Women’s Ministry
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2021 Lutheran Witness Magazine Subscriptions
The Lutheran Witness is a monthly magazine of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. Orders may be made through the church at a cost of $19/year (same as last year). If you would be interested in receiving a Lutheran Witness magazine for 2021, or would like to renew your current subscription, please call Karen in the church office, 944-1267, leave her a note, or e-mail her at karen.meredith@glcna.com.
Please make payments to Grace Lutheran Church and place in an envelope clearly marked Lutheran Witness Subscription. You may place an order at any time for next year, but to be guaranteed the January issue, orders must be in by November 24th. Note: If you receive offering envelope packets, there is a yellow Lutheran Witness envelope inside you may use for payment.
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Attention Sisters in Christ
Quiet Moments of Christmas
“Walk-through Reception”
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 6 after late service
Come and celebrate Christ’s birth and hear our Lord say, “Be Still and Know That I Am God” Ps 46:10. You’ll enjoy wassail and cookies, and receive a devotion book, a candle, a take-home craft, and a Christmas ornament.
Bring your Mites along and drop them in our Mite Box
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Indiana District LWML
Giving Tuesday Is Coming!
Give as the Lord moves and works in your heart—every gift of every size is blessed by God!
You have heard of Black Friday and Cyber Monday! How about Giving Tuesday? Giving Tuesday is observed the Tuesday following Thanksgiving. This year Giving Tuesday is December 1st. It takes the focus off the commercialism of Black Friday and Cyber Monday and puts the focus on giving back!
The Lutheran Women’s Missionary League (LWML) Indiana District finds itself in a unique situation in 2020. We are in a position that requires us to raise more awareness for our Mission Grants Goal. In order to do that, we are participating in Giving Tuesday this year! Our goal is to raise $25,000.00 to be used to help fund our Mission Grants for this biennium. By raising this money, it will help prevent the District from drawing from our savings reserves to fund the grants.
We ask that you prayerfully consider giving to this project. Again…Give as the Lord moves and works in your heart – every gift of every size is blessed by God! All donations count regardless of the size! Please indicate that the donations should be used for Giving Tuesday.
You may donate on the website which is http://lwmlindiana.org or you may send a check to: Indiana District LWML Treasurer Arlene Wolfgang, 440 S 325 E, Lagro IN 46941. You may also deposit your check or mites in the large mite box in the narthex.
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Lutheran Women’s Missionary League Grant #15
Pre-and Post-Seminary Training for Local Church Workers
Mission Training Center, Africa — $62,650
In villages across Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia, most local congregations are led by helpers and evangelists. Others are led by seminary-trained and ordained pastors. Both groups are eager for opportunities to study enabling them to better serve the congregations God has entrusted to their care. The Pre-and Post-Seminary Training for Local Church Workers mission grant will provide funds to help cover the cost of lodging, food, and transportation as they travel to and from their classes. For more information, go to www.lwml.org/2019-2021-mission-grant-15. You may place your mites in the large mite box in the narthex at any time.
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Quilt News
In January five quilts were taken to Exit 0, and four were shipped to Lutheran World Relief.
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Woman of Grace at Pricillas Place February 7
This February when we taught the women at ccx Teen Challenge to make mats for the homeless.
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Women’s Bible Study
“It’s Not Supposed To Be This Way”
by Lysa Terkeurst
The class is being led by Wendy Foster and began January 8th in Fireside Room (during Grace on Wednesdays from 6:00-7:30) for six weeks. Bring your friends!
This series will help you:
o Stop being pulled into the anxiety of disappointment by discovering how to better process unmet expectations and other painful situations.
o Train ourselves to recognize the three strategies of the enemy so we can stand strong and persevere through unsettling relationships and uncertain outcomes.
o Discover the secret of being steadfast and not panicking when God does give us more than we can handle.
o Shift our suspicion that God is cruel or unfair to the biblical assurance that God is protecting and preparing us.
o Know how to encourage a friend and help her navigate hard realities with real help from God’s truth.
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Lutheran Women’s Missionary League
2021 LWML Convention Theme Announced!
Running the Race … Looking to Jesus”
The National LWML convention will be held in Lexington, Kentucky, June 24-27, 2021. This theme is based on Scripture verses from the book of Hebrews: Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God (Hebrews 12:1-2).
The symbol is shaped like a horseshoe, which is appropriate, as horses are a large part of the Kentucky culture. Ancient Greeks awarded horseshoe-shaped laurel wreaths to victors of competitions. In our logo, the laurel wreath symbolizes our victory in Christ. The banner was a method of announcing an official proclamation. Our banner proclaims that we are “Running the Race … Looking to Jesus.”
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Christmas Party Pictures
December 8, 2019
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Lutheran Women’s Missionary League
Grant #4 – God’s Grace for This Generation
LAMP Ministry Inc. — $100,000
Nearly one million indigenous people live in isolated areas of northern Canada; half of whom are under the age of 14. Statistics show that over 15 percent of the youth in these areas will take their own lives out of despair and hopelessness. LAMP Ministry Inc. goes into these communities with vacation Bible school, Bible studies, and one-on-one testimonies of the hope provided through faith in Jesus. This grant will allow LAMP to hire more missionary pilots and train more volunteers so that these communities will receive Christian education and the witness of the Gospel. To learn more about this mission grant, go to www.lwml.org/2019-2021-mission-grant-4.
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Women’s Bible Study
“It’s Not Supposed To Be This Way”
by Lysa Terkeurst
The class is being led by Wendy Foster and will begin January 8th in Fireside Room (during Grace on Wednesdays from 6:00-7:30) for six weeks. Bring your friends!
This series will help you:
o Stop being pulled into the anxiety of disappointment by discovering how to better process unmet expectations and other painful situations.
o Train ourselves to recognize the three strategies of the enemy so we can stand strong and persevere through unsettling relationships and uncertain outcomes.
o Discover the secret of being steadfast and not panicking when God does give us more than we can handle.
o Shift our suspicion that God is cruel or unfair to the biblical assurance that God is protecting and preparing us.
o Know how to encourage a friend and help her navigate hard realities with real help from God’s truth.
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Women of Grace Encouragements
On September 8, 2019
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LWML trip to Orphan Grain Train
On September 18, 2019
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Lutheran Women in Mission
Sets 2019-2021 Mission Goal at $2.1 Million dollars
The LWML welcomed 3,104 people with 691 as first timers to the convention in Mobile, Alabama, June 20-23, 2019 under the theme “In Praise to the Lord”.
The convention theme was based on 1 Chronicles 16:23-24a:
Sing to the Lord, all the earth!
Tell of his salvation from day to day.
Declare his glory among the nations.
Delegates to the 38th Biennial Convention of the LWML adopted a $2,100,000 mission goal for the 2019-2021 biennium. This goal, by the grace of God, will fund 21 mission grants as men and women respond in prayer and offerings during the next two years.
Delegates to the 38th Biennial Convention of the LWML adopted a $2,100,000 mission goal for the 2019–2021 biennium. This goal, by the grace of God, will fund 21 mission grants as men and women respond in prayer and offerings during the next two years. Please support the following mission grants, with your prayers and mites (pennies, nickels, and dollars). You may place your mites in the large mite box in the narthex at any time.
1. Water and the Word for Rural Schools in Kenya, $80,000
2. Teach Me Too – Preschoolers with Learning Needs in Austin, TX (LSEM), $100,000
3. Mission Outreach for At-Risk Young Women in Africa (LHM), $100,000
4. God’s Grace for This Generation (LAMP), $100,000
5. God’s Word Changes Everything (LBT), $95,000
6. Mobile Medical Mercy Mission Bus in Guatemala, $100,000
7. Restoring Hope for Detroit Children and Families—Camp Restore Detroit, $100,000
8. Lights for Christ Scholarships in Guatemala, $95,000
9. Wind River Indian Reservation Transportation in Wyoming (WRLM), $40,000
10. Ministry in Motion at Trinity Lutheran Church in Mobile, AL, $58,000
11. Touching the Living Word (LBW), $100,000
12. Women’s Witness and Mercy in Asia (Mission Central), $100,000
13. Digital Media Development (LFL), $30,000
14. Hope and Healing Hub of Downtown Lincoln, NE, $50,000
15. Pre- and Post-Seminary Training for Local Church Workers in Africa, $62,650
16. Preparing Leaders for Tomorrow (LCMS School Ministries), $80,000
17. Christ for You, Anytime, Anywhere (KFUO Radio), $60,000
18. Sri Lanka Multipurpose Building Construction (LCMS Office of International Mission), $50,000
19. Making Jesus Known in the United States Ethnic Communities at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, MO, $100,000
20. Music Outreach, Classes, and Resources on the Border in El Paso, TX, $98,400
21. LCMS Deaconess Ministry (LCMS Office of International Mission), $39,523.
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MATTHEW 25:40 MATS
We have been blessed with enough cut bags to make many mats. Please join us on the following dates to learn to weave. Any age is welcome.
Please bring along a friend and a favorite snack to share.
On June 1st at 10:00 a.m., in the Fireside Room Women of Grace hosted Matthew 25:40 Mats, a brunch included speakers from Exit 0 and Teen Challenge who shared personal stories of how God used the homeless mats to care for them and others. We had an opportunity to be part of the ongoing homeless mat project here at Grace.
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#18 – Restoration Programs for Native Hawaiians-$75,000
Hawaii to most Americans is a vacation paradise with beautiful beaches, warm sunshine and carefree days. But to the native Kanaka people life has been full of pain and suffering since the island was colonized. Many were victimized in ways like that of the Native Americans of the mainland during the expansion to the west. Many are hardworking people but can’t afford the extremely high cost of living. One of the Kanaka men, Clarence, has completed two years of theological training. He is working with Lutheran Indian Ministries (LIM) to be a witness of God’s love to his people, to train new leaders in the faith and to address the spiritual, social and emotional needs of his people. For more information about this grant, go to www.lwml.org/2017-2019-mission-grant-18.
#17 – Nursing Students Serving with Mercy Medical Team – $25,000
LWML Grant #17, Nursing Students Serving with Mercy Medical Team, will provide a group of nursing students with a greater understanding of nursing as a calling as well as a career by giving them missionary experience while they provide medical needs to the people of Madagascar. Pray for this mission and give your mites to help. Read more about this grant at www.lwml.org/2017-2019-mission-grant-17. A poster with more information is on display on the LWML Bulletin Board next to the church mail boxes.
#16 – Education Loan Repayment-$100,000
Those preparing for full time church work are assuming increasing levels of educational debt in order to prepare for ministry. Debt concerns can discourage young people from entering full time church work. LWML Grant #16: Educational Loan Repayment Assistance Grants will help full time church workers to pursue their calling even in settings where their income is low, by providing help with loan repayments. This LWML grant of $100,000 provides $2500 toward their educational debt for each qualified full time LCMS church worker. Please keep this grant in prayer, asking for God’s blessings on our church workers. We pray that they are encouraged in their work with the help of this debt repayment aid. For more information please go to www.lwml.org/2017-2019-mission-grant-16.
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Thanks for supporting the
Women of Grace Bazaar
We raised $1,452.50. Half will be used in our women’s ministry and half has been donated to Canning 4 Kenya, a ministry of 4 Kenya’s Kids (4kenyaskids.org). The goal is to become more self-sufficient in providing food for their children. A mission team will teach them how to can and preserve crops, a huge benefit during the drought season when food becomes very costly.
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Kentuckiana Zone LWML Retreat
October 20, 2018
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Womans Retreat at Camp Lakeview
September 28-30, 2018
Theme: The Lord’s Name: My Safe Place
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JESUS CARES AT EXIT 0
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Lutheran Women’s Missionary League
Indiana District Convention News
The ladies who attended from Kentuckiana Zone and also the opening service in the chapel at Valparaiso University.
The campus of Valparaiso University, Valparaiso, Indiana was the location for almost 350 people attending the 27th Biennial LWML Indiana District Convention, June 29-July 1, 2018. The convention theme, “Walk in the Light of the Lord,” was based on the convention Bible verse, Isaiah 2:5-6 “O house of Jacob, come, let us walk in the light of the LORD. For you have rejected your people, the house of Jacob, because they are full of things from the east and of fortune-tellers like the Philistines, and they strike hands with the children of foreigners.” LWML Indiana District President Emily Rogers presided over the convention business including the approval of 16 Mission Grants totaling $122,000 and the election of officers for the next biennium. Marge Gruber was elected new LWML Indiana District President.
Mission Grants 2018-2020
Indiana District Lutheran Women’s Missionary League
A total of $122,000.00 was available for Mission Grants at the 2018 LWML convention. Thank you to members of Grace and to Grace Lutheran Preschool for collecting mites and helping fund the grants below. The total amount of mites collected at Grace was $4,678.91.
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YOU CAN’T BE EVERYWHERE OR CAN YOU?
A woman was asked what she had been doing the past week, she answered,
“On Monday, I ministered to Mexicans in Texas.
Tuesday, I preached the gospel in Brazil.
Wednesday, I operated on a man in Africa.
Thursday, I taught in a mission school in Japan.
Friday, I helped establish a church in California.
Saturday, I taught seminary classes.
Sunday, I distributed Bibles in Korea.”
Her friend, thinking her a bit “tetched” asked her to explain. “You see, by dropping monies in my Mite Box daily, I have been able to go to all these places where God the Holy Spirit is working.”
If you need a Mite Box pick one up from on top of the large mite box in the narthex.
MISSION STATEMENT
The mission of Women of Grace is to joyfully work together to Encourage our Sisters in Faith to become actively involved by providing opportunities in Spiritual Growth, Mission/Outreach, Fellowship and Service.
PURPOSE
*to provide opportunities for spiritual growth among the women of Grace Lutheran Church
*to develop and maintain a greater mission awareness among the women of Grace Lutheran Church and to gather funds for mission projects
*to provide opportunities for Christian fellowship among women of Grace Lutheran Church
*to assist Grace Lutheran Church in its ministry to build the Kingdom of God through projects and service.
MEMBERS
Any Women who has made the purpose of the organization her own is eligible to participate
Women’s Ministry Team
Facilitator: Dolly Jenkins
Treasurer: Carlee Hosp
Spiritual Growth Coordinators: Sara Faith/Hannah Korner
Mission/Outreach Coordinators: Karen Satori/Diana VonStrohe
Fellowship Coordinators: Vanessa Moeller/Meaghan Turner
Projects Coordinators: Colleen Garber/Cathy Hussung
Greeting Card Ministry: Linda Lockmund
SUGGESTIONS/IDEAS
Contact the Women’s Ministry Team Coordinator for the appropriate area or drop a note in the Women of Grace Suggestion Box (in hallway)
Everyone is invited to participate in any activity. There is no registration and there are no dues.
ACTIVITIES — ONGOING EVENTS
Women’s Missionary League Ministries
Mites are collected year round for missions. Mite money is used to further God’s kingdom all over the world through the mission grants selected by delegates at district and national LWML conventions. For updates on current mission grants see the LWML bulletin board. Mite boxes are used to collect money for missions. If you need a mite box please take one from the top of the large mite box. You may put your mites in the large Mite Box in the narthex at any time.
Esther Circle – meets with the LWML and tacks quilts for Lutheran World Relief and other missions. Watch the bulletin for dates. Anyone who can tie a knot is welcome to join us. Please call Becky Fetz at 812- 951-2408 if you have any questions.
Junior Confirmands – Each Confirmand receives a greeting card with a Biblical bookmark in honor of their Confirmation. The LWML serves a reception for the Junior Confirmation Class.
New Mothers – Each new mother receives a devotional booklet entitled, “Lord, Lead Me Through Motherhood”.
Newlyweds – Each newlywed couple receives a devotional packet entitled, “With this Ring”. Some of the topics are: Love, Date Night, Alone time, Forgiveness, etc.
High School Graduates – Each girl receives a devotional packet entitled, “Jeans Gems”. Some of the topics are: Temptation, Disappointments, Peer pressure, Dating, etc. Topics girls will face as they enter college or the work force.
New Members – Twice a year the LWML serves a reception after late church for new members of Grace. Each lady receives a welcome bag. The bag contains devotions, LWML notepad and pencil, a mite box, bookmark, Quarterly Magazine, and information about the LWML.
Prayer Shawl – Crocheting a Prayer Shawl is a special act of love, a creative method of prayer. Time is spent in prayer while crocheting the shawl. You may be surprised to find that making a Prayer Shawl blesses not only the person that receives it, but the person doing the crocheting as well! Prayer Shawls are given to members of Grace who are sick, dealing with a loss, or as an encouragement.
Crocheting – All are welcome to come and crochet with the group or learn the art of crocheting. This group usually meets the second Thursday of the month at 1:30 pm in the Fireside Room but please watch the bulletin for dates. Contact Pat Smith for details 812-496-4988.
Encouragement Booklets – Encouragement booklets are small scrapbooks. The booklets are made by LWML members and are given to the pastors, who hand them out to our Shut-ins and long term patients during their visitations. These booklets contain familiar hymns, scriptures, and prayers along with pretty pictures of God’s glorious creations. If you like scrapbooking and would like to help in this mission project, contact Linda Lockmund at 812-923-3751.
Glasses for Nicaragua – Glasses needed are adult glasses, children’s glasses, non-prescription sunglasses, and over-the-counter reading glasses. The glasses will be distributed at an eye glass clinic in Nicaragua in June of 2016. Please place glasses in the container marked glasses on God’s post office across from the mail slots.
Orphan Grain train – At least once a year good used clothing is collected and taken to Orphan Grain Train for sorting and shipping to people in need. Shipments have been sent to 64 different countries including the United States. Watch the bulletin for the date.
SCHEDULED EVENTS
WOG WMT Meetings — as scheduled
LWML Meetings — as scheduled
