringing our citizens and others to safety. Be with the Church in that region as they seek to maintain a faithful witness in the face of obvious evil. Thwart the plans of those who seek to bring violence, destruction, and death to the innocent, and turn their hearts to Your ways. Listen to the cries of Your people and be their rock and their refuge. Grant Your comfort to the families of those who have lost loved ones during this time, especially to the families of the Marines and soldiers who made the supreme sacrifice. May the victory of our Savior over death and the grave bring peace to sorrowing hearts.

We pray also, Lord, that You would guide the leaders of our nation and our world to work for peace. Give them wisdom to make decisions that align with Your will and purpose to care for and protect the citizens in their charge. May they be reminded that all authority comes from You, and by Your Spirit, let them seek Your direction as they lead and govern.

Holy Lord, while there is much to be concerned with as we look around our world, we also know that even the midst of our trials and struggles, You are still working Your good among us. We thank You for all the ways You continue to care for our daily needs through the hands and feet and voices of those whose vocation allows us to have our daily bread from Your hand. 

We praise You that, even in the face of challenging times, Your Word still sounds forth so that many hear Your saving Gospel, and by Your grace, turn and live in You. Bless our missionaries as they serve, and give them joy in their vocation as Your witnesses. Sustain Your Church, here and abroad, that we may live faithfully in this world and place all our hope on You. 

In our own Church, we ask You to be with The Rev. Dr. Thomas Egger who begins his service to You as president of Concordia Seminary. May his efforts continue to raise up servants for the Church who proclaim Christ crucified and risen to the world. Bless this new school year for our Lutheran elementary and high schools, our colleges and universities, our seminaries, and all who teach and learn in these places. May they see the beauty of the world You have made, be strengthened and encouraged and their faith, and equipped for lives of service to You and their neighbor in the world.

Most especially, dear Lord, we thank You for the gift of Your Son, Jesus Christ, who by His death has overcome sin, and by His resurrection has brought life and light to this world, who by Baptism has made us heirs of Your kingdom eternally. Give us faith that leans wholly upon Your promises, and renew our hope and our strength as we face the challenges of this life until we are home and at peace, with You, for all eternity; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

What a privilege to go before our Lord in prayer! Thank you for being prayer warriors who trust in His will for His children.

God in heaven, hear our prayers.

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8-29-2021 Weekly article

Serving Others

As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace (1 Peter 4:10).

My LWML group, like many around the country, takes a break over the summer for vacations and to spend time with family. When September comes, it is a joy to gather again to spend time in God’s Word and to work on projects to serve others.

However, there are some women in our congregations who are unable to gather together due to health issues, family considerations, or other commitments. They, too, want to “Serve the Lord with Gladness!” To include these wonderful women in the ministry of the LWML, the LWML Mailbox Member Program was created. This program provides resources for LWML groups to encourage women in our congregations to be in God’s Word and to participate in activities to serve others.

I encourage you to invite women in your congregations to take part in serving others. Find more information here: LWML Mailbox Member Program.

Michelle Jenks

8-22-2021 Weekly article

Back to School

Is it back-to-school time where you live? Do you remember being excited and nervous about the next school year? Did you enjoy the fresh start? Did you look forward to seeing your friends, learning new things, or meeting a new teacher?

Isn’t being a Christian a lot like this? We are excited and nervous about life. We have a “fresh start” or “reset” every time we spend time in the Word or partake in Holy Communion. We look forward to our heavenly home, meeting our Teacher Jesus, and being reunited with our family and friends. What joy we will have when we are finally home in heaven!

Take time to pray for all the back-to-school children and teachers. The LWML website has a fun Back to School devotion with visual aid ideas to share our faith with children.

Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it (Proverbs 22:6).

Karla Koehler

8-15-2021 Weekly article

It’s Back to School Time!

Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it (Proverbs 22:6).

Our grandson shared that his dad awakened him on the final day of school last May by singing, “School’s Out!” How quickly the summer has flown!

As PreK–12 schools, colleges, universities, seminaries, and midweek education classes begin this fall, Lutheran Women in Mission understand the importance of learning. We pack school kits, mail encouraging cards, keep students in our prayers, and seek opportunities to teach others to look to Jesus!

About half of the 2021–2023 LWML Mission Grants support education, some with Bible books, scholarships, camps, or meals. Others fund training pastors or teaching people with hearing or vision impairments. A few share God’s Word through materials for the homebound or outreach to cultures around the world. We thank God for faithful supporters who eagerly donate mite offerings to fund these grants focused on this vital Christian education.

God’s blessings on your teaching and learning!

Brenda Piester

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