Give thanks for the ministry and witness of ELCA missionaries serving alongside our global companions in Senegal, South Africa and Eswatini, as well as the six young people serving in Senegal and the four serving in Southern Africa as part of the ELCA’s Young Adults in Global Mission program.
Read MoreIn this video, Dr. Mary Jane Haemig discusses the question: How does the Lutheran catechism equip people of faith for life in their communities?
Read MoreFrom the Office of Bishop Pedro M. Suarez in the Florida-Bahamas Synod, we receive this update (also available as PDF) on local churches, and a request for prayer and donations.
Hurricane Dorian has caused widespread destruction and flooding throughout the Bahamas and the U.S. Virgin Islands. We have received an initial report from Pr. Cliff Lewis of Our Saviour Lutheran Church in Freeport that his family is okay, but that information is still being gathered about extensive flooding and building destruction. While we wait for further details, we continue to surround all affected in prayer.
Read MoreThe 2019 Churchwide Assembly adopted a social statement focused on sexism and gender justice which reads in part: "We believe all people are created equally in the image of God. Every individual is dependent upon God, and all share in the God-given vocation to contribute their gifts to help all of creation flourish."
Why is the ELCA studying the topic of sexism and gender justice?
Read MoreAs Hurricane Dorian moves on from the Bahamas, consider donating to Lutheran Disaster Relief (LDR). Learn how LDR has maintained a presence since the last hurricanes by reading 2017 Hurricanes: Two Years Later.
Except: “‘I was hoping to get help from FEMA. I wasn’t expecting the Lutherans,’ says Dennis, a 72-year-old retired Marine living in St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands. He told Lutheran Social Services of the Virgin Islands about the damage to his home, and soon after they came for a visit.”
Read MoreFaith Lens is a weekly Bible study that engage youth and young adults in connecting world events with the Bible, faith, and everyday life.
It was a warm night in Springfield, Illinois on August 16th when the rapper Twista took the stage, spitting bars in his traditionally rapid-fire style. On the side of the stage stood a sign language interpreter. Her hair was buzzed short on the sides, a fiery red on top. She was bobbing up and down with the beat and, to everyone’s amazement, keeping up with Twista’s rapid rhymes.
Read MoreKyle Lefler, a year round program coordinator at Flathead Lutheran Bible Camp in NW Montana, shares this story of service.
Jesus walked. Miles & miles across the hills and valleys of the Holy Land. He and his disciples traveled great distances with little comforts to be with, among and beside the people.
While we need not always travel great distances to be of service to others, we are called to be out among our neighbors.
Read MoreHurricane Dorian has caused widespread power outages and flooding throughout the U.S. Virgin Islands. Dorian is expected to strengthen into a category 4 storm by the time it makes landfall in the mainland U.S., threatening to cause significant damage in areas that are still recovering from recent storms.
Lutheran Disaster Response is closely monitoring the situation and in touch with our synods, affiliates and other partners throughout impacted areas. We are ready to respond and stand by our neighbors as they recover from this hurricane.
Read MoreIn this video, Dr. Wanda Deifelt discusses the question: What experiences have shaped your work as a theologian and advocate for justice?
Read MoreRemember in prayer students who are beginning or continuing their seminary education in response to God’s call to leadership and service. Pray that God will equip them to share their faith and wisdom, serve their neighbor, manage and guide the work of congregations for the sake of mission, and inspire others to bold witness in an ever-changing world.
Read MoreWe’re happy to share some more thoughts and photos from Grand Canyon Synod representatives to the ELCA Churchwide Assembly.
Read MorePortico’s Board of Trustees has approved health plan and benefit changes for 2020, featuring new ways for ELCA-Primary members to save on out-of-pocket costs and strengthen their emotional well-being.
Read MoreThis day is an opportunity to celebrate who we are as the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America – one church, freed in Christ to serve and love our neighbor.
You work every day to make your community a better place. Let us continue doing this work together in 2019! View the video and access resources to guide your congregation’s planning, promotion and more.
Read MoreThese 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 MorePastor Shari Bernau of Living Water Lutheran Church in Scottsdale, AZ, agreed to be our Synod Liaison for Youth Gathering 2021. Contact her (pastorshari@lwlcaz.org) if you have questions about how you can get to Minneapolis for Youth Gathering.
Read MoreRemember in prayer our ELCA missionaries serving in China, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Thailand, Nepal, Singapore and South Korea. Give thanks for their service and witness as they accompany our global companions in ministries of theological education, teaching, counseling, communications and parish ministry.
Read MoreMany of our ELCA outdoor ministry staff are ending their summer of service and transitioning back to school, new employment or other service opportunities in the church. As they work to discern their vocations and futures, ask the Holy Spirit to guide, inspire and equip them to share their faith and gifts with the church and society and to respond to God’s call to service and ministry.
Read MoreIn late August of 1619, twenty Africans were forcefully brought to Jamestown, Virginia and sold into slavery. This marked the beginning of the transatlantic slave trade, which would ultimately take some 12 million Africans away from their homes and cultures into hereditary chattel slavery.
On August 25th, many churches and communities will be marking this quad-centennial of “Landing Day.” The congregations of the Grand Canyon Synod are encouraged to participate in this commemoration in several ways.
Read MoreIn this video, Dr. Carter Lindberg discusses the question: What is the difference between court prophets, who vindicate rulers, and authentic prophets, who hold leaders accountable to God?
Read MoreWith the college year kicking off, now’s the time to refer students from your congregation to campus pastors. Use the student referral tool from ELCA Lutheran Campus Ministry to make sure these students receive a welcome from campus pastors and some help adjusting to their new campus life.
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