Cross true gift of Christmas
With Jesus we have peace, we have hope, we are loved—and not just at holiday A MONTHLY MESSAGE FROM THE ELCA PRESIDING BISHOP I remember this jarring image: It was the Christmas Eve candlelight service at my home congregation. A...
Silent shout from Companion Synod
Christmas Message from Bishop Medardo Gómez of the Salvadoran Lutheran Church* Dear sisters and brothers: With the love of God that unites us as brothers and sisters, I want to mention and share the situation of the life of the...
Prayer for peacemaking
"Let us pray that we remember the promise of your Spirit poured out upon all flesh that we do not wait for others to be peacemakers but take up the work ourselves, and that your healing power be poured out...
Complicated and human
“Why would any parent bid farewell to a child and send him/her off alone into the unknown? It is a complicated story,” writes Marion McInturff of Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Vienna, Virginia. Her article posted Nov. 26, 2014 to FairfaxTimes.com...
More than money – hitting 100%!
Submitted by Dorothy Sorrell "Just Music" helps make malaria history at Advent Lutheran Church Metro D.C. Synod congregations continue to support the ELCA Malaria Campaign as it goes over the $13 million mark.* In addition to...
Card campaign can cross detention
Families who are separated from their loved ones in immigration detention could use some care this season. Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Services (LIRS) has started a holiday card campaign called Hope for the Holidays, and members of the synod’s Global...
Spruce up our spiritual house
Spruce up our spiritual house: Disciplines help us glorify God while serving in ways that are abundant, clear A MONTHLY MESSAGE FROM THE ELCA PRESIDING BISHOP “I’m spiritual, not religious.” How many times have we heard that, usually from people...
See each other as brother, sister
See each other as brother, sister: This is most certainly true - remember eighth commandment explanation A MONTHLY MESSAGE FROM THE ELCA PRESIDING BISHOP I remember a particularly contentious meeting with a church council when I was a synod bishop....
Divine foolishness: Christ crucified is God’s clearest and most complete act of love
A MONTHLY MESSAGE FROM THE ELCA PRESIDING BISHOP* For the message about the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written, “I will...
Fearless Generosity
Pastors and Stewardship Chairs -- Keep an eye out for your copy of "Fearless Generosity." This important stewardship resource includes articles for preaching, teaching and conducting a Stewardship Campaign, whether this fall or at a later time. "Fearless Generosity" builds...