What’s a Playlist?
A Playlist is a set of activities exploring a topic. The activities might include reading an article or scripture, listening to a podcast or sermon, watching a video or movie clip. Each month we’ll post three Playlists designed for Children, Youth, and Adults. All of us will explore the same topic, but the Playlists will be designed for each age group. You can work your way through the Playlists at your own pace throughout the month.
Remember you can always share your thoughts in the comment section at the bottom of this page.
September Playlist
Tessa Faust, Director of Youth Ministry
Coming . . . 9/1/26
May Playlist
Advocate
Tessa Faust, Director of Youth Ministry
5/1/26
Introduction
1 John 2:1-2
1 My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous, 2 and he is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world.
Matthew 25:40
40 And the king will answer them, ‘Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did it to me.’
Just as Jesus will advocate for us to God the Father, we are called to be advocates in the world. We are called by God to care for our neighbors. As a church, Desert Cross Lutheran Church acts as an advocate with service projects such as Borderlands Produce Rescue, Feed My Starving Children, the Hunger Jar, and I-HELP. There are many ways to be involved in helping others, and it can be done in small ways.
“All advocacy is, at its core, an expression in empathy.”
Samantha Power
ELCA Advocacy Resources
The ELCA in Society website links to numerous advocacy groups in the ELCA. Some of the larger advocacy groups are Accompanying Migrants with Protection, Advocacy, Representation and Opportunities (AMMPARO), Reconciling Works, and Sumud.
AMMPARO is a way for the ELCA to accompany vulnerable migrants and all who are forcibly displaced. AMMPARO has resources for congregations and individuals to walk with migrants.
Reconciling Works is an independent non-profit organization that avocates for the acceptance and liberation of all sexual orientations, gender identities, and gender expressions within the Lutheran Church.
Sumud is the ELCA’s response to the Palestine and Israel conflict. The growing Sumud network works with bishops and synods to empower ELCA communities in accompaniment, advocacy and awareness-raising with partners in the Holy Land and in the United States.
Devotional
ELCA Advocacy has devotionals written by different members of the church. The devotional linked below is written by Hunger Advocacy Fellow, Zachary Olson.
Listen
Marty Haugen is a composer of liturgical music for the United Church of Christ and the ELCA. His song “All Are Welcome” is a liturgical song about welcoming everyone to God’s church.
Youth Activism
“Youth Activism in America: From Armbands and Walkouts to Bus Rides and Voter Drives that Would Shape Our Democracy” is an article from SoCal PBS that shows the fundamental impact that youth activism has played in shaping America. This article tells stories of youth activism from the 1800s until modern day. Click the link below to learn more.
Desert Cross Faith Formation 