Posts in In Memoriam
In Memoriam: Rev. Wayne Viereck
In Memoriam: Rev. Wayne Viereck

Pastor Tim Nybroten, Resurrection Lutheran in Tucson, writes to tell us of the death of Rev. Wayne Viereck: “Pastor Wayne passed into the loving arms of God just before midnight on Wednesday, March 24, 2021. We hold Pat and the Viereck family in our prayers, and we thank God for Wayne’s many years of faithful service to Resurrection Lutheran and to the greater Church.”

A memorial service for Pastor Wayne is scheduled for Saturday, April 3rd at 1:00 p.m. at Resurrection Lutheran Church. All CDC Covid-19 protocols will be followed.

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Prayers, In Memoriam, News, Grand Canyon SynodBrian FlatgardResurrection Oro Valley, Kino Conference Comment
In Memoriam: Rev. Frank Caron
In Memoriam: Rev. Frank Caron

The Reverend Franklyn Annesifor Caron, longtime member of ELCA Grand Canyon Synod, died peacefully at the age of 91 on Friday, March 19, 2021 at Marley House Hospice in Prescott, AZ.

He was born June 29, 1929 to Annesifor and Ella Caron in Butte, Montana. Reverend Caron lived a long and storied life: musician, dancer, rodeo rider, miner, locomotive engineer, Marine, small business owner, and finally, pastor. We’ve updated this post with his full obituary.

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Prayers, In Memoriam, News, Grand Canyon SynodBrian FlatgardHigh Country ConferenceComment
Prayers for Pastor Vernon Victorson and family
Prayers for Pastor Vernon Victorson and family

Following the death of his wife Kay, we pray for Pastor Vernon Victorson and family. Kay Victorson died Monday, January 4, 2021. The couple celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in April, 2020. As Pastor Victorson shared, "The strife is o'er, the battle done; Now is the victor's triumph won! Now be the song of praise begun. Alleluia!"

There are no plans for a service until after the pandemic, when a memorial celebration will be held at First Lutheran in Albany, New York.

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.

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News, In Memoriam, Prayers, Grand Canyon SynodBrian Flatgard Comments
In Memory of Rev. George Johnson
In Memory of Rev. George Johnson

To celebrate Pr. Johnson’s life and service to ELCA World Hunger, we share words from his book, No Time for Silence:

I have Alzheimer’s disease. Nothing to brag about, nothing to be ashamed about, and I see no reason to be silent about it. My brain served me well for eighty-five years … I want to give people resources that will help them think and act critically in an age of confusion and conflicting voices.

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In Memoriam, LettersBrian FlatgardELCA World HungerComment
In Memoriam: 2019-2020 Grand Canyon Synod rostered leaders
In Memoriam: 2019-2020 Grand Canyon Synod rostered leaders

Normally, 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.

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In Memoriam, NewsBrian FlatgardFall Gathering, Herb Chilstrom Comment
In Memoriam: Adita Torres, Lutheran Church of Peru
In Memoriam: Adita Torres, Lutheran Church of Peru

We 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.

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In Memoriam, PrayersBrian FlatgardLutheran World Federation Comment
In Memoriam: Malagasy Lutheran Church President David Rakotonirina
In Memoriam: Malagasy Lutheran Church President David Rakotonirina

Our 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.

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Prayers, In MemoriamBrian FlatgardLutheran World FederationComment
In Memoriam: Rev. Ervin P. Langholz
In Memoriam: Rev. Ervin P. Langholz

Ervin 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.

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In Memoriam, PrayersBrian FlatgardAmerican Sun City, Cactus ConferenceComment
Prayers for the family of Pastor Steve Haggmark
Prayers for the family of Pastor Steve Haggmark

Pastor 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.

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Prayers, In MemoriamBrian FlatgardSpirit of Grace Surprise, CacComment
In memoriam: Presiding Bishop Emeritus Herbert W. Chilstrom
In memoriam: Presiding Bishop Emeritus Herbert W. Chilstrom

Herbert 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.

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In Memoriam, Prayers, ELCA, Grand Canyon SynodBrian FlatgardHerb Chilstrom Comment