Presiding Bishop Eaton and leaders from The Episcopal Church, the Anglican Church of Canada and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada have prepared a series of devotions to observe the Season of Creation 2020, Sept. 1–Oct. 4.
The season, which begins with the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation, is a time to join with the global Christian community in renewing, repairing and restoring commitments to God, to one another and to all of creation.
Read MoreThe Weekly Online Gathering for ELCA Leaders continues every Wednesday, 1 pm Central, 11am MST. Links to the meeting at elcacoaching.org as well as archives.
Drawing on her experiences of simple and powerful ritual in her own life's apprenticeship with sorrow, Rev. Solveig Nilsen-Goodin will begin a six-month series on the sacred work of grief (the first Wednesday of each month, September through February).
Read MoreGive thanks and take comfort in knowing that God is trustworthy and unwavering in remembering and accompanying us every moment of our lives — in our joy, suffering and complicated situations.
Read More14th Sunday after Pentecost, Lectionary 23
O Lord God, enliven and preserve your church with your perpetual mercy. Without your help, we mortals will fail; remove far from us everything that is harmful, and lead us toward all that gives life and salvation, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.
Read MoreLutherans Restoring Creation is preparing a creation-focused worship service utilizing the lectionary texts for Pentecost 16 (September 20, 2020) that congregations can download and use however they wish.
Register here for free to receive the link by 9/14 to download and use for your worship service, or however you wish!
Read MorePray for synod leaders and committees as they carefully plan assemblies rescheduled for this fall or next year. Remember that our strength and unity in Christ transcend traditional places, methods or times of gathering — we are the church, the body of Christ, in every setting and circumstance.
Read MoreAs we begin a month of Season of Creation devotions, we encourage you to visit the ELCA’s advocacy for the environment page, which highlights many ways to learn and take action.
Read MoreGive thanks that we have been transformed and made new through God’s love for us and our baptism in Jesus Christ. Pray that the living word of Jesus will guide our baptismal journeys so that we extend hospitality to strangers, love and serve our neighbor, overcome evil with good, accompany people who are suffering and in pain, and disavow vengeance and hate.
Read MoreIn this presidential campaign year, pray that our leaders and candidates will serve all people, especially those in the greatest need; work to heal wounds and divisions in society; strive for justice and equality; and seek change for the well-being and prosperity of our communities. Pray that our faith, wisdom and concern for neighbors and global companions will guide our discernment and decisions in upcoming elections.
Read MoreGive thanks that, as a church, we listen to the needs of our neighbors, roll up our sleeves and get to work with partners and companions in our communities and the world, helping and serving where the needs are greatest.
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.
Download a Word doc, or PDF for letter size printout or legal size printout, or view the ELCA resource page.
Read MoreIn preparation for the online gathering on September 9 at 9 am, ELCA Coaching is excited and honored to offer you a FREE book, What If I Said Yes? The House That Love Built, by Sarah Jackson from Casa de Paz.
If you submit your request by Sunday, August 30, a book will be mailed out on Monday, August 31, thanks to the incredible generosity of our presenter, Sarah Jackson!
Read MoreBeginning a Culture of Generosity launched early August and continues with our next session: An Effective, Inspiring Stewardship Appeal, on Saturday, 9/5/2020, at 9 am.
Bummed your congregation isn’t participating in this one-of-a-kind stewardship program? It’s not too late! Contact Deb Elstad, 3E Associate Director, deb.elstad@gmail.com, and get on the train.
Read MoreThe Weekly Online Gathering for ELCA Leaders continues every Wednesday, 1 pm Central, 11am MST. Links to the meeting at elcacoaching.org as well as archives.
Pastora Irma Bañales leads us through Expressing and Mourning our Grief in this Wednesday’s online gathering, Wednesday, September 2, 2020. She is the DEM for the Northern Texas-Northern Louisiana Synod, and will be with us the first Wednesday of each month through 2020.
Read MoreGive thanks and praise to God for hearing our words, loving us, sustaining us through times of trouble and strengthening our spirit and faith.
Read MoreListen to the following choral recordings made available through Augsburg Fortress: “Where Charity and Love Prevail,” “My Hope is Built,” “What Wondrous Love Is This.”
Read MoreRemember in prayer our global companions and all nations fighting the COVID-19 pandemic, the resulting economic problems and social and emotional stress, and the lack of accessible health care and adequate medical resources. Pray that we will respond to our global neighbors in need with empathy, hope and generosity, freely sharing our resources, discoveries and technology.
Read MoreThrough the ELCA’s Resourceful Servants initiative, resources to improve financial wellness from ministry partners of the ELCA are available at no cost to rostered ministers in the ELCA.
Engaging with these resources provides the information needed to make well-informed financial decisions and the confidence to share your perspective.
Read MoreThirteenth Sunday after Pentecost, Lectionary 22
O God, we thank you for your Son, who chose the path of suffering for the sake of the world. Humble us by his example, point us to the path of obedience, and give us strength to follow your commands, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.
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