Before I was a pastor, I was a pediatric intensive care nurse. I remember the the first time I saw a gray and sickly baby turn pink before my eyes as an ECMO machine started doing its job.
This is my metaphor for what tithing does for us. Tithing opens our hearts enough to let the love flow freely. And perhaps as with ECMO, it hooks us up to breathe in the Spirit.
Read MoreRisk levels for unvaccinated people in many counties of the synod have increased.
Extremely high risk counties for unvaccinated people in our synod include Clark, Mohave, and Washington counties.
High risk counties: Apache, Coconino, Gila, Greenlee, La Paz, Maricopa, Navajo, Pinal, and Yavapai.
High risk counties include Cochise, Graham, Pima, Santa Cruz, and Yuma.
We pray for Rev. Keith Lingwall and the people of Abounding Grace Lutheran Church in Tucson, part of the Sunrise Conference. Visit their site at agtucson.com, and their social media pages on Facebook and YouTube.
Read MoreWe have great news! Refugee families are arriving again. This means we need to find safe housing for larger refugee families, which is a challenge in the current market.
LSS-SW is seeking information about rental opportunities in the Phoenix and/or Tucson areas. Let us know about possible options as www.lss-sw.org/refugee-housing.
Read MoreCommunity of Grace in Peoria seeks an Admin Assistant/Church Membership Software Administrator. Download the job description as a Word doc and click here to apply.
Read MoreCommunity of Grace in Peoria seeks an Administrative and Financials Director. Download the job description as a Word doc and click here to apply.
Read MoreNew Promise Lutheran in St. George, Utah seeks Music Director, in a part-time position. Call 435-628-9740 for application information. View this post for job description.
Read MoreOur Savior's Lutheran in Mesa is looking for an experienced Facilities Manager to oversee all building-related activities. Contact info@oslcaz.org to apply.
Read MoreBishop Deborah K. Huttererer recently attended a breakfast sponsored by the Arizona Faith Network and Institutional Baptist Church. The breakfast, focused on voting rights, featured the Rev. Jesse Jackson.
Rev. Jackson thanked Bishop Hutterer for the work ELCA leaders have been engaged in over the years on behalf of our neighbors.
Read MoreEach year, Lutheran Social Services of the Southwest recognizes congregations in the Grand Canyon Synod of the ELCA as recipients of the Servant of Christ Award.
We are celebrating Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church in Tucson and First Evangelical Lutheran Church in Mesa for winning the LSS-SW Servant of Christ award for 2021.
Read MoreWe’re excited to share updates on our 2021 Bishop’s Fall Gathering, as we gather under the theme: The Power of Story. We have hotel reservation info for our October 18-20, 2021 event at All Saints Lutheran Church in Phoenix. Registration is $50.
All active rostered ministers or retired ministers serving as interim pastors are invited to this gathering which will include ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton, Rev. Roberto Federico Trejo Haager, Pastor President of Iglesia Luterana Mexicana, and Ryan Panzer, author of Grace and Gigabytes. More info on our web page.
Read MoreWe join the people of the Southwest California Synod as we offer our care and condolences to the family and friends of Mrs. Beverly Anderson, who passed away on Monday, July 12, 2021. We also hold the Rev. J. Roger Anderson, Beverly’s husband and the first Bishop of the Southwest California Synod, in prayer.
Read MoreIn-person school will begin August 2 at Navajo Mission Preparatory School! President Nez has released orders allowing for schools to open for in-person learning.
Because all last school year was virtual, EVERYONE (students, teachers, parents, grandparents, staff) is excited and busy preparing classrooms, curriculum, meal plans and COVID safety guidelines.
Read MoreWe pray for Rev. Robert Kleinke and the people of Central Lutheran Church in Arizona City and Casa Grande, part of the Fiesta Conference. Visit their site at centrallutheranaz.org, and their YouTube page.
Read MoreWhile most of the reservation was closed for the past year, your mission's goal of providing essential service to the Navajo Community remained first and foremost. Thanks to our incredible entire staff, we stayed open with food, water and free noon meals for any Rock Point residents in need. Despite all obstacles, this is truly why we exist.
Read MoreThis week we surpassed the $300,000 milestone in our Growing Generosity Appeal, with a total of $303,464 in gifts and pledges!
Growing Generosity was formally launched in June as part of our 2021 Assembly, with over half of the $500,000 goal already raised. Please prayerfully consider how you’d like to be involved, and learn more about Growing Generosity here.
Read MoreWe continue our prayers for the family of Rev. Dr. Nathan Bowman, Chaplain at Hospice of the West.
Pastor Bowman writes, “Our daughter Moriah departed to be with God peacefully on July 16, 2021. We are having a service of Remembrance and Thanksgiving on this Saturday (July 24, 2021), at Shepherd of the Desert Lutheran Church in Sun City at 10:00 AM with prelude beginning at 9:45. The service will be followed by a brunch. It is a service open to all, and will include communion.
I wanted to thank you for your support and prayers for all of us during this time. We are at peace, grieving a very precious life, but thankful that her suffering time is over. [Attached] is a working copy of the bulletin that gives a little more history about this journey in our life…”
Read MoreWe pray for Rev. Ronald Glusenkamp and the people of Desert Hills Lutheran Church in Green Valley, part of the Santa Cruz Conference. Visit their site at dhlc.org and their Facebook page.
Read MoreWe pray for Rev. Richard Peterson and the people of Faith Lutheran Church in Yuma, part of the Cactus Conference. Visit their site at faithyuma.com, and their social media pages on Facebook and YouTube.
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