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 MorePastor Miguel Gomez-Acosta shares six tips for congregations from a recent GSB Fundraising presentation.
Don’t stop inviting people to be generous.
Be in contact with your congregation’s top 10 givers.
Check in with the congregational council.
Transition to electronic giving.
Maintain offering time during online worship.
Communication is crucial.
Spirit of Hope Lutheran is offering the Dave Ramsey FPU class starting April 13th at 6 PM Mondays. View the flyer and sign up online at this link: fpu.com/1116428. Note that this class is now meeting online only.
Read MoreEva M. Roby, President and CEO of the Mission Investment Fund of the ELCA, shares a letter of commitment and reminder that MIF stands with the Grand Canyon Synod. Read her letter here. If congregations have special needs at this time, please reach out to Amelia Dawkins, MIF’s Vice President for Lending, at Amelia.Dawkins@elca.org.
The ELCA Federal Credit Union is also prepared to offer similar assistance to its members at this time. Credit Union member pastors and congregations that may be facing hardship should contact the Credit Union at info@elcacu.org or visit www.elcafcu.org.
Read MoreThe Department of Labor (DOL) has issued the required Notice of Employee Rights under the FFCRA. Employers with fewer than 500 employees are required to distribute this notice to all current employees as of April 1, 2020. Employers may satisfy this requirement by emailing or direct mailing this notice to employees, or posting this notice on an employee information internal or external website. Download the notice here.
Read MoreELCA Coaching Ministry is hosting a free virtual meeting: Being Church in the Time of COVID-19. Recordings of presentations and follow-up documents can be found at elcacoaching.org.
Sharing Our Grief and Our Hope with Those We Serve
Wednesday, April 1, 2020, 1:00 PM Central Time (US and Canada)
https://zoom.us/j/180439412, Meeting ID: 180 439 412
Remember in prayer congregations and communities that are preparing for spring and summer storms and living with the uncertainty of what this year will bring. Pray that God will protect them, equip them to respond and calm their anxiety.
Read MoreBishop Romero was assassinated for his courageous, gospel-driven work and his advocacy for human dignity, social justice and the rights of the poor and marginalized. Give thanks for his witness and impact and for those in the church and society who continue to fight for justice and the interests of people in Central America.
Read MoreBishop Romero was assassinated for his courageous, gospel-driven work and his advocacy for human dignity, social justice and the rights of the poor and marginalized. Give thanks for his witness and impact and for those in the church and society who continue to fight for justice and the interests of people in Central America.
Read MoreIt is important for each congregation and its leaders to understand what political activity is permissible to maintain the congregation’s tax exemption. Being a Public Church is a guidance for churches and clergy participating in the electoral process, an effort to expand the role of the church in encouraging faithful and non-partisan voter participation by providing faith-based resources around voting.
Read MorePray that our church’s understanding of the theology and practice of accompaniment will deepen as we walk together with Lutheran, ecumenical and interfaith sisters and brothers around the world.
Read MoreGive thanks that God equips us and uses our unique abilities and gifts to care for the physical and spiritual needs of our neighbor. Ask God to grant us courage, patience and confidence in the gospel when we experience resistance, anger or condemnation in response to our advocacy and acts of compassion and justice.
Read MorePraise God that we will be changed inside and out by God’s love “poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit.” Pray that the love and reconciliation we have received from God through Jesus Christ will transform us to be passionate witnesses, disciples and bearers of the gospel for all who long for good news and hope.
Read MoreGod is good and great and the creator of all that exists. Sing praises to the Lord and make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation.
Read MoreGive thanks for the ELCA Lay Schools for Ministry network and the Select Learning program, partner ministries that equip us for our baptismal vocations and create opportunities for lifelong learning, sharing multigenerational stories of faith and nurturing biblical and theological literacy.
Read MorePray for people who are grieving the loss of a loved one or a member of their community. Ask God to help us be present with them through our empathy, care, support and faith; ask the Holy Spirit to help us kindle comfort, hope and peace when the fragility and brevity of life feel overwhelming.
Read MoreGive thanks for the service and witness of the Rev. Zachary Courter and Rev. Rachel Eskesen, YAGM country coordinators for Hungary, and the eight volunteers serving alongside our companions in Hungary and Serbia as part of the Young Adults in Global Mission program.
Read MoreGive thanks for the service and witness of the Rev. Zachary Courter and Rev. Rachel Eskesen, YAGM country coordinators for Hungary, and the eight volunteers serving alongside our companions in Hungary and Serbia as part of the Young Adults in Global Mission program.
Read MoreAugsburg Fortress is excited to announce the forthcoming release of All Creation Sings, a supplement to Evangelical Lutheran Worship, in fall 2020.
This supplement stands alongside Evangelical Lutheran Worship and is part of the ongoing renewal of worship in the ELCA. Additional information about the resource and pre-orders is available on the Augsburg Fortress website. Look for more information in coming months.
Read MorePray that we will be inspired by the story of the Samaritan woman talking with Jesus at the well and will share with others ― without bias or judgment ― the good news of Jesus Christ, Savior of the world.
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