The Office of the Bishop organized an online presentation from the Phoenix Police Department and FBI Phoenix Field Office on security in houses of worship. We thank Tom Vega from Esperanza Lutheran Church in Phoenix for all his great work in making this possible.
In this post we share a wealth of great resources provided by our presenters. Click here to view a recording of the webinar, and use this passcode: ^^8$%JXX
Read MoreIn this gospel reading, Jesus tells his disciples “A new commandment I give you, that you love one another. As I have loved you, you should love one another.” This is a commandment that calls us into a relationship, with both God and one another. It calls us into a relationship of love.
Read MoreMMC is excited to announce an event exploring paperless singing, to take place in Eugene, Ore., on June 25. In preparation for the Annual Conference of the Hymn Society, join us in Washington, D.C., on July 16.
Online programs continue, including the new song-writing workshop “Composing Ourselves,” a webinar with Jorge Lockward exploring creative liturgical composition, Morning Grounding, and more. Visit the MMC website for additional details and to register.
Read More“Hindsight is 20/20,” the old saying goes, meaning that it is easier to see the meaning of things when you are looking back. Perhaps that is why today’s gospel reading is a flashback to John 10, a time well before Jesus’ death and resurrection. It is as if to say, now that we have encountered the Risen Jesus, we are finally ready to make sense of what he was saying.
Read MoreLooking for information about topics related to worship? ELCA Worship’s Frequently Asked Questions page offers guidance, including additional resources, that may be considered within your local context. Visit elca.org/worshipfaq.
Read MoreWhen Jesus began His ministry, He immediately formed a small group. Following in the footsteps of Jesus, we are continuing to offer opportunities to gather in small groups for discussion and empowerment around the prominent topics swirling in the crucible of change for us as faith leaders. Join us May 4, 2022, 11 am (and every Wednesday). The login information can be found on the ELCA Coaching website.
Read MoreThe Office of the Bishop presented an online symposium on Parliamentary Procedure and Robert’s Rules of Order by David Swartling on Tuesday, 4/26/2022. View the PDF handout here, and the presentation is available for viewing here with passcode: TQgC5E!7
Special thanks to our amazing guest, David Swartling, for providing this valuable information. Please feel free to share this information with your congregation leadership, as well as your congregation’s synod assembly delegates.
Read MoreThe Office of the Bishop has organized an online presentation from the Phoenix Police Department and FBI Phoenix Field Office on security in houses of worship. Tuesday, 5/10/2022, 5-6:30pm MST/PDT, 6-7:30pm MDT. Click here to register.
Violence and criminal acts are a threat to all faith-based communities from persons who seek to spread fear and hate crimes, or the unexpected site of acts of domestic violence. We recognize the importance of education and raising awareness of potential threats to religious facilities, or the groups who may use these buildings regardless of type or denomination.
Read MoreUnder the direction of Shawn Bristle, the Cantata Choir of Community Lutheran Church in Bullhead City presented the Easter Cantata "Upon This Rock" on Good Friday, April 15, 2022. Watch their presentation on Youtube or this blog post.
Read MoreThe Easter season is seven weeks long. Nearly every week the gospel lesson includes disciples encountering Jesus and failing to recognize him. This week’s gospel encounter is crammed with significance. There is a miracle and allusions to Peter’s failure to stand firm during the horrible events of Holy Week, as Jesus asks him repeatedly, “Do you love me.” Both are important and theologically significant, yet by focusing on them we may miss what is most significant. Namely, Jesus is in the world today if we have eyes to see.
Read MoreAll Creation Sings includes a fully bilingual setting of Holy Communion (Setting 11/Liturgia 11). To support use of this liturgy as well as Evangelical Lutheran Worship Setting Seven: Santa Comunión, Sundays and Seasons now provides many more hymns and songs in Spanish.
Most hymns from Libro de Liturgia y Cántico are available for download to Deluxe subscribers. Service music (#181-274) is available to both Standard and Deluxe subscribers.
Read MoreALCM Webinar Series “TuneUp: A Way to Recruit Singers by Teaching Them to Match Pitch,”
Friday,4/29/2022, 11am MST/PDT, 12pm MDT.
The Association of Lutheran Church Musicians invites you to join its webinar to “help people sing with confidence.” This session offers ways to “recruit people to TuneUp” as well as useful techniques to get them to quickly and easily match pitch.” Register as part of the spring or full-year webinar series.
Read MoreKristen Berthiaume and her family live in Alabama. They wanted to promote racial justice in their community. Seeing that nationwide protests and demands for justice were often met with open racism and ignorance, the family decided to create an Anti-racist Little Library in front of their home.
Read MoreThe April, 2022 newsletter from ELCA worship is available, featuring All Creation Sings, events, and resources in English and Spanish. Read the newsletter here.
Read MoreEarth Day is Friday, April 22, 2022! We encourage you to review ELCA’s social statement on Caring for Creation (in English or Spanish), and visit the Environment Advocacy page and resource pages at ELCA.org. And Lutherans Restoring Creation is a grassroots movement promoting care for creation in the ELCA.
Our friends at the Episcopal Diocese of Arizona have also compiled a great set of Earth Day events that you may interest you.
Read MoreIn my part of the world, dogwood trees bloom at Easter. My Sunday Church School teachers told an old Christian legend to explain why.
Read MoreAs you plan for new activities and events this summer for youth, we invite you to join us in ELCA World Hunger’s Global Farm Challenge, a youth-focused, whole-church campaign to accompany our neighbors who are facing threats of hunger and poverty around the world.
Visit ELCA.org/globalfarmchallenge for more information, to order resources when they become available, and to begin planning your youth group’s participation and fundraising.
Read MoreThere are so many ways to be engaged in Spirit and Action for Earth Day! Lutherans Restoring Creation provides ideas and resources to celebrate as an individual, youth group, Bible study or whole congregation.
Read MoreAn online worship service for Earth Day (4/24/2022) is being finalized by Lutherans Restoring Creation and they are excited to share it with all. If you want to integrate it into your worship service be sure to register now as private/preview links will be sent soon. Click here to register.
They are honored to have the Rev. Dr. Carmelo Santos sharing the message of the day according to the Readings for April 24th. The service — in English, Spanish, and ASL — will be available to all via YouTube and Facebook starting Friday April 22, 2022.
Read MoreOne famous chef who wasn’t in L.A. for the Oscars was Chef José Andrés. Chef Andrés could have been in L.A. or comfortably resting at one of his restaurants in New York or Washington D.C. But he wasn’t. Chef José Andrés was on the border between Ukraine and Poland serving up thousands of meals for the Ukrainian refugees fleeing the war.
Read More
