Bishop Deborah K. Hutterer of the Grand Canyon Synod brings greetings, the Gospel, and a sermon for the first Sunday after Easter. The Bishop's greetings can be found at the beginning of the video. The Gospel starts at the 1:45 mark, and the sermon starts at 3:50.
Read MoreA worksheet to help congregations evaluate their financial situation during Covid-19 is available from Dr. Jerry Kingston, Special Bishop’s Associate for Mobility, and ASU Economics faculty member from 1969 to 2011.
The worksheet is based comparing available liquid assets for the period May 1, 2020 through September 30, 2020 to two sets of costs: (1) legally-required expenses; and (2) legally-required + pledged expenses to the synod and the churchwide organization. The worksheet is available as a PDF or Word doc.
Read MoreThere’s a fair amount of advice out there on what to do about funerals or memorial services during the current “stay at home” shutdown. Often people are encouraged to plan for a memorial service whenever that becomes possible.
There’s another piece to ritual care for grieving people in the current situation, though: helping them create home ritual that fills some part of the need for more immediate ritual. Read more here »
Read MoreFrom ELCA Worship we find Worship in the Home for the Second Sunday of Easter, April 19, 2020.
In this time of world-wide crisis, congregations throughout this church are not able to gather for worship as the body of Christ. While you cannot be together in person, we can hear the word of God and hold each other in prayer. We offer this brief resource as an aid for prayer in the home.
Read MoreOne of the ELCA’s preferred vendors, Tithely offers a guide to lead your church through the coronavirus. Discover the strategies your church needs to know to go digital and thrive in this free guide.
Read MoreAs the COVID-19 pandemic continues to spread around the globe, churches have not been insulated from the devastating virus. That means fewer people giving and supporting your good work. It also will possibly affect your church’s finances.
Read MoreThe following list of ideas is specifically directed to financial leaders across the church to help with sustaining the church and its ministry (and perhaps growing it in areas) as we live through these Coronavirus days.
Read MoreIn March, Reformation Lutheran Church of Las Vegas became the first congregation to participate in an intentional Peer Ministry Review. Ministry reviews have been done for other congregations, but usually at the request of Synod or Churchwide leadership.
A big thank you to Pr. Jason Adams for the invitation to conduct this insightful process and to the review team for their diligent work and recommendations.
Read MoreWatch a bilingual (English/Español) service of Maundy Thursday - Jueves Santo from Faith / La Fe Lutheran Church in Phoenix, AZ.
Musical selections include: Sing, My Tongue, The Glorious Battle - Leo Sowerby; Abide With Me - C. Hubert H. Parry; and Ubi Caritas - Berthier.
Read MorePray for our congregations and full communion partners responding to the impact of the coronavirus and the evolving challenges of caring for spiritual and physical needs of members, nurturing community in new ways, serving neighbors in need, helping with financial stewardship, and proclaiming the hope and good news of Jesus Christ in times of anxiousness and uncertainty.
Read MoreLutheran World Federation offers liturgies for Holy Week and Easter worship in a time of physical distancing, a simplified form of many worshiping traditions within the Lutheran communion and our ecumenical heritage.
In this time of pandemic, we as a communion are particularly called to keep our hearts united as we “watch and pray,” trusting that Christ always comes through locked doors.
Read More4/6/2020 Prayer: How precious is your steadfast love, O God!
Read MoreVicar Beth Gallen of Grace Lutheran, Phoenix, shares these resource guides for individuals who are cloistered, as well as households already sheltering in place. Audio and video have been added.
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 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.
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