The PC(USA) Store - Still Time to Save on Advent Books!

There's still two days left to save up to 60% when you shop our Advent in August Sale!  Shop the Sale! Please note that this sale includes our forthcoming Advent book, The Advent Tree: Meeting Jesus in God's Big Story, by Kara Eidson, which will ship once it is available later this fall.

Copyright © 2025 PC(USA) Store, All rights reserved.

WCC news: "Time for God’s Peace” service focuses on church unity for the sake of the world

A “Time for God’s Peace” service at the Uppsala Cathedral in Sweden on 24 August brought ecumenical voices together in a commemoration of 100 years since the closing service of the Life and Work meeting in Stockholm in 1925, led by then-Archbishop Nathan Söderblom. 24 August 2025, Uppsala, Sweden: Church leaders from around the globe accompanied by Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson and his wife Rev. Birgitta Ed, pose for a group photo following an ecumenical prayer service in Uppsala Cathedral. Photo: Albin Hillert/WCC 24 August 2025 The World Council of Churches (WCC) was represented in the service by Bishop Ingeborg Mittömme, a member of the WCC central and executive committees. The service was led by Archbishop Dr Martin Modéus and Dean Matilda Helg. His All-Holiness the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew led the Nicene Creed in Greek during the service, as the Patriarch of Alexandria did at the service in the cathedral in 1925.  Bishop Ingeborg Midttomme of Church of Norway and other church leaders from a range of different traditions gather to present an ecumenical appeal on the theme 'Time for God's Peace' during an ecumenical prayer service in Uppsala Cathedral. Photo: Albin Hillert/WCC An Ecumenical Appeal was presented, acknowledging that church leaders were gathering in a time that cries out for peace. “A peace that is not merely the absence of war, but is marked by justice and reconciliation,” the appeal reads. “In this time, God calls us—as churches, as siblings in faith, as fellow human beings—to be bearers of God’s peace.” The appeal reminded those gathered that the mission of the church is not for our own sake, but for the sake of the world.  “We stand together—different in traditions, languages, contexts, and expressions—yet united in Christ,” reads the appeal. “Our unity is not uniformity, but a reconciled diversity that reflects God’s creative love. His All Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew of the Ecumenical Patriarchate (left), Most Rev. Stephen Cottrell, Archbishop of York (right) and behind them Archbishop Dr Martin Modéus of Church of Sweden, exit the church in procession at the conclusion of an ecumenical prayer service in Uppsala Cathedral. Photo: Albin Hillert/WCC The appeal also emphasized the common responsibility to work for peace. “The pursuit of peace and the possibility of reconciliation are central to the churches’ common witness,” reads the appeal. “We urge one another to stand against violence, to promote dialogue between religions and cultures, and to be a voice for those who are not heard.” The appeal reflected that God’s peace is not passive. “It is active. It seeks justice. It builds bridges. It heals wounds and creates space for reconciliation,” reads the appeal. “Therefore, we cannot remain silent when people are displaced, when hatred takes root, when human-caused climate change threatens the future of life.” Many of the churches that were represented with guests at the 1925 meeting are now established in Sweden. In 1925, the theme for the Stockholm meeting and the service in Uppsala was that the unity of the church is for the sake of the world. The meeting was part of the efforts for peace and understanding after the First World War, in a tumultuous time when the church sought its mission in relation to modernity, industrialization, and new social forms. Photo gallery: Ecumenical Week in Stockholm 2025 Service at Stockholm Cathedral marks centenary of 1925 conference on Life and Work (WCC news release, 24 August 2025) Peace festival high point of Ecumenical Week in Stockholm (WCC feature, 24 August 2025) Archbishop Söderblom honoured for 1925 Stockholm conference at centennial event (WCC news release, 24 August 2025) Roundtable focuses on urgent need for God’s peace (WCC news release, 24 August 2025) "United in faith and action,” global church prays together (WCC news release, 22 August 2025) Called to Transformation” dialogue explores prophetic role of diakonia (WCC news release, 22 August 2025) WCC releases Life and Work Digital Collection (WCC news release, 21 August 2025) Reflections on Life and Work consultation call for moral leadership, deeper unity (WCC interview, 21 August 2025) “Reclaiming the Spirit of Life and Work for Ecumenical Renewal” (WCC news release, 18 August 2025) With anniversary just around the corner – churches from across the globe to gather in Stockholm (WCC news release, 15 August 2025) See more

The World Council of Churches promotes Christian unity in faith, witness and service for a just and peaceful world. An ecumenical fellowship of churches founded in 1948, today the WCC brings together 356 Protestant, Orthodox, Anglican and other churches representing more than 580 million Christians in over 120 countries, and works cooperatively with the Roman Catholic Church. The WCC general secretary is Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay from the Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa. Media contact: +41 79 507 6363; www.oikoumene.org/press Our visiting address is: World Council of Churches Chemin du Pommier 42 Kyoto Building Le Grand-Saconnex CH-1218 Switzerland

WCC news: "United in faith and action,” global church prays together

During a special Ecumenical Celebration in Filadelfiakyrka, Sweden on 22 September, religious leaders from across the world drew together to commemorate the history of the ecumenical movement and to chart a future with even deeper unity and determined action. Photo: Albin Hillert/WCC 22 August 2025 The celebration was part of an Ecumenical Week that is commemorating the 100th anniversary of the Ecumenical Conference in Stockholm of 1925, a significant beginning for the modern ecumenical movement. Those presently gathered in Stockholm are celebrating ecumenism, peace, and fellowship. Archbishop Martin Modeus, archbishop of the Church of Sweden and moderator of the Christian Council of Sweden, reflected on the heritage of the gathering, particularly of the legacy of Archbishop Nathan Söderblom of Uppsala. “He spoke about the Holy Spirit inviting a flame in the hearts of all who came regardless of where they came from,” said Modeus. “Love is not to look at each other but to look in the same direction. We as Christians are asked to stand by the side of Christ to be able to see what he sees, say what he says, and do what he does.” Rev. Karin Wiborn, church leader in the Uniting Church in Sweden, introduced the presidium of the Christian Council of Sweden, which represents 27 different churches. “We have been dreaming, talking, and walking together to host you here,” she said. Photo: Albin Hillert/WCC His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew offered a homily, “Time for God’s Peace,” during which he reflected on the developments and expectations of the ecumenical movement in the face of a fractured world that looks to religious leaders for reconciliation and peace.  "We owe it to our global community to be united in faith and action,” said the Ecumenical Patriarch. “We can only offer a credible witness when we stand together in prayerful invocation of God’s peace that surpasses our understanding and achievements.” The Ecumenical Patriarch also noted that the commitment of the Ecumenical Patriarchate to the vision and mission of the World Council of Churches has always been unwavering and paramount.  “Today, we can see unfolding before our eyes an increasingly divided world,” he said. “Never before has it also been possible for one group of human beings to eradicate as many people simultaneously.” Never before has humanity been in a position to destroy so much of the planet’s environmental resources, the Ecumenical Patriarch added. “As Christians united in our faith and conviction that this is the time for God’s peace, we have an ethical obligation to resist war as a political and national necessity and instead to promote peace as an existential and spiritual demand,” he said. “The threat to the fabric of human life and the survival of the natural environment render this obligation the overarching priority over all others.” Photo: Albin Hillert/WCC World Council of Churches general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay shared an address that commemorated those who gathered in Stockholm 100 years ago and spoke out for justice, peace, reconciliation, and a new ordering of society.  “The conference gave birth to the Life and Work movement in which churches sought to respond to social, political, and international challenges, and was one of the main ecumenical streams that led to the creation of the World Council of Churches in 1948,” Pillay said. “The youngest delegate at the Stockholm Conference was Willem Visser ’t Hooft, who in 1948 became the WCC’s first general secretary.” The Orthodox participation in Stockholm is significant, both 100 years ago and today, noted Pillay.  “One hundred years after the Stockholm Conference, the witness of the ecumenical movement for unity amid division is once again an urgent calling in a world that is on an accelerating trajectory of fragmentation, confrontation, and conflict, and away from justice, solidarity, and peace,” he said.  His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew homily at the Ecumenical Celebration in Filadelfiakyrka WCC general secretary address at the Ecumenical Celebration in Filadelfiakyrka Photo gallery: Ecumenical Week in Stockholm 2025 Called to Transformation” dialogue explores prophetic role of diakonia (WCC news release, 22 August 2025) WCC releases Life and Work Digital Collection (WCC news release, 21 August 2025) Reflections on Life and Work consultation call for moral leadership, deeper unity (WCC interview, 21 August 2025) “Reclaiming the Spirit of Life and Work for Ecumenical Renewal” (WCC news release, 18 August 2025) With anniversary just around the corner – churches from across the globe to gather in Stockholm (WCC news release, 15 August 2025) See more

The World Council of Churches promotes Christian unity in faith, witness and service for a just and peaceful world. An ecumenical fellowship of churches founded in 1948, today the WCC brings together 356 Protestant, Orthodox, Anglican and other churches representing more than 580 million Christians in over 120 countries, and works cooperatively with the Roman Catholic Church. The WCC general secretary is Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay from the Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa. Media contact: +41 79 507 6363; www.oikoumene.org/press Our visiting address is: World Council of Churches Chemin du Pommier 42 Kyoto Building Le Grand-Saconnex CH-1218 Switzerland

WCC News: Churches invited to join global prayer chain for Ukraine

Churches across the world are ready to join a World Prayer for Ukraine on Sunday, 24 August. Hosted by the Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religious Organizations, the global prayer chain will ask for a just and lasting peace—that God will stop the war and that light will overcome darkness. People wearing the colours of the Ukrainian flag celebrate mass inside the Church of Saint Catherine at the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem, Palestine, November 2022. Photo: Albin Hillert/WCC 21 August 2025 The prayer will be held on the day when Ukraine, during ongoing Russian military aggression, will celebrate its 34th Independence Day. An online prayer calendar allows churches and individuals to sign up for prayer times, and the prayer website lists prayer needs and provides other resources for reflection and sharing. The prayer will also urge the protection of Christians in the occupied territories and for all those who minister under persecution; for the return of abducted children and healing for wounded families; and for comfort for those who have lost loved ones and for emotional and spiritual restoration. About 700 temples and churches of various denominations have been destroyed or damaged as a result of the military actions in Ukraine. More than 70 Ukrainian pastors and priests have been killed by Russian troops. The Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religious Organizations is an interdenominational and interreligious association that represents 95% of the religious community of Ukraine.  World Council of Churches commends to all WCC member churches and ecumenical partners the call issued by the Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religious Organizations to join a World Day of Prayer for Ukraine on 24 August and pray for the end of the war.  WCC expresses hope and prayer for a just peace for people of Ukraine (WCC news release, 15 August 2025) Appeal of the Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religious Organizations on the occasion of the World Prayer for Ukraine Learn more about the Global Prayer for Ukraine on 24 August 2025 See more

The World Council of Churches promotes Christian unity in faith, witness and service for a just and peaceful world. An ecumenical fellowship of churches founded in 1948, today the WCC brings together 356 Protestant, Orthodox, Anglican and other churches representing more than 580 million Christians in over 120 countries, and works cooperatively with the Roman Catholic Church. The WCC general secretary is Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay from the Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa. Media contact: +41 79 507 6363; www.oikoumene.org/press Our visiting address is: World Council of Churches Chemin du Pommier 42 Kyoto Building Le Grand-Saconnex CH-1218 Switzerland

Prayers for Our Community, Our Nation and Our World

We can offer specific daily prayers for our community, nation and world. Between Monday, August 25 and Sunday, August 31, we'll lay before God the needs listed below.

• Monday, August 25, 2025 - That we remember those who died in service to their country.
• Tuesday, August 26, 2025 - That World Vision will be able to address real human need around the world.
• Wednesday, August 27, 2025 - That Russia and Ukraine find a peaceful resolution to their conflict.
• Thursday, August 28, 2025 - That governments recognize that their nations will be judged based on how they treat the poor and the powerless.
• Friday, August 29, 2025 - That children be protected from those who are not seeking their best interest.
• Saturday, August 30, 2025 - That peace will be restored in the Middle East.
• Sunday, August 31, 2025 - That businesses, unions and government officials would be ethical in all tax reporting and financial transactions.