A Service of Holy Closure led by Bishop Hutterer will be held Saturday 11/12/2022, 4 pm for Alleluia Lutheran Church, 8444 W. Encanto Blvd, Phoenix AZ 85037.
There will be a meal and fellowship followed by a service of Celebration. There will be special guest speakers, Festival Choir selections, memories and stories to share.
Read MoreAs we prepare for the upcoming election season, the ELCA understands government as a means through which God works to preserve creation and build a more peaceful and just social order in a broken world. We share resources to help clarify how churches can appropriately be involved in elections and advocacy.
Read MoreGood and Gracious God, be with us and our nation on election day and throughout the election process. Guide our actions, that good and faithful leaders may be raised up to serve our nation and communities justly. Protect our communities from acts of violence. Provide peace of mind to all who are anxious. Bring comfort to all who are stressed and hope to those who are fearful.
Grant that your holy and life-giving Spirit may move every human heart to be kind; that the barriers dividing our nation may crumble, suspicions disappear, and hatred cease. Help us to put our trust in you and give us wisdom, strength, and courage to be living examples of your love, today and every day. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
Read MoreWe pray for the friends and family of Deacon Ann Terhark, who passed away on Oct. 17, 2022. Deacon Ann previously served as an Associate in Ministry at Gloria Dei Lutheran in Paradise Valley and then later on at King of Glory Lutheran in Tempe, AZ.
Read MoreThe Office of the Bishop continues to travel and preach. We share photos from the Ordination and Installation of Verónica Alvarez at Faith/La Fe in Phoenix.
Read MoreWe celebrate the following ordination anniversaries this week:
Deacon Anada Guse, who celebrates 32 years on November 4.
Rev. Conrad Braaten, who celebrates 50 years on November 5.
Conditions are stable in most states, but there are some concerning trends in the Southwest. In Arizona and New Mexico, both cases and hospitalizations have risen by 30 percent or more since mid-month.
Read MoreThe ELCA provides this PDF resource, provided to assist congregations in this time surrounding a national election. The readings, prayers, and assembly song suggestions could be used in settings such as prayer vigils, as part of Morning or Evening Prayer, as part of regular weekly worship in the weeks preceding or following an election, or devotions at home or in other settings.
Read MoreFor the global missionaries of our church, including pastors, educators, medical personnel, and Young Adults in Global Mission (YAGM)…
For our nation’s veterans, all who have experienced the violence of war, and those who strive for peace…
For an end to the continued war in Ukraine and all places of war and conflict…
For those injured and those grieving loss of life in the aftermath of the tragic Halloween festivities in Seoul, South Korea…
For those grieving loss of life following the bridge collapse in Morbi, Gujarat, India…
For our national and local elections and those who will be elected to public office this week…
Christian Nationalism identifies human-made governments as lockstep with God’s will and seeks to privilege Christians, typically only white Christians. This type of ideology is not only dangerous but distorts the difference between holding government accountable to God as opposed to identified strictly with God’s will. We must stand against Christian Nationalism and as that you join us in signing the petition and sharing your stance by visiting the Christians Against Christian Nationalism site.
Read MoreOur synod is blessed with a rich tapestry of people, land, and history. How do we move forward as church together, honoring and including so many cultures?
This is what we set out to explore at our latest retreat of the synod council, conference deans, and Office of the Bishop staff.
Read MoreELCA Global Mission shares their November, 2022 Global Links, featuring: Young Adults in Global Mission Welcomed Around the World; News Around the World; Mission Personnel; and how to get involved.
Read MoreLutheran Men in Mission shares their October 2022 Ambassador-Gram (view as PDF).
Read MoreMountain View Lutheran Church, Ahwatukee (11002 S. 48th Street Phoenix, AZ 85044) is hosting a German-language Christmas Service on Sunday, 12/18/2022. Singing of Christmas songs begins at 4:10 pm, with the Christmas service starting at 4:30 pm. Watch the live-stream here.
Read MoreCalifornia Lutheran University’s Thriving Leadership Formation offers two upcoming opportunities for church leaders. Executive Skills for Church Leaders will be at Spirit in the Desert, January 9-13, 2023. Leaders can also join a Thriving Leadership Cohort Group.
Read MoreNew Promise Lutheran in St. George has hymnals available. Please contact New Promise at 435-628-9740 if you can use them.
93 copies of the Lutheran Book of Worship (LBW)
20 copies of With One Voice (WOV)
110+ copies of Gather
We pray for Rev. Timothy Nybroten, Rev. Erin Morris and the people of Resurrection Lutheran Church in Oro Valley, part of the Kino Conference. Visit their site at orovalley.org, and their social media pages on Facebook and YouTube.
Read More2022 marks two decades of full communion between the ELCA and The Episcopal Church—a pioneering decision for Christians in the United States that now bears fruit in about two hundred ministry sites including combined church plants, shared facilities, joint camping ministries and governmental advocacy, food pantries, campus ministries, archival work, very regular exchange of pastoral care and preaching, and collaboration in educational initiatives.
Read MoreI’ve lived in both cities and in the country–and in a few different states. There are commonalities among people everywhere I’ve lived. Most people want the best for themselves, their families, and the world. But we disagree on what that looks like and how we can bring it about.
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