the kansas sonshine

The Kansas Sonshine

FALL 2014 Volume 71: Number 5

LUTHERAN WOMEN’S MISSIONARY LEAGUE KANSAS DISTRICT

May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Oh Lord, My Rock and My Redeemer. Psalm 19:14

The President’s Podium Karen Morrison

20th LWML Kansas District President

The Kansas Sonshine

“Who is like you, O Lord? Who is like you, majestic in holiness, awesome in glorious deeds, doing wonders?” Exodus 15:11 (ESV)

When was the last time you slowed down and took time to worship God’s Majesty?

John and I just returned from a trip to Norway and Germany where God’s majestic beauty was all

around us every day. We were the epitome of the tourist, camera constantly in hand, snapping

photos left and right and even through the windshield (from the backseat) which might have been

distracting to our friend driving the car.

Since I can’t share photos, let me try to describe in words - Sunset at the fjord. A darkened

mountain to the left and right slope downward toward the valley of water. The forest green trees are

hidden from view in the darkening shadows. There are clouds overhead blocking the view of the

sky, but straight ahead I see a break in those clouds, enough for a glimpse of sunset. The waning

sun glistens ever so slightly on the water, the purple color of the clouds merge into pink, orange, and

peach streaks across the sky which in turn reflect back across the water. It is Majestic!

It is easy to find Majesty on a special trip in a special location. It can be a little more difficult to find

the majesty in everyday – unless you remind yourself to look.

So, I remind you to slow down just a little. Take time to actually see the majestic beauty that God is

placing in your path each day. It could be that the flower, the bird, the ray of sunlight through the

tree, the butterfly . . . is a personal message from God placed there just for you at that moment in

your day.

Do you see it? Do you thank Him for it? Or does it pass right by? God speaks to us in so many ways.

Don’t let the majesty of His creation be the message that you miss.

“Yours, O Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor, for everything in heaven and earth is yours. Yours, O Lord, is the kingdom; you are exalted as head over it.” (1 Chronicles 29:11 NIV)

“Majesty! Worship His majesty. Unto Jesus be all glory, honor and praise . . .” (song lyrics, Jack Hayford © 1981 New Spring (Admin. by Brentwood-Benson Music Publishing, Inc. CCLI License # 871692)

Blessings, President Karen

“Majesty!”

Counselor’s Corner Pastor Jeff Duncan

The Kansas Sonshine

IN THIS ISSUE

Page 1: The President’s Podium Page 2: Counselor’s Corner Page 3: Christian Life / Financial News Page 4: Gospel Outreach / Caring Service Page 5: Communication / Historian Page 6: Society News Page 7: Society News / Missions / Focus Areas Page 8: Projects / LHM / Snippet / LWR report

In his classic work on what Christian community can become when life in Christ Jesus the Lord is Life Together, Lutheran pastor and theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer has much to say about our devotion and prayer life. Let me share a few thoughts of his. "The early morning belongs to the Church of the risen Christ. At the break of light it remembers the morning on

which death and sin lay prostrate in defeat and new life was given to mankind." (pg. 41) "Morning does not belong to the individual; it belongs to the Church of the Triune God, to the Christian family, to the

brotherhood." (pg. 41-42) "For Christians the beginning of the day should not be burdened and oppressed with besetting concerns for the day's

work. At the threshold of the new day stands the Lord who made it. All the darkness and distractions of the dreams of night retreat before the clear light of Jesus Christ and his waking Word." (pg. 43)

"Common devotions in the morning should include Scripture reading, song, and prayer. ... The Psalter occupies a unique place in the Holy Scriptures. It is God's Word and, with a few exceptions, the prayer of men as well. ... How can God's Word be at the same time prayer to God?" (pg. 44)

"A psalm that we cannot utter as a prayer, that makes us falter and horrifies us, is a hint to us that here Someone else is praying, not we; that the One who is here protesting his innocence, who is invoking God's judgment, who had come to such infinite depths of suffering is none other than Jesus Christ himself." (pg. 45)

"The Psalter is the great school of prayer. ... Here we learn, first, what prayer means. It means praying according to the Word of God, on the basis of promises. ... Second, we learn from the prayer of the psalms what we should pray. Certain as it is that the scope of the prayer of the psalms ranges far beyond the experience of the individual, nevertheless the individual prays in faith the whole prayer of Christ, the prayer of him who was true Man and who alone possesses the full range of experiences expressed in this prayer. ... We can and should pray the psalms of suffering, the psalms of the passion, not in order to generate in ourselves what our hearts do not know of their own experience, not to make our own laments, but because all this suffering was real and actual in Jesus Christ, because the Man Jesus Christ suffered sickness, pain, shame, and death, because in his suffering and death all flesh suffered and died. What happened to us on the Cross of Christ, the death of our old man, and what actually does happen and should happen to us ever since our baptism is the dying of our flesh, this (emphasis Dietrick's) is what gives us the right to pray these prayers. ... Third, the psalms teach us to pray as a fellowship. The body of Christ is praying, and as an individual one acknowledges that his prayer is only a minute fragment of the whole prayer of the Church. He learns to pray the prayer of the Body of Christ. And that lifts him above his personal concerns and allows him to pray selflessly.” (pg. 47-49)

Prayer is such an awesome opportunity for the Christian...and what a blessing that pray the very words of God Himself in the Psalms! How is your prayer life? A good question each of us should ask and review daily...and not weekly. Over the next few months of articles, Pastor Hobson and I will be discussing prayer and the joy of sharing and caring for each other in fellowship before God's throne, in prayer! I close with St. Paul's words to us all...on prayer:

“We give thanks to God always for all of you, constantly mentioning you in our prayers, remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Th. 1: 2-3 ESV) Peace in Jesus to whom we pray for you.

“PRAYER”

OPTIONAL PRINT PAGES

Page 9: Holy Cross Women’s Retreat Page 10: Stamporee Project Page 11: Convention bus reservation form Page 12-17: Convention YWR application form

LWML Kansas District Mission Statement: Empowered by the Holy Spirit, the LWML Kansas District will

nurture, motivate, and prepare LCMS women to serve the Lord with gladness.

Have you taken time to check out resources on the national LWML website recently? If not, here are a few you might find helpful.

“The Time is Now” 2-Minute Tuesdays is an email sent every couple of weeks with suggestions on how to help you share LWML with those around you. These are just a few of the ideas I have received: 1) Help someone not currently active in LWML to take “baby steps” toward the organization by asking her to pray for a specific mission that is important to you. As you build a relationship, invite her to join you at an LWML event so she can see how to “serve the Lord with gladness”; 2) Instead of just wearing your LWML clothing, jewelry, etc. to LWML events, wear it during your every day life as well. Use the opportunities God presents to explain how He has blessed you personally and through our organization; 3) Observe the women in your congregation and their spiritual gifts. 1 Peter 4:10 tells us “Like good stewards of the manifold grace of God, serve one another with whatever gift each of you has received.” Encourage one woman in the use of her gift to God’s glory and build or strengthen a friendship with her.

Mustard Seed Devotions can be emailed to you daily. Start your busy day with a few minutes of quiet reflection and a foundation of prayer.

To sign up for these emails, visit www.lwml.org and go to the resources tab at the top. On the drop down menu click Devotions / Mustard Seeds and then click subscribe under “Devotions Available through Email!”. There will be a place for you to enter an email address and an opportunity to mark both “The Time is Now” 2-Minute Tuesdays and Mustard Seeds. There are other items you may be interested in also.

There is also a time management resource published by the LWML Leader Development Committee available at the same resources tab under Leader Development. It could be used individually or as a group exercise at an LWML event. It encourages you to evaluate how you use your time now and gives you tips on how to prioritize your day.

And, mark your 2015 calendars—November 6 and 7 will be the next Christian Life Retreat! Keep watch in upcoming Sonshine issues for more details.

CHRISTIAN LIFE ELAINE ENGELMAN, VICE PRESIDENT

FINANCIAL NEWS

Kerri Lynne Brown LWML Kansas District Financial Secretary

114 2nd St.—Westphalia, KS 66093 [email protected]

Mite GOAL 2014-2016 Biennium

$152,750.00

($6,364 is needed each month to meet our goal.)

MITES RECEIVED through 8/31/14

$27,633.00

$38,184 is what was needed through August to be “on track” to reach the biennium’s Mite goal. We are $10,551 short at this point.

Please pray with me that God would provide the Mites to support all of the Kansas District’s Mission Projects and meet the rest of the District’s financial obligations (remember that 25% of the District Mites is sent to the national LWML).

We give Thee but Thine own, whate’er the gift may be;

All that we have is Thine alone, a trust, O Lord, from Thee.

And we believe Thy Word, though dim our faith may be:

Whate’er for Thine we do, O Lord, We do it unto Thee.

(LSB 781, Text: Public domain)

The Kansas Sonshine

mailto:[email protected]

The recipients of the Sunday morning offering at the LWML Kansas District convention in March were the GEO Missionaries, Chara Sype and Rachel Cassada. They both work with LCMS International Mission, and they each received $2,100.14. The LWML Kansas District has supported Jack and Cathy Carlos in the past and these two young women were to join the Carlos's until plans changed, so the offering amount was sent to Chara and Rachel in their changed mission fields.

We received a nice thank you from Chara saying: "Thank you so much for thinking of Rachel and I with your gracious donation! It is truly a joy be a part of the Body of Christ in the world. I am humbled to experience God in this way! It was certainly a change to arrive in South Africa as opposed to what I had been imagining in Guinea, but God certainly is faithful and I am learning lessons that I'm sure were in His plan from the very beginning!”

Chara included her blog that she updates about every three weeks. You can follow her mission work at her blog site: www.africhara.workpress.com. She likes to add videos of her students introducing themselves and/or singing. They are a pretty incredible group!

Rachel also wrote a nice thank you: "Wow! Like Chara said, what a blessing! I am so thankful for your generous offering that you all collected to put toward the ministries that we are a part of in South Africa and Ghana. I am also humbled to be a part of God's mission in Africa and am so happy that you are all a part of it too. God is moving in mighty ways and it’s so exciting to see! Let me also know if you would like to receive my monthly newsletter. It would be wonderful to meet you in person someday and share more with the LWML Kansas District about what God is doing in Ghana.”

Please keep Chara and Rachel in your prayers as they continue their mission work overseas.

GOSPEL OUTREACH BERNIE REETZ, VICE PRESIDENT

LWML Texas District Stamporee Project Update!

A BIG thank you to women all over the Kansas District for faithfully collecting stamps. The Kansas District

lends support to the Texas District LWML, which gathers and sorts stamps, sells them to stamp dealers and

collectors, and donates all proceeds to Lutheran World Relief shipping costs. As there are other LWML

districts and groups that also send stamps to Texas, it is not possible to break out a dollar amount

contribution from Kansas, but over $25,000 has been raised over the past 10 years.

All stamps, including stamp collections (except the Liberty Bell Forever Stamp and pre-printed postage

meter stamps) are collectible. This includes stamps specifically ordered from the Internet (Zazzle.com,

Stamps.com, etc.). After receiving much feedback from our Zones, stamps no longer need to be sorted!

However we are asking that they be trimmed with a scissors, leaving ¼” around the stamp.

More guidelines can be found on the website. Let’s see if we can contribute another six boxes of stamps to

the Texas District over the next two years.

LWR Quilts and Fleece Blankets Update

Lutheran World Relief (LWR) recently announced the results of the 2013 Quilt Campaign—485,931 quilts

came through their warehouses during the campaign. That’s the most they have received in a one-year

time frame. It would be interesting to know how many came from our faithful Kansas quilters.

LWR is also introducing a new project—Fleece Tied Blankets. Directions can be found on their website:

www.lwr.org/blankets. If your zone or society is looking for a project that is fun, simple, and requires no

sewing, these warm and sturdy blankets would bring many hours of comfort to people in need.

CARING SERVICE GLORIA RAAB, VICE PRESIDENT

The Kansas Sonshine

http://www.africhara.workpress.com

http://www.lwr.org/blankets

Did you receive an “Ice Bucket Challenge” for ALS? Do you participate in a walk or a run to raise funds for a cause? Do school students or 4-H members ask you to donate to a certain charity? Do you struggle with how to divide your Thrivent® Choice Dollars? Is your mailbox filled with requests from various Lutheran and/or secular organizations? How does one decide the best way to share the blessings we have received? My answer? Donate to LWML Mites!

Through your mite offerings, you can support Orphan Grain Train, the seminary food bank, LeadaChild/CCCS missions in Bangladesh, the Lutheran student center at WSU, help publish the Bible in Braille and Lutheran books in French, and help proclaim the Gospel on the radio, through praise music and to preschool children. In addition, your donations help prepare future church workers through student financial aid. And these are “just” the Kansas projects!

The Communication Committee is here to serve you! Please send society and zone news to Shelly Keller, the editor of The Kansas Sonshine Newsletter; your news IS important! Thank you for your payment for the Quarterly subscriptions and the website fee; contact Marj Aufdemberge, Distribution Manager, if you have questions about either. Go to our Facebook page to increase involvement of your members; contact Darla Abbott to share your news! Kathie Thurman, is excited to present the LWML store at events such as the women’s retreat at Holy Cross Lutheran in January 2015; contact Mandy Cornett, if you have questions about technology. Thank you to Mark Fuchs for his continued work as our webmaster! Contact me to sched-ule the display or with questions about Pastors in Missions gifts to pastors new to Kansas.

The Structure Committee looks forward to receiving, reviewing and approving updates to your society and zone bylaws. Chairman Kathryn Richard and committee members Cathi Clark and Ruth Stice are here to help you. The updated LWML Kansas Bylaws and the Leadership Guidelines will soon be available on the Kansas District website. These can serve as a guide for updating zone and society bylaws. (Once you see “Updated” on the website, you may printed the newest copy.) Please contact them if you have questions!

If there is ANYTHING the Communication or Structure Committees can do to help you, please contact us—we are just one click away through the contact list on the website and at the end of this newsletter. We are here to serve you!

COMMUNICATION BRENDA PIESTER, VICE PRESIDENT

LWML History Discovery:

One of the joys of being Archivist/Historians is putting the puzzle pieces together . We can be thankful for

faithful LWML Archivist/Historians who have kept records orderly for these 70 years. However, there will

be gaps . Judy and I would like to share with you a “find”. An email arrived from Lynette McCortney, of

Park Ridge, Illinois, asking if we would like to receive some LWML items found in a file folder of her mother,

Ruth Pralle, who lived in Kansas in the l950’s. Her husband, Lynette’s father, Frederick Pralle, was Pastor at

Chanute, and she was a member of the LWML during his pastorate there. When the packet arrived, we

were delighted to find a copy of the 6th Biennial LWML Convention program (1956) which was missing from

the archives! Ruth Pralle lived to be 97 (10/13/1916 – 5/31/2013) and served the Northern Illinois District

of LWML as Archivist/Historian. We thank Lynette McCortney for her thoughtful contribution to our

Kansas District LWML archives. This discovery reinforces the theme of our District Convention Booth at

Wichita: The importance of saving and labeling items of historical value.

God’s Blessings, Esther Ideker and Judy Carlson

The Kansas Sonshine

Amanda Williams and Alli Bauck, Kansas City CrossRoads YWRs at the 2014 Wichita convention, left the convention very excited to get more young women involved with LWML. Their ideas were put into action Thursday, September 11 with the kick-off meeting for the “Eve Circle,” which was a gathering of 11 young women from Hope, Beautiful Savior, and Bethany Lutheran churches in the Kansas City area. The group met at a coffee shop and mingled with an ice-breaker, read through a devotion entitled “The Heart of Eve,” and made plans for future ingatherings and servant events the group would like to participate in. Each attendee also received a gift of a cup, mite box, devotion book, Mustard Seed, LWML pencil, and “The Time is Now” card. To wrap up, Amanda invited everybody to the Kansas City CrossRoads fall event and the 2015 national convention in Des Moines. The ladies of the group had a great time and plan to meet the second Thursday of each month. Young women from all societies in the zone are invited to participate. On October 9, one of the young women will host the group at her house for a Bible Study and to pack baby items each attendee will bring for Rachel House. Praise God for this group of young women joining together and pray for them as they continue to meet and learn more about LWML. (Submitted by Tiffany Harkins, KC CrossRoads Zone President )

NEW CIRCLE FORMED IN KC CROSSROADS ZONE

THANK YOU...St. Paul Lutheran Preschool, Pratt, is honored to be awarded a $428 grant from

the God’s Gracious Gift Fund of the LWML Kansas District. We look forward to providing supplemental components to enhance Christian education materials already in place for our preschool children. We are at full capacity for the 2014-15 school year and look forward to having 36 preschool children in our program. We are thrilled to enhance our Christian education materials as we begin a new year and in support of our mission which is “Existing in God’s love and forgiveness, St. Paul Lutheran Preschool proclaims the Gospel of Christ and helps families grow in faith, nurturing lives of worship and service”. Thanks again to the LWML Kansas District for your generous support of St. Paul Lutheran Preschool.

The Lutheran Women in Mission of St. Paul's LWML, Haven, recently assembled 50 Personal Care Kits for Lutheran World Relief. The Sunday School children assisted with assembling the remaining 22 kits during a Sunday morning class. Because of the generosity of LWML members, congregation members, and the Sunday School mission offering for the summer months, they were able to purchase the needed items for 72 kits, the most ever done at St. Paul's. They also collected soap, which was also delivered to the LWR truck in October. The Sunday School children also participated in the "soap challenge." Mary Schmidt, Caring Service Chairman, St. Paul's LWML, Haven

Kits assembled

for LWR by

St. Paul’s

LWML—Haven

The Kansas Sonshine

The Kansas Sonshine

IMPORTANT LWML DATES TO REMEMBER:

June 25-28, 2015: 36th Biennial LWML Convention in Des Moines, Iowa

April 15-17, 2016: 36th Biennial KS District Convention in Manhattan

LINCOLN ZONE SOCIETY HOLDS FALL EVENTS

The Bethlehem LWML of Sylvan Grove has had a busy fall so far. On September 7th, the committee for the LWML Fall Guest Party at Bethlehem entertained thirteen members, two guests, and six young boys. The Sunday afternoon “Gals-on-the-Go” progressive meal began at Cheryl’s house in Sylvan Grove for cool drinks, snacks, and conversation on her deck. Our next stop was across town at the Bethlehem Parish Hall where Marmie served a large bowl of fresh veggies and dip. Thirty minutes later, everyone gathered at Ramie’s house for grilled meat on skewers and a delicious potato casserole. To end the meal, Emilie entertained at her country home, where Pastor Augustine led a short devotion and everyone enjoyed homemade ice cream and desserts outside. On October 4th, the women held their 24th Annual Bazaar at Bethlehem with bargain tables, a bake sale, quilt drawing, and soup luncheon. The ladies have also been busy collecting items for the first time for the LWR kits. There were enough donations to assemble 19 baby care kits, 8 personal care kits, and 22 school kits. To God be the glory! (Submitted by Emilie Wacker, Bethlehem LWML Vice President)

Short Term Mission Opportunity!

Plan now for a mission trip to Central America with the LeadaChild / CCCS from April 11-20. This will be an opportunity for you to visit several sites where LeadaChild / CCCS is giving children education and a Christian witness. There will be some opportunities for you to also be involved with the children and their families. As more information becomes available, you will be notified, if you have requested information, from Ann Jedele ([email protected] or 620-440-1136), Short-Term Mission Coordinator, LWML Kansas District. If you would like to support someone who is going, that would be appreciated. More information about LeadaChild / CCCS is available by calling 785-357-7688 or visit http://leadachild.org/central_america_mission_and_symposium_tour.aspx.

2014-2016 LWML Kansas District

Focus Areas

Nurturing Faith in Christ We are committed to helping every woman find personal opportunities

in her daily life and in her congregation to be nurtured in faith in Jesus Christ and empowered by the Holy Spirit to discover her

unique gifts and value in God’s family.

Making our Mission Meaningful We challenge and equip women of all ages, stages, ethnicities, and experiences to make meaningful differences in the lives of hurting,

helpless, and unbelieving people at home and throughout the world.

Sharing Encouragement We believe that women value the friendship, support, and

encouragement from other women and strive to offer warm, welcoming opportunities for women to grow in faith and

relationships as sisters in Christ.

SAVE THE DATE + + + + +

FALL CHRISTIAN LIFE RETREAT

NOVEMBER 6—7, 2015

DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel

Wichita Airport


5,000 Petal Pusher® volunteers are needed! This is our 65th year of decorating Tournament of Roses Parade floats, including the Lutheran Hour Ministries float. The LHM float is entitled "The Bible...God's Story."

Please go to Volunteer Sign-up now to be a Petal Pusher® for the 2015 Rose Parade floats! Decorating starts Saturday, December 6, and continues through Wednesday, December 31.

God’s Word will be proclaimed in the public square on January 1, 2015! Please do keep this project of the Southern California District of the Int’l LLL in your prayers.

Lutheran Hour Ministries – your partner in His mission!

Lou Marting, [email protected], 949.770.8420 or 818.404.6447

WEBSITES TO VISIT:

www.kansaslwml.org (Kansas site)

www.lwml.org (National site)

www.kslcms.org (Kansas LCMS site)

www.lcms.org (Synod site)

Kansas LWML is on Facebook!

Be sure to “like” our page!

And you can follow the

national LWML on their

Facebook page too!

Join today!

Next Sonshine news deadline:

December 5

Shelly Keller, Sonshine Editor [email protected]

Through prayer God can give you strength for all

you do and bring down His power to work

through you in the lives of others.

“Yet not my will, but yours be done.” Luke 22:42

SONSHINE

SNIPPET

2014 LUTHERAN WORLD RELIEF PICK-UP REPORT

Wichita: 827 Boxes, Weight 16,718 lbs.

Hays: 527 Boxes, Weight 9,857 lbs.

Salina: 612 Boxes, Weight 13,078 lbs.

Topeka: 705 Boxes, Weight 13,003 lbs.

TOTAL WEIGHT - 52,656 lbs.

TOTAL NUMBER OF BOXES - 2,671

Number of participating Churches (approximate) - 140

Number of volunteers (approximate) - 125

The following projects have been paid:

Day of Prayer to CCCS—$3,907.61 Financial Aid Fall semester—$10,000.00

Project #2 Concordia Seminary Food Bank—$5,000.00

The Kansas Sonshine

http://volunteer.petalpushers.org/


http://www.facebook.com/TheLWML

REGISTRATION FORM

Name ______________________________________________________________________

Phone # _________________________________________

Email address for courtesy reminder / weather cancellation ____________________________________

Emergency contact: Name______________________________________ phone # ________________________

Cost is $20, which includes lunch. Please make check payable to Holy Cross LWML.

Mail check and registration form to: LWML Women’s Retreat, c/o Holy Cross Lutheran Church,

600 N. Greenwich, Wichita KS 67206. Please mail by Monday, January 12.

The Kansas Sonshine

LWML TEXAS DISTRICT STAMPOREE Project

All Proceeds go to the Lutheran World Relief Quilt/Kit Shipping Fund

Buy and Use Commemorative Stamps

Save all stamps – (except the Liberty Bell, Forever Stamp, and pre-printed postage meter stamps)

Please save Foreign Stamps, Pre-Sort Stamps and Bulk Rate Mail Stamps, too! Place stamps on envelope in the upper right hand corner allowing 1/4 inch space on each edge (leave 1/4 inch on all sides of stamp). Use Commemorative High Value stamps to mail packages and ask recipient to save stamps for you. (Don ’t let the post office use metered stamp.) Trim stamps from the envelopes, and leave at least 1/4 inch around stamp. DO NOT SOAK STAMPS OFF ENVELOPES! Damaged stamps are those that are torn or the perforations have been destroyed. If in doubt, send them to the stamp chairman to be assessed.

Sorting is not required!

Stamps can be brought to any LWML Kansas District Event, as we have found a way to get them to the Texas District without having to spend postage to mail them.

If you have questions, please contact LWML Kansas District Vice President of Caring

Service, Gloria Raab at [email protected] or 316-685-5628.

The Kansas Sonshine


The Kansas Sonshine

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