These petitions are offered as guides to prayer for the global, social and outreach ministries of the ELCA, as well as for the needs and circumstances of our neighbors, communities and world. Thank you for your continued prayers for the life and mission of this church. Download a Word doc, or PDF for letter size printout or legal size printout, or view the ELCA resource page.
Read MoreI was officiating at the wedding of two of our Clemson University alumni. Their friends stood up to make remarks – all of which were glowing and emotional. Some of these had gone to Clemson, so they included a “Go Tigers!” in their comments. Then there was the admission from one that she attended a college in the SEC Conference rather than the ACC. (College football rivalries are important in the South.) These exchanges were good natured and humorous; some such exchanges are not. Our country seems to be in a phase were name-calling and belittling have ceased to be taboo.
Read MoreMay Update: Advocacy Connections from the ELCA Advocacy office in Washington, D.C. – the Rev. Amy E. Reumann, director. This May wrap-up includes updates on Disaster Aid Bill, Central American Minors Program, Affordable Housing in the Federal Budget, Foreign Assistance to Northern Triangle, Global Conflict Prevention.
Read MorePlease hold the following Bishops and Synods in your prayers as they gather for their synod assemblies on the following dates:
Bishop David Zellmer, South Dakota Synod, May 30-June 1, 2019
Bishop Brian Maas, Nebraska Synod, May 30-June 1, 2019
Bishop John Macholz, Upstate New York Synod, May 30-June 1, 2019
Bishop William Gohl, Delaware-Maryland Synod, May 30-June 1, 2019
Bishop Timothy Smith, North Carolina Synod, May 30-June 1, 2019
Bishop Herman Yoos, South Carolina Synod, May 30-June 1, 2019
Bishop Julian Gordy, Southeastern Synod, May 30-June 1, 2019
Bishop Guy Erwin, Southwest California Synod, May 31-June 1, 2019
Bishop Steve Delzer, Southeastern Minnesota Synod, May 31-June 1, 2019
Bishop Paul Erickson, Greater Milwaukee Synod, May 31-June 1, 2019
Bishop Matthew Riegel, West Virginia-Western Maryland Synod, May 31-June 1, 2019
Bishop Jessica Crist, Montana Synod, May 31-June 2, 2019
Bishop Sue Briner, Southwestern Texas Synod, May 31-June 2, 2019
Bishop William Gafkjen, Indiana-Kentucky Synod, May 31-June 2, 2019
Bishop Sam Zeiser, Northeastern Pennsylvania Synod, June 1, 2019
Please pray for the South Dakota Synod, Southeastern Synod, Southwest California Synod, Southeastern Minnesota Synod, and Montana Synod as they elect a bishop.
Read MoreMost people have heard of Joni Eareckson Tada, the woman who’s arms and legs entered paralysis at 17 after breaking her neck in a diving accident. It is hard to imagine how a young athlete could deal with the fact that she was not going to be healed, but famously, Joni did. Rather than being physically healed, she learned to paint by holding the brush in her mouth. She founded “Joni and Friends,” a ministry that helps persons with disabilities and their families reach independence, physically, financially, and spiritually.
Read MoreThe 2019 ELCA Advocacy Convening was held April 29–May 1 in Washington, D.C., gathering bishops (including Bishop Hutterer) and community leaders around the theme “Prepared to Care: Our Advocacy in Light of Disasters Intensified by Climate Change.” In her welcome letter to participants, Amy Reumann, ELCA Advocacy director, said this topic requires urgent action. Read the article in Living Lutheran »
Read MoreThe May issue of Administration Matters contains information on ELCA Churchwide Assembly observers and volunteers, contingency planning for congregations, background checks, reducing legal liabilities, painting and working with chemicals, and the inherent risk of guest Wi-Fi access at your church.
Read MoreFrom Lutheran Disaster Response, we have a situation report on the 29 tornadoes that impacted Missouri, including one through Jefferson City. Read the full report here, including ways you can be part of the response through prayer, gifts, and connections.
Read MorePastor Kristin Engstrom, the Country Coordinator for the Young Adults in Global Mission (YAGM) program in Senegal, shares her latest newsletter. Each year, six to seven young adults from the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America join her in Senegal, where they serve for one year with our partners in the Lutheran Church of Senegal and Senegalese Lutheran Development Services.
You can support Pastor Kristin's work by giving through ELCA Global Church Sponsorship. To receive the newsletter, visit the YAGM website and ask to receive it via the contact page.
Read MoreThe intricacies and diversity of creation are mind-boggling, a reflection and reminder of the power and glory of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit expressed through the created order. The United Nations honors creation on May 22 through the International Day for Biological Diversity. This year’s theme is “Our Biodiversity, Our Food, Our Health.” Marking the dayincreases our understanding and awareness of biodiversity issues in God’s good creation.
Read MoreRead the situation report and be a part of the response:
Pray: Please pray for the people who have been affected by wildfires in California.
Give: Gifts to “U.S. Wildfires” will be used to assist those affected by the wildfires until the response is complete.
Connect: Share a bulletin insert, receive Lutheran Disaster Response alerts, like LDR on Facebook and follow @ELCALDR on Twitter, view a PDF of the report.
Read updates from ELCA Advocacy and learn about their work at the United Nations, California, Colorado, New Mexico,North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Southeastern Synod, Washington, Wisconsin.
Read MoreChrist Lutheran Church in Visalia, Calif., is a church transformed. In opening hearts and doors to a ministry among the community’s Lahu people, the congregation has become a two-expression congregation moving toward the future with hope and promise.
The first step was to welcome a worshiping community of Lahu people. The second step was to join with the Lahu community to support and encourage the Rev. Samee Singkeovilay, who became the first ordained Lahu pastor in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, in April 2018. Soon after, he became the mission developer pastor for the Christ Lutheran Lahu Ministry, a Synodically Authorized Worshiping Community sponsored by the Sierra Pacific Synod. Read more »
Read MoreWhat event has shaped and changed your life more than any other?
Transforming Moments: Yet again the nation is dealing with a school shooting, this time on the campus of UNC-Charlotte. On May 1, a young man entered a classroom and began shooting. Two were killed and four were wounded. Police were unclear as to the possible motives of the shooter. Read more»
Faith Lens features weekly bible studies that engage youth and young adults in connecting world events with the Bible, faith, and everyday life.
Read MoreThe Lutheran Church in Malaysia (LCM), a companion church of the ELCA, works alongside the indigenous Orang Asli people of West Malaysia. In this south-to-south partnership, Christ's love between LCM and the Orang Asli is lived out in many ways -including worship life, education, sustainable farming, land rights awareness and income generating projects. Watch the video »
Read MoreThis vacation Bible school curriculum explores the theme of "Who is My Neighbor?" Participants will learn about people around the world who are our neighbors in the kingdom of God and the work of ELCA World Hunger. Includes skits, schedules, snack and craft ideas, and more.
Read MoreWe are called by God to "keep the earth" (Genesis 2:15). On this ELCA page, https://www.elca.org/Resources/Caring-for-Creation, find resources and educational materials to help you and your congregation grow in your own faith journey to appreciate fully and cherish creation and find different ways to engage in earth-keeping activities.
Read MoreRyan Henry Mitstifer Walton, member of Tanque Verde Lutheran Church, Tucson, Ariz. and a sophomore at Sabino High School, is featured in the May Living Lutheran.
Says Ryan: “I believe God subtly tries to push me to do things. While it’s not a force that controls me, I definitely feel God’s influence. My mom, Meredith Mitstifer, was diagnosed with ovarian cancer when she was pregnant with me. Given I shared space with cancer, I believe I have to do my part to advocate and help other women be informed about this silent killer.”
Read MoreWhen you hear someone’s testimony, do you tend to believe it or question it? Why? Read more»
Faith Lens features weekly bible studies that engage youth and young adults in connecting world events with the Bible, faith, and everyday life.
Read MoreRead Lutheran Disaster Response’s update on this situation, the worst weather-related disaster ever recorded in the Southern Hemisphere. Please pray for the communities who are impacted by Cyclones Idai and Kenneth. May God’s healing presence give them peace and hope in their time of need. Pray that God will comfort those who mourn the loss of loved ones and strength to those who are delivering aid and rescue.
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