Lutheran Women's Missionary League California Nevada Hawaii - LWML CNH Blog

Convention Planning

11/30/2021

by Roxan Schwab, VP Convention Planning

2022 C0NVENTION NEWS!

It is time to get excited and get the word out! Rooms are available for booking now.
Follow the link below or call number listed:
http://bookings.ihotelier.com/bookings.jsp?groupID=3266039&hotelID=96145
Or call 800-648-1177 and ask for GLWML22 or just Lutheran Women’s Mission

Date: June 10-12, 2022
Nugget Casino Resort, Sparks, NV

Convention Theme:
Trust in God’s Timing

Convention Bible Verse:
Psalms 62:8 (RSV) Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us.

You should have received bulletin inserts for distribution in you home church, please see that these inserts are used and know that you need not be a society member to come and enjoy convention fellowship. A convention packet will be sent out the end of February with detailed information regarding the speakers, breakout session leaders, ingathering, and service events.

Pastoral Counselor's Message

11/30/2021

by Rev. David Floyd, Pastoral Counselor, LWML CNH

Finding Peace in Thankfulness

As I was driving to work today, I moved over into the left lane to give room for a tow truck that had stopped to help an elder lady who was having car trouble. When I drove past them, I noticed the lady had the biggest smile on her face! But not only that…she was giving the tow truck driver a HIGH FIVE! I got the biggest smile on MY face! Because I could just sense the immense gratitude and the immeasurable peace she must have felt seeing this person come to her aid!

A truly thankful person is a truly peaceful person. They have made a habit, no matter what, to notice, to pause, and to choose. Noticing something for which to be thankful no matter their circumstances. I think the Apostle Paul had something to say about that when he penned these words that we find in Philippians 4:12, “I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” Paul is writing these words from a place of peace. Not a physical place (remember he was writing this letter from prison) but a state of peace, a peace of mind, with a peaceful spirit, because he had, as he said, found the secret to being content…thankful…in any and every situation. And that was: relying on the strength and the promises of God.In fact, whenever Paul found himself in a situation that was beyond his ability to control, when circumstances were difficult, he would notice…look for…something for which to be thankful! Like when he and Barnabas were driven out of Pisidian Antioch. They shook the dust off their sandals and went their way, “filled with joy and the Holy Spirit” (Acts 14:52). Or when Paul and Silas were arrested, beaten, and jailed in Philippi. While in stocks, they were “praying and singing hymns to God…” (Acts 16:25). So they noticed what they could be thankful for!

Then they paused to acknowledge this, as a way to remind themselves of God’s presence in their lives. They took the time to lift up praise to God and to give Him thanks for His provision…to give thanks for the opportunity to serve…to give thanks for His presence and His power in the midst of their troubles. And then as they noticed and paused and chose to focus on God’s presence, His powerful peace was unleashed! In the midst of our circumstances, will we be a noticer? A pauser? A chooser? A person of thanksgiving no matter what circumstances we are facing?

Paul and Barnabas and Silas weren’t the only ones who did this. I see this truth about the power of thanksgiving all through scripture. What was the prayer Daniel prayed just before being thrown into the lion’s den? A prayer of thanksgiving! What was the prayer of Jonah’s heart before he was delivered onto dry ground after 3 days in the belly of a fish? A prayer of thanksgiving! How are we instructed to pray in Philippians 4:6 when we feel anxious about anything? We pray with thanksgiving! And what is the result of each of these situations where thanksgiving is proclaimed? PEACE…POWERFUL, UNEXPLAINABLE, UNCONTAINABLE PEACE! “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:7)

Webster’s definition of thanksgiving is: a public acknowledgment or celebration of divine goodness.
As we draw closer and closer to Thanksgiving, I wonder how we might celebrate God’s divine goodness today? I wonder what might happen if we decide, in the midst of our struggles and troubles, to notice, and pause, and choose something for which to be truly thankful?

Dear Lord, will you help me notice things for which I can be thankful in each and every situation I find myself in today? Will you help me remember to pause and acknowledge this as evidence of your presence? And will you help me remember to choose to focus on Your presence until Your powerful peace rushes into my heart and helps me see everything more clearly? Thank you for the reality that thankfulness changes everything! In Jesus’ Name! Amen!

Zone 9 News

11/30/2021

by Carol Sanden, Zone 9 President

Our ladies have been busy indeed, whether working as a group or individually from home. Our ladies are very dedicated to their Lord and mindful of serving Him with Joy and Gladness.

The ladies of Zion, San Luis Obispo, have been making “Days for Girls” kits, collecting food for the Salvation Army and Food Bank, supporting a Seminary Student, collecting their Mites, make up Treat Plates for members who are shut‑ins and widow(er)s. They also host a “Spring Tea” fellowship each year.

The ladies of Peace, Arroyo Grande, make regular visits to shut-ins, make up supply bags for the homeless, sew Little Dresses for Africa, donate food for the Food Bank, serve at People’s Kitchen, support and help with Preschool Activities, serve on the Prayer Cart for preschoolers and their parents, donate Mites for Missions, donate Christian books for the local Social Services Offices, as well as hold Rummage Sales with profits going towards Missions and local needs. They recently hosted the Fall Zone 9 Rally for 2021.

The ladies of Bethany, Lompoc, have been very busy boxing up 75 quilts, 40 Baby Care kits, and 50 school kits for Lutheran World Relief. They also put together 12 Teachers kits and sewed 15 pillowcase dresses for the Orphan Grain Train. They made 136 lap quilts for local nursing homes and over 300 Sani Panis for Little Dresses for Africa, as well as sewing drawstring backpacks for Christmas Child boxes.

President's Message

11/30/2021

by Martha Dubke, LWML CNH District President

Dear friends,

It is hard to believe that it is already November. Where has the time gone? Thinking ahead to next summer, as of this writing, it is about seven months until our LWML CNH District Convention in Sparks, Nevada. The time is passing quickly and we have a lot to do to get ready. There will be many meetings, phone calls and emails to prepare for next year. Many of you are working on zone and group events for this fall or next spring. For some it will be an in-person event, for others it will take place online. Thank God for ZOOM. As annoying as it can be, it has allowed us to carry out a number of activities and meetings that otherwise would have been more difficult to accomplish.

The Gospel Outreach Committee has reviewed all of the prospective Mission Grants for the 2022-2024 biennium by meeting online. The Finance Committee has also been able to meet. At our October Board of Directors meetings, a number of people were able to join via Zoom. This was the first time we had carried out a meeting this way. There are still issues that need to be resolved, but I trust that each time we have this type of meeting, we will make improvements. Nothing beats a face-to-face meeting, but I’m thrilled that we do have this option so others can participate.

As thoughts were whirling around in my brain, a verse from Psalm 46:10 Be still and know that I am God came to mind. This can be very difficult for me to do, but it is good. God knows me and He knows best. He wants me to pause, to rest, to stop. The theme verse for our convention next summer, from Psalm 62:8, reminds me to Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge. My thoughts were that God knew what He was doing when he led us to choose our theme and verse.

Along with contemplating on being still and trusting in Him, various verses in Psalm 100 helped as well. Serve the Lord with gladness! Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name! For the Lord is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations.
As I look forward to the days ahead, with God’s help, I will be still, I will trust in Him, I will serve Him with gladness and give thanks to him, for he is good and his love endures forever!

Zone 12 News

11/30/2021

by Sandra Clark, Zone 12 President

Let us all rejoice in thanksgiving for the dedication this summer of the re-opening of the worship center at Our Savior, Paradise. Continue to keep them in prayer as they REBUILD their mission and ministry in their home and community. May the Lord continue to bless the mission outreach there and among us also. "Grant to those who morn in Zion - to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit; that they may be called 0aks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he may be glorified." Isaiah 61:3-4

Throughout our lives we live with the promises that God is ever before us in the Word. Keep moving forward as His light shines and brings us Love, Peace, Joy, and Hope to Serve the Lord With Gladness. Pray with us as we reach out to the women that do not have a formal LWML at their churches but continue a personal commitment to Lutheran Women in Mission with mites and attendance at LWML functions.

The Zone 12 October Fall Gathering hosted by the ladies of St Paul, Red Bluff was a day of spiritual growth in prayer, thanksgiving, fellowship and sharing in mission outreach with a special servant event helping to fill gift bags for Navy service men and women. The list of items included heavy stockings, foot powder, innersoles, chap stick, personal toiletry items, and individually wrapped snack treats. The ingathering will be given to Navy Chaplain Ross Engel as part of his ministry in reaching out to all the personnel during their long stay at sea.

LWML ladies at Trinity, Redding brought a great idea to the rally. A table was set up to be the "Mercantile Mite Store." Women brought useful items they no longer needed from their homes. It included a variety of home decor, books, plants and bulbs. The treasures filled the table and sold for the price of a donation to the mite box. What a great way to clean our homes and give back this easy way.

Zone 8 News

11/30/2021

by Marilyn Taddey, Zone 8 Publicity

In October, Zone 8 held their Fall Gathering at Grace Lutheran Church in San Mateo, CA. The women of Grace provided a very “welcoming” setting for our gathering with Fall colors on the tables and DELICIOUS choices for “something sweet” with our coffee on our arrival.

Rev. Noland led the group in a Bible Study on “CHRISTIAN CHARITY AND COMPASSION” based on Ps. 51:1-2 “Have mercy on me O Lord according to your great compassion, blot out my transgressions , wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sins.” and Acts 6:1-7 (where 7 were chosen to meet the needs of the poor). He shared instances where Jesus showed compassion (feeding of the 5000) and taught His disciples what it meant to “have compassion” not just on those of your own background but reaching out to other communities and beliefs who are in need.

Rev. Fajardo of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, Pacifica presented information on the International and Hispanic Ministry of LCMS done thru the Board of International Missions (BOIM). of which he currently serves. He shared the background of his personal call to the ministry of LCMS after growing up in Mexico as son of a Lutheran pastor, attending U. of Texas to study engineering and how God called him to the ministry of the LCMS and to involvement in the BOIM. He showed us a video presentation of the BOIM in which current Nigerian men who are being trained to be Pastors on their continent shared the concerns of teaching the Christian faith to native men who have not been raised in the Christian faith but were called to become pastors in the mission field of their homeland. Very crucial in this training is the availability of the printed Word (Bibles) and the catechism and other theological books in their own language.

Grace Lutheran Church, San Mateo – by Shirley Gangelhoff, LWML President
Grace Lutheran has a quilting day once a month. These quilts are sent to Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch in North Dakota, where at-risk children are helped to succeed in the name of Christ, and to the Fort Wayne and St Louis Seminaries. Baby quilts go to the Ronald McDonald House in Sacramento.

Our Savior's Lutheran Church, Pacifica – by Lori Fisher, Dorcas Society Vice President
At our last monthly meeting for 2021, we will be making our plans for our Christmas Potluck, the last fundraiser of the year for our Love Gift recipients:

LCMS International Missionaries in Bucharest, Romania - Rev Andrew and Megan Fedder
Pacifica Meals on Wheels - The MOW program delivers scratch-cooked meals Monday-Friday to Pacifica’s 60+ seniors and disabled adults to maintain their independence and stay in their home who are at nutritional risk and unable to shop and prepare their own meals
Pacific Lutheran Jr & Sr High School, Gardena, California - Lucas Fitzgerald, Principal (former OSLC member)
Lutheran Braille Workers - Providing the Word of God freely to people who are blind or visually impaired
Lutheran Heritage Foundation LHF translates, publishes, distributes, and introduces books that are Bible-based, Christ-centered and Reformation-driven. LHF has published the catechism in more than 90 languages with dozens more requested

The ladies will be hosting a soup supper to warm our bodies prior to warming our souls during mid-week services this Advent Season.

First Lutheran Church, So San Francisco – by Mary Deger Seevers, LWML Treasurer
Every year our group participates in Samaritan's Purse Operation Christmas Child by filling Christmas decorated shoe boxes of toys, hygiene & school supplies for children in crisis all over the world. This year National Collection Week was Nov. 15-22. and once again, our LWML covered the postage for all the shoe boxes collected.

Zone 7 News

11/30/2021

by Cherylene Brueckner, Zone 7 President

We are looking forward to our 2022 Spring Event! The Women of Faith, in Pleasant Hill were able to roll their plans forward from this fall to a new pending date this coming spring. All systems are “Go!” Room A, sponsored by Hillcrest Congregational Church in Pleasant Hill, will send a speaker for our Event. They provide clothing and food for the needing in the community.

Many of our societies are older and smaller, but still mighty! Many are less active, mostly but are still committed to collecting Mites and holding Bible studies.

Our Savior Lutheran Church, Livermore – by Susan Contreras
Six women sent 120 quilts to Lutheran World Relief this October. Many of the tops were made by a skilled 89-year-old woman who often makes seven tops a week.
Four Sewing Kits were also donated. We were blessed by donations of fabric from many people and a huge gift of quality yardage from the Amador Valley Quilt Guild. The quilters also prepared some quilts to be raffled at our November Boutique, as well as a sensational Christmas tree wall hanging with ornaments attached. We will donate the money received to help fund the trip to the National LCMS Youth Conference to be held July of 2022.

Beth Young has been skillfully leading our women in another Beth Moore Bible study, “Stepping Up: A journey through the Psalms of Ascent.” Beth has been mastering the art of Zoom technology so that the group can blend a live group with an online group, one of whom participates from Germany.

Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Concord
Our ladies’ group continues with weekly Monday morning Zoom gatherings to keep connected, celebrated LWML Sunday and Pastor Appreciation in October, are busy planning the Corner Café as part of Holiday Hutch the first weekend in November and will host a “Christmas Giving Tree” for the needy with Lutheran Social Services in December.

Zone 19 News

11/30/2021

Mt. Olive, Folsom

In November the LWML society at Mt. Olive in Folsom organized Franklin Graham’s Operation Christmas child. In the past a local Girl Scout troop helped with packing the toys, school supplies, and hygiene items for children. On Nov. 9th we were able to pack 65 boxes with the help of the congregation and Thrivent. They were placed on the altar and Pastor Carlos blessed them and the recipients before they were picked up by a Samaritan's purse representative.

After Thanksgiving, the LWML will be selling authentic German style decorated gingerbread cookies and the proceeds will go to missions.

MESSIAH, Citrus Heights

Praise God for a meaningful LWML Sunday 2021 on October 24. Our members braved heavy God-sent rain to get there. Some of our ladies, led by cross-bearer Adelia Stephens, processed in as we had done for many years in the past. We greeted, ushered, read, and handed out our brand new LWML brochure, national mission grant goals, and Mustard Seed devotions.

The service and sermon reflected the purpose of LWML and why we support their mission. We thank Pastor Stephens for further explaining the symbolism of the current logo, which includes our baptism, as featured on this year’s banner.

"Our Hearts in His Hand” was the theme for LWML Sunday 2021 and is based on Peter’s first letter to persecuted Christians in Asia Minor. In chapter 4:8, Peter tells them, “Above all, keep loving one another earnestly”. The heart of the LWML is its members; our hearts have been made holy by God. We are fully dedicated to serving Him, by serving His Church at home and abroad. Our hearts for Christ are in His hand of service, wherever and when He has need of us.” (Source: LWML.org)

“For where two or three are gathering together in my name, there am I the midst of them”. Matt 18:20. We never know how many ladies will be at our meeting each month. We recite the LWML pledge, sing our LWML songs, Pastor Morris leads a short Bible study, and we share one or two Mustard Seed devotions.

We have had a treat lately. One of our men, Dave, has been attending, adding a lot to our meetings, giving a new perspective on what we do. His mother was a devoted LWML member, he is carrying on her family tradition.

Messiah and LWML members have been participating in Operation Christmas Child for five years, even during the pandemic. Despite being a small congregation, we are mighty when it comes to taking on a cause which serves our Lord. Our ladies and gentlemen come through.

Zone 3 News

11/30/2021

by Cathey King, Zone 3 President

St Peter LWML hosted Zone 3 to a fabulous Fall Rally on Saturday October 16. The devotion led by Pastor Tim Blau had a Wizard of Oz theme that was enhanced by the Sparklers, a group of neighborhood girls who spend time at the St Peter School playground.

Rally attendees then began their mission work, making witness bracelets for MOST Ministries and neck scarves, baskets, and cards for Lodi House, a local women’s shelter. Facing a large world map, ladies chose a mission grant to pray for and added their name to the location on the map. The members will pray for that specific mission for the entire grant biennium. They were excited to see how widespread the LWML mission field is!

After a delicious brunch there was a speaker from Lodi House sharing the mission and work of their program. Rev Jeff Morey, our pastoral counselor, dedicated a large in-gathering for Lodi House graduates.

Zone 14 News

11/30/2021

by Laura Lynn Ledson, Zone 14 President

Our Great Mites Harvest concluded on the first Sunday of October. This is another way we join hands as a zone to work together and be aware of each other. That Sunday we also celebrated LWML missions. Officers recently elected were installed during the church service.

A Thrivent-sponsored Servant Event for Zone 14 was held on October 30 at St. Mark, Santa Rosa. The day began with "How to Organize a Bean Soup Luncheon". Choosing a mission topped the list of steps needed to prepare for serving the congregation at a "Dine In" luncheon plus lunches "To Go". We covered all other aspects of organization: committee, duties, menu, decor, setup, review and more. We broke into groups: one for colorful lapquilts, one for extraordinarily cheerful crayon-colored cards, and one for beaned bags that are ready for sale with a recipe card and a bow. Two churches took home bags of beans to sell as mission projects.

St. Mark will hold their Bean Soup Luncheon on November 14, benefitting Redwood Gospel Mission (a local ministry to help those in need of shelter and spread the word that JESUS SAVES), and Share Our Wealth (an emergency fund at St. Mark for those in need, COVID or fire victims). We thank Thrivent for their support to help our mission work.

Ladies continue to further the new societies at Faith in Sonoma and Ukiah. We are vigilant in our work with all of the churches. Please pray for the seeds that are sown to sprout, root and shoot!

The comments and opinions expressed herein on this website do not necessarily reflect the beliefs and point of view of the Lutheran Women's Missionary League or The Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod. Statements are made exclusively by the author(s) and appear as written and have not been subjected to the Lutheran Women's Missionary League or The Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod doctrinal review process.
Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations are taken from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version(R) (ESV(R)) Copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. All rights reserved.
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