Over these past months congregations and synods have explored different ways to proclaim God’s word while physically separated. Many have utilized technology to offer times of worship and devotion. Some are finding helpful ways to interact with one another in real time, while others have created meaningful opportunities for worship on their own time, with or without the need of technology. We long to return to worship in person. Even as communities are making careful and cautious decisions about when they might gather in person for worship, we continue to find ways to offer our lament, prayer, proclamation and praise.
On the grounds of the Word and promise of God the Church prays, in the power of the Spirit and in the name of Jesus Christ, for all the great needs of the world (“The Use of the Means of Grace,” Principle 53).
As we read God’s word in our devotions or hear it proclaimed in worship, we are called to pray for the church and its mission, for the care of creation, for the end to racial injustice and all injustice in the world, for those who suffer, for an end to this virus and for those who have died in faith. From these prayers we are called to action. We are called to be Christ’s presence in the world.
To be your presence is our mission blest,
to speak for all the broken and oppressed,
to be your voice of hope, your love expressed, alleluia!
—Text by Delores Dufner, OSB; Evangelical Lutheran Worship, 546
May our dwelling in the word call us to prayer and lead us to witness to the gospel of Christ in the world, even if that witness may need to take on different forms during the pandemic. May you notice love of God in Christ Jesus among us and share that love with one another.
In peace,
Deacon John Weit
Assistant to the Presiding Bishop, Executive for Worship
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Worship in the Home
Available each week on the ELCA Worship blog are materials for “Worship in the Home.” Although various formats of livestreaming worship work well in many contexts, you are encouraged to worship as you are able in homes on Sunday and throughout the week. Consider ways to pray and sing using this resource at home. If you don’t have a hymnal at home, perhaps churches might safely distribute copies for home use. In addition to Sunday worship resources, resources for Daily Prayer are available, including simplified forms of Morning Prayer, Evening Prayer, and Night Prayer, as well as table prayers.
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