“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 an end to war, conflict, and violence especially in Gaza, South Sudan, Myanmar, Ukraine, Thailand and Cambodia, Iran, Venezuela, and China and Taiwan…
For those grieving victims of the Swiss New Year’s Eve fire…
For immigrants, refugees, and asylum seekers, especially those who face discrimination and violence…
For tourists and travelers stranded in Yemen, Venezuela, and across the Carribbean…
For earthquakes in the Pacific Ocean and nations concerned about tsunamis…
For children and those who nurture them…
For rebuilding and recovery following flooding and its effects in the northwestern United States, Maine, and California…
For Roman Catholic siblings marking the end of the Jubilee Year…
For Orthodox Christians celebrating Christmas…

Events and observances:
January Observances: National Blood Donor Month, National Human Trafficking Prevention Month, Poverty in America Awareness Month, Mental Awareness Month

Orthodox Christmas Day (Jan 7)
Adrian of Canterbury, teacher, died around 710 (Jan 9)
Baptism of Our Lord (Jan 11)
Orthodox New Year (Jan 14)
Pongal, (Hindu festival, Jan 14)
Martin Luther King Jr., renewer of society, martyr, died 1968 (Jan 15)

Prayers from ELCA resources:
A prayer in time of crisis, conflict, or disaster (ACS)
God most mighty, God most merciful, our sacred stories tell us that you help and save your people. You are the fortress: may there be no more war. You are the harvest: may there be no more hunger. You are the light: may no one die alone or in despair. God most majestic, God most motherly, grant us your life, the life that flows from your Son and the Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

A prayer for peace (ACS)
Holy God, out of your great love for the world, your Word became flesh to live among us and to reconcile us to you and to one another. Rekindle among us the gift of your Spirit so that we seek to live in unity with all people, breaking down the walls that divide, ending the hostility among us, and proclaiming peace to those who are near and to those who are far away; through Christ Jesus, in whom we all have access in the one Spirit to you, both now and forever. Amen.
—

The following topical resources are available from resources.elca.org for use in public worship and personal devotion:
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.

Augsburg Fortress is the publishing ministry of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

Each month ELCA Worship highlights resources from Augsburg Fortress Publishers that support worship leaders, worship planners, musicians, and all who care about the worship of the church. ELCA Worship also features resources from other partners in a monthly blog post.

Love Outpoured: Devotions for Lent 2026

Love Outpoured focuses on portions of the apostle Paul’s letter to the Romans. In words that continue to speak to us today, Paul lays out foundational beliefs for a life of faith in Christian community. The daily devotions for each day, from Ash Wednesday to the Resurrection of Our Lord / Vigil of Easter, begin with evocative images and brief scripture texts. The writers then bring their diverse voices and pastoral wisdom to the texts with quotations to ponder, reflections, and prayers.

May God’s love pour out into us and through us to our neighbors, churches, communities, and all creation!

Serving Through Sound: A NEW Webinar Series from Augsburg Music

Register today for this FREE Music Webinar Series from Augsburg Fortress Publishers! Join David Cherwien for a journey through hymnody, improvisation, the church music community, and more. On Jan. 27, 2026, 11 am CST, we’ll host the first webinar titled “Venturing Beyond the Page: Hymn Improvisation to Enliven the Assembly’s Song.” David Cherwien will share practical tools for easy hymn improvisation along with creative organ registrations that add contrast and interest to assembly singing. He’ll also offer suggestions on how to introduce new hymnody and craft memorable hymn festivals. Register today!

Martin Luther’s Easter Book

This powerful book of passages from Martin Luther’s Easter sermons portrays the reformer’s lasting thoughts on faith, human imperfection, salvation through grace, and the wonder of God. The sermons explore events from Holy Week through the Resurrection. They combine marvelous insights with inspiring calls to action that are so characteristic of the great reformer: “The resurrection consists not in words, but in life and power.”

Bible People: Monologues for Lent 

This collection of dramatic monologues is ideal for congregations looking for something fresh and new. Contains six monologues based on Biblical characters, including Peter’s mother-in-law, Lazarus, and Mary Magdalene. Use for mid-week services or as an add-on to traditional Sunday worship. The “How To” guide helps congregations just getting started with dramatic ministry, and each monologue includes a study guide. (This product is a downloadable PDF that can be reproduced for local church use.)

This post published on June, 12, 2025 was updated on January 7, 2026.

NEW RESOURCE AVAILABLE: To assist congregations using the provisional alternative lectionary texts beginning in year A, a resource with preaching guidance and hymn suggestions is now available. See below for more information about other available resources and how to give feedback to the Consultation on Common Texts during this trial period.

The Consultation on Common Texts (CCT)— a joint American and Canadian ecumenical body—oversees the Revised Common Lectionary (RCL), a schedule of biblical passages read on Sundays and festivals in congregations of multiple denominations in North America and other parts of the world. The ELCA is one of more than 20 member denominations.

At its April 2025 meeting, CCT approved a provisional update to the RCL. This update reexamines passages of Scripture that have historically been misused to justify discrimination and violence against the Jews. This process involved extensive study and consultation with biblical experts, church historians, and liturgical leaders, including a forum with consultation and participation of Jewish scholars. The ELCA Consultative Panel on Lutheran-Jewish Relations was among the groups that offered feedback during this process that helped shape this ecumenical effort.

This proposed update is commended by the CCT to the churches for a three-year trial period, beginning in Advent of 2025 (Year A).

Key Areas of Focus

The proposal considers how the passion narrative is proclaimed on Palm/Passion Sunday and Good Friday, offering guidance for preachers and worshipers.

It also includes provisional revisions to the lectionary for the Easter season and the Time after Pentecost. A significant concern raised is the practice of replacing Old Testament readings with passages from Acts during Eastertide. As the proposal notes:

“The RCL lectionary for Easter Season has perpetuated what we also find to be a potentially harmful practice of replacing the first reading from the Old Testament with a reading from Acts during Easter Season. For Christians not to read from texts shared with Jews during any season of the year is inherently problematic.”
…
“Therefore, the Consultation recommends alternative readings from the Hebrew Scriptures during Eastertide, drawing on work from the Church of Scotland as promoted by the English Language Liturgical Consultation.”

The proposal suggests delaying readings from Acts until after Pentecost, using them as a replacement for the second reading.

Next Steps for ELCA Congregations and Worshiping Communities

As a member church of the Consultation on Common Texts, the ELCA encourages use and testing of these materials during these next three years. Feedback may be provided directly to the CCT during this testing phase. Please also consider sharing this feedback with the ELCA Worship team at worship@elca.org.

Available Resources

Several existing ELCA resources can help guide worship leaders and preachers in addressing these important concerns:

• Worship Resource: Provisional Lectionary Proposal Responding to Concerns about Anti-Jewish Interpretation – a resource available from ELCA Worship to assist worship planners.
• Preaching and Teaching “With Love and Respect for the Jewish People” – from the ELCA Consultative Panel on Lutheran-Jewish Relations.
• “The Jews” in John’s Passion – an essay published in the 2020 edition of the Sundays and Seasons worship planning resource from Augsburg Fortress and available for local use.
• Readings for Assembly (Emended) – a provisional emendation of the NRSVue for the entire RCL cycle continues to be available to subscribers to com. Considering Anti-Jewish interpretations is one of several principles that guided this liturgical translation intended for use in worship.

“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 an end to war, conflict, and violence especially in Gaza, South Sudan, Myanmar, Ukraine, Thailand and Cambodia, and China and Taiwan…
For immigrants, refugees, asylum seekers, and all who travel…
For all who rely on affordable child care, who seek accessible health care, or who rely on food assistance…
For all who have experienced miscarriage, stillbirth, or infant loss…
For those facing storms and extreme weather…
For the close of Yule and Kwanzaa celebrations…
For continued celebrations of the twelve days of Christmas…
For celebrations of the New Year…

Events and observances:
January Observances: National Blood Donor Month, National Human Trafficking Prevention Month, Poverty in America Awareness Month

The Holy Innocents, Martyrs (transferred, Dec 29)
Name of Jesus (Jan 1)
Second Sunday of Christmas (Jan 4)
Epiphany of Our Lord (Jan 6)
Orthodox Christmas Day (Jan 7)

Prayers from ELCA resources:
A prayer for Epiphany (ELW)
Almighty and ever-living God, you revealed the incarnation of your Son by the brilliant shining of a star. Shine the light of your justice always in our hearts and over all lands, and accept our lives as the treasure we offer in your praise and for your service, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

A prayer before travel (ELW)
O God, our beginning and our end, you kept Abraham and Sarah in safety throughout the days of their pilgrimage, you led the children of Israel through the midst of the sea, and by a star you led the magi to the infant Jesus. Protect and guide us now as we set out to travel. Make our ways safe and our homecomings joyful, and bring us at last to our heavenly home, where you dwell in glory with our Lord Jesus Christ and the life-giving Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
—

The following topical resources are available from resources.elca.org for use in public worship and personal devotion:
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.

Note from the Editor:

This week on Faith Lens, we’re revisiting a post from the archive. Originally published several years ago, the article still speaks with quiet strength and hope today. As Advent draws to a close, this reflection offers a grounding reminder at just the right moment: Emmanuel, God is with us. In a season that invites us to name our fears and watch for God’s nearness, this piece remains a faithful word for young people and leaders alike.

One more note: in partnership with ELCA Children’s Ministry and ELCA Youth Ministry, the ELCA Youth Gathering is launching a new quarterly newsletter, Faith Foundations, created especially for volunteer and paid youth ministry leaders. Each issue will include practical resources, ministry insights, and tools you can use right away in your context. Sign up now and get the first issue sent right to your inbox next spring.

Warm-up Question

How many times per week, would you estimate, that you make a choice of what to do or what not to do based on fear?

What Makes You Afraid?

Fear can be a highly powerful motivator. We can be afraid of consequences (from parents, teachers, coaches, school administrators) or we can be afraid of what happened last time we did that (a small child touching a hot stove). Some of us have phobias – fear of the dark, of spiders, of snakes (to name a few). Did you know that there is even a name for the fear of Santa Claus? Not surprisingly, it’s Clausophobia.

Sometimes fear motivates us in ways we’d rather not talk about. Other times we avoid doing something we’d otherwise do for fear of what our peers might think or say. Or we avoid trying something new for fear of failure.

For some people, these fears can be crippling. PTSD (Post-traumatic stress disorder) and some phobias keep people from acting because of the strong painful memories and fears often associated with past experiences. Researchers in the United Kingdom and in Japan are working on techniques that might allow people to “re-wire” their brains and overcome those fear-filled memories.

Even if our fears are not extremely strong and limiting, fear affects all of us to some degree and can keep us from engaging in life to the fullness that’s intended for us.

Discussion Questions

• What kinds of fears do you have? What are you afraid of? Can you isolate why? Was there a specific experience that made you afraid?
• What are things you wish you could do but are afraid to try?

Read Text Aloud

Matthew 1:18-25

For lectionary humor and insight, check the weekly comic Agnus Day.

Gospel Reflection

Joseph was afraid. He was afraid to take Mary as his wife, because she was having a baby that wasn’t his. He was afraid of what it would mean for him; he was afraid of what others might think. But he also was afraid to publicly accuse her of infidelity, so he wanted to send her away quietly. But the angel knew what was going on and told him not to be afraid.

Not only did the angel command Joseph not to be afraid but he told Joseph to name the child something that could combat fear. Emmanuel means “God is with us.” God is with us. We are not alone. Perhaps knowing this and trusting this can help to combat the fears that are inside all of us.

Discussion Questions

• When do you need a reminder that God is with you?
• Who do you know who might need a reminder that God is with them?

Activity Suggestions

Make an Emmanuel rock. This can be as simple as taking a small stone and painting a cross (or other symbol) on it. Carry the Emmanuel rock in your pocket. It can remind you that Emmanuel – God is with you. Make tw0 Emmanuel rocks – keep one for yourself and give one away.

Closing Prayer

Good and gracious God, come into our world as Emmanuel. Come into our world and banish fear. Come into our world and banish darkness. Amen.

Written by Seth Moland-Kovash and originally posted on December 18, 2016.

“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 an end to war, conflict, and violence especially in Gaza, South Sudan, Myanmar, Ukraine, Eastern Congo, and Pakistan/Afghanistan…
For all victims of violence, threats of violence, and communities grieving gun violence, including the Brown University and MIT campuses, Stewartville High School, and victims of the Bondi Beach violence in Sydney, Australia…
For immigrants, refugees, asylum seekers, and all who travel…
For those facing extreme weather, especially blizzard and high wind threats in the Northwestern United States…
For the community of Holden Village in this season of evacuation and evaluation…
For children and families who face increased food insecurity during school breaks…
For accessible and affordable health care…
For those living with seasonal affective disorder…
For all who seek shelter…

Events and observances:
December Observances: Universal Human Rights Month, World AIDS/HIV Awareness Month, Spiritual Literacy Month

Hanukkah (Judaism, Dec 14-22)
Las Posadas (Dec 16-24)
Katharina von Bora Luther, renewer of the church, died 1552 (Dec 20)
Nativity of Our Lord (Dec 24 and Dec 25)
Stephen, Deacon and Martyr (Dec 26)
John, Apostle and Evangelist (Dec 27)
The Holy Innocents, Martyrs (transferred, Dec 29)

Prayers from ELCA resources:
A prayer for peace between nations (ELW)
Gracious God, grant peace among nations. Cleanse from our own hearts the seeds of strife: greed and envy, harsh misunderstandings and ill will, fear and desire for revenge. Make us quick to welcome ventures in cooperation among the peoples of the world, so that there may be woven the fabric of a common good too strong to be torn by the evil hands of war. In the time of opportunity, make us be diligent; and in the time of peril, let not our courage fail; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

A prayer before travel (ELW)
O God, our beginning and our end, you kept Abraham and Sarah in safety throughout the days of their pilgrimage, you led the children of Israel through the midst of the sea, and by a star you led the magi to the infant Jesus. Protect and guide us now as we set out to travel. Make our ways safe and our homecomings joyful, and bring us at last to our heavenly home, where you dwell in glory with our Lord Jesus Christ and the life-giving Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
—

The following topical resources are available from resources.elca.org for use in public worship and personal devotion:
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.

By: Kate Parsons
Migration Policy Advisor

The Bible writes of one human family, honored and elevated through the image of God that each of us bears. As a Christian community, we are grieved when we hear language about human beings that does not honor the deep love Christ holds for them or the imago Dei — the image of God — that each of them carries. One group of people who have frequently had their dignity denied is immigrants and those who have been forcibly displaced.

Dehumanizing language dishonors the dignity of human beings. It divides people into an “in-group” (us) and an “out-group” (them), often relying on crude generalizations or metaphors related to contamination or danger. This language is not harmless. It flattens and reduces a diverse group of people to negative characteristics, which can erode empathy and normalize inhumanity, overt discrimination and violence against entire groups of people. Such harmful and reductive terms impact not only immigrants to the United States but also U.S. citizens who may be profiled or stereotyped because of their race, ethnicity, heritage or language.

How should we, as people of faith, respond when we hear language that dehumanizes people? We can follow Jesus’ example by seeing and welcoming those whom society has cast out and by encouraging others to do the same.

One powerful way to combat dehumanizing rhetoric is by sharing personal stories. Too often, conversations about immigration happen without input from immigrants themselves — people who most personally experience the joys, hopes or pains stemming from immigration systems. Christians can confront dehumanizing language in conversation by inviting curiosity and empathy about immigrants’ stories — including their own and those of their ancestors — and reminding others of nuance, complexity and breadth of experiences related to immigration.

Sometimes elected officials use dehumanizing language in official communications, on social media or in remarks to reporters or at a town hall. This language from our elected leaders can make it seem acceptable and normal to talk about other human beings in this way, and it can set the stage for laws and policy that also do not recognize people’s dignity. When we recognize and respond to this language, we can advocate for policies that honor the dignity of every person.

Learn more in this downloadable conversation guide and resource. Drawing on ELCA social teaching, this resource is intended to equip communities to see all people through the lens of God’s love and grace and to recognize and respond when language fails to acknowledge all people’s God-given dignity.

Created In The Image Of God

Opening Activity

Place a large piece of soft cloth on each table for this activity. It’s best if the cloth is blue to match the Advent season. As participants find their seats, invite them to touch the piece of soft cloth. What thoughts, feelings, or memories stirred as they touch it?

Some examples might include:

• a memory of a soft blanket that is special to them
• a thought given to those who have made the fabric
• a feeling of being safe and warm in a coat, etc.

Before reading, invite participants to listen for Jesus’ words about people who wear soft robes.

Read Text Aloud

Matthew 11:2-11

Leading Softly

This gospel lesson invites us to consider whom we look to for leadership. In this Season of Advent, we await a Messiah whom we already know is Jesus. However, have we ever taken the time to wonder why we see Jesus as our leader? It is not enough to think of Jesus only as our Savior from sin. We must also wonder why we follow him. This is the question John the Baptist sent to Jesus from his prison cell: ‘Are you the one we are waiting for?

To this question Jesus responds:

“… the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, those with a skin disease are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have good news brought to them.” (Matt. 11:5)

Jesus is a true leader because those who suffer, those who are on the margins, and those facing real struggles in their daily lives are being cared for by him. Jesus’ leadership is not limited to the spiritual. It is lived out in tangible, earthly ways. His leading allows humanity to have hope, a new chance at life, and to flourish in the present moment.

In our present moment, there are leaders today whose actions undermine proven medical care, disrupt people’s lives, and push people deeper into poverty. They promise a return to a fabled, great past. They promise to be leaders for all. However, their actions are showing us that they are not what Jesus proves real leadership to be.

Today’s gospel lesson encourages us to turn to Jesus, and to trust only in his leadership. As we do so, we are invited to continue his work of healing those who are sick, giving new chances at life for those who need it, and helping those who are impoverished. We are encouraged to not trust those who live in lavish homes and dress in nice fabric, but rather to trust in Jesus (and those who follow his example of true leadership). As we wait for the Messiah, whom we know already is Jesus, we also wonder why we follow him as our leader.

Our answer is clear: Jesus causes “the blind [to] receive their sight, the lame [to] walk, those with a skin disease [to be] cleansed, the deaf [to] hear, the dead [to be] raised, and the poor have good news brought to them.” (Matt. 11:5, edited)

Ending Activity

• What do you think Jesus meant when he seemed to cast some judgment at those who wear soft robes?
• Think back to what memory, feeling, or thought was first stirred when you touched the soft blue fabric. What might it mean for that thought to influence how we follow Jesus?
• Some examples of this might be:

• • if the memory was of a soft blanket that is special to them, could they work on creating a soft blanket to be gifted to hospitalized children or refugees?
  • if the thought that came up was for those who have made the fabric, could they research companies that treat their workers ethically and do some holiday shopping at their stores?
  • if the feeling that arose was that of being safe and warm in a coat, could they donate some warm, winter clothes to their local charity?

Remind everyone that we are invited to lead like Jesus, to trust only in his leadership, to lift up leaders who lead like him, and to be leaders ourselves who act like Jesus.

Ending Prayer

Remind all participants that, as followers of our leader Jesus, our leadership means that we make a positive difference in this world. However, as Lutherans we must always remember that our work and leadership is not the end-all-be all. Jesus is, after all, the Messiah.

What might you do in the week ahead as followers of our leader Jesus? A good place to start might be remembering that, no matter what, Jesus is Savior and Leader of all.

Introduce them to the following prayer and encourage them to pray it after they finish each day’s work:

Lord,

it is night.

The night is for stillness.

Let us be still in the presence of God.

It is night after a long day.

What has been done has been done;

what has not been done has not been done;

let it be.

Let our fears of the of the world and of our own lives

rest in you.

The night is quiet.

Let the quietness of your peace enfold us,

all dear to us,

and all who have no peace.

The night heralds the dawn.

Let us look expectantly to a new day,

new joys,

new possibilities.

In your name we pray.

Amen.

Bio

David Larson-Martínez is a consecrated deacon of the Lutheran Diaconal Association and an ordained pastor serving at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Minneapolis, MN. A graduate of Valparaiso University and Luther Seminary, he grew up in Cuernavaca, Mexico and now happily calls the Twin Cities home. David treasures his large cross-border family—his mom, five siblings, and a growing crew of nieces and nephews who live in both Mexico and the United States.

“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 an end to war, conflict, and violence especially in Gaza, South Sudan, Myanmar, Ukraine, Eastern Congo, and Pakistan/Afghanistan…
For protection, provision, and justice for immigrants, refugees, asylum seekers, and advocates…
For all victims of violence, exploitation, and abuse…
For rain and flooding in the northwestern United States…
For earthquakes and earthquake threats in Japan…
For places in the world facing political tension or transition, especially Bulgaria…
For those who cannot afford or access reliable healthcare…
For those who work in healthcare, research, and public health…
For those who seek shelter like the Holy Family…
For those who plan and lead children’s ministries and ministries of music, worship, and art…
For blessings of light, revelation, and miracles during the upcoming week of Hanukkah

Events and observances:
December Observances: Universal Human Rights Month, World AIDS/HIV Awareness Month, Spiritual Literacy Month

Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe (Dec 12)
Lucy, martyr, died 304 (Dec 13)
John of the Cross, renewer of the church, died 1591 (Dec 14)
Hanukkah (Judaism, Dec 14-22)
Las Posadas (Dec 16-24)
Katharina von Bora Luther, renewer of the church, died 1552 (Dec 20)

Prayers from ELCA resources:
A prayer for caregivers (ACS)
God, our refuge and strength, we thank you for the compassion you infuse in your people, especially those who care for the physical and emotional needs of friends, family, and strangers. Strengthen all caregivers in body and spirit. Refresh them when weary; console them when anxious; comfort them in grief; and hearten them in discouragement. Giver of peace, enlarge our patience and enable us to embrace all those who live with difficulties we may one day share; in Jesus’ name. Amen.

A prayer for church musicians (ELW)
O God of majesty, whom saints and angels delight to worship: Pour out your Spirit on your servants who, with the gifts of music, enliven our praises and proclaim your word with power. Through this ministry give us new awareness of your beauty and grace, and join our voices with all the choirs of heaven, both now and forever; through your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

—

The following topical resources are available from resources.elca.org for use in public worship and personal devotion:
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.

Opening Activity Part 1

Set Up: As you gather with people, have a jar of gummy worms and a jar of honey at each table being used for this activity. Hand out at least two gummy worms, if not more, and preferably blue in keeping with the Advent season. The jar of honey is only for decoration purposes, reminding everyone of John the Baptist’s meal of honey with locusts.

Invite all participants to think of each gummy worm as a physical reminder of something that they have done over which they feel grubby. They do not have to share what these are. Remind them that we are all human, make mistakes, and need to reassess our words and actions. Some examples could be:

• a mean word shouted at someone
• a nasty comment left on social media
• not sharing from our abundance
• holding ill-will towards those who are different

Remind all the participants that these grubby feelings and actions are a part of what makes us messy humans. It is important, then, that we accept that we have made mistakes and will continue to make mistakes in the future. When we do, we will feel grubby again and again. Instead of being afraid to come to terms with our words and actions, our faith teaches us to face them head-on, make amends, and choose a different future.

Read Text Aloud

Matthew 3:1-12

Rest as Repentance

This gospel lesson reminds us that the holiday season is not simply about beautiful lights and presents. Our faith tradition also invites us to pause, reassess our words and actions, and take corrective action. Amid cheerful music and tinsel-covered trees, we hear the strong words from John the Baptist:

“Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” … “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath?  Therefore, bear fruit worthy of repentance …” (Matt. 3:2, 7b-8a)

In not mincing words, John the Baptist firmly invites us to reconsider what it means to live as messy humans all the while claiming to be followers of God. He is inviting us into repentance as part of what people of faith are called to practice.

According to the likes of the Apostle Paul, Saint Augustine, and Martin Luther, sin is selfishly turning inwardly into one’s own self. Adversely, Repentance is generously turning outwardly towards God and the neighbor.

Repentance looks like letting go of our angry comments, setting aside our selfishness, and then choosing to be kinder, more generous, and open to what God might want us to do. In a seemingly strange way that can only be experienced by those who choose this path, repenting allows us to rest.

Through repentance we are freed from anger, selfishness, and hatred. In repenting and bearing new fruit, we taste the sweetness of what being a follower of Jesus is and can be for us in this world.

In my context (Minneapolis, MN), many of my beloved neighbors are being demonized. Angry, selfish words have been shared from the highest levels of power. This implicates all of us, whether we agree with the words or not, because we are all a part of this society. The prophet John is inviting us to remember that, as people of faith, we need to repent. What will it look like for us to set aside the angry, selfish words put forth by our leaders so that we can rest in the sweetness of a new way?

Opening Activity Part 2

Focus on how important it is to remember that we are not broken, but simply human. And that even in our biggest mistakes we are still beloved children of God. Not only that, but we will continue to make mistakes (big ones and small ones) over and over again. However, as people of faith, we are asked to always be reassessing our words and actions, make amends, and choose a different future.

This is the way that God invites us into deep rest. Repentance actually frees us from the words, actions, and feelings that often weigh us down. Repentance is a sweet gift from God who understands (and loves) the humans God created.

• What does repentance look like for Jesus followers today?
• Once again, think about the words, actions, and/or feelings that are making you feel grubby today.
  • Remind them that, even in our deepest mistakes, God still loves us. However, as people of faith, we have the sweet release of repentance.
• Finally, invite participants to silently set aside their angry thoughts, words, and actions. Then, lead them in a prayer of repentance such as:

“Most merciful God, we confess that we are captive to sin and cannot free ourselves. We have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done and by what we have left undone. We have not loved you with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. For the sake of your Son, Jesus Christ, have mercy on us. Forgive us, renew us, and lead us, so that we may delight in your will and walk in your ways, to the glory of your holy name. Amen.”[1]

Closing Activity

Invite all participants to think about how they might make amends and/or choose a different future way of speaking, acting, thinking, or feeling.

If anyone is comfortable sharing their thoughts, have them do so. If not, share that they can talk to a pastor, deacon, or lay leader so that they can come up with plans for amends privately.

Remind them that repentance is not to shame us for being human, but it is a sweet release that allows us to rest. It is also a part of what we are called to do as people of faith, especially during the Season of Advent.

Ending Prayer

It is very important that the pastor, deacon, or lay leader speak the words of forgiveness to everyone who has participated. They may choose to say:

“God, who is rich in mercy, loved us even when we were dead in sin, and made us alive together in Christ. By grace we have been saved. In the name of + Jesus Christ, our sins are forgiven. Almighty God strengthen us with power through the Holy Spirit, that Christ may live in our hearts through faith. Amen.” [2]

Immediately after this, invite all participants to eat their gummy worm(s) and enjoy the sweetness of repentance as they rest in God’s forgiveness.

[1] Evangelical Lutheran Worship, pg. 95

[2] Evangelical Lutheran Worship, pg. 96, edited.

Bio

David Larson-Martínez is a consecrated deacon of the Lutheran Diaconal Association and an ordained pastor serving at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Minneapolis, MN. A graduate of Valparaiso University and Luther Seminary, he grew up in Cuernavaca, Mexico and now happily calls the Twin Cities home. David treasures his large cross-border family—his mom, five siblings, and a growing crew of nieces and nephews who live in both Mexico and the United States.