Posts in ELCA
Worship Tools for the Church Year: Fresh Resources from Augsburg Fortress
Worship Tools for the Church Year: Fresh Resources from Augsburg Fortress

From in-depth resources on the Revised Common Lectionary and church calendar to practical guides for worship planning, ELCA Worship highlights this month’s offerings from Augsburg Fortress. Explore new titles like A Three-Year Banquet, Using Evangelical Lutheran Worship Vol. 3: Keeping Time, and preorder the new Lutheran Study Bible(NRSVue). Plus, get ready for Sundays and Seasons: Year A and sign up for summer music clinics in five U.S. cities. To read the full list of resources and explore how they support worship leaders, planners, and musicians across the ELCA, click here.

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ELCA, News, Leadership ResourcesBrian FlatgardWorship Resources, ELCA Worship, Augsburg FortressComment
Let Us Be Changed: What Arab American Heritage Offers the Church
Let Us Be Changed: What Arab American Heritage Offers the Church

In honor of Arab American Heritage Month, ELCA Racial Justice Ministries is uplifting voices from Arab and Middle Eastern descent within the church. In My Take: We Are Not Newcomers, Khader Khalilia shares a powerful reflection on the deep faith, hospitality, and history of Arab Christians—and calls us to move beyond celebration to true belonging. Let us not just observe a month; let us be transformed by the witness of Arab American Lutherans. Click here to read the full post at ELCA.org.

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ELCA, NewsBrian FlatgardELCA Racial Justice Ministries, Racial Justice, Association of Lutherans of Arab and Middle Eastern Heritage (ALAMEH)Comment
God’s Work, Our Hands: Join the ELCA’s Day of Service on Sept. 7, 2025
God’s Work, Our Hands: Join the ELCA’s Day of Service on Sept. 7, 2025

On Sunday, Sept. 7, ELCA congregations will come together for “God’s work. Our hands.” Sunday, an annual day of service celebrating our call to love and serve our neighbors. Whether through food drives, community clean-ups, or acts of care, this is an opportunity to put faith into action. If your congregation can’t participate on Sept. 7, choose another date—service is ongoing! Visit ELCA.org/DayOfService for resources and inspiration. Mark your calendar and join us in serving our communities!

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ELCA, Leadership Resources, NewsBrian FlatgardGod's Work Our Hands SundayComment
Turning Foam into Faithful Action: An Oklahoma Church Recycles for Creation
Turning Foam into Faithful Action: An Oklahoma Church Recycles for Creation

What happens when a faithful few decide they’ve had enough of throwing away plastic foam? At University Lutheran Church in Norman, Oklahoma, an environmental ministry sparked by Sunday morning trash bags has grown into a unique and impactful recycling operation—complete with a “densifier” machine, student volunteers, and community partnerships. This one-of-a-kind program has now sold over 20,000 pounds of compressed foam logs for reuse, showing what’s possible when a congregation puts their faith into earth-friendly action. Click here to read the full story in Living Lutheran.

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ELCA, NewsBrian FlatgardLiving LutheranComment
Grand Canyon Synod Leader Helps Shape New Filioque Study Guide
Grand Canyon Synod Leader Helps Shape New Filioque Study Guide

A new study guide on The Common Statement on the Filioque is now available, helping Lutherans reflect on Trinitarian theology and deepen dialogue with Orthodox siblings. Authored by Rev. Dr. Jonathan Linman of Faith Lutheran in Phoenix, the guide marks a major ecumenical milestone on the 1700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea. To learn more and access the study guide, click here.

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ELCA, Grand Canyon Synod, NewsBrian FlatgardFaith Phoenix, Capital Conference, ELCA Worship, Ecumenical and Inter-Religious RelationsComment
Rachel’s Day: Honoring Our Children, Confronting Violence
Rachel’s Day: Honoring Our Children, Confronting Violence

Rachel’s Day, observed the first Sunday in May, invites congregations to mourn the loss of children to violence and to renew our commitment to hope and action. New resources for Rachel’s Day 2025 are available to help your congregation pray, mourn, and act against the forces of fear and violence in our communities. Join us in lifting up the promise of Jeremiah 31:15–17: there is hope for your future.

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ELCA, NewsBrian FlatgardGun ViolenceComment
Join the Movement: Weekly Prayer Gatherings Begin May 1 Across the ELCA
Join the Movement: Weekly Prayer Gatherings Begin May 1 Across the ELCA

Congregations across the Grand Canyon Synod are invited to join Pray Without Ceasing, a weekly prayer initiative launching May 1. Each community is encouraged to host a regular, welcoming prayer gathering and invite two others to do the same. Resources and optional Zoom gatherings will support participants throughout. View a PDF of FAQs here.

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ELCA, Grand Canyon Synod, Leadership Resources, News, PrayersBrian FlatgardComment
Love Letters That Inspire Giving: A Webinar with Rev. Dr. Eric H.F. Law
Love Letters That Inspire Giving: A Webinar with Rev. Dr. Eric H.F. Law

Join Rev. Dr. Eric H.F. Law on Thursday, May 8, for a free webinar that reimagines stewardship through storytelling. Learn how the simple act of writing “love letters to our church” can inspire natural generosity rooted in gratitude and connection. No registration needed—just join online from 4–5:30 p.m. AZ/NV or 5–6:30 p.m. UT/Navajo Nation.

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ELCA, Grand Canyon Synod, Leadership Resources, NewsBrian FlatgardStewardship, ELCA Mission Support TeamComment
April 2025 Mission Support Memo: Stories Bring Us Together
April 2025 Mission Support Memo: Stories Bring Us Together

ELCA’s April  2025 Mission Support Memo reflects on the Northwest Intermountain Synod Council Retreat at beautiful Lutherhaven Camp. Throughout the time together, council members and synod leaders meditated on our stories and sought to embody the stories that God has entrusted to each of one to hear, empower, and share. Explore the memo to find out ways we can connect with councils, leaders, and congregations. Also, learn about how you and others can join on May 8th in a online session to wonder about "Why People Give: Love Letters to Our Church”. 

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ELCA, NewsBrian FlatgardStewardship, ELCA Mission Support Team, Mission SupportComment
May 5 Is MMIW Awareness Day: Honoring and Advocating Together
May 5 Is MMIW Awareness Day: Honoring and Advocating Together

May 5 is National Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women’s (MMIW) Awareness Day—a time to honor the lives of Indigenous women, girls, and relatives who have gone missing or been murdered at alarmingly high rates. In line with the ELCA’s Declaration to American Indian and Alaska Native People, congregations are invited to wear red, host prayer vigils, include MMIWGR in worship, and build relationships with local Indigenous leaders and musicians. Click here to learn more and access resources from the ELCA.

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ELCA, NewsBrian FlatgardMMIW, Racial Justice, ELCA Racial Justice Ministries, American Indian and Alaska NativeComment
For What Shall We Pray?
For What Shall We Pray?

  • For justice and peace among nations where war and violence rage, especially Ukraine and Russia, Palestine and Israel, Haiti, Sudan, Myanmar, Yemen…

  • For all victims of gun violence, especially at Florida State University and in Kashmir, India…
    For our planet and the life it supports, for sustainability, and against earth’s exploitation…

  • For the memory and witness of Pope Francis, and for the Roman Catholic Church in this time of mourning and discernment…

  • For those fighting wildfires in New Jersey and for all threatened homes and habitats…

  • For those navigating earthquake aftermath in Istanbul…

  • For migrants, travelers, and those who are deported or detained…

  • For Christian unity in this Easter season…

  • For diversity of intellectual, emotional, and physical abilities, and for the gifts of neurodivergence…

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ELCA, Prayers, SpotlightBrian FlatgardELCA Worship, For What Shall We PrayComment
Faith Lens: Peace with a Purpose
Faith Lens: Peace with a Purpose

In the wake of violence and despair, Jesus’ first words to his disciples after the resurrection were words of peace—spoken not once, but three times. This week’s reflection from Faith Lens invites us to shift our gaze from Doubting Thomas to the mission Jesus gives: to be sent, empowered by the Spirit, and grounded in a peace that brings life abundant. As global conflict continues and hope feels scarce, the resurrection reminds us that peace is not only possible—it is purposeful. Discover how Christ’s peace sends us into a broken world as agents of hope.

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Worship Resources, ELCA, ResourcesBrian FlatgardFaith Lens, Youth and Young AdultComment
Love Letters That Inspire Giving: A Webinar with Rev. Dr. Eric H.F. Law
Love Letters That Inspire Giving: A Webinar with Rev. Dr. Eric H.F. Law

Join Rev. Dr. Eric H.F. Law on Thursday, May 8, for a free webinar that reimagines stewardship through storytelling. Learn how the simple act of writing “love letters to our church” can inspire natural generosity rooted in gratitude and connection. No registration needed—just join online from 4–5:30 p.m. AZ/NV or 5–6:30 p.m. UT/Navajo Nation.

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ELCA, Grand Canyon Synod, Leadership Resources, NewsBrian FlatgardStewardship, ELCA Mission Support TeamComment