God is gracious and blesses us; God’s face shines on us. Join creation and every nation in praising God and singing for joy!
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Listen to the following choral recordings made available through Augsburg Fortress: “We Sing to You O God,” “Lord Jesus, You Shall Be My Song ,” “Christ, the Solid Rock.”
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Give thanks for nimble, creative teachers and school staff as they adapt to the changing dynamics of the COVID-19 pandemic with concern for the safety, education and personal needs of students and their parents.
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Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost, Lectionary 20
O God, with all your faithful followers of every age, we praise you, the rock of our life. Be our strong foundation and form us into the body of your Son, that we may gladly minister to all the world, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.
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Two Savings Matching programs through the ELCA’s Resourceful Servants initiative address financial challenges being experienced by rostered ministers, namely a lack of emergency savings and a lack of retirement savings.
These programs partner with rostered ministers to encourage a habit of saving by providing matching funding to more rapidly grow savings and retirement accounts. The due date to complete the process is October 15, 2020.
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God asks us to do justice and do what is right. Pray that we will be faithful to God’s ways and commandments and to Jesus’ example of unrestrained love and compassion for people who are needy, suffering or oppressed.
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Remember in prayer the people and communities of India and Bangladesh that were affected by Cyclone Amphan in May. Pray for the response of Lutheran World Service India Trust, supported by Lutheran Disaster Response, as it provides food to families in urban slums, tarps and temporary shelters, and assists families in obtaining aid for housing reconstruction. Pray for God’s presence, comfort, hope and healing throughout their recovery.
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Pray for forgiveness and God’s mercy when our actions, words, intentions or thoughts dishonor God’s ways and commandments. Ask for the Spirit to help us shine as bright witnesses to God’s unbound, unbiased love for humanity and to serve our neighbor without prejudice or reluctance.
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Pray for the leaders, voting members and others of the Eastern North Dakota Synod who are gathering for their digital assembly, that the Spirit will strengthen, guide and encourage them in choosing leaders, proclaiming the gospel, growing the church, serving our neighbor and doing God’s work in an ever-changing world.
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Devotional Music Links: For your individual or group devotion, you may choose to listen to the following choral recordings made available through Augsburg Fortress: “May God Bestow on Us Grace,” “Creating God Your Fingers Trace,” “When to the World the Savior Came.”
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Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost, Lectionary 20
Because of his cross and resurrection, Jesus Christ makes bread available to all the peoples, including us — the bread of the eucharist when we can gather, but always the bread of his healing word. And so we come to see our neighbor in a stunning new way: another needy person beside us, under God’s mercy.
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Pray that during this pandemic, which has stretched beyond our expectations and imagination, we will be renewed in our commitment to the patience, sacrifice and awareness of the example we set as we continue personal health measures for the sake of our health and the wellness of our neighbors, community and nation.
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The Weekly Online Gathering for ELCA Leaders continues every this Wednesday, 8/19/2020, 1 pm Central, 11am MST. Links to the meeting at elcacoaching.org as well as archives.
Holy Three-Ring Circus: Faith, Parenting, and Work in a Pandemic, with Jessica Harris Daum and others.
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Grand Canyon Synod active and retired rostered leaders are invited to a one hour time for learning and conversation around grief and lament in our lives and ministries. Please set aside time on Tuesday, Aug. 25 at 2 pm. Register in advance for this meeting.
As rostered leaders going through ministry at this time in our daily lives Pastor Brenda Smith will guide us and teach us spiritual practices that will keep in grounded in God’s loving embrace. Please have a bible and candle available.
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Register by August 15, 2020 for Beginning a Culture of Generosity and reap the benefits of this one-time only program established for your fall stewardship season in this unprecedented year of pandemic.
This program, from the consulting firm GSB Fundraising, is just $150 with a $500 scholarship from 3E and the Grand Canyon Synod to each congregation.
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Give thanks for nurses, who care for our physical, emotional and spiritual needs in diverse settings, including hospitals, community clinics, congregations, schools, home care, the military, facilities for older adults, health education programs and global mission. Pray for the Evangelical Lutheran Parish Nurse Association and its work supporting, equipping and encouraging parish nurses across the country.
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Diakonia classes start on September 7, 2020, and three information night sessions are scheduled for anyone to attend: Tues., 8/18/2020 7 pm (Zoom Link); Weds., 8/19/2020 6:30 pm (Zoom Link); Mon., 8/31/2020 6 pm (Zoom link).
The Grand Canyon Synod Diakonia program (diakoniaaz.org) is a means to prepare lay leaders in changing times to support the mission of the church with wisdom and understanding in accordance with our Lutheran understanding of who God is and how God works.
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“How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!” Ask God to help us proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ and salvation, that all who hear will believe, be saved and enjoy the blessings of being a sibling in Christ with believers throughout the world.
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Lutherans Restoring Creation is preparing a creation focused video worship service utilizing the lectionary texts for Pentecost 16 that congregations can download and use, available by Monday, 9/14/2020.
Bishop Elizabeth Eaton, The Rev. Dr. Barbara Rossing, Rev. Lenny Duncan, Rebekah Bruesehoff, and others will participate, with music provided by Marty Haugen, the Rev. Dr. Leah Schade, and John Tirro.
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Tom Cunniff, ELCA General Counsel, gives some guidance on inquiries about church employees (particularly ministers) taking leave to care for children.
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