In observance of All Saints Day, Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton recalls the lives of two notable saints in the ELCA and reminds us that on this day we give thanks to God for the lives of all who have died this year and for the promise of the resurrection that is sure to come.
Read MoreNormally, our synod assembly is the time when we honor rostered leaders of the Grand Canyon Synod who have died since the last gathering. This year, in this video In Memoriam, we remember and celebrate their lives as part of the Bishop’s Fall Gathering as well as All Saints Day.
Almighty God, you have knit your people together in one communion in the mystical body of your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Grant us grace to follow your blessed saints in lives of faith and commitment, and to know the inexpressible joys you have prepared for those who love you, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
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 MoreOur sincere condolences to the Malagasy Lutheran Church (MLC) following the death of the church’s president, Rev. Dr David Rakotonirina. Rakotonirina, 58, succumbed to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) on 11 July in Madagascar’s capital Antananarivo. More info on the LWF site.
We thank you, Lord God, for brave and believing people who planted your message around the world. We praise you for the gift of your Holy Spirit, who worked in them to gather and give order to this community, and who still sustains it. Remembering all those who have gone before us, we pray that we may follow as they followed, in the way, the truth, and the life, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.
Read MoreErvin P. Langholz died on July 8, 2020 in Sun City, Arizona. A funeral service—for immediate family only—will be held at American Lutheran Church, where he was a member and had once served as Pastor of Care Ministry. A Celebration of Life for the extended congregation will occur at a later date. He recently celebrated 60 years of ordination.
O God of grace and glory, we remember before you our brother Ervin. We thank you for giving him to us to know and to love as a companion in our pilgrimage on earth. In your boundless compassion, console us who mourn. Give us faith to see that death has been swallowed up in the victory of our Lord, Jesus Christ, so that we may live in confidence and hope until, by your call, we are gathered to our heavenly home in the company of all your saints; through Jesus Christ, our Saviour and Lord. Amen.
Read MorePastor Steve Haggmark, who had served as the Interim Pastor at Spirit of Grace, Surprise, died April 28, 2020. We pray for his Nancy, his wife, and his family. Please contact the synod office for Nancy’s address if needed.
Eternal God, your love is stronger than death, and your passion more fierce than the grave. We rejoice in the lives of those whom you have drawn into your eternal embrace. Keep us in joyful communion with them until we join the saints of every people and nation gathered before your throne in your ceaseless praise, through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Read MoreRev. Ron Hovick (last rostered in Pacifica Synod), member of Reformation Lutheran Church, Las Vegas, died February 20, 2020.
Funeral will be at Reformation Lutheran Church, Saturday, March 7, 2020 at 11 am.
Read MoreConfident in the promise of resurrection, New Song Church announces the passing of Rev. George Thune, who died on Monday, February 17th, 2020 after a battle with cancer.
A memorial service will be held at New Song Church on Saturday, February 29th at 11:00am followed by a reception. All are invited to attend.
Read MoreWe pray for the family of LaVonne Joy Klandrud, wife of Rev. Wallace Klandrud, who died February 23, 2020 at Friendship House, memory facility of Royal Oaks, Sun City.
The Rev. Peter Perry will conduct the memorial service at American Lutheran Church, 17200 N Del Webb Boulevard, Sun City, Saturday, March 7, 2020 at 10 am.
Read MoreThe Minnesota memorial service for Rev. Dr. Herbert W. Chilstrom, held Saturday, February 15, 1:00 pm, at Christ Chapel, Gustavus Adolphus College, will be live-streamed at: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jq_RlXyiWew
Full obituary and info on services available at gcsynod.org/news/chilstrom.
Read MoreRemembering Bishop Emeritus Herb Chilstrom, we look back to a short video of a 2013 devotion delivered from his garden, where he compares the messy work of building a church to composting.
Full obituary and info on services available at gcsynod.org/news/chilstrom.
Read MoreHerbert W. Chilstrom, 88, the first presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), died Jan. 19 at his home in Green Valley, Ariz.
There will be two services. At both services, clergy and all rostered leaders of the ELCA, together with clergy of all ecumenical partners, are invited to robe and process, and asked to RSVP to Desert Hills at jhoward@dhlc.org and to Christ Chapel at this online form. The Minnesota service will be live-streamed.
Thursday, February 13, 2:00 pm: Desert Hills Lutheran Church, Green Valley, Arizona
ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton will bring a greeting, Bishop Deborah Hutterer will preach, and Pastor Martin Overson will preside. Reception to follow.
Saturday, February 15, 1:00 pm: Christ Chapel, Gustavus Adolphus College, St. Peter, MN
ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton will preside and bring a greeting, Presiding Bishop Emeritus Mark Hanson will preach, and Bishop Jon Anderson will bring a greeting. Reception to follow. View live-stream.
Dear Church,
With sadness I bring you the news that Presiding Bishop Emeritus Herbert W. Chilstrom died at home early this morning. His wife, Pastor Corinne Chilstrom; his son, Chris Holt; and family were with him.
Read MoreThe Reverend Doctor Lincoln L. Leer passed over into the new life of God’s total embrace early January 14th, 2020, with all the family surrounding him in love.
The funeral service is Saturday, January 25th at 3:00pm at The Episcopal Church of the Nativity, 22405 North Miller Road, Scottsdale, AZ 85255.
He is survived by his wife Ramona. We will update this information as we learn more.
Read MorePaul John Halvorson died December 9, 2019, from complications following a medical procedure at the age of 82. He was surrounded by his family, singing songs at his bedside.
A Celebration of the Life and Faith of The Rev. Paul J. Halvorson will be held at Our Saviour's Lutheran Church, Phoenix, on Saturday, January 18 at 1:00 pm, with reception to follow.
Read MoreRobert ("Bob") Duea, age 79, passed away with family by his side on June 27, 2019, at the Banner Del E. Webb Medical Center in Sun City West. Bob was a man of spiritual strength and found his call to service through Lutheran Social Services (LSS).
Family, friends and others whose lives Bob touched are invited to the Lord of Life Lutheran Church, 13724 W. Meeker Blvd., Sun City West, AZ, on Saturday, July 6, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. to reminisce, grieve, support each other and, of course, celebrate a loving man.
O God of grace and glory, we remember before our brother Bob. We thank you for giving him to us to know and to love as a companion in our pilgrimage on earth. In your boundless compassion, console us who mourn. Give us faith to see that death has been swallowed up in the victory of our Lord, Jesus Christ, so that we may live in confidence and hope until, by your call, we are gathered to our heavenly home in the company of all your saints; through Jesus Christ, our Saviour and Lord. Amen.
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