Weeks, months and even years after a natural disaster is no longer news, an impacted congregation will still need assistance to recover and come back stronger and better prepared for the future. If you choose to provide assistance to those in need, first consider the best way to do so. For information about the work of the ELCA’s Lutheran Disaster Response, visit itswebsite or contact the LDR team directly at 773-380-2863.
Read MoreGod’s voice and presence throughout creation are powerful and awesome. Give glory and praise to God as a humble member of the body of Christ, seeking God’s strength each day.
Read MoreWe pray for the people of Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church in Tucson, AZ. We lift up Senior Pastor Jeff Kallevig, Parish Administrator Kathryn Barrera, Publications Coordinator Steve VanMeter, Nursery Coordinator Tammie Anderson, and Facilities Technician Mark Valenzuela.
Read MoreWe invite you to study, pray and give with us during ELCA World Hunger’s 40 Days of Giving — for the good of our families, our neighbors and communities around the world.
Explore and engage during this Lenten season by bringing ELCA World Hunger into your congregation and home with resources including a Lenten Calendar, Study Guide, Coin Jar Wrapper, and Weekly Email Series.
Read MorePray for people who struggle with substance abuse and addictions and for those who are working to rebuild their lives and relationships through sobriety and the support of companions who understand the challenges of recovery. Pray that they will have faith in God’s unwavering love and forgiveness in moments of despair, joy, accomplishment, weakness and stumbling.
Read MoreIn March 2018 the ELCA introduced Tithe.ly as an ELCA preferred vendor for electronic giving. Featuring online, mobile and text giving options, Tithe.ly is now expanding its product line to offer website services and church management software to ELCA congregations at a low cost. Enable members of your congregation to give online, manage your membership data or freshen up your congregation’s website using Tithe.ly’s suite of tools. Get started.
Read MoreAll four Gospels describe the Spirit leading Jesus from the affirming waters of baptism to the demanding temptations found in the wilderness. He emerges from those transformative events with piercing clarity and vision.
The term “20/20 vision” means clarity and sharpness of sight. As we begin the year 2020, how might we get 20/20 vision to follow God? Consider using the Affirmation of Baptism as a template for your discernment.
Read MoreWashed in the waters of baptism and touched by the Spirit, Jesus began his ministry and was made known to the world as the Son of God bringing the light and truth of God to the world. Remember in prayer how we are cleansed and renewed daily through our baptism, filled with the Holy Spirit, prepared for a life of praising God and serving our neighbor, and called to share the good news of Jesus Christ.
Read MoreFrom Mosaic’s Jim Fruehling, Vice President of Behavioral and Spiritual Supports: Looking back over a career inevitably prompts some nostalgia – not necessarily because the “old days” were always that good, but because of colleagues, friends and coworkers who came alongside to cast a light on the path. It’s these relationships that many of us recall the most, the content of which made life meaningful, as they continue to do, even today.
Read MoreFrom Becca Ehrlich comes a personal journey of building faith through minimalism: No one expects to have their lives completely changed while watching Netflix. But that’s exactly what happened to me.
On a nondescript day in December 2017, I sat down on my couch and turned on Netflix. One of the suggested documentaries was Minimalism: A Documentary About the Important Things. I checked to see how long it was, and I saw that it was relatively short. “Well,” I thought, “If it stinks, at least it’s only an hour and 15 minutes of my life.”
Read MoreDo you have goals, plans, hopes and ventures for this new year? Give thanks and take comfort and courage in the promise of God’s love, forgiveness, renewing Spirit and acceptance of us just as we are — in all our human endeavors.
Read MoreIn the most recent issue of Living Lutheran, Robert C. Blezard writes about friendship, and quotes Linda Staats, a member of Faith Lutheran Church, Phoenix, who recalls The Message translation of Proverbs 18:24: “Friends come and friends go, but a true friend sticks by you like family.”
Staats finds that to be true for a lifelong group of seven girls who grew up in the same small town in Iowa. Now scattered across five states, they stay in touch by email, text and videoconferencing, and gather once a year. “Faithful, lifelong friends—a very rare treasure, indeed!” Staats said.
Read MoreWorking remotely or working from home has become one of the biggest workplace trends. Allowing staff to work remotely gives employers more options in hiring the best employees. For the employee, working from home eliminates the stress of commuting and creates more time to focus and be productive.
Read MoreThe good news of Jesus Christ embodying God’s love, forgiveness and promise of eternal life is for all humanity; no one should be excluded from this good news and mystery of grace. Ask that the Spirit fill and inspire us to speak enthusiastically about our faith and serve our neighbor — every neighbor — in the name of Christ.
Read MoreThe Office of the Bishop has learned that some of the mail addressed to us over the holidays may not have reached us. If you mailed us something in late December and have not received an appropriate response, please let us know so we can look into it.
Read MoreELCA Advocacy is very excited to offer “Ready and Real: ELCA Young Leaders in Advocacy” – a pre-event to plus participation in 2020 Ecumenical Advocacy Days.
Turn-around time is quick. We need applications by January 15, 2020 for the April 2020 event which is a great opportunity for skill building, experience and networking.
Read MoreI do not, and will not ever, own a cat. Instead, I own a dog. In fact, as I type this, Lucy, my 7-pound Yorkshire terrier, is snoring next to me on my office chair.
Why do I prefer dogs to cats? It could be because — along with being a social scientist — I am an American Baptist pastor. And like many other Christians in the United States, I’m more likely to own a dog than a cat. My friends who skip church, however, prefer cats.
Read MoreSpirit in the Desert Retreat Center is honored to welcome Bishop Jim Hazelwood, from the New England Synod ELCA! He has just published a new book, Everyday Spirituality...Discover a Life of Hope, Peace and Meaning. He will be using this book as the basis for leading the retreat, February 18-20, 2020. Download the flyer or visit the website for more info.
Read MorePray for the ministries that have received ELCA World Hunger Big Dream Grants, which support domestic ministries as they pursue innovative and sustainable approaches to ending hunger. Ask God to help their work flourish and inspire others to seek new ways of ending hunger and lifting the human family.
Read MoreIntense wildfires have brought catastrophic fire conditions for the majority of Australia.
The Lutheran Church of Australia has distributed food and non-food items to families affected.
Read More
