Before a natural disaster strikes, taxpayers are encouraged to be prepared, if possible. This includes developing evacuation plans, putting together kits of essential supplies and putting financial safety measures in place. The IRS has prepared a checklist.
Read MoreMartin Luther King Day Today we remember the life, ministry, sacrifice and activism of Martin Luther King Jr. Pray that his life and the legacies of others who have fought for civil rights and social reform will inspire our own commitment and persistence in working for racial justice, dismantling racism and combating white supremacy.
Read MoreGreen Faith (greenfaith.org) works to inspire, educate and mobilize people of diverse religious backgrounds for environmental leadership.
Programs include the “GreenFaith Certification” for congregations and the “Greenfaith Fellowship” program for individuals.
Read MoreJesus invited Philip to follow him as a disciple, and Philip, in turn, invited Nathanael. Ask God to help us be faithful followers, students and, at the same time, disciples eager to invite others to join in God’s good work in the world.
Read MoreThank God for our special relationship with the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), a full communion partner with the ELCA since 1997; pray for the church, its members and its leaders, and pray that together we will find strength and new resources for the work of sharing the gospel and serving our neighbor, especially in these uncertain and challenging times.
Read MorePastor Steve Springer, Dove of Peace, Tucson, reminds us that January 15 is the birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr. and the day he’s on our Lutheran calendar. As Dr. King is a martyr, the liturgical color for today is scarlet red.
Pr. Springer shares five petitions, each beginning with "We remember" and a verbatim citation from "Letter From a Birmingham Jail."
Read MoreAgnus Day appears with the permission of www.agnusday.org.
Read MoreWith more than 100 years of history, this annual observance involves Christian communities throughout the world: January 18-25, 2021.
Visit the World Council of Churches site or view material in English, French, German, Spanish, or Portuguese.
Read MoreLutheran World Relief needs your help to bring real, tangible hope to our poorest neighbors. This Lent, your congregation can help by gathering and assembling Personal Care Kits.
Also available are “Sensing Hope” resources, including a 5-week sermon series and small group study guide, used digitally or in-person. Learn more at lwr.org/lent.
Read MoreCalifornia Lutheran University and Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary invite “actively serving” pastors of the Grand Canyon Synod to participate in this first Contemplative Action Group, which they hope to begin Thursday, January 28th.
Contemplative Action Groups provide spiritual growth, accountability, and discernment to congregational leaders who seek greater clarity and depth within their personal and public life.
Please email Pastor Brent Maxwell, desertmax@msn.com, or visit thrivingleadershipformation.org for more information.
Read MorePray for the young adults who have applied for a yearlong journey in international service with our companion churches and organizations through the ELCA Young Adults in Global Mission (YAGM) program, which will resume in 2021-2022 after a time of sabbath during the pandemic.
Read MoreAsk God to help us practice justice, generosity and care for creation, sharing our resources with others who have few or who have lost resources or productive land as a result of natural and human-caused disasters.
Read MoreListen to devotional music available through Augsburg Fortress: “Let Us Talents and Tongues Employ;” “The Everlasting Light;” “Song of Thanksgiving.”
Read MoreSecond Sunday after Epiphany, Year B: Sometimes we feel as if we have no word from God, no vision, no place to come and see what God is doing, no center in a time of alienation. But, as the Psalm says, God has seen us and known us. More: in our baptism, God has called us, like Samuel, Philip, and Nathanael were called.
Read MoreOver the last year, as the world has reeled from the effects of a deadly pandemic, we long for the time when we “will hunger no more, and thirst no more … and God will wipe away every tear from [our] eyes” (Revelation 7:16-17).
We invite you and your congregation to join the church’s global work to end hunger and poverty during ELCA World Hunger’s 40 Days of Giving, which begins on Ash Wednesday, Feb. 17. To prepare, visit ELCA.org/40Days and download or order resources today.
Read MoreGod is mighty, majestic and eternal throughout the universe, generously sharing strength and blessings with us. Give glory and thanks to God, and shout for joy!
Read MoreThis weekend we celebrate and remember Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and all that he accomplished through the Civil Rights Movement in the 1960s. We still feel Dr. King’s impact today. Dr. King sought equal rights for African Americans and all who are oppressed by the systems in the United States.
Read More“Advocacy 101 for Young Adults: When Faith Meets Policy” is a new guide prepared by Hunger Advocacy Fellows in tandem with ELCA Advocacy and ELCA World Hunger. The easy-to-use resource is divided into four sessions and is designed for use with young adult groups on college campuses, in congregations and in other settings.
Read MorePray for our faith-based schools, early childhood education programs and day care centers as they provide experiential education, social interaction, stability and calm for the youngest of our children, who are often most vulnerable during times of uncertainty and anxiety.
Read MorePolicies and procedures are an essential part of any organization. Together, they provide a roadmap for day-to-day operations.
Often the person creating the policies and procedures store them to memory – leaving the organization vulnerable to variances in how things are done. Read more at smartchurchmanagement.com.
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