So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, crying out, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord” (John 12:13).

Holy Week begins with Palm Sunday. The people cry, “Hosanna!” We join with them, crying out, “Hosanna!” Save us! Save us from sin, death, and the power of the devil. Save us from ourselves. Save us from our sinfulness. Save us from eternal damnation. “Hosanna!”

Yes, we cry out with those words on this day and every day. The joy which we have is the knowledge that our Lord does save us. He gives His life for us, for our salvation.

Unfortunately, there are many people in the world who still cry out, seeking someone or something to save them. The mission that we have been given is to share the Gospel with all people. Through its many mission grants, the LWML continues to support the mission of the Church, which is to reach the lost with the message of the Gospel.

As you go into Holy Week, lift up your voice and sing, “Hosanna!” As you do so, remember to place that coin in your Mite Box to support the work of reaching out to others in response to their great need.

Rev. Mitchel Schuessler

Senior Pastoral Counselor
Lutheran Women’s Missionary League

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And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world (1 John 4:14).

Next week is Holy Week. As we prepare to celebrate our Lord’s resurrection, we remember His ultimate sacrifice. Fulfilling His Father’s will, Jesus died on the cross to save us from sin, death, and the devil. He redeemed us and because of Him, we know, without a doubt, that heaven will one day be our home … our true home. What an awesome God we have!

Sadly, there are many people in our world who do not yet know Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. What can we do? How can we share His Gospel truth? In grateful prayer, we ask that our mite offerings be used as blessings as they fund mission grants throughout the world. Click here to discover more about how the pennies, nickels, dimes, quarters, and paper currency we put in our Mite Boxes multiply LWML’s outreach to others.

God bless you as you share His love,

Char Kroemer

Vice President of Communication
Lutheran Women’s Missionary League

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“The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life” (John 4:14b).

Water is a basic necessity for life. As a youngster growing up in rural South Dakota, I remember when our well went dry. Waiting for a new well to be dug was a hassle. We conserved water and even shared bathwater! Being the only girl, I was allowed to bathe first. We all jumped for joy when the well-diggers struck water.

Over the years, several of our LWML Mission Grants have helped provide clean water. Currently, 2019–2021 LWML Mission Grant #1,“Water and the Word for Rural Schools in Kenya,” is one of those grants. More important, however, than water which comes from an earthly well, is the living water Christ gives us through His grace and mercy. He wants us to share eternity with Him and has made us His children through the waters of Holy Baptism.

I thank God for the opportunity the LWML has to share water for drinking and bathing, but also to provide the knowledge of His living water to others throughout the world.

Arlene Naasz

Meeting Manager
Lutheran Women’s Missionary League

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I have always loved to sing but never had a pleasing voice. In fact, my eighth grade vocal coach asked me to quit! In church, though, God doesn’t care if you have a beautiful voice. He loves to hear you sing HIS praises! In the Psalms alone there are 21 references to singing. Psalm 95:1 is a favorite: Oh come, let us sing to the Lord; let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation! Joy and singing just seem to go together. I can think of no greater joy than singing praises to our God.

Do you begin your LWML Bible studies and meetings with song? LWML women love to sing. Try starting your next meeting with a joyful song of praise to our Lord! Then, try one of our program helps for resources on icebreakers, devotions, Bible studies, and mission service projects. Check out the 2019–2021 reSOURCEs for Planning Programs by clicking here.

Susan Donnelly

Public Relations Director 
Lutheran Women’s Missionary League

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Well, it happened again. Time stood still. Or in 21st century language — Daylight Saving Time started last weekend. I really miss that one hour. I know I’ll get it back in November, but I need it right now. I have things to do, deadlines to meet, people to cherish.

Did you know Daylight Saving Time started officially in the US in 1918? For over one hundred years we’ve been changing our clocks back and forth in the spring and fall, seeking after the perfect mix of daylight and darkness.

But is the focus really on having more hours in the day — or for better use of the hours we do have? The writer of Ecclesiastes reminds us: For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven (Ecclesiastes 3:1).

The LWML website has many resources that help us focus — and refocus — on our daily priorities:

• Leadership Resource: “Manage Yourself, Not Your Time”

• Multi-Session Bible Study: “The Task-Filled Life Bible Study”

• Single Session Bible Study: “Who’s Number One?

Deaconess Betty Knapp

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

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Spring is just around the corner! Are you ready for the spring-cleaning ritual? Each year my mom strongly urges me to donate clothing I’ve not worn in years, claiming that I use the majority of the available closet and drawer space in our home. I disagree with the amount of space I take! (smile) However, I will do it, and sort my clothes and shoes so I can contribute them to people in need.

What about spring cleaning of our hearts? Actually, we should not wait until spring to do this! We daily need to have our hearts cleansed by God so we can be one with Him. There is a great LWML devotion that you can use on your own or with your group to remember to clean your heart: Housecleaning — Heart Cleaning. Take a look at that devotion and others on the LWML website at Program Helps.

Enjoy your spring cleaning — and your daily heart cleaning!

Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me (Psalm 51:10).

Marie Chow

Vice President of Organizational Resources
Lutheran Women’s Missionary League

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Lent has arrived! This is a solemn time of repenting of our sins and remembering Jesus’ journey to the cross. Lent lasts for 40 days, from Ash Wednesday until Easter, without counting Sundays.

As a number’s person, I find the occurrence of certain numbers in the Bible fascinating. Lent is 40 days because it mirrors the 40 days Jesus spent fasting in the desert, according to each of the Gospels. Jesus spent 40 days on earth between the resurrection and the ascension.

Yes, numbers are fascinating. However I'm more excited about what the Bible tells us! It is more than just an instruction manual for living on this earth. It shows us the life we have in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. All Scripture is … profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness (2 Timothy 3:16).

Journey with me over the 40 days of Lent by taking time to study God’s Word. LWML has many resources available to help you: sign up for LWML’s Mustard Seed Daily Devotions at www.lwml.org/stayintouch, or find a Bible Study at www.lwml.org/bible-studies.

Karla Koehler

Treasurer
Lutheran Women’s Missionary League

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