Learn how to transform church properties into affordable housing at the Incubator Academy workshop on April 10th and 11th by Vitalyst Health Foundation and Corporation for Supportive Housing, featuring expert guidance and successful case studies. View this PDF for more info.
Read MoreFor justice and peace among nations where war and violence rage, especially Palestine and Israel, Myanmar, Iraq, Haiti, Russia and Ukraine, and South Sudan…
For relief and recovery efforts following the earthquake in Taiwan, and for those injured and those grieving the loss of family members and friends…
For all aid groups who risk their own safety as they deliver food and supplies, especially World Central Kitchen as they grieve the killing of 7 workers in Gaza…
For health care workers and epidemiologists as we continue to understand, treat, and prevent COVID, bird flu, and other diseases…
For high school and college seniors as they discern where God will lead them after graduation…
For all people in recovery from alcohol abuse in this Alcohol Awareness month…
For all communities grieving gun violence, especially Vantaa, Finland, after a school shooting…
For journalists in places where the press’s freedom is threatened, and for consumers of the news in places where misinformation is rife…
For our praise to rise at the wonders of creation, especially for the solar eclipse this week…
As part of our Creating Space for Conversations series, we share this video from the ELCA’s "Study Curriculum on Civic Life and Faith." Watch the video as a standalone resource, or explore the full set of the curriculum, including leader’s guides.
Read MoreHappy Easter from your friends at Lutheran Summer Music! Please enjoy this musical offering of Paul Basler’s , performed by the LSM 2023 Festival Choir, conducted by Dr. Shannon Gravelle. Learn more about LSM @ LSMacademy.org.
Read MoreResurrection brings action: Today, the Easter message comes from the Gospel of Mark 16:1-8. Mark gives an account of the resurrection. In the tomb, a young man dressed in a white robe conveyed two messages to the women. First, Jesus is risen, and second: tell the disciples and Peter to meet him in Galilee.
Easter Message by Rev. Chang Chun Wa, Ben, LWF Vice-President for Asia. He is a former bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Hong Kong.
“Go, therefore and, make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you.
– Matthew 28:18-20
When God is absent and silent: In his Large Catechism Martin Luther talks about a God who is like “a kind father who cares for us so that no evil may befall us.” To believe that we are created and cared for by a benevolent God rings true to our experience when things are going well, and we do indeed feel loved and cared for. View original post at LWF, or read PDF in English, German, Spanish, or French.
Read MoreWhen God is absent and silent: In his Large Catechism Martin Luther talks about a God who is like “a kind father who cares for us so that no evil may befall us.” To believe that we are created and cared for by a benevolent God rings true to our experience when things are going well, and we do indeed feel loved and cared for. View original post at LWF, or read PDF in English, German, Spanish, French.
Good Friday message by Rev. Dr Arnfríður Guðmundsdóttir is LWF Vice-President for the Nordic Countries. She is an ordained pastor of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Iceland and a Professor of Theology at the University of Iceland.
Read MoreMy God, my God, why have you forsaken me?
Why are you so far from helping me,
from the words of my groaning?
O my God, I cry by day, but you do not answer;
and by night but find no rest.
— Psalm 22:1-2
ELCA Advocacy shares their March 2024 updates. Our post focuses on Lutheran Advocacy Ministry Arizona’s highlights. Read the full post here at ELCA.org.
Read MoreJoin beloved 1960s TV icons Davey and Goliath for their Easter special. We hope you enjoy this full episode.
Read MoreThis week, the Office of the Bishop observes Holy Week. We invite you to join us in prayer and contemplation. Please note that in observance of Good Friday, our office will be closed. May this Holy Week be a time of profound reflection and renewal for you and your loved ones.
Read MoreThis week we celebrate the ordination anniversaries of:
Rev. William Timm, Gloria de Cristo, Yuma, who celebrates 43 years on March 29.
Deacon Glenda Blegen, who celebrates 18 years on April 2.
Rev. Adele Resmer, who celebrates 37 years on April 5.
This month's "Where Your Heart Is" newsletter from the ELCA Stewardship team emphasizes the importance of slowing down amidst the busyness of life, especially during the Holy Week and tax season.
The newsletter also introduces valuable stewardship resources and invites engagement with stewardship themes in upcoming lectionary readings, underscoring stewardship as a holistic approach to living out our faith.
Read MoreThe 2024 ELCA Youth Gathering is making an exciting move to the Smoothie King Center, right next door to the initially planned Caesars Superdome, due to ongoing construction. Deacon Tammy Jones West assures that faith formation and participant experience remain the top priority, and this venue change presents a unique opportunity to fill the arena to capacity for the first time in Gathering history.
Read MoreThe 2024 Synod Assembly welcomes Deacon John Weit, ELCA’s Executive for Worship, as our churchwide representative. His leadership and expertise in worship will play a crucial role, especially as he assists us with our Bishop election process. Read more about our 2024 assembly here.
Read More“He has been raised; he is not here.” —Mark 16:6
This year, journeying through Lent as well as the spring gatherings around our synod, I was heartened by the joy of our most basic calling: sharing the Good News.
At gatherings of conferences in Las Vegas, Tucson, Phoenix, Scottsdale, and Sedona, a portion of our time was dedicated to simple open mic sessions, introduced by conference deans, where leaders of our congregations and ministries proclaimed the wonders of God's work in their communities. The feedback we received was clear: we live in a world desperate to hear any kind of good news.
Read MoreIn this week's Arizona Faith Network newsletter, highlights include Arizona Gives Day for collective philanthropy, Monday Meditation sessions for spiritual nourishment, a webinar series on dismantling American Christian Nationalism, and crucial workshops on racism and community building. Additionally, the newsletter calls for action to protect public lands and offers opportunities for engagement with the state's initiative verification process.
Read MoreIn this week's Faith Lens, Kelsey Green from Baltimore, MD, offers reflections for Easter Sunday amidst the tiredness and worry of the world's current state. She explores the assurance that nothing is too big for God, drawing from Paul's words to the Corinthians about the cross's power. The discussion centers around personal powerlessness, the need for reminders that death does not win, and the joy of resurrection as seen through the women at the tomb in Mark's Gospel. This post encourages readers to find joy, share the good news, and support those in grief with the message that death does not have the last word.
Read MoreThis is your last chance to purchase Festival access before our prices increase! May 13-16, 2024, Pittsburgh, PA or Digitally from Anywhere. Registration costs will rise after April 2nd, and we don't want you to miss this opportunity to save. Will you join us at the Festival? Learn More & Register.
We look forward to this week of preaching, worship, and communal replenishment every single year. This May we'll be hearing from the likes of Otis Moss III, Pádraig Ó Tuama, and Emilie M. Townes; enjoying Beer & Hymns with the Fleshpots of Egypt; and pausing & reflecting with Taize prayer, yoga, and more. All in the innovative and energetic city of Pittsburgh!
Read MoreThe Faith and Community Engagement Manager will work as part of the Fund Development Team to advance the mission of Lutheran Social Services of the Southwest (LSS-SW) with donors, volunteers, congregations, and other partners throughout the Phoenix metro area. The ideal candidate is a natural networker who enjoys making connections between people and building community. Get more info and apply here.
Read MoreYou are invited to join Faith/La Fe Evangelical Lutheran Church (801 East Camelback in Phoenix) for The Great Vigil of Easter at 7:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 30, 2024.
Gathering in the courtyard after sunset, the new fire will be lit and our new Paschal Candle will be blessed. If you've never experienced an Easter Vigil or it's been awhile, the richness of this liturgy one to attend. All are welcome!
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