On Sunday, Sept. 13, congregations of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) will come together for “God’s work. Our hands.” Sunday. This year our church — and our world — are living through the COVID-19 pandemic. Physical distancing has changed the way we worship and serve. We miss gathering with family and friends to share God’s love in person. But the need is great, and God’s church is at work. While we’re not sure what the impact of this crisis will look like in September, we continue to be church together. We are witnessing the outpouring of love and […]

Give thanks that God knows us intimately and listens to our prayers, and that God is our rock, refuge and source of steadfast love in all circumstances and in all places.             Prayer Ventures, Living Lutheran, May 13, 2020 Jesus Is a Rock in a Weary Land          ELW #333 RefrainJesus is a rock in a weary land,a weary land, a weary land;my Jesus is a rock in a weary land,a shelter in a time of storm. 1    No one can do like Jesus,not a mumbling word he said;he went walking down to Lazarus’ grave,and he raised him from the dead.  […]

Pause throughout the day and give thanks for the simple things of creation that enrich your life and faith and fill you with joy and wonder. Prayer Ventures, Living     Lutheran, May 12, 2020 16Rejoice always, 17pray without ceasing, 18give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.                   1 Thessalonians 5: 16-18 When I was in seminary I had what was called a “split internship.” That simply means that I served at two sites, one of which was The Lowman Home in White Oak, SC. The Lowman Home was a multilevel care […]

Give thanks for the work of the ELCA Domestic Mission unit, directors for evangelical mission, synod staff, coaches and consultants, and other partners assisting congregations as they renew themselves as communities of faith engaged in God’s mission―locally and globally.                   Prayer Ventures, Living Lutheran, May 8, 2020 I have been blessed through my years as an ordained pastor to attend our ELCA Churchwide Assembly twice. It was an experience that left me not only inspired, but absolutely humbled. To watch the larger church at work is both motivating and moving, As a denomination, we have a plethora of visionary and […]

The Good Samaritan Ask God to help us endure the risks and difficulties of sharing the good news of Jesus Christ, doing good, working for justice and serving our neighbors in need.             Prayer Ventures, Living Lutheran, May 7, 2020 Our calling is to be in the work of unbinding those bound by life’s circumstances so they can experience the freedom and new life that Christ desires for all God’s children.”             Susan Alexis, “When Faith is a Verb”, Living Lutheran, March 20,2020 We Are Called                                                                                                           ELW#720 1    Come! Live in the light!      Shine with the joy and the love […]

The Prayer of St. Francis Lord, make me an instrument of your peace,Where there is hatred, let me sow love;Where there is injury, pardon;Where there is doubt, faith;Where there is dispair, hope;Where there is darkness, light;Where there is sadness, joy;   O Divine Master,Grant that I may not so much seekTo be consoled as to console;To be understood as to understand;To be loved as to love.   For it is in giving that we receive;It is in pardoning that we are pardoned;And it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.   Thank you for your faithful response […]

Ask God to help us have faith in how God leads, comforts, protects, nourishes and loves us all the days of our life.                                           Living Lutheran, Prayer Ventures, May 5, 2020 1    “I will come to you in the silence,I am eyes for all who long to see.You will hear my voice,I will be your light.Be still and know I am here.” 3 I am strength for all the despairingHealing for the ones who dwell in shameAll the blind will see, the lame will all run freeAnd all will know My name Refrain    “Do not be afraid, I am […]

13For you were called to freedom, brothers and sisters only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for self-indulgence, but through love become slaves to one another. 14For the whole law is summed up in a single commandment, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”                                                                     Galatians 5: 13-14 There has been a lot of vitriol lately in many, many virtual venues. I have a colleague who distanced herself from Facebook recently when she was moved to tears by the dissension and anger she was reading in posts. I, too, have been saddened not only by the stark divisions […]

From Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton On May 5, 2020, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) will be participating in #GivingTuesdayNow, a global day of giving and unity as an emergency response to the unprecedented need caused by COVID-19. In this time of uncertainty, a fundamental truth gives us hope — that together, through Christ, we can do extraordinary things. On Tuesday morning, we will be inviting our members to show God’s love and their own generosity however they can. Whether we’re helping a neighbor, sharing a skill, giving to our congregations or supporting the ELCA’s COVID-19 Response Fund, our […]

Pray that we will find words to share our faith in Jesus Christ and our understanding of Scripture with one another and the world, while also trusting that the Holy Spirit works to deepen our faith and enrich our knowledge of God’s word and ways.                                                       Living Lutheran, Prayer Ventures, April 29, 2020 Many of you know that I’m addicted to The Today Show.  Watching it in the morning gets me on board with what’s happened while I was sleeping, it lets me wake up slowly, and often, the interviews get me thinking in new and different ways. This morning […]