Serving with Gladness

When I think of someone that exemplifies “serving with gladness”, the person from my church that comes to mind is Wanda. Wanda seeks out all the visitors attending our church and encourages them to worship with us again. Goodie bags after the Sunday School Christmas Service are due to Wanda purchasing treats and assembling the bags. Thanks to Wanda, shut-ins are remembered many different times throughout the year; one I enjoy is singing Christmas carols to them. The joy on their faces is evident as we make a joyful noise unto the Lord.

Years ago, Wanda invited me to our church LWML group. She has been and continues to be a mighty prayer warrior for any and all. Her service to the LWML and God’s church is an amazing testament to Christ’s redeeming love for her.

Who in your church exemplifies “serving with gladness”? Consider contributing to “September to Remember” in thankfulness for them and the example they are to all they meet. Thank God for all the Wandas in your life. May we all strive to show God’s love where He has placed us.

Arlene Naasz

Vice President of Organizational Resources
Lutheran Women’s Missionary League

Get ready for Giving Day
on Tuesday, September 12, 2023

The Women in my District

When I think of the women who influenced me in the LWML, I think of all the women and the wonderful opportunity I was given to serve with them in the LWML Wyoming District. Those women were and are a treasure. They had to endure me and my goofy humor while trying to get things accomplished. We shared a lot of laughter while getting the work done. They patiently worked through a rigorous agenda reflecting upon the Word of God for guidance as they carefully and prayerfully considered how their mites would make the greatest impact for the kingdom of God. They desired to have the women of the Wyoming District see the opportunities for service and mission work in the Church and spoke regularly over how to encourage each other. Their Godly spirit and joyous attention to the task before them made the work with them joyful and made me joyful. They truly wanted nothing more than to serve their Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and reflect the light of Christ where they were.

I will always remember fondly the time I spent among them at those district meetings both as a board member and at convention. They taught me the joy of serving the Lord Jesus Christ.

Rev. Mark Maas

Junior Pastoral Counselor
Lutheran Women’s Missionary League

Get ready for Giving Day
on Tuesday, September 12, 2023

Receiving Jesus’s Love Through Friends

In August 1986, our two sons and I were in our home when it took a direct hit by a Kansas tornado. Suffering only minor cuts, we were protected by God from serious bodily harm. The ranch, however, was a tangled mess of trees, buildings, vehicles, and equipment. Hundreds of neighbors embodied His hands and feet as they cleaned, hauled, picked up, rebuilt, donated, and encouraged us during the following weeks.

Just as love, service, and support from the hearts of friends strengthened us, you can give from your heart on September 12 — Lutheran Women in Mission’s Giving Tuesday. Your gifts will impact lives through disaster response, mental health outreach, and ministry to the deaf, vision impaired, and special needs students. Most importantly, resources are distributed with the precious Gospel message of Jesus’s love and salvation for all.

Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand (Isaiah 41:10).

Brenda Piester

Recording Secretary
Lutheran Women’s Missionary League

Get ready for Giving Day
on Tuesday, September 12, 2023

Who are the people in your neighborhood?

LWML is a wonderful, Christ-centered, serving-joyfully neighborhood. When I think of my personal Lutheran Women in Mission neighborhood, I remember all the women in Kansas who served alongside me for the past 20 years. Each one a mentor as they shined the light of Jesus love while they “Served the Lord with Gladness”.

Lois, the District President at my first convention. Jean, who asked me to serve on the PR committee, where I met and learned joy-filled serving from Becky. Judy and Betty both lead with grace. A few others‒Kim, Debbie, Brenda, Gloria, and many more‒all servant leaders who helped me to grow along the way and might not even know. The M&M’s (Mary and Marlene) who brought laughter to LWML history, mites and serving. Young Women Representatives who touched my life as we shared national convention experiences.

My neighborhood has now expanded to the Pacific Southwest and there are new mentors stepping into place. The greatest thing about the Lutheran Women in Mission neighborhood is that it grows with each serving experience.

In honor of your own neighborhood, please consider contributing during the Lutheran Women in Mission September to Remember campaign on September 12.

Karen Morrison

Vice President of Gospel Outreach
Lutheran Women’s Missionary League

Get ready for Giving Day
on Tuesday, September 12, 2023

Inspired to Serve

When I think of a woman who exemplified “serving with gladness,” Claire Carlson comes to mind. I first met Claire in 1994 at my first LWML Eastern District Convention. I was moved by her enthusiasm and obvious love of the Lord. Claire inspired and encouraged me to actively serve in the LWML Eastern District. Over the ensuing years, Claire was an inspiration and mentor to many ladies of the Eastern District to serve the Lord in all sorts of capacities. Even after Claire moved with her family to LWML Chesapeake District, she continued to be a beacon of light to me and so many others across the nation as the Convention Transportation and Tours Manager.

On this “September to Remember,” I joyfully donate to the LWML Mission Goal in memory of Claire and in honor of all those ladies she inspired to serve. Please consider donating on September 12, 2023, in remembrance of someone who inspires you to “serve the Lord with gladness!”

Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth! Serve the Lord with gladness! Come into his presence with singing! (Psalm 100:1–2).

Praise the Lord!

Kathy Pavelock

Vice President of Communication
Lutheran Women’s Missionary League

Get ready for Giving Day
on Tuesday, September 12, 2023

Serving the Lord with Gladness

When I think of a woman who exemplified “serving the Lord with gladness” I think of Alvina. She not only was very involved but was super cheerful through it all.

Alvina could be found at the church and Lutheran School almost every day of the week. She was the school cook who could even make spinach taste good. She was the Sunday school teacher for the very littlest children and would lovingly comfort every child with the stories of Jesus' love. She was actively involved in every LWML activity and would be humming a hymn as she set tables or placed her mite offerings in the offering plate.

As Alvina aged and was no longer able to get out and about, she still hosted a Bible study in her home and made sure there was an abundance of homemade sweets for all. You just couldn’t help but smile when she was around.

On September to Remember I will donate to LWML in memory of Alvina who taught me how to serve our Lord with gladness. Who will you honor with a donation to LWML this September 12?

Susan Brunkow

Vice President of Christian Life
Lutheran Women’s Missionary League

Get ready for Giving Day
on Tuesday, September 12, 2023

Whatever You Do

Back to school time seems earlier every year. This year I hardly noticed. I retired after 26 years working as a school Speech Language Pathologist.

My retirement began unstructured. Time would slip by. I valued the “rest” but felt a little adrift. I began to schedule a daily devotional or Bible study time. Starting my day with prayer and Bible study has provided some needed structure.

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him (Colossians 3:16–17).

Equipped with the word of Christ we are strengthened to serve the Lord with thankful and joyful hearts. As Lutheran Women in Mission, we joyfully proclaim Christ, support missions, and equip women to honor God by serving others. Daily devotions are available by email. Bible studies and other resources, including a daily Bible reading guide, are available on our website, lwml.org.

What a privilege it is that God can speak to us every day through His Word.

Debbie Yocky

Public Relations Director
Lutheran Women’s Missionary League

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