Posts in Prayers
Thank you, Norine Floyd
Thank you, Norine Floyd

We offer up prayers of thanksgiving and support for Norine Floyd, our outgoing Director of Administration and Events. Anyone who has interacted with Norine this year has surely noted her friendliness, professionalism, and attention to detail.

Norine has been the steady center of the Office of the Bishop in this transitional year. Building from a good foundation, she leaves the office with an efficient system in place and detailed operations manuals. We are also very grateful for her coordination of this year’s synod assembly.

Norine and her husband David are returning to Santa Fe, New Mexico, where David has a teaching job. We hold our time together close to our hearts.

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PrayersBrian FlatgardComment
Independence Day Prayer
Independence Day Prayer

As we celebrate the gift of freedom, pray for those in our communities, our nation and our world who still experience oppression, persecution or inequality. Ask for God’s forgiveness for the ways in which we deliberately or unconsciously exert or support control over others for our own benefit or advantage; pray that we might exercise our freedom responsibly and compassionately for the well-being of all people.

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PrayersBrian FlatgardComment
In memoriam: Robert E. Duea
In memoriam: Robert E. Duea

Robert ("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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Prayers, In MemoriamBrian FlatgardComment
Prayers for America Lutheran, Sun City, AZ
Prayers for America Lutheran, Sun City, AZ

We uplift in prayer American Lutheran Church of Sun City, AZ. We pray for Rev. Lowell D. Nelson, Senior Pastor; Rev. Gary R. Ulrich, Pastor of Care; Rev. Gary R. Garvey, Pastor of Visitation; Linda Shirck, Interim Organist; Janet MacDonald, Interim Choir Director; George Zoske, Director of Christo Bells; Julie Ochs, Financial Coordinator; Diane Lewis, Admin. Assistant; Carol Weber, Financial Consultant; Lori Kellar, Wellness Coordinator; Judy Gilmore, Communications Coordinator/Admin Assistant; Dave Tigges, Property / Grounds,

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Prayers, Grand Canyon SynodBrian FlatgardAmerican Sun City, Cactus ConferenceComment
Prayers for Shepherd of the Valley, Phoenix, AZ
Prayers for Shepherd of the Valley, Phoenix, AZ

In our prayers, we uplift Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church in Phoenix, AZ. We pray for Pastor David M. Marz, Equipping Pastor John Schaumburg, Children and Youth Director Casey Goslin, Minister of Place Tom Berggren, Minister of Administration Carol Carpenter, Contemporary Worship Leader, Daniel Camacho, Bookkeeper Lise Ryden, and Lisa Henderson with the Shepherd’s Foundation.

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Prayers, Grand Canyon SynodBrian FlatgardShepherd of the Valley Phoenix, Capital ConferenceComment
In memoriam: Rev. Richard Andersen
In memoriam: Rev. Richard Andersen

We pray for Patrick Burns and the friends and family of Rev. Richard Andersen, who passed away on Sunday, June 2, surrounded by friends and family. Rest eternal grant to him, O Lord; and let light perpetual shine upon him.

Rev. Richard Andersen’s memorial service will be at Ascension Lutheran, Paradise Valley on Friday, June 21 at 3 pm. Clergy are invited to process: gather at 2:45, the color of the day is white.

Richard Andersen was born in Iowa and grew up in Minnesota. He was a Vietnam veteran and a graduate of the University of Minnesota and Luther Seminary.  He initially helped construct the ARC Retreat Center in Minnesota.

He served as pastor at Watson Immanuel Lutheran churches in southwestern Minnesota. Later, he was Executive Director of the Foundation of St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church, Mahtomedi, Minnesota, while also serving as interim pastor at St. Paul-Reformation Lutheran Church in the city of St. Paul.

In 1991, Richard began a successful fifteen-year career at Thrivent Financial. He co-founded a Minnesota non-profit called Third Act Ministries which served groups of people as they individually considered ways in which to transform their lives. Before coming to Spirit in the Desert Retreat Center, Richard was called by the ELCA to be Director of Congregational Relations and Senior Major Gifts Officer for Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota (LSS).

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PrayersBrian Flatgard Comments
Prayers for Emmanuel Lutheran, Prescott Valley, AZ
Prayers for Emmanuel Lutheran, Prescott Valley, AZ

We pray for Emmanuel Lutheran Church, in Prescott Valley, AZ, an inclusive faith community that seeks to live the Word and Way of Christ's unconditional love.

We uplift: Pastor Tricia Lowe; Adam Bissell, Assistant Director; Cathy Namock, Organist; Gene Fougner, Music Ministry Coordinator; Jon Hust, Praise Team Leader; Mary Jensen, Office Manager; and Kimberly Robinson-Goats, Office Assistant.

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High Country Conference, PrayersBrian FlatgardEmmanuel Prescott ValleyComment
Prayers for synod assemblies
Prayers for synod assemblies

Please hold the following Bishops and Synods in your prayers as they gather for their synod assemblies on the following dates:

  • Bishop Mark Narum, Western North Dakota Synod, June 6-8, 2019

  • Bishop Roger Gustafson, Central States Synod, June 6-8, 2019

  • Bishop Wayne Miller, Metropolitan Chicago Synod, June 6-8, 2019

  • Bishop John Roth, Central/Southern Illinois, June 6-8, 2019

  • Bishop Tracie Bartholomew, New Jersey Synod, June 6-8, 2019

  • Bishop Jim Dunlop, Lower Susquehanna Synod, June 6-8, 2019

  • Bishop Pedro Suarez, Florida-Bahamas Synod, June 6-8, 2019

  • Bishop Richard Jaech, Southwestern Washington Synod, June 7-8, 2019

  • Bishop Jon Anderson, Southwestern Minnesota Synod, June 7-8, 2019

  • Bishop Suzanne Dillahunt, Southern Ohio Synod, June 7-8, 2019

  • Bishop Robert Humphrey, Virginia Synod, June 7-8, 2019

  • Bishop Larry Wohlrabe, Northwestern Minnesota Synod, June 7-9, 2019

  • Bishop Terry Brandt, Eastern North Dakota Synod, June 9-10, 2019

Please pray for the Central States Synod, Metropolitan Chicago Synod, New Jersey Synod, Lower Susquehanna Synod, Southwestern Washington Synod, Southern Ohio Synod, and Northwestern Minnesota Synod as they elect a bishop.

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Prayers, ELCABrian FlatgardComment
We pray for Shepherd of the Desert, Sun City
We pray for Shepherd of the Desert, Sun City

We pray for Shepherd of the Desert Lutheran Church, Sun City, AZ as they continue to be an intergenerational congregation that puts the Love of Christ into action from one generation to another, and from their community to the world. We uplift: The Rev. Dr. Daniel Defassio, Senior Pastor; Kristen Wood, Administrative Secretary; Sue Jordan, Administrative Assistant; and Victor Lozano, Custodian.

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Prayers, Grand Canyon SynodBrian FlatgardShepherd of the Desert Sun City, Cactus ConferenceComment