From Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service (LIRS) comes prayers for the season of Pentecost and A Litany of Hope, printable bulletin insert.
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In theaters June 17 & 19, Emanuel features intimate interviews with survivors and family members of the church shooting in Charleston, South Carolina four years ago.
Emanuel is a poignant story of justice and faith, love and hate, examining the healing power of forgiveness. Marking the fourth anniversary, EMANUEL will be in movie theaters across the country for two nights only. Watch the trailer on YouTube and book tickets at Fathom Events.
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In this season of Pentecost, as we open ourselves anew to the work of the Holy Spirit, the Rev. Elizabeth Eaton, presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), commends to this church the Arusha Call to Discipleship from the World Council of Churches.
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President Trump signed a $19.1 billion aid package for disaster impacted communities, approving funding for many states and territories in critical need of recovery.
Many ELCA leaders, including Bishop Deborah Hutterer, discussed these themes with lawmakers during their visit to Washington, DC.
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The synod office will be closed June 17, 2019, as the staff recuperates after Synod Assembly. Thanks to all those who helped us with this event!
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The Rev. Elizabeth A. Eaton, presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), has convened ELCA ecumenical and inter-religious partners in a statement addressing concerns over the well-being of children who cross the U.S. border seeking safety from danger and threats in their home countries.
“Children coming to our nation for safety and protection are dying at our southern border while in U.S. detention. As U.S. religious leaders representing diverse faith perspectives, we are united in our concern for the well-being of vulnerable migrants who cross our borders fleeing from danger and threats to their lives.” Read the full statement »
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Lutheran Social Services of the Southwest is urgently asking for churches to host groups of 30-100 migrants on a regularly scheduled basis, or to support churches that are doing this work through volunteers, in-kind, or financial support. With temperatures over 100, migrant families released by ICE and the Border Patrol are often left at "transportation hubs" that are sometimes nothing more than a barren, gravel pit next to the Greyhound bus station with no water, no restrooms, and little shade.
Read more about this humanitarian crisis or view this flier with contact info if you'd like to help.
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The Day of Pentecost has come, and we as a church continue to gather in community. Suddenly come the sounds of organs, pianos, guitars, drums, percussion, strings, brass and woodwinds, filling the sanctuaries. People sing, full of the breath of God, in languages, rhythms and melodies from around the world, ancient and new.
In worship, we give shape to our communal image of God. If you only ever worship using one musical style, you limit your capacity to paint a full image of God. Each song, instrument and rhythm has the capacity to reveal a new aspect of God to the worshiper.
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If you know anyone discerning their next life steps, Global Teach has many teaching ministry opportunities. Specifically, applicants are needed for the Central Europe Teachers’ Program. Visit the personnel link for more info.
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ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton has released a letter addressing states recently passing or considering legislation to restrict access to legal abortion. “Talking about abortion has never been easy in this country, and the same holds true in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. The members of this church have divergent beliefs and opinions about whether or not abortion should be legal,” the letter read in part.
“I commend you to study and discuss the ELCA social statement ‘Abortion.’ Through this social teaching and policy statement, this church seeks to travel a moderating path by supporting abortion as a last resort.”
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People fleeing for their lives, surrounded by walls of flame. The fury of Mother Nature tearing through everything in its path. That was the scene in Paradise, Calif., on the morning of Nov. 8, 2018.
One week prior to the fire, the congregation of Paradise Lutheran had completed the renovation of old classrooms into housing quarters and a communal living space. Although the church’s parsonage, garage and toolsheds burned to the ground, the church building itself was mainly spared.
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The ELCA is saddened by the all-too-frequent occurrences of gun violence in the U.S. We invite you on a journey of prayer, scripture, stories and church teachings with this resource, "A 60-Day Journey Toward Justice in a Culture of Gun Violence."
Together through daily observances, it calls us to work toward the prevention of gun violence as people of God who strive for justice and peace in all the world. It may be used for individual reflection, group Bible study, adult education sessions, and congregational daily devotions. Your journey is intended to start on June 16th, but this resource can be used at any time.
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Watch this ELCA video to see what the ELCA and LWF are doing to accompany and assist migrants deported from Mexico and the US. More info at: elca.org/ammparo
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We pray for Patrick Burns and the friends and family of Rev. Richard Andersen, who passed away on Sunday, June 2, surrounded by friends and family. Rest eternal grant to him, O Lord; and let light perpetual shine upon him.
Rev. Richard Andersen’s memorial service will be at Ascension Lutheran, Paradise Valley on Friday, June 21 at 3 pm. Clergy are invited to process: gather at 2:45, the color of the day is white.
Richard Andersen was born in Iowa and grew up in Minnesota. He was a Vietnam veteran and a graduate of the University of Minnesota and Luther Seminary. He initially helped construct the ARC Retreat Center in Minnesota.
He served as pastor at Watson Immanuel Lutheran churches in southwestern Minnesota. Later, he was Executive Director of the Foundation of St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church, Mahtomedi, Minnesota, while also serving as interim pastor at St. Paul-Reformation Lutheran Church in the city of St. Paul.
In 1991, Richard began a successful fifteen-year career at Thrivent Financial. He co-founded a Minnesota non-profit called Third Act Ministries which served groups of people as they individually considered ways in which to transform their lives. Before coming to Spirit in the Desert Retreat Center, Richard was called by the ELCA to be Director of Congregational Relations and Senior Major Gifts Officer for Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota (LSS).
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ELCA Advocacy has provided their June 2019 update, with advocacy action updates from: U.N. | California | Colorado | Kansas | Minnesota | Nevada (news from LEAN!) | New Mexico | Ohio | Pennsylvania | Washington| Wisconsin
William Ledford, Lutheran Engagement and Advocacy in Nevada (LEAN) writes in part: “LEAN has been very active this month given that our legislature only meets for a few months every two years and that we are currently at the end of the last month of the session.”
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A big thanks to the volunteers who assembled the name tags and registration packets today in the synod office. It was a Synod Assembly assembly line!
From Spirit of Hope in Mesa: Lynel Schleicher, Butch Schleicher, Marilyn Farrar and Bobbi Edwardson. From Bethany in Scottsdale: Mary Anne Clark.
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Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton shares what it means to be called, "For such a time as this," in her 2019 video message to ELCA Synod Assemblies.
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We uplift Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Mesa, AZ. Bethlehem Lutheran is a warm, spirit-touched faith community where all ages may grow in God’s love and grace.
We pray for: Pastor Chon Pugh; Laurel Green, Administrative Assistant; Arlene Jacobson, Worship Assistant; Carol Savoie, Parish Nurse; Jill Majestic, Noah's Ark Director; and Jordon Webb, Music Director.
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We pray for Emmanuel Lutheran Church, in Prescott Valley, AZ, an inclusive faith community that seeks to live the Word and Way of Christ's unconditional love.
We uplift: Pastor Tricia Lowe; Adam Bissell, Assistant Director; Cathy Namock, Organist; Gene Fougner, Music Ministry Coordinator; Jon Hust, Praise Team Leader; Mary Jensen, Office Manager; and Kimberly Robinson-Goats, Office Assistant.
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