2026 Advent Resources from ELCA World Hunger Are Here!
This Advent, ELCA World Hunger invites us to celebrate the abundance of God's love by strengthening relationships with our neighbors, sharing what we have, and finding joy in community.
Inspired by Mary's Magnificat, the theme for 2026 is “Filled With Good Things.” After a year marked by economic hardship and uncertainty for many families, ELCA World Hunger encourages congregations to spend Advent getting to know their neighbors, building community, and discovering new ways to share God's abundance.
The new collection of free Advent resources offers creative opportunities for individuals, families, Sunday school classes, small groups, and entire congregations to connect prayer, learning, generosity, and action.
What's Available for Advent 2026?
Advent Devotional: Four weekly reflections inspired by Scripture, exploring belonging, authentic advocacy, joy amid hardship, and the courage to build community. 3.0MB Download here. Order here.
Advent Calendar: A seasonal resource for households and congregations to engage with the Advent theme. Download Calendar 5MB. Download Calendar Backdrop .544MB. Download Calendar Cutouts .364MB. Order here.
Action Guide for Congregations 2026. This guide is designed to equip you with some of the newest and most popular ELCA resources to activate your congregation as you continue your ministry. Through this work and together as a church, we are achieving things on a scale and scope we could never do otherwise. 46MB Download here. Order here.
Bulletin Insert. This bulletin insert can be distributed in your congregation to learn more about the new ELCA World Hunger Advent resources and the “Stocking the Streets” activity. 1.0MB. Download here.
ELCA Good Gifts Catalog. The 24-page ELCA Good Gifts catalog offers many ways to honor friends and loved ones with gifts that will make a difference in the world. With more than 60 giving options – from 10 little chicks to help a family escape poverty to a scholarship to help a young leader attend an ELCA seminary – there’s something for everyone on your list. The catalog is also a great resource for your congregation. Sunday school classes, youth groups and adults can use it for special fundraising events. Shop the catalog online at ELCA.org/goodgifts.
A Special Advent Project: “Stocking the Streets”
ELCA World Hunger also encourages congregations to participate in “Stocking the Streets,” a hands-on project supporting neighbors experiencing homelessness.
Congregations can assemble bags containing practical items such as new socks, hygiene wipes, first-aid supplies, hand warmers, emergency blankets, snacks, transit cards, or restaurant gift cards.
For Arizona congregations, this could be a meaningful Advent activity in partnership with a local shelter, outreach ministry, or organization serving unhoused neighbors. Ask your local partner which supplies are most needed before assembling the bags.
“Stocking the Streets” Bags. Use these instructions to participate in ELCA World Hunger’s “Stocking the Streets” activity this Advent. “Stocking the Streets” is an effort by ELCA World Hunger and your community to care for all our neighbors, some of whom lack a roof over their heads. A “Stocking the Streets” bag includes the items most frequently requested by individuals facing homelessness. .149MB. Download here.
From Advent Reflection to Faithful Action
Advent is a season of waiting and hope, but it is also a time to recognize God's work among us and respond to the needs of our neighbors.
LAMA encourages congregations to use these resources not only for seasonal giving but also to begin conversations about the root causes of hunger, poverty, and homelessness — and how compassionate service and faithful advocacy can work together.
Consider including an Advent devotion in worship, organizing a “Stocking the Streets” project, sharing ELCA Good Gifts with your congregation, or using the action guide to plan a ministry activity.
Explore and Download ELCA World Hunger's 2026 Advent Resources
This Advent, may our communities be filled with good things — compassion, generosity, friendship, justice, and the joy of discovering Christ in our neighbors.