Loving Legacy

The congregation at Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Lake Stevens held their Holy Closure service this last Sunday, December 3 in the afternoon. We remember with joy and thanksgiving their many years of sharing God's love and care in their community.

We pray for the members of the congregation as they discover where the Spirit will led them next and trust God will continue to use their gifts in a new faith community.

Prayer Resource

The leaders of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada (ELCIC), the Anglican Church of Canada (ACC) and The Episcopal Church (TEC) have released the Churches Beyond Borders 2023 Advent Cycle of Prayer.

The prayer resource calls for justice and peace, especially for churches impacted by the war in the Holy Land, and for lifting up Palestinian Christian communities and ministries and the congregations and institutions of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land and the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem.

In a letter to accompany the Advent resource the leaders write, “We call for a ceasefire, an end to violence in the West Bank and the opening of humanitarian corridors in Gaza.”

The church leaders contributed prayers for the four Sundays of Advent, focusing on the themes truth, justice, peace and hope.



View / Download the Churches Beyond Borders 2023 Advent Cycle of Prayer. 

Advent Devotional from Church of Steadfast Love

As Christmas approaches the craziness of our lives traditionally increases as gift buying and parties are added to our daily routines, but not everyone has the comforts that many of us enjoy without giving them a second thought. It is for this reason that we call our devotional, “Silver and Gold Have We None.” Those whom we serve have not the material possessions that our society prizes, but they have the wonderful gifts of hope and promise. And we, those who find ourselves on the streets this holiday season, in the shelters, and securely housed, would like to share of ourselves with you this season.

May you find their devotional useful for increasing and deepening faith as you reflect on the Living Word, and on our humble insights.

A Church of Hope

In a triumph of rebirth and renewal, a single Seattle block will soon accommodate not only an ELCA church but homes for dozens of people. Columbia City Church of Hope, founded in 2010 when the century-old Bethlehem Lutheran closed, will share its redeveloped block with affordable housing units as well as a dual-language child development center. Read more in this Living Lutheran Article

Call to Allyship:

Preparing Your Congregation for Leaders of Color

We are delighted to announce the availability of this new, important book We give thanks for the insights and labor that led to it's fruition - including the work of our synod's own Rev. Priscilla Paris-Austin.

How can churches do the work of becoming allies for the leaders they call? Call to Allyship is a must-read for call committees, church councils, social justice teams, and anyone prepared to do the work of understanding, welcoming, and celebrating these leaders. Learn more and get the book HERE.

Young Adult Steering Committee

Applications Now Open!

The Young Adult Steering Committee is a group of young adults convened by the ELCA Churchwide Young Adult Communities team to help advise and guide the team to stay true to our vision statement: Called to radically affirm and empower young voices for strategic disruption and divine justice.

The full steering committee has 15 members who serve one year terms. We are striving for as much diversity in the steering committee as possible to ensure that young adult voices from all backgrounds are heard.

Steering committee meetings are held virtually four times per year on Sunday evenings, typically lasting around an hour and a half each. Learn more and apply HERE!

Reminders from Portico

Give Yourself the Gift of Resources

Amidst the joy and celebration – and, yes, stress – of this season, your body can use all the help it can get. Whether it’s treatment for a pesky cough, a listening ear to help process impostor syndrome or budget worries, or ideas for a new healthy holiday tradition, check out Portico’s curated list of resources to support you and your family this season (and Advent blessings to you!)

December FSA Countdown

Still have a balance in your Flexible Spending Account (FSA) – either for health or dependent care expenses? Be sure to spend those dollars by Dec. 31, 2023, so you won’t lose them. Check your balance on myPortico, and submit receipts via the link to Further. Need ideas on what you can use your dollars for? This list can help.

Lutheran Summer Music Advent Calendar!

Join Lutheran Summer Music, December 3-24, for our third-annual Musical Advent Calendar – a daily moment of music and reflection on our Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube pages as well as archived on our website: LSMacademy.org/acal

Pacific Lutheran University Christmas Concerts

Join us for a beloved Northwest tradition as the PLU Choir of the West, University Chorale, and University Symphony Orchestra present our annual Christmas concert. Works by Dan Forrest, John Rutter, Caroline Shaw, Rosephanye Powell, and Mack Wilberg highlight our traditional carols and seasonal favorites. Tickets for this special Christmas celebration are on sale now. General admission tickets are $40. Discounts are available for senior citizens, military, children, and PLU alumni/students/faculty/staff. For more information, call 253-535-7602 or go to plu.edu/christmas.

Benaroya Concert Hall, Seattle

TONIGHT! Monday, December 4 at 7:30 pm 

Lagerquist Concert Hall, PLU

Saturday, December 9 at 7:30 pm

Sunday, December 10 at 2:00 pm

Abide in the Word Bible Study - continues!

Tuesdays, 7-8pm via Zoom

This is a year-long, Synod-wide weekly Bible Study that takes participants on a deeper dive into the coming Sunday's Lectionary text. Participants will have the chance to experience diverse perspectives and voices from various guest facilitators from across the synod.



This is a FREE LiVE offering! No registration needed!

YES, you may join in any week at this link: HERE.

Refugees Northwest Foster Care

Virtual Info Session

Tuesday, December 5, 5pm - online

Registration is required.

To register for this event, visit: bit.ly/RNWFClearnmore

You can support refugee and immigrant teenagers here in King County/south Snohomish County by becoming a licensed foster parent or host home. Currently, there is an urgent need for foster homes, especially for youth from Guatemala and Honduras, and an ongoing need for affordable rental host homes for youth from many countries who are transitioning into independent adulthood. At this orientation, our staff will share an overview of the youth we serve, the supports we offer foster families, and the basics of the licensing process and host home process. There will be time for your questions, too.



Have questions or can’t make it to our 1st Tuesday event? Email us at fostercare@refugeesnw.org!

Journeying Together -- Spiritual Practices in Community 

Thursday, December 7, 9am-12noon - Online

Seeking a space for centering and grounding in your faith at the beginning of Advent? As spiritual leaders, you know first-hand the joys and challenges of ministering in our rapidly changing, troubled and beautiful world. You are invited to rest in a variety of grounding, experiential practices to connect to God and to each other.

This FREE event, led by Spiritual Director, Ravi Verma, is intended for those in ministry—pastors, deacons and lay leaders who want to explore, together, in a brave space. As you head into the busy holiday and advent season, this will be a time to gather to rejuvenate and rest in a variety of grounding practices to connect with God and each other.



Registration is NOW OPEN. Once you register, the Zoom link will be sent closer to the event.

Lefse Making Classes

at Kent Lutheran Church

Classes offered at these times:

Friday, December 8 @ 2:30 pm

Saturday, December 9 @ 10:00 am

Learn how to make Lefse and take home a sampling of your work. You can join this hands-on class whether you are a beginner or a seasoned pro! Contact the Church office 253-852-2057 or jhelgeson43@gmail.com to reserve your spot as space is limited!

National Lutheran Choir Concert: New Hope

Saturday, December 9, 11:30am (Pacific)

Watch the free livestream of carols, readings, and music from brass, oboe, harp, and organ sound throughout the Basilica to ring in another Christmas! Just navigate to the NLCA.com homepage as the concert is starting and click play on the video box to tune in. This livestream is free to all; no purchase is required to watch and enjoy!

Stewardship Webinar: “The Spiritual Side of Capital Campaigns”

Monday, December 11, 4pm-5pm (Pacific)

Many people view a capital campaign as a “necessary evil” (or even an unnecessary one!). But what if there’s a deeper spiritual calling inside capital campaigns that gets drowned out in the anxiety over the bottom line? Could God be inviting people to “dream dreams” in these often-ambitious endeavors? In partnership with the Lake Institute on Faith & Giving, the ELCA will host a webinar in which the Rev. Meredith McNabb and the Rev. Tim Brown will explore the spiritual side of capital campaigns and invite you to think differently about the opportunity that awaits you. Join us on Zoom HERE.

Synod Advent Gathering

Tuesday, December 12, 10am-2pm

at the Synod Office - in St. John United Lutheran Church

5519 Phinney Ave North, Seattle

Open House style gathering - ALL are welcome to join us as your schedule allows. We will have warm drinks, sweet treats AND carol singing at 1:30pm!

Upcoming Installation:

Sunday, December 17, 2pm 

Rev. Joseph "JP" Paxton has accepted a call to serve as pastor at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church at Swan's Trail in Snohomish. (5511 64th Street SE, Snohomish)

All are welcome to attend his installation service.

God bless this new ministry partnership!

Bells of the Sound Christmas Concert 

Sunday, December 17, 4pm 

FREE to all at Saint Andrew's Lutheran Church

2650 148th Avenue SE, Bellevue

Come enjoy an hour of beautiful handbell music by one of the nation's top handbell choirs (Bells of the Sound) playing Christmas favorites. 

Service of Remembrance

Friday, January 5, 4pm

A time to remember, honor and pray for those who have died on the streets or as a result of being homeless. 

In person at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Seattle (1215 Thomas St. Seattle – limited parking)

AND

Live Streamed at www.youtube.com/c/ImmanuelLutheranChurchSeattle Joining on-line? If you join at 4pm for the service, you will have the opportunity to e-chat during the service. The service will be available any time after 4 but you will not be able to chat with the larger community.

Contact Pr. Kristy Daniels at PastorKristy@compasshousingalliance.org or (206) 474-1007 for more information or to add names to the list.

Bless This Night

Evening with the NEW Holden Vespers '23

Sunday, January 7, 6pm

at Trinity Lutheran Church, Lynnwood

5:45pm - Gather - doors open & fellowship time

6pm - Preview Session - hear about the creative process, societal and theological framework

7pm - Worship together

Tea & Treats reception to follow

Come for one portion - or both.

Materials will be available for purchase

Free event - Donations will be welcome to support Holden Village.

Cannot attend in person? A livestream link will be coming soon! Look for it HERE!