by Joshua Drobena | Dec 18, 2024 | News Releases
During Advent, the church prepares for the coming of Christ. However, Advent and December is also a time when many congregations gather together to begin celebrating the holiday spirit. On Sunday, December 15, 2024, the congregation and friends of Holy Trinity in...
by Joshua Drobena | Nov 12, 2024 | News Releases
The Lutheran congregation in Sobotište, Slovakia celebrated the 240th anniversary of the consecration of their church in 1784. This festive occasion took place on November 10, 2024 and also celebrated the completion of the repairs on their church tower, which was...
by Joshua Drobena | Sep 16, 2024 | News Releases
Two ELCA synods, the New England Synod and the Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod, elected new bishops at their synod assemblies this spring. The Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod elected the Rev. Bryan Penman on May 4, succeeding retiring Bishop Patricia Davenport, and...
by Joshua Drobena | Aug 12, 2024 | News Releases
St. Peter and St. Paul Lutheran Church in Blue Island, Illinois hosted a special visitor in their congregation this summer. The Rev. Andrea Valentova, of Banska Bystrica in Slovakia, was a welcome guest as she shared in the life of the congregation. Pastor Valentova’s...
by Bishop Wilma Kucharek | May 25, 2024 | Messages from Bishop Kucharek, News Releases
The Pentecost Season: A Call to Grow in Faith and Action The church’s calendar begins with Advent and continues through the seasons of Christmas, Epiphany, Lent, Easter, and Pentecost. Pentecost Sunday is followed by Trinity Sunday, the only Christian observance which...
by Bishop Wilma Kucharek | Mar 26, 2024 | Messages from Bishop Kucharek, News Releases
Christ is risen; He is risen, indeed! Alleluia! Alleluia means “Praise the Lord.” In many congregations, the word Alleluia has not been sung during Lent; it has been “buried” during our Lenten worship as we journeyed with Christ through his passion and death. Now, on...
by Bishop Wilma Kucharek | Feb 14, 2024 | Messages from Bishop Kucharek, News Releases
The season of Lent is observed in the church for 40 days (excluding Sundays) beginning with Ash Wednesday and lasting until Easter Sunday. It is a time for spiritual reflection, fasting, and focus on the ministry, witness, life, and sacrifice of Christ, and is...
by Bishop Wilma Kucharek | Jan 7, 2024 | Messages from Bishop Kucharek, News Releases
On January 6, Lutherans celebrate Epiphany, the day the Magi came to worship the Christ-Child. The word Epiphany means manifestation. It is the 12th day of Christmas and begins a season of the church calendar that lasts until Lent. The Magi were wise and learned...
by Bishop Wilma Kucharek | Dec 23, 2023 | Messages from Bishop Kucharek, News Releases
The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness— on them light has shined (Isaiah 9:2). The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it (John 1:5). Christmas is not a holly-jolly time for...
by Joshua Drobena | Nov 3, 2023 | News Releases
On September 24, 2023, St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church in Mt. Carmel, PA celebrated its 135th anniversary. At the festive worship service, Bishop Wilma S. Kucharek presided at the celebration of the Eucharist and served as preacher; she was assisted at the service by...
