In my home I have a small plaque that reads “GRANDKIDS WELCOME, Parents by Appointment”. Although humorous, it has caused me to stop and think — is that the way I treat newcomers to my LWML group or to my church family?  What do I do to make the newcomers feel informed and comfortable? Suddenly it doesn’t seem so humorous.

I recall my daughter-in-law asking me about LWML and the Mite Box. Unfortunately, I had taken for granted that she understood LWML. After all, I’d seen the Mite Box at her church including a variety of LWML announcements in her church bulletin. Her question and our discussion instantly ignited an excited connection for mission grants and the Mite Box. Her personal Mite Box now regularly gathers, with purpose, proceeds for mission grants.

Thinking back to the plaque, more conscious of newcomers, and how we might treat them, let’s make an intentional appointment so they too can join us in serving the Lord with gladness!

Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality (Romans 12:13).

Find resources for LWML groups here.

Marilyn Schroeder

Treasurer, 2015–2019
Lutheran Women’s Missionary League

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You’ve probably heard of Black Friday, but have you heard of Giving Tuesday? Giving Tuesday, observed on the Tuesday following Thanksgiving, takes the focus off of the commercialism of Black Friday and Cyber Monday and instead celebrates giving back. Our goal is to use Giving Tuesday to spread the Gospel message by raising money and awareness for LWML Mission Grants, which share the love of Jesus throughout all nations.

Thanks be to God for the generous donors whose matching fund offers allow your donation to be tripled in value. Join your LWML sisters around the world in donating on Giving Tuesday. www.lwml.org/givingtuesday

Our Giving Tuesday theme this year is, "From One Generation to the Next, You Can Share God's Love to the Ends of the Earth!"

Here is just one of the many beneficiaries of LWML Mission Grants, worldwide.

Forty years ago, in 1977, through your mite offerings, LWML provided a grant of $80,000 to Lutheran Hour Ministries (LHM) to cover program production expense, studio rental, tapes, and distribution to radio stations. The broadcasts were translated and adapted for Spanish programs produced in Latin America. Almost weekly, a listener would journey by foot to Lutheran Hour located in La Paz, Bolivia to seek Christian literature or counseling.

During this 2017–2019 biennium, LHM will receive, through your mission offerings, a $100,000 grant to proclaim the Gospel via mass media in the Middle East. Since 1977 LHM has been able to broadcast to millions across the world because of YOU. Imagine what you can do in the years to come? From one generation to the next, with God’s grace, and the work of the Holy Spirit we can share God’s love to the ends of the earth.

Patti Ross

President
Lutheran Women’s Missionary League

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Praise you dear God for the gift of prayer.
Remember my sin no more.
Accept my contrite heart.
Yes, thank you for hearing and answering my requests.
Expect the perfect answer from God.
Rejoice.

Prayer helps are available for free downloads at

www.lwml.org/program-helps-devotions —
From Him All My Labor and Pray for a Bountiful Harvest.

www.lwml.org/program-helps-bible-studies —
A Private Line and O My Father and Our Daily Bread.

Prayer helps are available for purchase at www.lwml.org/store —

Living in Prayer
Mustard Seed Devotions

The Lord’s Prayer
Bible Study for women

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say rejoice. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:4, 6–7).

Michelle Zollinger

Public Relations Director, 2017–2019
Lutheran Women’s Missionary League

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We will not hide them from their children, but tell to the coming generation the glorious deeds of the Lord, and his might, and the wonders that he has done (Psalms 78:4).

I attended the 2016 LWML Wyoming District Convention and approached 12 year old Bekah. I told her how happy I was that her mother brought her to convention. Her mother responded, “She brought me.” Her mother was undecided about attending the convention and Bekah said “Mom, we need to go.” Mom said, “Let’s do it!” How wonderful to have a mother-daughter team serving the Lord together. 

Let’s do it again! Women of all ages, bring your mothers, daughters, and grands to your 2018 LWML District Conventions. Make it a family affair.

Pictured here are some mothers and daughters who attended their 2016 district conventions together.

Four generations pictured above and below.

Kaye Dumas Wolff

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

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This week all committees and team members of the national LWML are meeting in St. Louis, Missouri, for an interdepartmental meeting. Over 60 women from across the nation will join in Bible study and training opportunities. Each committee will set goals, objectives, and action plans for the biennium.

These women come from all walks of life and bring their insight and ideas on how all women of the LCMS can continue to serve the Lord with gladness. Your prayers for this gathering are welcomed and appreciated.

You can also share your comments and ideas with the LWML leadership at any time. Click here to find a list of all officers and their emails. By the grace of God, the LWML will continue to offer programs and resources to each generation that keep the focus on Jesus Christ.

In His service, filled with His joy,

Debbie Larson

Vice President of Organizational Resources
Lutheran Women’s Missionary League

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reSOURCEs for Planning Programs,
item # LWML14223

From societies, to zones, to districts, our LWML is constantly moving to engage, encourage, equip, and enjoy serving our God and each other through Bible studies, devotional aids, sketches, and of course our Mite box offerings.

Excitement is another “E” word to describe what is overflowing between our Lutheran women. Committees have been prayerfully selected as we begin this new biennium, and now we are ready to continue the path God is designing for us.

October 25^th thru October 27^th, 2017, each committee member will travel to St. Louis for an Interdepartmental Meeting. Fundamental groundwork will begin here, as we join together Lutheran Women in Mission, motivated by our desire to share the necessary Gospel message of Jesus Christ to a world in need.

Look under The Word above to find helps for sharing and for being in God’s Word. Under Program Helps you can also find a two-year planner, reSOURCES, which is available as a free download or by phone order at 800-252-5965.

We will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word (Acts 7: 26).

Jennifer Huecker

Vice President of Christian Life
Lutheran Women’s Missionary League

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We plan for events in our future — graduations, weddings, baby showers, retirement. Sometimes plans change over time to better fit our needs, or unexpected things that happen. None of us knows what's in the future, but we do know Who holds it through the gift of our faith in Jesus Christ.

The LWML continues to prepare for changes to follow where the Lord  guides the organization. At the 75th Anniversary Diamond Dazzle celebration, past president Gloria Edwards shared, "Change can happen if the desire to move on is greater than the desire to hold on."

Your continued support for the 75th Anniversary Thank Offering to benefit the LWML Endowment will help provide a legacy for the future as together Lutheran Women in Mission pray and plan for serving and sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Donations may be given online at www.lwml.org/donate-endowment-fund, or mailed to the LWML office at 3558 S. Jefferson Ave., St Louis MO 63118. Please note donations for LWML 75th Anniversary Thank Offering.

For I know the plans I have for you, declares says the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil to give you a future and a hope (Jeremiah 29:11). 

Edie Norris

75th Anniversary Committee Chairman 
Lutheran Women’s Missionary League

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