Holy One, you formed the church to announce the words of eternal life to the world. Equip the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America which concluded its Churchwide Assembly yesterday to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ. Gather the church together into one body for the sake of our shared mission to tell of the love of God. Filled with your Word, turn the church inside out so that we might live lives that proclaim your freedom and renewal to all the world.
Read MoreO God, source of all life, you raised Jesus from the dead and gave us the Spirit of his resurrection. Unbind your church from sin and the fear of death. Set us free to praise you with grateful hearts and to serve the world in Jesus’ name, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Read MoreOn day two of their gathering, the 2019 ELCA Churchwide Assembly took key actions and received reports that set the stage for how the denomination wants to move into the future.
The assembly re-elected the Rev. Elizabeth A. Eaton as presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) Aug. 6. The assembly approved 26 en bloc memorials on topics including gun violence, engagement in the Holy Land and income inequality. A Declaration to People of African Descent was presented to representatives of the African Descent Lutheran Association.
Read MoreO Light Unseen, O Love unknown, O Life unending, your Word came as one among us to draw us to your loving heart and give us your abundant life. Pour out upon your wounded world grace upon grace through your Beloved, Jesus Christ, our Light and our Salvation. Amen.
Read MoreIn a key action, the 2019 ELCA Churchwide Assembly voted to approve a memorial that declares the ELCA a sanctuary church. This is the first North American denomination to declare itself a sanctuary church body. As a sanctuary church the ELCA is committed to serving and supporting migrant children and families in communities across the country.
Earlier in the day, the Rev. Elizabeth Eaton, presiding bishop of the ELCA, joined more than 700 assembly members and others in a march and prayer vigil to the Milwaukee Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) office.
Read MoreAlmighty and all-merciful God, for freedom you have set us free from every power that would enslave us. Create in us the heart of a servant and bind us to our neighbors with the love of your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.
Read MoreOn August 6, 2019, at the ELCA’s 2019 Churchwide Assembly in Milwaukee, the assembly approved four Assembly Actions related to Israel and Palestine.
The Assembly Actions deal with the human rights social investment screen, the detention of Palestinian children by Israel, funding for Augusta Victoria Hospital, and continuing to listen to various perspectives on the conflict. Read the full article »
Read MoreThe Rev. Elizabeth A. Eaton was re-elected presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) Aug. 6 at the 2019 ELCA Churchwide Assembly.
Eaton is the first ELCA presiding bishop to win re-election on the first ballot. She was elected to a first term as presiding bishop at the 2013 ELCA Churchwide Assembly in Pittsburgh.
Read MorePray for all those engaged in the ELCA Churchwide Assembly as they work together, with the Holy Spirit in their midst, to make decisions that will help guide the work and mission of our church now and in the future.
Read MoreGlorious God, through the waters of the sea you led your people from slavery to freedom. Through the waters of baptism you bring us with Christ from death into life. Roll away the stone of our fear and doubt that we may sing your praise and dance to your glory; through your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and our Song. Amen.
Read MoreOur common witness. In her August column for Living Lutheran, ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton reflects on the Lutheran movement. As we move forward as a church, she wonders: “What will our Lutheran identity be in the ELCA?” Read her column in English at https://bit.ly/2GQBVYV and in Spanish at https://bit.ly/2ZDcrFs.
Read MoreELCA Young Adults and the Peace Not Walls Campaign are excited to announce the dates of SIX trips for young adults of color who are interested in visiting the Holy Land. These trips are a part of the Peace Not Walls Young Adult Engagement Strategy – Phase Two. Each trip is led by a pair or trio of young adults of color who applied to be trip leaders in 2016.
Read MoreELCA Advocacy gives an update on work done at the United Nations as well as: California | Colorado | Florida | Kansas | Minnesota | New Mexico | Ohio | Pennsylvania | Southeastern Synod | Texas | Washington | Wisconsin
Read MoreO God, the giver of every good gift, you set before us the feast of gladness. Gather your fractured human family, welcome us in our weakness, feed us with your mercy, and clothe us with life itself: Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.
Read MoreELCA Churchwide Assembly: Pray for voting members, leaders, pastors and guests gathered in Milwaukee for the 2019 Churchwide Assembly: “We are church.” Pray that the Spirit will guide and energize their spiritual discernment, discussions and decisions, on behalf of the entire church, about how we can do God’s work in the world — together.
Read MoreLet us pray for the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, and its members who gather this week in its Churchwide Assembly. Inspire the celebration of God’s varied works throughout the church. Instill your peace in the midst of the work you have called us to and the deliberations that will take place. Shape the work of the church according to your will for the whole world.
Read MoreA hymn titled “God’s Work, Our Hands” was selected as the winning entry in the ELCA’s “God’s work. Our hands.” Sunday hymn contest. The selected hymn, written by Wayne Wold, references the official tagline of the ELCA and expresses how the people of this church live in service for the life of the world.
More than 120 entries were submitted to be considered as a hymn for “God’s work. Our hands.” Sunday, the ELCA’s annual dedicated day of service, Sunday, September 8, 2019.
Read MoreJune 30 marked the successful completion of Always Being Made New: The Campaign for the ELCA. Give thanks to God for the generosity of ELCA members and congregations, which makes a difference in the lives of people around the world; pray that we continue to grow and support ministries that serve our neighbor, share the gospel, equip leaders and grow the church.
Read MoreO God, our beginning and our end, you kept Abraham and Sarah in safety throughout the days of their pilgrimage, you led the children of Israel through the midst of the sea, and by a start you led the magi to the infant Jesus. Protect and guide us now as we set out to travel. Make the ways safe and the homecomings joyful for those traveling to the Churchwide Assembly and bring us all at last to our heavenly home, where you dwell in glory with our Lord Jesus Christ and the life-giving Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Read MoreGive thanks for the 12 young-adult summer interns serving in the ELCA churchwide office, who are helping our church carry out its mission through sharing generously of their gifts, skills and faith.
Read More
