February is a great time to Grow Your Group by tringn a new MIssion Service project!

First pray!

Recruit a friend to help you. 

Together explore the Mission Service Activity Archives at lwml.org/service-archive.

Select a Mission Service Activity.

Schedule a date, time, and location.

Invite others to join your Mission Service Activity. 

Collect the materials needed for the activity. 

Consider a short devotion, food, if needed, and product distribution. 

Women enjoy getting together. Planning a Mission Service Activity provides an opportunity for fellowship and service. This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of the Lord’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God (2 Corinthians 9:12 NIV).

And to the ones who say, “We’ve never done it that way before!” respond, “Neither have I, but let’s do it anyway!” Be daring! Try something new as you Serve the Lord with Gladness! (Psalm 100:2).

2023–2025 Group Development Committee
Julie Hatesohl,
Cinda Poppe,
Jennifer Gierke, Chairman
Arlene Naasz, Vice President of Organizational Resources

Almost every year our Lutheran Women in Mission (LWML) group schedules a meeting in January. Many times, the weather doesn’t cooperate and for everyone’s safety the meeting is cancelled. No Bible study and no connecting with our LWML sisters. How we miss the time to gather and share God’s word!

A few years ago we had a pandemic that cancelled almost everything and left us secluded. God still found a way for us to connect through technology. Virtual meetings became a solution to allow us to gather in Worship, Bible studies, and prayer. While they were not always the most ideal, we were still able to be together to study God’s Word.

Many churches still have the technology for virtual meetings and if not, there are free options available (sometimes with a time limit). For members who do not have a computer, this technology does come with the option to call in and listen from a phone.

Don’t know how to start a virtual meeting? This is a great opportunity to seek out someone who does know how to run a virtual meeting. It could be someone who is interested in becoming involved in LWML!

Romans 10:17 tells us, So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ. We should use every opportunity, by any means possible, to hear God’s Word. 

2023–2025 Group Development Committee
Julie Hatesohl,
Cinda Poppe,
Jennifer Gierke, Chairman
Arlene Naasz, Vice President of Organizational Resources

Advent is a season of anticipation, of quiet waiting, and of preparation for the coming of Christ. Advent also calls to mind the unique way we, as Lutheran Women in Mission, embody hope, nurture life, and carry light into a world longing for peace.

From Mary, the mother of Jesus, we draw a powerful image of Advent living. In her, we see the first bearer of Christ’s light. Her journey reminds us that waiting is not passive; it is active, intentional, and often courageous.

As Lutheran Women in Mission, we have an opportunity – or perhaps an obligation – to carry on that legacy. We reflect the light of Christ through acts of service, compassion, and quiet strength. Whether it is through giving gifts, offering a helping hand, or giving encouragement to those in darkness, we carry the flame of faith forward, one small spark at a time.

As Jesus said, “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden” (Matthew 5:14). During this Christmas season, let us remember our call to shine brightly in every place we dwell.

2023–2025 Group Development Committee
Julie Hatesohl,
Cinda Poppe,
Jennifer Gierke, Chairman
Arlene Naasz, Vice President of Organizational Resources

In a recent visit to another country, I struggled to communicate when I needed to ask for directions. There was a language barrier that was frustrating at first, but eventually, with the help of a translation app, I was able to get to where I was going.

It makes me wonder how frustrating it can be for someone who wants to become a Lutheran Women in Mission (LWML) member. We have our own “language”, including abbreviations in how we speak and our written announcements.

Making sure we know our audience and not assuinge they know all the terms and phrases we typically use in LWML is a way to help grow our groups by being inviting and encouraging to others.

• The LWML App (lwml.org/app) provides tools for communicating within your congregation as well as between your group, zone, and district.
• You can also check out the New Group Welcome Packet for an overview of LWML basics.
• The Lutheran Women in Mission FOCUS on Jesus videos are also a great way to learn more about the LWML.

At Pentecost, the Apostles were able to speak different languages to communicate with everyone. Three thousand people converted that day after Peter spoke and shared God’s Word. Paul states in his letter to the Corinthians: but if I do not know the meaning of the language, I will be a foreigner to the speaker and the speaker a foreigner to me (1 Corinthians 14:11).

By using Lutheran Women in Mission resources, you’ll be able to help others understand our “language” and Serve the Lord with gladness! (Psalm 100:2).

2023–2025 Group Development Committee
Julie Hatesohl,
Cinda Poppe,
Jennifer Gierke, Chairman
Arlene Naasz, Vice President of Organizational Resources

As a new school year begins, the rhythm of life shifts again — early mornings, packed lunches, homework, and a flurry of new schedules. For many women in our congregations — mothers, grandmothers, teachers, mentors, and volunteers — this season brings both excitement and challenge.

It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by to-do lists and expectations. Thankfully, we do not walk into this season alone. Our faithful God walks with us. “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1:9).

As Lutheran Women in Mission, we have a unique opportunity to support our sisters in Christ and many other women. Encourage one another. A kind word, a shared prayer, or a simple “you’ve got this” can be the lift someone needs to keep going. Create moments of connection — through a Bible study, a school prayer group, or even a quick text of encouragement.

This season is not only about pencils and planners — it’s about planting seeds of faith, grace, and love. As Lutheran Women in Mission, let’s step forward together with confidence trusting God to use our everyday efforts for His extraordinary purposes.

2023–2025 Group Development Committee
Julie Hatesohl,
Cinda Poppe,
Jennifer Gierke, Chairman
Arlene Naasz, Vice President of Organizational Resources

As Lutheran Women in Mission, we often refer to ourselves as Sisters in Christ. We are a family. And like any family, sometimes there are disagreements and squabbles. When disagreements happen, what should we do?

We can turn to God’s Word for guidance to help resolve conflicts and seek reconciliation.

• Use kind words. A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger (Proverbs 15:1).
• Address the conflict privately, with the goal of restoring the relationship. If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother (Matthew 18:15).
• Confess your own part in the conflict, seek forgiveness, and be willing to forgive others. Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you (Ephesians 4:31–32).
• Seek peace. So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding. (Romans 14:19). 

Will it be easy? No. But, because we have been reconciled to God through the sacrifice of Jesus, we are called to reconcile with others. When we are reconciled, the conflict is gone, and we can enjoy peace and fellowship.

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come (2 Corinthians 5:17).

2023–2025 Group Development Committee
Julie Hatesohl,
Cinda Poppe,
Jennifer Gierke, Chairman
Arlene Naasz, Vice President of Organizational Resources

Conflicts come up and they are always aggravating, especially when they come up in the least expected places, like church. What do we do when challenged with conflict? Might we not turn to the place with the very best of ways to address conflict, the Bible? And what does it say? Well, have you even tried to count the “one another” phrases? I counted at least 29. There is love one another, confess your sins to one another, rebuke one another, weep with one another, care for one another, rejoice with one another, serve one another, as a start. If one were to take just love one another and serve one another, one might forestall just about every conflict. Does not “love one another” mean that the other person comes first, no matter what it might cost us? Does not “serve one another” mean that one puts the other person’s needs ahead of one’s own? Has not God already taken care of everything for ourselves and can then use us for the good of the other? And is not this what being empowered by the Holy Spirit is all about? May God richly fill us so that we may serve and love those in our church — especially — and those others God brings into our lives.

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds (James 1:2).

Rev. Gary Piepkorn
Senior Pastoral Counselor

2023–2025 Group Development Committee
Julie Hatesohl,
Cinda Poppe,
Jennifer Gierke, Chairman
Arlene Naasz, Vice President of Organizational Resources