Welcome to the Augsburg Fortress blog!

A Church-Wide Cleaning Day

By Katie Rich August 13, 2026

Our church recently hosted a church-wide clean.For us, this happened on a Sunday morning – we..

community, Hospitality, blessing, service, worship, welcome, Intergenerational Ministry

Following the Revised Common Lectionary: Expanded Daily Readings at a Seminary Chapel

By Clayton Faulkner July 30, 2026

As the Dean of the Chapel at Wartburg Theological Seminary (Dubuque, IA), I am the primary steward..

change, lectionary, evolution, revised common lectionary, worship, Growth, preaching, adapting

Bible Presentations: What's the Point?

By Heather Blackstone July 23, 2026

It’s more than just covers. When holding a book we notice things like the number of pages, the feel..

Adults Ministry, Bibles, Youth Ministry, children, Children's Bibles, reading, Illustrated Bibles, kids, Story Bibles, loved, Growth, accompaniment

Blessing ALL the Backpacks

By Katie Rich July 16, 2026

Our church has a great tradition we call “Blessing of the Backpacks”.The first Sunday after the new..

Children Ministry, Youth Ministry, Back to School, community, prayer, blessing, gift, Intergenerational Ministry

Growing Roots: The Guidance of a Starfish

By Jia Starr Brown July 9, 2026

There is a well-known tale about a person who was walking along the beach after a storm with..

Hope, empowerment, love, social justice, Holy Spirit, resistance, resurrection, Peace

Poorer Indeed: A Response to the Restriction of Women in Ministry Leadership by the Southern Baptist Convention

By Deacon Dr. Laura Gifford June 22, 2026

“Does not wisdom call, and does not understanding raise her voice? On the heights, beside the way,..

Grief, women, leadership, scripture, pastor, baptist, ReEngaging ELCA Social Teaching, ELCA, Deacon

Your Essential Worship Planning Companion: The Sundays and Seasons Suite

By Augsburg Fortress June 18, 2026

Why do we keep telling you about Sundays and Seasons? It’s a very simple answer. This product..

Planning, Faith Resources, Resources, worship, litugical calendar, preaching, Sundays and Seasons, SundaysandSeasons.com, art

Growing Roots: Trusting the Seed

By Jia Starr Brown June 11, 2026

June is often known as the month of HAPPY - school endings, summer vacations…water-everything.

faith, pride month, social justice, garden, trust, waiting, Juneteenth

Reconciling in Christ: Full Inclusion for God’s Beloved People

By ReconcilingWorks: Lutherans for Full Participation May 28, 2026

Learn more from ReconcilingWorks about this community-led journey towards full welcome, inclusion,..

church, community, pride month, reconciliation, Journey, inclusivity, Christ

Growing Roots: Intentionally Planted and Fully Adored

By Jia Starr Brown May 21, 2026

As our “ism-ridden” nation routinely “hocks and spits” out Black, Brown, immigrant, and LGBTQIA+..

community, God, garden, beloved, Growth, treasure, Spring