Prayers for the Holy Closure of Desert Streams Lutheran Church in Surprise

On December 27, 2020 the people of Desert Streams Lutheran Church in Surprise, Arizona, will gather for the last time as a congregation.

Please hold the people of Desert Streams and their interim pastor, Jose Valenzuela in your prayers.

News, PrayersBrian FlatgardDecember 22, 2020Cactus Conference, Desert Streams Surprise Comment

Choir equipment available from Desert Streams, Surprise

Desert Streams Lutheran Church, Surprise, is offering two filing cabinets of choir music, as well as vestments, paraments, choir robes and banners. If interested, contact them at (866) 506-8944 or dslcsurprise@gmail.com.

NewsBrian FlatgardDecember 17, 2020Desert Streams Surprise, Cactus ConferenceComment

Prayers for Celebration, Peoria

We pray for Pastor David Sivecz and the people of Celebration, Peoria, part of the Cactus Conference. View their Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube pages.

PrayersBrian FlatgardNovember 27, 2020Celebration Peoria, Cactus ConferenceComment

Prayers for Our Saviour’s Lutheran, Buckeye

We pray for Rev. Roland Harder and the people of Our Saviour’s Lutheran, Buckeye, in the Cactus Conference.

PrayersBrian FlatgardNovember 20, 2020Our Saviour's Buckeye, Cactus ConferenceComment

Prayers for the family of Pastor Glen Larsen

We pray for the friends and family of Pastor Glen Larsen, UCC, who served as the interim pastor for Faith Lutheran, Yuma. Pastor Larsen died of pancreatic cancer on November 9, 2020. We especially pray for his wife, Linda.

In Memoriam, PrayersBrian FlatgardNovember 9, 2020Faith Yuma, Cactus Conference Comment

Prayers for Gloria de Cristo Lutheran, Yuma

We pray for Pastor Bill Timm and the people of Gloria de Cristo, Yuma, part of the Cactus Conference. View their Facebook and YouTube pages.

PrayersBrian FlatgardOctober 28, 2020Gloria De Christo Yuma, Cactus ConferenceComment

Prayers for St. John's Lutheran Church, Glendale

We pray for Pastor Peter Perry and the people of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Glendale (Facebook).

PrayersBrian FlatgardOctober 21, 2020St. John's Glendale, Cactus ConferenceComment

In Memoriam: Rev. Ervin P. Langholz

Ervin P. Langholz died on July 8, 2020 in Sun City, Arizona. A funeral service—for immediate family only—will be held at American Lutheran Church, where he was a member and had once served as Pastor of Care Ministry. A Celebration of Life for the extended congregation will occur at a later date. He recently celebrated 60 years of ordination.

O God of grace and glory, we remember before you our brother Ervin. 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.

In Memoriam, PrayersBrian FlatgardJuly 9, 2020American Sun City, Cactus ConferenceComment

Prayers for the family of Pastor David Sivecz

We pray for Pastor David Sivecz and his family as the grieve the loss of David’s grandmother after she contracted coronavirus.

Merciful God, you give us the grace that helps in time of need. Surround us your steadfast love and lighten our burden. By the power of your Spirit, free us from distress and give us a new mind and heart made whole in the name of the risen Christ. Amen.

PrayersBrian FlatgardMay 26, 2020Celebration Peoria, Cactus Conference Comment

Lord of Life Lutheran featured in the Arizona Republic

Under the headline “Sun City West church preserves a vital lifeline during a pandemic, one worshipper at a time,” Lord of Life Lutheran, Sun City West, was featured prominently on a front page article of the Arizona Republic (subscription may be required), a well-produced video story on YouTube, and an AZ Central photo gallery.

In the News, Stories of HopeBrian FlatgardMay 23, 2020Lord of Life Sun City West, Cactus ConferenceComment

With One Voice books available

Miloy Canete, Director of Worship and Music with Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church in Goodyear is offering 50+ copies of With One Voice books for any sister congregations who wants it. You can pick it up at the church office or arrange to have it delivered. Call the church office at (623) 932-2394.

Brian FlatgardMay 20, 2020Christ Evangelical Goodyear, Cactus ConferenceComment

GCS Daily Bread Grants exceeds fundraising challenge

On April 26, 2020, the Grand Canyon Synod was awarded $10,000 from the ELCA’s COVID-19 Response Fund to assist GCS Native American and Latino ministries with food, water and basic hygiene items.

On April 28, Bishop Deborah Hutterer shared this good news and issued a challenge to match this amount for even greater impact. As of this writing, we have exceeded the initial challenge by $3,700, raising $13,700 in one week. We celebrate the generosity of this synod.

Additional gifts from congregations and individuals can still be made to this appeal through online giving or checks with the designation of GCS Daily Bread Grants. Grateful for how God does good through you.

Raise a Light to Raise Hope: #AZRaisesHope

On Easter Sunday at 7pm AZ time, Community of Grace invites you to take to your front yards with your family and raise your cell phone lights, candles or flashlights for 10 minutes. Then, post your videos or photos with the #AZRaisesHope.

Grand Canyon Synod, NewsBrian FlatgardApril 8, 2020Community of Grace Peoria, Cactus Conference, 2020 Holy WeekComment

Remaining Spring Gatherings cancelled

The spring gatherings for the Grand Canyon Synod and WELCA have been cancelled.

Prayers for American Lutheran Church, Sun City

We lift up in prayer Pastor Lowell Nelson and the people of American Lutheran Church in Sun City.

Prayers, Grand Canyon SynodBrian FlatgardMarch 9, 2020Cactus Conference, American Sun CityComment

God, Creation, and Climate: Lectures and Workshops at Lord of Life, Sun City West

Lord of Life Lutheran Church, Sun City West, has invited Dr. Cynthia Moe-Lobeda to lecture and lead discussion Feb 16-18 on the topic of God, Creation, and Climate. She will offer a free lecture on Sunday, Feb 16, 2020, at 2pm and people can attend the sessions on Monday and Tuesday, Feb 17-18, for a nominal $25 that includes breakfasts, lunch, and snacks (pay at the door). View PDF flyer.

Prayers for Emmanuel Sudanese Lutheran, Glendale, AZ

We pray for the people of Emmanuel Sudanese Lutheran Church, in Glendale, AZ. Emmanuel Sudanese is a synodically authorized worshipping community located on the campus of St. John's, Glendale.

Prayers, Grand Canyon SynodBrian FlatgardJanuary 15, 2020Emmanuel Sudanese Phoenix, Cactus ConferenceComment

Prayers for Celebration Lutheran, Peoria, AZ

We pray for the congregation of Celebration Lutheran Church in Peoria, AZ, which exists to share and embrace God’s life-changing grace. We lift up Pastor David M. Sivecz, Event and Administrative Coordinator Cristina Ramos, Music Director Randy Badsgard, Custodian Lora McDermitt, and Agape Preschool Director Tori Preston.

Prayers, Grand Canyon SynodBrian FlatgardDecember 4, 2019Celebration Peoria, Cactus ConferenceComment