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Zone 9 News
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.
Zone 12 News
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
by Dinnie Kysar, Zone 11 Secretary
"Continuing God's Mission in Unusual Times" was the theme for the Zone 11 zoom event held on November 6 and 13. There was time for small groups, for singing, and for listening to two speakers. Thirty-four people attended.
Pastor Bob Smith, serving as interim pastor at Messiah Lutheran, 'Ewa Beach, spoke on prayer. Prayer is not a technique. There are no rules. Prayer is centered around a relationship with Jesus. Stop, rest, relax – Jesus is listening. He has written two books: Keep Me from Evil, Harm and Fear (2004) and Keep Me and Keep All (2011).
Pastor Uchel Naito from Good Shepherd, Honolulu spoke on the history of the Palauan congregation in Honolulu and its relationship with Good Shepherd. It all started with one lady from Good Shepherd who met a lady from the Palauan community. A relationship formed and resulted in Bible studies for Palauans. By 2004 a missionary arrived in Hawaii from Palau and he became a Lutheran pastor for the Palauan congregation.
Following the zoom events, participants' comments were enthusiastic about seeing so many beloved ones in Christ all at once. Carol's prayer (she joined from Hong Kong) was "may God continue to bless all the LWML work you do for it assists to proclaim the Gospel all over the world". Sharon Self remembered how Our Savior Lutheran Church, Pacifica, CA supported a man training to be a pastor at the seminary – that man was Pastor Les Self, who is currently serving as interim pastor at Good Shepherd, Honolulu. Avis commented that the participants' experiences noted during the small group Ice Break session expanded her thinking about God's mission for each of us. Pastor Bob Smith's presentation offered lots of room for us to grow.
by Cheryl Dies, President, Emmanuel, Clovis
For several weeks under the guidance of Chris Squire, Emmanuel's Women of Grace and church members have been collecting items to send to Samaritans Purse outreach. The ladies have been assembling boxes filled with needed items and toys for children from toddlers to preteens. They will be taken to a local distribution center and forwarded on to a main center for dispersing to many countries
Our LWML ministry at Christ, Hilo is Quilt Making. We meet once a month to piece together and tie quilts. Others sew at home and bring their work to the Quilting session. We have a Quilt Blessing before they are sent out to Hospice, the Veterans Home, and Dialysis patients as well as given to needy people. We also sell our quilts with the money donated to National to assist with the cost of mailing quilts overseas and also supporting such ministries as LAMP pilots and Bethesda Auxiliary (scholarships).
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