 |
|
Love your neighbor as yourself
|
|
SERVANT to SERVANT 1-29-16
|
|
B
ishop Jamison J. Hardy had the pleasure of visiting and preaching at Faith, Naples, FL on Sunday, January 24, 2016.
Pictured left to right:
The Rev. Donald Treglown, Bishop Jamison J. Hardy, The Rev. Bradford Hildebrandt
|
|
|
DETROIT CIRCUITS #11 and #12
ANNUAL CATECHISM RETREAT
|
|
Thirty-two youth attended an overnight Catechism Retreat at Grace, Redford, MI from Friday, January 22, 2016 to Saturday, January 23, 2016. Youth from Grace,
Redford; Shepherd King, West Bloomfield; St. Paul's, St. Clair Shores; Christ the King, Grosse Pointe Woods; and Good Shepherd, Toledo, OH joined together for Bible study, devotions, games in the church gym, movies and fellowship. In addition, the youth performed a service project. They worked together to fill tote bags for homeless children through Project Night Night. The tote bags will be delivered to Lutheran Child and Family Services. Ninety-one bags were stuffed with a blanket, stuffed animal and a book. Five pastors and five volunteers were also present throughout the night.
|
|
Click on the links below:
|
|
|
TEACHING THE FAITH AT HOME
|
|
|
Keeping Kids Connected to the Church Starts at Home
|
|
|
Congregations commonly struggle with the question, "How do we keep kids and families connected to the church after the children complete confirmation?"
In Teaching the Faith at Home: What Does This Mean? How Is This Done?, author Dr. David Rueter asserts that the key to keeping families connected to the church is catechesis grounded in the home.
Endorsement
"This is an excellent, reader-friendly book, championing the cause of lifelong learning and lifespan catechesis. Rueter recognizes the responsibility of the whole church for raising disciples. He makes the case that catechesis is something church and family do together. Anyone concerned about teaching the faith to children, youth, and adults through the entire span of life will find plenty to chew on."
-Rev. Dr. Terry Dittmer, Senior Director of LCMS Youth Ministry
|
|
|
FIFTEEN ADULTS ARE BAPTIZED
|
|
|
|
| Visible left to right: Vicar Philip Gai, The Rev. Justin Park, The Rev. Derek Mathers, Daryoush Bahrami, and The Rev. Jeffrey Kunsman |
The mission of St. Luke, Toronto, ON is one congregation consisting of different fellowship groups in Slovak, Farsi, Korean and English languages. On the first Sunday of every month they cancel all the individual language services and worship together as one. On Sunday, January 24, 2016, fifteen adults were baptized at St. Luke's and since 2009, over 100 adult baptisms have been celebrated.
|
|
|
NATIONAL LUTHERAN SCHOOLS WEEK
|
|
National Lutheran Schools Week - What?
Submitted by Vicki Helmling, Administrator, Grace English, Chicago, IL
IT'S NATIONAL LUTHERAN SCHOOLS WEEK!!
That's right, National Lutheran Schools Week!
What's so important? The kiddos dress differently; we have different activities. Is it so different than the schools that have a "Spirit Week" during the year?
Yes! This is our SPIRIT week. Most of our Lutheran Schools in the U.S. and Canada are celebrating together the fact that we are Lutheran schools.
We have a distinct identity. We have distinct beliefs.
We teach something very unique. The children here at Grace English, Chicago, IL and those at West Portal, San Francisco, CA 2,000 miles away are being taught the very same thing. Not just reading, writing, or arithmetic. We teach first and foremost the Bible as the Word of God. Jesus is my Lord and Savior. Jesus came, died, and was raised from the dead for me a sinner from birth. I cannot do anything for salvation - it is truly a gift of God. This is universal in all our Lutheran schools.
Our schools may be diverse and different in setting, style, culture and context, but they celebrate "life together" in confession and mission.*
Lutheran schools share and celebrate life together as a church that confesses the Lord who proclaims, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life" (John 14:6). Lutheran schools are "together" in mission. God's inspired witness, John, summarizes his Gospel: "These are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name" (John 20:31).*
This year as we celebrate National Lutheran Schools Week let us remember our togetherness in Christ.
Life together - "God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord" (1 Corinthians 1:9).
While other schools may have a spirit week, remember we have a SPIRIT week and a SPIRIT life.
*From NLSW - Resource Manual 2016
Below are photos from some of the Lutheran Schools in the English District. |
|
|
Abounding Love Preschool, Lee's Summit, MO |
|
Grace Beginnings Preschool, Wyoming, MI |
|
|
|
West Portal, San Francisco, CA |
West Portal,
San Francisco, CA |
|
|
|
Both campuses from West Portal, San Francisco, CA joined together for a worship service in celebration of National Lutheran Schools Week. A student praise band played the music for the service.
|
|
|
|
| Hales Corners, Hales Corners, WI |
|
|
|
Hales Corners,
Hales Corners, WI |
|
|
|
|
Grace English, Chicago, IL |
|
|
Grace English,
Chicago, IL |
|
|
|
The Lutheran Education Association annually affirms exemplary educators through 14 awards in defined educational ministries. Each award recognizes educational ministry characterized by a strong commitment to serving Jesus Christ, and excellence and effectiveness in teaching, leadership, and professionalism. This year the English District had four award recipients!
Click on the names below to read more about these distinguished educators.
Albert Amling, Hales Corners Lutheran Middle School, Hales Corners, WI: 2016 LEA Distinguished Lutheran Elementary Administrator Award
Gloria Lawrence, Hales Corners Lutheran Elementary, Hales Corners, WI: 2016 LEA Distinguished Lutheran Early Childhood Teacher Award
Eva Fronk, Hales Corners, WI: 2016 LEA Distinguished Retired Lutheran Educator "EncourAGING" Award
Kayla Konow, Redeemer Lutheran School, Verona, PA: 2016 LEA Distinguished Lutheran Early Childhood Teacher Award
|
|
|
PROFESSIONAL CHURCH WORKERS CONFERENCE
June 14-16, 2016
|
|
|
The Professional Church Workers (PCW) Conference will be held beginning the evening of Tuesday, June 14, 2016 and will continue until noon on Thursday, June 16, 2016. It will take place in Hales Corners, WI. You are invited to arrive a day early to attend the J2e3 Conference (Jesus to...Everyone. Everywhere. Everyday.) The J2e3 Conference will be held June 13, 2016 to noon on June 15, 2016. Registration information coming soon. The district circuit visitors will meet following the PCW Conference until noon on June 17, 2016. Save the dates!
|
|
|
Assistant to the Bishop and Mission Executive Rev. Derek Mathers led a day retreat at St. Mark, Mississauga, ON. The Rev. Jeffrey Miskus and the Board of Elders were in attendance. The them for the day was "Congregations Reflect Their Leadership."
|
|
|
|
| Pictured left to right: Robert Bauer, Bernie Indewey, The Rev. Derek Mathers, Larry Weidenfelder, Jeff Rowat, Bob Honeyford, Hartmut Gabsch, Betty Nykolaychuk, Vicar Philip Gai, Vicar Matthias Benfey, Suzanne Ball, Baris Ozol, and The Rev. Jeffrey Miskus |
|
|
|
Augusta Mennell, Campus Ministry Director, from All Saints, Slippery Rock, PA is our guest blogger this week. Augusta shares the importance of welcoming people - especially students - on "C" and "E" holidays! Not sure what that means?
Click below to read her story and learn more!
|
|
Call-Accepted
The Rev. Eddie Morales, Outer Drive Faith, Southfield, MI has accepted the call to serve Martin Luther Chapel, Pennsauken, NJ.
|
|
|
On Sunday, January 24, 2016 Rev. Paul Koester, from Milwaukee, WI, had a stroke while getting ready to lead worship at an inner city congregation. Please keep him in your prayers as he continues to recover from this health issue.
|
|
|
2016 LWML ENGLISH DISTRICT CONVENTION
|
|
You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love. Galatians 5:13
LWML English District 37th Biennial Convention 2016
Freely Sowing, Serving, and Sharing
April 22-24, 2016
Embassy Suites Philadelphia - Airport
9000 Bartram Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19153
- Free shuttle to hotel
- Full breakfast included with your room
- Tours into Philadelphia to see the Liberty Bell, The Constitution Center, Love Park, and more!
- Festival Preacher and Bible Study Leader: Rev. Ryan Peterson
- Servant Events: Orphan Grain Train & PLM
- Mission Speakers: Rev. Adam DeGroot - PLM; Rob Hall - Orphan Grain Train; Rev. Nathan Esala - Lutheran Bible Translators
- Praise Gathering
- The Philadelphia Zone is looking forward to greeting each and every one of you with a smile and a LWML hug!
The following links provide more information about the convention:
Release Form
Hotel Information
Registration Form Registration Deadline: March 31, 2016
Registration Letter
In-Gathering Items
Luncheon Interest Sessions
Pre-Convention Tour
Service Events
|
|
|
In
an effort to make the English District a more useful tool in the success of your own congregation, Bishop Hardy is asking for your help in the completion of a Church Leadership Form. His hope is to more efficiently reach out to you in a timely manner and to work with you more closely as brothers and sisters in Christ. The form is very simple to complete. All he asks for is the contact information for the leaders of your congregation, including those individuals who serve on your church council.
Please complete the form and mail/email/fax it to the English District office:
English District LCMS
33100 Freedom Rd.
Farmington, MI 48336-4030
Fax: 248-476-0188
|
|
If you are receiving this publication for the first time, it is because you have been identified as a leader of your congregation and someone who may benefit from hearing from the district on a regular basis. The English District eNewsletter, Servant to Servant, is emailed every Friday and will contain photos, stories, and noteworthy information from around the English District and The Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod. If you would like to have it sent to a different email address, click on the "Update Profile/Email Address" link at the bottom. If you prefer not to receive these communications from us, you may opt out at any time by clicking the "SafeUnsubscribe" link at the bottom.
You are encouraged to share the information from Servant to Servant with members of your congregation. All are invited to subscribe to this weekly publication by emailing Peggy Oke at [email protected] or simply forward the newsletter to them using the "Spread the Word" link at the bottom left of this newsletter. They can subscribe by clicking on the link at the bottom right titled "Sign up for our emails." Thanks for spreading the word!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
