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 of Word and Season: Sundays and Seasons, Year B 2027

Celebrate the church year through the vibrant art of Kelly Latimore. This beautiful full-color wall calendar combines inspiring contemporary iconography with practical tools for worship planning and daily life. Featuring striking artwork by acclaimed iconographer Kelly Latimore, each month invites reflection on faith, justice, and the presence of God in the world around us. Alongside stunning artwork, the calendar identifies church festivals, U.S. and Canadian holidays, and includes all Revised Common Lectionary readings for Sundays and major church festivals throughout the year. Spiral-bound and punched for hanging.

Around the Circle: Celebrating the Church Year

Around the Circle invites young children to join the journey through the seasons of the church year. Season by season, the rich colors and meaningful symbols help young readers get to know these special times, how they connect to the story of Jesus, and to their own lives.

Evangelical Lutheran Worship Occasional Services for the Assembly

Occasional Services for the Assembly is the second volume of services, readings, and prayers in the Evangelical Lutheran Worship family, complementing Pastoral Care. Commended for use by the ELCA Church Council in 2009, this book contains more than 60 services and 200 prayers relating to congregational life that are normally used in the gathering of God’s people for worship. Featuring a durable hardcover format and ribbons, the volume is designed to be suitable for use in public worship. Also available as an eBook.

Evangelical Lutheran Worship Large Print Text Edition

Make worship more accessible to your congregants! This large-print edition of Evangelical Lutheran Worship provides the pew edition text (words only) of weekly liturgies, daily prayer services, assembly song, psalms, service music, and hymns in standard large-print type (18-point, sans serif font) and formatting. Packaged in three shrink-wrapped sets of pages in an 8 ½ x 11” size, three-hole punched. Each set begins with a title page and table of contents. Designed for storage in three one-inch binders and for assembling selected pages into a single binder for use during 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 peace and reconciliation among the nations, especially in Iran, Lebanon, Gaza, Mali, South Sudan, The Democratic Republic of Congo, Mexico, Ukraine, Myanmar, and Venezuela…
For the victims of gun violence, especially those effected by incidents in Berlin and Seattle…
For relief and recovery efforts following the Japan earthquake…
For wildfires in France, Spain, and Greece; and for ongoing wildfire relief in Canada and northern Minnesota…
For relief and recovery following tornadoes in Wisconsin…
For heavy rain and flood risks in the northeastern United States…
For those living in extreme heat, especially the elderly and un-housed…
For ongoing diplomatic talks in the US-Iran war…

Events and observances:
July observances: Disability Pride Month, National BIPOC Mental Health Month
August Observances: National Black Business Month, National Back to School Month, International Peace Month

Johann Sebastian Bach, H. Schütz, G.F. Handel (July 28)
Olaf, King of Norway, martyr (July 29)
Mary, Martha, and Lazarus of Bethany (July 29)
Purple Heart Day (August 7)
Dominic, founder of the Order of Preachers (Dominicans) (August 8)
International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples (August 9)

Prayers from ELCA resources:
From “Lamenting Gun Violence” (ACS Leaders Edition p.107)
God, giver of life, you intend for humans to live together in peace. In this time of grief over gun violence, we pray for your presence among us. That, trusting in your mighty and gentle healing, we may live in hope, we pray: make us instruments of your peace.

A prayer for preservation and healing from exploitation (ACS p.47 )
Stir up your power, O God, and save your good creation. The earth groans in travail. Forests fall, oceans rise, crops fail. The air is thick with so much burning. Free us from the powerful who destroy the air, water, and land. Frustrate their violence, expose their lies, overthrow their schemes. Pour out over the earth justice that rolls down like water to nourish the life of the world. Preserve the health of your beloved creation. Strengthen those who serve and protect the garden of this earth. Restore the choir of your creatures and let us sing for joy. Gather us at your river, under the tree of life. Send forth your Spirit and renew the face of the earth; in the name of the one who from a wounded tree birthed a new creation, Jesus our redeemer. Amen.
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The following topical resources are available from resources.elca.org for use in public worship and personal devotion:
Worship Resources for the US Semiquincentennial July 2026
Worship resources in a time of war
Worship resources for the crisis in the Holy Land
Worship resources for the Eastern Europe Crisis

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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.

“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, Mali, South Sudan, The Democratic Republic of Congo, Mexico, Ukraine, Myanmar, and Venezuela…
For those in the path of Tropical Storm Bertha…
For relief from flooding in Texas and New York and wildfires in Canada, Minnesota, and California, and for rescue teams supporting recovery…
For those living in areas with dangerous air quality…
For the families of American service members and civilians killed in US-Iran escalations…
For wisdom and integrity for world leaders making critical geopolitical decisions…
For global health and for those continuing to navigate ebola and cyclospora outbreaks…
For safety and resolution to mass protests in India…

Events and observances:
July observances: Disability Pride Month, National BIPOC Mental Health Month

Mary Magdalene, apostle (July 22)
Birgitta of Sweden, Renewer of the Church (July 23)
James, apostle (July 25)
National Parents Day (July 25)
International Day of Women and Girls of African Descent (July 25)
Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (July 26)
Johann Sebastian Bach, H. Schütz, G.F. Handel (July 28)
Olaf, King of Norway, martyr (July 29)
Mary, Martha, and Lazarus of Bethany (July 29)

Prayers from ELCA resources:
A prayer for 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.

A prayer for peace (ELW p.76)
Gracious and holy God, lead us from death to life, from falsehood to truth. Lead us from despair to hope, from fear to trust. Lead us from hate to love, from war to peace. Let peace fill our hearts, our world, our universe; through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.

—

The following topical resources are available from resources.elca.org for use in public worship and personal devotion:
Worship Resources for the US Semiquincentennial July 2026
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.

“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, Mali, South Sudan, The Democratic Republic of Congo, Mexico, Ukraine, Myanmar, and Venezuela…
For health and safety for all experiencing extreme heat, storms, and wildfires, especially in northern Minnesota; Ontario, Canada; and Paris, France…
For victims of the bar fire in Bangkok, Thailand…
For those evacuated and displaced by Typhoon Bali in northern China…
For those who feel vulnerable within their communities, especially immigrants, migrants, and refugees…
For victims of gun violence…
For those made ill by the cyclospora outbreak, medical professionals who care for the sick, and epidemiologists who monitor outbreaks…

Events and observances:
July observances: Disability Pride Month, National BIPOC Mental Health Month

Bartolomé de Las Casas, missionary to the Indies (July 17)
Mary Magdalene, apostle (July 22)
James, apostle (July 25)
Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (July 26)

Prayers from ELCA resources:
A prayer for refugees, immigrants, migrants (ACS p.50)
Holy God, as you have accompanied your people through times of captivity, wilderness, and exile, shelter and sustain all those who flee persecution, oppression, warfare, violence, hunger, and poverty. Open our hearts and homes, our gates and doors, so that they find safety, peace, and welcome—a place to live in freedom and without fear; through Jesus Christ, our refuge and our hope. Amen.

A prayer for those who are incarcerated (ACS p.50)
Mighty God, merciful and just: we pray for our jails, prisons, and detention centers, that they be places of fair and humane treatment for all. Lead us to end solitary confinement and other cruel and demeaning practices. Guide police and corrections officers, attorneys and judges to use wisely the power entrusted to them. Inspire prison worshiping communities and chaplains. Rouse us to eradicate racism, corruption, and greed in the criminal justice system. By your Spirit, transform our society, that the dignity and worth of every incarcerated person be honored. We ask this through your resurrected Son, our Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.

—

The following topical resources are available from resources.elca.org for use in public worship and personal devotion:
Worship Resources for the US Semiquincentennial July 2026
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.

THIS WEEK! Join us online through Live from LSM and enjoy more than 30 free concerts, recitals, and worship services streamed live from Lutheran Summer Music at St. Olaf College.

Highlights include a special guest performance by Cantus, Bach’s St. Matthew Passion, the Bach Cantata Eucharist, the Festival of Hymns, and joyful performances by the Festival Band, Choir, and Orchestra.

View the full schedule and watch live at LSMacademy.org/calendar

The Church Music Institute

The Church Music Institute is dedicated to the advancement and stewardship of the best liturgical and sacred music for Christian worship, serving clergy, musicians and congregants. Offerings include educational workshops and courses, inspirational festivals of church music, newsletters addressing current issues in church music, and online and print resources.

Invitation to Early Career Church Musicians: Apply for the Dr. Paul Lindsley Thomas Society

The Paul Lindsley Thomas Society benefits trained musicians who want to further their understanding of church music.  Membership is by application, asking respondents to react to the document “Aspiring to the Ideals of Paul Lindsley Thomas” as they view their own calling as church musicians.

Accepted applicants will enjoy monthly online meetings with other early career church musicians to share and learn about church music, admission to online and in-person CMI events, and complimentary CMI membership to access the 65,000 title choral and organ libraries. Apply at HERE and email a resume to info@churchmusicinstitute.org, include “PLT Application” in subject line.

Submission Deadline:  September 1, 2026

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.

Day registration is still available.

“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, Mali, South Sudan, The Democratic Republic of Congo, Mexico, Ukraine, Myanmar, and Venezuela…
For all immigrants, refugees, and asylum seekers…
For health and safety for all experiencing extreme heat and weather events, especially storms and tornadoes in central China and areas facing typhoon threats…
For continued relief and rescue work following earthquakes in Venezuela…
For those wounded by explosions in Damascus, Syria…
For an end to human trafficking,
For those killed and injured over the holiday weekend and communities impacted by gun violence…

Events and observances:
July observances: Disability Pride Month, National BIPOC Mental Health Month

Benedict of Nurisa, Abbot of Monte Cassino (July 11)
Nathan Söderblom, Bishop of Uppsala (July 12)
Bartolomé de Las Casas, missionary to the Indies (July 17)
Mary Magdalene, apostle (July 22)
James, apostle (July 25)
Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (July 26)

Prayers from ELCA resources:
A prayer for those who suffer abuse and violence (ELW p.53)
Mighty Jesus, living Word, soothe the bodies, souls, and minds of the victims of human trafficking. Bring them peace, hope, comfort, and strength. Bring abusers to justice and prevent them from causing further harm. Stir up the heart of your church gathered here and around the world, that we value justice and healing over silence and shame. Show us the way to your righteousness, led by the voices of those who suffer. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

A prayer after gun violence (ACS p.49)
God, our healer and our refuge, we pray for all who suffer from gun violence. With your mercy, bind up their wounds, restore their bodies, and heal their hearts. Comfort the mourners and embrace the lonely. With your might, empower us to change this broken world. Make us advocates for a stable society, alive with hope in you. We ask this through the one once wounded for our transgressions and now standing with us in our sorrows, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.

—

The following topical resources are available from resources.elca.org for use in public worship and personal devotion:
Worship Resources for the US Semiquincentennial July 2026
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.