Give thanks for the ELCA’s long-standing commitment to interreligious and ecumenical relations that promote understanding among Christians and greater unity among Christ’s people.
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We pray for the congregation of Good Samaritan Lutheran Church in Las Vegas, and uplift: Don Lorfing, Senior Pastor; Scott Hove, Executive Pastor; Darin Bradford, Music Director; Miriam Dake, Executive Director of Good Samaritan Christian Academy; Kim Niehaus, Finance Administrator; Holly Paet, Office Administrator; Jamie Rosas, Sunday School Director; Natalee Butler, Youth Director / Connections Coordinator; Tommi Garza, Communications Coordinator; and Doug Pippenger, Facilities Manager.
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It is important to know which records and information a congregation or synod should keep and which can be removed. Some records need to be maintained permanently, and others can be discarded periodically.
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Pray that we will be bold witnesses, evangelists and teachers inspired, equipped and sent by the Spirit and our sisters and brothers in Christ to proclaim the gospel and to counsel, encourage and help people to discern truth from falsehood.
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Pray for the Lutheran World Federation’s global study of contemporary Lutheran identities as they are lived in the local contexts of Lutheran churches, and for the leaders now gathering for “We Believe in the Holy Spirit: Global Perspectives on Lutheran Identity,” a global consultation hosted by the Ethiopian Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
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October 31, 2019 Webinar – Noon Eastern Time: An interview with Mona Fuerstenau, Director of Ministry Partnerships at Bethesda Lutheran Communities, Watertown, WI. The discussion will explore the challenges and possibilities aging parents face as they make plans for their adult children with disabilities after they are gone. Register in advance.
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Look around and listen to the people you have encountered today. Remember in your prayers their joys, struggles, questions and sorrows.
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This World Food Day, ELCA World Hunger is pleased to announce four ministries that have been awarded Big Dream Grants. ELCA World Hunger’s Big Dream Grants, one-time gifts of $10,000 to $75,000, support domestic ministries as they pursue innovative and sustainable approaches to ending hunger.
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Pray that the Spirit will make us persistent and fearless in our prayers, especially on behalf of people who long for justice, mercy, peace and relief from suffering.
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I spend months and months planning before we leave for a Gathering, after I have thought and prepared and over-planned, I lay awake at night…Will they all get along? Will we bond as a group? Will this be worth it?
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Pray that we will seek ways of supporting and affirming youth and family ministers in their work of faith formation, equipping young people with life skills, engaging young people in service, supporting parents and inspiring and encouraging new leaders.
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From the ELCA Advocacy blog by guest blogger the Rev. Lamont Wells, President of the African Descent Lutheran Association
The sidewalk alongside 116th Street was filled with hungry consumers lined up to purchase that very popular chicken sandwich from Popeyes as I left my local gym. I paused and watched the line grow longer and overheard various conversations.
While I listened, a young male said aloud, “I haven’t registered to vote yet!” I ran upstairs to my condo and grabbed a handful of voter registration applications leftover from a previous drive.
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Pray for the countries of Central America, especially for children and youth who are traumatized by violence and have fled to other countries; for an end to gang violence and drug trafficking; for a more just distribution of wealth; and for Christians and communities of faith to have courage and persistence in living out the gospel.
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10/18/19 Deadline! As we take applications for 2020 GCS grants, we share stories from our 2019 Grant recipients, which you can see on our Grant Dollars at Work page.
House of Prayer, Rock Point, AZ: Participants are growing accustomed to telling their story and seeing themselves as a part of God’s story in this time and place. Visitors to the Mission are also engaging with local folks in conversation and sharing. Guests who have come to “eat and run” in the past are sticking around to talk. The conversation and encouragement is especially helpful to the elderly.
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From Allie Papke-Larson comes this reflection. Papke-Larson is Program Coordinator for Lutheran Campus Ministries/Canterbury Episcopal Campus Ministries at Northern Arizona University and Youth Director at Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church in Flagstaff.
The cooling weather brings the changing and falling leaves, the sun shines with a less direct light, our once long days, shortening.
This time of year has me thinking about the transitions in my own life. I remember what a friend told me once, she said finding our way can be like being in the belly of the whale: we can’t see that we are moving, growing, crossing an entire sea. It feels like we are sitting still, even though movement and growth are happening.
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We pray for Pastor Abel Arroyo Traverso, and healing from his back injury so he may return to his chosen career of doing God's work.
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The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) joins the Church of Sweden and The Episcopal Church in a commitment to work together to advocate for national and international policies that address the urgency of the climate crisis and help create resilient communities while leaving no one behind. This statement is a renewal and update of the commitment made by the three church bodies in 2013.
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My parents moved to the United States from India in 1970. My mom was a newlywed and eighteen years old. Just a few months after marrying my dad, they packed up two suitcases, with $200 dollars to their names, and boarded a plane to travel halfway across the world. My parents were strangers in a strange land.
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We pray the congregation of St. John's Lutheran Church in Glendale, AZ, as they follow Jesus in the Lutheran tradition. We uplift in prayer Pastor Peter Perry, Church Secretary Jennifer Roland, Choir Director Leo Lai, and Organist Virginia Harmon.
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Remember God’s just and merciful works throughout history, the help and compassion we receive, the gifts and resources that sustain our lives, and the new covenant made with us in Jesus Christ.
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