At recent synod assemblies, we celebrated the collective work we have done as the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. Two videos were shared with each assembly, and now we offer these same resources for you to share in your congregation. We hope these videos will inspire our ministry moving forward.
Read MoreEvery year Lutheran Social Services of Nevada (LSSN) prepares backpacks filled with school supplies to help children in need in our community. Will you help us this year by grabbing a few extra school supplies when you do your family’s back-to-school shopping? For questions or to coordinate a delivery, contact Tristan Hightower at tristan@lssnv.org.
Read MoreWe uplift in prayer Rev. Jose Valenzuela and the people of Desert Streams Lutheran Church, in Surprise, AZ, as they invite everyone to a new life in Christ, a deeper relationship with Christ, and spirit filled service for Christ.
Read MoreWith much of the staff traveling, and while we hire a new director of administration, the Grand Canyon Synod office hours will be 9 am to noon on weekdays through the month of July. As a reminder, direct contact information for much of our staff is on our contact page.
Read MoreWe pray for Christ Lutheran Church, in Las Vegas, where they live out their calling to be followers of Jesus sharing Good News. We pray for their staff: William Phillips, Senior Pastor; Kristina Best, Church Administrator; Marianna Phillips, Child Care Director; Zane Skufca, Campus Logistics Coordinator; Patrick Panknin, Director of Worship Band; Taylor Welch, Youth Ministry Coordinator; Donna Fitzgerald, Bell Choir Director; Christine Phillips, Sunday School Coordinator; and Michael Phillips, Multi-Media Design.
Read MoreWhile working at Lutheran Social Services of the Southwest, I once met a refugee woman named Anastasia. When I asked her what she appreciated most about her new life in the United States, she told me it was the food in her cupboard, the water coming from her sink, and the fact that her children could go to school. She felt safe.
It really reminds you of the things in life that can be so easily missed.
Read MoreJenna Perry, daughter of Pastor Mark and Linda Perry, Sierra Evangelical Lutheran Church, is recovering at home. She has returned to work with reduced hours. Continued prayers are appreciated.
Read MoreClick here to take action to secure funding for humane and just immigration system. Use your voice as funding decisions are made.
The ELCA AMMPARO strategy is a holistic, whole church commitment by the ELCA to accompany people who are forced to flee their communities seeking protection from suffering or violence. As church together we work toward just and humane policies affecting migrants in and outside the United States.
Read MoreVisiting those in prison is one of the fundamental calls in fulfilling the gospel, but within that call lies an invitation to relationship. Pastor Fred Nelson from Redeemer Lutheran Church in Park Ridge, Ill., is founder and executive director of The Inside Out Network, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping connect people both inside prisons and those beyond the walls in more meaningful, effective ways. Listen to the podcast.
Read MoreWe uplift in prayer New Song Lutheran Church in Henderson, NV. We pray for: Paul Block, Lead Pastor; David Miller, Assistant Pastor; Jacqueline Anne, Director, Christian Academy and Parish Assistant; Shani Fjelsted, Finance; and Gershon Gordon, Director of Children, Youth and Families.
Read MoreWe pray for the congregation at Ascension Lutheran Church, in Paradise Valley, AZ, as they grow as a a vibrant, team-driven congregation. We pray for Rev. Paul Campbell, pastor; Tom Mueller, Parish Administrator and Treasurer; Dr. Karen Parthun, Director of Music; Dale Niehaus, organist and choral accompanist; Judy Lenz, lead Children’s Minister; Mary Wilkinson, assistant administrator; and Carol Hoy, office volunteer.
Read MoreWe offer up prayers of thanksgiving and support for Norine Floyd, our outgoing Director of Administration and Events. Anyone who has interacted with Norine this year has surely noted her friendliness, professionalism, and attention to detail.
Norine has been the steady center of the Office of the Bishop in this transitional year. Building from a good foundation, she leaves the office with an efficient system in place and detailed operations manuals. We are also very grateful for her coordination of this year’s synod assembly.
Norine and her husband David are returning to Santa Fe, New Mexico, where David has a teaching job. We hold our time together close to our hearts.
Read MoreThese 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.
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