In observance of Veterans Day, ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton invites congregations to hold a Sunday of prayer and action. Congregations are encouraged to invite veterans to share their stories, learn about the issues they face, and let them know that the church is grateful for their service.
Read MoreFrom 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.
From September 2015 to September 2017 I lived and worked in an intentional community located in the North Cascades of Washington State called Holden Village. My time in the village deeply shaped me and I would like to share with you a piece of what it felt like to begin to leave that place.
Read MoreThe Rev. Scott Hackler was installed as pastor at Spirit of Grace Lutheran Church, Surprise, AZ on Sunday, October 20, 2 pm.
Read MoreI couldn’t breathe. It was minutes before I was to be ushered in front of thousands of excited teens for the 2018 ELCA Youth Gathering in Houston, Texas. It would be the most vulnerable I have ever been to such a large crowd of strangers. I felt paralyzed, the words had run out of my head, my heart was pounding, palms sweating, fear course through my veins.
Read MoreMarriage is a complicated thing. Some families come from traditional marriages and others are blended. Marriage takes a lot of commitment, work and faithfulness. There are also many reasons to get married, but the primary reason, according to an article from Pew Research, is to marry for love. 88% cited love as an important reason to get married. Other reasons listed are commitment, companionship and to have children.
Read MoreWe’d like to thank the Planning Committee for the 16th Annual Retirees Retreat, conducted at the Spirit of the Desert Retreat Center in early November. Thanks to their leadership, 85 participants gathered for a stimulating learning event under the theme: “AWAKENING... STILL: The Importance of Knowing the Right Questions!”
Read MorePray for the leaders of our church who serve on the ELCA Church Council. Ask the Spirit to guide their work of enabling and supporting our church as we strive to do God’s work in the world with thoughtfulness, integrity, respect and partnerships that share a common vision.
Read MoreWe pray for Epiphany of Christ Lutheran Church, Apache Junction, AZ, as they invite all to worship, grow through study, fellowship and mission. We lift up Pastor Steve Crittenden, Office Manager Angel Frolander, Treasurer Jan Andersen, Organist Kay Johnson, Choir Director Bob McDowell. We pray for their church council: President Judy Holder, Secretary Tracie Curtis, Bookkeeper Angel Frolander, Treasurer Jan Andersen, Carolyn Lewis, Don Gimpel, Sandra Johnson, Dan & Betty Miller, Fran LeVeque, Roger Larsen, Clay Worst, and Joe Jacobson.
Read MoreEntrusted with sharing the gospel and doing God’s work in the world, pray that we will be faithful in our baptismal calling and encourage one another in following the word and ways of God.
Read MoreSpirit in the Desert Retreat Center is honored to welcome Bishop Jim Hazelwood, from the New England Synod ELCA! He has just published a new book, Everyday Spirituality...Discover a Life of Hope, Peace and Meaning. He will be using this book as the basis for leading the retreat, February 18-20, 2020. Download the flyer or visit the website for more info.
Read More“When our tone is automatically uncivil and it’s automatically accusatory, how can we ever hope that we’re actually going to communicate with somebody else if we’ve already belittled and accused them?” said the Rev. Elizabeth A. Eaton, ELCA presiding bishop, in a Religion News Service article (10/31/19) highlighting that civility is not mutually exclusive to speaking out against injustice.
Read MorePray for the leaders of our communities, states and nation, that they will ground their priorities, decisions, work and legislative actions in concern for justice, the environment, the well-being of people in need and the diverse contexts and communities in our country.
Read MoreIn her November column for Living Lutheran, ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton compares doubt to winter—it can seem long, cold, barren, isolating and lonely. But she reminds us that doubt is part of faith—and God will carry us through the winter. Read her column in English at https://bit.ly/2oDi1dX and in Spanish at https://bit.ly/328m8wj.
Read MoreWe pray for the congregation of Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church in Phoenix, Arizona, called to share God's story, grow in God's love and serve God's world…together in Christ. We lift up: Pastor Karn Libby Pfaff; Pastoral intern; Paul Tepker, Organist/accompanist; Megan Carbiener, Bell Director; David Hulin, Office Coordinator; and Dennis Hart, Property Custodian.
Read MoreAt least 12 fires are currently raging across the state of California, fueled by high winds and extremely low humidity. Tens of thousands of people have been under evactuation orders, and more than 300 structures have been damaged or destroyed. Nearly half a million people have also faced rolling power outages designed to prevent more fires.
Read MorePray for people living with and recovering from the devastation and loss of life in the Bahamas and along the southeastern coast of the United States following Hurricane Dorian, and for Texas communities similarly suffering from flooding caused by Tropical Storm Imelda. Ask God to give these people strength and hope, resources for recovery and, during this time of vulnerability, protection from subsequent storms. Ask the Spirit to stir our caring support, generosity and volunteer service during short- and long-term recovery efforts.
Read MoreAngeline Neo has found a home away from home at Wartburg College, where she’s studying under an International Women Leaders scholarship. “I want to walk away from Wartburg and leave my mark,” Angeline said in a profile on the Wartburg website. Read her profile here.
You can support women leaders such as Angeline. Give a gift to International Women Leaders today.
Read MoreAsk God to help us be fearless and radical in our love and service, following the example of Jesus by demonstrating love, respect, empathy, mercy and active concern for all, especially for people suffering poverty, hunger and illness, those forgotten and neglected, and our enemies.
Read MoreIn September LSSN teammates Cherry Richardson and Tristan Hightower were guests on Talking Solutions Radio Show with Terrie Springs! Cherry and Tristan discussed the nearly $2 million grant from Clark County to rehouse 60 homeless families through LSSN's Rapid Rehousing program. Listen to the show »
Read MoreGive thanks for the gifts and witness of American Indian and Alaska Native members of the ELCA. Pray for native congregations and ministries and the work of the American Indian and Alaska Native Lutheran Association, all grounded in reconciliation and the mutual building up of the saints — people of all backgrounds, tribes, regions, communities, congregations and unique needs.
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