Posts tagged ELCA Worship
For What Shall We Pray?
  • For an end to war and conflict, especially in Gaza, South Sudan, Myanmar, and Ukraine…

  • For all victims of gun violence, especially in Minneapolis, MN…

  • For government transitions in Nepal and Malawi…

  • For the plight of all migrants who seek safety, security, and opportunity…

  • For all who live under oppression, threat, and fear…

  • For Jewish neighbors preparing for Rosh Hashanah, and for all gifts of newness, self-reflection, and repentance…

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Partner Resources for Worship Leaders: Music, Training, and More

Each month, ELCA Worship highlights resources and events from Lutheran and ecumenical partners who support worship leaders, musicians, and congregations. This month’s updates include a new free hymn arrangement from Lutheran Summer Music, the upcoming Vi Messerli Memorial Lectures in Church Music (October 19–21), training and events from Music That Makes Community, and new resources from Journey to Baptismal Living.

These partners share in the ELCA’s mission of equipping the church’s song and strengthening our worship life together. To explore all the details and access links to resources and registration, click here.

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For What Shall We Pray?
  • For an end to war and conflict, especially in Gaza, South Sudan, Myanmar, and Ukraine…

  • For peaceful resolution following protests in Kathmandu, Nepal…

  • For all victims of gun violence, especially in Orem, Utah and Evergreen, Colorado…

  • For victims of racism, racial profiling, and race-based violence…

  • For farmers and for all individuals and businesses navigating financial insecurity…

  • For colleges, universities, and all educational institutions…

  • For first responders, emergency personnel, and all who risk their lives in service of others…

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Churchwide Assembly Confesses and Repents Patriarchy and Sexism

At the 2025 Churchwide Assembly in Phoenix, worship included a confession and repentance for the sins of patriarchy and sexism, fulfilling commitments from the ELCA’s 2019 social statement Faith, Sexism, and Justice: A Call to Action. The liturgy emphasized confession as honesty before God and repentance as Spirit-led transformation toward justice and equity. Congregations are encouraged to use the confession and to share the resource Forgive Us and Transform Us for the Life of the World, available in English and Spanish. Click here to read more at ELCA.org.

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For What Shall We Pray?
  • For an end to war and conflict, especially in Gaza, Thailand, Cambodia, Colombia, South Sudan, Myanmar, Ukraine, and Ethiopia…

  • For victims of sexual assault and violence…

  • For earthquake victims in eastern Afghanistan…

  • For landslide victims in the Darfur region of Sudan…

  • For wildfires in California…

  • For safety amidst protests in Indonesia…

  • For students, families, and school personnel beginning the new school year…

  • For all professional fields, vocations, and jobs of any kind, and for fair and equitable labor policies…

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New Worship Planning Tools from Augsburg Fortress Now Available

Each month, ELCA Worship highlights resources from Augsburg Fortress to support pastors, musicians, and worship planners. This month’s recommendations include Revised Common Lectionary Expanded Daily Readings, Lectionary Mosaics, the 2026 Calendar of Word and Season, and ReEngaging ELCA Social Teaching on Health and Health Care. These resources connect scripture, community, and liturgical life in meaningful ways. Click here to explore all the featured tools and publications.

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For What Shall We Pray?
  • For an end to war and conflict, especially in Gaza, Thailand, Cambodia, Colombia, South Sudan, Myanmar, Ukraine, and Ethiopia…

  • For all victims of gun violence, especially in Minneapolis, MN…

  • For business owners and leaders, facing increased costs and challenges…

  • For victims of flooding and landslides in Vietnam and Thailand…

  • For police officers and military personnel…

  • For immigrants coming to the US to escape violence in their countries of origin…

  • For those without a home or secure housing and those who serve them…

  • For those seeking meaningful work and all who are unemployed, underemployed, or retired…

  • For students transitioning to college and for the staff and faculty who care for them in these spaces, especially at our ELCA Colleges and Universities…

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For What Shall We Pray?
  • For an end to war and conflict, especially in Gaza, Thailand, Cambodia, Colombia, South Sudan, Myanmar, Ukraine, and Ethiopia…

  • For victims of gun violence, especially in Atlanta, GA and Austin, TX…

  • For those without secure housing and those criminalized for being homeless…

  • For flash flooding in Wisconsin, evacuations in Alaska, and all facing storms and flooding…
    For nurses and healthcare workers, especially those serving on the frontlines of war and conflict…

  • For safety for journalists who bring stories and awareness to the tragedy of war…

  • For all marriages, relationships, and family groupings that reflect mutual love and trust…

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For What Shall We Pray?
  • For an end to war and conflict, especially in Gaza, Thailand, Cambodia, Colombia, South Sudan, Myanmar, Ukraine, and Ethiopia…

  • For victims of gun violence, especially in Atlanta, GA and Austin, TX…

  • For those without secure housing and those criminalized for being homeless…

  • For flash flooding in Wisconsin, evacuations in Alaska, and all facing storms and flooding…

  • For nurses and healthcare workers, especially those serving on the frontlines of war and conflict…

  • For safety for journalists who bring stories and awareness to the tragedy of war…

  • For all marriages, relationships, and family groupings that reflect mutual love and trust…

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Augsburg Fortress Names New President and CEO

Augsburg Fortress Publishers has announced that Andrew DeYoung will become its next President and CEO on Sept. 1, 2026, following the retirement of Tim Blevins after more than 20 years of service. DeYoung, currently Publisher of Augsburg Fortress’ book division (including Fortress Press, Broadleaf Books, and Beaming Books), is recognized for his leadership, publishing expertise, and commitment to the church’s mission. The Board of Trustees and Presiding Bishop approved the appointment after a nationwide search, with leaders confident in DeYoung’s ability to guide the publishing house into a new era. Click here for the full announcement.

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Worship Life at the 2025 ELCA Churchwide Assembly

Over 1,000 people gathered in Phoenix, July 28–Aug. 2, for the ELCA 2025 Churchwide Assembly under the theme For the Life of the World. Daily worship services celebrated baptism, Holy Communion, justice, lament, and prayer—culminating in a sending service affirming our call as Christ’s body in the world. Blue vestments on Wednesday and Thursday symbolized hope and the longing for justice and peace. The ELCA has shared behind-the-scenes photos from worship preparations and services, offering a closer look at the people and moments that shaped our time together. Click here to explore the gallery and reflections.

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New Training, Events, and Music from Our Worship Partners

ELCA Worship’s August update features new resources, events, and opportunities from Lutheran and ecumenical partners. Highlights include the re-designed Journey to Baptismal Living website, LSM 2025 On Demand with 30+ concerts and worship services, and Music That Makes Community events this fall and winter. Other opportunities include the Vi Messerli Memorial Lectures in Church Music (Oct. 19–21, Illinois) and the Association of Lutheran Church Musicians’ 40th Anniversary Gathering (July 2026, St. Olaf College). Click here to learn more and explore these offerings.

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For What Shall We Pray?
  • For an end to war and conflict, especially in Gaza, Thailand, Cambodia, Colombia, South Sudan, Myanmar, Ukraine, and Ethiopia…

  • For swift and accessible aid to those suffering starvation in Gaza…

  • For an end to political division within the United States and for a united vision that prioritizes the needs of the most vulnerable among us…

  • For those affected by gun violence, especially in Anaconda, MT, Los Angeles, CA, and Fort Stewart, GA…

  • For favorable conditions that aid in controlling wildfires and for those suffering the effects of poor air quality..

  • For victims of flash flooding in northern India…
    In thanksgiving for all leaders of congregations, synods, and churchwide ministries…

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Worship Tools to Enrich Every Sunday: New Resources from Augsburg Fortress

Discover newly released worship resources from Augsburg Fortress, including hymn accompaniments, prayers, and reflections on Lutheran liturgical life. Highlights include Joining in Glad Adoration, Vol. 2, Pray, Praise, and Give Thanks, and a refreshed edition of Baptized, We Live by Daniel Erlander. Plus, help celebrate the five-year anniversary of All Creation Sings by sharing a photo and testimonial by August 15 for a chance to win a $150 gift card. Click here to explore the full August resource roundup on the ELCA Worship blog.

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For What Shall We Pray?
  • For an end to war, violence, and genocide across the world, especially in Ukraine, Gaza, Iran, Israel, Haiti, Sudan, Myanmar, Yemen, India, Pakistan, Thailand, and Cambodia…

  • For those at risk of famine and starvation in Gaza, and for those who work to provide aid and relief…

  • For victims of violence, especially in New York City, NY, Reno, NV, and Traverse City, MI…

  • For those who are still missing in the aftermath of flooding in Texas, and for the ongoing work of search and rescue teams…

  • For those experiencing deadly flooding in Beijing, China, and for all places affected by severe weather…

  • For those facing the aftermath of the eastern Russia earthquake, and for all evacuees in the region…

  • For Presiding Bishop-elect Yehiel Curry, for Presiding Bishop Eaton, and for the ELCA in this season of leadership transition…

  • In thanksgiving for the Spirit’s wisdom and guidance during ELCA Churchwide Assembly…

  • In gratitude for the volunteers, convention center staff, and Churchwide staff who made ELCA Churchwide Assembly possible…

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For What Shall We Pray?
  • For an end to war, violence, and genocide across the world, especially in Ukraine, Gaza, Iran, Israel, Haiti, Sudan, Myanmar, Yemen, India, and Pakistan…

  • For the ongoing work of first responders and relief organizations, including Lutheran Disaster Response in Kerr County, Texas, and in all places affected by natural disasters…

  • For those experiencing or anticipating storms and floods in the Northeast US and in the Gulf region…

  • For the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada who has elected the Rev. Dr. Larry Kochendorfer to serve as its fifth National Bishop and in thanksgiving for the ministry of outgoing National Bishop Susan Johnson…

  • For our own church and the discernment of voting members who will soon elect a new Presiding Bishop and Secretary of the ELCA…

  • For those affected by recent ICE raids in Camarillo, California, including those injured and killed…

  • For all victims of sexual abuse and assault…

  • For those killed and injured in a recent fire at an assisted living facility in Fall River, Massachusetts…

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For What Shall We Pray?
  • For an end to war, violence, and genocide across the world, especially in Ukraine, Gaza, Iran, Israel, Haiti, Sudan, Myanmar, Yemen, India, and Pakistan…

  • For the ongoing work of first responders and relief organizations, including Lutheran Disaster Response in Kerr County, Texas, and in all places affected by natural disasters…

  • For those experiencing or anticipating storms and floods in the Northeast US and in the Gulf region…

  • For the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada who has elected the Rev. Dr. Larry Kochendorfer to serve as its fifth National Bishop and in thanksgiving for the ministry of outgoing National Bishop Susan Johnson…

  • For our own church and the discernment of voting members who will soon elect a new Presiding Bishop and Secretary of the ELCA…

  • For those affected by recent ICE raids in Camarillo, California, including those injured and killed…

  • For all victims of sexual abuse and assault…

  • For those killed and injured in a recent fire at an assisted living facility in Fall River, Massachusetts…

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For What Shall We Pray?
  • For an end to war, violence, and genocide across the world, especially in Ukraine, Gaza, Iran, Israel, Haiti, Sudan, Myanmar, Yemen, India, and Pakistan…

  • For those affected by Tropical Storm Chantal in South Carolina, North Carolina, and Virginia, and the threat of flooding…

  • For those grieving loss of life in the aftermath of severe flooding in Texas, and for the work of first responders and relief agencies…

  • For all victims of gun violence, including those affected by recent shootings in Albany (NY), Philadelphia, and Chicago over the holiday weekend…

  • For those who are uninsured and who do not have access to healthcare, and those who are at risk of losing health insurance…

  • For our neighbors and community members who depend on food assistance programs and other social services whose future funding is uncertain…

  • For the safety of families and individuals who travel this summer…

  • For all who are in the final stages of planning for the ELCA Churchwide Assembly beginning later this month…

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For What Shall We Pray?
  • For an end to war, violence, and genocide across the world, especially in Ukraine, Gaza, Iran, Israel, Haiti, Sudan, Myanmar, Yemen, India, and Pakistan…

  • For the victims of the most recent attack on a waterfront cafe in Gaza City, and for a lasting peace in Palestine and Israel…

  • For all victims of gun violence, especially in Coeur d’ Alene, Idaho and Chicago, Illinois…

  • For the victims of a fire at a pharmaceutical factory in Southern India…

  • For those grieving the loss of life after the crash of Air India flight AI171…

  • For the safety of those traveling, gathering with family and friends, and celebrating this holiday weekend…

  • For veterans of war and all who suffer from PTSD…

  • For those with limited or threatened access to healthcare…

  • For an end to racism, poverty, and hatred…

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Celebrate Five Years of All Creation Sings—Share Your Story

Each month, ELCA Worship highlights new and essential resources from Augsburg Fortress Publishers to support worship leaders, musicians, and planners. This month’s update includes tools like In Sure and Certain Hope: A Funeral Sourcebook, a Year A Lectionary using the NRSVue translation, choir devotions, and a call for stories celebrating All Creation Sings five years after its release. You’ll also find information on upcoming Summer Music Clinics and a renewed focus on ELCA social teaching on faith, sexism, and justice. Click here to read the full July update and explore all resources.

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