As part of ELCA World Hunger’s 40 Days of Giving, this post and accompanying video continue a series weekly reflections.
Thus far this Lent, we have heard stories of God working through this church, our companions and our neighbors to end hunger. Here, in this last week, companions from Colombia will help teach us about the final tool: action.
Read MoreDuring this Lenten season, I am discovering new meanings in the Lord’s Prayer. This common prayer, known to so many throughout the world, yields new treasures upon repetition.
When I prayed this prayer today, I was profoundly moved how each petition turns our attention away from heaven and toward our neighbor on earth. This is a justice prayer.
Read MoreAs part of ELCA World Hunger’s 40 Days of Giving, this post and accompanying video continue a series weekly reflections.
The direct service of providing filter pitchers and the organizing work of bringing demands to our alderpersons, health department and mayor all lead us back to the font, where we stand with people at the holy water that makes us God’s children and sends us out to serve God’s justice.
Read MoreAs part of ELCA World Hunger’s 40 Days of Giving, this post and accompanying video continue a series weekly reflections.
If we are going to end hunger, we have to start by being honest about the stories of pain, exploitation, injustice and violence that lie behind it. We must start with honesty about what hunger is and what it is not.
Read MoreAs we travel through the first week of our Lenten journey, Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton shares this simple prayer from her spiritual director.
Read MoreAs part of ELCA World Hunger’s 40 Days of Giving, this post and accompanying video begin a series weekly reflections.
Ending hunger means seeing what unjust power tries to keep hidden. It means defining “we” in a way that threatens the principalities and powers — including our own privilege — that make everything about “I.”
Read MoreLent is probably the church year’s midlife crisis. And, like real midlife crises, it doesn’t always come when we expect. This year Lent comes on the heels of Valentine’s Day, with the ashy cross marking our brows just days after the dust from candy hearts will cross our lips.
Read MoreA year ago, congregations gathered as usual and began the Lenten journey. Many of us attended midweek services, and shared soup and bread.
All was interrupted with the arrival of the coronavirus. Most of us did not imagine this fast of physical gathering would last a year, let alone become a new and strange “normal.”
Read MoreDuring the season of Lent, Spirit in the Desert is offering individuals the opportunity to participate in one-on-one faith conversations with an experienced Spiritual Companion. Free of charge from Spirit in the Desert.
Read MoreEnhance your Lenten journey by discovering how to use a Labyrinth as a spiritual practice for meditation, prayer & personal transformation. Ash Wednesday, February 17 from 12:00 - 2:00 pm. Online workshop by Spirit in the Desert.
Read MoreAs a way to prepare your heart for Lent, Spirit in the Desert invites you to a Spirited Lenten Journey, including a Labyrinth Workshop, Wednesday Contemplative Services, a 6-week Sunday evening Lenten Examen, and one-on-one Spiritual Accompaniment.
Read MoreRick Radwick writes and shares that Sierra Evangelical Lutheran Church, Sierra Vista, assembled Lenten Gift Bags for all of their members.
In an attempt to help keep everyone connected during these isolating times, some members put together Lenten gift bags to be delivered the weekend before Ash Wednesday.
Read MoreThis sold-out devotional returns to stock at Augsburg Fortress today, February 10, 2021. Quantities are limited. Order today to ensure timely arrival.
A Story to Tell: Devotions for Lent 2021 is a beautiful, full-color Lenten devotional highlights readings from the gospel of Mark with 46 entries, one for each day from Ash Wednesday to Easter.
Read MoreThe prophet Isaiah provides a beautiful column of words from which to build a thoughtful sermon, but truly on this Ash Wednesday the sermon will not be built by words, but by the world that is still trying to stop the hemorrhaging of our much loved friends and family. Truly we sit upon an ash-heap of tears and unrealized hopes in this pandemic.
Read MoreDuring Lent, California Lutheran University and Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary are offering a short daily devotional email from our students, staff, faculty, alumni and friends.
Our theme this year is: Power. Privilege. Presence. To sign up to receive these short daily emails, click here.
Read MoreAs congregations and worship leaders prepare for Ash Wednesday in this most challenging year, the ELCA Worship team offers this set of reflections by those serving the church as scholars, pastors, and bishops. Our hope is that their perspectives will provide thinking points as you reflect and prepare worship in your context.
Read MoreWe invite you to study, pray, reflect and give with us during ELCA World Hunger’s 40 Days of Giving — for our families, our neighbors and communities around the world.
Order or download a week-by-week guide for congregational leaders to make it easier to engage your congregation in ELCA World Hunger’s 40 Days of Giving.
Read MoreLutheran World Relief needs your help to bring real, tangible hope to our poorest neighbors. This Lent, your congregation can help by gathering and assembling Personal Care Kits.
Also available are “Sensing Hope” resources, including a 5-week sermon series and small group study guide, used digitally or in-person. Learn more at lwr.org/lent.
Read MoreOver the last year, as the world has reeled from the effects of a deadly pandemic, we long for the time when we “will hunger no more, and thirst no more … and God will wipe away every tear from [our] eyes” (Revelation 7:16-17).
We invite you and your congregation to join the church’s global work to end hunger and poverty during ELCA World Hunger’s 40 Days of Giving, which begins on Ash Wednesday, Feb. 17. To prepare, visit ELCA.org/40Days and download or order resources today.
Read MoreAs the season of Lent quickly approaches, we come full circle on a year of worship during a pandemic.
You have found new and surprising ways to celebrate all of our major church seasons and festivals except one—Ash Wednesday, February 17, 2021. Some of you have asked, during a pandemic, how should we handle the imposition of ashes?
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