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Faith in Action

Church Council looks to future

Meeting in Chicago Nov. 12-15, the ELCA Church Council took action on a variety of matters it hopes will move forward the church’s mission and ministries. The council adopted a…

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Faith in Action

Tips from a pro

Gwynnae Byrd, owner of Home Transitions, a business that helps people organize, is also vice president of St. John Lutheran Church in Sacramento, Calif. She credits an article called “Tackling…

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Faith in Action

Who wants our hymnals?

The Lutheran asked ELCA worship staff for some tips on getting rid of hymnals, choir robes, music, etc. BethAnn Lynch, coordinator for worship and liturgical resources, and Scott Weidler, associate…

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Faith in Action

Where faith is caught, not taught

If you asked 4-year-old Lilly Miglia what she likes best about church, she will say “drawing pictures.” And “being in here,” referring to the nursery room with bright walls and…

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Faith in Action

168 hours in a week …

Each week in every congregation of the ELCA we gather together. There may or may not be Sunday school. Sometimes worship includes confession, and sometimes not. Most churches have a…

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Faith in Action

In praise of ‘The Little Lutheran’

Logan Gyorko, 3, of Harpers Ferry, W.Va., and a fourth generation member of Trinity Lutheran Church, Stephens City, Va., diligently checks out The Little Lutheran. The children’s magazine ceased publication…

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Faith in Action

That’s (Not) Mine

Children get the message in our consumer culture that greed is OK and it’s normal to claim things as “mine.” It’s not easy to get rid of the habit of…

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Faith in Action

In a pickle

The children of Living Word Lutheran Church, Laurinburg, N.C., from the time they can toddle have deposited their own offering in a large Mt. Olive Pickle jar during worship. It’s…

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Faith in Action

Nun wins ‘Chopped’

Sister Alicia Torres was named Food Network’s Chopped champion during a recent edition of the show that featured volunteers. Torres, who helped found the Franciscans of the Eucharist of Chicago,…

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Faith in Action

A pastor & 18 drivers

When Tom Stutelberg, East Union Lutheran Church, Carver, Minn., developed a heart condition called cardiomyopathy he was told not to drive for six months. The congregation asked for volunteers to…

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Faith in Action

Service day 2016

The ELCA’s dedicated day of service, “God’s work. Our hands.” Sunday, will take place Sept. 11, 2016. The date will also mark the 15-year anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist…