On May 26, 2019, an 8.0 magnitude earthquake struck northern Peru. Within days of the disaster, our local faith-based partner reached out to rural Lutheran churches and conducted community needs assessments to determine damage from the earthquake. Continue to pray for all those impacted by this earthquake.
Read MorePray that we will be moved by God’s love and impartiality to extend hospitality and acceptance to our neighbor, especially those who are in need, are strangers to us or are disregarded by society.
Read More501(c)(3) organizations are prohibited from certain kinds of political activity, so your congregation must understand what is permissible and what is strictly prohibited in order to maintain its tax-exempt status.
Read MoreMost years, Congress recesses for the month of August. Legislators return to their home states and congressional districts and connect with constituents.
This is a great opportunity for local advocates to engage with elected officials, ask questions and share concerns. Our August Recess Guide contains tips for communicating with your elected officials and candidates this month.
Here are some timely questions and talking points based upon ELCA Advocacy priorities.
Read MoreGive thanks that God is attentive and responsive to us. Pray that we will never be timid about bringing to God our every matter, need, hope, question, sorrow and joy.
Read MoreMy name is Joan Daye and I am a member of Grace Lutheran Church in Evanston, IL. I am sixteen years old, and I was one of sixteen high school students to go on the Interfaith Youth Justice Trip over spring break, youth from Grace, Beth Emet Synagogue and Second Baptist Church, all located in Evanston, IL.
Read MorePray for those involved in planning and preparing the 2019 ELCA Churchwide Assembly in Milwaukee, and for congregations, synods, voting members and leaders who will share their faith, wisdom, concerns and recommendations for strengthening and furthering our participation in God’s reconciling work in the world.
Read MorePastor Tom Dunham of writes: “On Monday, July 22, two semi loads of clothing arrived from Pennsylvania at Streams in the Desert Lutheran Church in Tucson. The 44,000 pounds of clothing was unloaded by hand and stacked in the church’s storage shed in less than 3 hours. Members of Streams and many other area churches, totaling 50 volunteers, worked hard in the summer heat in this labor of love. Over the next three weeks trucks from McAllen, Texas to San Ysidro, California will be arriving to take loads of clothing back to the refugee and asylum centers along the Mexican border. We are truly the church together!”
Read MoreRemember in prayer the 10 young people working alongside our companions in Mexico as part of the ELCA Young Adults in Global Mission program. Remember also the Rev. Meghan Brown Saavedra, YAGM country coordinator, and the Rev. David and Alicia Brondos, ELCA missionaries teaching at the Seminario Luterano Augsburgo in Mexico City.
Read MoreVoting members will convene Aug. 5-10 for the 2019 ELCA Churchwide Assembly at the Wisconsin Center in Milwaukee. This will be the 15th gathering of the assembly, the primary decision-making body of the ELCA.
To follow along with the assembly from home, livestream the proceedings at elca.org/cwa.
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 MorePastors, deacons and council of the Grand Canyon Synod are cordially invited to the Bishop’s Fall Gathering, October 21-22, 2019 in Chandler, Arizona.
We are very excited to bring in Tod Bolsinger, author of Canoeing the Mountains: Christian Leadership in Uncharted Territory, who will lead us in creating new possibilities of communicating Jesus and connecting people. Register by 8/30/19 to save $25.
Read MoreRepresentatives from the Grand Canyon Synod joined other young people and adults from across the Midwest at Augustana College, Illinois, for Leadership Lab 2019.
Sixteen youth, along with Youth Minister Marissa Metevelis, Pastor Matt Metevelis (Reformation Lutheran, Las Vegas) and Pastor Jacqui Pagel explored tactics to have constructive conversations with adults, grow the church, and confirm where their faith and the world intersect.
Read MoreIt is with great joy that we welcome Theresa Thornburgh as our new Director for Administration and Events!
Theresa’s background includes teaching business and computer applications at the college and high school level, office administration, and retail management. In her spare time, she enjoys running, travel, baking, volunteer work, and spending time with her large extended family.
Read MoreBy your word, eternal God, your creation sprang forth, and we were given the breath of life. By your word, eternal God, death is overcome, Christ is raised from the tomb, and we are given new life in the power of your Spirit. May we boldly proclaim this good news in our words and our deeds, rejoicing always in your powerful presence. Direct the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America by your Word, as this church prepares to gather in assembly.
Read MoreWe send prayers to Rev. Linda Hanus and the congregation of Faith Lutheran Church in Yuma, AZ.
Read MoreLoving God, through holy baptism you continue to make us new and gather us together across all human divisions reconciling us to yourself in one body through the cross. Strengthen us by your presence, that our thoughts and actions may be rooted and grounded in your love for us. Direct the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America by your reconciling love, as this church prepares to gather in assembly.
Read MoreWe pray for Pastor Fred Soltow and his wife Sarah as Fred recovers from a heart attack. Fred is a pastor at Covenant Lutheran Church, Quartzsite, AZ.
Read MoreWe lift up in prayer Pastor Mateo Chavez and the people of San Juan Bautista Lutheran Church in Tucson, AZ.
Read MoreFor many Lutherans, immigration is a memory that is still alive in ourselves and our families. You may have grown up in a congregation that worshipped in different languages. Your home church might have had German inscribed in the stained glass, or you celebrated a holiday with special foods.
Our involvement with immigration is as old as the Bible.
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