Gulf States Glad Tidings

Transcription

1 Gulf States Glad Tidings Winter Edition 2016 Lutheran Women s Missionary League - Gulf States District Volume LXI, Issue 4 To be grateful is to recognize the love in everything He has given us and He has given us everything. Gratitude, therefore, takes nothing for granted, is never unresponsive, is constantly awakening to new wonder and to praise of the goodness of God; for the grateful person knows that God is good not by hearsay but by experience, and that is what makes all the difference. --Thomas Merton I N S I D E T H I S I S S U E 1 2 Thanksgiving and Serving District President Judy Lessmann s Message 3 Senior Counselor Rev. J. Mark Kuehnert s Message 4 Gulf State District Officer s Reports 8 Camp ASCCA Fall Retreat Overview 10 Zone News Fiddler on the Roof, the 1964 musical about an Orthodox Jewish family navigating cultural change, includes a duet by the main character, Tevye, and his wife, Golde. As they watch their daughters marry for love, they contemplate their own arranged marriage. Do you love me? Tevye sings. After first deflecting the question, Golde recounts the many things she s done for or with him during 25 years together cooked, cleaned, endured hardships, raised a family. She concludes, If that s not love, what is? When Jesus speaks of love, he uses a word that might be better translated as serve. Above all, love is an action. Sometimes we feel loving; sometimes not. But Jesus calls us always to act lovingly. And in the end, serving is the best way to show our love. Next Gulf States Glad Tidings Deadline: February 1, Lana Pratt: lbgpratt@gmail.com 780 Gross Road Guntersville, AL Gulf States Glad Tidings 1

2 President s Message Judy Lessmann As we look forward to celebrating Thanksgiving, let our grateful hearts ring out with appreciation to our loving and merciful God. We will list our blessings and thank God for being with us every step of our life. We will rejoice in the Lord always and we will pray Oh, give thanks unto the Lord for His mercy endures forever. I am pleased to announce that Cathy Mason is the district s new Organizational Resources Chairman. Cathy lives in Diamond Head, Mississippi, and a member of the Magnolia Zone. Cathy was approved at the Gulf States District Board of Directors meeting in October and has already brought good ideas and enthusiasm to the board. We thank God for her willingness to serve Him with gladness in this way. Special Focus Ministries Chair, Norma Palmer, and I were privileged to attend the fall rally of the Emerald Coast Zone. President Jen Wendt put together a fun time with a great Bible study and mission report. Being at the zone events and visiting with the ladies is always inspiring to me. There are so many exciting things going on in our district and zone meetings. They are a great place to meet with others in your area and learn from them. What a wonderful weekend we had at Camp AASCA! Like all our district events if you were not there you missed a great time! Cherie Endrihs and her committee did a great job presenting Deb Burma s Beautiful Feet. Besides unique and meaningful Bible studies, we had great food, lively worship songs, inspiring mission speakers, a fun movie, and lots of fellowshipping. All of this in a beautiful setting and concluding with a moving outdoor communion service. Thanks to everyone who worked on the details and to all those who travelled down that looooong road to find the retreat. Happy 75 th Anniversary LWML! Some of us were on this earth when the LWML was started in Chicago, Illinois (I won t ask for a show of hands ). But all of us will be privileged to celebrate the diamond anniversary at the convention in Albuquerque next June. And it will be a Diamond Dazzle on Saturday night, June 24 th. Quoting from The Dazzler: Wear your bling, dress up if you like, or wear something from your favorite decade and enjoy the party. You will not want to miss partying with thousands of your best friends who are also LWMLers. All the information for the convention will be in the winter issue of the Lutheran Woman s Quarterly and will then be on the website. The registration fee and the meal package will be the same price as they were in Des Moines, which is quite amazing that there is no increase. The pre- and post-convention trips are already on the website so you can plan your time in Albuquerque. Maggie Johnson is working with her committee to fill the slate of nominees for election in She has a list of suggestions from the BOD, so if you are called by the committee, please prayerfully consider adding your name to the slate of candidates. And if your name is not on the list, please let Maggie, Betty Alms, or Jean Caldwell know that you are willing to serve (Maggie s is on the website). We will be electing the president, 1 st vice president, financial secretary, and pastoral counselor. Have a blessed Thanksgiving! Serving you and Him with gladness, Judy Lessmann Gulf States Glad Tidings 2

3 Pastor J. Mark Kuehnert -- Senior Counselor Beautiful Feet question mark? At my age not mine.but they still work and transport me to share the Good News of Jesus love for sinners. I was blessed to be able to do that at the Retreat held at ASCCA Camp Ground in Jackson Gap, AL. Thirty five ladies from the Gulf States Zone and two men, Joe Asher and myself, enjoyed the beauty of this camp setting. We learned about the ministry of this camp to disabled, both physically and mentally, serving individuals ages A statistic that impressed me was that this past summer the staff numbered in the 70ies each staff person, mostly college students, were care givers to one or two campers depending on the camper s needs. Thank God for this ministry to the least of these. We were blessed with a study of God s word entitled, Beautiful Feet, by our retreat planner and leader, Cherie Endrihs. Using a variety of women s shoes as object lessons, from high heels to flip flops, participants were led to identify ways in which their feet would carry them to bring Good News to those living in darkness. Great job Cherie! Guests, Joe and Jennie Asher, shared their service to people in Turkey. Civil turmoil led to their leaving Turkey and now being deployed to Germany where they will continue their ministry to the vast number of refugees, many who are from Turkey. Please keep Joe and Jennie in your prayers. Thanks to Marlys who purchased the food and prepared the meals -- and to those who assisted in serving and cleaning up. Worship concluded the retreat on Sunday morning with the celebration of the Lord s Supper in the chapel without walls. Beautiful Feet are attached to these campers who returned home to serve others in a way that: Proclaims peace! Brings Glad Tidings! Proclaims Salvation through Jesus! In a world that needs to know that OUR GOD REIGNS. Love in Christ, Pastor J. Mark Kuehnert Jeanie Kisner -- Financial Secretary We have made it through summer, the children are back in school and many societies are back in action Serving the Lord with Gladness! I have spoken with some of you that are hosting festivals at your churches and communities raising funds to support your society missions. As you have probably heard, the Gulf States District will be hosting the 2019 National Convention. We have ordered Keep Christ in Christmas car magnets as a fund raiser to offset the costs associated with hosting this convention. They picture the Holy Family at Christ s birth in the manger and sell for $5.00 each. I currently have 100 magnets left. If your society would be interested in selling them, you can call me at (home), (cell), or me at jeaniekpa@gmail.com and I will be glad to send some to you. We do request that the society pay the cost of the postage. The Quarterly renewal letters are also being mailed to each society. May each of you have a very blessed Thanksgiving and a very Merry Christmas. In His service, Jeanie Kisner, Financial Secretary Gulf States Glad Tidings 3

4 Jackie Morris 2 nd Vice President Praise and thanks go to Our Risen Savior as He enables us to reach out in love for Him with our Mites. The first payment of the Gulf States District Scholarship Fund was paid to recipients David Gieseking who is taking courses to finish work in the SMP (Specific Ministry Pastor) program through Concordia Seminary-St Louis, and Austin Angerman who is attending Concordia University Austin, TX, towards a degree in music and Christian education for a Director in Christian Education (DCE) position. Two District grants have been paid. A check for $5,000 was sent to Concordia Seminary-Ft Wayne Food and Clothing Co-op to purchase food. This money will be used to purchase only perishable food items each month and given directly to the students and their families. Our second grant recipient, Shepherd of the Bay s Food Pantry in Lillian AL, was presented a check for $3,000 for a freezer and purchase of frozen food from the Bay Area Food Bank in Mobile. This food pantry serves families with children, as well as seniors in the area surrounding Lillian. Respectfully submitted, Jackie Morris Check Presentation at Shepherd of the Bay Left to Right: Charlotte Bailey, Marie Anderson, Jackie Morris, Claudette Bubleter, and Sally Smith. Amount Paid 1. Scholarship Fund $2250 $ Concordia Seminary Ft Wayne Food and Clothing Co-op 0 $5, Shepherd of the Bay, Lillian, AL Food Pantry 0 $3, Be A Friend counselor intern at Bethesda s summer $3,000 0 camps 5. Religious curriculum for Good Shepherd Lutheran $3,500 0 School, Elberta, AL 6. Shepherd s Heart Ministry disaster response $4, Joe and Jennie Asher, teachers in Eurasia $5, Project H.O.P.E. - education in Uganda $2,500 0 A Recent Church Sign Reads: Thanksgiving isn t about a great meal, it s about a great God! Gulf States Glad Tidings 4

5 Diane Plotz Treasurer Mites and Mission Updates Operations National District Oct-16 Sep-16 Aug-16 Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 2 Corinthians 9:7 (NIV) Mites were truly flowing this past quarter in the Gulf States District. Praise God from whom all blessings flow, --words from the Doxology really resonate when you see these amounts add up. The National Grants for October include three special donations from Trinity Lutheran, Hanceville, the October Board of Director s Meeting, and The Gulf States District Retreat. Respectfully Submitted, Diane Plotz Gulf States District LWML, Treasurer The Long View of Advent Advent is about preparing not only for Christmas but also for Jesus return. According to Scripture, that won t be the calm, silent scene described in Christmas carols. In 1928, Dietrich Bonhoeffer preached: It is very remarkable that we face the thought that God is coming so calmly, whereas previously peoples trembled at the day of God. We have become so accustomed to the idea of divine love and of God s coming at Christmas that we no longer feel the shiver of fear that God s coming should arouse in us. We [forget] the serious aspect, that the God of the world draws near to the people of our little earth and lays claim to us. God is love; we ll be in good hands at the end of time. But during Advent, also be in awe of God. Embrace a reverent fear of the Lord that reminds you how profound it is that God chooses again and again to draw near and lay claim to you. Gulf States Glad Tidings 5

6 Norma Palmer Special Focus Ministries The We Care idea came from Featured ReSOURCEs, September, 2016, at LWML.org and I enlarged on it for our Special Focus Ministry this issue. Does your congregation pray for all the college students? You might want to get a list of college students from your church secretary and with their parents consent, begin a We Care for the collegiate. When you have the list, as women are able, have them select a student for the year or the remaining school session. 1. PRAY for them. Their Christian values, beliefs and thoughts are challenged daily. Ask the Holy Spirit to be their Guide. 2. SEND cards of encouragement that they will be a witness to their friends. Enclose a Mustard Seed! 3. SEND care packages with little treats like candy, gum, tissues, lip balm, and devotion booklets. If you have chosen a girl, be sure to mention your love of the Lord through activities you do in LWML. She may be a future YWR because of your sharing the joys of Serving the Lord with Gladness! RECYCLING PILL BOTTLES In case you need the contact again for information or mailing the cleaned pill bottles for their use in developing countries: Matthew25:Ministries Kenwood Rd. Cincinnati, OH Contact Person: Gracie What blessings were received by all the "Beautiful Feet" at Camp ASCCA in our mid-october LWML Retreat. The In-gathering "Painted Purple" Camp ASCCA as our Servant Event! A total of 417 items were brought to camp, plus $ cash! The gifts ranged from bath towels and hygiene supplies to paper products and 43 children's toys, and even 9 life jackets. Thank you for all these gifts and also to Cathy Mason for her work to collect and count them. God bless you as you Serve the Lord with Gladness in all your mission work! Norma Palmer, Special Focus Ministry Chairman Thank You for Your Donation Shepherd of the Bay Lutheran Church's food pantry was blessed to receive a cash donation of $3,000 this past month from the Gulf States District LWML to purchase a freezer to be able to preserve more frozen food and food items from the Bay Area Food Bank in Mobile. This will help to provide food for those in need in the area surrounding Lillian. The check was presented by Jackie Morris to representatives of Shepherd of the Bay s LWML. We express gratitude to LWML for aid in serving our people by providing nutritious food, as well as teaching proper nutrition as a result of personal crisis or disaster. (see picture on Page 4) Submitted by Marie Anderson Gulf States Glad Tidings 6

7 Cathy Mason Organizational Resources As your new Organizational Resource Chairman, I will encourage participation in the HOPE Program and online resources. The HOPE Program stands for Helping Organizations Participate Effectively (HOPE). Women in Mission University is a tool used to educate all people about the Lutheran Women s Missionary League. Both of these tools will be used to promote resources that can be found online. I am so grateful to serve in this position and willing to assist all our ladies. Cathy Mason 6444 Kome Dr. Diamondhead, MS Phone: cmason1419@yahoo.com Cherie Endrihs Christian Life Beautiful Feet How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news. -Romans 10:15 The retreat followed a Bible study retreat kit called Beautiful Feet by Deb Burma. More than thirty women and two men attended this event. The retreat was located at Camp ASCCA, a beautiful area and well run facility. It was a great time of fellowship and Bible study! Our fellowship time included relaxing with others, walking in nature, the movie Mom s Night Out, snacks, zone time, and a coloring craft. The study took a look at different shoes as representing a portion of our walk with the Lord. First we asked the question if our shoe was the right fit for our walk. Are you wearing the size God meant for you? Or are you trying to force yourself into something else? During the study we lifted the lid (of a shoebox) and pulled out a shoe to talk about that walk. The shoes included high heels, flip-flops/sandals, platform shoes, slippers, and athletic shoes. We looked at God s perspective of our pain, service, and rest and sharing. In the end, we need to be in God s word. That is our checking point. Are we on the right path? In the right shoes? Deb Burma says your feet need to be the feet of a woman walking in the Word! Psalm 119:105. Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. Look to Jesus. He sees your feet as beautiful! Let us have a servant s heart and look to see where the Lord may be leading us to serve in the weeks ahead! May we also keep the balance remember no amount of serving or witnessing or good works will ever cause you to earn your salvation. Your salvation is a FREE gift of God in Christ! He chose to give this gift to YOU! Go in peace and serve the Lord. A host of people should be thanked! Marlys Kuehnert hosted and made the yummiest meals! Cathy Mason guided us through collecting our ingathering items (see Norma Palmer s report). Jeanie Kisner helped us get signed in and set up. Kelly Ryun led us in singing and prayers. Bea Daily connected us to mite recipients, Joe & Jennie Asher. Joe and Jennie Asher shared news of their work with us. Pastor Kuehnert led us in an awesome worship service on Sunday morning with communion. Thank you Christ the King Church in Enterprise for sponsoring us over the weekend! Cherie Endrih Gulf States Glad Tidings 7

8 Gulf States District hold a Fall Retreat at Camp ASCCA More than thirty smiling faces are shown below having a good time at the fall retreat entitled Beautiful Feet. We express special thanks to Cherie Endrihs, our Christian Life Chairman, for arranging this retreat. It has been eight years since we gathered for the last retreat at this same location, Camp ASCCA, Alabama. Cherie led the Bible study, written by Deb Burma on beautiful feet based on the scripture How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news. -Romans 10:15 (NIV). Kelly Ryun assisted her with the prayer and praise. Kelly is a member of Christ the King Lutheran Church in Enterprise, AL, where Cherie s husband James, one of our former counselors, serves as Pastor. Marlys Kuehnert made food arrangements for all the meals and did a great job. We were each asked to bring the snacks; salty from the south, and sweet from the north. The LWML Society with the highest number of ladies attending (eight) was Holy Cross of Mobile. Other activities were: Fellowship Time along with snacks, Zone Time or Group Craft, Personal Retreat quit time with the Lord, a movie, and Sunday morning Worship with Communion led by Sr. Counselor Rev. J. Mark Kuehnert. On Saturday morning, we were blessed to hear from Rev. Joe and Deaconess Jennie Asher, one of our mission grant recipients ($5,000) for this biennium. They told about their lives in Turkey for the past two years and about having to be evacuated after the coup. They are now in Czech Republic, waiting to be resettled in Germany to work with the Syrian refugees. I showed a PowerPoint presentation on the Gulfport convention that was enjoyed by all. Bea Daily Gulf States Glad Tidings 8

9 Elizabeth Lange Young Woman Representative Greetings everyone! I hope everyone had an awesome time at your fall rallies! In Mountain Lakes we had a blast playing a get-to-know-you bingo game. We had lots of laughs during the game that taught us how we can find a similarity with those around us, so we can build a relationship and share the Word of God with them. I did share some pictures from the rally on the Gulf States District LWML Young Women Facebook page. If you have pictures from your rally, please feel free to share on that page! We would all like to see the good times you had in other zones! Also if you have Facebook, and you haven t liked our page yet, just type in the name as it is above and hit the like button! I also hope that everyone was able to speak to a young woman to share the possibilities of going to the National Convention as our district YWR next year. (Only 7 months away!!!) If they need an application, it and my contact information, is on the district website. If you haven t talked to a young woman yet, but as you re reading this you have someone in mind, strike up a conversation and tell her all about it. I do suggest that you don t just tell someone where to find the application. Go ahead, preplan, and have a couple printed out to give them! As I stated, my contact information is on the application on the district site. If anyone has any questions about the application or what it means to be a YWR, feel free to send me an ! All applications are due by JANUARY 15 TH! I look forward to all the s from possible YWR s and hope everyone has a blessed and safe holiday season with your families! Elizabeth Lange lizzy.lange@gmail.com Where is Your Security When A Charlie Brown Christmas debuted in 1965, religious references were unheard of on television. Yet the show s climax features the Christmas story verbatim. As Linus begins reciting Luke 2, he s clutching his ever-present blue blanket. Yet, as pastor Jason Soroski points out, Linus drops it right as he utters the words fear not (Luke 2:10). Soroski believes the timing is intentional and that Peanuts creator Charles M. Schulz sends a simple, brilliant message. The birth of Jesus separates us from our fears, Soroski writes. It frees us from the habits we are unable (or unwilling) to break ourselves. The birth of Jesus allows us to simply drop the false security we have been grasping so tightly, and learn to trust and cling to him instead. Gulf States Glad Tidings 9

10 Azalea Zone LWML Sunday was celebrated at Shepherd of the Bay Lutheran Church in Lillian, AL, on Sunday, October 16. The ladies of the congregation served as greeters, ushers, candle lighter, Altar guild, and Fellowship helpers. A special cake and other refreshments were served to everyone during fellowship time. The theme was "Come and See" - Come and see what God has done: He is awesome in His deeds toward the children of Man - Psalm 66:5. Since 1942, the Lutheran Women's Missionary League has affirmed each woman's identity as a child of God and her relationship with Jesus Christ, encouraging and equipping Christian women to live out their lives in active mission ministries, and to support missions around the world through their sacrificial gifts of mites, tithes, offerings, and tireless service. Through their invitation to "come and see" what God has done for all people, countless neighbors from all walks of life have been reached and touched by the love of God in Christ Jesus. Submitted by Marie Anderson Trinity Lutheran Church LWML, Mobile, AL, honored senior members in recognition of National Senior Citizen Day on Sunday, September 25, 2016, at their regular worship service. Dinner was served in the Marshall s Fellowship Hall and delivered to the home bound. Mrs. Tiffany Harris served as Chairperson and Ms. Andrea Hudson, Co-Chairperson. Submitted by Jurlean Hudson Gulf States Glad Tidings 10

11 Magnolia Zone The LWML ladies of Lutheran Church of the Pines, Waveland, MS, have been involved in helping with various Outreach Ministries of the Church. They individually assisted our youth to be able to attend The Youth Gathering in New Orleans, LA. The entire month of August was designated for LWML mites and encouraging the congregation to give to our mission projects. A display was set up in two locations and new Mite Boxes were distributed, including those for children. The ladies planned and prepared to host the Magnolia Fall Zone Rally on October 22, The Bible Study was presented by Pastor Brock Cain based on the scripture, Psalms 102:25-28, and the theme, God Is Changeless. All attendees enjoyed fellowship, singing, and a variety of delicious salads. We will elect and install our new officers at our November meeting. God's Blessings, Cathy Mason Submitted by Ethel Smith/Zone President The beginning of fall has been a busy time for the ladies of St. Matthew Lutheran in Gulfport, MS. They held a rummage sale in October with part of the proceeds going to TNT Ranch in Gulfport. The ranch is a home for those afflicted with substance disorders, as well as for the homeless. The CEO, Tony Stapleton, visited the church and received the donation. Pictured (l-r) are Deane Nelson, Myrtus Reuter, Linette Cooper, Debbie Gable, Ginny Hermetz, Gloria Bradley, Ethel Smith and Tony Stapleton. The ranch is under major construction at this time with plans for completion at the end of the year. Ethel Smith Magnolia Zone President St. Matthew Lutheran Church Gulf States Glad Tidings 11 Other activities for our members during this quarter included participating in LWML Sunday, attending the Beautiful Feet Retreat in Alabama, collecting pill bottles for third world countries, attending the Fall Rally at Church of the Pines in Waveland, MS, the continual collection of mites for missions, and setting up a prayer alter in the education building for those wanting to leave prayer requests.

12 Mountain Lakes Zone The Mountain Lakes Zone Fall Rally was held on Saturday, October 1 st at Grace Lutheran in Huntsville, AL. The Ladies of Grace were wonderful hostesses. Pastor John Jankens of Trinity Lutheran in Hanceville began our rally with devotion from Luke 17, and Vice President Rita Lange led our Bible Study Prepare, then Share. Fifty-five ladies from 9 societies were in attendance. Each society president or a representative shared the events and projects in their societies. Funds are being raised, quilts are being made, kits are being gathered and delivered, churches and communities are being served, and mites are being collected. Our ladies are busy! Elections were also held: President Judy Jankens from Trinity, Hanceville; Vice-President Rita Lange from Grace, Huntsville; Secretary/Treasurer Sheryll Keller from St. Paul s, Cullman, and nominating committee Linda Bailey also from St. Paul s Cullman and Lynn Harmon from Grace Huntsville. The Spring Christian Growth Workshop will be held in April at Trinity Lutheran in Hanceville. Watch for the date! Submitted by Judy Jankens Emerald Coast Zone Forty-one ladies attended the LWML Emerald Coast Zone Rally held at Grace, Lutheran Church in Destin, FL, on October 1. Photo on Right--Jen Wendt, presided over the event of our zone, Lydia Landes, the new music Director at Grace, led the music. Bea Daily wrote: When I welcomed Lydia to the LWML, she stated, she wasn t new, she had been attending since she was 5! Photo on Left--Special Guests were Polly Gregali, Ministry Resource Manager for the Lutheran Hour Ministries; Norma Palmer, Gulf States, Special Focus Ministries Chairman; Judy Lessmann, Gulf States District President; and Jen Wendt, Zone President. In place of the usual Gifts from the Heart, a special offering was collected totaling $383, with matching funds to go to A Cristo Para Todas Las Naciones, Lutheran Hour Ministries in Paraguay. Polly spoke on this project. Submitted by Bea Daily Gulf States Glad Tidings 12