Grace Lutheran Church in Dodge Center is committed to sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ. A month-long effort to raise support for church missions beyond the local congregation began on the first Sunday of October—a day designated as Lutheran Women in Mission Sunday. After the Divine Service that day, members of the local group of the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League (LWML) distributed little coin boxes for worshipers to collect “mite offerings” for LWML mission grants. Inspired by the poor widow’s “mite” offering mentioned in Mark 12 and Luke 21, these small, individual mite donations have raised over $100 million in nationwide mission support since 1942, the year the LWML began as an official auxiliary of The Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod (LCMS). Upholding their motto to “Serve the LORD with gladness! (Psalm 100:2),” the LWML has joyfully proclaimed Christ and honored God by granting funds to hundreds of church ministries and programs that provide critical care for the needs of people in body and soul.
On Wednesday, Oct. 21, the Rev. Timothy Sandeno and his wife Lisa visited the church to tell people about their call to serve as LCMS missionaries in Germany. Beginning in January 2027, Pastor Sandeno will provide Word and Sacrament ministry at the Spangdahlem Air Base while also working to establish a church in the area near the base. As a U.S. Naval Academy graduate and someone who served in the U.S. Navy both active and reserves, he is especially suited for this call to serve. The congregation received a collection for his ministry and individuals also sent gifts directly to LCMS Mission Advancement, which supports over 100 missionaries and their families around the globe. Local readers may be interested in knowing that Rev. Sandeno spent part of his childhood in Kasson and Owatonna.
On Sunday, Oct. 25, a day known as “Reformation Sunday” for many Lutheran churches, the Rev. Mark Moss, a mission engagement associate with the Lutheran Heritage Foundation (LHF) preached and gave an informational presentation after the service. His sermon, which he entitled “The Greatest Teaching,” was based on John 8:31–36. During his visit, he informed the congregation about the work of LHF, an organization that publishes and distributes Christian education materials such as Martin Luther’s Small Catechism in nearly 90 countries. LHF has translated materials into more than 190 languages. Jesus said, “Go into all the world and proclaim the Gospel to the whole creation (Mark 16:15, ESV).”
Having sent congregation members on several mission trips to Kenya, supporting missionaries in the past and present, the members of Grace Lutheran Church want to be part of that work of spreading the Gospel and teaching people God’s Word.
