Posts in Leader Resources
Stewardship for All Seasons registration deadline set for April 23, 2021

Generous scholarships for congregations are available for congregations interested in the Stewardship for All Seasons program. Learn how to do year-round, ongoing stewardship, which results in more money for ministry.

For more information and a brochure about the program, please visit gcsynod.org/stewardship-for-all-seasons.

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Good Friday Worship Service premieres on Grand Canyon Synod YouTube

A Good Friday worship service—premiering April 2, 2021, at 6pm MST/PDT—is available on the synod’s YouTube channel and in this post. It is a service of Tenebrae, with reading of the passion by leaders from the Colorado River Conference, a message from Bishop Hutterer, and special music. Download the order of worship in PDF or as a Word doc.

Our thanks to Pastor Jason Adams, (Reformation Lutheran, Las Vegas) for heading up this project.

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We believe in the Holy Spirit: A global conversation on being Lutheran

The Lutheran World Federation (LWF) is engaged in a global study of contemporary Lutheran identities as they are lived in local church contexts. Between now and June you are invited to take part in a larger conversation, with a discussion guide titled We Believe in the Holy Spirit: Welcome to a Global Conversation on Being Lutheran.

This guide will help lead your congregation’s Christian education and/or youth group on a journey of mutual discovery and learning. View/download the guide.

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Creation-Focused Service for Earth Day 2021

For Earth Day April 25, 2021, Lutherans Restoring Creation is preparing a gorgeous program of liturgy, visual journeys, musical offerings, insights and inspiration. Bishop Elizabeth Eaton will be delivering the sermon. More info here.

Be sure to register and receive a link to download the service a week prior to the live presentation on April 25th (Good Shepherd Sunday). The entire worship service will also be offered via our YouTube and Facebook channels live that day.

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Lilly 3E Vital Right-Shaped Ministry Vitality and Innovation Grants

The New and Renewing Team of the Grand Canyon Synod is excited to announce the Lilly 3E Vital Right-Shaped Ministry (VRSM) Vitality and Innovation Grants. Click to download the application as a Word document.

Two Zoom information sessions will be offered about the grants, click a date to register: Thurs., 3/25/2021 @ 6 pm MST/PDT and Thurs., 4/8/2021 @ 1:30pm MST/PDT. Once registered, you will receive an email with your unique link to join the meeting.

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In Solidarity: Anti-Racism Training

Leaders are invited to an anti-racism training workshop each Saturday in May, 2021. The 1.5 hour workshops are led by Reverend Joan Crawford, whose ministry includes promoting interracial healing and dialogue. Spiritual leaders will be equipped to engage in conversations within their communities.

Hosted by Phoenix Fusion, the cost is $40/person, with attendance capped at 60 participants. Download the flyer and visit gcsynod.org/solidarity for more info.

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Synod assembly worship service will be available

Our 2021 synod assembly worship service will be made available for use by all congregations for use on the weekend of June 12 and 13, 2021.

Our assembly is Saturday June 12, 2021, with worship tentatively scheduled to be live-streamed at 3:30 pm MST/PDT. If our worship service is pre-recorded, the file will be made available earlier that week. If we are recording live, we will make the file available as soon as possible on Saturday.

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Good Friday Worship Service

A Good Friday worship service—premiering April 2, 2021, at 6pm MST/PDT—is available on the synod’s YouTube channel and in this post. It is a service of Tenebrae, with reading of the passion by leaders from the Colorado River Conference, a message from Bishop Hutterer, and special music. Download the order of worship in PDF or as a Word doc.

Our thanks to Pastor Jason Adams, (Reformation Lutheran, Las Vegas) for heading up this project.

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Lenten Reflection 5: What Will It Take to End Hunger? Action

As part of ELCA World Hunger’s 40 Days of Giving, this post and accompanying video continue a series weekly reflections.

Thus far this Lent, we have heard stories of God working through this church, our companions and our neighbors to end hunger. Here, in this last week, companions from Colombia will help teach us about the final tool: action.

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Covid Service of Lament available

The Grand Canyon Synod Covid Service of Lament is available in this blog post and on our Facebook, YouTube, and Vimeo. Download available on Vimeo.

We thank our participants: Rev. Alan Field; Carol Paulsen; Diakonia participants, Bill Aurand, Tina Gilson, Cheryl Pridgeon, and Cindy Stein; Bishop Hutterer; music from organist Lars Andersen and vocalists Sherri McClellan and Jennifer Wortman from Tanque Verde Lutheran in Tucson; and Pastor Sarah Stadler from Grace Lutheran in Phoenix.

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Worship services available for Holy Week and Easter

Save the date for two upcoming services, available for use on Monday of Holy Week, March 29, 2021. We’ll share additional details as we receive them.

In the Grand Canyon Synod, a Good Friday service is in the works, a project led by Pastor Jason Adams, Reformation Lutheran, Las Vegas.

A Region 2 worship for Easter 2 will be available, with Dr. Shauna Hannan, Professor of Homiletics at Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary, as the preacher.

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Day of Lament Against Anti-Asian Racism is March 21, 2021

The Asian and Pacific Islander Association of the ELCA recently issued a statement, affirmed by the ELCA Conference of Bishops, calling on the church to declare a day of lament during Lent to express solidarity with, help in healing and support Asian American victims of violence.

Sunday, March 21, has been named as the common date, though worshiping communities may choose a different date as appropriate for their context. Worship resources are available in this PDF.

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Service of Lament: one year of coronavirus

As we approach the time last year when we ceased in-person gathering, we take time to lament: an opportunity to express deeply held grief and frustration. Through Scripture, music, and prayer, we invite you to allow yourself to lament our life under COVID.

This service premieres on March 14th, 5pm MST, and will be available on our Facebook, YouTube, and Vimeo pages. Featuring Bishop Hutterer, Rev. Alan Field, Diakonia participants, and music from Tanque Verde Lutheran in Tucson as well as Pastor Sarah Stadler.

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