PhLY to attend Western States Youth Gathering

In October the youth voted on what they would like to do as a summer event and the majority voted for Western States Youth Gathering, June 24-29, 2020. The event is held on the campus of California Lutheran and includes workshops, service projects, team building, and unique worship experiences. 

Each church involved in PhLY has their own financial plan for this event so please talk with your pastor. There is a $100 down payment due at time of registration. View more info on the Western States Youth Gathering.

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Brian FlatgardComment
Faith Lens: In the World, but Not Known

December 21 is the winter solstice, the date when the northern hemisphere receives its longest night. The winter solstice has been marked in various ways by countless cultures throughout the ages, yet a more recent observance is Homeless Persons’ Memorial Day.

It is a day for local communities to come together to remember those in their midst who died during the previous year while experiencing homelessness.

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Worship Resource for the Anniversary of Earthquake in Haiti

January 12, 2020 marks the ten-year anniversary of the earthquake in Haiti that killed more than 300,000 people. The impact of this disaster reveals layers of trauma. In addition to the earthquake itself, a long history of colonialism, ongoing systemic oppression, poverty, racism, and climate change have all contributed to the death toll and devastation.

This significant anniversary gives us an opportunity to reflect upon our role and our responsibility in cultivating sustainable global partnerships. It also urges us to continue to take seriously the effects of climate change and our faithful response to the urgent need to care for the earth. 

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Bishop Eaton responds to anti-Semitic incidents in New York

Tragically, several acts of anti-Semitic hatred, bigotry and violence in New York during these days have marred the joyful festivities in Jewish communities across this country and around the world. Within the last year, we have witnessed the broader surge of anti-Semitism from Pittsburgh to Poway in which these most recent incidents have occurred. Our Jewish neighbors are living in pain, grief and fear.  

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1/2/2020 Prayer: National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month

Throughout National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month, remember in prayer the men, women and children who are victims of this global tragedy, which disproportionately affects women and girls. Pray for an end to human trafficking and that all who suffer its abuse, injustice and oppression may find freedom, support, healing and safety, especially in our communities of faith.

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New Year’s Resolutions

From Allie Papke-Larson: Now that Christmas day has come and gone, the presents opened, the second turkey of the season stuffed and eaten, and 25 million tons of packaging and old Christmas trees are in our landfills, it’s time for Americans everywhere to consume the next thing: our New Year’s resolutions, plumped up and stuffed by our self-help culture. 

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Prayers for New Promise Lutheran, St. George, Utah

We pray for New Promise Lutheran Church in St. George, Utah, a vital, Christ-centered witness to all God's people.

We lift up in prayer Pastors Jill and Joe Doherty, Secretary Paula Fronk, Media Director Paul Leuthauser, Organist Cheryl Huner, Music Director Patty Brown, Building Manager Norman Chang, and Nursery Attendant Marta Salat Liorente.

We also pray for the New Promise Church Council: Eric Nicholaus, President; Walt Becher, Vice President; Indigo Klabanoff, Secretary; and Dave Falc, Dana Smith, Rick Morin, and Dave Preston.

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I’m a Lutheran: Debra J. Bonde

I founded Seedlings Braille Books for Children 35 years ago because I heard that braille books for children were scarce and expensive (more than $100 for a Hardy Boys book, for example). This tugged at my heart and started me on the path to making free and low-cost braille books for children. We now produce about 35,000 books per year. The best part is that, thanks to generous grants and donations, we’ve been able to keep the cost to an average of just $10 per book.

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Faith Lens: Seeking Safety

Our Bible reading centers on the story of a family having to flee their homes to find safety in another land.  This is still a familiar story for many families today. Those of us living in the United States are aware of the crisis at our southern border as migrants travel here seeking safety, but all around the world people are forced to leave their homes hoping to find safety in a foreign land.

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