Linked by Love Lutheran Women in Mission Fall 2017 Volume 6, Number 16 Inside this issue: LWML Sunday Information 2 2018 Waco Convention Flyer 3 Are you willing to SERVE? 4 Mite-y Mites 5 2016-2018 Mission Grant Update 6 Gospel Outreach Update 7 How can I help? 8 1 God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. 2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, 3 though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging 10 He says, Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth. 11 The LORD Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Psalm 46:1-3,10-11 Message from the President How can I help after Hurricane Harvey? The Lord Almighty is with us (Psalm 46:7 NIV). As I write this, it is day four of Hurricane Harvey and 72 hours of continuous rain has subsided. I have just read several Psalms reminding me that God is our keeper, our helper, our refuge and strength. Be still, and know that I am God (Psalm 46:10 NIV). Watching the news, following our sisters and brothers on Facebook, emailing and sending texts to many of you, I know there has been devastation, fear, illness, and loss over the past four days and it is not o v e r y e t. T h e ramifications of this storm will continue for weeks, months and even years to come. I am thankful I can pray Psalm 46. Appeals for financial help through the Disaster Relief Funds of Texas District LCMS and our synod have already been sent out. These agencies will partner to work with co n gregat io n s an d communities that have been impacted. I am certain many of you have already donated if you are able. As you plan your zone events for the fall, consider collecting offerings for the Texas District Disaster Relief Fund. This would be a good time to consider a servant event instead of a rally program. Let us know if we can help with planning. Lutheran Women in Mission may not all be able to go to assist in the areas affected, but I believe we have talented women who know how to organize events. Every community, even those not affected by the storm, has needs. Ask God to guide your zone in finding mission service opportunities. This would also be a good time to include a prayer service or Bible study for your zone or society. Resources for both can be found at LWML.org under THE WORD tab. Most importantly, please pray fervently for all affected by Hurricane Harvey. Pray that people will turn to Jesus for comfort, assurance and hope. Pray that Jesus will be seen in the response of God s people. Pray that God s people heed His call to action. Thank you for serving with JOY! May God bless you! Debbie Curry 2016-2020 President
Page 2 Linked by Love Rivers of Living Water On the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and cried out, If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and dr i nk. Who e ve r believes in me, as the scripture has said, Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water. John 7:37-38 What are the main things that most ladies enjoy about being a part of the L u t h e r a n W o m e n s Missionary League? Bible Study Meetings Holding an Office Mite giving Learning all about Constitutions and Bylaws Servant activities District or National Conventions Being with friends If I asked you to pick your top three, even giving you a line to add something that I did not think of, what would they be? As I have been blessed to be a part of this incredible mission organization for the past 32 years on the Society level, the Zone level, the District level, and the National level, all of the items I mentioned above have been stated by many people as the reason they are a part of the LWML. Three of them, however, have been mentioned far more times than all the rest. The reason the vast majority of people I have spoken with say they are a part of the LWML is: Bible Study, Servant activities, Mite giving, and usually in that order. T h e l a d i e s ( a n d gentlemen) of the LWML love Bible study. I have been told literally countless times that the reason people are a part of the LWML is for Bible study. From daily Mustard Seeds in your inbox, to Two Minute Tuesdays, to L u t h e r a n W o m a n s Quarterly Bible studies, to Convention Bible studies, to DVD based Bible studies by our own Donna Pyle, to literally hundreds and hundreds, if not thousands of Bible studies and devotions at www.lwml.org, the opportunities are countless. W e love S e r v an t activities as we are out in our communities and even around the world giving of ourselves in so many different ways. At our 2018 Waco Convention (July 5-8, 2018) you will be given all kinds of opportunities to serve others, from opportunities that will take place at the Convention Center, to opportunities that will take place all around Waco. And we love Mite giving. We love supporting the work of the LWML around the world by the giving of our Mites, our pennies, nickels, dimes, quarters, dollars, purple five dollar bills and larger checks. We love seeing where the money goes and how God s kingdom is expanded as the Holy Spirit works through the mission opportunities we have chosen for the Biennium both here and around the world. We have given tens of millions of dollars nationally and incredible amounts of money locally as we put all of our Mighty Mites together in the service of our Lord. What an opportunity we have as we look at the list of mission recipients to do all three of these things we love doing the most. What do I mean? Take a look at the list of mission fields we have chosen to support with our Mite offerings. And then think how God gives us the opportunity to do our three favorite things around the world as we give our Mite offerings so that mission opportunities are supported through which people just like us, around the world have the opportunity to study God s Word. WOW! It doesn t get any better than that as God uses each of us, our gifts, and our prayers, to extend His kingdom and to bring the lost and the erring into eternal fellowship with Him. I love this LWML!!! Rev. John Heckmann Junior Pastoral Counselor and Host Committee Advisor The first Sunday in October is traditionally set aside for the observation of LWML Sunday, but it may be celebrated at any time. A full worship service is available for download at LWML.org. As many pastors prefer to tailor their services to their congregation s needs, the sermon, litany and children s sermon can also be downloaded separately and may be inserted in any worship service wherever needed. All worship and devotional materials have received approval from LCMS Doctrinal Review.
Linked by Love Page 3 40th Biennial Convention - LWML Texas District July 5-8, 2018 - Waco Convention Center Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, "Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water" John 7:38 ESV. Texas District LCMS President Ken Hennings will serve as the Proclaimer for the opening worship service. Wendysue Fluegge will be the song leader for the convention and will entertain us with a program Saturday. Author Donna Pyle will present a brand new Bible study prepared for the convention. Convention information (including registration and hotel information) coming soon! Watch LWMLTXDIST.org for details!
Page 4 Linked by Love YWRs- Put it on your TO DO List! On October 21st, Zone Presidents will be receiving information about selecting a Young Woman as the Zone Y o u n g W o m a n Representative. This YWR will represent your zone at the 2018 District Convention in Waco! We have already started making preparations and are hopeful to have more Zone YWRs than ever before! If you are thinking about a certain young lady, please get with your zone president or contact the YWR Committee Chairman, A b b y F a s k e at abbylwml@gmail.org Nominations Due Nov. 1 Send to: Nomination Committee Chairman, Michele Tate 6113 Louisville Dr. Frisco, TX 75035 mrtatelwml@gmail.com To view the Sample bylaws, visit www.lwmltxdist.org/ bylaws.html The No min ati ng Committee is seeking suggestions of nominees for election at the 2018 LWML Texas District Convention in Waco for the following positions: Vice President of Christian Life Vice President of Communication Vice President of Gospel Outreach Recording Secretary Treasurer Nominating Committee Is your society or zone in need of bylaw updates? Two really helpful documents include the Sample Barebones Bylaws and the Lutheran Women s Missionary League Style Guide found on the Texas District w e b s i t e u n d e r Are you willing to SERVE? Your help is needed to submit names of ladies who show a deep, active interest in the LWML and who are willing to devote their time and energy to serve the Lord in a leadership position. You do not need to secure their consen t nor d e t e r m i n e t h e i r qualifications. Nominations are due November 1 and may only be made through a society or zone. Forms are available from either Structure Guidelines Bylaws. I will be encouraging zones and societies to review the Style Guide and adopt these grammatical s t a n d a r d s w h e n proposing new bylaws o r m a k i n g amendments to current bylaws. your society or zone president or can be downloaded from the district s website at www.lwmltxdist.org. Perhaps you would like to nominate yourself! Just ask your society or zone to submit your name along with others that m a y h a v e b e e n suggested. Michele Tate Nominating Committee Chairman Serve with Gladness, Patti Samsel 14800 Moonseed Cove Austin, TX 787278 512/965-6592 structure@lwmltxdist.org
Volume 6, Number 16 Page 5 Mite-y Mites As your Financial Secretary, it is indeed a joy to open all those envelopes I pull out of the post office box and when I find a little note or thank you included, well, my joy is increased twofold. Your continued support of the mission grants adopted by Texas District and the LWML is beyond amazing. When LWML sent out a cry for help in reaching their biennium goal, many of you answered with additional funds. Now our Texas District is in the same situation. With the end of the 2016-2018 biennium quickly approaching, your mite offerings are indeed desired. Although the a re as aff e c te d by Hurricane Harry will c o n t i n u e t o n e e d assistance, it is my prayer all individuals, societies and zones remember to feed your mite box consistently, consider special offerings, fund raisers, etc. to ensure the last of the district mission grants are funded. Not only are we Texas Strong, we are LWML strong through the strength and hope the Holy Spirit instills in our hearts. Please note that all mite offerings for this biennium will need to be postmarked by March 25 to be included in this biennium. As a reminder, there are other means of contributing mite offerings. One is Joyful Response through which a specific amount is automatically deducted from your bank account. This is managed through Lutheran Church Extension Fund. Please contact me for further information. Another means is through Thrivent Choice Dollars. These funds are designated for Texas District mites and the full amount remains with the district. So, if you are a Thrivent member, please consider directing your choice dollars to LWML Texas District. May I also take this chance to remind all to include a remittance form w i t h e a c h c h e c k designating where the funds are to be applied. For honorariums and memorials, please include the full name. Utilize the back of the form if necessary. These items are r e l e v a n t t o t h e reconciliation of the funds a n d p r o p e r a c k n o w ledgmen t o f contributors. The forms can be found on the website or obtained from your zone president. Keep those envelopes filled with checks and remittance forms coming as we finish out this biennium and may the Lord continue to bless the mission of LWML. Frances Molitor Financial Secretary Mail all mite contributions to: Frances Molitor, Financial Secretary PO Box 820 Anderson, TX 77830 Please include a remittance form with each check. Forms may be found on the District Web site or request a copy from Frances. Thoughts from our members As a first-time attendee, the convention was so much more than I anticipated. There were moving worship services, wonderful Bible studies, an excellent keynote speaker and supurb Katie Luther skits, but the most memorable part for me was the music, particularly the song leader, Wendysue Fluegge. ~Annet Riley There were so many memories made at this convention, from sharing opening worship with so many others, to "surprise" visits from Katie Luther, to having a tie for the last grant in the grant voting (since they were ALL such worthy recipients), to hearing highlights from my teen daughter's daily experiences. ~Bonnie Moore I was so moved by all of the Mites in Action speakers. The passion they showed for what they are doing and the ability to see what the LWML has been able to do to help them in their missions was so inspiring. GOD truly works through all of us to accomplish what He has planned. ~Kelly Bernhardt Reminder: send news to districtnews@lwmltxdist.org and remember the most current copy of District News is on our website each month at www.lwmltxdist.org
Page 6 Linked by Love
Volume 6, Number 16 Page 7 Gospel Outreach Update Did you know that our grants are not just grants? They are mission grants! LWML is one of the few organizations that gives grants for the furthering of the gospel. I want to encourage you to always use the word mission when referring to our mission grants. This will help remind us and others of our purpose. I often say when you drop the mission you drop the mission! I would also remind you that prayer accompanies our dollars. Get in the habit of pausing for prayer for our mission grants as you give your mite dollars. As you make plans for your fall and spring events, consider past and current mission grant recipients for speakers. Many of these agencies/ministries would love to share how your mites have been used to spread the gospel. A speaker s list with contact information for some of the mission grants can be found on the mission grants page on the website. If you have any questions please don t hesitate to contact me. I am here to assist you! Sally Krueger Mission Grants Committee Chair gospeloutreach@lwmltxdist.org Mission Grants Committee: Joy Cowan, Debra Heckmann & Jennifer Rasch Mission grant proposals are now being accepted for the LWML Texas District 2018-2020 Biennium. Important things to consider and remember: Please note that there have been changes to the forms and requirements. It is strongly suggested that you carefully read the 2018 Mission Grant Online Guidelines. Please submit an electronic copy of the two REQUIRED forms (Fillable Detailed Information Form and Mission Grant Proposal Form) to us first and wait for confirmation before mailing anything. However, the NOVEMBER 1 deadline still remains firm! Even if you have not received a confirmation email by Nov. 1, all printed copies must be postmarked by November 1, 2017. The deadline for submission is Nov. 1, 2017.
THE TEXAS DISTRICT & HURRICANE HARVEY Updates and How You Can Help Hurricane Harvey has affected several congregations and schools within the Texas District. We are very grateful for your outpouring of concern for those Texas District families who have been flooded and displaced by Harvey. Your eagerness to help matters greatly. This flyer includes upto-date news from our congregations and schools and reliable resources for how you can help. Rescue and recovery are still taking place, and the full extent of the devastation is unknown. Requests for assistance are being received and as we learn more we will keep you updated. A team is headed to the Rockport / Corpus Christi area. Please keep them in your prayers. What can you do right now? Pray. We need the fervent prayers of God s people. Pray for patience, wisdom, safety, and courage. Pray that Jesus be seen in the response of God s people. For news about Texas District congregations and how you can help, visit: our blog: txlcms.org/how-can-i-help-hurricane-harvey our Facebook page: facebook.com/texas.district.lcms both of which we are keeping updated regularly. To make donations, visit bit.ly/txlcms-harvey or send a check to the Texas District office. txlcms.org Texas District of The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod, 7900 E. Hwy 290, Austin, TX 78724