We uplift the congregation of Faith Lutheran Church in Phoenix, Arizona, and its staff: Rev. Lara Forbes; Deedee Ursin, Office Administrator; Dr. Craig Westendorf, Director of Music; Dennis Hart, Sexton; Benjamin Olmedo, Custodian; and Deana Cortes, Acting Preschool Director.
Read MoreWe pray for Pastor Brian Weinberger and the congregation of Grace Lutheran Church in Kingman, Arizona, as they reach out to others with the love of Jesus Christ and grow together in discipleship through the life-transforming power of the Gospel.
Read MoreAn “Ingathering” is the collection of quilts and kits, in one central location, for Lutheran World Relief. Quilts and Care Kits send a message that the world has not forgotten individuals and families in need. But they need to be collected! If you have quilts and kits assembled according to instructions from www.lwr.org, join us at the truck for an "Ingathering" of items as LWR collects our gifts of quilts and kits.
Saturday, May 4, 2019, 9:00 am to 1:00 pm, at Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran, 1500 W. Maryland Ave, Phoenix AZ 85015.
Read MoreOur synod assembly has stewardship opportunities for your worshipping communities and voting members. We will be collecting in-kind donations for families seeking asylum, as well as worship offerings to be shared equally with the ELCA Campaign and the Bishop’s Synod Leadership Development Fund.
Items needed include new and WHITE towels, medications, underwear, socks, hygiene items, food, backpacks, used or new clothing. For particular details on these items, please view our blog post, or read this Word document or PDF.
Read MoreLast Saturday, April 13th, Pastor Miguel Gomez-Acosta and Don Stevens worshipped at Native American Urban Ministry (NAUM), one of the ministries made possible through mission support to the Grand Canyon Synod.
During worship there is a time for testimony called “Shared Blessings,” where people stand and “testify” of God’s action and presence in life. We heard amazing stories of how God had touched people’s lives through NAUM.
Read MoreThe Rev. Robert C. Blezard continues to provide a “Stewardship Toolkit” for congregations. This month’s theme: Stewardship of community.
It consists of an original newsletter article and RCL-based “stewardship snippets” that they can cut and paste into their publications. It also has resources to explore the theme set out in the newsletter article.
Read MoreThank you to everyone who has directed Thrivent Choice dollars to the Grand Canyon Synod. This is one more way that we are Church Together.
Get more information on the Thrivent Choice program.
Read MoreLeave no one behind.
This was the ambitious commitment in the creation of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The SDGs are a set of universal goals “unique in that they cover issues that affect us all. They reaffirm our international commitment to end poverty, permanently, everywhere. They are ambitious in making sure no one is left behind” (undp.org background). These 17 goals, such as zero hunger, are for striving toward by developed and developing countries.
Read MoreWe are delighted to share that Pastor Sharon Brown has agreed to serve as the next Dean of the High Country Conference. Many thanks to Pastor Kurt Fangmeier for serving as Dean these past years and creating a strong sense of collegiality. Please welcome Pastor Brown to this new role. She joined the GCS in October 2018 and serves at Spirit of Joy, Clarkdale.
Thanks to both of these pastors and to each of you for being church together, better together for the sake of God’s world.
Read MoreAs these words are written, the fire in Notre Dame, the historic cathedral in the heart of Paris, has finally been brought under control. Memorable scenes of the day include the silhouette of the church against the towering flames, the tall spire collapsing, and mourners praying as they watched in horror. Read more»
Faith Lens features weekly bible studies that engage youth and young adults in connecting world events with the Bible, faith, and everyday life.
Read MoreI am flooded with joy thinking of the special traditions and celebrations that have just taken place across the Synod this past Holy Week. Thank you for proclaiming the new life and hope of life in Jesus into the hearts and spirits of so many.
I am also reminded that the very first Easter was something much different. As they went to the tomb, the followers of Jesus might have felt that they were abandoned by God and that death had the last word.
Read MoreThe April "I'm a Lutheran" feature, Martin Kaste, is a National Public Radio (NPR) correspondent, the son of a Lutheran pastor, and a member of Phinney Ridge Lutheran Church, Seattle.
If you’d like to nominate someone for “I’m a Lutheran,” email megan.brandsrud@elca.org.
Read MorePrayers for retired Pastor Phil Petrasek, his wife Linda and their family as he suffers with failing health and a move to hospice care.
Read MoreWe uplift in prayer Peace Lutheran Church in Peoria, Arizona, as they share Christ with the world and grow disciples for Jesus. We pray for Pastor Al Cassel and the admin staff of Peace: Lesley Moosman, Parish Administration; Michelle Stadler, Secretary/Receptionist; Randy Vossler, Facilities Manager; Rita Mae Schaefer, Office Manager; and Sue Behrens, Bookkeeper.
Read MoreWe pray for the congregation of Desert Hills Lutheran Church in Green Valley, Arizona, and their pastors, Rev. Dr. Martin Overson and Rev. Ken Nyhusmoen, as they celebrate grace, make disciples, and make a difference.
Read MoreThe Global Engagement team is currently seeking applications for young adults who would like to travel to Senegal this July and create relationships with young adults from our companion church. Application deadline is May 10, 2019. Download a flyer and an application to learn more.
Read MoreThe Wartburg Choir will tour Arizona from April 25 - April 27, 2019 with stops in Yuma, Paradise Valley and Tucson. View more and purchase tickets here.
Read MoreRick Warren writes about how to break through the 200 – 300 attendance barrier.
“It is a barrier, a real barrier. We had a harder time getting through that barrier — getting above 300 — than going from 1000 to 3000. It’s a definite, distinct barrier.”
Read MoreThe Church Council of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) met at the Lutheran Center in Chicago April 4-7. The council, which serves as the ELCA's board of directors, took action on a variety of matters designed to help move the church's mission and ministries forward.
Council members voted to recommend to the 2019 Churchwide Assembly adoption of the proposed social statement "Faith, Sexism, and Justice: A Lutheran Call to Action" and the related implementing resolutions. They expressed appreciation to the task force and churchwide staff for their six years of service in development of the social statement. The ELCA 2019 Churchwide Assembly will meet in Milwaukee Aug. 5-10.
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