Pray for our outdoor ministries and their year-round and summer staff, who are working to adapt their ministries, programs and ways of serving congregations and communities during these times of COVID-19.
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Remembering Jesus’ words to Thomas — “I am the way, and the truth, and the life” — we pray that they will empower us to embrace Jesus as the son of God and our salvation, and fill our lives with confidence to perform works of love, mercy, justice, truth and kindness.
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Pray that children and youth who suffer domestic abuse will experience the physical, emotional and spiritual care of concerned, skilled adults who intervene in their situations and help provide the safety, healing and trustworthy love for which they yearn.
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Give thanks for the work of the ELCA Domestic Mission unit, directors for evangelical mission, synod staff, coaches and consultants, and other partners assisting congregations as they renew themselves as communities of faith engaged in God’s mission ― locally and globally.
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Ask God to help us endure the risks and difficulties of sharing the good news of Jesus Christ, doing good, working for justice and serving our neighbors in need.
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Pray that we will be guided by the spirit, manner and example of Jesus to be humble and gracious in our faith, service and daily lives.
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Ask God to help us have faith in how God leads, comforts, protects, nourishes and loves us all the days of our life.
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ELCA Worship is providing resources for home worship. If you don’t have access to a hymnal in your home, the following hymns are provided: Awake, My Soul, and with the Sun | Christ, Whose Glory Fills the Skies | O Splendor of God’s Glory Bright | All Praise to Thee, My God, This Night | My Soul Now Magnifies the Lord | Now Rest beneath Night’s Shadow | The Day You Gave Us, Lord, Has Ended | To You, before the Close of Day
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Give thanks for the service and witness of U.S.-based mission personnel and of young adults serving in the Young Adults in Global Mission program, who have been brought home from their work with global companions due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Pray for their physical and spiritual health and that they will continue to respond to God’s call to serve in our church, our congregations, related organizations and society.
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Jesus is our Savior, guide and shepherd, whom we have faith in and trust with leading us through life in this world and to a new life ― life eternal ― that we could not have imagined or created on our own. Praise God!
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There are more than 100 Asian congregations and ministries in the ELCA. We remember in our prayers these congregations, ELCA Asian and Pacific Islander Ministries and the Association of Asian and Pacific Islanders, and ask God to bless their work with distinct, unique groups and communities as part of a common yet diverse Asian community.
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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.
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Remember in prayer the leaders, voting members and others of the Rocky Mountain Synod gathering online for a digital synod assembly. Pray that the Spirit will strengthen, guide and encourage them in proclaiming the gospel, growing the church, serving our neighbor and doing God’s work in an ever-changing world.
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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.
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All 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.
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Rev. 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.
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Carey 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.”
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Now 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.
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Allen 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.
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ELCA 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)
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