Our Savior's Lutheran Church Lancaster, CA

A Statement from the Bishops of Region 2 on Yesterday's Events Epiphany 2021 Dear People of Region Two of our Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, There are ...times when events in our nation and world are shocking we search for words to try to make sense of what we are seeing on television. Yesterday’s events at the Capitol Building in Washington, D.C. are no different, and have left us with a sense of foreboding, concern, disbelief, anger, sadness Are we really seeing this? Is it possible such a thing is happening in this country, at the very seat of our democracy? As bishops serving in Region 2, we stand united in calling upon elected leaders of all political parties to call for an end to this violence. We decry any leaders who would incite an assault on the democratic processes of our great nation, and call upon them to publicly renounce their calls for people to storm the Capitol. Their actions have put our elected leaders and members of law enforcement in danger. We pray for an end to this violence and for the safety of those who are in danger. We urge the people of our congregations and ministries and all people of faith and good will to pray for peace and a quick restoration to order, as well as a peaceful transition of power in the coming two weeks. We pray + for an end to the rancor of the deep political divisions that have plagued this country in recent times, + for those who feel their voices are not being heard to find more productive and peaceful ways to register their concerns, + for the willingness for our leaders to work with those with whom they may differ to advocate for the needs of all the people they have been called to serve, + for the Peace and Reconciliation of Christ to reign in our hearts. Amen Peace, Bp. Murray Finck, Southwest California Synod Bp. Andy Taylor, Pacifica Synod Bp. Deborah Hutterer, Grand Canyon Synod Bp. Jim Gonia, Rocky Mountain Synod Bp. Mark W. Holmerud, Sierra Pacific Synod See more

Today is the 12th and final day of Christmas, but the joy of Christ remains!

Holy Innocents, martyrs 28 December 2020 I saw a meme or something somewhere (humorously) reminding us to keep Herod in Christmas, and it made me think how, i...n a sweet but simplistic way, we have raised up the sentimentality around Jesus’ birth and tamped down the drama of Herod’s fear of challenges to his rule. That comes into clear view if you consider todayas the church doesthe story of Herod’s murder of male children in his rage at the prediction of a new king’s birth. That crime would be horrifying by any standard, but in that contextwhere male children were valued more highly and firstborn sons more highly yetit must have been devastating. It’s the kind of deliberate cruelty that attaches to a ruler’s name forever. Herod’s self-centeredness had a deadly price. In our world also, a leader’s (or nation’s) response to the human tragedy of the global refugee crisis is a measure of their compassion and humanity. Whether provoked by war or hunger, the dislocation of populations is a global problem, and not one in which the richer countries can simply pull up their drawbridges against the poor. People who have a hard time seeing beyond their front doors can hardly be expected to have understood the global political and economic tides that cause mass migrationsbut we can no longer be those oblivious people. The world is small, and a child growing up in a refugee tent is no longer the other or an enemy, but a neighbor’s child in a global neighborhood. This is hard for us, and there’s no easy answer. But the bottom line is that we define our own humanity by our care for other humans. The holy innocents still live (and die) today, and it should matter to us. Photo: idcoalition.org

[Jesus said], ’You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the greatest and first commandmen...t. And a second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets (Matthew 22:37-40). See more

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again...

The stress we are experiencing these days is real. Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton shares with us an exercise reciting the words from Psalm 46 Be still and know that I am God. Breathing in and out, believing that promise is true.

O God, where hearts are fearful and constricted, grant courage and hope. Where anxiety is infectious and widening, grant peace and reassurance. Where impossibilities close every door and window, grant imagination and resistance. Where distrust twists our thinking, grant healing and illumination. Where spirits are daunted and weakened, grant soaring wings and strengthened dreams. All these things we ask in the name of Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen. Prayers for a time of conflict, crisis, disaster Evangelical Lutheran Worship

Who can utter the mighty doings of the Lord, or declare all his praise? -Psalm 106:2

Sept. 21 is the International Day of Peace. For the peace of the whole world, for the well-being of the church of God, and for the unity of all, let us pray to the Lord.

Today is World Suicide Prevention Day. We know suicide affects our members and congregations, and it's our call to help bear one another's burdens. You are neve...r beyond God's mercy and compassion. Consider lighting a candle by a window tonight in remembrance of those who have been lost. Find resources for suicide prevention from Living Lutheran: https://bit.ly/2Zp8zKh

Getting serious for a moment with our favorite archbishop...

Mine is the sunlight! Mine is the morning, born of the one light Eden saw play! Praise with elation, praise ev’ry morning, God’s re-creation of the new day! (ELW 556)

As we approach the 20th anniversary of our full communion agreement with The Episcopal Church, we give thanks to God for the partnership we share. This prayer ... crafted by a team of Lutheran and Episcopal prayer leaders in light of the COVID-19 pandemic will connect us in common worship and revive us for common mission, wherever and however we may be gathered. See more