At Grace, we are called by God to be in the city for good! For those interested in volunteering this summer, we invite you to attend the orientation held in the North Room of Hope Hall on June 9th from 11:30a.m. - 1:30 p.m. Lunch will be served. Please RSVP at outreach@graceinthecity.com or call Clottee Hammons at 602-817-8996 if you plan to attend. View PDF flyer.
At the center of our religion, love. What heals us, love. What heals our communities, love. Also, the stated motive of most religious people, regardless of actual outcomes, love. I agree with the Beatles: “All you need is love.”
As we expectantly wait for Christmas, one persona dominates the church world, another persona our culture at large. These two prominent figures both speak of how we should act, what we should do—and the consequences if we do not. The persona of our culture at large? Who can we find everywhere at malls and on cards and sung about in songs during the month of December? Santa Claus.
How about the persona of the church world? Who is it who dominates our Advent stories? Right. John the Baptist.
Desert Cross Lutheran Church is perhaps the longest-running, consistent ministry partner of Grace with an impressive 19 year history of serving the pancake breakfast! When Grace began serving the pancake breakfast every Sunday back in 1999, Desert Cross was one of the core congregations who served every fourth Sunday of the month with the exception of the summer months.
Lutherans Restoring Creation is providing timely creation-justice commentary on the Common Lectionary through the Day of Pentecost. Written by four eco-justice commentators, the commentary writings integrate care for creation and justice for all into the exposition of the texts and in reflections on the contemporary world. To access, go to lutheransrestoringcreation.org.
The people of Grace and our friends are welcomed and encouraged to participate in a Lutheran Social Services of the Southwest "Come and See" tour on Tuesday, May 29, 12:00-1:00 pm, at the Central and Osborn location, 3443 N Central Ave. This brief tour will acquaint us with the various programs of LSS-SW including refugee focus, services for elderly members of our community, foster care, and services for folks experiencing homelessness.
This five-week study uncovers how our Lutheran faith shapes our perspective and role in the economy. View the study.
“Future Faith: Ten Challenges Reshaping Christianity in the 21st Century,” by Wesley Granberg-Michaelson (March 2018) In “Future Faith,” Wesley Granberg-Michaelson explains how the top 10 winds of change blowing through global Christian faith are reshaping the practice of Christianity today. Drawing on the stories, examples and personalities of pastors and congregations from the United States, Africa, Asia and Latin America, the book informs and empowers followers of Jesus to engage a rapidly changing world. Preorder today at fortresspress.com/futurefaith.
On the fortieth day of Easter, meaning 39 days after Easter and thus forever celebrated on a Thursday (we’re cheating a bit this morning), according to the account in Acts, Jesus ascends into heaven. The writer of Acts, Jesus, the disciples, and indeed everyone at this time in history believed the earth was flat, with heaven above, the place of the dead below. Watching Jesus ascend into heaven, the disciples likely imagined him rising higher and higher through the clouds, at some point reaching a discreet dividing line between earth and heaven, there to live and reign at God’s right hand until some undisclosed time in the future.
As we reflect on 2017, we are so grateful for all that you have made possible. It is because of your faithful contributions that we are able to meet the needs of children without a home, refugees seeking safety, seniors who live in isolation, individuals with disabilities, the hungry, and the homeless. Read the full report.
Faith Lutheran Church invites you to a tradition Frokost (Scandinavian Brunch, Smorgasbord style) on Saturday, May 19 at 10:30 am. The cost is $22 per person. Proceeds help Faith's Youth Group attend the MYLE and the LECA National Youth Gathering in Houston. For questions, please contact Gail Turner at 303-868-2808.
