I think this is almost invariably (note the tiny escape clause) an accurate statement: Lutheran pastors do not tell parishioners how to vote. Not only is this technically illegal but…
One frosty morning in March 1946, Bernice Severson (née Johnson) arose early. She dressed from the one suitcase that held her entire wardrobe plus hundreds of evangelism leaflets. She ended…
One thousand, nine hundred and seventy-three miles. That’s the distance between Lodi, Calif., and Los Fresnos, Texas. It’s a distance I drove twice with a father and his children—two little…
Editor’s note: As we reflect on one of the most tumultuous years in recent history, with movements that brought discussions of race and racism to the forefront, we offer a series…
Editor’s note: This year the ELCA celebrates 50 years of Lutheran women’s ordination in the United States, 40 years of the ordination of Lutheran women of color and 10 years…
Bethlehem Lutheran Church, St. Charles, Ill. Children’s book author I started exploring church in college. I remember feeling incredibly awkward—not knowing the routine, having no sense of what was happening when…
When the COVID-19 lockdown began in March and most ELCA congregations moved to virtual services, the St. Luke Lutheran Church and Christian Day School community in Silver Spring, Md., felt…
Earlier this year, our lives were disrupted when the COVID-19 crisis hit. Since then, we have experienced grief, fear and uncertainty. But thanks to donors such as you, we have…
I was once a guest preacher at a congregation celebrating Veterans Day during Sunday worship. The service began with a color guard carrying an American flag into the sanctuary—a new…
Focal verse For you are my refuge,a strong tower against the enemy.Let me abide in your tent forever,find refuge under the shelter of your wings.–Psalm 61:3-4 Reflection “Watch St. Paul’s…
ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton has issued a statement on Indigenous Peoples Day, Oct. 12. “We join states, cities and towns across the country to celebrate Indigenous Peoples Day in…
On March 13, as the threat of COVID-19 began spreading across the United States, Kris Erickson got news he never expected: he had to ban everyone but staff members from…
You have attempted to access a feature of this website that is only available to members of livinglutheran.org.
A free membership gives you a customized dashboard for curated content based on your interest, the ability to like and save articles, an optional subscription to a weekly email digest “LL Stories”, and more.
Already have an account? log in
If you are a subscriber to the LL Stories email digest from before the introduction of the new website in December 2025, your account is intact, but your password will need to be reset unless you have a login for another ELCA website.
If you have a login for another ELCA website like community.elca.org, directory.elca.org or others you can use the password associated with that login.
Logout
