All Creation Sings provides six hymns and songs under the Christmas heading; the topical index offers additional suggestions. One brand new hymn is “Night Long-Awaited / Noche anunciada” by Félix Luna (text) and Ariel Ramírez (music).
Read MoreThis training includes 12 hours of group coaching time, one hour individual coaching at the time when you start in your interim context or at a time of your choosing, plus contextual work, reading and reflecting.
Begins Thursday, January 21, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. Visit purposeful pastor.com for more info.
Read MoreWith prayerful sighs of relief and expressions of gratitude, give thanks for God’s covenant to grant humankind love, forgiveness, new life and redemption through the promised Messiah, Jesus Christ.
Read MoreOn Wednesday, 12/23/2020, we will practice holding space together, similar to a support group or grief group. Jill Beverlin and Tammy Devine will facilitate. For more personal matters, you may request a breakout room with a coach for up to 15 minutes during the hour-long gathering, subject to availability.
The Weekly Online Gathering for ELCA Leaders continues every Wednesday, 1 pm Central, 12pm MST. Links to the meeting at elcacoaching.org as well as archives.
Read MoreListen to devotional music available through Augsburg Fortress: “O Laughing Light;” “Nunc Dimittis;” “All Praise to Thee.”
Read MoreFind a peaceful place to pray, perhaps a table. You may wish to light a candle near where you pray and incorporate other symbols of Christmas.
Read MoreRemember in prayer the approximately 26 million refugees, immigrants and asylum-seekers around the world and at our borders, awaiting entry into safe, welcoming countries and communities so that they can rebuild their lives without threats of conflict, persecution, violence or economic crisis. Pray for their safety, that their spiritual, physical and emotional needs will be met, that they will find caring advocates, and that their faith and hope will be strengthened and sustained by siblings in Christ and our faith communities.
Read MoreIn this difficult year, please join us in a Service of the Longest Night, which will be available for viewing Monday, December 21, 2020, at 5pm MST, 4pm PST, on our Facebook, Youtube, Vimeo, and gcsynod.org/longest-night.
Worship will be enhanced if you have four candles that you can light along the way as you will be invited. The order of worship is below, or view/download as PDF.
Read MoreWinter solstice On this day with the least amount of daylight, observed as the beginning of winter, pray that we will be drawn to the eternal light of Christ born into the world — a gift for all people and all generations that illuminates God’s redemptive love for us and God’s desire and intent for how we might live together.
Read MoreJoin Presiding Bishop Eaton as she lights the candles and says a prayer for the fourth week of Advent.
Read MoreThis PDF resource, Let's Talk Faith and Climate: Communication Guidance for Faith Leaders, is designed to be useful to both experienced and novice climate change and faith communicators.
From the ELCA and ecoAmerica, this guide synthesizes the latest academic research and message testing on climate communications into a practical guide to support meaningful discussions on climate change and faith among individuals and groups.
Read MorePray that we will be receptive to angels and divine beings sent by God to guide us and bring us good news, as the angel Gabriel did to Mary and Elizabeth. Pray that we will hear God’s assurance that “nothing will be impossible with God” and that our response will echo Mary’s: “Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.”
Read More“The Lord has done great things for us.” Rejoice, laugh and shout with joy!
Read MoreThe 13 bishops of the class of 2019 will be leading a joint synodical Epiphany of Our Lord service on Jan. 6, 2020, 6pm MST, 5pm PST. This worship service will air via the Southeastern Synod’s Facebook page, YouTube channel, and website.
Join in as we confess, lament, lean into the light of God shining brightly in Holy Scripture, proclamation of the Word, and musical offerings from across the church.
Read MorePray that, in anticipation of Christmas, we will invite others into the joy of our meals, celebrations, community events and faith. Pray that the Spirit will move us to reach out with acts of love, hope, inclusion and good news to people who are alone, incarcerated or homeless.
Read MoreIn June, 2020, the ELCA adopted a social message on government and civic engagement titled “Government and Civic Engagement in the United States: Discipleship in a Democracy.” As we go through a transition in power, the next few weeks are a good time to review it.
To help dig into the text, there is a Study Guide, along with a Leader's Guide for those facilitating groups. A Spanish translation can be downloaded here.
Read MoreConcordia College in Moorhead is offering congregations a worship service recording for Sunday, Dec. 27, 2020. The service includes lessons, carols, poetic readings and music performed by Concordia students and alumni.
On December 21, 2020, the service may be viewed on the Concordia website or downloaded to share on your congregation's website. Participants are encouraged to have a candle available for the service.
Read MoreMany congregation leaders are asking how they can take advantage of technology to continue to hold necessary meetings to conduct the business of the congregation. The ELCA provides an FAQ of the questions being asked most often (view as PDF). This is also a part of our annual congregation meeting resource page.
Read More“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” Pray that we will support and encourage each other in these good works and disciplines that keep our spirits, minds and bodies healthy and whole.
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