We pray for the family and friends of Gerald C. Spiess, who passed to the arms of Jesus on April 29, 2022. He was surrounded by family, including his wife, Evelyn, and daughter, Bishop Deborah Hutterer. “Jerry had heart trouble, but he did not have a troubled heart.”
Read MoreFor the protection of people and all creatures in the path of wildfires in New Mexico, Arizona, and Nebraska…
For Ukrainian refugees, displaced internally and internationally, and for all refugees of armed conflict throughout the world…
With thanksgiving for the gifts of Asians, Asian Americans, and Pacific Islanders in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and throughout society…
For our Muslim neighbors celebrating Eid al-Fitr, marking the end of their Ramadan fast…
For synods, their leaders, and their bishops as synod assemblies begin to gather…
For all who were baptized or who affirmed their baptisms at Easter…
Note: We update this post with a full obituary, a website to share stories and celebrate Rev. Jerry’s life, info on donating in his memory, and the celebration of life service at Wittenberg University in Springfield, Ohio on May 16, 2022. Read more in this special newsletter from Sierra Pacific Synod.
We grieve with Carol Schmalenberger and her family at the death of Rev. Dr. Jerry Schmalenberger, April 25, 2022 in Sedona, Arizona.
Read MoreWe give thanks for the life of Pastor Ron Golberg, who died April 20, 2022. We pray for his wife Jewel, his family, friends, and congregations he served.
Services will be held Thursday, May 5, 2022 at 1pm at Desert Hills Lutheran, 2150 South Camino Del Sol, Green Valley, AZ 85622. We will provide updates as we receive them.
Read MoreWe pray for Rev. Ryan Hersch and the people of Peace Lutheran Church in Peoria, part of the Cactus Conference. Visit their site at peaceaz.org.
Read MoreWe pray for Deacon Katie Adelman and the people of House of Prayer Lutheran Church in Rock Point, part of the High Country Conference. Visit their site at nelm.org/church.
Read MoreFor people facing violence in the Donbas region of Ukraine…
For Orthodox Christians celebrating Easter this week…
For interfaith peace and understanding as people of different faiths observe this holy time of year…
For wisdom and compassion to treasure and preserve our planet, God’s own beloved creation…
For our Jewish neighbors as they observe Yom HaShoah and for people facing genocide throughout the world…
We pray for Rev. Tina Mills, interim pastor Doris Nolan, and the people of Our Savior’s of East Mesa Lutheran Church in Mesa and Gold Canyon, part of the Rio Salado Conference. Visit their site at oslcaz.org, and their Facebook page.
Read MoreFor loved ones of the six million people who have died of Covid-19 around the world…
For our Jewish neighbors, siblings in God’s covenant, observing Passover…
For the people who have been displaced by the war in Ukraine and for refugees seeking safety everywhere…
For victims and loved ones of those affected by the subway shooting in New York…
For people living in poverty and all who are struggling to pay their bills…
For farmers and farmworkers as they plant their fields for the coming season…
For the preservation and renewal of the earth, God’s creation entrusted to us…
We pray for Rev. Beth Gallen and the people of New Journey Lutheran Church in Fountain Hills, part of the Northeast Valley Conference. Visit their site at njlc-fh.org and their Facebook page.
Read MorePastor David Brandfass, with Christ Lutheran Church in Sedona, writes that Rev. Dr. Jerry Schmalenberger is now under the care of hospice at Sedona Winds Assisted Living, a memory care facility. Brandfass writes, “Since he was the President of Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary in the 1990’s, many of our synod pastors might know him.“
Anyone wanting to send a card can contact the synod office for the address.
Read MoreWe pray for Rev. Jeremy Nausin and the people of Holy Spirit Lutheran Church in Las Vegas, part of the Colorado River Conference. Visit their site at holyspiritlasvegas.org, and their social media pages on Facebook and YouTube.
Read MoreFor the victims of violence in Bucha, Ukraine, and for all witnesses of the atrocities of war…
For the victims and survivors of the mass shooting in Sacramento, CA…
For our Muslim neighbors observing the holy month of Ramadan and for our Jewish neighbors preparing for Passover…
For all areas suffering damage, injury, or loss of life in spring storms…
With thanksgiving for the gifts of people with autism and for all who offer care and support to them…
We pray for Pastor Thaddeus Book (Desert Cross, Tempe) who was recently admitted to the hospital needing antiobiotics to treat an elbow infection.
“O Lord, your compassions never fail and your mercies are new every morning. We give you thanks for giving Pastor Thadd both relief from pain and hope of health renewed. Continue in him the good work you have begun; that he, daily increasing in bodily strength and rejoicing in your goodness, may so order his life and conduct that he may always think and do those things that please you; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.”
Read MoreWe pray for Rev. Sarah Stadler and the people of Grace Lutheran Church in Phoenix, part of the Capital Conference. Visit their site at graceinthecity.com, and their social media pages on Facebook and YouTube.
Read MoreFor further casualties suffered by combatants and civilians in Ukraine…
For those who suffer or grieve interpersonal violence
For areas suffering wind and storm damage…
For all drivers, passengers, and first responders involved in the massive crash on the Pennsylvania interstate…
For those navigating chronic, invisible, or progressive illnesses…
For those grieving loved ones killed by terrorist gunfire in Tel Aviv…
For youth who are navigating questions of identity, gender, and sexual orientation, and for the trusted adults who support them…
For our Muslim siblings as they begin the observance of Ramadan…
We pray for Rev. Jeffery Gallen and the people of Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church in Goodyear, part of the Cactus Conference. Visit their site at christevangelical.org, and their social media pages on Facebook and Youtube.
Read MoreWe pray for Rev. William Timm and the people of Gloria de Cristo Lutheran Church in Yuma, part of the Cactus Conference. Visit their site at gloriadecristo.com/, and their social media pages on Facebook and Youtube.
Read MoreIn this letter, former Bishop Lowell G. Almen encourage pastors, deacons, and congregations to remember with gratitude the 35th birthday of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) on April 30, 2022.
Read MoreWe give thanks for the life of Pastor Dale W. Hallberg, who died February 7, 2022, of natural causes. We pray for his family, friends, and congregations he served.
Services will be held Saturday, April 2, 2022, 1pm MST, at Sun Lakes Chapel for All Faith, 9240 E Sun Lakes Blvd N, Sun Lakes, AZ 85248. Rev. Thaddeus Book is officiating.
Pastor Hallberg worked to advance civil rights as a community leader, marching with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in Selma in 1965 and being part of a Lutheran delegation sent to investigate conditions in apartheid South Africa in the early 1980s.
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