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 view the ELCA resource page.
Read MoreWe pray for the young people participating in “A Love that Never Ends” Campformation event this week at Camp Pinerock in Prescott, AZ. May they have a safe, fun and faith-filled week.
Read MoreAs we celebrate the gift of freedom, pray for those in our communities, our nation and our world who still experience oppression, persecution or inequality. Ask for God’s forgiveness for the ways in which we deliberately or unconsciously exert or support control over others for our own benefit or advantage; pray that we might exercise our freedom responsibly and compassionately for the well-being of all people.
Read MoreAs we prepare for the 2020 GCS grant process, we have assembled stories from our 2019 Grant recipients, which you can see on our Grant Dollars at Work page. We’ll be highlighting recipients in the coming weeks, and first up is Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Prescott Valley, AZ.
Their Feed the Hungry Program serves 125-145 hot meals on the second Friday of each month to anyone in the community who is hungry.
Read MoreLutheran Social Services of Nevada (LSSN) is excited and grateful to announce that on June 18th Clark County Commissioners approved a grant of more than $6.1 million in marijuana business licensing fees to help provide nearly 600 beds for homeless families in our community through LSSN, HopeLink, and HELP of Southern Nevada. Of that $6.1 million, LSSN was approved for $1,970,781.00 to rapidly rehouse and provide supportive services to 60 literally homeless families with children.
Read more good news in the LSSN July newsletter »
Read MoreRobert ("Bob") Duea, age 79, passed away with family by his side on June 27, 2019, at the Banner Del E. Webb Medical Center in Sun City West. Bob was a man of spiritual strength and found his call to service through Lutheran Social Services (LSS).
Family, friends and others whose lives Bob touched are invited to the Lord of Life Lutheran Church, 13724 W. Meeker Blvd., Sun City West, AZ, on Saturday, July 6, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. to reminisce, grieve, support each other and, of course, celebrate a loving man.
O God of grace and glory, we remember before our brother Bob. We thank you for giving him to us to know and to love as a companion in our pilgrimage on earth. In your boundless compassion, console us who mourn. Give us faith to see that death has been swallowed up in the victory of our Lord, Jesus Christ, so that we may live in confidence and hope until, by your call, we are gathered to our heavenly home in the company of all your saints; through Jesus Christ, our Saviour and Lord. Amen.
Read MoreAs we collaborate more and more with the Episcopal Diocese of Arizona, we’re happy to announce that we are promoting each other’s job listings. We’re cross-linking job pages, and we’ll announce Episcopal job listings as we get them.
Check out the Episcopal Diocese of Arizona job page to view information on the following listings: Parish Administrator (Part Time) - St. Stephen's, Phoenix; Campus Ministry Coordinator (Full Time) - Incarnation Campus Ministry, ASU Polytechnic Campus, Mesa; and Choir Director (Part Time) - St. Thomas, Clarkdale.
Have a job or volunteer opportunity to share? Let us know on our newsletter submission page, and remember, you’ll get double the exposure from the Episcopal Diocese site.
Read MoreIn a tight timeline before July 9, consider making a public comment to the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), on a proposed rulemaking that would prohibit mixed-immigration status families from living in federal affordable housing programs.
Read MoreIn her July column for Living Lutheran, ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton asks: “How do we live as people of Truth in a time of spin?” In deep humility, profound gratitude and real joy. Read her column in English at https://bit.ly/2NrsO6H and in Spanish at https://bit.ly/2JaSfDS, or download the column as PDF or as a Word doc.
Read MoreOn May 3, 2019, Cyclone Fans, a category four storm, made landfall in Puri, Odisha, India, the first to hit Odisnha in 43 years. At least 16 million people were affected and 43 people have been reported dead, with about 508,000 homes damaged.
Read MoreRecent news stories of appalling conditions at immigrant detention centers and of deep human sorrow on our country’s southern border have many of us desperate to be part of change.
Lutherans have a deep-rooted history in refugee and immigrant issues. One of every six Lutherans in the world was a refugee or displaced person after WWII. The God-given dignity in all people and value of family unity have been cornerstones of ELCA faith-based advocacy, and we understand that many immigrants, as well as their families, are both afraid and confused by recent developments. Here are some ways Lutherans have acted and can continue to respond.
Read MoreTwo important anniversary dates occurred last week. On June 19th there was the observance of Juneteenth, the date on which African descent slaves in Texas received the good news that they had been set free from their bondage. Two days earlier marked the fourth anniversary of the slaying of nine African descent Christians at a Bible Study in their church in Charleston, South Carolina, by a young man hoping to start a race war. On both of those dates last week, there was a nationwide showing of the documentary “Emanuel.”
Read MoreThe world is in a critical state, and we are far behind in our efforts to limit global warming. There are four numbers that matter:
1.5 or less – The degrees Celsius to which we must limit global warming;
2050 – the year by which the world must reach carbon neutrality;
2030 – the year by which we must limit global emissions by 35-40%; and
2020 – when new and revised Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), quantifying commitment for greenhouse gas reductions, must be issued by countries.
We uplift in prayer American Lutheran Church of Sun City, AZ. We pray for Rev. Lowell D. Nelson, Senior Pastor; Rev. Gary R. Ulrich, Pastor of Care; Rev. Gary R. Garvey, Pastor of Visitation; Linda Shirck, Interim Organist; Janet MacDonald, Interim Choir Director; George Zoske, Director of Christo Bells; Julie Ochs, Financial Coordinator; Diane Lewis, Admin. Assistant; Carol Weber, Financial Consultant; Lori Kellar, Wellness Coordinator; Judy Gilmore, Communications Coordinator/Admin Assistant; Dave Tigges, Property / Grounds,
Read MoreWe offer prayers of support for Pastor David Pavesic and the people of Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church, Tucson, including: Jenni Pavesic, Office Administrator; Rebecca Solomon, Accompanist; and W. Aaron Rice, Music Director.
Read MoreUniversity Lutheran Church, Tempe, AZ, shares news articles of Ruth Wootten: “Ruth Wootten has consistently volunteered for 57 years, most recently at Banner Gateway Medical Center in Gilbert. She has most recently manned the information desk at the center, "where she helps visitors with a smile."
Watch news of Ruth on Fox 10, 12 News, and ABC 15.
Read MoreJuly 15-19, 2019: This continuing education event for pastors and church leaders will explore how concepts from a MBA program can be applied to the arena of congregational life. Learn more about their entire program and register here: Executive Skills for Church Leaders.
Read MoreTanque Verde Lutheran Church and Lutheran Social Services of the Southwest got a mention in this Tucson.com article. “Refugees and community resource groups in Tucson celebrated the day with live music, food and children’s games and activities. Community groups also provided information for refugees as they integrate into the Tucson community.”
Read MoreSome of our synod pastors want the synod to be aware of recent scam messages sent to church members. The messages purport to be from their pastor and asking them to do him a favor asap. When they responded they were asked to purchase an eBay gift card for a friend in the hospital. These are scams, and should be deleted.
View this resource page from the FTC for ways you can protect yourself from phishing scams.
Read MoreCongrats to New Spirit Lutheran Church, Tucson, and All Saints Lutheran Church, Phoenix!
Recipients of the Servant of Christ Award from Lutheran Social Services of the Southwest, they have truly shown the love of our Savior and embodied the mission of Lutheran Social Services—showing kindness, doing justice, and serving those in need.
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