Pray for the leaders, voting members and others of the Eastern North Dakota Synod who are gathering for their digital assembly, that the Spirit will strengthen, guide and encourage them in choosing leaders, proclaiming the gospel, growing the church, serving our neighbor and doing God’s work in an ever-changing world.
Read MoreDevotional Music Links: For your individual or group devotion, you may choose to listen to the following choral recordings made available through Augsburg Fortress: “May God Bestow on Us Grace,” “Creating God Your Fingers Trace,” “When to the World the Savior Came.”
Read MoreEleventh Sunday after Pentecost, Lectionary 20
Because of his cross and resurrection, Jesus Christ makes bread available to all the peoples, including us — the bread of the eucharist when we can gather, but always the bread of his healing word. And so we come to see our neighbor in a stunning new way: another needy person beside us, under God’s mercy.
Read MoreFor quick comparison, we are using New York Times 7-day average graphs for each state in our synod: Arizona, Nevada, and Utah.
Arizona: This week: 182,230 cases, 3,933 deaths. Last week: 170,905 cases, 3,628 deaths.
Nevada: This week: 53,569 cases, 900 deaths. Last week: 47,034 cases, 805 deaths.
Utah: This week: 42,478 cases and 330 deaths. Last week: 36,178 cases and 271 deaths.
Navajo Nation: This week: 9,195 cases and 467 deaths. Last week: 9,019 cases and 404 deaths.
Hopi Nation: This week: 425 cases. Last week: 415 cases.
Pray that during this pandemic, which has stretched beyond our expectations and imagination, we will be renewed in our commitment to the patience, sacrifice and awareness of the example we set as we continue personal health measures for the sake of our health and the wellness of our neighbors, community and nation.
Read MoreThe Weekly Online Gathering for ELCA Leaders continues every this Wednesday, 8/19/2020, 1 pm Central, 11am MST. Links to the meeting at elcacoaching.org as well as archives.
Holy Three-Ring Circus: Faith, Parenting, and Work in a Pandemic, with Jessica Harris Daum and others.
Read MoreGrand Canyon Synod active and retired rostered leaders are invited to a one hour time for learning and conversation around grief and lament in our lives and ministries. Please set aside time on Tuesday, Aug. 25 at 2 pm. Register in advance for this meeting.
As rostered leaders going through ministry at this time in our daily lives Pastor Brenda Smith will guide us and teach us spiritual practices that will keep in grounded in God’s loving embrace. Please have a bible and candle available.
Read MoreRegister by August 15, 2020 for Beginning a Culture of Generosity and reap the benefits of this one-time only program established for your fall stewardship season in 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.
Read MoreGive thanks for nurses, who care for our physical, emotional and spiritual needs in diverse settings, including hospitals, community clinics, congregations, schools, home care, the military, facilities for older adults, health education programs and global mission. Pray for the Evangelical Lutheran Parish Nurse Association and its work supporting, equipping and encouraging parish nurses across the country.
Read MoreCome join fellow Phoenix Fusion friends as we gather together via Zoom on Monday, Aug 17th @ 6:30 pm to discuss the movie, The Hate U Give (PG-13, preview here), based on Angie Thomas’ novel. Register for the Zoom Meeting here. Facilitated by Pastor Brent Maxwell, Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, Paradise Valley.
Read MorePhoenix Fusion is in the midst of four sessions on advocacy, which can be seen as a series or on their own, Thursdays at 6:30 pm. Hosted by Pastor Sarah Stadler and friends, you can find more info and Zoom links on their Facebook event page.
8/13/2020 6:30 pm: How do bills become laws, and how can we participate in the process?
8/20/2020 6:30 pm: What are best practices for communicating with lawmakers?
8/27/2020 6:30 pm: What is LAMA (Lutheran Advocacy Ministry of Arizona), and how can we participate in it?
Diakonia classes start on September 7, 2020, and three information night sessions are scheduled for anyone to attend: Tues., 8/18/2020 7 pm (Zoom Link); Weds., 8/19/2020 6:30 pm (Zoom Link); Mon., 8/31/2020 6 pm (Zoom link).
The Grand Canyon Synod Diakonia program (diakoniaaz.org) is a means to prepare lay leaders in changing times to support the mission of the church with wisdom and understanding in accordance with our Lutheran understanding of who God is and how God works.
Read MoreOur Saviour’s Lutheran in Tucson is looking for a Facilities Technician. View the job description and please remit your resume to Kathryn at admin@lutherantucson.org for consideration.
Read More“How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!” Ask God to help us proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ and salvation, that all who hear will believe, be saved and enjoy the blessings of being a sibling in Christ with believers throughout the world.
Read MoreJoin Valley Interfaith Project and the Arizona Faith Network in urging the Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation and Reentry (ADCRR) and Arizona Department of Health Services (DHS) to protect prison staff, inmates, and their families during the COVID-19 crisis.
On Tuesday, it was reported that half the population of the Whetstone Unit of the Arizona State Prison Complex, 517 individuals, have tested positive for COVID-19. Learn more and sign a petition for a testing blitz and other measures to control the virus in Arizona prisons.
Read MoreSylvia Haddad, the executive director of the Department of Service to Palestinian Refugees (DSPR), shares a personal account of her experience with the Beirut explosion on August 4, 2020.
Read MoreWe are grateful for the life and ministry of President Adita Torres, Lutheran Church of Peru. Adita died of COVID-19 on her 61st birthday, August 10, 1959-2020. May she be welcomed to the communion of saints with the same love she offered on earth. God bless her memory.
An interview posted on The Lutheran World Federation site sheds light on her work in Peru, and Bishop Michael Rinehart, Texas-Louisiana Gulf Coast Synod, shares a remembrance.
Read MoreLutherans Restoring Creation is preparing a creation focused video worship service utilizing the lectionary texts for Pentecost 16 that congregations can download and use, available by Monday, 9/14/2020.
Bishop Elizabeth Eaton, The Rev. Dr. Barbara Rossing, Rev. Lenny Duncan, Rebekah Bruesehoff, and others will participate, with music provided by Marty Haugen, the Rev. Dr. Leah Schade, and John Tirro.
Read MoreThe image became emblazoned in my memory: a group of Muslims prostrating in prayer at Tahrir Square while a group of Christians formed a ring around them, holding hands to protect them, and looking outwardly to give them privacy.
Read MoreTom Cunniff, ELCA General Counsel, gives some guidance on inquiries about church employees (particularly ministers) taking leave to care for children.
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