ELCA 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, violence, and genocide across the world, especially in Ukraine, Gaza, Iran, Israel, Haiti, Sudan, Myanmar, Yemen, India, and Pakistan…
For the victims of the most recent attack on a waterfront cafe in Gaza City, and for a lasting peace in Palestine and Israel…
For all victims of gun violence, especially in Coeur d’ Alene, Idaho and Chicago, Illinois…
For the victims of a fire at a pharmaceutical factory in Southern India…
For those grieving the loss of life after the crash of Air India flight AI171…
For the safety of those traveling, gathering with family and friends, and celebrating this holiday weekend…
For veterans of war and all who suffer from PTSD…
For those with limited or threatened access to healthcare…
For an end to racism, poverty, and hatred…

Events and observances:
July Observances: Disability Pride Month, National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month, National Bereaved Parents Awareness Month

Thomas, Apostle (July 3)
Independence Day (July 4)
Jan Hus, martyr, died 1415 (July 6)
Benedict of Nursia, Abbot of Monte Cassino, died around 540 (July 11)
Nathan Söderblom, Bishop of Uppsala, died 1931 (July 12)

Prayers from ELCA resources:
A prayer for physical, mental, and emotional wounds (Prayer Book for the Armed Services, p. 51)
Giver of all grace, we pray your peace, which surpasses all understanding, for those who live with physical, mental, and emotional wounds. Sustain them always with your compassion and strength. Grant that we, together with the whole church, may honor their gifts and welcome their contributions. Use their perspectives to help shape the society in which we live, that it may more fully reflect your promised future. We ask this in the name of the one who brings wholeness and comfort to people in body, mind, and spirit, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.

A prayer for the nation (ELW, p. 77)
Holy Trinity, one God, you show us the splendor of diversity and the beauty of unity in your own divine life. Make us, who came from many nations with many languages, a united people that delights in our many different gifts. Defend our liberties, and give those whom we have entrusted with authority the spirit of wisdom, that there might be justice and peace in our land. We pray in the name of Jesus Christ, our sovereign and our Savior. Amen.

The following topical resources are available from resources.elca.org for use in public worship and personal devotion:
Worship resources and prayers in response to wildfires
Worship resources for the crisis in the Holy Land
Worship resources for the Eastern Europe Crisis
Worship resources for and following national elections

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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.

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.

**Share your All Creation Sings experience**

As we approach the 5-year anniversary of the release of All Creation Sings, we are interested in the impact that this resource has made in your congregation and community.

Share a photo of a copy of All Creation Sings where you use it, or in the hands of the people who use, it along with a 1-4 sentence testimonial about your ministry’s experience with this liturgy and song supplement in the Evangelical Lutheran Worship family. Please be sure to identify yourself or your congregation in the testimonial (ex: Pr. Jane Doe, First Lutheran Church, Chicago, IL). Send it to reply@augsburgfortress.org by August 15. Responders will be entered into a drawing for a $150 gift card to Augsburg Fortress Publishers (good for use at augsburgfortress.org or wearesparkhouse.org). These submissions may be shared in our general marketing surrounding the 5-year anniversary and beyond. If you cannot share both a photo and testimonial, we would be happy to receive either one. Thank you!

Lectionary for Worship NRSVue Study Edition Year A

This study edition of the Lectionary for Worship contains the Year A Revised Common Lectionary using NRSV Updated Edition Scripture texts. Pronunciation aids and convenient summaries help lectors prepare with confidence. The lectionary includes a helpful introduction with several charts. Artwork from Evangelical Lutheran Worship introduces each liturgical season and a Scriptural Index is included. A hidden treasure essential for worship planning and reader preparation. Keep a copy in your church office and sacristy and gift to a recent seminary graduate!

ReEngaging ELCA Social Teaching on Faith, Sexism, and Justice

ReEngaging ELCA Social Teaching on Faith, Sexism, and Justice calls us to think together about the ELCA’s 2019 statement on faith, sexism, and justice. What does it mean to embody Lutheran convictions to resist patriarchy and sexism, embrace multidimensional sex and gender, and envision a world that is life-giving for all humans? It delivers a clarion call to action. Social and religious systems of patriarchy are sinful. God intends for God’s diverse creation to flourish. We are called, therefore, to resist all barriers to lives of flourishing and abundance for everyone.

In Sure and Certain Hope: A Funeral Sourcebook

In Sure and Certain Hope: A Funeral Sourcebook is a comprehensive guide for planning, presiding, and preaching at funerals. An in-depth look at the funeral rite and sermon demonstrates how the funeral connects to baptism, proclaims the resurrection of Christ and promise of new life, and points to the communion of all the saints. Tools for discussing and planning a funeral with the family include a planning worksheet, suggestions for scripture texts and hymns, and essays on cremation, the use of a columbarium, natural or green burial, military ceremonies, and more. Includes printable resources.

Soli Deo Gloria: Choir Devotions for Year A

Soli Deo Gloria is a collection of devotions for the choir, choir director, and music lovers. The collection features brief meditations based on the texts given in the Revised Common Lectionary, emphasizing the choir’s leadership role in worship. The ministry of choral music requires preparation of both heart and voice. These devotionals, used at either rehearsal or before worship, will provide a spiritual element much as vocal warm-ups provide the musical element. Also included with each devotional is a hymn text appropriate for the day and rehearsal planning pages.

Summer Music Clinics

Join us this summer for our annual music clinics. This year’s phenomenal clinicians are Jennaya Robison (choral) and Jan Kraybill (organ). Check out our website to read more about these talented practitioners, explore the daily schedule, and register for a clinic in your area!

July 18–19, Columbia, S.C.
July 21–22, Columbus, Ohio
July 24–25, Philadelphia, Pa.
August 11–12, Twin Cities, Minn.
August 14–15, Chicago, Ill.

“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, violence, and genocide across the world, especially in Ukraine, Gaza, Iran, Israel, Haiti, Sudan, Myanmar, Yemen, India, and Pakistan…
For lasting ceasefire between Israel and Iran…
For an end to anti-Semitism and anti-Arab hatred, aggression, and violence…
For those recovering from the damage and grieving the loss of life in the aftermath of Hurricane Erick in Oaxaca, Mexico…
For de-escalation of violence amidst protests in Kenya…
For those threatened by wildfires in Greece…
For victims of a Central African Republic school stampede…
For communities across the country experiencing extreme heat and storms…
For medical researchers and practitioners, and especially global health workers…

Events and observances:
June Observances: LGBTQIA+ Pride Month, Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month, Gun Violence Awareness Month, PTSD Awareness Month

July Observances: Disability Pride Month, National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month, National Bereaved Parents Awareness Month

John the Baptist (June 24)
Presentation of the Augsburg Confession, 1530 (June 25)
Philipp Melanchthon, renewer of the church, died 1560 (June 25)
Cyril, Bishop of Alexandria, died 444 (June 27)
Irenaeus, Bishop of Lyons, died around 202 (June 28)
Peter and Paul, Apostles (June 29)
Catherine Winkworth, died 1878; John Mason Neale, died 1866; hymn translators (July 1)
Thomas, Apostle (July 3)
Independence Day (July 4)

Prayers from ELCA resources:
A prayer for peace (ACS p.48)
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.

A prayer for the nation (ELW p.77)
Almighty God, you have given us this good land as our heritage. Make us always remember your generosity and constantly do your will. Bless our land with honesty in the workplace, truth in education, and honor in daily life. Save us from violence, discord, and confusion; from pride and arrogance; and from every evil course of action. When times are prosperous, let our hearts be thankful; and, in troubled times, do not let our trust in you fail. We pray in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.