Watch this year’s Christmas message

Churches Beyond Borders 2023 Advent Cycle of Prayer

North American church leaders call for peace in Holy Land in Advent resource

The leaders of the ELCA, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada, the Anglican Church of Canada and The Episcopal Church have released the Churches Beyond Borders 2023 Advent Cycle of Prayer. The prayer resource calls for justice and peace, especially for churches impacted by the war in the Holy Land. In a letter to accompany the Advent resource the leaders write, “We call, and pray for, an end to the war in Gaza, Israel, and the West Bank. We call for a ceasefire, an end to violence in the West Bank and the opening of humanitarian corridors in Gaza.”

View and download the Churches Beyond Borders 2023 Advent Cycle of Prayer.

Living Lutheran: “I’m a Lutheran: Samuel L. Jones”

“I pray for the Lord to make himself known to us daily. I look for him daily. I know the world is his responsibility, not mine. But my job is to hear his voice and do his will. It’s a daily operation. There’s a slogan in the Boy Scouts to do a good turn daily. So I make sure I do a good turn daily — somebody, something, someone, even if it’s my dog. We’ve all got to do something good for somebody else.”

In the November/December “I’m a Lutheran” column, Samuel L. Jones talks about his experience as an Eagle Scout, how he encountered the Lutheran church and the ways faith intertwines with memories from his life. Read more about his story.

Shop ELCA Good Gifts this Christmas

Searching for the perfect gift? Shop ELCA Good Gifts and choose from more than 50 life-changing charitable gifts to give in lieu of traditional Christmas presents. ELCA Good Gifts is your opportunity to provide critical support to the ministries and programs that mean the most to you and the people you love. Announce your gift by generating an e-card or downloading cards to print at home. Each gift makes a real impact in the world, sharing the love of Christ — one goat, water well or school uniform at a time. Browse gifts.

WATCH THIS

The Prince of Peace at Christmas | Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton

Peace be with you throughout this Advent and Christmas season! When we greet one another with the sign of peace, “we share the peace, the love of God, and as we do, we know that God has reached from heaven to earth and, in the Prince of Peace, is sharing God's peace with us.”

MARK YOUR CALENDAR

Week of Prayer for Christian Unity Ecumenical observance	Extravaganza 2024 ELCA Youth Ministry Network
Draft social message on gun-related violence Public comment period closes	ELCA Youth Gathering Regular registration closes

FEATURED RESOURCES


Living Lutheran Advent During Advent, Living Lutheran will be sharing reflections, hymns, activities and crafts every week. Make sure to check back often and follow along, or revisit Advent reflections and stories from past years!	God With Us Advent Devotional The ELCA Homeless and Justice Network offers a devotional on the themes of hope, peace, joy and love. These ministries serve with those who struggle with homelessness, poverty and justice issues.	Mission Support Annual Report Covers Use this cover to accompany your congregational report at an annual meeting. This resource includes a letter, song suggestion and liturgy for your meeting.
BROWSE	PAGES \| BOOKLET	DOWNLOAD \| BROWSE

BULLETIN BLURBS

These snippets are available for you to copy and paste into your bulletins.

Draft social message on gun violence

The season of Advent is a time to dwell on peace. One way you can do that is to review and share feedback on the draft of an ELCA social message on gun-related violence and trauma. The draft focuses on trauma, public health and an ethic of shared responsibility for peacemaking, seeking to move beyond the strict polarization of gun rights versus gun control. To participate in the public feedback period, read the draft and use the response form. Responses are due by Jan. 31, 2024.

Bread for the Day

Bread for the Day is a daily-use devotional resource filled with rich treasures. It includes prayers, Scripture readings and hymns for each day, introductions and table prayers for the holidays and seasons, household blessings for special times throughout the year, pages for recording prayer requests, and so much more!

A credit union that shares your values

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The ELCA Federal Credit Union is a not-for-profit financial cooperative designed by the ELCA to support this church and its members. All profits are shared with members of the credit union in the form of lower fees and better rates, helping you and the ministries you love to do more with your money.

As a member, employee, volunteer or participant in an ELCA congregation or ministry, you are eligible to join the ELCA Federal Credit Union and take advantage of its member benefits. These include:

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Small ministry loans, corporate credit cards and other ministry solutions.

Call 877-715-1111 or visit elcafcu.org.

This advertisement is brought to you by the ELCA Federal Credit Union. The ELCA Federal Credit Union is federally insured by the NCUA and is an Equal Housing Lender. NMLS# 2354569

* When you sign up for free overdraft protection from your savings account. NMLS #2354569 While we offer first mortgages for members in most states, we do not yet offer first mortgages in CT, HI, MD, MA, NV, NH, NY, NM and RI.

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