Throughout the Thanksgiving, Advent, and Christmas season, we highlight submissions to the 2020 Generosity Film Festival.
This week we share the winner of the Best Community Impact Story and Best Editing Award, from Mount Cross Lutheran Church in Payson, Arizona. Their story of generosity: opening Payson's first homeless and homeless veteran warming center.
Read MoreThe Rev. Elizabeth A. Eaton, presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), and leaders of The Episcopal Church, the Anglican Church of Canada and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada have joined together to offer the following Advent message: Churches Beyond Borders, Advent Call to Address Racism and White Supremacy.
Read MoreWhether you are a newly connected or longtime advocate of ELCA World Hunger, you are invited attend the 2021 ELCA World Hunger Leadership Gathering.
This signature event gathers ELCA World Hunger’s leaders for a time of networking, idea sharing, learning and planning for our shared ministry.
Read MoreELCA Coaching will hold space for leaders to gather, share, and just be together in this liminal time filled with both grief and hope.
The Weekly Online Gathering for ELCA Leaders continues every Wednesday, 12pm MST, 11am PST. Links to the meeting at elcacoaching.org as well as archives.
Read MoreELCA Mission Support unveils a brand-new digital platform for Stories of Faith in Action, featuring content in a modern, dynamic format, mixing video and visual elements with stories to take you further into the work of Mission Support.
This site is a fantastic tool to include in your next stewardship communication or as part of your annual meeting materials.
Read MoreGive thanks for the new ELCA social message “Government and Civic Engagement in the United States: Discipleship in a Democracy.” Pray that it will help us understand how government is a gift from God but can also be abused and misused. Ask the Spirit to guide us as we prayerfully reflect on how we can view civic engagement as Lutherans.
Read MoreWe pray for Pastors Jill and Joe Doherty and the people of New Promise, St. George, part of the Colorado River Conference. View their YouTube page.
Read MoreWhen we come before God in worship, we bring our whole selves. What does that actually mean? For many people in the ELCA it means coming to worship with the assistance of a mobility, audio, visual, or sensory device.
Unfortunately, in many of our churches or places of worship, it is our siblings in Christ who have disabilities and need such devices who feel the least welcome at the table.
Read MoreThe Spirit is at work in times of anticipation and yearning, reminding us of God’s promises and activity, helping us stay calm and patient, and redirecting our attention from ourselves to our neighbors in need ― nearby and around the world.
Read MoreWe invite annual meeting organizers to an information session in which we will share best practices for your online annual congregation meeting: Monday, 12/14/2020, 7pm MST, 6 pm PST. Click here to register in advance.
Please join attorneys Peter Westby and Bryan Daum, synod council secretary Pastor David Brandfass, and the Office of the Bishop staff in a review of constitutional requirements, state regulations, technical aspects of a Zoom meeting, resource review, and Q&A.
Read MoreBishop Eaton shares a video message as we recognize World AIDS Day on December 1, 2020.
Read MoreWorld AIDS Day Pray for compassion, understanding and healing for individuals, families and communities worldwide that are living with or affected by HIV and AIDS. Give thanks for the dedicated service and skill of doctors, pastors, public officials, health care educators, care providers and researchers who treat the infected, bring hope to the discouraged and weary, and respond to the disease’s spiritual, physical, emotional and social impacts.
Read MoreThese petitions are offered as guides to prayer for the global, social and outreach ministries of the ELCA, as well as for the needs and circumstances of our neighbors, communities and world.
Download a Word doc, or PDF for letter size printout or legal size printout, or view the ELCA resource page.
Read MoreIn the course of your day, envision the people who, working behind the scenes in service industries, attend to our needs, ease our stresses, make our lives more enjoyable, help us manage each day and attend to the little things we take for granted. Pray that we will open our eyes and see them, valuing their work, advocating for their fair wages and benefits, and expressing our gratitude for their hard work serving others.
Read MorePresiding Bishop Eaton lights the Advent wreath and offers an Advent prayer.
Read MoreFirst Sunday of Advent This is a year of hope, yearning and anticipation, when we cry out for relief, healing, positive signs of change in the world and reassurance that we’ll all be OK. Pray that we will trust in God’s promises and presence through faith in Jesus Christ — son of man and son of God, our hope, security and salvation in all times and circumstances.
Read More“O come, let us sing to the Lord; let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation!” Like the immense, complex and awesome universe, we are God’s handiwork. Raise up prayers of glory and thanksgiving to God!
Read MoreShop ELCA Good Gifts for 50 different gifts that grow the church, fight hunger and transform lives – one goat, water well or school uniform at a time. ELCA.org/goodgifts
Read MorePray that we will be humble but not shy about praying in private or with others, trusting that God understands us even when our words — spoken or silent — feel awkward or inadequate.
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