Lutheran Women in Mission Pacific Southwest District WOMEN OF THE WORD Issue 41 Winter 2009-10 From our President God Grants Us His Grace Sing to the Lord, you saints of his; praise his holy name. --Psalm 30:4 Have you ever been moved to tears by a song on the radio or a favorite CD? Have you found yourself making up songs to express your feelings? Perhaps there is a truth in the lyrics that speaks to our hearts; maybe the melody is one that gets embedded in our memories. You may be overflowing with love for God, or with needs that can hardly be put into words. What is it about words put to music that touches us so deeply? Neither the words or the tune alone have the same power as when they are combined into a song, especially one that reflects the great truths of our Christian faith. Hope, love, peace, redemption, grace, and forgiveness appeal to all of mankind, because we know how much we need such gifts. The songs of Christmas, perhaps more than any others, focus on humanity s needs and on God s answer to them all in the Christ Child. As we prepare to celebrate Christ s birth and sing our favorite hymns and carols, let s pray that our songs of praise will touch the hearts of others with the joy we have come to know. Let s share our Reason for singing a new song. Inside this Issue Wrapping up the year A generous man will himself be blessed, for he shares his food with the poor." Proverbs 22:9 Our Redeemer Lutheran Church has received the $10,000 Mission Grant from our District LWML Mites. The grant will be used to provide the homeless and working poor with the Gospel, which is shared through tracts, Bibles in English and Spanish, and children's materials. They will provide hot lunches, hygiene items and basic clothing items. Thanks to LWML, they will continue this ministry of Christian love and service. Our Redeemer Outreach has served thousands of working poor and homeless in the Los Angeles area of San Fernando Valley. In August 2009, the Our Redeemer Lutheran Outreach Human Care Ministry provided 4572 meals plus 824 hot meals. Pictured below are some volunteers from Our Redeemer Lutheran Church delivering the materials purchased. For God is King of all the Earth; sing to Him songs of Praise. Ps 47:7 President message YWR Applications Mission Grant payment updates PSD 2010 Convention Registration Packs Special Gift Fund Application Convention Ingathering Info LWML Petal Pusher Day District & LWML Websites www.womeninmission.org www.lwml.org www.psdlwml.com (coming soon) Winter WOW 1
A Time to Give Treasure December 31 marks the end of the Pacific Southwest District LMWL biennium, and we need your help to reach our financial goals. I have been hearing about many creative ways to encourage Mite giving recently quiet offerings, noisy offerings, asking congregation members to give just one more dollar, giving Sunday school children the opportunity to share their Mites, and a pastor who regularly asks those in church to donate all their change to the LWML cause. Thank you to all who have been making these extra efforts; we know that God will bless each gift and each giver. If you are still looking for a special way to make a difference, consider making a Christmas gift donation to the Mite box but please be sure it is sent in to our Financial Secretary, Penny Mackie, before the end of the year. Service Are you looking for a place to serve in our district LWML? We are looking for you! Nominating Committee Rachel Scott Brace has extended the time for nominations for the offices of VP Gospel Outreach, VP Human Care, Secretary, Treasurer, Nominating Committee and Pastoral Counselor. Contact Rachel at rachelscottbrace@ca.rr.com for more information or to request forms. Talent Sing to the Lord This is the theme of the Pacific Southwest District LWML Convention, based on Isaiah 42:10a, 11a & 12a. Our gathering in Tempe, Arizona is now only about 6 months away! June 11 13, 2010 is fast approaching. It s time to mark that weekend on your calendar, start inviting young women and teens to join you, and sock away some funds so that you won t miss out on the great speakers, Bible study, music, activities and fellowship of this gathering of Lutheran Women in Mission. Tell Everyone Mission Possible Exists! I thank God for each of you, and pray that you will know the deep love of God that moved Him to send His only Son into the world so that you could join His choir for eternity! Joyfully singing and serving our Lord, Linda Koch, President Lutheran Women s Missionary League Pacific Southwest District Women of the Word Published quarterly Editor JoAnn K. Weber E-mail or mail news and photos to VP Communications, Sharon Dean sharon.dean@verizon.net District LWML Officers PRESIDENT (2012) Linda Koch 11358 Acrux Dr., San Diego, CA 92126 Ph: 858-271-6852 / lkbutterfly@netzero.com VP CHRISTIAN LIFE (2012) Karen Duprey 8228 Vista Del Rosa, Downey, CA 90240 Ph: 562-862-2470 / karenandjoed@verizon.net VP COMMUNICATIONS (2012) Sharon Dean 1844 18 th St. Santa Monica, CA 90404 Ph: 310-717-6608 / sharon.dean@verizon.net VP GOSPEL OUTREACH (2010) Angelina Gomez 117 S. Maple Ave. Apt. B, Montebello, CA 90640 Ph: 323-838-0642 / angelina1944@sbcglobal.net VP GROWTH & DEVELOPMENT (2012) Bonnie Karch 513 Cragin Park Dr., Las Vegas, NV 89107 Ph: 702-258-8642 / Dkarch1034@aol.com VP HUMAN CARE (2010) Jackie Heddlesten 31442 Ganado Rd., San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675 Ph: 949-439-4976/ sjcjacks@cox.net RECORDING SECRETARY (2010) Barbara Carter 1352 W. Princeton St., Ontario, CA 91762-1727 Ph: 909-988-3482 / bcarter1299@verizon.net FINANCIAL SECRETARY (2012) Penny Mackie 13653 Lanning Dr., Whittier, CA 90605 Ph: 562-945-6104 / m.pennymackie@verizon.net TREASURER (2010) Linda Steinbart 6444 E. Quail Hideaway Lane Apache Junction, AZ 85219 Ph: 480-474-0636 / LMSteinbart@yahoo.com COUNSELOR (2010) Rev. Daryl Robarge 6740 W. Corrine Dr., Peoria, AZ 85381 Ph: 632-486-0464 / revdbr@earthlink.net COUNSELOR (2012) Rev. Larry Bogardus 2311 E. Chapman Ave., Fullerton, CA 92831 Ph: 714-774-0993 / pastorlarry@ststephenslcms.org Winter WOW 2
C A L E N D A R O F E V E N T S WINTER BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING DATE: DECEMBER 5, 2009 PLACE: REDEEMER LUTHERAN CHURCH 920 W. 6 TH STREET, ONTARIO, CA 91762 PH. 909-986-2615 TIME: 10:00 AM 4:00 PM An administrative meeting of all Zone Presidents with the Executive Board, for worship and introduction of the aims and goals of our National Committees. SPRING BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING DATE: MARCH 6, 2010 PLACE: REDEEMER LUTHERAN CHURCH 920 W. 6 TH STREET ONTARIO, CA 91762 PH. 909-986-2615 TIME: 10:00 AM 4:00 PM An administrative meeting of all Zone Presidents with the Executive Board, for worship and introduction of the aims and goals of our National Committees. SPRING CELEBRATIONS PLACE: TBD BY EACH ZONE TIME: WATCH FOR MARCH MAY DATES A time for the Zones to bring all the Society Ladies together for worship and fellowship, and to spread the news of the goals and aims of the district. DISTRICT CONVENTION DATE: JUNE 11-13, 2010 PLACE: TEMPE MISSION PALMS HOTEL 60 EAST FIFTH STREET TEMPE, AZ 85281 Pacific Southwest District Lutheran Women s Missionary League District Convention June 11-13, 2010 Tempe Mission Palms Hotel 60 East Fifth Street Tempe, Arizona 85281 Convention News Registration forms are included with this WOW and are available online at our Website. Please note that there is a new form call the Banquet Reservation Form. This year, to eliminate long waits and streamline the seating process, we will have assigned seating at the Saturday evening banquet. If you wish to sit with other members of your congregation or zone, designate one person from your group to complete the banquet reservation form, and submit it with their registration form. You do not need to fill the entire table to register. Your group will be seated at the same table requested. It would be helpful, but not required, if all people who want to sit together would register at the same time. Kathy Baumhofer Host Committee Chairman Winter WOW 3
District Retreat 2009 Woodland Hills, CA H I G H L I G H T S O F 2009 F A L L CEL EB R AT I O N FUN Exciting News! The Christian Life Department When asked what do you want for Christmas? Respond Mission Possible! 1. Hand them a registration form to wrap for you to the District Convention in Tempe, Arizona, June 11-13, 2010. Sing to the Lord 2. Buy a monetary gift or Grocery Gift Card to bring with you. (Suggested Cards: Grocery gift cards from Safeway/Vons, Fry's Grocery or Bashas' food stores) 3. Buy Commemorative Stamps to support our Stamp Grant Ministry. Our efforts must concentrate on saving, trimming and bagging four types of stamps. A. Commemorative B. Air mail C. Foreign D. High dollar Remember, when buying stamps, buy the commemorative. If you have no time to stand in line at the post office, buy them online. It is easy and quick. Upcoming projects: February Undie Sunday, bring your items to the March Board of Directors meeting, Orphan Grain Train will be there to collect them. March Bring Old Bibles, Sunday School lessons and Bible study material to the Board of Directors meeting for the San Diego and Los Angeles County Fairs. Dawn Hayes-Stewart We have a 2011 Retreat Chairman, pending ratification of the Board of Director s in December. Her name is Dawn Hayes- Stewart, she is very excited and honored to be asked to serve. At our 2009 retreat in Woodland Hills, in February, she played the piano, when we sang Happy Birthday. In addition to being the new Zone 7 President., she is also on our Speaker List, and those who have heard her speak agree she is dynamic. She will be putting together her committee soon, if you would like to volunteer, please contact the Christian Life Department. Additional Duties Vice President of Christian Life, Karen Duprey, is now on the National LWML Committee for Christian Life. If you are interested in having your written prayers, or short Bible studies considered for publication, please let her know. Upcoming projects continued. Convention Ingathering Be sure to hand out the purple envelopes at your zone meetings after the first of the year for the monetary/grocery Gift card donations to be taken to the District Convention in Tempe, Arizona. There will be a special purple collection box at the check in table to drop the donations in. Jackie Heddlesten VP Human Care Winter WOW 4
Give yourself a Gift this Christmas Register for District Convention The Scholarship Form for the District Convention in Tempe, AZ. is now available. Applications for District Convention are being accepted through March 1, 2010. The amount of the scholarship is $200. READY OR NOT --- HERE I COME!!! Remember when we were kids we heard this a lot, remember?? when we played Hide & Seek! Well right about now, we can all relate; we are all busy preparing for the season and the December Board of Directors Meeting. Your District Officers are preparing information packets. At the December meeting, Zone Presidents will be receiving large amounts of information about PSD business and upcoming events. I will distribute Convention 2010 materials and the new 2009-10 directory. We all have preparing to do! printed sorted and in packets! I sing for joy for the works of Thy hands. Psalm 92:4b Got to get it all In this season of ADVENT, I suggest that we slow down and put the season in the right perspective. After all, it is ADVENT. Advent is that special time of year when our faith walk is even more blessed because we are reliving the birth of our Lord and Savior. I look forward to reliving that with all of you, as we worship together at the December Board of Directors Meeting. Merry Christmas, Suzanne Wilson, Asst to the President Community Service LWML Petal Pushers Would you like to be part of the excitement of being a Petal Pusher on the Lutheran Hour Float for the New Year s Day Rose Parade? LWML Decorating Day is Sunday, December 27, 2009. Contact Laverne for information. Come join us and see the floats in person, you will be awed with the flowers used to decorate them. The 17 th Annual Behind the Scenes party is December 3, 2009. Get a personal tour of ten floats, including the Lutheran Hour Float. Also provided is a wide selection of hors d oeuvres, desserts and family beverages for you to enjoy. Individual tickets are $25, and family tickets are available for $50. Join us and experience the excitement firsthand! Special Gift Fund Laverne Mirly, Chairman Women of the Word 5 Mission Grants Goal $150,000 Orphan Grain Train, California-Arizona- Nevada, replace delivery truck... $10,000(Paid) First Choice Pregnancy Center, Las Vegas, NV, provide services... $10,000 (paid) Lutheran Braille Workers, Yucaipa, CA, produce books in 13 languages... $10,000 Adult Daycare Scholarships, Chandler, AZ, assist two people with fees... $8,320 (canceled) Camp Aloma Restroom Upgrade, Prescott, AZ, remodel facilities... $10,000 (paid) Our Redeemer Outreach, Winnetka, CA, assist homeless/working poor.... $10,000 (paid) South Bay Lutheran High, Inglewood, CA, purchase new desks and chairs... $10,000 (Paid) Springerville Center Expansion, Springerville, AZ, enlarge women s center... $10,000 (paid) Trinity Lutheran Church Preschool, Casa Grande, AZ, buy equipment... $9,647 Outreach to Children and Families in Southwest Phoenix, AZ, purchase new outreach and VBS programs... $9,935 Youth Guitar Program, Long Beach, CA, expand after-school classes... $5,000 International Friendship House, Tempe, AZ, share Christ with students $9,950(paid) China Missions Project and Service, Fallbrook, CA, fund student mission trip.$3,000(paid) Mission Outreach Through Grantparent Tuition Assistance, Irvine, CA fund scholarships... $9,600 Guardian Angel Scholarship Fund, Faith Lutheran School, Whittier, CA... $10,000 Ethiopian Mission and Evangelization, Pasadena, CA, produce materials; buy equipment, launch website... $10,000 (paid) The Lutheran Church at the Well, Lancaster, CA,(partial funding) $2,274 Jesus Inspired Music Children s Out-reach, Henderson, NV,... (partial funding) $2,274 NOTE FOR SOCIETY TREASURERS Please send mite offerings, as well as payments for Quarterly subscriptions, to: Penny Mackie, District Financial Secretary, 13653 Lanning Drive, Whittier, CA 90605. You also may order mite boxes, children s mite boxes, and receipt vouchers/order blanks from Penny. Please make checks payable to LWML Pacific Southwest District.