Grace In the City: Grace Lutheran Church

06/07/2026

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.

06/02/2026

Grace at the Grand Canyon Synod Assembly

From June 11–13, Grace Lutheran Church will be represented at the 2026 Grand Canyon Synod Assembly by our elected delegates, Roger and
Evalyn. As the assembly approaches, you may be wondering what Synod Assembly is and why it matters to our congregation.

What is Synod Assembly?
The Grand Canyon Synod Assembly is the annual gathering of congregations from across Arizona, Southern Nevada, and parts of Utah. Pastors, deacons, and lay voting members come together for worship, learning, fellowship, and the work of the church. It is an opportunity for
congregations to gather as one church, listen for the Holy Spirit's guidance, and make decisions that shape our shared ministry.

Why is Grace participating?
As a congregation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Grace Lutheran is part of something larger than ourselves. The Synod Assembly gives us a voice in the life and ministry of the wider church. Roger and Evalyn will represent Grace in discussions and votes, learn about ministries taking place throughout the synod, and bring back ideas and insights that can strengthen our own ministry here in downtown Phoenix.

What will happen there?
Throughout the three-day assembly, delegates will worship together, hear reports from synod leaders and ministry partners, receive updates on the work being done across the synod, approve budgets, elect leaders, and consider resolutions. Just as important, they will spend time building relationships with Lutherans from other congregations and learning how God is at work in communities throughout our region.

How can you support and pray for the assembly?
The work of the assembly belongs to all of us, not just those who attend. We invite you to pray for Roger and Evalyn as they represent Grace
Lutheran, for Bishop Hutterer and synod leaders, and for all those participating in the assembly. Pray for wisdom, faithful discernment,
respectful conversation, and openness to the leading of the Holy Spirit. Pray that the assembly will strengthen the church's witness and equip congregations for ministry in the year ahead.

As Grace Lutheran's delegates, Evalyn will help prepare us for the assembly, and Roger will report back afterward on what was learned and
experienced. We are thankful for their willingness to represent our congregation and participate in the wider ministry of the church.

05/31/2026

Though the word Trinity does not appear in scripture, today’s readings proclaim the mystery of the one God revealed as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. In Psalm 8, we marvel at the Creator whose glory fills the heavens and who lovingly cares for humanity. In 2 Corinthians, Paul blesses the church with the grace of Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit. And in Matthew’s gospel, the risen Jesus sends his disciples into the world to baptize and teach in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Together these readings invite us not simply to explain the Trinity, but to live within the mystery of God’s love, presence, and mission for the sake of the world.

05/24/2026

What if the most important moment in history happened in an ordinary room, to a group of ordinary people who had no idea what was about to hit them? This Sunday we celebrate Pentecost — the day the Holy Spirit showed up like a rushing wind, landed like fire, and turned a roomful of frightened followers into the most unstoppable movement the world has ever seen. And that same Spirit is still on the move. Still rushing in where we least expect. Still giving voice to those who thought they had nothing to say. Come find out what it means to be set on fire by the love of God.

05/23/2026

Three graduations in 3 weeks with my baby Hannah adding the icing to the cake. So proud of her and am excited to watch her grow.

05/16/2026

A mother-daughter pastoral team redefines church and belonging in Phoenix by reclaiming space for community and culture.

05/13/2026

Here is the service for this past Sunday, May 10, 2026. We apologize for the technical difficulties.

05/05/2026

“Red is believed to be the only color spirits can see, representing a calling back of the spirits of missing and murdered loved ones.” —Rev. Wanda Frenchman

Adopted by the 2025 ELCA Churchwide Assembly, the memorial "Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women" encourages "congregations, synods and the churchwide organization to observe annually MMIW Awareness Day on May 5 and to promote the wearing of red to raise awareness of MMIW."

Today is May 5, the National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (also referred to as "Red Dress Day"). On this day we lament the MMIW crisis and call attention to the MMIW movement alongside our Indigenous siblings — those missing and those still searching for loved ones.

To learn more about this crisis and the movement it inspired, to find a tool kit of action steps and resources, and to plug in to the ongoing work of the ELCA's Indigenous Ministry and Tribal Relations network, visit elca.org/mmiw.

As you join us in observing Red Dress Day, we invite you to share in the comments section a photo of yourself wearing red in solidarity.

05/05/2026

Support Pitchfork Pantry at Grace In the City: Grace Lutheran Church!

Grace Lutheran Church in Phoenix is inviting congregations to support the Pitchfork Pantry, which will remain open this summer to serve students at Arizona State University’s Downtown Campus—including international students who rely on it for food and hygiene supplies. Donations of essential ite...

05/03/2026

What if the thing people are searching for — in all the wrong places — is actually God? This Sunday, we continue in the Easter season with Acts 17:16-31, where Paul walks through Athens and discovers an altar marked "To an Unknown God." Rather than turning away in disgust, he leans in — and finds his opening. He stands on Mars Hill before philosophers, skeptics, and seekers, and proclaims that this unknown God has a name, a face, and an empty tomb. Join us as we explore what it means to meet our searching world with curiosity instead of condemnation, and with the good news of the risen Christ.