Give thanks and praise to God that we are adopted and called children of God through Jesus Christ, an immeasurable gift of grace, love and forgiveness in which we are immersed.
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We pray for Rev. Cheryl Fox and the congregation of St. John's Episcopal-Lutheran Church in Williams, AZ.
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Paul John Halvorson died December 9, 2019, from complications following a medical procedure at the age of 82. He was surrounded by his family, singing songs at his bedside.
A Celebration of the Life and Faith of The Rev. Paul J. Halvorson will be held at Our Saviour's Lutheran Church, Phoenix, on Saturday, January 18 at 1:00 pm, with reception to follow.
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Begin the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity with our Lutheran Holden Evening prayer at Desert Cross Lutheran Church on Sunday, 1/19/20, with Bishop Hutterer giving the meditation.
Throughout Arizona, there are ecumenical vespers every evening through 1/25/20, with the main worship on Thursday, 1/23/20. Full info and schedule is on the GCS site and the the Shepherd of the Hills site.
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Give thanks for the gift of wisdom that comes from God. Pray that our faith, with the encouragement of the Spirit, will compel us to share, teach and cultivate God’s wisdom and ways among all people — young and old alike.
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God’s glory is revealed to us in Jesus Christ, born among us and immersed in the messiness, complexity and commonness of humanity for the sake of the world. Pray that we will recognize God’s divine presence and activity in the world for the redemption and healing of humankind and for the nurturing of our lives to better emulate Jesus.
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Pray that the Holy Spirit will help us bear witness in the world to the light and truth of Jesus Christ, that we will be infused with enthusiasm for inviting others to believe and follow, and that all will experience the grace and fullness of God.
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We lift up in prayer Roger Bailey, who has been hospitalized after a fall. Roger is on the Synod Council Executive Committee, with the Colorado River Conference.
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Pray for the people and communities affected by the recent fires in California, that they will not lose hope but will experience God’s presence and encouragement through the care and support of others. Give thanks for the work of Lutheran Disaster Response — with the California synods (Pacifica, Southwest California, and Sierra Pacific), Lutheran Social Services of Northern California and Lutheran Social Services of Southern California — to respond with physical, emotional and spiritual care.
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Give thanks for the cloud of faith-filled witnesses who surround us as mentors of faith, vocation and life skills, enriching our lives through their example and sharing their faith, wisdom and knowledge.
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All lay and rostered people (active and retired) are invited to attend the Grand Canyon Synod’s Spring Conference Gatherings. The topic “Charting the Course (Guided by the Holy Spirit!)” is based on the book Canoeing the Mountains, by Tod Bolsinger. This gathering will be led by leaders lay and rostered. Gatherings begin in February and last through April.
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The Office of the Bishop thanks you for your prayers and generosity in 2019, a year full of God’s surprising abundance. We now invite you to make your statement of intent for Mission Support in 2020 by February 1, 2020.
Please visit www.gcsynod.org/intent to access these forms and read a letter from Bishop Deborah K. Hutterer and Rev. Miguel F. Gomez-Acosta, Director for Evangelical Mission.
Since the Grand Canyon Synod's fiscal year ends on January 31, mission support and other gifts received in January count towards our current fiscal year. We thank you for your gifts and partnership!
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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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Phoenix Lutheran Youth (PhLY) High School Ministry invites all high school youth to participate in our Winter Retreat January 17-20 at Shepherd of the Hills in Flagstaff. For registration forms please email phlyministry@gmail.com.
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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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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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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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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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We pray for the Pastor Glenn Zimbelman, Deacon Janice Zimbelman, and the people of Maricopa Lutheran Church, in Maricopa, AZ.
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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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