All Creation Sings, the worship and song supplement to Evangelical Lutheran Worship, released in late November 2020.
The ELCA Worship Staff would like to know how you’ve gotten to know All Creation Sings since its release last Advent. What is a newly discovered hymn or song that has worked very well in your assembly? Have you used elements of Settings 11 or 12 over this past year?
Read MoreWe are thankful to share a perspective from a member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania during the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence.
“Violence and peace are contagious. Maintaining them depends on one’s decision. A family member who has been raised experiencing one of the two is most likely to act the same toward people around them. One act of peace can change a society, and the same of violence.”
Read MoreZechariah’s prophecy in the first chapter of Luke, our reading for this second Sunday in Advent, is sometimes overlooked in favor of the Magnificat of Mary in the same chapter. Mary’s song, which we will read later in Advent, is a theological ode to God, who “lift[s] up the lowly” (Luke 1:52).
Read MoreWe pray for Revs. Linda and Clifford Hanus and the people of Mount Cross Lutheran Church in Payson, part of the High Country Conference. Visit their site at mountcross.org, and their Facebook page.
Read MoreThe Lutheran Church in Singapore presents Come Let us Adore Him, featuring the Queenstown Lutheran Church in Singapore.
Read MoreWhen scientists look at coronavirus mutations, they worry about three things: Is the new variant more contagious? Is it going to cause people to get sicker? And how will the vaccines work against it?
The Omicron variant is a greatest hits of all three. But we don’t yet know enough to panic. Listen for free on The New York Times Daily podcast page.
Read MoreEach week Religion News Service presents a gallery of photos of religious expression around the world. View the slideshow here.
This week’s photo gallery includes preparations for Christmas and Hanukkah, major trial verdicts in the United States and more.
Read MoreIt’s your final week to create and submit a video that shares a story of generosity that offers hope for the new year! Visit our film festival page for info and submission guidelines (web page or PDF).
Read MoreIn response to the verdicts in the trial of Travis McMichael, Gregory McMichael and William Bryan in Brunswick, Ga., for the murder of Ahmaud Arbery, we offer a word of prayer and healing.
Read MoreThe Salvadoran Lutheran Church presents Tras Hermoso Lucero. Featuring the Children Choir in the Lutheran Church Pueblo de Dios, Calderitas.
Read MoreAnnual report covers are now available online for congregations that are preparing for their annual meetings. The document includes a letter from Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton, a hymn and litany and a story about how change and creativity have helped shape congregations this past year. The digital covers are available as pages or as spreads and can be found at ELCA.org/SOFIA#relevantresources.
Read MoreThe Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada presents There is no Child by vocalists from the Eastern Synod.
Read MoreThe Evangelical Lutheran Church in Malawi presents Alimkudza wasoni munthu (He is Coming, The Man of Sorrows) featuring the ELCM Praise and Worship Team, Lilongwe Cathedral.
Read MoreWe are witnessing the rampant criminalization of faith, enabled by the smartphones in our pockets. Read the article from Religion News Service.
Read MoreThese past two years have exposed how the science vs. faith discourse isn’t an abstract ideological debate but a false dichotomy that has disastrous real-world consequences. Read the article from the New York Times.
Read MoreFor many, the relationship between birds and Christianity does not stray farther than seeing a dove carrying an olive branch on a banner at church. However, for Christian birdwatchers, this link is alive. Read the article from Religion News Service.
Read MoreAll but two counties in our synod continue to have extremely high levels of risk for unvaccinated people. 45% of our synod remains unvaccinated.
Extremely high risk counties for unvaccinated people in our synod include Apache, Cochise, Coconino, Gila, Graham, Greenlee, Maricopa, Mohave, Navajo, Pima, Pinal, Santa Cruz, Washington, Yavapai, and Yuma counties.
We’re compiling our news and events for Advent and Christmas on one page on our site. Visit gcsynod.org/advent to see it all, and let us know if we’re missing anything.
Read MoreThis Advent brings several reasons for hope: children can soon receive vaccinations for COVID-19, many congregations are gathering again in person, families look forward to holiday celebrations. Yet humanity grieves losses and experiences great suffering and forms of oppression, as does the planet itself.
Two new hymns in All Creation Sings that address this, see “Can You Feel the Seasons Turning” and “Abba, Abba, Hear Us” among others in the “Lament” and “Creation” sections.
Read More“And now we thank you, our God, and praise your glorious name.” 1 Chronicles 29:13
With prayers of gratitude and thanksgiving for all who share in our ministry together throughout the Grand Canyon Synod. —Bishop Deborah Hutterer and the Office of the Bishop staff
Read this post for the what’s and where’s of the team in the coming week.
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