Read the minutes from the synod council meeting on February 22, 2020, in PDF format.
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Daniel Alexander Payne was born in 1811 in Charleston, S.C. From a young age, he yearned to study the classics and became drawn to John Brown’s Self-Interpreting Bible.
In 1835, the Evangelical Lutheran Society of Inquiry on Missions offered a scholarship to support an African American for four years of study at the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg (now United Lutheran Seminary).
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Live from Omaha, Neb., it’s Sunday worship from Kountze Memorial Lutheran Church! Since 1962, this congregation has broadcast its Sunday service on cable TV.
Not all congregations can have a TV program, but many have technology ministries, whether they have purchased equipment and fully wired the church, project the hymns on big screens or post simple videos to a Facebook page.
Read MoreWe are “God’s servants, working together” for the sake of the world, sharing the gospel and growing the church. Pray that we will be of one mind and spirit as God’s humble servants, and that we will see accomplishments, growth and change as the result of God’s presence and power working through us.
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Registration is open for the 2020 Rostered Ministers Gathering, July 20-23 in Phoenix!
Early registration (Feb. 20-May 20) is $245. Booking travel and hotel is your responsibility. Once you register, you will be provided with links to the three gathering hotels, each with a room rate of $139/night plus tax. A limited number of scholarships are available.
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Native American Urban Ministry, Phoenix, received a $10,000 grant from Cook Native American Ministries Foundation, which will allow the NAUM to launch “Elders and Youth, Leaders Together,” a project that will serve inner city Natives from multiple generations and varied life experiences.
Elders and youth will be paired up to learn from one another by engaging in community service and leadership training projects and sharing cultural and spiritual experiences. At the center is the notion of Christian fellowship that will allow youth and elders to build supportive and long-lasting relationships.
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How does the digital era both help and hinder our spiritual development? How can Lutherans leverage digital technology’s attributes—and respond to its challenges?
These were the questions Living Lutheran put forward to three ELCA experts on the topic, who guide us through the complex relationship between our spiritual lives and technology by offering their responses here.
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Under stress? Give yourself the gift of peace. Bring family, friends and neighbors to the Heavenly Harp concert at Spirit of Hope Lutheran on March 8th at 3:00pm. Enjoy inspiring and relaxing music featuring harp, piano and vocals.
CDs and DVDs will be available and author, Karin Gunderson, will be signing her book, “Encounters with Heaven~ Stories of God’s Surprising Presence.”
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Stewardship is more than annual pledge cards, balanced budgets and financial responses to God’s love ― it’s a way of life. Pray that we will recognize and give thanks for the breadth of resources and assets ― time, talents, possessions and money ― God has entrusted to our care as individuals, families and congregations, and that we will discover ways of using everything we have to live out God’s call to love God and our neighbors.
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In this reflection, Aaron Fuller writes: “In February 2013, I received news that my mother had finally passed away. She had been on and off her feeding tube for months; her body simply wouldn’t give up its life. Looking back, I think she held on because her spirit was tormented. I often think of my mom when the transfiguration story comes up during the liturgical year, as it does this February.”
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The entire Arcadia community and surrounding areas are invited to join together for the "Sixth Annual Arcadia Cares: Food For Kidz" packathon hosted by Prince of Peace Lutheran Church (northeast corner of 56th St. and Indian School) on Saturday, March 21, 2020 from 8:15 a.m. - 1:45 p.m.
This is a community wide event with a goal to raise $13,000 in new donations and pack 115,000 meals to nourish children and their families who don't have enough food to eat. All ages from 3 on up are encouraged to attend.
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Deacon John Weit has accepted a call as assistant to the bishop, executive for worship of the ELCA. Weit has served in the role in an interim capacity since July 2019.
"For Lutherans, worship stands at the center of our life of faith," said the Rev. Elizabeth Eaton, presiding bishop of the ELCA. "John brings to this role a deep commitment to how worship and liturgy help us grow in our faith.”
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PhLY High School Ministry will be making the difference to children around the world when we pack food with the amazing ministry of Feed My Starving Children. After we are done packing we will be having a night of fun and games at Golfland. Saturday, March 7, 2020 at 4:30 PM – 9 PM.
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We lift up Rev. Joaquin Garcia and the people of Iglesia Luterana Vida Nueva in Glendale, Arizona.
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Please save the date Sept. 13 for “God’s work. Our hands.” Sunday, the ELCA’s dedicated day of service, and visit ELCA.org/dayofservice for updates to our resources.
Since 2013, “God’s work. Our hands.” Sunday has inspired people of all ages to put their faith in action through service projects that share God’s love with all of God’s people.
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We pray for this new group of Lutherans, primarily 18-25 years old, who worship at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Mesa.
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These reflections are a part of ELCA World Hunger’s Sermon Starter series which is published via email every Monday. You can sign up for the weekly email here on the right side of the page if on a computer or near the bottom of the page if viewing from a phone. You are invited to use the message below for personal devotion as well as prompts for sermon writing.
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Active and retired rostered leaders are invited to connect directly with Bishop Hutterer via the annual Report to the Bishop. She looks forward to your responses and feedback. Every report will be read by Bishop Hutterer, and you will receive a response.
Completion of this required report is one of the commitments rostered leaders are invited to make upon entering the synod. The report is due by March 27, 2020, and can be found at gcsynod.org/rlreport.
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Give thanks for the happiness we experience when we walk in the ways and wisdom of God.
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Students from three Lutheran campus ministries—Northern Arizona University, University of Arizona, and Arizona State University—attended a joint campus ministry retreat in Sedona recently for a time of fellowship, prayer, and hiking.
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