Comforter Ministry - News, Notes and Newsletters
JUNE - 2018
For many of us, May and June include confirmations, graduations, and weddings. This past month our oldest grandchild, Will, graduated from high school, Luther Preparatory School in Watertown, WI. Dave and I had the blessing of attending his graduation along with his parents, sister, and other family members. Attending Will's graduation from LPS brought back many memories for Dave and I as we recalled Will's mother's graduation from "Prep" back in 1993...it didn't seem possible it could be that long ago. Time does march on, however, whether we accept the fact or not ;) Each of our three children attended the school which when our older daughter graduated was located in Prairie du Chein, WI and later moved to Watertown where our other two children graduated. I had been on the Watertown campus many times for various reasons during the five years our son (only his Senior year) and younger daughter attended and six years back and forth to PdC with our older daughter and son...a goodly portion of time in my life, I must say! Was it all worth it? You bet! Was it difficult having your children in a Lutheran boarding school during their high school years away from home (we lived in Ft. Worth, TX and Springfield, MO, for most of those years), driving one long day or two days (one way), to get them back and forth for school, to attend events, to just see them? You can only imagine! Would we do it over again? Without a doubt! And now our oldest and her husband (living in Ottawa, Canada) have chosen to do the same. There is much more I could share with you on this topic, but let me just add one final thought on the matter - During those years, my personal prayer life was never more regular or intense! Prayer was my life! Trust in God was my personal motto!
Below, I have shared with you the Class Hymn as sung by the LPS Class of 2018 and also their Class Bible Verse(s)
Christ Be My Leader (CW #367, verses 1-3 )
Christ be my leader by night as by day, safe through the darkness, for he is the way.
Gladly I follow, my future his care; darkness is daylight when Jesus is there.
Christ be my teacher in age as in youth, drifting or doubting, for he is the truth.
Grant me to trust him, though shifting as sand, doubt cannot daunt me - in Jesus I stand!
Christ be my Savior in calm as in strife; death cannot hold me, for he is the life.
Nor darkness nor doubting nor sin and its stain can touch my salvation - with Jesus I reign!
GOD'S SAFEKEEPING BIBLE VERSE -
"I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ jesus our Lord" (Romans 8:38,39).
AND due to popular demand :) A Recipe to Share - PRAYER BARS
1/2 cup butter 2 cups crushed graham crackers
1/4 cup sugar 1 cup shredded coconut
4 Tbsp cocoa 1/2 cup chopped nuts (optional)
1 tsp vanilla
1 egg
Mix butter, sugar, cocoa, vanilla, and egg. Place over hot water until melted.
Remove and add graham crackers, coconut, and nuts.
Pat in 9x11 inch pan.
DO NOT BAKE
Mix together and Cover with the following:
2 cups powdered sugar
2 Tbsp vanilla pudding mix (dry)
1/4 cup butter, melted
3 Tbsp milk or cream
Let pan of bars stand for 15 minutes.
Spread bars with 9 oz. bar or 4 squares semi-sweet chocolate, melted in 1 Tbsp butter
COME SEE ME...
I will be attending the Lutheran Women's Missionary Society (LWMS) annual convention this month which is being held this year in Green Bay, WI from June 21-June 24, 2018 at the KI Convention Center. Check out the Convention Display Room where Comforter Ministry will be included as one of the many ministry/mission displays participating in the convention. I am so excited to be invited back this year (2nd year). What a blessing!
A COMFORTER MINISTRY WOMAN WITH A PRAYING HEART -
If you read my Comforter Ministry Newsletter - Winter 2017-18 issue you will remember I have a special focus for 2018, one that has been on my heart for some time. If you are a woman with a praying heart you may wish to participate. I am asking you to set aside a few minutes each day or some regular time of your choosing in order to pray for Comforter Ministry Recipients, CM women who have been diagnosed with cancer.
The CM Prayer List and Prayer are found right here on this page. Simply continue scrolling down and you will find a list of names for 2017 and 2018. There are many more names but I have chosen to share specific names from just the past year and current year. You are encouraged to pray not only for the specific names listed here but also in a more general reference as simply "CM Recipients" and "all those who have been diagnosed with cancer."
Please prayerfully consider being a Comforter Ministry Woman with a Praying Heart.
**COMFORTER MINISTRY PRESENTATION OPPORTUNITIES**
I would appreciate the opportunity to share my recently produced Comforter Ministry Power Point Presentation with you. The presentation could also include a Comforter Ministry Prayer Gathering/Prayer Bible Study. I would also encourage invitations to various events in order to share the Comforter Ministry Display.
These opportunities might include ministry/mission themed events within our WELS, women's retreats, women's groups, quilting workshops, college campus groups, high schools, Lutheran Pioneers (LGP), upper grades of Christian Day School and Sunday School, home schoolers, etc.
You are encouraged to contact me and we can determine if date, time and place can be arranged. My hope and prayer? To search for ways to get the word out about the Comforter Ministry and the blessing it offers women of all ages. To date, 3 years old has been the youngest CM recipient diagnosed with cancer.
WILL YOU HELP ME?
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PLEASE!!! QUILTS NEEDED - Can you help? I can always use more quilts so...
Please consider making and donating quilts for Comforter Ministry, Inc. All you need to know can be found under "How the Ministry Works" and click the appropriate choice for further criteria. You may contact me, as well, if you have questions or need a Comforter Ministry journal when your quilt is complete and before sending to me (as pointed out in the criteria). Please take note of checking the CM criteria for making and donating a quilt as some recently have been on the "too small" side and others have had no CM journal. Thank you!
If you know of someone who may wish to participate in this ministry, please pass along this information to them. THANK YOU! THANK YOU!
It is not as though I cannot purchase quilts as I have money set aside from a special gift of money for doing so should the need occur but I want to use that avenue as a last resort. I think all would agree that a beautiful part of this ministry is the opportunity it provides for others to participate and share their love, compassion, and gift(s) with those in need...just wanted you to understand my continual plea for quilts :)
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COMFORTER MINISTRY NEWSLETTER - Summer 2018
Enjoy the latest Comforter Ministry Newsletter - Summer 2018 which is now available. Click cmn-summer2018.pdf here or scroll down to the bottom area of this page, click and read/print. I encourage you to print and share with others. YOU are my PR Department :) Thank you!
New Comforter Ministry Quilts
Thanks to the following quilters who have made and donated comforters for CM recently - Check out the Photo Gallery :)
*New Comforter Ministry Quilter/Quilt Group
Phyllis F - Mukwonago, WI
Cheryl D - Algoma, WI
Check out these amazing quilts in the Photo Gallery!
Words to Share...
In our time of need the Spirit surrounds us with His love and fills our hearts with peace. My prayer for you is that as you wrap yourself in this comforter you will be reminded the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort surrounds you with love. "My God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:19
Thank you Quilter Elenore G of San Jose, CA for giving me permission to use "her words" from "Greetings from the Quilter" page in the Comforter Ministry journal!
Gifts of Friendship for the special friendships that mean so much:
* A book from your personal library with your notes in the margins.
* A family heirloom from your family to hers with a note explaining it.
* Something to add to her collection or something to start a new one.
* Personalized stationery you may have even made yourself.
* Something that made you laugh when you saw it in the store or catalog.
* Supplies for a hobby she wants to try.
* A pastel or oil portrait made from a photo of the two of you.
* A T-shirt with your pictures on it.
* A mug, a tea bag, and a phone card: "Let's have tea together over the phone."
* Something she just loved but reluctantly put down when you went shopping together.
* A Monogrammed Bible, hymnal, or prayer book.
* A chain of encouraging cards and notes when she is going through a difficult time.
* A personalized calendar featuring pictures of you, her, and your friends or families.
* A rosebush or tree planted in her honor in your yard or a public place.
* A manicure, pedicure, or massage.
* A surprise visit (when you live in different towns/states)
*Free-baby-sitting (offer to let all the kids stay with you overnight!)
* Dinner for her family complete with centerpiece, lighted candles, and you as waitress.
Sharing a Need...
COMFORTER MINISTRY POSTERS AND BROCHURES
Can you help? If you would be willing to display a Comforter Ministry poster at your church, school, etc. please contact me. Comforter Ministry brochures are also available if you have a tract rack, a women's meeting, group, retreat, etc. for distributing. Thank you in advance for helping to promote CM to those around you :) THANK YOU TO THOSE WHO HAVE CONTACTED
ME AND REQUESTED THEM!
Prayer Notes
Please add to your personal prayer list the following 2017/18 Comforter Ministry recipients -
Laura - Milwaukee, WI; Sue - Jackson, WI; Lindsay - Geneva, IL; Jihan - Geneva, IL; Cheryl - Anchorage, AK; Linda - Manitowoc, WI; Beth - Marietta, GA; Annette - Tomahawk, WI; Mrs. Martinez - Oak Creek, WI; Pat - Green Bay, WI; Becky - LaCrescent, MN; Connie - Mt. Vernon, TX; Lorraine - Kewaskum, WI; Carol - Waupaca, WI; Mary - Wilmar, MN; JoAnn - Van Dyne, WI; Amy - Anchorage, AK; Donna - Appleton, WI; Jolene - Orleans, ON, Canada; Cathy - Green Bay, WI; Joan - OshKosh, WI; Janet - Algoma, WI; Bernita - Bruce Crossing, MI; Donna - Warsaw, IN; Dorothy - Mosinee, WI; Evelyn - Pinehurst, TX; Kathryn - Bloomington, MN; Gail - Menomonee, MI; Jena - Manitowoc, WI; Jarret - Cumming, GA; Tracy - Lake Stevens, WA; Christine - Gurney, IL; Kim - Rockwall, TX; Cindy - Lone Oak, TX; Marilyn - Willmar, MN; Fran - Eden Prairie, MN; Kristy - Wauwatosa, WI; Shar - Two Rivers, WI; Rachel - Janesville, WI; Amanda - Montgomery, IL; Juanita Kaye - Greer, SC; Karen - White Settlement, TX; Lois - Zumbrota, MN; Clara - Cocoa Beach, FL; Karen - Manitowoc, WI; Joy - Oklahoma City, OK; Kathy - Stevens Point, WI; Marilyn - Forestville, WI; Annette - Hales Corners, WI; Sandy - Rhinelander, WI; Judy - Menasha, WI; Debbie - South Milwaukee, WI; Krysta - Austin, TX; Ann - Oklahoma City, OK; Melissa - Magnolia, TX; Nancy - Maquoketa, IA; Heather - Manassas, VA; Diane - Jackson, WI; Pam - Shakopee, MN; Susana - Arlington, TX; Elizabeth - Eau Claire, WI; Sue - San Jose, CA; Jessica - Appleton, WI; Laura - Columbus, WI; Julia - Manitowoc, WI; Margie - Indianapolis, IN; Karen - Forest Lake, MN; Kim - Mishicot, WI; Jean - River Falls, WI; Melissa - Jordan, MN; Sandy - Lincoln, NE; Amy - Yorba Linda, CA; Marlyn - Erie, CO; Carol - Waupaca, WI; Lisa - Watertown, WI; Lori - Manawa, WI; Nancy - Shawano, WI; Melody - Appleton, WI; Audrey - Afton, MN; Dorothy - Eau Claire, WI; Carolanne - Hoyt Lake, MN; Lorraine - Oakfield, WI; Marlene - Black Creek, WI; Julie - Brownsville, WI; Traci - Heath, TX; Dixie - Tomahawk, WI; Phyllis - Jackson, WI; Gretchen - Hobart, WI; Lisa - New Ulm, MN; Gloria - Minneapolis, MN; Clarice - Brookfield, WI; Shanna - Brookfield, WI; Julia and parents Chris and Jessica - Nashotah, WI; Nancy - Chippewa Falls, WI; Sue - LaCrosse, WI; Sheila - Tomahawk, WI; Anita - Wauwatosa, WI; April - Terrell, TX; Pam - Georgetown, TX; Janie - Somerset, KY; Barbara - Milwaukee, WI; Julie - Grand Prairie, TX; Peggy - Solon, IA; JoAnn - Neenah, WI; Julie - Rockwall, TX; Beth - New Berlin, WI; Joan - Kalamazoo, MI; Katie - Switzerland; Luella - Katy, TX; Robert - Ft. Worth, TX; Jill - McKinney, TX; Carolee - Franklin, WI; Gail - Two Rivers, WI
Holy Comforter, Bring peace of heart and mind to these women. Their earthly tribulations are at a high point during these most difficult days. They need Your presence and peace to comfort and sustain them. Through Your Word You promise to strengthen and comfort all who believe in Jesus as their Savior. Through Your grace may they experience your holy comfort and, if it be Your will, grant them complete healing. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.
REMEMBER - IF YOU KNOW OF A WOMAN DIAGNOSED WITH CANCER AND WOULD LIKE A COMFORTER MINISTRY QUILT AND JOURNAL SENT TO THEM, PLEASE CONTACT ME.