Category: Protestant

Catalyst Question How do you define the word “mercy”? Mercy Meant for Today This devotion is based on The Revised Common Lectionary (RCL). A lectionary is a set of scripture readings assigned to different days throughout the year. Right now, we’re in the third year (known as Year C) of the RCL’s three-year cycle, which was assembled in 1983 by leaders of many denominations. That’s important background because, today, many congregational leaders are being accused of manipulating the biblical selections for worship to fit their own political or social agendas. If the congregation is using the Revised Common Lectionary, that’s…

How can we use our voices for justice in Palestine and Israel as American Christians? ELCA Blogs

ARIZONA | KANSAS | MINNESOTA | NEW MEXICO | PENNSYLVANIA | TEXAS | VIRGINIA   Following are updates shared from submissions from ELCA-affiliated state public policy offices (sppos) this quarter (formerly shared monthly). Full list and map of sppos available. Lutheran Advocacy Ministry Arizona (LAM-AZ) Solveig Muus, Director  Arizona Lutheran Day at the Legislature photo credit: Eric O. Ledermann ©2025, www.ericoledermann.com Lutheran Advocacy Ministry Arizona (LAMA) hosted its 4th annual Lutheran Day at the Legislature on Feb. 10. More than 200 Lutherans and friends representing 29 of Arizona’s 30 legislative districts gathered to hear remarks from Senate President Warren Petersen,…

By Courtney Hall, Lutheran Office of Public Policy – California [ABOUT THE AUTHOR] In all honesty, I feel I have lost sense of what the phrase “common good” even means today. In a world so divided, what I view as the common good may be the antithesis of my neighbor’s beliefs; so, who decides? Is it those with power, is it a popular vote, is it those with the most influence? As I try to understand how my role as a faith-based advocate contributes to the common good, I am left with more questions than answers.   It is in times…

“For what shall we pray?” is a weekly post inviting individuals, groups, and congregations to lift up our world in prayer. This resource is prepared by a variety of leaders in the ELCA and includes prayer prompts, upcoming events and observances, and prayer suggestions from existing denominational worship materials. You are encouraged to use these resources as a starting point, and to adapt and add other concerns from your local context. More information about this resource can be found here.   Prayer prompts: For areas of the world impacted by ongoing war, conflict, or political instability, especially Ukraine, Gaza, and…

By Jake Summerville, Lutheran Advocacy – Minnesota [About the Author] In a time as tense and divided as ours, ideas like a united church working together toward a common good feel more and more idealistic. Our neighbors are hurting, yet barbs of hatred and division wound. How can we expect to take any meaningful action? The Corinthian church faced a similar problem. As the early church began to grow, theological and ideological differences began to drive wedges into budding Christian communities, threatening to destroy them before they could truly begin. Paul’s letter in 1 Corinthians served as a stern reminder…

Proposed cuts to Medicaid advancing in Congress threaten the wellbeing of millions of vulnerable Americans. We have a critical opportunity to raise our voices and share our values and experiences that shed light on the valuable role Medicaid fills. Proposed cuts would have far-reaching impact, potentially hampering the work of our ministries that serve low-income children, seniors and individuals with disabilities. ELCA social teaching emphasizes both fiscal responsibility and moral obligation (see ELCA social statement Sufficient, Sustainable Livelihood for All). These  principles can work together to strengthen our healthcare system while responsibly stewarding taxpayer resources.   “We of the Evangelical Lutheran…

Each month ELCA Worship highlights resources and events from other organizations and institutions. These Lutheran and ecumenical partner organizations work alongside the ELCA to support worship leaders, worship planners, musicians, and all who care about the worship of the church. Music that Makes Community Rooted in Christian contemplative and activist traditions, Music That Makes Community envisions a liberative culture that empowers individuals and communities to claim and use the power of singing to heal our spirits, nurture our common lives, and work for justice. We offer resources, training, and encouragement to individuals, organizations, and communities in the dynamic power of…

“For what shall we pray?” is a weekly post inviting individuals, groups, and congregations to lift up our world in prayer. This resource is prepared by a variety of leaders in the ELCA and includes prayer prompts, upcoming events and observances, and prayer suggestions from existing denominational worship materials. You are encouraged to use these resources as a starting point, and to adapt and add other concerns from your local context. More information about this resource can be found here.   Prayer prompts: For areas of the world impacted by ongoing war, conflict, or political transition: Ukraine, Gaza, Lebanon, Syria……

Catalyst Question What’s your least favorite chore to do in your home? Why is that? “In God’s Economy… …nothing is wasted.” This quote was popularized in the 1990s by Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), an organization that supports people living with addiction to alcohol. Within that context, it addressed how even the most dire of circumstances can become a cocoon for growth. Such succinctly stated wisdom soon became contagious and spread far beyond AA. It also resonates with many stories from scripture. Consider Luke 5:1-11. In that story, Jesus meets a few fishers at a lakeshore. They’ve had what felt like a…