Category: Protestant

“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 peace in our world, especially in Gaza and Israel, Ukraine and Russia, Syria, Sudan, Myanmar, Lebanon,…

Warm-up Question What are the qualities you look for in a leader? Why do those attributes matter to you? Why Did You Get Into This? Through the United States of America, we are in the midst of election season. From local trustees to state representatives to the President of the United States, many leadership positions will be decided on November 5. If you’re of voting age, make a plan to vote! Even if you’re not, engage in the process. Learn about the candidates and issues at hand. Research deeper than just soundbites and slogans. One of the questions I always…

Warm-up Question Tell a story about when you were genuinely surprised. Maybe you learned something shocking or experienced a surprise party. How did being surprised impact you? Left Behind in Paradise Another hurricane is coming. Even as parts of the country from Florida’s panhandle to the Appalachian mountains try to clean up from Hurricane Helene, younger sibling Hurricane Milton is already threatening life with similar ferocity. Those of us who live further away might think of these vacation destinations as wealth centers. Massive beach houses on the coast to log mansions on the Blue Ridge Parkway are annually rented by…

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. Lutheran Summer Music Academy & Festival Transforming and connecting lives through faith and music since 1981. Youth musicians are invited to Lutheran Summer Music Enrollment for LSM 2025 is open now! Lutheran Summer Music (LSM) is a faith-based residential music academy for high school students who come together to immerse themselves in musical excellence and build a supportive and fun…

“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.   A special note about prayer resources this week: In this anniversary week of Oct. 7, 2023, we remember a…

Following are updates shared from submissions of the Lutheran Office for World Community and state public policy offices (sppos) in the ELCA Advocacy Network this month. Full list and map of sppos available. UN | COLORADO | MINNESOTA | PENNSYLVANIA | WISCONSIN   U.N. Lutheran Office for World Community (LOWC), United Nations, New York, N.Y. – ELCA.org/lowc Christine Mangale, Director International Tax Cooperation: The United Nations adopted terms of reference on International Tax Cooperation in August, despite opposition by the United States and other developed Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries. The terms of reference (ToR) are the…

Warm-up Question When is the last time you asked a child their opinion about something related to faith? Is that more or less often than talking to teens or adults about religious perspectives? Why is that? Kids Talk. Do We Listen?  If you haven’t yet discovered research from the Springtide Institute, it’s well worth your time. They spend much time researching Gen Alpha (born after 2010 or so), as well as Gen Z (who are now all in high school or older). The research often focuses on issues of mental health and religious belief, among other things. Newsweek summarized a…

“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.   A special note about prayer resources this week: As we approach the anniversary of Oct. 7, 2023, we remember…

from the ELCA advocacy office in Washington, D.C. – the Rev. Amy E. Reumann, Senior Director Partial expanded content from Advocacy Connections: September 2024 PRESSURE FOR FARM BILL ACTION | INTERIOR AND ENVIRONMENT APPROPRIATIONS FOR FY25 ADVANCE | CONFLICT IN SUDAN | INCREASED CALLS FOR CEASEFIRE & HUMANITARIAN AID, AND RELIGIOUS EQUALITY | ELCA BISHOPS’ HILL VISITS YIELD DIVIDENDS   PRESSURE FOR FARM BILL ACTION: In congressional meetings across the House and Senate over August recess, ELCA Witness in Society staff continued to press for passage of the Farm Bill alongside many Lutheran constituents from their districts. Congressional staff from…

As we approach the anniversary of Oct. 7, 2023, we remember a day of heartbreaking grief for the people of Israel and Palestine, devastated by Hamas attacks on civilians and by the bombardment of Gaza. Mindful that the people of the Holy Land are still living in anguish and in war one year later, congregations may consider incorporating prayers and laments in worship on Sunday, October 6 or at other times near the anniversary, in public worship or for devotional use at home or in other settings. ELCA Worship Resource: Crisis in the Holy Land (as PDF). Also available as a…