“We will tell the coming generation the glorious deeds of the Lord, and the wonders that God has done.” —Psalm 78

Dear Church, Lent invites us into a story. Not a story we invent. Not a story we control. But the story of God’s faithfulness: a story that holds us, shapes us, and sends us. 

From the beginning, faith has been carried through story. Around tables. In sanctuaries. At bedsides. In wilderness moments. In seasons of exile and in seasons of homecoming. This year in the Grand Canyon Synod, we are leaning into our theme: Rooted in God’s Story. To be rooted is to be grounded in something deeper than the news cycle, deeper than anxiety, deeper than our own limited understanding. Roots draw nourishment from what is unseen. They anchor us when winds blow. 

In Lent, we tend the roots. One way we are doing this together across the synod is through our Lenten Challenge, with its simple daily practices that invite prayer, reflection, and acts of mercy. I encourage you to participate as you are able, allowing these small, faithful rhythms to deepen your connection to God’s story and to one another. We listen again to the story of Jesus — the Word who “became flesh and lived among us.” We walk with him toward Jerusalem. We hear his teaching. We watch him kneel to wash feet. We stand at the foot of the cross. We wait at the tomb. And in the waiting, we remember that this story is not only about what God did long ago. It is about what God is doing now. This year at our Spring Gatherings, we will spend time reflecting on the prayer Jesus taught us — the Lord’s Prayer. These familiar words are more than just a habit. They are a story of how we are rooted: Our Father. Daily bread. Forgiveness. Deliverance. A kingdom coming even now. When we pray these words together, we are connected again in the story of God who provides, forgives, liberates, and reigns in mercy. Lent prepares us to tell that story, in a world that is hungry for hope. The apostle writes that we are to “always be ready to give an account for the hope that is in you” (1 Peter 3). We do this as we live lives shaped by mercy and as we create communities marked by welcome. We give an account to hope as we witness to Jesus among us with courage and boldness. As you journey through these forty days, I invite you to consider: Where has God’s story met your own? Where are your roots being strengthened? Who needs to hear the story of hope you carry? We are rooted in God’s story so that we may become storytellers ourselves, embodying the good news. Let us walk this Lenten path together — grounded, honest, hopeful — trusting that the One who began this story will bring it to completion.

With You on the Journey,

The Rev. Deborah K. Hutterer
Bishop
Grand Canyon Synod of the ELCA

Bishop Deborah Hutterer has recorded a special invitation to participate in this year’s ELCA Region 2 Lenten Challenge. This short video outlines the challenge, and how your participation makes an impact.

Watch the video, consider registering for the Lenten Challenge, and invite others to join in this meaningful Lenten journey!

What is the Lenten Challenge?

The theme of this year’s challenge derives from Matthew 25:37-40. The passage emphasizes that caring for the poor, sick, and marginalized is an act of service to Christ, and that a person’s treatment of others is a reflection of their relationship with God. The spiritual practices for the six weeks of Lent will focus on stretching our learning, care and advocacy muscles on behalf of underserved communities. The six weeks will be broken up according to the gospel text, as below, with participants focusing on what we know and think about these siblings in Christ, as well as how we act in support and on behalf of these communities:

• Week 1, February 22: Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food?
• Week 2, March 1: Lord, when was it that we saw you thirsty and gave you something to drink?
• Week 3, March 8: Lord, when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you?
• Week 4, March 16: Lord, when was it that we saw you naked and gave you clothing?
• Week 5, March 22: Lord, when was it that we saw you sick and visited you?
• Week 6, March 29: Lord, when was it that we saw you in prison and visited you?

Why Lent? Lent is a season of 40 days to reflect, remember our dependence on God and one another, and look forward to the ways God calls us to be. Adding one or more of these spiritual practices to your observation of Lent might help you feel more connected. A light-hearted challenge like this could help our synods be the Church together, and to see God’s vision and invitation for us to be a church for the world as we share the good news of Jesus Christ.

Let’s make this year’s Lenten Challenge the most impactful yet!

• Watch & Share the Invitation Video from Bishop Hutterer: https://youtu.be/a73nlQ0hdow
• Sign Up for the Lenten Challenge: www.lentenchallenge.org

Lutheran Engagement and Advocacy in Nevada recently spent time in Las Vegas building relationships and learning from the ministries already alive and active in local communities.

Visit to St. Andrew Lutheran Church – Las Vegas
At St. Andrew Lutheran Church, LEAN Advocacy Director Rev. Paul Larson joined the congregation for worship, preached, and spent time listening to members share about their outreach, their advocacy interests, and their hopes for their neighborhood.
What stood out most were the stories — people who have moved across the state, who have experienced different parts of Nevada, and who carry those lived experiences into their faith and their call to serve their neighbors. These conversations continue to shape how LEAN shows up across our synods.

Colorado Conference MLK Jr. Service – One Church in Three Places
In a powerful witness to our shared ministry, congregations in Las Vegas, Phoenix, and Tucson gathered simultaneously, joining together from three locations as one worshipping community at New Song Lutheran Church for a service honoring the legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

The service culminated in the congregation singing “We Shall Overcome,” a moment that was both deeply moving and a clear call to action. In this moment in our nation’s life, we were reminded that the work of justice, mercy, and love is not optional for people of faith.

We are called to learn from the long struggle for voting rights and to continue the work of building a multiracial, inclusive democracy, especially in light of the murders of Renee Good and Alex Preti. Our faith calls us not to silence, but to courageous public witness.

The Work Ahead – Pews to Policy Across Nevada
Throughout the coming year, LEAN will continue the Pews to Policy tour across Nevada — listening, preaching, teaching, and organizing alongside congregations and community partners.

If your congregation would like to:

• host a Sunday focused on faith and public life
• gather for an adult forum or Bible study
• share your local advocacy priorities
• or explore how to connect your ministry to statewide efforts

we invite you to reach out and schedule a visit.

Together, we are building a movement where our worship shapes our witness and our witness shapes public life — for the sake of our neighbors and the common good.

Faith compells us to care for our community. No one should have to choose between paying rent and buying groceries.​

Affordable housing is essential for economic stability and human dignity.​

Faith requires us to care for the poor and to seek justice for all.​

Join us in advocating for safe, affordable housing for all Nevadans.

Get involved –

This week we live in the space between the mountain and the valley.

On the mountain, the disciples saw the glory of Christ.
They heard the voice: “This is my beloved Son… listen to Him.”
And then — they walked back down into ordinary life.

That is where we are too.

We have glimpsed who Jesus is.
Now we are learning what it means to follow Him.

And the first invitation is not to do more —
it is to listen more deeply.

Listen for His voice in Scripture.
Listen for His voice in the quiet moments you would normally rush past.
Listen for His voice in the neighbor who needs mercy.
Listen for His voice in the places where love asks something of you.

You do not have to build anything this week.
You do not have to solve everything this week.
You do not have to have the future figured out.

Just listen.

Because the same Jesus who shines in glory
is the One who comes close,
who touches fear,
and who says even now:

“Get up. Do not be afraid.”

So as you move through your days:

When you feel overwhelmed — pause and listen.
When you are unsure what to do — pause and listen.
When you are tempted to react quickly — pause and listen.

Before speaking,
before fixing,
before planning,
listen.

And trust this:

The voice that named Jesus “Beloved”
has named you Beloved too.

You are not walking this road alone.
The light of Christ goes with you —
down the mountain,
into the valley,
and into whatever this week holds.

Amen.