O God our shepherd, you know your sheep by name and lead us to safety through the valleys of death. Guide us by your voice, that we may walk in certainty and security to the joyous feast prepared in your house, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Read MoreAll Creation Sings, the forthcoming supplement to ELW will include three new liturgical settings. Setting 11 (following the numbering sequence after the ten settings in ELW) will be a bilingual service in Spanish and English. Setting 12 will be a setting for Holy Communion with options for evening use. All Creation Sings will also include a service of word and prayer.
Read MoreRev. Miguel Gomez-Acosta, Director for Evangelical Mission and Bishop’s Associate for Congregational Vitality with the Grand Canyon Synod, brings greetings, the Gospel, and a sermon for the second Sunday after Easter.
The Gospel, Luke 24:13-35, The Walk to Emmaus, can be found at the beginning of the video. The greetings and sermon starts at 2:54.
Read MoreCarey Nieuwhof writes about the trick of online analytics: “So now that your church (along with almost every other church) is online, you’re probably asking: how exactly do I track ‘attendance’?
One of the remarkable stories of the global pandemic is that suddenly, 49% of churches are reporting that their online attendance is higher or much higher than their in-person attendance.”
Read MoreNow the world’s primary method of communication is the clunky, awkward video call. Nobody wants to come across to their co-workers and friends as a dimly lit basement troll. The only thing that can save you is good lighting.
From The Wirecutter, get tips from a professional video producer working from home.
Read MoreAllen Gjersvig, Director Outreach and Enrollment with Arizona Alliance for Community Health Centers, provides this COVID-19 update for thousands who are losing health insurance coverage or losing income and becoming AHCCCS, KidsCare and SNAP eligible. Read the article or access this Word doc or PDF.
Read MoreELCA Worship shares a variety of ways to worship during this time of pandemic, as many are seeking resources to support daily prayer in the home. As we are physically separated from supportive Christian communities, it becomes increasingly important to mark our days and hours with prayer.
“I arise early in the morning and I cry out to you, I hope for your word. My eyes are open in the night watches, that I may meditate upon your promise.” (Psalm 119:147-148)
Read MoreBishop 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 More
