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Synod Staff are preparing for Synod Assembly. Response times to e-mail and phone messages may be delayed. Thanks in advance for your understanding.

Synod Assembly Information


Synod Assembly

imago dei

May 29-30

Trinity Lutheran, Lansdale

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NEW! You're Invited!

Friday Evening Vesper Service to use Bless This Night from Fireweed Liturgies

At this year's Synod Assembly, our Friday evening worship service will utilize the new vespers liturgy from Fireweed Liturgies Bless This Night. Similar to Holden Evening Prayer, this beautiful service calls us into the night and bids us to rest well. Because this is a new liturgy to our Synod, we are providing a link to listen to some of the music before we gather on Friday, May 29.


We hope you will listen and join us in song on Friday, May 29 at 6:00 pm at Trinity Lutheran in Lansdale (1000 W. Main St., Lansdale)

LISTEN HERE

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NEW! Assembly Ingathering

Lutheran World Relief Ingathering

Once again Women of the ELCA (WELCA) of the Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod are holding an Ingathering in conjunction with the Annual Synod Assembly.  


Each year we have collected 100’s of quilts and kits during Synod Assembly for Lutheran World Relief. Congregations are once again invited and encouraged to bring quilts and kits (personal care, baby care, school and fabric kits). Please review the instructions for assembling and packaging LWR quilts and kits, which can be found at the links below. Kits are easy to assemble and even one can make a difference!


Items may be dropped off on Saturday, May 30 between 8 am and 10 am in Social Hall.  If you cannot make the drop off time, please reach out to Carrie Schwab, cschwab@sepa.org, to make other arrangements.  


Those dropping off items may pre-register what they are bringing at this link, otherwise bring this form


Kit and Quilt Instructions

Personal Care Kit Instructions

Baby Care Kit Instructions

School Kit Instructions

Fabric Kit Instructions

Quilt Packing and Shipping Instructions



We also are collecting the following items to assist Lutheran Disaster Response. These items may be brought any time during the Synod Assembly


Large sponges: Approximately 8″ x 4″ x 2” (can be multi-pack or single).



Small sponges: Approximately 4″ x 2.5″ x

1” (can be multi-pack or single).


In our prayers...

Those preparing to graduate and their parents.


The Rev. Dr. Shirley Guider


May is Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month

Since the late 1970s, our nation has recognized the invaluable contributions of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander communities during the month of May. 

Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders (AANHPIs) are some of the most diverse and rapidly growing population groups in the United States.

Learn more about how you can can honor Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander communities and cultures.

Last Call! Get Tickets Now!

Lutheran Night at the Phillies

June 5

The Phillies take on the Chicago White Sox.

Use Code LUTHERAN


Join with your family and friends to cheer on the Phillies. Make a day of it and start your America 250 celebration early by visiting local historical sites ahead of the crowds!

NEW! Read Bishop Penman's May Message: Learning, Growing, and Showing Up

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St. Luke's Flea Market

May 29-30, 2026

8:00 am to Noon

St. Luke's Lutheran Church

3206 Big Road, Zieglerville

INFORMATIONAL FLYER

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Zion Lutheran Church 

Organ Recital Series

Friday, June 5th, 2026 + 7:00 pm

301 Jefferson Avenue, Bristol


Our Parish Organist, Dylan David Shaw will conclude the 2025-26 Zion Organ Recital Series with “Favorites from Grand Opera and Broadway”, featuring works by Sullivan, Verdi, Webber and others.Dylan has served as Assistant Grand Court Organist for the Wanamaker Organ and is Associate Organist at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, home to the Largest Musical Instrument in the World—the Midmer-Losh Organ

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NEW! JERUSALEM FAMILY YARD SALE AND BAKE SALE

Saturday, June 6, 2026

8:00 am to 1:00 pm

Jerusalem Lutheran Church

733 Ridge Road, Sellersville, PA 18960

Located near the intersection of Ridge Road and Lawn Avenue at the Perkasie Exit off Route 309 bypass.


Yard Sale spaces are available for free, but must be reserved by Sunday, May 31, 2026 (10' x 10', bring your own table)


For more information or to reserve a space, contact the Church Office by calling 215-257-9423 or e-mail: jerevlu@verizon.net


INFORMATIONAL FLYER
This event is held rain or shine.

Proceeds to benefit Vacation Bible School.

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Sweet Sounds of Spring

June 7 + 7:00 pm

Emmaus Road Lutheran Church

2185 Bristol Oxford Valley Road, Levittown


Join us for an evening of joyful music as we celebrate the season at our Sweet Sounds of Spring Concert.


This special program will feature the uplifting sounds of The Acclamation Ringers Bell Choir and the inspiring brass ensemble A Wing and a Prayer. Together, these talented musicians will present a program filled with beauty, energy, and springtime spirit.


The first-ever $1,000 A Wing and a Prayer Instrumental Music Scholarship. will be awarded to a local high school senior who plans to continue their education in music.


All are welcome to attend this event and share in a night of music, celebration, and community.

Admission – Free will donation to A Wing and a Prayer Scholarship Fund


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Available Items


Choir Robes

St Matthew’s, Chester Springs has 16 choir robes of various sizes to donate. The robes are navy blue and white; the collar sash is reversible. they are in good condition but might need some cleaning here and there.

For more information, contact Sue Hummerston 



PICTURES

May Ordination Anniversaries

We give thanks to God for the ministry of these leaders.

The Rev. Ann Shade, 2 years

Sister Margaret E. Thorne, 13 years

The Rev. Dr. Anthony L. Scott, 13 years

The Rev. Stacey-Kyle Rea, 14 years

The Rev. Robert R. Kilby, 15 years

Deacon Kathleen A. Afflerbach, 15 years

The Rev. Kathleen Harkness, 18 years

The Rev. David Grainson, 28 years

The Rev. Dr. Harold Evans, 30 years

The Rev. Arthur A. Gilbert, 31 years

The Rev. Dr. Eric M. Allison, 34 years

The Rev. Dr. Dee E. Littleton, 43 years

The Rev. Dr. Ann Baly, 46 years

The Rev. Dr. Carl W. Filer, 48 years

The Rev. Rodney S. Kopp, 49 years

The Rev. George W. Loewer, 49 years

The Rev. Dr. Paul M. Sorcek, 50 years

The Rev. Robert E. Mitman, 51 years

The Rev. Paul E. Bartlett, 51 years

The Rev. Eric R. Royer, 52 years

The Rev. Richard A. Olson, 52 years

The Rev. Bruce H. Davidson, 52 years

The Rev. Paul J. Jann, 54 years

The Rev. Dr. David A. Genszler, 55 years

The Rev. Albert I. Douglass, 55 years

The Rev. Sönke Schmidt-Lange, 58 years

The Rev. Thomas T. Kochenderfer, 58 years

The Rev. Leonard F. Ashford, 58 years

The Rev. John Smolik, 58 years

The Rev. Dr. Robert H. Linders, 59 years

The Rev. Paul A. Hagedorn, 60 years

The Rev. Richard G. Miller, 66 years

"True love invokes (and provokes) the imagination. It leads to creativity, breaking rules that serve only to prop up the status quo. What is the world we want? What is the world God wants for us? How do we unite God’s imagination and our world? And what are we going to do to change the world?"
--Bishop Dwayne Royster


Save The Date!

Faith Alive Worship Learning Lab 2

Saturday, August 15

9:00 am-3:00 pm

United Lutheran Seminary, Philadelphia


Another opportunity to gather and learn more about how our congregations can welcome and support our youngest friends. Make plans now to attend this informative and fun event.

Have You Planned Your Summer Adventure Yet?

May is here, which means summer is much closer than it feels. If your family is still figuring out the details, you're not alone — but now is the time to lock in those summer plans. Sessions are filling and we'd love for your camper to have an amazing summer at Bear Creek! 

Learn more about all that Bear Creek has to offer and register today.

Partner Opportunities

NEW! Lutheran Men In Mission Ambassador-gram

for this quarter can be found here: LMM 2026 Spring Ambassador Gram

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Register today!

Lutheran Congregational Services Lay Eucharistic Training

Eucharistic Visitors are members of the congregation who are selected by their pastor and trained to bring the communion meal from worship to ill and homebound members of their congregation who are unable to attend service.

LCS’s training ministry engages learners in the Biblical and theological background of the Sacrament of Holy Communion and teaches potential Eucharistic Visitors about visitation and administration of the sacrament.


Saturday, May 23, 2026

9:30 AM - 4:00 PM

Advent Lutheran Church

1601 Green Lane, West Chester, PA 19382


To register for training, please complete the online form and submit the $30.00 fee per person.

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NEW! Center for Addiction and Faith May Webinar

Join us for a one-hour free webinar titled “How to Love Someone in Recovery” with Author Caroline Beidler hosted by the Center of Addiction & Faith. Caroline Beidler, MSW, joins us for a discussion seeking to answer the question: "How do we practically love someone in or seeking addiction recovery?"  


Caroline is an author, speaker, and managing editor of Recovery.com where she combines research and expert insight on addiction and mental health.  Caroline will share her thoughts from her latest book, "When You Love Someone in Recovery: A Hopeful Guide to Understanding Addiction. "

REGISTER 

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NEW! The Religious Leaders Council of Greater Philadelphia is partnering with Penn Live Arts and others to host Toll The Bell: Cry for Peace

June 5

beginning at Noon

Annenberg Center Outdoor Plaza

3680 Walnut Street, Philadelphia


Toll the Bell is one of the biggest national sound installations in support of gun violence awareness. This large, coordinated community initiative features over 40 partners that include faith-based sites and community impact organizations. Toll the Bell serves as a warning and a sonic device to disrupt the environment for Philadelphians, inviting them to stop and reflect on this tragic issue. Bells and other sounds will be heard from West Philly to Old City and beyond, with over 20 sound partners confirmed to participate.


ELCA Youth Gathering 2027:

Imagine More

June 27-28, 2027

PRE-EVENTS

Multicultural Youth Leadership Event + the tAble

June 28 - July 2, 2027

THE MAIN EVENT

ELCA Youth Gathering + Young Adult Gathering


The 2027 ELCA Youth Gathering is more than an event — it’s a movement where young people and leaders come alive in faith, grow in hope and move with purpose. This is where the church comes to life.


Stay up-to-date with ELCA Youth Gathering news and deadlines by subscribing to the Gathering newsletter.


Region 7 Gathering Facebook Page

Get connected to others in our region who plan to attend the Gathering.


SEPA's Regional Representative for The National Youth Gathering is Pastor Cassie Hartnett. Congregational representatives can email her with questions.


UPCOMING WEBINARS

More information and registration

NEW! America’s Potluck

Breaking Bread and Building Community to Celebrate America’s 250th Birthday

As we approach the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, many Americans believe our nation is deeply divided. Yet alongside these divisions is a shared desire for connection and belonging. Most Americans want to connect across differences.  Research shows that 66% of Americans believe we can learn from people with different viewpoints, and 70% feel a responsibility to do so.



READ MORE

Kindling Faith Events and Training

Kindling Faith of United Lutheran Seminary has a new website with events and training listings updated regularly. Visit their site to register for informative events and continuing education.


Theological Education with Adults: Luther's Teaching for Today

July 12 @ 3:00 pm - July 17 @ 11:00 am

Luther wrote the Large Catechism for instruction in the fundamentals of the Christian faith for Church leaders: pastors, instructors, and for parents at home. The catechism is a treasure of the Lutheran Church to this day. Luther’s insights into matters of faith and the Christian life are central to our Lutheran heritage. As we approach the 500 years of its publication (1529-2029), it is time for a closer look.


The Rev. Dr. Nelson Rivera teaches courses in theology and ethics. He has previously taught at Moravian University and Theological Seminary, the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia, and as a visiting professor at the Evangelical Seminary of Puerto Rico. His published work covers topics in Lutheran theology, Latinx ministry and spirituality, and on the application of evolutionary epistemology in theology and the natural sciences. Dr. Rivera has served as translator, editor, and theological consultant for worship and church resources.


REGISTER HERE


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