St. Paul Lutheran Church
Mission Board
On Wings and Flying “If God had wanted us to fly, He would have given us wings!” Have you ever heard that statement? The Wright Brothers apparently didn’t agree, or they wouldn’t have endured all the ridicule and the difficulties in inventing the airplane. And aren’t we glad they did, for we can get places faster and with less hassle today. These young men had a goal, and they stuck with it until it was accomplished.
Many years ago the women of the LCMS wanted to serve the Lord with all their hearts, to give their hands and feet toward working for His Kingdom, and to give their silver and gold to further His Mission by sending the Word out to all the world. They established a goal and in 1942, the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League became recognized as an auxiliary of the LCMS. At their conventions they set a mite goal, which is what they termed the money they collected to help accomplish their missionary projects--mites. Each time the biennial convention approaches, it is both scary and exciting to see if we can make the goal set for that period. Until the last minute the ladies are kept from knowing whether or not they have made it. With very few exceptions, the mission is accomplished by the closing date.
The year 2008 is one of those convention years for the LWML, Ohio District. With the theme “The Lord is my strength and my shield,” delegates and guests will be gathering for this auspicious occasion on June 20-22 at the Ramada Inn, Montpelier, Ohio. Mites needed each month till then are approximately $13,227.83, in order to meet the grant requests selected by the assembly. Will the goal be met? What do you think?
In Psalm 139, David writes, “You have helped me behind and before. And laid your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me. It is high, I cannot attain it... If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there Your hand shall lead me. And Your right hand shall hold me.”
One of the history books of the LWML is called WINGS—Women in God’s Service. We women of St. Paul Lutheran Church, Madisonville, are a part of that history. What a privilege it is to be able to join in the giving of the mite offerings and also in the decision-making in these missionary endeavors! Deadline for the biennium is March 30, 2008, only a few short weeks away. Don’t forget to fill your mite envelopes and get them in early in March so they can be sent in to the District on time. An envelope is included with this Epistle.“Too lofty a goal,” you say? Perhaps, but with Christ, the Scripture tells us that nothing is impossible. Nancy Rose, treasurer of the Women’s Auxiliary to the Federation of Lutheran Churches of Greater Cincinnati, found that out last fall at the annual Ingathering, the time when that organization collects the yearly love gifts which are used to further the work of the Federation. The Auxiliary pledges $7,000 per year for this, and usually receives around $5,000 in the offering at this service of celebration. Last year, the offering was around $2500. Still upset from the unexpected drop in funds, Nancy took it to the Lord in her evening prayer. Within the next few days, the mailman brought the remaining funds to meet the pledge!
Six mission projects were chosen to receive grants at the last convention:•Food Co-Op. Ft. Wayne Seminary, Ft. Wayne, IN; Lutheran Memorial School,Are you, as women of the LWML, willing to “mount up with WINGS like eagles” and--along with diligent prayer for each one of these missions—buckle up your seat belts and give as the Lord leads to accomplish this goal? Knowing this congregation, I am confident you are’ “Those who wait on the Lord, Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint.” Is. 40:31.
•Cleveland, OH; Operation Learning Program, Victory Lutheran Church, Youngstown,
•OH; African Immigrant Ministry, Trinity Lutheran Church, Hope in the City,
•Cleveland, OH; Adult Daycare Room Facility, Epiphany Lutheran Church, Northfield,
•OH; Outreach to Urban Families, Grace Lutheran Church Hope in the City, Cincinnati, OH.
While you are in flight, think about attending the convention. In the words of one airline’s slogan, “Come fly with us.” You’ll be glad you did!Beulah Werner, for the Mission Board
St Paul Epistle