ELW turns 10
This year marks the 10th anniversary of Evangelical Lutheran Worship (ELW), which was released Oct. 3, 2006. The ELW, more comprehensive than its predecessors, comprises many elements that churches had known and used for years and a large selection of songs and prayers that were new at the time it was released.
Kevin Strickland, ELCA executive for worship, thinks the hymn “Soli Deo Gloria!” provides “a wonderful framing for what Evangelical Lutheran Worship has been, is being and will continue to be for years to come: ‘A billion voices in one great song, now soft and gentle, now deep and strong, in every culture and style and key, from hill and valley, with sky and sea, with Christ we praise you eternally: Soli Deo Gloria! Soli Deo Gloria!’
“For 10 years, ELW has given voice to this church’s song by connecting a variety of cultures, styles and keys. Over these 10 years many resources have been created to accompany congregations and church leaders in their work to make worship central in grounding this church’s mission.”
In honor of the anniversary, the ELCA worship team is hosting “Strong Center. Open Door. — Engaging Lutheran Worship Today,” which focuses on Lutheran worship in current context. Three events will be held this fall:
• Oct. 7-8 at Bethany Lutheran Church, Englewood, Colo.
• Oct. 14-15 at Zumbro Lutheran Church, Rochester, Minn.
• Nov. 4-5 at Trinity Lutheran Church, Lansdale, Pa.
For more information on the events, go to
elca.org and search for “Evangelical Lutheran Worship.”
Pope Francis apologizes During a June 26 in-flight press conference, Pope Francis responded to a question regarding German Cardinal Reinhard Marx’s comment that the Roman Catholic Church had treated gay people in a “scandalous and terrible” way. “I think that the church not only should apologize ... to a gay person whom it offended, but it must also apologize to the poor as well, to the women who have been exploited, to the children who have been exploited by [being forced to] work,” the pope said. “[Christians] must ask forgiveness, not just say sorry.”
10 AUGUST 2016 Photo: Sandy Stadheim Thomas
Tree-mendous living quarters New campers’ quarters were introduced in July at Fortune Lake Lutheran Camp, Crystal Falls, Mich. The treehouse-inspired quarters were funded by a gift made in honor of Fortune Lake’s 85th anniversary, which it celebrated last summer. The ELCA- affiliated camp is owned and operated by 85 congregations in the Northern Great Lakes Synod and other Lutheran congregations in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.
Ark theme park opens A replica of Noah’s Ark stands at 510 feet long, 85 feet wide and 51 feet high, based on the measurements in cubits found in the first few chapters of Genesis. It’s part of a new creationist theme park, Ark Encounter, which opened July 7 in Williamstown, Ky. The ark is the largest timber-frame structure in the world, according to Ark Encounter. The park also features a two-story restaurant, aerial zipline cables, and the Ararat Ridge Zoo with goats, ponies, emus and more animals.
Photo: RNS/Emily McFarlan Miller
God’s work, our float At the July 4th parade in Towner, N.D., members of Zion Lutheran Church pulled a “God’s work. Our hands.” float. The gloves and mittens on the clothesline symbolize daily opportunities to serve and love neighbors, near and far. Christ and his resurrection lead and support the willing hands of Zion’s workers. Four of Zion’s youth walked along the float giving away hand clappers to children.
Photo courtesy of Fortune Lake
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