Pray for ELCA missionaries and young people serving in the Young Adults in Global Mission program who are separated from their families and home congregations during the holidays yet celebrate the good news and gift of Jesus Christ with our companion churches and brothers and sisters in Christ around the world.
Read MoreGive thanks for being reminded and reassured — through the word of God, the sacraments and the witness of one another — that Jesus is the promised Messiah, our savior, teacher, life and hope.
Read MoreGive thanks to God for the gifts, service and ministry of women as 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.
Read MoreThe Reverend Paul Halvorson went to the arms of Jesus on Monday, December 9, 2019, after complications following a medical procedure. Pastor Halvorson had served the Grand Canyon Synod as Outreach Director and Assistant to the Bishop.
No date for services has been set, they will most likely be in January 2020 at Our Saviour’s, Phoenix. Information will be shared as it is received.
Read MoreEternal 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.
We lift up in prayer his wife Nancy and his family and friends.
Remembering that we have been welcomed without hesitation into the body of Christ, pray that we will exercise, without judgment or partiality, grace and hospitality toward our neighbors — friends, antagonists and strangers alike.
Read MoreChristmas ornaments are available from the ELCA that include the beloved expression “You Belong” in four different languages, in braille, in sign language, and accompanied by the LGBTQ symbol. Your purchase supports grants being paid to congregations and synods as they work toward greater engagement of members living with disabilities. Visit our online store to order the star or round ornament.
Read MorePat is retiring and we are starting the hiring process for her replacement. (She'll be hard to replace!) See our job description. Pay and benefits will be commensurate with the candidates qualifications. If interested, please send a resume and cover letter to wvlts@qwestoffice.net.
Read More“Stories of Faith in Action” is an annual publication highlighting how God changes lives through the ministries funded by your congregation’s unrestricted offering of Mission Support.
The publication and the resources that go along with it are designed to share how important your weekly congregational offering is in sustaining and growing God’s mission. Stories, videos, bulletin inserts and an infographic explaining “Where Does My Offering Go?” are available at ELCA.org/SOFIA.
Read MoreRemember in prayer people, especially women and children, who live in refugee camps and immigration detention centers. Pray that they will soon return home or move to a community or country where they are welcome and safe, able to reunite with family and reestablish their lives. Give thanks for our church’s and Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service’s commitment to advocate and care for refugees and immigrants everywhere.
Read MoreWe pray for Living Water Lutheran Church in Scottsdale, AZ, a warm, vibrant, energetic, welcoming, missional community of faith in the Pinnacle Peak area of north Scottsdale.
We pray for Pastor Mark Rossman and Pastor Shari Bernau, Finance and Building Manager Greysen West, Office and Communications Manager Jenifer Kelsh, Director of Music Marcie Donavon, Accompanist Scott Sims, Sound Desk Steven Page, the Praise Band, and Sexton Michael Collins.
We pray for church council members President Bob Ulland, Vice President Don Pick, Treasurer Lee Stenehjem, Secretary Michelle Brown, Debbie Anderson, Gerry Cales, and Phil Pounds.
Read MoreView the first edition of Insights, a quarterly newsletter from the ELCA Foundation. In this newsletter you’ll find tips, tools and information to achieve your charitable-giving goals while supporting the people, ministries and causes you love. Subscribe here.
Interested in giving to the ELCA? The Grand Canyon Synod has three gift planners, one of which is Tina Kvitek. Contact the Office of the Bishop and we can let you know which gift planner can assist you with your charitable intentions.
Read MoreView a Christmas video message from Bishop Eaton, or download a PDF in Spanish or in English.
Read MoreIn this video, high school students share about their experience learning at the Lutheran Schools in the Holy Land. The 4 ELCJHL schools (Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land) start with preschool and continue to Grade 12.
Read MorePray that God’s righteousness, justice, peace and compassion for the poor and oppressed will flourish in the world, and that we will be bold and persistent in doing God’s work together.
Read More“Don’t go wishing your life away.” I can remember how hard my eyes rolled when my mom said this to me for the umpteenth time. She was driving me home from driver’s ed and I was laying out my life plan with clarity and ease. I was sure that once I had my driver’s license the problems of 15.75 year-old me would go away completely! Isn’t that how it works? Driver’s license = freedom and freedom = doing whatever I wanted!
Read MoreWe are excited to announce that the Lilly Endowment has recently awarded the Grand Canyon and Rocky Mountain Synods a $1,000,000 grant, beginning January, 2020!
The new grant will expend a total of $1,000,000. Half of that amount consists of Lilly dollars, and half is required to be raised in order to match each grant dollar. The plan is to expend $700,000 in the Rocky Mountain Synod and $300,000 in the Grand Canyon Synod. Each Synod will raise half of their expenditures.
Read MoreGive thanks that we are freed by our faith to serve our neighbor and affect change in our communities, nation and world — change that is grounded in the gospel and God’s vision of justice, compassion, healing and peace for all people.
Read MoreSt. Andrew Lutheran Church will host a service of “Blue Christmas, the Longest Night” on Saturday, December 21, at 7 pm. For those of us who are struggling with the Joyous Holiday Season as we experience our grief, loss, struggle, pain, and need solace!
A simple service for all! Pastor Tweedy Sombrero Navarette will share in leading the service. Light up the night, the longest night of the year. Remember the losses and ask for God’s healing.
Read MoreWe pray for Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Paradise Valley, AZ, a faith based community rooted in God's Grace and the Good News of Jesus Christ. We lift up in prayer Pastor Brent Maxwell, Deacon Connie Rose-Kamprath, Office Manager Ann Skipper, and Minister of Music Karen Murphy.
Read MoreThe “Declaration of the ELCA to People of African Descent” is a public apology offered by our church in the context of the quadricentennial remembrance of slavery in this country. With faith in God’s forgiveness and mercy, pray that we will be unconflicted in our repentance, committed to understanding injustice and racism, and bold and persistent in working to end racism and white supremacy wherever they exist, including in the church.
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