As this year draws to a close, I continue to be surprised and delighted by the spirit of generosity and commitment that is present throughout our church community. Your support and dedication have been the bedrock of our many achievements in 2023.
Read More“When God created the seventh day, God did not rest because God did all the work of creation in the six days prior. God rested because rest is intrinsically built in the rhythm of life. That means, if we choose Sunday to be the seventh day, then no matter what happened the past week, whether we fall to illness, or lose track of time, or projects and schedules fail in the many ways they often do, we still must rest. Rest allows us to be human, understanding that production may not work the way we need it to, but days of work will always come back around.”
Read MoreJoin beloved 1960s TV icons Davey and Goliath for their 1965 Christmas special. Davey learns the real meaning of Christmas when he gives his part in a Christmas play to another boy.
Read MoreAs we gather to celebrate this holy season, we extend our wishes for a blessed and joyous Christmas to you. Let us remember the great light that shone with the birth of Christ—a light that continues to guide and uplift us through all the seasons of our lives.
In this imperfect season—where shadows of trouble and war loom over this world—may we find renewed hope, peace, and joy in the message of the angels and the humble birth of Jesus. Join us in embracing the warmth of our communities and ministries, the love of family and friends, and the comfort of God's enduring presence among us.
Gracious God, as we rejoice in the miracle of Christmas, guide us to be bearers of your peace and joy in a world that yearns for your presence. Strengthen our faith, enliven our hope, and let your love shine through us each day. Amen.
Wishing you a Christmas filled with peace and joy,
—The Office of the Bishop Staff
Read MoreIn this post, we share “The Prince of Peace at Christmas,” a Christmas message from the ELCA. View as a PDF in English and in Spanish, or as a video.
Bishop Eaton recalls the Christmas message from the angels: "Glory to God in the highest heaven and peace to God's people on Earth." She reminds us that when we greet one another with the sign of peace, “we share the peace, the love of God, and as we do, we know that God has reached from heaven to earth and in the Prince of Peace is sharing God's peace with us.”
Read MoreJoin us Spirit in the Desert Retreat Center online for "Spirited Advent: My Soul Magnifies the Lord!" – a soulful Zoom journey this Advent. Hosted by Sheri Brown, each Sunday session offers a sacred space for reflection and connection, exploring themes of hope, peace, joy, and love. Inspired by Mary's Magnificat, these 30-minute gatherings provide a much-needed spiritual respite during the busy holiday season. Register now for this enriching, free series and discover your soul's unique begotten-ness.
Read MoreDiscover fresh ways to engage with Advent this year, as featured in Living Lutheran. Dive into a variety of innovative resources created by the ELCA, from the Metropolitan Washington, D.C., Synod's new podcast, "The World Is About to Turn," to Church Anew's convenient "Advent in a Box" package, and the enduring appeal of Luther Seminary's traditional daily devotional. These creative tools offer meaningful experiences to deepen your Advent journey, whether at home, in church, or on the go.
Read MoreLiving Lutheran shares this table prayer for Advent.
Blessed are you, O Lord our God, the one who is, who was and who is to come. At this table you fill us with good things. May these gifts strengthen us to share with the hungry and all those in need, as we wait and watch for your coming among us in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Read MoreELCA Good Gifts provide an easy way for your congregation to make a real impact. Your gifts help share the love of Christ one goat, water well or school uniform at a time.
Whether you organize a special event or simply promote the program with your members, everything you do to help share ELCA Good Gifts with your congregation is deeply appreciated.
Read MoreAre you surprised that it's already time for Advent? Luther Seminary’s faith+lead would like to extend some support and encouragement to help you start this holiday season centered on Jesus. Get ready to take a daily pause to breathe in their free 5-Day Advent Challenge: Season of Hope. Discover Your Place in God’s Story in just 20 minutes per day.
Read MoreAmidst the joy and celebration – and, yes, stress – of this season, your body can use all the help it can get. Whether it’s treatment for a pesky cough, a listening ear to help process impostor syndrome or budget worries, or ideas for a new healthy holiday tradition, check out Portico’s curated list of resources to support you and your family this season (and Advent blessings to you!)
Read MoreJoin Lutheran Summer Music, December 3-24, 2023, for their third-annual Musical Advent Calendar–a daily moment of music and reflection on their Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube pages as well as archived on their website: LSMacademy.org/acal.
Read MoreJoin Mountain View Lutheran Church for a heartwarming German-Language Christmas Service on 12/17/2023, at 4:10 pm! Enjoy caroling, a traditional service, and festive fellowship with cookies and warm drinks. Can't make it in person? Join in virtually via livestream.
Read MoreRefresh your spirit this Advent with "Journeying Together -- Spiritual Practices in Community." Join Thriving Leadership Formation on Dec 7, 2023, from 10am-1pm MST, 9am to Noon PST, for a free virtual event focused on grounding spiritual practices. Perfect for ministry leaders seeking respite and connection. Register now for a serene start to your Advent journey. Register here. Questions? Email thriving@callutheran.edu.
Read MoreThe leaders of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada (ELCIC), the Anglican Church of Canada (ACC) and The Episcopal Church (TEC) have released the Churches Beyond Borders 2023 Advent Cycle of Prayer.
The prayer resource calls for justice and peace, especially for churches impacted by the war in the Holy Land, and for lifting up Palestinian Christian communities and ministries and the congregations and institutions of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land and the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem.
Read MoreEmbrace the spirit of Advent with Lutheran Advocacy Ministry Arizona's inspiring message. This season, delve into the profound ways the Bible encourages us to prepare for meeting God - not just spiritually, but through active service. Explore various ways to incorporate advocacy into your daily spiritual practice, and learn how you can contribute to meaningful change.
Read More“O Little Town of Bethlehem, how still we see thee lie.” If you’re like me, when we enter the liminal season of Advent, this is the song that slows me down to a time of waiting and reflection. I imagine the quiet of Bethlehem, a world waiting for the birth of Jesus, waiting for the profound message of peace and reconciliation he brought into our world.
With the world, we are still waiting.
Read MoreThe latest ELCA Worship newsletter offers valuable resources for spiritual growth and worship. It includes prayers for the crisis in the Holy Land, the Spanish edition of "Hear My Voice: A Prison Prayer Book," and insights from "All Creation Sings" for Advent and Christmas. Also featured are videos from the World Council of Churches' assembly, details of the ALCM’s PONDER ANEW conference in 2024, and the "Sundays and Seasons: Preaching, Year B 2024" guide.
Read MoreEnhance your loved ones' spiritual journey this holiday season with Faith+Lead's e-Gift cards from Luther Seminary. These thoughtful gifts offer access to a wide range of on-demand courses, covering topics like faith formation, leadership, and storytelling. The e-Gift cards are timeless, customizable with personal notes, and connect recipients to a vibrant faith-learning community. It's an enriching and uplifting gift choice for church staff, leaders, volunteers, or anyone seeking to deepen their faith.
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