Praise God for the critical work we do together through ELCA Disaster Response and for our partners, who bring God’s hope, healing and renewal to people in the United States and around the world whose lives have been disrupted by natural disaster.
Read MoreELCA folks in Regions 1 & 2: Are you interested in leading a small group of Pastors, Deacons and/or Church (lay) Leaders? Would you like to be in a small group with others from across states/synods/regions?
If any of these questions spark something in your soul, we'd love to have you consider a role as an At-Large Cohort Leader for the Thriving Leadership Formation (TLF) Program. Learn more : bit.ly/atlargeTLF
Read MoreSing praises and make joyful noise for the wonderful things God has done and for God’s undeserved steadfast love and faithfulness.
Read MoreLeaders from across the Grand Canyon Synod gathered at Grace Lutheran Church, Phoenix, in person and via teleconference to start planning Campformation 2020.
This year we expect over 200 youth together at Camp Pine Rock in Prescott, AZ the week of July 5- 10, 2020.
Read MoreBethany Lutheran Church is looking for a a new church secretary, see the job description in PDF. Contact the church for more application info: https://www.bethanyscottsdale.com.
Read More“Compassion” is the heart of Jesus’ life, the word literally means ‘to suffer with’ someone. The 13th century theologian Meister Eckhart said that the best name for Jesus might just be “Son of compassion.”
Read MoreWe lift up Pastor Roland Harder and the congregation of Our Saviour's Lutheran Church, in Buckeye, AZ.
Read More“Died in the line of duty.” How often have we heard these sad but somehow inspiring words? This time they were said two weeks ago about firefighter Lieutenant Jason Menard, thirty-nine year-old husband and father of three, on his last day of duty before going with them on vacation to Disney World. Doing what he was trained to do, put out fires and rescue people, he was trapped with other firefighters in a burning home in the city of Worcester, Massachusetts. Responding to a distress call and hearing that others might be still in the burning house, Menard and two others went looking to make sure everyone was safe. It was reported that as things got difficult, Menard helped his two comrades get to safety. He could have rushed out on his own. He chose, instead, to risk his own life so that their lives could be saved. He made the ultimate sacrifice.
Read MorePray for congregational and synod ministries and ELCA-related organizations that attend to the unique needs of women and men by encouraging faith, offering opportunities for service, helping develop and support leaders, creating safe environments for conversation and mutual care across generations, and affirming both our unity and our diversity in Christ.
Read MoreWe pray for Christ the Lord Lutheran Church, Carefree, AZ, on a mission to follow Jesus’ example of showing unconditional love…to each other, to the poor and most vulnerable, to all people. We lift up in prayer the congregation and the staff: Pastor Michael C. Johnson; Robin Coleman, Administrative Manager; Mary Sue Hyatt, Director of Music Ministries; Kirk Douglas, CtL Chorale Director; Lincoln Wright, Organist; Jill Nelles-Voss, Accompanist; Roni Frash, Faith Development Aide; and Sherry Holton, Nursery.
Read MoreAsk the Holy Spirit to guide and shape our lives so that we might exemplify how to live and work together, care for one another, exercise generosity and tirelessly do what is right and just for the sake of our neighbor.
Read MoreAuthor Torbjørn Greipsland has written or edited 18 books on topics ranging from emigration to Christian artists to the Norwegian royal family. For his latest, To the Ends of the Earth (Ventura, 2017), he set out to document what he considered an underappreciated aspect of his country’s history: Norway’s contributions to missionary work around the globe.
In doing so, he came to realize just how in sync Norwegian American missionaries were with the ELCA—even those who served well over a century ago. “As the ELCA does today, so did the pioneers,” Greipsland said. Both aspired to build schools, provide health care and bolster indigenous Christians in leadership.
Read MoreNew Life Liberia Lutheran Church in Las Vegas and Pastor Jackson Jaylah have inspired Christ the Servant and Christ Lutheran to participate in their ministry locally and globally. Together they have recently produced a 14 minute documentary of this ministry.
Read MorePray for the vision and impact of the 26 congregations, synods, ministries and ELCA-related agencies and organizations that have been awarded mental health ministry grants. Pray that their work will inspire others as they address mental health issues and develop new approaches to advocating for and assisting people with mental illness and their families.
Read MoreWe pray for those mourning the passing of Austin Kirkpatrick, son of Mike and Alecia Kirkpatrick, and grandson of Mike and Pat Reed. Austin passed away at Mayo Hospital while fighting valley fever.
Eternal rest grant to him, O Lord; and let light perpetual shine upon him. May his soul, and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
Merciful God, you give us the grace that helps in time of need. Surround us with your steadfast love and lighten our burden.
Read MoreGive thanks for the leaders, ministries and resources of our church that deepen our understanding and practice of stewardship and generosity. Pray that we might spread the gospel, serve our neighbor and do God’s work in the world with the gifts and resources entrusted to our care.
Read MoreSteve Thomason faced a massive blank canvas, his back to the congregation, and opened his arms wide, lifted his head and prayed. He was preparing to accept whatever God wanted to come out of his hands and onto the canvas.
Then, like a tennis player with a winning shot, his right arm swung forward and dotted the canvas with specks of smoky paint.
While the congregation sung and spoke the “Seven Last Words of Christ” cantata, Thomason—whose vocations of artist and pastor have merged for decades—transformed his first vigorous splashes of paint into a journey of Jesus to the crucifixion. Many watching were so mesmerized that when a video projection prompted them to leave quietly, they simply sat and stared at what they had seen, taking in what it did to them emotionally and spiritually.
Read MoreEach Christmas we collect wish lists from the children of LSSN clients and seniors in our Senior Supportive Services program and match them with "Santas" (sponsors) from our community.
Interested in Becoming Someone's Santa this Christmas? Santas may choose to support a family of any size, from two to even ten or more! Sponsor information must be collected no later than December 2nd, and all gifts must be at LSSN by December 16th.
If you would like to volunteer to help organize Santa's gifts this year in the week leading up to Christmas, contact Tristan Hightower at tristan@lssnv.org. He will work with you to schedule your volunteer time when we get closer to the holiday.
Read MoreWhen Charles (not his real name) knocks on our church door during the week, he sometimes wants to play the piano, often requests food and bus fare or asks to use the phone, and always leaves with the benediction “Love you.”
On Sunday, when the door is unlocked and staffed with an attendant, Charles will get coffee and treats, chat cheerily with people and perhaps interrupt the steady bubbling of table conversation with some improvisation on the baby grand in our fellowship hall. His vulnerability and dignity are evident in his daily struggles with mental health issues and bureaucratic public assistance.
Read MoreAnticipating Christ’s return, ask for God’s help to recognize and value what is important to God.
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