These petitions are offered as guides to prayer for the global, social and outreach ministries of the ELCA, as well as for the needs and circumstances of our neighbors, communities and world. Thank you for your continued prayers for the life and mission of this church. Download a Word doc, or PDF for letter size printout or legal size printout, or read on the GCS news blog.
Read MoreOn March 28, 2019 the ELCA joined other US churches and Christian organizations in a statement rejecting President Trump’s recognition of Israeli annexation of the Golan Heights. Read the full statement here.
Read MoreToday’s post is by Linda Witte Henke, an artist specializing in liturgically purposed art for congregation, synod, and churchwide settings (See three new collections of print-on-demand banner fabrics at www.lindahenke.com). This is Linda’s third post offering designs and templates for using visuals to enrich worship.
Read MoreTo most of us in the United States, mosquitoes are nothing more than a pest. But in many places around the world, just one bite from an infected mosquito could transmit malaria. Every two minutes, a child dies from malaria – a preventable and curable disease. In a recent report, the World Health Organization warned that progress against malaria has stalled. World Malaria Day is a special time to remember our neighbors at heightened risk for this disease – and the ways God is working through and with them to reduce risk and build resilience.
Read MoreThe Patriarchs and Heads of Churches in Jerusalem shared an Easter message: read it here.
You can find the Easter message from Bishop Ibrahim Sani Azar, Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land here.
Read MorePortico’s 2016 social impact first (SIF) investment made through Impax Asset Management continued to deliver valuable environmental impact in 2017.
Impax, a global stock investment manager, is making a world-wide difference by investing in companies that employ measurable positive environmental strategies, including wind farms, solar technology, and wastewater-reduction and -treatment techniques. The strategy for Portico’s Impax investment is long-term growth, achieved by investing in these cleaner, more energy-efficient markets. Get the details.
Read MoreThis Ministry Check-In was submitted by Neil Bullock, Stewardship Project Coordinator, Domestic Mission, ELCA. Sometimes ministry cohorts arrange to go off site as part of their experience at ELCA Congregational Vitality Training Events. Read on to learn more about the workshop which took place during the training event held at Reformation Lutheran Church in Las Vegas.
Read MoreWe 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.
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