Pray that we awake each day, putting on Jesus Christ and shining as a light in the world, a brilliant light that shines with good news, love, justice, compassion and peace.
Read More
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.
When I was in college I studied abroad in Northern Ireland. I was studying under a Northern Irish professor leading me through a semester of study of what some in his country call The Troubles. One of the first things I learned was that if you thought you had it sorted out, you were wrong.
Read More
Today, many scientists see our changing weather patterns, diminished arctic ice, increasing ocean temperatures, 500-year floods every four years, mass extinctions, and forest fires as desperate calls to action. Just a century ago, miners kept caged birds in the tunnels to warn of deadly mine gasses. According to climate activists, nations and industries are ignoring the warning signs and heading deeper into the mine.
Read More
Pause each day to reflect prayerfully on the symbols, traditions and practices — ancient and new — that we see and experience throughout Advent and Christmas. Give thanks for everything that centers our attention on the good news of Jesus Christ, deepens our faith as loved and redeemed children of God, and inspires and guides our baptismal journey.
Read More
San Juan Bautista Lutheran Church invites you to their special event, Virgen de Guadalupe: Missionizing in the Americas. Join them to learn more about Mexican traditions, featuring piñata making and a live pastorela.
Note this is a new day for this event: January 4, 2020, 9-1 pm, with lunch from 12-12:30 pm. Only $20.
Read More
In her December column for Living Lutheran, ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton reflects on the mystery of the season: the expectation and longing of Advent and the true gifts of Christmas—“the helpless baby in a wooden manger, a broken man on a cross.” Read her column in English and in Spanish.
Read More
We pray for Pastor Lars Hammar and the ministry of Open Space Church in Tucson, a community of faith, a congregation of people exploring faith through worship, fellowship, Bible study, music, and prayer.
Read More
Arizona taxpayers can receive dollar-for-dollar income tax credit by contacting Arizona Christian School Tax Organization at ACSTO.org. Navajo Evangelical Lutheran Mission gets significant funding from ACSTO. For Tax Year 2019, a married couple filing jointly can claim a maximum credit of up to $2269, a single taxpayer up to $1135, or their total tax liability—whichever is less.
Read More
Pause each day to reflect prayerfully on the symbols, traditions and practices — ancient and new — that we see and experience throughout Advent and Christmas. Give thanks for everything that centers our attention on the good news of Jesus Christ, deepens our faith as loved and redeemed children of God, and inspires and guides our baptismal journey.
Read More
Lift up prayers of thanks and praise for this season of anticipation, remembrance and celebration of Jesus Christ — God’s awesome gift of love and redemption for all humanity.
Read More
Give thanks to God for rescuing us from the power of darkness and bringing us into the light of new life in Jesus Christ — our Lord and savior, head of our church and the one who has reconciled us to God.
Read More
On “Black Friday” — a day of sales, buying and consumption — take time to reflect prayerfully on the difference between wants and needs, on generosity toward our neighbors, on stewardship of wealth and abundance, on everything God has entrusted to us, and on our true identity as children of God who are loved, forgiven and granted a new vision of life.
Read More
The circuit preacher was an idea of the frontier past. Now it’s the cutting-edge response to shrinking churches.
Read More
As the result of a fall stewardship emphasis “Always Be Generous – The Generosity Challenge," the households at All Saints Lutheran, over the course of three weeks, collected and donated 3,500 books to the Phoenix Public Library, one ton of food items to Desert Mission Food Bank and 2,600 pairs of socks and underwear to Lutheran Social Services outreach ministries!
Utilizing an ELCA Generosity Project resource called “Live It Out,” all ages were challenged to grow in generosity by counting the total number of the following items in their households: Week One - Books; Week Two - Canned & Boxed Food Items; Week Three - Socks & Undies.
Read More
Give thanks for the abundant resources God has entrusted to us, and for family, friends and other people who bless and enrich our lives. Give thanks that the spirit of God is generous, compassionate and fair, and that our unique gifts and abilities are brought together in the body of Christ for the sake of the world, especially those in need who have been neglected.
Read More
Michael Martin was serving as a Mennonite youth pastor when news of the school shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School came as a “breaking news” story on his car radio. The news touched and troubled Pastor Martin deeply. As he went about his ministry he couldn’t shake the story and a feeling that he had to do something. A short time later Martin knew what he had to do.
Read More
What boundless: God beyond measure means to me is such a powerful feeling that it’s difficult to put into words. To have a God that’s boundless is to have a God that accepts and loves us all, no matter what we look like, who we love, or what we’ve done.
Read More
42 rostered leaders from ELCA’s Region 2 of the ELCA (the Southwestern United States) gathered in San Diego CA, for First Call Theological Education.
New pastors and deacons are encouraged to participate in additional education opportunities for up to 3 years after ordination/consecration in order to build collegiality, foster pastoral identity and increase skills specific to ministry.
Read More
These 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 More
We lift up in prayer the congregation of Queen Valley Lutheran Church, in Queen Valley, AZ. a gathering of Christians who have come together to worship God and to hear His Word.
Read More