In July of 2021, the American Indian/Alaska Native Lutheran Association (AIANLA) asked the whole ELCA to remember and lament the children who died in Indian boarding schools in the United States and residential schools in Canada.
As the church observes the Feast of the Holy Innocents*, the Saint Paul Area Synod, the Minneapolis Area Synod, and the Advocates for Racial Equity offer this service of prayer and lament (on Vimeo) for use by individuals and congregations.
Read MoreThe Lutheran World Federation’s Hymns of Advent and Christmas continues with offerings from around the world: Evangelical Lutheran Church in Botswana, "Re tsamaya Lesedingla Modimo" ("Walk in the Light of God"); Evangelical Lutheran Church in Guyana, "Come O Come, Emmanuel"; The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Zambia, "How Beautiful"; Evangelical Lutheran Church of Saxony, "Veni, veni Emmanuel"; Evangelical Lutheran Church in Colombia, "Bella María"; Bangladesh Northern Evangelical Lutheran Church, "E Dhorom Isại Hoṛ"; Malagasy Lutheran Church, "Fa zaza no teraka" ("A child is born to us"); Union of Protestant Churches of Alsace and Lorraine, "Il est né le divin enfant" ("A Divine Child is Born").
Read MoreWe are nearing the end of Advent and the start of that special holiday, Christmas. In the United States, stores have been filled with seasonal music for six months now (it feels that way, at least), garlands and lights are draped over homes and lampposts, and pine trees are adorned with baubles of all shapes and sizes. In many countries, Christmas markets have taken over city squares. As the old carol says, “It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas.”
Read MoreChances are you are looking at these words on a screen or that you looked at them on a screen prior to printing them out. According to a study released by the JAMA Pediatrics in November 2021, screen time for teenagers has increased during the pandemic from 3.8 hours per day to 7.7 hours per day. The 7.7 hours per day is for recreation (gaming and videos) and social interaction (social media and texting). That does not include online schooling, which can represent another 5-7 hours per day.
Read MorePastor Dan Valasakos, synod council member and pastor at Mount Zion Lutheran in Tucson, shares a book of Advent daily devotions. Each devotions is accompanied with watercolor illustrations by Valaskos. The book is available on the Mount Zion website through these links: Advent Devotional - Daily Advent Meditations, Advent Devotional Printable Booklet (print two sided -flip at short side).
Read MoreBring your grief, fear and loss to WELCA’s second annual Blue Christmas service via Zoom, Tuesday, Dec. 21, 2021 at 6pm MST, 5pm PST.
As a community of women, we have committed ourselves to promote healing and wholeness in the church, the society and the world. We will gather for prayer, reflection, and quiet music on the longest night of the year in the Northern Hemisphere—the Winter Solstice—December 21. Register now to participate in the Blue Christmas Service.
Read MoreRight off the bat we see why Hallmark has a robust industry in Christmas cards and not Advent cards. “Happy Advent, You Brood of Vipers” might not sell too well as a holiday card, but these words are certainly a wake-up call for the audience of John the Baptizer.
Read MoreThe Protestant Christian Batak Church presents "Give Thanks", featuring the Protestant Christian Batak Church (HKBP) Department of Diakonia, Indonesia.
Read MoreThe ELCA has posted guidance for congregations who received ballots or who are otherwise entitled to vote on the Boy Scouts of America bankruptcy plan. Please note that this is not legal advice and that, due to the nature of our polity, the ELCA cannot dictate what congregations do.
Click here for the Summary of Select Information about the Boy Scouts of America Bankruptcy Case, updated December 6, 2021. You can find this and more sexual misconduct resources on the ELCA legal resource page.
Read MoreThe Christian Lutheran Church of Honduras presents "Tiempo de Esperanza" ("Time of Hope").
Read MoreTime to update your congregation’s constitution? You can thank ELCA Secretary Deacon Sue Rothmeyer, our synod secretary Pastor David Brandfass, and Bryan Daum for the valuable information they provided at our recent Constitution Workshop. Click below for resources:
Constitutions - Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (elca.org) and the 2019 Model Constitution for Congregations (pdf)
The final sessions of the Beginning a Culture of Generosity fall stewardship program are available for review: Sharing Results and an Effective Follow-Up, and the December 4, 2021 session.
Read MoreIn a July 30, 2021, news release, the IRS issued a call for entities with an Employer Identification Number (EIN) to ensure that the IRS has the entity’s current “responsible party” on file. The IRS believes maintaining current responsible party contact information is critical to its efforts to fight identity theft and other fraud related to EINs. View the form here.
Read MoreThe Nepal Evangelical Lutheran Church presents "Wake and look toward the new star," featuring the Biratnagar Congregation.
Read MoreThe Evangelical Church of Czech Brethren presents "Boha Otce všichni chvalme" ("All praise God the Father"), featuring Ladislav Moravetz.
Read MoreThe Lutheran Church in Chile presents "Gloria a Dios" ("Glory to God"), featuring Santiago Synod Iglesia Evangélica Luterana El Redentor.
Read MoreThis Gathering webinar provides information about one of the program days at the Gathering, Synod Day. For more information about the 2022 Gathering, “boundless: God beyond measure,” visit elca.org/Gathering.
Read MoreThe Evangelical Lutheran Church in Romania presents "Krisztus Urunknak áldott születésén" ("On the birth of our Lord Christ") featuring the Mátka Folk Group.
Read MoreLutheran Summer Music is pleased to share a musical selection every day of Advent, from favorite LSM performances to brand new recordings submitted by alumni, faculty, and friends. Follow the calendar in real time on the LSM Website for a moment of music and reflection each day until December 24th!
Read MoreThe Protestant Church in the Netherlands presents "De nacht loopt ten einde…" ("The night comes to an end…") featuring the Lutheran Parish in Amsterdam.
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