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Spiritual Resources

In praise of repetition in worship

Editor’s note: Our June cover story, “Worship 101,” examined the “whats, whys and hows” of ELCA worship. We now continue the story as a monthly online series further exploring what Lutheran worship is, how…

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Living Faithfully

Raising a cheerful giver

Strewn across our bed were the remnants of our toddler’s Christmas haul—stacks of new outfits, empty cardboard boxes, a tower of books, a stuffed reindeer. I turned to my husband…

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Prayer Ventures

Prayer ventures: Aug. 2

Every day, Living Lutheran offers a prayer for the day from the ELCA resource Prayer Ventures, which can be downloaded here. These petitions are offered as a guide for your own prayer life…

Worship around the table
Spiritual Resources

Worship around the table

Kendall Vanderslice has a background in professional baking, food studies and theology. In her new book We Will Feast: Rethinking Dinner, Worship, and the Community of God (Eerdmans), she weaves…

Immersed in one beat
Living Faithfully

Immersed in one beat

Everyone may march to their own beat, but one ELCA congregation is fostering an exquisite togetherness through the ancient, spiritual and meditative practice of the drum circle. “Music can create…

Gathering, word, meal and sending
From The Presiding Bishop

Gathering, word, meal and sending

Liturgy is important—not each constituent part—but the basic structure of corporate worship: gathering, word, meal and sending. It’s a discipline Lutherans willingly undertake because it helps individuals and the entire…

ELCA introduces 60-day gun violence resource
Living Faithfully

ELCA introduces 60-day gun violence resource

The ELCA has launched a resource, “A 60-Day Journey Toward Justice in a Culture of Gun Violence,” featuring daily observances that revolve around prayer, education and advocacy on gun violence….

Study guide: Worship 101
Study Guides

Study guide: Worship 101

As the foundational practice of Lutheran communities, worship keeps us on track as disciples, provides fellowship as a community, feeds us with God’s word and sacraments, and then sends us…

Couple shines their light
Living Faithfully

Couple shines their light

It started with an invitation.   Eleonore and William Thuemmel were waiting for a table at a popular restaurant in The Villages, Fla., where they live. They weren’t in a hurry—William…

Using contemporary worship music during Holy Week
Spiritual Resources

Using contemporary worship music during Holy Week

Use your imagination and don’t be afraid to cut. That’s my advice for Lutheran musicians looking to incorporate contemporary worship songs into traditional liturgies. Because these kinds of songs are…

Transformed
Living Faithfully

Transformed

The pulpit front and center. Sunlight streaming through stained glass. Pews stretching from wall to wall with hymnals and offering envelopes tucked in the back, awaiting parishioners on a Sunday…