Long-awaited guidance from the Ecumenical Consultation on Protocols for Worship, Fellowship and Sacraments, released June 8, advises houses of worship to go slowly with in-person gatherings where vaccinated and unvaccinated persons occupy the same space. “The group suggests limiting touching except where Christian rituals, such as laying on of hands for confirmation, require it; avoiding...
Category: Congregations
June 9, 2021
New Guidance for Safer Worship and Sacraments
Long-awaited guidance from the Ecumenical Consultation on Protocols for Worship, Fellowship and Sacraments, released June 8, advises houses of worship to go slowly with in-person gatherings where vaccinated and unvaccinated persons occupy the same space. “The group suggests limiting touching except where Christian rituals, such as laying on of hands for confirmation, require it; avoiding...
June 2, 2021
Mediator Youth Honored in Tulsa Centennial Writing Contest
Tredon Stevenson, a member of Mediator Lutheran Church, Philadelphia, received second prize in the youth (ages 14-17) division of the ELCA African Descent Lutheran Association’s national writing contest to honor the centennial of the Tulsa Race Massacre. He is an excellent student and participates in youth programs and choir and is a worship assistant and...
April 10, 2021
Joy Complete: Easter Season Worship
A gift from the Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod to our rostered ministers, musicians, tech teams, and other virtual worship leaders. This service is available for Sunday, April 11, and suitable for any Sunday after Easter. Joy Complete – Easter Season Worship from Southeastern PA Synod, ELCA on Vimeo. Download bulletin
March 26, 2021
Joy Complete: Easter Season Worship
A gift from the Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod to our rostered ministers, musicians, tech teams, and other virtual worship leaders. This service is available for Sunday, April 11, and suitable for any Sunday after Easter.
March 10, 2021
Our Gift to You: Post-Easter Worship
Worship leaders and musicians from around the Synod are collaborating on a service of readings and hymns that your church may use after Easter to give your pastor(s) and musicians a Sunday off. The service will be launched for the Second Sunday of Easter on April 11, and could alternatively be used one of the...
February 26, 2021
Thanks for your generosity!
Individual giving to causes including the COVID-19 fund, donations toward medical expenses for former Bishop Munga in Tanzania, and our annual All Saints appeal tripled in 2020 — in a pandemic year. Thank you so much for your support. We thank God for you always.
February 10, 2021
Your congregation can sponsor a missionary
Dear friends: Bethany Friberg works as an ELCA missionary in Ketumbeine, Tanzania, but her definition of missionary service is much more expansive. She believes all Christians are missionaries. “I’m always struck by how wonderful it is when people have committed their life to the Lord and are praying, ‘Lord Jesus, show me how to live...
February 3, 2021
Tuscarora Lutheran Youth Virtual Retreat
The Tuscarora Lutheran Youth Retreat planning committee is pleased to announce our first ever Virtual Retreat for youth in grades 6-12 and their leaders, on Saturday, April 10, starting at 10 am on Zoom. Registration fee is $20 per person. Deadline to register is March 7, 2021! Download a flyer for more information: 2021 Tuscaro...
February 3, 2021
Lent Ideas With Keith Anderson
An excerpt from our interview with Pastor Keith Anderson focusing on digital ministry in the upcoming Lenten season.
February 1, 2021
SEPA Communicators — Lent/Holy Week Ideas
Pastors, musicians, and tech teams from SEPA Synod share ideas for online Lenten and Holy Week worship, followed with discussion about re-opening in-person worship.
December 20, 2020
Lesson and Carols for Christmas 2020
A gift to our congregations and leaders from the Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. December 2020.
December 9, 2020
Guidelines for Virtual Congregational Meetings
A number of congregations have requested guidance on holding meetings remotely using teleconferencing or virtual technology during the current pandemic. Rev. Secretary Karl Richard has created a document that attempts to address some of the issues that need to be addressed in preparing for and conducting meetings in this way. This document is applicable for...
December 9, 2020
Pandemic Help: Do you need volunteers, or can you offer help?
The pandemic continues to take its health and economic toll on many. With eviction moratoriums and other public benefits ending on December 31, 2020, there will be a spike in eviction filings and many will continue to have to make harder and harder decisions on whether to pay for food, medicine, rent or their mortgage....
November 13, 2020
2020 Annual Report Cover Available
The new 2020 annual report covers are now available. Both can be found in the Stewardship resources here: https://www.elca.org/Resources/Stewardship#Leadership Direct links are here: Pages version: https://download.elca.org/ELCA%20Resource%20Repository/2020_Annu al_Report_cover.pdf Spreads version: https://download.elca.org/ELCA%20Resource%20Repository/2020_Annu al_Report_cover_spread.pdf
November 13, 2020
Apply Now For Young Adults in Global Mission
Applications for the ELCA’s Young Adults in Global Mission (YAGM) program are now being accepted, and you can invite young adults on this journey abroad for the 2021-2022 program year. If you know young adults ages 21 to 29, this is the time to reach out. Encourage them to apply for YAGM by the deadline...
November 13, 2020
Tuscarora Youth Retreat 2021 Is On!
APRIL 9 – 11, 2021 GRADES 6 – 12 Registration Fee: TBD Pending the state of the COVID-19 pandemic, the retreat will be either inperson or virtual. Date to determine in-person vs. virtual is February 1, 2021 Download a poster Check our website for up to date information https://tuscaroralutheranretreat.weebly.com/
November 13, 2020
Season of Hope Advent Resources from LWR
Join with Lutheran World Relief as we remember our neighbors from around the world. During each week of Advent, we will lift up the experience of our neighbors in each of the regions your love reaches: Africa, Asia, the Middle East and Latin America. Discover our suite of resources to engage your congregation digitally or inperson in a variety of ways each...
November 12, 2020
Make Me an Instrument of Peace: A Guide to Civil Discourse
How many of us have ever prayed, ‘Lord make me an instrument of your peace,’ then found ourselves in complex and polarized situations that made peace seem impossible? This course is for you. Designed by The Episcopal Church’s Office of Government Relations and its Department of Faith Formation, Make Me an Instrument is a free,...
October 6, 2020
Zoom Conversation on Reopening Church Facilities
On Oct. 1, our communicators group was joined by Mr. Dennis Smith, manager of buildings and grounds at Trinity Lutheran Church, Lansdale. Dennis shared with us good information about airflow requirements, ways to improve ventilation in enclosed spaces, and other considerations in reopening church facilities. The conversation took the entirety of our time today. Please...
September 22, 2020
God’s work. Our hands. Service
On (and after) Sunday, September 13, 2020, SEPA congregations joined others across the ELCA for the annual Day of Service projects. Each year, “God’s work. Our hands. Sunday” brings Lutherans out to serve their communities. This year, even though gathering was limited by the pandemic, churches still managed to serve neighbors near and far. Read...
