Made good by God’s love
Voices of Faith

Made good by God’s love

When I dieted, I’d think about food all day. I tried many things, but for me the easiest was to divide every single food into strict categories: “good” and “bad,”…
A culture of innovation
Voices of Faith

A culture of innovation

Iain Chester wondered how members of Gen Z experience meaning and purpose, and what those answers mean to the ELCA. Patrick Nagaro worked with a group that explored bringing to…
Gold, frankincense and casseroles
Voices of Faith

Gold, frankincense and casseroles

Our baby boy came early. We knew he would; our obstetrician had planned the induction two weeks before our due date. And then, as babies tend to do, he didn’t…
Our Christmas miracle
Voices of Faith

Our Christmas miracle

But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day…
Making God’s invisible love visible
Voices of Faith

Making God’s invisible love visible

Editor’s note: This article was originally published by the Lutheran World Federation as its 2022 Christmas message to the worldwide communion of churches.  For many of us, our earliest and…
Martin Luther on hope
Voices of Faith

Martin Luther on hope

In you alone, O God, we hope, and not in our own merit. We rest our fears in your good Word and trust your Holy Spirit. Your promise keeps us…
When your Advent calendar is broken
Voices of Faith

When your Advent calendar is broken

I remember one Sunday in church when my father was preaching. He was getting all sorts of heated and passionate in the pulpit, you know, totally un-Lutheran in style. Back then…
Prepare to be amazed
Voices of Faith

Prepare to be amazed

Be prepared! You might hear this from a scout leader, a financial adviser or a wild-eyed first-century prophet who ate bugs for lunch. There are many forms of preparation—we prepare…
Life stories preserved
Voices of Faith

Life stories preserved

Anyone who sees Rosa Yokopenic gliding through the halls of the ELCA-affiliated Josephine Caring Community in Stanwood, Wash., will notice her holding two objects she never wants to lose. The…
The world is about to turn—behold!
Voices of Faith

The world is about to turn—behold!

Series editor’s note: Throughout 2022, “Deeper Understandings” has featured biblical scholars sharing some of their favorite books of the New Testament. Next year we will do the same with books…
I’m a Lutheran: Norma Frances “Tootsie” Tomanetz
Voices of Faith

I’m a Lutheran: Norma Frances “Tootsie” Tomanetz

Associate member, Grace Lutheran Church, Giddings, Texas Pitmaster, Snow’s BBQ, Lexington, Texas Martin Luther Lutheran Church in Giddings, Texas, is my home church, but I attend regularly at Grace too….