Anticipating Christ’s return, ask for God’s help to recognize and value what is important to God.
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Journal of Lutheran Ethics (JLE) is a free, bimonthly, ecclesial online publication living out the Lutheran tradition of addressing social issues theologically, using the resources of historical, theological, and ethical tradition, biblical interpretation, and social sciences.
In an age of conflict and division between political parties and within political parties, between churches and within churches, American Christians often mourn disagreement, regret the diversity of opinion, and sigh for unity. This issue looks into the reality of disagreement in our nation and in our churches without rebuke. Disagreement, even radical and even uncivil disagreement, is a part of human social life, including church life. Thus, this issue is dedicated to answering the following question both theologically and practically: How do we have dialogue and debate on social and political issues with our neighbors?
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The Church Council of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) met at the Lutheran Center in Chicago, Nov. 7-10. Twenty-three new members, elected by the 2019 Churchwide Assembly, were welcomed. The council serves as the ELCA's board of directors and interim legislative authority between meetings of the Churchwide Assembly.
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In The Great Omission: Rediscovering Jesus’s Essential Teachings on Discipleship, author Dallas Willard examines the work of Dietrich Bonhoeffer—in particular, the German theologian’s venerated book The Cost of Discipleship. Willard concludes that the cost of “nondiscipleship” is even higher: “In short, it costs exactly that abundance of life Jesus said he came to bring.”
In his many temple talks, Jesus undoubtedly rubbed his listeners the wrong way. He didn’t sugarcoat the terrors, torments or trials of discipleship. But he also encouraged them not to crumble when persecuted for his sake because God sees their hearts.
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The Ecumenical Center for Clergy Spiritual Renewal (ECCSR) hosts a two-year “Contemplative Renewal” for early and mid-career clergy. The cohort of 19 men and women will discover renewal through the rhythms of prayer, Benedictine spirituality and community at Holy Wisdom Monastery, an ecumenical monastery outside of Madison, WI.
Early and mid-career ordained pastors, currently serving half-time or more in a congregational setting, are invited to apply for the next cohort, to begin in July of 2020. Funded by a Thriving in Ministry Grant from the Lilly Endowment, this unique experience is available at no cost. For more information: www.holywisdommonastery.org/eccsr.
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Give thanks that God is attentive to our prayers, acting as our refuge, strength and guide throughout life and in every situation.
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Six new pastors (Abel Arroyo-Traverso, Mateo Chavez, Kimberlee Law, Kathleen Lotz, David Sivecz, and Stephen Hilding) gathered in San Diego, CA with 35 other new to the roster leaders and synod staff for First Call Theological Education.
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Roland Martinson, professor emeritus of Luther Seminary in St. Paul, Minn., was a lead researcher for the Lutheran Campus Ministry Study. He said the results reveal that Lutheran campus ministries make an impact, and the most common characteristic students referenced as being transformative was the sense of a quality, anchoring community. In fact, 97% of students said Lutheran campus ministry provides a welcoming, inclusive and safe place.
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A lot of television and film media use the end of the world as a setting or plot point to tell a story. The Day After Tomorrow details the end of the world with the onset of a second ice age, while Seeking a Friend for the End of the World follows two characters who are spending their last days on earth before an asteroid hits, finding what really matters in the end. Other post-apocalyptic media tackle what life is like if you happen to survive some cataclysmic event. The Walking Dead tells this tale using a zombie apocalypse as a catalyst while The Hunger Games examines how power can corrupt and consume life while desperately attempting to preserve it.
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All are invited to the Christmas Service in German Language on December 15, 2019 at Mountain View Lutheran Church in Ahwatukee, 11002 S. 48th St, Phoenix. 4:10 pm caroling, 4:30 pm Christmas Service, followed by fellowship with tea, coffee and Christmas cookies.
For more information visit weihnachtsgottesdienst.org or ingeborg07@hotmail.com, (480-961-4649).
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The ELCA is the first North American denomination to declare itself a sanctuary church body. As a sanctuary church, the ELCA is committed to serving and supporting migrant children and families in communities across the country. Pray that we and our faith communities, moved by the Spirit, will see welcoming people not as a political issue but as a matter of faith.
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Church Mutual has posted a new resource on tips for managing risk for sanctuary congregations, which can be found here: https://www.churchmutual.com/13471/Providing-safe-harbor
As a reminder, Church Mutual makes its safety resources available to all ELCA congregations, and links to them can be found on our Risk Management page on the ELCA site: https://www.elca.org/About/Churchwide/Office-of-the-Secretary/Risk-Management
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We pray for Mountain View Lutheran Church, a Christ-centered, multi-generational church located in the heart of Ahwatukee.
We lift up the staff: Pastor Glenn Zorb, Senior Pastor; Pastor Annemarie Burke, Associate Pastor of Worship and Administration; Pastor Chris Heller, Pastor of Youth & Family Ministry And Discipleship; Mary Adams, Preschool Director; Heather Cannon, Administrative Assistant; Andrew DeValk, Director of Music; Sandra DeValk, Organist; Doug Elliot, Assistant Worship Coordinator; Leslie Franzmeier, Bell Choir Director / Preschool Assistant; Gene Adele Hoge, Communications Coordinator; Kara Houser, Nursery Coordinator; Chris Mahon, Parish Nurse; Debbie Meshey, Children's Ministry Coordinator; Carol McKnight, Accountant; Rhonda Smith, Director of Administration; Carolyn Snyder, Children's Music Director; Mark Turner, Worship Coordinator; Judi Wold, Director of Hospitality & Events.
We give a prayer of thanks for the leadership of Mountain View’s church council: Chris Totten, President; Pat Ikeda Carper, Vice President; Carl Harnisch, Secretary; Michael Bentley, Treasurer; members Judy Berg, Jennifer Cooper, Tammy Foree, Wanda Kaehr, Cher Mikkelsen, Tegan Schlarman, Paul Scholl, and Jessica Bruns, Youth Representative.
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This year, for the first time in the church’s history, the ELCA installed two synod bishops who are serving as reserve military chaplains. Michael Lozano is bishop of the Northwestern Pennsylvania Synod and a chaplain in the Army Reserve, and Bill Tesch is bishop of the Northwestern Minnesota Synod and a chaplain in the Air Force Reserve. Living Lutheran asked the bishops about their experiences as military chaplains and how congregations can care for service members and veterans.
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Desert Cross Lutheran Church, Tempe, AZ, has launched a Faith Formation Website.
It's a place for Exploring Faith and Making Connections. Check it out at: https://dclcfaithformation.org
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With gratitude for those who have gone before and hope for the future, the ELCA gives thanks to God for the ministry of women. In 2019 and 2020 we celebrate 50 years of Lutheran women being ordained in the United States, 40 years of women of color being ordained, and 10 years of LGBTQIA+ individuals being able to serve freely. Scroll through this timeline (PDF) to view milestones and reflections.
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Rev. Dr. John H. Krahn has written his twelfth book, available for free by emailing Pastor Krahn at krahns@msn.com.
For over fifty years now, Rev. Dr. John H. Krahn has been collecting great thoughts and quotations in order to improve both his preaching and his writing. He has decided to share the best of these in his twelfth book, Great Thoughts and Quotations for Christian Speakers and Writers.
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Pray that, in the midst of the questions, distractions, hesitancy and opposition we experience in daily life, we will remain focused on the good news of Jesus Christ and on encouraging one another to share the gospel and do good in the world.
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ELCA Advocacy share their November Update for U.N. | California | Colorado | Kansas | Minnesota | New Mexico | Ohio | Pennsylvania | Southeastern Synod | Washington | Wisconsin.
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