Thanksgiving invites us to reflect on gratitude, not just for material blessings, but for the people—both family by birth and by choice—who enrich our lives. While family gatherings can bring challenges, chosen families offer support and love. Through prayer and reflection, we can heal strained relationships and deepen our appreciation for all who walk with us. Embracing both gratitude and chosen family transforms Thanksgiving into a true celebration of love.

Peace isn’t just the absence of noise, but trusting God amid life’s chaos. In our bustling D.C. area and a world full of division, God’s love and peace remain, rooting us through every challenge. Scripture reminds us that God’s peace “surpasses all understanding”—it’s present even when life is at its loudest. As we trust in God, may we become agents of his boundless love and hope, sharing his peace with all those around us.

Philipp Melanchthon, often overshadowed by Martin Luther, was a key Reformation figure whose scholarship and gentle spirit shaped Lutheran theology and education. As author of the Augsburg Confession and a champion of Christian unity, he combined deep faith with humility, emphasizing peace and patient teaching. His reforms in education and theology continue to influence Lutheranism, reminding the church of the enduring value of learning, dialogue, and compassionate leadership

Divided Lutherans in America asked leaders in Europe to send someone who could take charge and unite their work. Muhlenberg was sent, and was effective in organizing the American Lutherans. Among other accomplishments, his liturgical principles became the basis for the Common Service of 1888.

Amos, a humble shepherd, was called by God to challenge Israel’s false sense of security and highlight injustice. He condemned worship disconnected from compassion and called for justice to “roll down like waters.” Amos’ message remains vital: faith and justice are inseparable. The church must advocate for the marginalized, reflect God’s love in action, and, as seen in the Metro D.C. Synod, protect the vulnerable and defend sacred spaces for all.

We grieve another week marked by violence, stunned by tragedies in Utah and Colorado. As Christians, we must reckon honestly with these wounds—naming not just the acts themselves, but the divisive rhetoric that fosters hate. Jesus calls us to radical love and peacemaking, not scapegoating or exclusion. In a fractured world, our faith demands we reject dehumanization, mourn every loss, and commit to justice, reconciliation, and the dignity of every person.

We’re pulled into a story of drama and liberating grace. We encounter Jesus and a woman, nameless in the world’s eyes, who for eighteen years has been bent over, unable to stand up straight. Into her suffering, invisibility, and isolation, Jesus steps in. She’s lived in a world that values strength and health. She moves through the marketplace unable to meet anyone’s gaze, symbolic of all those whom society fails to notice.

In a time when fear and division grip our city—ICE raids, military presence, and growing anxiety—Isaiah 58 reminds us that God’s promise is for those who practice justice and mercy. True worship means feeding the hungry, welcoming the stranger, and repairing what has been broken. Even amid upheaval, God calls us to be “repairers of the breach,” trusting that where justice prevails, light will rise in the darkness and new beginnings will come.

Prayer grounds us in faith during uncertain times. Fasting, though less common, creates space to listen and seek justice. In moments of turmoil, these practices connect us to God and neighbor. Set aside time to pray for leaders and the vulnerable, or fast in solidarity with those in need. Together, our prayers and actions bring hope and healing. We do not walk alone—God’s peace and presence guide us, now and always.

The Rev. Eric Randolph, Pastor I find myself reflecting increasingly on the quiet and persistent work of the Holy Spirit in my life....

Dear Siblings in Christ, Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. The Internal Revenue Service's recent...

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