Prepare:

John 14 is a part of a longer section of John that Bible scholars call the farewell discourse. Jesus and his disciples are at the Last Supper. Jesus is trying to prepare them for life without him. We hear in John 13:1 that, “Having loved his own who were in the world, he (Jesus) loved them to the end.” And what does Jesus’ love look like?

It looks like Jesus taking a towel and washing his disciples’ feet, teaching them how to be servant leaders. It is Jesus giving them a new commandment: love one another. This is what Jesus’ love looks like.

After washing their feet, Jesus tries to prepare the disciples for the hard things that are ahead: Judas’ betrayal, Peter’s denial, and Jesus’ death. These were hard events for the disciples to comprehend. Into their fear and confusion, Jesus speaks words of compassion. Jesus assures the disciples that they will be with him again. In beautiful words of comfort, Jesus tells his disciples, “do not let your hearts be troubled.” He then assures the disciples that there will be a place for them in the Father’s house. When the disciples seem anxious about finding the way, Jesus assures them if they know Jesus, they know the way.

Opening Exercise: 

We grow when we visit new places. We learn when we visit significant places from the past. And we all need places where we feel comfortable and safe. Take some time to talk together about the importance of places. Here are some questions to guide your conversation:

• What is your favorite place you have visited? What place do you dream about visiting?
• What is your favorite room in your house? Why?
• What place do you feel most comfortable? Most yourself?
• If someone were to prepare the perfect place for you, what would it look like?

Text Read Aloud:

John 14:1-14

Prepare a Place For You

On Saturday night, news broke that the President, First Lady, and many others were rushed out of the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner because of gunfire. While it is a relief no one was seriously injured, our hearts are so weary of gun violence. This epidemic of gun violence seems unending. We are also left wondering how this happened. Should there have been more safety measures in place with so many important people gathered together? Many of us may be holding an even bigger question, is there any place that is truly safe?

When we turn to our reading from John, we see that the disciples have found a safe

Duccio di Buoninsegna, Christ Taking Leave of the Apostles, ca. 1308–1311. Public domain. Via Wikimedia Commons.

place in following Jesus. Not that following Jesus is a safe occupation. The disciples have faced ridicule, left their homes, upset the Jewish authorities, and angered the oppressive Roman government. There is nothing safe about being Jesus’ disciples, but it is clear that the disciples have felt safe at Jesus’ side. 

Now Jesus is telling them this is all going to change. Jesus is leaving them. Where will they find their safety without Jesus? Jesus knows he is leaving the disciples to a risky calling. Spreading the news of Jesus will take the disciples to many dangerous places. They will face persecution and death. To prepare them for all they will face, Jesus gives them words of comfort and hope. He proclaims that the disciples do not need to be troubled, because Jesus will prepare a place for them in the Father’s house. Their immediate future will be scary, but they can hold onto the hope that Jesus will be with them. Their story will end in the place that Jesus had prepared for them. In times that are scary and uncertain for us, we hold the same promises.

Prepare a Place For You

In times of worry and fear, the words, “Do not let your hearts be troubled” can seem trite. Of course the disciples’ hearts will be troubled when Jesus is crucified. And of course our hearts are troubled when we face fear, pain, and loss. A big part of being human is facing grief and losing things and people we love. When Jesus says do not let your hearts be troubled, he is not saying that we should not feel pain and loss. Instead, he is saying, in the midst of pain and loss, we can hold onto something bigger. Hope. The sure and certain hope that our future lies with Jesus.

Verse 14:2 has been translated many different ways. In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places, rooms, mansions, abodes, resting places. These different translations help us imagine what the place Jesus has prepared for us may be like. In the end, whether it is a small abode or elaborate mansion, what will matter is that Jesus has brought us home and we are safe at Jesus’ side. 

Reflective Questions:

• What comfort does Jesus offer his disciples in this section from John?
• Look up different translations of John 14:2. Which word do you think best fits the description of the Father’s house? Why do you relate to this image?
• Who has spoken comforting words to you in hard times?
• Where do you find comfort when you are afraid?

Closing Activity:

Reflect on ways your group is a safe place for those who attend. Are there rules you follow when you are together? Are there changes that need to be made? Make a poster or covenant sharing what makes this group safe and have all the members sign it.

Final Prayer

Dear Jesus, 

We give you thanks that you are always with us and we find safety in your presence. Help us to be safe places for all our neighbors and to work to make this world a safer place. Amen.

Bio

Amy Martinell serves as the Associate Pastor of Congregational Care at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Sioux Falls, SD. Amy shares her life with her husband, three kids, a disinterested cat, and a disobedient beagle. She loves reading, baking, and swimming.

ELCA Innovation is excited to offer three tiers of support for digital ministry in 2026.

We recognize the challenges of digital ministry in our current landscape as a church and a society. We’ve developed these opportunities to support ELCA congregations and organizations in their digital ministry efforts and to encourage some creative and meaningful ministry ideas in your congregation or organization. As we collect feedback from congregations throughout the year, we also hope to curate additional digital ministry resources and learning opportunities, where needed.

The first tier of support for digital ministry is a limited number of Digital Assessments, which will be conducted by our contracted partner, Evoke Engagement Experts. Evoke works frequently with ELCA congregations and synods, offering a variety of digital services and marketing resources. A digital assessment is a process that will include a comprehensive review of your organization’s current online presence: your website, your social media pages, and how your organization ranks in search results.

Digital Assessment from Evoke

How to effectively get the word out about your congregation and ministries has changed significantly over the last 10 years.

Is your church asking questions like: Does our website share the right information? Why are people not finding our congregation? How much time should we dedicate to posting on social media? Then, a digital assessment from the communication experts at Evoke is an impactful starting point for your church.

Through an assessment of your congregation’s digital communication channels, you can learn:

· What channels/tools/strategies are performing the best for your church

· How engaging is the content you are posting on social media

· Simple updates to make your website easier to browse and engage new viewers

· Strategies you should keep doing to effectively share your mission with those in your community

· Areas of improvement to help increase the reach of your message and engagement with those who don’t know about your church yet

After analyzing your communication channels and analytics, Evoke will provide a recommendations report that will highlight their findings and offer a priority list of improvements to help your congregation better tell your (and God’s) story and make more disciples!

Sign Up for Digital Assessments Now Open

Within ELCA Innovation, we are grateful to Evoke and their team’s understanding of the joys and challenges of digital ministry in an ELCA context.

There are currently 25 slots available for digital assessments between now and August 2026.

Eligible organizations include ELCA congregations and synod-authorized worshipping communities and outreach ministries, as well as ELCA-affiliated campus and outdoor ministries.

Please note: A digital assessment will require the temporary sharing of your login information for any current accounts (website, social media, etc.) so that Evoke Experts can analyze your content and analytics. A digital assessment will entail: (1) Assessment of organization’s current digital presence and analytics (2) Report of findings and recommendations for improvement shared with organization (3) One 30-60 minute call with organization contact(s) to discuss report findings and next steps.

If you would like to sign up your ELCA congregation or affiliated organization for a digital assessment, please complete this linked online form: Organization Sign-up for Digital Assessment: Digital Ministry Support from ELCA Innovation (https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/GuqKtty7iG)

If your sign-up is approved, you will be contacted by Evoke Engagement Experts directly, to begin the process and share your account logins. ELCA Innovation staff may contact you about your digital assessment experience via email once your assessment has been completed.

If a large number of sign-ups are received up-front, the ELCA Innovation team reserves the right to randomly select five recipients per month from the sign-up list. If your organization is not selected to receive a digital assessment, you will be notified via email by ELCA Innovation staff from the address lab@elca.org at the end of August. Any sign-ups that are not selected in any given month will be automatically re-entered for future months.

When all digital assessments have been awarded in August 2026, the sign-up form will be deactivated and this post will be updated.

It’s possible we may offer a second round of digital assessments in the second half of 2026. If that is the case, we will re-post on our blog and website, as well as our Instagram feed.

Upcoming Digital Ministry Support

The second and third tier of Digital Ministry Grants will be launched later in 2026. We anticipate opening applications to ELCA congregations and affiliated organizations for the following grant awards:

· thirty $3,000 grants

· three $30,000 grants

The registration and application process for these grants will take place in ELCA GrantMaker. More information about these grants, award criteria and eligibility requirements will be available soon.

If you would like to be notified of the digital ministry grant application launch date and sent a copy of the grant application guide, please email lab@elca.org with the subject line “Request for Digital Ministry Grant Launch Notification”.

from the ELCA advocacy office in Washington, D.C. – the Rev. Amy E. Reumann, Senior Director

Partial expanded content from Advocacy Connections: April 2026

HUNGER PROVISIONS IN THE HOUSE FARM BILL | SAVE AMERICA ACT | ADMINISTRATION REPEALS THE ENDANGERMENT FINDING | FEDERAL POLICY IMPACTS FOR BURMA | WAR WITH IRAN | DHS PARTIAL SHUTDOWN CONTINUES AS CONGRESS WEIGHS MORE FUNDING FOR ICE

HUNGER PROVISIONS IN THE HOUSE FARM BILL: The House Agriculture Committee Chairman has released new Farm Bill text (see the committee summary here). The proposed bill includes some positive bipartisan hunger provisions – including making SNAP online purchasing permanent. Additional positive bipartisan hunger provisions are expanding the Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) to more seniors in rural areas, reauthorizing the GusNIP food program and more. However, the legislation does nothing to revert the newly imposed SNAP work requirements or the massive defunding of the whole SNAP nutrition program – which is set to start phasing in later this year.

Why It Matters in the ELCA:

Lutheran congregations across the country operate food pantries, partner with food banks and hunger relief networks and accompany rural communities whose livelihoods depend on stable agricultural policy – making the Farm Bill one of the most consequential pieces of legislation for our shared ministry. The Farm Bill, which authorizes the SNAP program and most nutrition policy, is one of the most germane vehicles to address some of the most severe cuts made to hunger programs made through a party-line budgetary measure (H.R. 1) passed outside of traditional authorization procedure. Despite some modest gains in the new House Farm Bill text, prioritizing farm policy at the cost of codifying large cuts to hunger programs risks rupturing a longtime bipartisan coalition that historically has operated well together.

What’s Next:

The House Agriculture committee is anticipated to mark up the legislation – but in a tight legislative calendar, it will be an ambitious effort to pass the bill on the floor ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. The ELCA Witness in Society office will be collaborating with interfaith partners to share top priorities and goals with lawmakers as the legislation advances.

• • Updating of the ELCA Farm Bill Engagement page on the ELCA Advocacy blog has resumed, including a link to the Action Alert opportunity, “Strengthen Hunger Provisions in Farm Bill.”

SAVE AMERICA ACT:  The SAVE America Act has passed in the House and awaits action in the Senate. Baseless voter fraud claims have ignited support for the SAVE America Act and related legislation, with a call to election integrity masking legislation that would make voting and voter registration more difficult. This would impact millions of American citizens ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. ELCA advocacy staff added to other voices nationwide to reject the restrictive legislation leading to reduced House support for the bill compared to 2025. Through the ELCA Action Center over 5,700 messages from the “Reject Voting Barriers and Oppose the SAVE Act | SAVE America Act” Action Alert were sent to members of Congress.

Why It Matters in the ELCA:

The SAVE America Act, if enacted, would add additional burdens on voters to provide eligibility – which non-partisan experts say would not make any noticeable change to election security. The adjustments would disproportionately impact rural, low-income and marginalized communities and members of Tribal Nations by making it harder to both prove eligibility and register to vote.

• • The ELCA strongly affirms voter participation as an exercise in citizenship and resists efforts to restrict access – especially for low-income communities which are often left out of the election process. The ELCA social message “Government and Civic Engagement in the United States: Discipleship in a Democracy” urges rejection of “antidemocratic exclusion” efforts to restrict voting, including “requiring voters to show identification without issuing identification to all eligible voters,” purging voter rolls, and more.

What’s Next:

The ELCA will continue urging Congress to reject voting barriers and oppose legislation similar to the SAVE Act. The ELCA federal policy team will collaborate with ELCA Racial Justice and Ministries of Diverse Cultures and Communities colleagues to support and resource their ministries and partners. The “Reject Voting Barriers and Oppose the SAVE Act | SAVE America Act” Action Alert is still live.

ADMINISTRATION REPEALS THE ENDANGERMENT FINDING: In 2009, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) signed findings regarding greenhouse gases under the Clean Air Act, including what is known as the Endangerment Finding. Despite many advocacy efforts to bring forward concerns, repeal of the Endangerment Finding was announced by the EPA on Feb. 12, 2026. The Endangerment Finding is focused on the conclusion that current and projected concentrations of the certain greenhouse gases in the atmosphere threaten the public health and welfare of current and future generations. This finding served as the legal basis on which the federal government can regulate greenhouse gas emissions based on public health. In July 2025, EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin announced a proposal to rescind that finding which led to the repeal.

Why It Matters in the ELCA:

The ELCA released an official statement in response to the announcement of the repeal. The statement outlines the social teaching basis for increased regulation of greenhouse gas emissions in opposition to any attempts to weaponize or distort scientific research. The ELCA gave testimony at an EPA public hearing in support of upholding the finding. The Rev. Kaari Reierson, ELCA Corporate Social Responsibility Program Director, delivered that testimony based upon ELCA social teaching, and several other ELCA ministers also testified. Public comments were also recorded in the Federal Register. Additionally, ELCA advocacy staff scheduled a meeting with the EPA Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs to discuss these concerns.

What’s Next:

ELCA Advocacy staff will continue to monitor legal challenges as well as any legislative opportunities to ensure public health protections for current and future generations.

FEDERAL POLICY IMPACTS FOR BURMA: The House of Representatives has passed the Bringing Real Accountability Via Enforcement in Burma Act (BRAVE Burma Act), extending expiring authorities outlined in the BURMA Act of 2022. The BURMA Act of 2022 authorizes humanitarian assistance and civil society support, promotes democracy and human rights. The BURMA Act of 2022 also imposes targeted sanctions against individuals and entities who helped stage the Feb. 1, 2021, coup d’état and are responsible for the subsequent repression of fundamental freedoms, human rights abuses and use of indiscriminate violence towards civilians and other gross atrocities.

Why It Matters in the ELCA:

The ELCA accompanies and works with four companion churches in Myanmar: the Myanmar Lutheran Church, Lutheran Church in Myanmar, Evangelical Lutheran Church of Myanmar – Lutheran Bethlehem Church, and the Mara Evangelical Church. This partnership helps support those displaced by fighting with living supplies and shelter, and children and young adults with education. Witness in Society staff worked with advocacy partners to ensure passage of the BURMA Act of 2022.

What’s Next:

The BRAVE Burma Act (H.R. 3190) has been referred to the Senate for consideration. Witness in Society staff will continue to advocate for passage of this bill in the Senate.

WAR WITH IRAN: On Feb. 28, the United States and the State of Israel initiated hostilities with the Islamic Republic of Iran via an intensive bombing campaign of Iran’s civilian, theological and military infrastructure. This joint attack was initiated without Congressional authorization for the use of force (war powers act). Since Feb. 28, the U.S. military and the Israeli military have jointly conducted 2,000 airstrikes across the country. The resultant airstrikes have killed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei and around 40 top military and civilian leaders within the government.

Why It Matters in the ELCA:

The ELCA social teaching provides numerous opportunities to discuss the parameters under which a war may be necessary, and the considerations required through the discussion of the just/unjust war tradition. As explained through the ELCA social statement For Peace in God’s World, “We seek guidance from the principles of the ‘just/unjust war’ tradition. While permitting recourse to war in exceptional circumstances, these principles intend to limit such occasions by setting forth conditions that must be met to render military action justifiable. We begin with a strong presumption against all war; support for and participation in a war to restore peace is a tragic concession to a sinful world. Any decision for war must be a mournful one.” It is clear the American public has not been provided the necessary time or engagement to deliberate on the necessity of this war, and thus have Congress render a legal judgement on whether to authorize the use of force and a war.

What’s Next:

ELCA advocacy staff continue to visit Congressional offices to draw attention to the necessity of war powers resolutions as this use of force continues to pummel the region. It is important that members of Congress use their constitutional power to ensure that our government is engaging constructively in matters of war, peace and the common good.

DHS PARTIAL SHUTDOWN CONTINUES AS CONGRESS WEIGHS MORE FUNDING FOR ICE: The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) remains partially shut down after legislators failed to reach a funding agreement after over two months of negotiations. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) continue to work and receive pay throughout the shutdown Funding for ICE and CBP continued work comes from the more than $170 billion for immigration and border enforcement passed last July.

No immediate Homeland Security budget deal is in sight. In late March, the Senate reached a bipartisan deal to pass a DHS funding bill that carved out ICE and parts of CBP – overall a win for immigration advocates despite a remaining lack of clarity around ICE oversight and reforms. The House rejected this bill, and are instead working on a “Reconciliation 2.0 package” that would provide even more funding to ICE and CBP.

Why It Matters in the ELCA:

The ELCA has been raising the importance of meaningful accountability in outreach to legislators, noting how lack of accountability threatens our communities from Minneapolis to Chicago and in many communities where ICE has increased its presence. This negotiation period is a critical time to push for meaningful changes to be written into appropriations law.

What’s Next:

An ELCA Action Alert is available to transmit your message to law makers: “No ICE Funding Without Accountability.” We will continue to press legislators to reach an agreement that includes specific, measurable protections for immigrants and communities.

Receive monthly Advocacy Connections directly by becoming part of the ELCA Advocacy network – http://elca.org/advocacy/signup , and learn more from elca.org/advocacy .

“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 and reconciliation among the nations, especially in Iran, Lebanon, Gaza, South Sudan, Ukraine, and Venezuela…
For all immigrants, refugees, and asylum seekers…
For an end to gun violence, and for all victims of gun violence, especially in the communities of Shreveport, Louisiana and Winston-Salem, North Carolina, as well as tourists visiting the Teotihuacán site near Mexico City…
For healing, resilience, and rebuilding in Midwestern communities recovering from tornadoes, and for all living in areas facing wildfires and wildfire risk…
For the wellbeing of our planet as we celebrate Earth Week, and for human hearts, minds, and wills to work for its health…
For Christian unity as we celebrate the season Easter, and for an end to interreligious conflict and religious persecution…
For farmers and farm workers, and for all who work with the land to provide food…

Events and observances:
April Observances: Autism Awareness Month, National Alcohol Awareness Month, National Child Abuse Prevention Month, Sexual Assualt Awareness Month

Olavus Petri, priest, died 1552; Laurentius Petri, Bishop ofUppsala, died 1573; renewers of the church (Apr 19)
Anselm, bishop of Canterbury, died 1109 (Apr 21)
Toyohiko Kagawa, renewer of society, died 1960 (Apr 23)
Mark, Evangelist (Apr 25)

Prayers from ELCA resources:
A prayer for the wellbeing of creation (ACS p.47)
God, creator of all living things, you fashioned a world in which lands and waterways, plants and animals, together meet the needs of all that you made. We pray that such vitality may flourish around the globe. Bless those who work the soil and who manage animals. Uphold their towns and villages. Nurture bees and other pollinators. Protect farmlands and ranches from drought and flood. Free children from forced labor in the fields. Grant an economy that can sustain those families who treasure a rural life. Teach us how to share with everyone the benefits of each harvest, and accept our gratitude for all sustenance you provide, in the name of Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.

A prayer for a time of conflict, crisis, or disaster (ACS p.49)
Lord Jesus Christ, your own mother looked on when your life ended in violence. Our hearts are pierced with grief and anger at shootings in Louisiana, North Carolina, and around the globe. We commend the slain to your wounded hands, and their loved ones to your merciful heart, trusting only in the promise that your love is stronger than death, and that even now, you live and reign forever and ever. Amen.

—

The following topical resources are available from resources.elca.org for use in public worship and personal devotion:
Worship resources in a time of war
Worship resources for the crisis in the Holy Land
Worship resources for the Eastern Europe Crisis

—

ELW = Evangelical Lutheran Worship
ACS = All Creation Sings: Evangelical Lutheran Worship Supplement

Additional topical prayers are found in Evangelical Lutheran Worship (pp. 72–87) and All Creation Sings (pp. 46–55), as well as in other resources provided in print and online at sundaysandseasons.com.

Crafted intercessions for every Sunday and festival are provided in the Sundays and Seasons worship planning guide published in-print and online by Augsburg Fortress. Further assistance for composing prayers of intercession can be found here: Resources for Crafting Prayers of Intercession

Prayer Ventures, a daily prayer resource, is a guide to prayer for the global, social and outreach ministries of the ELCA, as well as for the needs and circumstances of our neighbors, communities and world.

Tropical Cyclone Gezani | Image credit MODIS Land Rapid Response Team, NASA GSFC

February and March 2026 were marked by a series of devastating climate-induced disasters and escalating conflicts across the globe. Together, these crises have profoundly impacted lives, livelihoods, health, housing, and the environment—placing millions of people in urgent need of humanitarian assistance. During this period alone, national and international agencies reported seven medium and large-scale weather and climate-related disasters, highlighting the growing intensity and frequency of such events.

Major Climate and Natural Disasters

• Brazil – Floods and Landslides: In late February, relentless rainfall triggered catastrophic flooding and landslides in Minas Gerais, particularly in Juiz de Fora. More than 70 lives were lost, and nearly 10,000 people were displaced, leaving communities devastated and in need of urgent relief.
• Madagascar – Tropical Cyclone Gezani (Early February): Cyclone Gezani struck Madagascar with destructive force, claiming over 30 lives and displacing thousands. It was the second major cyclone to hit the country within just two weeks, compounding vulnerability and damage.
• Southern Africa – Regional Flooding: Persistent heavy rains worsened flooding across Mozambique, Malawi, Zimbabwe, and South Africa. The widespread inundation caused severe damage to infrastructure, agriculture, and homes, deepening regional humanitarian needs.
• Colombia – Widespread Floods: Continuous rainfall from early February led to flooding across 17 municipalities, damaging more than 12,000 homes and disrupting thousands of lives.
• Kenya – Floods (March): Beginning March 6, intense rains triggered deadly flooding across parts of Kenya, resulting in more than 70 reported deaths and widespread displacement.
• India – Tornado and Floods (March 15): A powerful tornado struck Odisha’s Mayurbhanj district, killing two people and injuring dozens. The disaster was followed by extensive flooding, further exacerbating local hardship.
• Philippines – Canlaon Volcano Eruption (Mid-March): A moderate eruption of Canlaon Volcano sent a 5-kilometer ash plume into the sky, affecting at least 54 villages with ashfall and disrupting daily life.

Escalating Conflicts and Humanitarian Crises

Alongside natural disasters, ongoing conflicts continue to force millions from their homes and deepen global instability. In Ukraine and Gaza, displacement remains widespread as civilians continue to flee in search of safety. Meanwhile, intensifying conflict in Iran and other parts of the Middle East is claiming thousands of lives and rendering vast areas uninhabitable. These conflicts are not only humanitarian tragedies but are also straining the global economy and worsening living conditions far beyond the immediate regions. Fear, uncertainty, and psychological stress have become part of daily life for affected populations.

According to recent reports from UN and UN-supported platforms:

• Lebanon: Over 1.2 million people—nearly one-fifth of the population—have been displaced.
• Somalia: Rising fuel costs and supply disruptions linked to Middle East conflict threaten to worsen conditions for children already suffering from prolonged drought.
• Afghanistan: Nearly two-thirds of families affected by severe drought report increased child labour, while only about one in five children is attending school.
• Yemen: An estimated 18.3 million people are facing acute food insecurity, highlighting one of the world’s most severe humanitarian crises.

A Growing Global Emergency

These overlapping crises—climate disasters and armed conflicts—are placing unprecedented strain on vulnerable communities and humanitarian systems worldwide. The scale and complexity of needs underscore the urgency for coordinated global action, sustained funding, and long-term resilience-building efforts.

Without immediate and collective response, the gap between humanitarian needs and available support will continue to widen, leaving millions at risk.

Supporting Communities Through Lutheran Disaster Response

Prepare

Each year in the Easter season, we venture into Acts, a book of the Bible I like to talk about as “Jesus is risen, now what?” And what we learn through Acts, about what it means to be people of faith, is much different than what the world often tells us marks a faithful life. So often we hear on the news or from others in the world that Christians act, dress, and talk a certain way, or in more recent weeks we’ve been told that Christians need a war to follow God. But we don’t find any of those things in Acts. In Acts, we find a community that is desperate for survival, at odds with empire, and who have no idea how they are going to survive.

When this text tells us that everyone gave what they had and nobody was in need, we see them acting much more like a family than how we often think about churches. The people of this early church relied on one another to survive, not because of who they were or where they came from. Rather, because following Christ required it. We know from later on in Acts that this type of community didn’t last very long. However, for a brief time, their gathering as people who believed in the resurrection of Christ allowed them to overcome the challenges that come with being a Christian community. 

We’re talking about Awe today. The text says it was the awe and reverence that the early followers had for Jesus and the signs and wonders the apostles were still performing, that built that community. Which is to say, Christ’s presence built the community, not human strength, kindness, or pleasantries. We don’t know exactly what these signs and wonders were that were spreading the gospel, yet I have to imagine they were a continuation of Jesus’ ministry: sitting with people, loving them despite their failings, calling out cultural wrongs, performing miracles. All signs and wonders that many churches continue to do today, though not often the ones that make the news. 

Opening Exercise

Awe is a feeling of wonder, respect, and admiration mixed with joy and fear in response to something vast and

“Earthset” captured on Flight Day 6 of the Artemis 2 mission to the moon. (Image credit: NASA)

powerful.

Share about a time you remember experiencing awe. Find a photo that attempts to capture either what gave you awe (the mountains) or the feeling (celebrating a sports victory). 

• What commonalities do you find between your photos? 

Note: Nowadays, I ask our youth to use their phones to find a photo, with a device or two on standby in case someone doesn’t have one. In the past, I would have printed a set of “awe” photos for students to pick from.

Read the Text

Acts 2:42-47

Awe and Belonging

When I think about the book of Acts, the first thing I think of is a community that shared everything so that no one was in need.  This verse has stuck with me in a way that many Bible verses don’t. I suspect it’s because it’s so incomprehensible to me. I’ve known incredibly generous people who give their time and money to help others in need. I have even given money and time on my own, but I have never been a part of a community where everybody had their needs filled. I mean that in a physical sense, but this verse could just as easily apply to emotional safety, friendship, hobbies, academic support, and love.

A community where nobody is in need would certainly be awe-inspiring to me. What’s striking is that, for this community in Acts, Awe comes first. We read that the people were filled with awe after Jesus’ resurrection and before a community formed where everyone had what they needed. Awe came first. Awe at what? At the presence of God. 

While Jesus was in heaven, his followers continued his ministry. People were perceptive enough to notice the Jesus-like work in their midst. Then they were bold enough to claim it. This community existed because people were dwelling together with God. Today, we often talk about God, but this wasn’t about opinions, education, or even the Bible. This was a community of people who had experienced God’s grace and trusted one another when they shared their experiences. It was holy in a really simple way.

Awe and Belonging

If we were to continue reading Acts, we know that this community without need does not last. It makes me wonder if it’s the Awe fading away into the background that leads to the dissolution of the community. Being in awe of Jesus, or God’s power, or the Holy Spirit’s guidance, changes what it means to be a person of faith in our world. We are not starting each day looking for a way to serve. We’re simply starting each day asking God to show us awe. We no longer have a to-do list so much as we are tasked with looking for where God shows up in mysterious and powerful ways. Perhaps being a follower of Christ starts with the expectation that God is already doing something wonderful. Our role is to notice it.

Reflection Questions

• What does the text say caused the awe the community experienced? What do we think those wonders and signs were?

• Do you know any extremely generous people? Have you ever asked them why they give so much?

• When you have experienced awe, what did you want to do next?

• Where do we look to find God doing something wonderful out in the world?

Closing Activity 

• Make a list of things, or types of things, that inspire awe. (Ex. Nature, someone sharing something deep, a good dessert)
• Send your group to find something that deserves awe and wonder and bring it back to your space.
• Share with a partner what was awe inspiring about what you brought back.

Closing Prayer

Holy One, you created a world more marvelous than we can even know. Lead us into awe this week, spark wonder in our minds and reverence in our hearts. Guide us into community through a deep appreciation of your majesty. Amen.

Bio

Lindsay Batesmith is the pastor of Rejoice Lutheran Church in Erie, CO. She is consistently in awe of the power of vulnerability to connect us to each other and invite the Holy Spirit to transform lives. When not at Church or her favorite coffee shop, Lindsay is usually playing with her dog, Echo, or watching the Great British Bakeoff with her wife, Tillie.

“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 and reconciliation among the nations, especially in Iran, Lebanon, Gaza, South Sudan, Ukraine, and Venezuela…
For Christian unity and courage in seeking and speaking peace…
For rescue, recovery, and rebuilding work after storms, tornadoes, and flooding across the Midwestern US…
For victims of gun violence, especially in school shootings in Turkey…
For elections and political transitions around the world, especially in Hungary…
For all who struggle amidst rising fuel costs around the globe…
For the victims and survivors of the ship which sank between Bangladesh and Myanmar…
For safety for those on the Gaza flotilla from Spain…
For victims of the stampede at Laferrière Citadel in Haiti…
For the diversity and gifts of the human family…
For those who face financial stress in this tax season, and for renewed wisdom among leaders who discern how to use shared resources for the common good…
For migrating birds and insects, and for animals waking from hibernation…

Events and observances:
April Observances: Autism Awareness Month, National Alcohol Awareness Month, National Child Abuse Prevention Month, Sexual Assualt Awareness Month

Olavus Petri, priest, died 1552; Laurentius Petri, Bishop ofUppsala, died 1573; renewers of the church (Apr 19)
Anselm, bishop of Canterbury, died 1109 (Apr 21)
Toyohiko Kagawa, renewer of society, died 1960 (Apr 23)
Mark, Evangelist (Apr 25)

Prayers from ELCA resources:
A prayer for the proper use of wealth (ELW p.80)
O God, in your love you have given the people of this land gifts of abundance beyond what our forebears knew or could imagine. Mercifully grant that we may not be so occupied with material things that we forget spiritual gifts, and thus, even though we have gained the whole world, lose our souls; through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.
Amen.

A prayer for faithful commitment (ELW p.86)
Almighty and eternal God, so draw our hearts to you, so guide our minds, so fill our imaginations, so control our wills, that we may be wholly yours, utterly dedicated unto you; and then use us, we pray, as you will, but always to your glory and the welfare of your people, through our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Amen.

—

The following topical resources are available from resources.elca.org for use in public worship and personal devotion:
Worship resources in a time of war
Worship resources for the crisis in the Holy Land
Worship resources for the Eastern Europe Crisis

—

ELW = Evangelical Lutheran Worship
ACS = All Creation Sings: Evangelical Lutheran Worship Supplement

Additional topical prayers are found in Evangelical Lutheran Worship (pp. 72–87) and All Creation Sings (pp. 46–55), as well as in other resources provided in print and online at sundaysandseasons.com.

Crafted intercessions for every Sunday and festival are provided in the Sundays and Seasons worship planning guide published in-print and online by Augsburg Fortress. Further assistance for composing prayers of intercession can be found here: Resources for Crafting Prayers of Intercession

Prayer Ventures, a daily prayer resource, is a guide to prayer for the global, social and outreach ministries of the ELCA, as well as for the needs and circumstances of our neighbors, communities and world.

Prepare

The Road to Emmaus story is chock-full of theological imagery and imagination. We meet disciples and Jesus on the road and yet something is keeping the disciples from recognizing Christ. There’s a lot that could be explored as to why the disciples don’t recognize Jesus throughout their entire conversation, especially in light of other resurrection stories we have about Christ where folks recognize him immediately. Moreover, it is theologically significant that his identity is revealed through the Eucharist. It is as they break bread that Christ is recognized for who he is. The meal is the disciples “touching of the wounds” moment that Thomas was so desperate for. The meal is where Jesus is the most recognizable version of himself.

The gospel of Luke, more than the other gospels, emphasizes roads and journeys for both Christ and people of faith. It is fitting, therefore, that we meet Christ on the road as the disciples’ doubts, questions, and pain swirl around them. Their movement in the passage reflects where the disciples are in their processing. They are moving and progressing forward as they are vulnerable with each other and this stranger. When they cry out that they had hoped Jesus really was the messiah, they reveal their underlying fear: it now appears he was not. It isn’t until right before Christ is revealed to them that they find a place to stop and sit with their grief. Once he is revealed, the disciples are on the road again, this time to redeem the story that was told as they left. 

Opening Exercise

Are you currently hoping for anything in particular? What does it feel like to hope for something with true hope (something you cannot work towards on your own, but something you have to trust God, or someone else, to come through for you?). 

Read the Text:

Luke 24:13-35

When Easter Hope Isn’t all Shiny and Pastel

A few years ago I was talking with a friend about her husband’s cancer diagnosis. In this conversation I could feel the

The Road to Emmaus (Gang nach Emmaus), 1877, by Robert Zünd. Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.

sadness and frustration starting to get me down so I said something along the lines of “but we’re hopeful the next treatment will work!” I am ever the person to add sugar to a terrible situation. Luckily, my friend was willing to be honest and vulnerable with me. She said, “honestly, I’m feeling kind of burned by hope. I’d rather not.” I was stunned…Isn’t hope a good thing? 

But she shared that they’d been hoping. That they had hoped the tumor wasn’t cancer at all and then it was. They had hoped the cancer wouldn’t progress and then it did. They had hoped chemo would work and then it didn’t. She, like the disciples on the road in our story, was tired of hope.

When you think about it, hope sets us up to be burned a time or two because, when we start hoping, our whole demeanor changes. We go from a place of accepting our circumstance to dreaming about what things could be like if God, or someone more powerful than we are, stepped up. It’s the dreaming that makes hope dangerous. The disciples who met Jesus on the road had been hoping that Jesus was going to redeem Israel. When it looks like that hasn’t and won’t happen, they are down worse than they were before they met Jesus. They are more upset than when they had no hope.

Easter Hope

What really gets the disciples is that they assume this is the end of the story. They have left the other disciples, wallowing as they walk back towards their lives before hope. But that isn’t how Jesus works. They stop having hope because they tied their hope to very specific outcomes. They hoped that Jesus would redeem them in an earthly battle. They hoped Jesus would never die. They hoped in far smaller ways than our God works. 

When Jesus is revealed in the meal, what the disciples start to see is that their hope made Jesus way too small. They didn’t need to hope he wouldn’t die, because he overcame death. They didn’t need to hope that Jesus would win some earthly battle leaving some new people to be corrupted by power while others struggled. Christ brings the Kingdom of God in which there is abundance for everyone and nobody is lesser than anyone else. This story shows us the danger of hope in our world, not because we might be disappointed (though that’s always a bummer), but because if we hope with too much specificity we might miss who God is altogether. 

When we hope, we hope in a God who is doing far bigger things than our imaginations can handle. The same God who has kept my friend’s husband alive and well for far longer now than any doctor expected.

Reflection Questions

• What do you think the disciples had hoped would happen instead of the cross?
• When have you missed, or almost missed, something really good because you were hoping for something else?
• How can we hope while being faithful to how gigantic our God is? How do we make sure our hopes aren’t putting God in a box?

Closing Activity 

Have students get into pairs and share their hopes. Invite them to gently “correct” each other until their hope is Christ sized, not limited to our own imaginations.

Here’s an example:

• I hope my friend gets better.
• I hope my friend is no longer in pain or the hospital.
• I hope my friend is able to live a rich and happy life with/without their illness.

Once each student has a God-sized hope, share them with the group.

Closing Prayer

Prayer of Good Courage:

O God, you have called your servants
to ventures of which we cannot see the ending,
by paths as yet untrodden, through perils unknown.
Give us faith to go out with good courage,
not knowing where we go,
but only that your hand is leading us
and your love supporting us,
through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

Bio

Lindsay Batesmith is the pastor of Rejoice Lutheran Church in Erie, CO. She is consistently in awe of the power of vulnerability to connect us to each other and invite the Holy Spirit to transform lives. When not at church or her favorite coffee shop, Lindsay is usually playing with her dog, Echo, or watching the Great British Bakeoff with her wife, Tillie.

“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 and reconciliation among the nations, especially in Iran, Lebanon, Gaza, South Sudan, Ukraine, and Venezuela…
For those who serve in the armed forces, for those who are deployed, and for those who have been injured…
For ceasefire in Iran…
For civilians caught in the midst of war and conflict…
For victims of the Grays Ferry parking garage collapse in Philadelphia, PA…
For local and global elections, and peaceful transitions of leadership…
For Christian unity across denominations and traditions…
For safe return of the Artemis II crew…
For all immigrants, refugees, and asylum seekers, and for those unjustly detained…
For survivors of child abuse and sexual assault, and for caregivers and advocates…
For all affected by rising fuel and food costs and access…
For communities affected by early heat and drought…

Events and observances:
April Observances: Autism Awareness Month, National Alcohol Awareness Month, National Child Abuse Prevention Month, Sexual Assualt Awareness Month

Dietrich Bonhoeffer, theologian, died 1945 (Apr 9)
Mikael Agricola, Bishop of Turku, died 1557 (Apr 10)
Yom HaShoah (Judaism, Apr 13-14)
Vaisakhi (Hinduism, Jainism, and Sikhism, Apr 14)
Olavus Petri, priest, died 1552; Laurentius Petri, Bishop ofUppsala, died 1573; renewers of the church (Apr 19)

Prayers from ELCA resources:
Those in the armed forces (ELW p.77)
Almighty God, we commend to your gracious care and keeping all the men and women of our armed forces at home and abroad. Defend them day by day with your heavenly grace; strengthen them in their trials and temptations; give them courage to face the perils that surround them; and grant them a sense of your abiding presence wherever they may be; through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.

The care of children (ELW p82)
Almighty God, with a mother’s love and a father’s care you have blessed us with the joy and responsibility of children. As we bring them up, give us gracious love, calm strength, and patient wisdom, that we may teach them to love whatever is just and true and good, following the example of Jesus Christ, our Savior. Amen.

—

The following topical resources are available from resources.elca.org for use in public worship and personal devotion:
Worship resources in a time of war
Worship resources for the crisis in the Holy Land
Worship resources for the Eastern Europe Crisis

—

ELW = Evangelical Lutheran Worship
ACS = All Creation Sings: Evangelical Lutheran Worship Supplement

Additional topical prayers are found in Evangelical Lutheran Worship (pp. 72–87) and All Creation Sings (pp. 46–55), as well as in other resources provided in print and online at sundaysandseasons.com.

Crafted intercessions for every Sunday and festival are provided in the Sundays and Seasons worship planning guide published in-print and online by Augsburg Fortress. Further assistance for composing prayers of intercession can be found here: Resources for Crafting Prayers of Intercession

Prayer Ventures, a daily prayer resource, is a guide to prayer for the global, social and outreach ministries of the ELCA, as well as for the needs and circumstances of our neighbors, communities and world.

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. ELCA Worship also features resources from Augsburg Fortress Publishers in a monthly blog post.

Lutheran Summer Music Academy & Festival

Transforming and connecting lives through faith and music since 1981.

Blessings in this Easter Season from Lutheran Summer Music!

Please enjoy this joyful musical offering of “O Clap Your Hands” by Ralph Vaughan Williams, performed by the LSM 2025 Festival Choir, conducted by Dr. Shannon Gravelle, with Dr. Catherine Rodland, organ. Watch here!

Association of Lutheran Church Musicians

ALCM nurtures and equips musicians to serve and lead the church’s song.

ALCM  2026 Conference “Now and Forever”

St. Olaf College, Northfield, Minn.
Celebrating the 1986 ALCM Constituting Convention
Overlapping with Lutheran Summer Music’s Festival Week!
Featuring Bach’s St. Matthew Passion, Bach Collegium Valparaiso, Christopher M. Cock, artistic director. (Made possible through generous support provided by Pauline and John Kiltinen.

Registration is open.
The emphasis of this conference is on practical skill-building. Check out the nearly complete list of presenters and workshops on the conference website. Reasonably-priced, air-conditioned dormitory housing is still available and can be booked at time of conference registration or at a later date. Register now and make plans to envision the future of Lutheran Church music.

The Hymn Society

The Hymn Society in the United States and Canada encourages, promotes, and enlivens congregational singing by building supportive relationships and enabling networking and ecumenical cooperation which providing experience in performance practices to help in the introduction and leading of the congregation’s song.

Hymn Society Annual Conference
Rebirth: Singing Death, Singing Life
Princeton Theological Seminary, Princeton, N. J.
July 19-22

For eighteen years, we have seen Lutherans lead ecumenical worship with theological depth and musical excellence. This tradition continues at The Hymn Society’s 2026 Annual Conference in Princeton, NJ, from July 19–22.

The event features a strong Lutheran roster, including Marcell Silva Steuernagel, Gracia M. Grindal, Maren Haynes Marchesini, Lola Bobrow and Adan Fernandez. From veteran scholars to rising students, our voices are shepherding this year’s song.

Join your colleagues for a week of professional growth and spiritual renewal. Let’s show up and sing together. Watch this video announcement and visit The Hymn Society website to register. Information about registration fees, accommodations, meal plans and other important details are available on the website.

Advance registration through June 1
Regular registration starting June 2

Center for Church Music

The Center for Church Music, on the campus of Concordia University Chicago, provides ongoing research and educational resources in Lutheran church music.

 2026 Awards for College and Seminary Students

THE 2026 WILLIAM WOLFRAM STUDENT AWARD IN LITURGICAL ART
Recognizes student artists who evidence:
* Commitment to Christian faith and practice
* Excellence in artistic expression
* Commitment to creating pieces purposed for use within worship settings
$1,000.00 prize

Deadline: May 1st, 2026  Submit a single PDF with quality images of your work, one full image and one or two detail images along with title, media, dimensions, year created, and anything else you want the judges to know.  Send to Barry.Bobb@CUChicago.edu  (Recent grads—since May 2024—may also apply.)

THE 2026 RICHARD HILLERT AWARD IN STUDENT COMPOSITION
Submitted piece must be a church music composition (3-5 minutes in length) – suitable for a liturgical service.
$1,000.00 prize

Deadline: June 1st, 2026   Submit two copies (one with your name and one unattributed). Recordings are encouraged but not required. Send to Barry.Bobb@CUChicago.edu (Recent grads—since May 2024—may also apply.)