Prince of Peace ELCA, Hot Springs, Arkansas

06/17/2026

06/17/2026

Today, we honor the memory of the Emanuel Nine and continue to commit ourselves to the work of justice, reconciliation and faith.

"Creator God,

You lovingly created every person in Your beautiful image. We confess that we have not loved and protected Your beloved creation well. Racism and hate continue to blossom, disfiguring Your beautiful and divine plan for human life.

Help our unbelief, O God, in the realities of racism and oppression; remove the scales from our eyes and our hearts. Forgive us for our participation, both knowingly and unknowingly, in its flourishing. Give us the courage to remember and share these true stories of cruelty and injustice, and those who, because of it, lost their lives and freedom. Grant us determination and an accountable community to interrupt these unjust systems. Help us to use our voices, our agency, and our faith to advocate for justice.

Amen."

We invite you to reflect on their story at LivingLutheran.org.

06/11/2026

You may not believe in the flood. You may not even believe in God. But you can believe in the beauty of rainbows and that colourful diversity is good.

06/11/2026

Phil Keller will speak on Matthew 9:35-10:8 and preside over Holy Communion on Sunday, June 14 at 11am. ALL are welcome!
Moses tells the Israelites that they are called to be a priestly kingdom and a holy people. Jesus sends out the disciples as laborers into the harvest. In baptism we too are anointed for ministry, sharing God’s compassion with our needy world. From the Lord’s table we go forth to proclaim
the good news, to heal the sick, and to share our bread with the hungry.

06/11/2026

INSTALLATION OF SYNODICALLY AUTHORIZED MINISTRY TEAM (SAM) ON SUNDAY! We give thanks to God for Dee Renteria, Dorla Dixon, and Phil Keller as they take on this new responsibility. This means that Prince of Peace is now a lay-led congregation (not one served by an ordained pastor). In their roles, our SAM Team members are authorized to preach, preside at Holy Communion, baptize, provide pastoral care, and lead services such as funerals within the life of this congregation. As part of their preparation, Dorla and Dee are in the process of two years of lay leadership training which Phil has already completed. This includes the study of scripture, worship leadership, and Lutheran theology. Please keep our SAM Team in your daily prayers.

06/05/2026

READER CALL: Do you have a favorite hymn? Let us know what it is and why it's your favorite by commenting below or by emailing [email protected] by or before July 1. Your answer may be featured in the fall print issue!

06/05/2026

Come one, come all! Let's make a difference TOGETHER!

06/05/2026

The ELCA has received a $1.2 million grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. through its initiative Hope After the Storm: Capacity Building for Faith-Based Disaster Relief Organizations.

The grant will enable Lutheran Disaster Response to strengthen its capacity to support communities through sustained, long-term recovery.

LDR’s work — in both domestic and international settings — is focused on its commitment to accompany communities through the full recovery process, remaining long after a disaster occurs.

Through this grant, LDR will strengthen its work in domestic settings by focusing on two areas that are essential to sustaining its long-term approach to disaster recovery: expanding its emotional and spiritual care capacity and strengthening sustainable donor engagement for long-term recovery needs.

Read more through the link in the comments below.

06/04/2026

Sunday, June 7! Come to the Chapel at 11am to hear the Word. Phil Keller is our presiding minister.

Though Jesus was a devout Jew who practiced his faith, he was criticized for eating with tax collectors and sinners—the religiously nonobservant. Jesus criticizes the self-righteous and reminds us that mercy is to be at the heart of our religious practices. God continues to be made known in those on the margins of society, like Matthew the tax collector and the hemorrhaging woman. As we gather each Lord’s day we receive the healing that makes us well and sends us forth to be signs of God’s mercy for the world.