We were blessed to partner with Hope United Methodist Church to bring the Hakuna Matata Children’s Choir from Kenya to Bullhead City. At Hope UMC and at Community Lutheran Church, we were in awe of the performances of these 14 young people…and their contagious smiles and great attitudes.
Read More“Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous things.” Pray for enthusiasm and courage in spreading the good news of Jesus Christ through our words and actions each day.
Read MoreWe pray for the people and leaders of Resurrection Lutheran Church in Oro Valley, AZ, called by God’s Spirit to be the presence of Christ in their daily lives so that others will follow Him.
We pray for: Rev. Dr. Terri Young, Interim Senior Pastor, Rev. Al Jensen, Senior Pastor (on leave); Rev. Tim Nybroten, Evangelism Pastor; Assisting Pastors Roger Pierce, Jim Vadis, and Wayne Viereck; the Church Council; Child Development Center Director Chris Justesen; Children and Family Ministry Co-Directors Brenda O'Connor and Janitzy Spencer; High School Youth Director Jason Benedict; Music & the Arts Minister for Adults Tanya Elias; Organist Larry Kuipers; Handbell Director Ann Paulson; Accompanists Pam Batten Jamee Haddorff; Resurrection @ SaddleBrooke Choir Director Charles Riddell; Resurrection @ SaddleBrooke Volunteer Coordinator Karen Hustad; Accompanist Resurrection @ SaddleBrooke Susan Tjossem; Contemporary Band Leader & Youth Music Director AJ Lepore; Worship Resources Coordinator Gretchen Crandall; Communications Coordinator Char Jensen; Welcome Coordinator Kristina Randolph; Technology Specialist Glenn Paulson; Parish Bookkeeper Janet Singler; Property Manager Mike Nolan; Custodians Richard Oldenburg and Paul Filippelli.
Read MoreFrom Annette Chavez: There is new life in the desert here at San Juan Bautista Lutheran Church in Tucson, Arizona. Maria Martinez and her grandson, Mario, joined Pastor Mateo and yours truly. We worked together and planted seven gallon size trees.
Read MoreJoin with our sisters and brothers around the world and with all creation in lifting up prayers and songs of praise and thanksgiving for God’s gift of love and life, manifested in the birth of Jesus Christ — a light in the darkness that cannot be overcome.
Read MoreYou are light and hope as you answer God’s call in your life, as you do your quiet work which few may see, as you discover and rediscover Jesus Christ in both the friend and the stranger, as you listen to people share their painful stories and wishing we could fix them, or as you listen when people rejoice at small and large victories.
You are hope and light. God uses you for good in the world. Here is to 2020: for your good health, fearless courage when you need it, and steadiness in the work you are called to do in the Grand Canyon Synod and in your circles of influence.
Read MoreWhat draws you to Jesus? What are you looking for in God’s promises? Give thanks to God for revealing to us through Jesus Christ the gifts of fullness of life and the one true light that illuminates God’s ways and truth.
Read MoreWe pray for the congregation of Sierra Evangelical Lutheran Church in Sierra Vista, AZ, sharing Christ's love with all, so that lives are transformed by the Holy Spirit. We lift up in prayer Pastor Mark Perry, Intern Pastor Paul Benz, Director of Faith Formation Linda Perry, and Administrative Assistant Cindy Allen.
Read MoreIn this interview with Lutheran World Information, Bishop Deborah K. Hutterer talks about the ministry of the Grand Canyon Synod, changing populist rhetoric, and being open to change.
Read MoreAsk that we will be strengthened and inspired by the Holy Spirit for sharing the story of God’s love and mercy — the story of Jesus — in today’s world and culture.
Read MoreIn the story of Mary, Joseph and the humble birth of Jesus, we sense God’s love for humanity and God’s understanding of the diverse contexts in which we live. Praise God for loving us as we are and for reaching into the world in ways that we can relate to, understand and embrace.
Read MoreThese 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 MoreRemember in prayer the many people who work and serve during the holidays, including first responders, care providers, law enforcement, medical personnel, pilots and attendants, truck drivers, men and women serving in the military, seafarers, social service staff, and people serving in stores, restaurants and hotels.
Read MoreThe Mount Olive Lutheran Church Woodshop in Lake Havasu City, AZ, donated a number of handcrafted comfort crosses to be delivered by Bishop Hutterer on her trip to Senegal.
The crosses come with the following message: “Keep it near, and when you hold it, know that your brothers and sisters in Christ are praying with you, and for you.”
Read MoreIn the spirit of Christmas, many congregations decorate evergreen trees for their sanctuaries. Often these trees are covered in white and gold ornaments in the shapes of religious symbols and ancient Greek letters, such as the ichthus, or fish, the symbol for Christianity. These handmade ornaments are called Chrismons, short for Christ monograms.
Read MoreFamilies looking to start a new tradition in the new year will appreciate this resource, created for kids ages 4 to 8 and their caregivers. Bestselling author Mary Manz Simon and illustrator Fátima Anaya have created a story Bible designed for busy families.
Each of its 52 stories gives options for reading the vibrant retellings and then going deeper with facts, conversation starters, prayer ideas and encouraging notes for parents (Beaming Books, 2019).
Read MoreGive thanks and praise to God, who lifts up those bowed down and oppressed, watches over strangers and sets free the bound and imprisoned.
Read MoreThe 2020 Gather Bible Study Event will be held Saturday, January 18, 2020, 8:30 am – 3pm at Christ the Servant Lutheran Church in Henderson, NV.
The theme will be “Vocation and Calling,” celebrating 50 years of women’s ordination in the Lutheran Church, featuring Rev. Dr. Kit Kleinhans. View the flyer for info and registration.
Read MoreHear from travel author, TV host and Lutheran Rick Steves about why he chooses to support ELCA World Hunger. ELCA World Hunger is a recipient of a climate-smart grant from Rick Steves to support its work to fight hunger and poverty around the world.
Read MoreWhen the men’s basketball team from Stephen F. Austin arrived in Durham, NC on November 26, 2019 to play the number one ranked Duke Blue Devils, no one outside of Stephen F. Austin’s players and fans expected the game to be close.
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