For your individual or group devotion, you may choose to listen to the following choral recordings made available through Augsburg Fortress: “An Irish Blessing,” “Praise, Praise You Are My Rock,” “Nobody Knows the Trouble I’ve Seen.”
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Worship in the Home: Sunday, August 9, 2020. Tenth Sunday after Pentecost, Lectionary 19.
“We and all our world also know the threat of death and chaos. But then, listen. God comes to Elijah not in wind, earthquake or fire, but in the sound of sheer silence and in a voice that gives him a mission. Those sounds may be little in the world, but they are the very presence of God.”
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On August 4, 2020, an explosion rocked Beirut, Lebanon, with hundreds dead and thousands injured and missing. Damage extends as far as six miles away.
Lutheran Disaster Response is in communication with ecumenical partners in Beirut, whose buildings were damaged, but staff members are safe. LDR is prepared to accompany them as they and their communities recover.
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Portico is pleased to announce that the ELCA Benefit Contribution Trust is now adequately funded.
Starting in July, sponsoring organizations in the ELCA Pension and Other Benefits Program will no longer be charged 0.7% of sponsored members’ defined compensation for retiree support, which means that ministries can repurpose those funds toward other needs.
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The Rev. Murray D. Finck, who previously served three full terms as bishop of the neighboring Pacifica Synod, has accepted appointment to become interim bishop of the Southwest California Synod. He takes over from the Rev. Dr. R. Guy Erwin, who left office to assume the presidency of United Lutheran Seminary in Pennsylvania. Bishop Finck acted as Bishop Erwin’s official mentor when Erwin was elected bishop in 2013.
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Pastor Lars Hammar writes: Open Space Church is grieving the first death of one of our members, Kyle May, 30 years old. He died mid-July in his home town of New Jersey while there to attend his brother’s funeral. Kyle had a joyous and free-wheeling spirit about him, and his loss has been full of grief for the community at Open Space. Your prayers are appreciated.
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Holden Village, a remote Lutheran retreat center in the midst of the Cascade Mountains in Washington Stateseeks an accountant and a medic to join their long-term community. To apply, visit their volunteer page. Questions? Email staffing@holdenvillage.org.
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On behalf of the Grand Canyon Synod Diakonia, Mike Reed writes to thank church leaders for responding to Diakonia’s survey, and is happy to report great interest in lay leadership in congregations.
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Join Dr. Michael Chan, Professor of Old Testament at Luther Seminary and Ryan Panzer, author of the upcoming book Grace and Gigabytes for a free all-online workshop exploring the future of church digital marketing. August 6th, 1:00-3:30 PM Central Standard Time. Register today »
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ELCA Advocacy provides some timely questions and talking points based upon ELCA Advocacy priorities of hunger, police reform, housing and homelessness, migration, international aid, and inequality.
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The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) has worked with Lutheran World Relief (LWR) to repurpose $160,000 in project funding for emergency responses to the COVID-19 pandemic in Latin America, Africa and Asia.
"Thanks to the flexibility and rapid action of our ELCA partners, Lutheran World Relief has been able to quickly ramp up these emergency responses to COVID-19," said Daniel Speckhard, LWR president and CEO.
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Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Young Adults in Global Mission program will not be sending out volunteers this year. Give thanks for young adults who have volunteered for global service over the years, and pray that the Spirit will guide the Young Adults in Global Mission program as it prepares to continue its work and ministry alongside our global companions.
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There’s still time to take advantage of Beginning a Culture of Generosity, a one-time only stewardship program established for this unprecedented year of pandemic.
This program, from the consulting firm GSB Fundraising, is just $150 with a $500 scholarship from 3E and the Grand Canyon Synod to each congregation. Register by August 15, 2020.
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Join us Tuesday, 8/11/2020, 6:30 pm (Arizona), for an “Open Conversation about Race.” These conversations are a safe and thoughtful space where you and others in the synod can wrestle with questions and talk with each other.
Please register in advance for this Zoom meeting here: bit.ly/gcs-811. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
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Congress traditionally takes a recess during the month of August, allowing lawmakers time to return to their home states and congressional districts to connect with constituents. That may look a bit different this year.
New to help you connect with lawmakers in 2020 is a Virtual Visits resource with tips on how to utilize digitalcommunications options more widely in use this year. Our August Recess Guide also contains ideas for communicating with your elected officials and candidates in–district this month.
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The Weekly Online Gathering for ELCA Leaders continues every Wednesday, 1 pm Central, 11am MST. Links to the meeting at elcacoaching.org as well as archives.
On August 5, we are thrilled to have Rev. Robin McCullough-Bade and Rev. Brenda K. Smith with us in "Naming our Laments and Recognizing our Resiliency."
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Pray that we will not be too inhibited to wrestle with God and God’s Word, or to have candid conversations with God, and that the Spirit will deepen our trust in God’s love, concern, forgiveness and patience with us.
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Give thanks for artists and craftspeople who share their creative gifts and perspectives, arousing our joy,
wonder, reflection and appreciation of life.
Pray that the story of Jesus feeding the hungry crowd will inspire us to be compassionate and generous,
and that, individually and together, we will be able and equipped to respond to the needs of our neighbor.
We continue out 50·40·10 celebration with a message from Pastor Sarah Anderson-Rajarigam, Grace Lutheran, Drexel Hill, Pennsylvania. She shares who helped her get where she is today.
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