Thursday: The night on which Jesus was betrayed. The night on which the King served and washed His own with water and Word. The night on which the Lamb of God shared with His disciples the very body and blood that gives them life. As we gather together on this night, we remember Him. We remember the One who loves, who serves, who forgives, and who calls us to do the same. Gathered in the name and remembrance of Jesus on this Holy Thursday, may He ready our hearts to receive what is His alone to give … “Take, eat; this is my body … Drink of it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.” (Matthew 26:26b and 27b-28) ESV
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Details, Details, Details …
Lots to think about as you make plans for the LWML Biennial Convention, June 22–25, 2017, in Albuquerque, NM. Some things to contemplate:
- Train, plane, car, or maybe district bus?
- Sign up for a pre/post convention tour?
- Make hotel reservation
- Order a convention shirt
- Tee Up for Mites and/or Mission in Motion Walk?
- Shop for Gifts from the Heart
- Servant Events, Noon Gatherings, etc.
- What to wear, especially to the Saturday night "Diamond Dazzle"
Information on all this and more are available in the convention insert of the Winter issue of the Lutheran Woman's Quarterly or online at www.lwml.org/2017-convention
Another important item to consider is your gift to the LWML 75th Anniversary Thank Offering for the Endowment that will help continue the legacy of LWML. Donations may be made 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 the donation as LWML 75th Anniversary Thank Offering.
Praise God for His Faithfulness
across the United States have united in the common desire to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ throughout the world. As of March 31, 2017, our Mission Goal for 2015–2017 has been met! Praise God for His faithfulness and the determination of faithful women to raise over $2 million for mission grants! A final total will be released next week after all contributions with a postmark of March 31 have been totaled. Many thanks to all who shared their blessings with others through LWML mission grants.
Please take a moment to thank our Lord with words from our Lutheran Service Book.
Thank the Lord and sing His praise; Tell everyone what He has done.
Let everyone who seeks the Lord rejoice and proudly bear His name.
He recalls His promises and leads His people forth in joy with shouts of thanksgiving.
Alleluia, alleluia.
Serving with Gladness!
Patti
Who Are They?
Two years ago LWML Lutheran Women in Mission voted to raise $2 million by March 31 of this year to fund 19 mission grants. Why did they do that? They are dedicated to what Jesus tells his followers to do, “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you” Matthew 28:19.
Who have been working to raise $2 million dollars over the past 2 years, with God’s blessing and help? Lutheran Women in Mission — regular women like you and me. No “Wonder Woman” appears to write a $2 million dollar check. We haven’t found the ultimate fundraising strategy. Women (and men) across the United States unite to fill mission Mite Boxes with money above and beyond their regular gifts to their church. Prayers go along with those offerings.
Let us praise God and pray for His blessing as we enter the final week of receiving offerings for our $2 million goal.
Serving with Gladness,
Patti
Faith-raiser or Fundraiser?
A while back, President Patti asked members of the LWML Executive Committee to describe a missionary. Obviously, the responses were varied.
One of the responses, “A missionary is a faith-raiser, not a fundraiser”, however, I wonder if we aren’t both.
LWML’s adopted Mission Grants are great examples of missionaries in action. You and me! Sharing His love, including our monetary gifts, to help bring His saving light into a very dark world. As a Missionary, even one in training, we are able to live out our Christian life in mission ministries and support of missions in and around the world.
The spring issue of the Lutheran Woman’s Quarterly highlights four Mission Grants from this biennium that are still in need of our financial support. We are called to be the Light of the World and Christ’s witnesses through acts of mercy. Let’s share God’s light through prayer and monetary support. We are faith-raisers and fundraisers.
Take a Closer Look
While Moses was tending his father-in-law’s sheep in Midian, he saw a bush that looked like it was on fire. He decided to take a second look at the bush because it didn’t seem to be burning up. When the Lord saw Moses coming to take a closer look, God called to him from the middle of the bush, “Moses! Moses!” (Exodus 3:4 NLT).
Isn’t it interesting that God didn’t speak to Moses until he came to take a closer look? God had something to say to Moses, but He waited to say it until He had Moses’ full attention.
I’ve noticed when I’m busy, I often need to take a second look to really notice and pay attention to details. (Am I the only one who has ever driven away from home, only to turn the car around to go back to double check if the garage door closed?)
How about taking a closer look at our 2015–2017 Mission Grants?
There are still several left to fund before our biennium ends on March 31, 2017. It isn’t too late to help reach out to those training to share the message of salvation at the seminary in Nigeria through LWML Mission Grant #4! Offerings must reach the LWML office by March 31, 2017. Please give through your district treasurer or by clicking here to donate directly.
Training Pastors to Share the Message of Salvation
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Our seminary brothers in Nigeria study the same Gospel as our brothers do in St. Louis and Fort Wayne, but in very different settings. The Jonathan Ekong Memorial (JEM) Seminary in Nigeria is in serious need of restoration. The buildings’ conditions are dangerous to useless.
As our partners in gospel proclamation in Africa, and by your vote for grant #4 at the 2015 LWML Convention in Des Moines, we are privileged to assist in their restoration with a $120,000 grant.
We praise God for those called to be Church Workers, and as we pray for, support, and encourage our Church Workers in Mission and seminary students locally, let us also be mindful to do so for those in Nigeria.
Your mite offerings will insure the restoration of this precious seminary and the continuation of the proclamation of the Gospel to our Nigerian brothers and sisters.
With our biennium ending on March 31, it is very important to send your mite offerings in each week, making sure the last one is postmarked no later than March 31, 2017.
Philippians 4:13 says, I can do all things through him who strengthens me.
I know we can meet the goal we set. This is just a reminder not to wait.
I love you all.
