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.

Hello and a blessed Advent to everyone!

On behalf of ELCA Disability Ministries’ advisory and our groups of grant reviewers I would like to say a huge “thank you!” to the nearly sixty congregations and ministries that applied for grants this year. It is wonderful to witness such a response, and all of the creative ways so many are working to make their ministries into places of belonging for people with disabilities. This year we will be funding the following ministries/projects. More info and details will come in a later post. 🙂

• Storyline Community, Milwaukie ,OR: “Re-embody the Body: Sustaining Expansive Community”
• Calvary Evangelical Lutheran Church – White Lake Campus, Clarkston ,MI: “Inclusion Ministry Sensory Supports Project”
• Iglesia Luterana De La Trinidad, Chicago,IL: “Trinidad Abierta: Zona de Paz, Signos de Fe y Acompañamiento Accesible” (“Open Trinity: Zone of Peace, Signs of Faith and Accessible Accompaniment”)
• Amy Kelly, House of Prayer Lutheran Church, Aliquippa, PA: Spark Inclusion: Growing Accessible Churches, One Congregation at a Time
• Lutherdale Bible Camp, Elkhorn, WI: “Adventure for All”
• Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Livonia, MI: “The Pallet Project”

We are excited for these ministries and cannot wait to witness how their projects unfold! More to come!

Hi everyone! Lisa Heffernan, coordinator, here on the blog today. I wanted to share a short note with all of you on last month’s webinar, and offer a link to the recording.

On November 17, members of the ELCA Disability Ministries team hosted  “ Creating Accessible Spaces On A Budget”, for lay and rostered leaders seeking budget friendly ideas and tips regarding accessibility in and for their faith communities. Myself, Anita Smallin, and Rev. Mary Ann Harrison were joined by 168 people for this event, and were glad to have Rev. Ed Kay, Senior Director, Discipleship & Inclusive Communities, there to moderate and two ASL interpreters present as well.

We invited the participants to put some “holy creativity” into their spaces by considering what they may already have that could be repurposed or reimagined –so that all may participate and lead in all parts of congregational life. We offered tips and tools for planning accessible outdoor worship and fellowship activities, gave resources for Blind and Deaf community members, and offered insight on making the life of the congregation more open for people with invisible disabilities, neurodivergence, and cognitive disabilities.

In all, the webinar was about what it means to belong in the body of Christ, and how we can make that happen with resource that are at hand in what are tight financial times for many. Our team is excited to offer more webinars and opportunities in the future, so please check this space and upcoming newsletters for information. This was just a beginning, and we’re excited to share more and collaborate with others along the way.

If you would like to, you can access a recording of the webinar here: https://vimeo.com/1139086719 . Perhaps it will spark some holy creativity in your ministries, too! 

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.

Calendar Collection

The new year approaches – do you have your 2026 calendars needs covered? A spiral-bound wall calendar for planning with beautiful art that helps you keep time in the office, sacristy, and home (Calendar of Word and Season Year A)? Check.  Single page church year calendar with specific dates, Bible readings, hymn of the day, and liturgical color for Sundays and festivals of the church year (Church Year Calendar, Year A 2026)? Check! What about a spiral-bound planning calendar that is both an appointment calendar and a workbook for preparing worship (Worship Planning Calendar: Sundays and Seasons, Year A 2026)? You got it.

In a job where you plan seasons in advance, let these resources help you find the future date you need, and then return to a reminder of what season you are in right now (hint: you are currently in Advent)!

Together by Grace

The next two Together by Grace: Bible Conversations installments are here! John and Psalms were released on Nov 3^rd and are ready to expand your small group study! Written by Rachel Wrenn (Psalms) and Katherine M. Lewis (John), this accessible and flexible study will guide your group to Gather, Dwell, and Engage with these texts.

ENDING DEC 31! Buy one Facilitator Guide and get its Participant Guide FREE. Use codes TBGROMANS, TBGMATTHEW, TBGPSALMS, and TBGJOHN to start today! (Offer good in the continental US only).

Making Melody to the Lord: A Robert Buckley Farlee Hymnary

This collection contains forty-five hymn tunes and several texts by Robert Buckley Farlee, a gifted pastor, musician, and leader of assembly song. His carefully crafted melodies excite the theological imagination of the singing assembly and encourage a fresh perspective even on well-known texts in the collection. Other text writers include Susan R. Briehl, Thomas H. Troeger, Susan Palo Cherwien, Mary Louise Bringle, Isaac Watts, and Dietrich Bonhoeffer.

Splash! Turns 21!

For over 2 decade, Splash! has provided an easy, affordable way to connect with families of young children in your congregation. These monthly newsletters for kids from one to 36 months support caregivers of infants by helping them incorporate faith formation into the events of daily life. They include articles about child development and faith formation, ideas for Bible storytelling, prayer, worship, play, and more. The back includes a John Bush cartoon and a prompt that invites parents to think about the articles, along with the mailing panel that makes it easy to fold and mail to families. This line also carries a guide for godparents and a keepsake book for faith moments. Check them out today!

Now through the end of the year, you can receive free shipping on five or more Splash! Packs! Use the promo code STILLSPLASHING when you place your order. (Continental U.S. only).

Opening Activity Part 1

Gather some paper, preferably blue in color to match the Season of Advent. On one side of the paper, invite attendees to write down one or more things that are currently wearing them down. This is to be done privately by each individual because these have the potential to be personal. Some examples of current hardships could be:

• family divisions at the holiday meals
• higher prices of necessary goods and lower wages
• friendships that have soured
• or simply having had to wake up early for church services

Text

Read: Matthew 24:36-44

Jesus Watches so You Can Rest

This gospel lesson contains a sense of urgency that readily fits into modern times. There are single parents who work multiple part-time jobs to make ends meet, barely having any time to rest. School-aged children are swamped with activities that will look good on university applications, but do not allow space for the joy of non-adulthood.. All ages, occupations, backgrounds, etc. are impacted by our go-go-go culture. It could be then that we find ourselves nodding our tired heads, blinking back much-needed sleep, as Jesus’ urgent words resound from the pulpit:

“Keep awake, therefore, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming.” (Matt. 24:42)

However, I invite us to consider the Greek word Γρηγορεῖτε (grégoreó, pronounced gray-gor-eh’-o) which is translated “keep awake.” Yet, in English, it could also be faithfully expressed as Jesus saying, “Be on the lookout for …” or even “You should expect …” And so, let us wonder what it means to be expectant, rather than awake.

In my estimation, Jesus is inviting his followers to expect a hopeful tomorrow because, he assures us, it will come! In fact, because of the Incarnation, it already has come near. There is nothing that we can do, no labor we can accomplish, and no tiredness that can usher in what God has already promised. The late Roman Catholic Bishop Ken Untener beautifully penned this Christian truth when he affirmed that, “It helps, now and then, to step back and take a long view. The Kingdom is not only beyond our efforts; it is beyond our vision … We are prophets of a future not our own.”

As the busy holiday season envelopes us and our culture asks us to do more than is humanly possible, I encourage you to step back and consider what God has already done. Jesus has already been born, and the Kingdom of God has already come near. The promise of Christ is that one day, of which we do not know the date, God will set all things right. Let us trust in Jesus who faithfully keeps watch so that we can rest in God’s promises. And, if we can rest in these promises, what good things can we certainly expect?

Opening Activity Part 2

Focus on how God has already done everything necessary for this world in having sent Jesus to be born. This means that our role is to step back, consider what God has already done, and rest in the promises which God gives to all. Instead of urgency lest we miss it, Jesus is inviting us to expect goodness that will surely come one day.

What does this look like for Jesus followers today? Invite all the attendees to turn their pieces of paper over and write how Jesus is inviting them to let God keep watch? What goodness ought you expect? Some examples of this could be:

• Those gathered at holiday meals can pray the Lord’s Prayer together despite strong disagreements.
• The congregation can begin a program to address food/rent insecurity for everyone.
• One person could send a holiday card to an estranged friend asking for another opportunity.
• Those who are sleepy can have a nap after church services.

Resting in Christ’s promises is also very personal, so participants may want to keep this part of the exercise private as well. In all of this, we do not accomplish what God has already done, for God has redeemed the world through Jesus. But we do experience glimpses of hope which make us expectant for the one, unknown day that God will make all things new, all things whole, and set everything right.

Closing Activity

If your space allows for it to be done safely, have adults burn their own pieces of paper and help minors burn theirs in the flame of the first Advent candle. If your space does not allow for this, have a responsible leader collect all the pieces of paper and make sure to tell everyone in attendance that they will be burned using the flame of the first Advent candle.

This can be done in an outdoors firepit, a fireplace, etc. after the gathering. If this is done outside of the gathering, it is important that the individual(s) tasked with the burning maintain confidentiality and not read what people have written. It is also important that the flame of the first Advent candle is somehow used in the burning.

In whatever way you choose to complete the closing activity, remind everyone that Jesus invites them to rest in God’s promises and expect something good to come.

Ending Prayer

You may all choose to pray together the late Roman Catholic Bishop Ken Untener’s prayer. It is a long prayer so you can choose to pray only a section, have it printed so multiple voices can read, or simply make a copy for everyone to take home.

The Romero Prayer

“It helps, now and then, to step back and take a long view. The Kingdom is not only beyond our efforts, it is beyond our vision.

We accomplish in our lifetime only a tiny fraction of the magnificent enterprise that is God’s work. Nothing we do is complete, which is a way of saying that the kingdom always lies beyond us. No sermon or statement says all that could be said. No prayer fully expresses our faith. No confession brings perfection. No pastoral visit brings wholeness. No program accomplishes the church’s mission. No set of goals and objectives includes everything.

This is what we are about. We plant seeds that one day will grow. We water seeds already planted, knowing that they hold future promise. We lay foundations that will need further development. We provide yeast that produces far beyond our capabilities.

We cannot do everything. There is liberation in realizing that. This enables us to do something, and to do it very well. It may be incomplete, but it is a beginning, a step along the way, an opportunity for God’s grace to enter and do the rest.

We may never see the end results, but that is the difference between the Master Builder and the worker. We are workers, not master builders, ministers, not messiahs.

We are prophets of a future not our own.”

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.

When Dr. Paul Mmbando was in medical school 20 years ago, AIDS was generally a death sentence. Nowadays with better drugs, when the conditions of good nutrition and sticking to the daily meds are met, it’s a disease like others that can often be managed.

Dr. Paul leads the health department for the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania (ELCT). Daudi Msseemmaa, ELCA Regional Representative to East Africa talked to him on Nov. 17, 2025 about how the church’s role in making sure those conditions are met as World AIDS Day observance approached.

What has the church been doing in supporting people with HIV?

[Dr. Paul]  The ELCT was the pioneer in launching palliative care services in Tanzania. Until recently, at least three-fourths of our palliative care patients had HIV. Annual AIDS deaths in Tanzania are now a fraction of what they were in those early days, and to keep it that way we need to be proactive about medicines, nutrition and education. In April 2022 we started a partnership with USAID [the U.S. Agency for International Development] that led to youth-focused HIV/Aids services that reached more than 250,000 people. This year, that project was one of the casualties of the American aid freeze. There were more than 167,000 participants at the time it was shut down.

What did the aid freeze mean for you?

[Dr. Paul] It was a big blow to the health sector nationally. But for the church, it decimated our staff and volunteers’ ability to follow up on patients to make sure they were getting their medicines, to take orphans to the clinic, to support livelihoods so people can afford food. It meant non-adherence, which in turn means higher viral loads, increased transmission of HIV, and reversing the progress of the last decade. We don’t want to go back to those dark days.

What are you doing now?

[Dr. Paul] We still need to meet the UNAIDS [United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS] targets for Tanzania of 95-95-95, where 95% of people with HIV know their status, 95% of them are on antiretroviral medicines (ARVs), and 95% of those on ARVs have suppressed viral loads (which means fewer HIV copies in the blood, making it less transmissible). But we can’t do it on our own.

We reached out to partners to fill some of the gaps for the most essential services that were cut. With ELCA support we have just relaunched some essential services for vulnerable youth in three regions through SARAH Project. ELCT has also conducted for the first time a unique fundraising event through the first annual ELCT Marathon, income from which was dedicated to bridge gaps caused by this project termination.

Despite those efforts, we have a long way to go to meet the need, but since this work is part of our calling as a church and our vocation as individuals, we keep pushing. HIV doesn’t need to be a death sentence.

We remain grateful for the solidarity and companionship to make a difference while amplifying our voice for the voiceless and those in need.

Are you moved to act?

You’re invited to share your values and experiences with your federal representatives using the Action Alert posted 11/19/2025. You can make a difference for global neighbors.

• ACTION ALERT: Ensure Release of Funds for HIV/AIDS Programs.

Thank you for your advocacy.

Prepare

Since Luke 9:51, Jesus has had his face set toward Jerusalem, meaning he is moving intentionally toward the events of the cross and resurrection. Now, in Luke 23:33-43, Jesus has, in the understated language of Luke, been “crucified” between two criminals. Below him, soldiers callously cast lots for his clothing. Religious leaders jeer and mock him. The Roman Empire taunts him and his fellow Jews by nailing a sign above his head: This is the King of the Jews.

In the words of the prophet Isaiah: He was despised and rejected by others; a man of suffering and acquainted with infirmity; and as one from whom others hide their faces, he was despised, and we held him of no account. (Isaiah 53:3; NRSV)

But as Jesus hangs on that cross, innocent—as one of the criminals recognizes—Jesus’s thoughts are not on himself. He doesn’t cry out in anger. He doesn’t curse his enemies or call down the wrath of God on them or even hold them accountable—even though he has been unjustly nailed to that cross.

True to his teachings about loving enemies and forgiving others, Jesus’s first words from the cross are words of reckless grace: “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.” (Luke 23:34; NRSV).

Opening Exercise

In groups of two, define forgiveness using FORGIVE as an acrostic. Bonus points if your acrostic is a 7-word sentence defining forgiveness.

Text 

Read: Luke 23:33-43

Scandalous Forgiveness

In 2004, Mel Gibson released his film version of the crucifixion of Jesus: The Passion of the Christ. The film covers the 12 hours from Jesus praying in the

Isenheim Altarpiece (1512-16), by Matthias Grünewald

Garden of Gethsemane to his final breath on the cross, with stops before Caiaphas and Pontius Pilate along the way. The film was masterfully shot, but, unlike the massively understated description of the crucifixion by the Gospel writers (i.e., “they crucified him”), Gibson’s film goes into gory detail. The violence depicted in the film earned the movie an R rating.

Many Christians, though repelled by the graphic violence depicted of the cross, experienced a deeper understanding of what exactly Jesus went through for us. One pastor friend said that for her it was one of the most moving depictions of God’s love she’d ever experienced. Others condemned the film as violence porn. I tend to side here. But perhaps such criticism tends to miss Gibson’s point. The violence of the cross is lost to us centuries later. The original writers didn’t need to go into the details. Their readers had seen crucifixions. Maybe an argument can be made that we should at least have some understanding of the horror of the most defining moment in human history?

But whether or not we should go into the gruesome details of crucifixion, the story of this particular cross is not primarily about the violence. The main story is about the victim of this violence, and his response to it.

Others had been crucified like Jesus. Others have experienced horrific deaths for their causes. What makes this cross different is the one hanging on it: God, the Creator of the Universe; who created humans in God’s Image; who became human in the person of Jesus (the Word became flesh, John 1:14); is nailed to that cross by those created in God’s Image. Consider what the Lutheran theologian Gerhard Forde said:

“Why could not God just up and forgive? Let’s start there. If we look at the narrative about Jesus, the actual events themselves, the “brute facts” as they have come down to us, the answer is quite simple. He did! Jesus came preaching repentance and forgiveness, declaring the bounty and mercy of his “Father.” The problem, however, is that we could not buy that. And so we killed him. And just so we are caught in the act. Every mouth is stopped once and for all. All the pious talk about yearning and desire for reconciliation and forgiveness, etc., all our complaint against God is simply shut up. He came to forgive and we killed him for it; we would not have it. It is as simple as that.”

How does Jesus respond? Not by condemning us or judging us or calling down the wrath of God on us. Instead, Jesus says: Father, forgive them, because they don’t know what they are doing! Father, don’t hold this against them. Let it go. Release them from their actions. They think they know what they are up to, but they’re clueless. They’re lost. Set them free.

God, in Jesus, meets violence with grace; anger with forgiveness; abuse of power with reconciliation. Always. And only. God, in the person of Jesus, meets you with that same reckless grace; that same audacious love; that same scandalous forgiveness.

You are the one Jesus forgives. You are the one Jesus loves. You are the passion of the Christ.

Reflection Questions:

• What do you think Forde means when he says, “He (Jesus) came to forgive and we killed him for it. We would not have it. It’s as simple as that.”?
  • Do you agree or disagree with him and why?
• How would you describe God’s forgiveness? What does it smell like, taste like, and sound like?
• Why might God’s grace be characterized as reckless?
• What makes God’s forgiveness scandalous?

Closing Activity

1. Celebrate the Eucharist together, if possible. Hone in on the words—The blood of Christ—shed for you!

Or

2. Take turns making the sign of the cross on each other’s forehead and say to them: In the mercy of Almighty God, Jesus Christ was given to die for you, and for his sake, God forgives you all your sins.

Final blessing (Pray Together)

Now may the LORD bless us and keep us. May the LORD’s face shine on us and be gracious to us. And may God’s face always be turned toward us and fill us with grace.

Amen.

Bio

Tim Wright recently retired after 41 years of ordained ministry in the ELCA. He and his wife, Jan, have been married since 1979. They have two adult children, five grandchildren, and two dachshunds. They live in Glendale, AZ.

You can access Tim’s Reckless Grace Substack at https://recklessgrace.substack.com/ and his Deep-Grace Diving Podcast at https://open.spotify.com/show/4WPRRpqMtUzyPeqcqbqrgv

He is also the author of the middle school series: The Adventures of Toby Baxter. https://www.timwrightbooks.com/

They are hard to miss. “Invasion“, “Animals“, “Illegals” … We hear these words all the time, whether on the news or in the comment section, used to describe migrants and other marginalized groups.

These words are used for a reason. They are designed to make us afraid, to make us numb, and to make us see a “problem” instead of a person. They build walls between “us” and “them.”

As people of faith, we have to be honest: this isn’t just a political debate. It’s a spiritual one. The way we talk about and treat the marginalized is a gut-check for our faith. When we see people being systematically dehumanized, we are called to do more than just feel bad. We are called to resist.

This hits at the very heart of our faith. The first thing the Bible tells us about humanity is that every single person is made in the image of God.

“So God created mankind in his own image,
in the image of God he created them;
male and female he created them.” (Genesis 1:27)

This isn’t a status we earn by having the right passport, the right skin color, or the right amount of money. It is a gift, given to every single human being. The person in a shelter, the family seeking asylum, the child at the border—they are all, right now, image-bearers of God.

The apostle James gives us a powerful warning about this. He calls out the hypocrisy of using our words for both praise and poison:

“With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness.  Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be.” (James 3:9-10)

This is our gut-check. We can’t claim to love God and then stay silent when people made in His likeness are called “animals.” Resistance starts by recognizing that dehumanization is a direct attack on the image of God.

Calling Sin by Its Name

Let’s be clear: dehumanization isn’t just a “different opinion.” It’s a sin. It’s the sin of pride, the same sin that builds walls in our hearts and convinces us that we are more valuable than someone else.

The Bible warns against this again and again. It tells us that how we treat the poor and the outsider is a direct reflection of what we think about God.

“Whoever oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker,
but whoever is kind to the needy honors God.” (Proverbs 14:31)

When we “other” people, we show contempt for their Maker. Our resistance, then, isn’t just a political stance. It’s a spiritual act of defending God’s honor, which He has placed inside every person.

What Does Faithful Resistance Look Like?

“Resistance” can sound like a big, scary word. But in our faith, it’s an active, daily calling. It’s not just about what we are against; it’s about what we are for. It’s about rejecting injustice and embracing the way of Jesus.

Resistance with Our Words and Our Silence: This is foundational. We have to stop the spread of dehumanizing language in our own lives. When we are in a conversation and hear people described as “less than,” our silence can feel like agreement.

We don’t have to be confrontational, but we must be clear in our position. We resist by refusing to let the poison pass through us.

Resistance with Our Actions: “Love Others as Yourself” Our faith isn’t just a set of beliefs; it’s something we live out. God’s command was incredibly personal:

“You shall not wrong a sojourner or oppress him,
for you were sojourners in the land of Egypt.” (Exodus 22:21)

What God is saying is basically: “Don’t you dare forget what it felt like to be the outsider, to be the one who was scared and powerless.” He then takes it a step further, moving from “don’t harm” to “actively love”:

“The foreigner residing among you must be treated as your native-born.
Love them as yourself, for you were foreigners in Egypt.
I am the LORD your God.” (Leviticus 19:34)

This is a radical command. “Love others as yourself.” Resistance looks like doing this love. It’s volunteering at a shelter, donating to an aid organization, welcoming a new family, or advocating for fair and compassionate policies. It is, as the apostle John wrote, loving “with actions and in truth,” not just with “words or speech” (1 John 3:18).

Resistance with Our Hearts: The Fight Against Our Own Pride This is the hardest part. It’s easy to point fingers at the “bad guys” on TV. It’s much harder to resist the pride and fear in our own hearts.

The true path of resistance is humility. It’s the daily work of asking God to break down the “us vs. them” walls we build. It’s resisting our own comfort, our own fear, and our own temptation to look away.

This is the journey God calls us to. It’s the simple, powerful, and life-long command given by the prophet Micah:

“He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” (Micah 6:8)

This is our calling. To resist dehumanization is to act justly. To see the person, not the label, is to love mercy. And to fight our own pride is to walk humbly with our God.

It’s not going to be easy, but the alternative is to deny the image of God in our neighbor, and ultimately, in ourselves.

By: Raed AbuJries
Program Manager, AMMPARO US Network, Education and Communications
raed.abujries@elca.org

After a record-setting 43 days of shutdown, the federal government resumed operations with a bill signed by President Trump on the evening of Nov. 13, 2025, which funds most federal agencies through Jan. 30, 2026. A message was sent to U.S. House and Senate representatives expressing gratitude for the reopening. This message, which follows, also noted prayer in our ELCA communities for our elected leaders and public servants and encouraged “lawmakers at all levels of government to prioritize consistent and good governance in the future.”

November 14, 2025

Gratitude for Reopening of Government

The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) gives thanks for the resolution of the government shutdown and the restoration of essential services to families across this nation. With the government open, we ask our elected leaders to now work together to ensure all are able to afford healthcare in this country. We pray for all who were affected during this period of uncertainty and disruption as well as for all those who face the deadly consequences of unaffordable healthcare.

The Bible emphasizes a consistent ethic of care for people who are poor in over 2000 verses. As Christians, we hold in our hearts profound concern for people experiencing poverty and we are called to act in civic life for the benefit of our neighbors. Many of our congregations work in parallel and in partnership with the government to implement federal nutrition programs such as SNAP, WIC, and child nutrition — services that face disruption, delays, or uncertainty during shutdowns. Over the past few weeks, many ELCA World Hunger ministries and countless food pantries across this church have witnessed firsthand the shocking and overwhelming demand that arises when families lose access to these vital resources.

The impact of government shutdowns extends beyond immediate hunger relief. Farmers who depend on Department of Agriculture services, dedicated public servants, community organizations that rely on federal partnerships, and more, all experience the ripple effects of governmental dysfunction. The ELCA’s social message on “Government and Civic Engagement in the United States: Discipleship in a Democracy” reminds us that government exists to serve the common good and protect human dignity and that public service is a noble vocation. While we recognize that people of faith may disagree on matters of policy, we share a responsibility to ensure that governance itself functions effectively. Shutdowns undermine the trust essential to democratic institutions and harm the most vulnerable among us.

We urge our elected leaders to:

• • Prioritize good governance and return to a bipartisan appropriations process focused on the common good;
  • Advance and pass legislation as soon as possible to address surges in healthcare premium costs;
  • Protect and fund programs that serve people experiencing poverty, hunger, and illness in all upcoming budget negotiations;
  • Seek common ground through civil dialogue that honors the dignity of all people and creation;
  • Remember that behind every program and service are real people whose lives and livelihoods depend on stable, functional government.

As Christians, whose baptismal call is to “strive for justice and peace in all the earth” we work together for the common good and commit ourselves to continued advocacy for just policies and accountability in public life. We will continue to accompany people affected by hunger and economic insecurity. We encourage congregations to engage and partner with their elected representatives to ensure no one goes hungry.

We pray for our elected leaders and all public servants as they enter the next period of budget discernment and encourage lawmakers at all levels of government to prioritize consistent and good governance in the future.

The Rev. Amy Reumann
Senior Director, Witness in Society
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

Following are updates shared from submissions from ELCA-affiliated state public policy offices (SPPOs) this quarter (formerly shared monthly). Full list and map of SPPOs available.

Florida | Kansas | New Jersey | Pennsylvania | Texas | Wisconsin

FLORIDA COUNCIL OF CHURCHES – The Rev. Russell Meyer, Executive Director

Florida Faith Advocacy Days, Sowing the Harvest, at the Capitol in Tallahassee, will be Jan. 15-16, 2026. We’ll gather at the Florida People’s Advocacy Center for issues training on Jan. 15 and make legislative visits on Jan. 16. High on the list of proposals is ending property taxes, a move sure to cut away the state’s social safety net. Legislators need to hear our stories of service with the vulnerable in our communities so that they can shape public policy according to actual experience. Let’s sow the stories of a harvest of hope. Register at https://floridachurches.org/2026advocacydays.

The 60-day 2026 legislative session begins the second full week of January and concludes the first week of March. Opportunities to address public policy will exist throughout the session. It’s important to have a faith witness every week as well as having a big turnout at advocacy days. Let us know if you want to schedule visits with your state representative or senator at another time.

Throughout 2026, the Florida Council of Churches will focus on three deeply entwined concerns: immigration, climate, and pluralism. Climate change drives immigration. We’re encouraging interfaith prayer vigils for immigrants across the state. As the convener of the Florida Interfaith Climate Actions Network, the next assembly will address climate impacts on life and work. Our Religious Commons Project highlights the common features of healthy religion, exposes in inadequacies in Christian nationalism, and embraces the fullness of human experience and learning.

KANSAS INTERFAITH ACTION – Sagi Rudnick, Program and Administrative Associate

This fall, Kansas Interfaith Action (KIFA) has been continuing our year-round statewide outreach, where we offer a mix of unique worship, education and/or tabling opportunities with member congregations in their communities. We organized “The Times They are Still A Changin,” a bluegrass jam in the city of Winfield, celebrating the music and work of activists and changemakers, shared by people who seek to do justice together as people of faith.

We also relaunched our Voter to Voter program, a get-out-the-vote strategy rooted in the importance of outreach from people you know and trust to boost turnout for elections in our communities. Our dual program consists of volunteers and paid mobilizers. We’ve had great success with this program in the past, and we will increase our efforts for next year’s midterm and statewide elections.

This year, our Fall Forum Series happened in collaboration with the Kansas National Education Association. We toured Kansas together to discuss the importance of people of faith and conscience supporting their neighborhood schools and how we can use our voices to advocate for our students, educators, and communities. We turned people out statewide, making sure this important issue doesn’t get lost in the mix. We stopped in the cities of Prairie Village, Emporia, Topeka, Newton, Manhattan, and Winfield!

We also joined the KS Fair Maps Coalition, a statewide coalition which wants to see an equitable redistricting process amidst a push for our legislators to draw new congressional maps that would split up Johnson County (the most populous county in the state) into multiple districts. We participated in a launch event in the city of Mission with over 200 fired up attendees. We’ve mobilized our base both in and outside Johnson County to sign a petition and contact their legislators via postcard and email. Luckily, we were able to ward off a special legislative session on the matter, but we expect it to come back with a vengeance during the regular legislative session, starting early January next year.

Building off our immigration rights vigil this summer, we have been continuing to organize clergy across the state in support of immigrants who are under attack in our state and nation. Care for refugees and foreigners is one of the most explicit imperatives we find in our sacred texts. God calls on us to protect the most vulnerable. So, we thoughtfully curated liturgy and mobilized over 30 congregations to stand with us on World Communion Sunday and proclaim love and support for communities impacted by unjust immigration enforcement in an Immigration Sabbath.

We are proud to share that by the end of this month, KIFA will have accepted two awards for our work in Kansas communities! First is an award from the Becoming Beloved Community Team of the Disciples of Christ in Greater KC at their 2025 KC Racial Justice Summit. Second is an award from the Mainstream Coalition at their United We Stand: Confronting Christian Nationalism At Home weekend. We are thankful to be recognized for our impact. The work continues!

NEW JERSEY COALITION FOR RELIGIOUS LEADERS – The Rev. Sara Lilja, Director/Coordinator

Advocacy in New Jersey has become an interfaith effort! Beginning July 1st, Lutherans Engaging in Advocacy Ministry New Jersey (LEAMNJ) merged with a large coalition of religious leaders in the state. The New Jersey Coalition of Religious Leaders (NJCRL) comprises over 85 faith leaders representing the Jewish, Muslim, Sikh, Hindu and Christian traditions. This is largely an organization of “grass tops” leaders, including bishops, leading rabbis, the Council of Imams in New Jersey, the United Black Clergy, and many more leaders. Three years ago, the organization adopted a new strategic plan that called for a larger role in advocating for public policies that protect the most vulnerable in our state. The Rev. Sara Lilja, former Director of LEAMNJ, was hired to help the NJCRL coalition grow into this more visible role.

This fall, we have developed administrative and communication infrastructures. We have hosted monthly webinars on topics of concern to our members: The Immigrant Trust Act, Affordable Housing, the Johnson Amendment, and our Lame Duck legislative priorities. We also participated in the launch of “Faith and Education in Housing” legislation. Our December member meeting will focus on EcoJustice and New Jersey’s Climate Super Fund Act.

Our legislative priorities at the state level include: working on passage of the Voting Rights Act (S2352), “rehabilitative release” legislation for older incarcerated individuals in New Jersey (S2338), Use of Force legislation (A4175), Immigrant Trust Act (S3672), New Jersey Climate Super Fund legislation (S3545), and Faith and Education in Housing legislation. To help fund many of these pieces of legislation and other social support programs, NJCRL is working with other advocacy groups in the state to call for an increase in state revenues, including closing corporate tax loopholes and expanding tax brackets for New Jersey millionaires to make tax policy more equitable.

LUTHERAN ADVOCACY MINISTRY IN PENNSYLVANIA – Tracey DePasquale, Director

Lutheran Advocacy Ministry in Pennsylvania (LAMPa) staff continue to lead and accompany Pennsylvania Lutherans in public witness in the face of policies targeting poor and marginalized communities and the health of our common home.
Amid a federal government shutdown and a five-month overdue state budget. LAMPa equipped congregations with resources for both service and advocacy.

In September, LAMPa helped congregations add advocacy to “God’s work. Our hands” Sunday. We also welcomed Hunger Advocacy Fellow Daniella Garber as well as six new policy council members, adding seats for two young adults, including former racial justice fellow Anna Oslikova.

One of those new members, Rachel Faulkner, joined LAMPa Director Tracey DePasquale and Pennsylvania hunger and disaster volunteers at the ELCA World Hunger Leaders Gathering in Ohio and the Lutheran Disaster Response Community of Practice and Hill Day in Washington, D.C.

In October, LAMPa staff joined advocates at a state Capitol rally for LGBTQ+ rights and delivered a statement signed by hundreds of faith leaders calling for a more inclusive Commonwealth. The Rev. Erin Jones, LAMPa advocacy engagement manager, led a workshop at Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod’s “In God’s Image” celebration.

In further public witness for welcome and neighbor-love, the Rev. Andrew Berdahl spoke at a press conference in support of legislation creating an Office for New Pennsylvanians, and the Rev. Elizabeth Peter spoke at a rally against hate before a town hall organized in response to actions by a group affiliated with the Ku Klux Klan.

LAMPa also helped welcome four new Pennsylvania bishops this fall!

TEXAS IMPACT – Dylan Le, ELCA Hunger Advocacy Fellow

Texas Impact, an ELCA-affiliated state public policy office in Texas, has focused on combatting hunger by connecting faith communities and supporting communities at risk for violence.

Our gun violence prevention campaign, Vidas Robadas, has made strides connecting faith communities with Community Violence Intervention (CVI) organizations.

CVI organizations are often composed of members that have been through the criminal justice system as well as have deep personal connections with members in the community. CVI members serve as mentors for disadvantaged children and help explain the serious consequences of gun violence and incarceration. As members that have a closer connection to areas most affected by violence, we work to redirect the efforts and resources of our hardworking volunteers towards CVI.

Our faith communities help support CVI in a number of ways, one of them being providing food and resources for events where CVI organizations feed and coach children. Providing food and snacks to children served a dual purpose, one providing a meal, another serving as a way to build relationships with children at risk for gun violence.

Vidas Robadas started in San Antonio and has since expanded across Texas to Austin, Houston and Dallas.

We are also in the work of expanding our campaign to the Rio Grande Valley as well as rural areas.

Vidas Robadas is now also nationwide, hosting installations in Kentucky. We hope to continue working to expand the interconnected work of CVI and faith communities.

LUTHERAN OFFICE OF PUBLIC POLICY IN WISCONSIN – Kacy Kostiuk, Director

After a brief hiatus following the retirement of the Rev. Cindy Crane in December 2024, the Lutheran Office for Public Policy in Wisconsin (LOPPW) is active once again! New director Kacy Kostiuk began in September and is focusing on laying a strong foundation for ongoing advocacy, outreach, and action.

Operations & Outreach

LOPPW is creating fresh outreach materials and developing a new website to better connect with ELCA members across Wisconsin. Looking ahead, the Policy Council and Director are setting priorities for 2026 and planning listening sessions to hear from congregations statewide. We’re also working to strengthen partnerships with organizations and coalitions committed to justice and care for our neighbors and the environment.

Policy & Advocacy

As LOPPW re-engages in advocacy, we’ve joined efforts focused on hunger, health, and care for creation, including:

• • SNAP/FoodShare: LOPPW is collaborating as part of a statewide coalition to advocate for measures that would support Wisconsinites’ access to SNAP/FoodShare benefits during the government shutdown and in response to cuts and changes from the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act.”
  • Clean Water: LOPPW is advocating for legislation to ensure that private well owners are notified of groundwater contamination.
  • Healthcare for Homeless Youth: LOPPW is supporting bipartisan legislation that would allow unaccompanied homeless youth to access medically necessary care when they do not have a parent or guardian in their life to provide consent.