In the course of your day, envision the people who, working behind the scenes in service industries, attend to our needs, ease our stresses, make our lives more enjoyable, help us manage each day and attend to the little things we take for granted. Pray that we will open our eyes and see them, valuing their work, advocating for their fair wages and benefits, and expressing our gratitude for their hard work serving others.
Read MoreFirst Sunday of Advent This is a year of hope, yearning and anticipation, when we cry out for relief, healing, positive signs of change in the world and reassurance that we’ll all be OK. Pray that we will trust in God’s promises and presence through faith in Jesus Christ — son of man and son of God, our hope, security and salvation in all times and circumstances.
Read More“O come, let us sing to the Lord; let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation!” Like the immense, complex and awesome universe, we are God’s handiwork. Raise up prayers of glory and thanksgiving to God!
Read MorePray that we will be humble but not shy about praying in private or with others, trusting that God understands us even when our words — spoken or silent — feel awkward or inadequate.
Read MoreThanksgiving Day As we celebrate Thanksgiving, lift up prayers of gratitude for the blessings and abundant resources we enjoy, and remember the people in our communities and world who suffer food insecurity, hunger and poverty. Ask the Spirit to increase our generosity and engagement with our neighbors in need and to help our communities become more just, generous, compassionate and committed to addressing difficult social issues.
Read MoreLutheran World Relief provides a full suite of resources that can be used digitally or in-person each week: sermon illustrations, powerful videos, candle lighting litany and at-home engagement.
Visit lwr.org/congregations to download these free resources and make plans for your congregation to experience a Season of Hope.
Read MoreThe Sacred Work of Grief, Part 4, with Rev. Solveig Nilsen-Goodin is Wednesday, December 2, 2020, 12pm MST, 11am PST. Links to the meeting at elcacoaching.org.
There will be no gatherings December 9, 23, and 30, 2020. Upcoming gatherings are: December 16, 2020, Growing Young: Empathy, with Rachel Alley and others; and January 6, 2020, The Sacred Work of Grief, Part 4, with Rev. Solveig Nilsen-Goodin.
Read MorePraise God for our creative siblings in Christ whose hymns stir our faith, inspire us, speak of God’s work and express our joy and gratitude to God.
Read MoreView the worship service at Youtube, download an MP4 recording via Google drive, and view/download a PDF of the worship bulletin.
It is a Service of the Word with a sermon, following the Revised Common Lectionary. Several of our seminary students are participating so it's also a good opportunity for people to meet them via video.
Read MoreGive thanks for followers of Christ and children of God who gather in faith communities everywhere to praise God, grow in faith and celebrate the unity we have in Christ. Pray that we might never show bias toward or rebuff people who are curious and seek the good news we have received.
Read MoreCOVID-19 has taken a heavy toll on our emotional health, disrupting the way we live, work, connect, worship and care for our loved ones.
In a blog post and two-minute video message, Portico leaders share how new 2020 online mental health support services are playing a critical role.
Read MorePray that, as followers of Christ who treasure life as a gift from God, we will exercise patience, caution and concern for our neighbor as the COVID-19 pandemic continues long past our expectations and assumptions.
Read MoreAsk for God’s mercy and forgiveness when we fail to respect our neighbor, care for their needs and love them as Jesus loves us. Pray that our faith will shine in the world through bold yet humble acts of justice, mercy, empathy, advocacy, care and love.
Read MorePray for those working through the sometimes long and emotional process of becoming foster or adoptive parents. Pray that we might find ways to support and care for them and to celebrate with them the joys of family and parenthood.
Read MoreWe direct our attention to God and pray for mercy; we humble ourselves and trust in God’s promise of love, forgiveness and new life in Jesus Christ.
Read MoreYour 2020 Annual Report covers are now available for download in two versions: 2020 Annual Report Single Pages or 2020 Annual Report Spreads.
Both can be downloaded at elca.org/Resources/Stewardship#Leadership.
Read MoreThe Weekly Online Gathering for ELCA Leaders continues Wednesday 11/19/2020, 12pm MST, 11am PST. Links @ elcacoaching.org.
Jory Mickelson is a writer, educator, and ministry leader, and has experience working with the Coast Salish peoples as well as the LGBTQAI+ community. His first book, Wilderness//Kingdomwon the 2020 High Plains Book Award for Poetry.
Read MoreSome students find studying from home more difficult than others, especially those who live with learning disabilities, have special needs or experience the learning environment best when interacting with peers, teachers and counselors in person. Pray that these students will find the care and attention they need — in person and online — to learn, mature and grow strong in their self-esteem.
Read MorePray for federal chaplains serving in the U.S. military and Veterans Affairs hospitals as they minister to military members and their families here and around the world. Give thanks for how they touch the lives of young adults, encourage their faith, connect them with faith communities, and provide care and counseling in unique contexts.
Read MoreThere are few ELCA youth directors who wake up every morning and separate the goats from the sheep. I get to live out today’s Gospel twice a day!
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