Love your neighbor as yourself
SERVANT to SERVANT                        4-1-16


 
A WORD FROM THE BISHOP
Easter is now past, and the business of Holy Week is behind the workers of the Church. The people of God have been fed and now what does the pastor do with his time?
 
I pondered this question on my drive to Michigan this past Monday.
 
After reading a letter from the great Swedish theologian, Bo Giertz, I found myself wondering, what about the pastor? In his essay on the pastoral office, Giertz notes, "It is a miracle if a priest is saved."  You might wonder why that question is relevant.
 
For most good pastors, daily life is consumed with the spiritual needs of God's people and preparing for the public proclamation of the Gospel. In doing so, many pastors can forget about their personal spiritual health and well-being. In fact, for Giertz, the pastor is lucky to be saved because of a complete lack of care for one's own spiritual health. Giertz points out a stark reality in the life of the pastor stating, "The old Adam did not die at your ordination." Therefore, pastors must take care of their individual spiritual well-being and make time to hear the Good News of Christ for the salvation of their personal souls. To that end, pastors must make time for personal confession, reflection and prayer with their Father in heaven.
 
Satan wants to destroy the workers of the Church because it will, in turn, destroy the Church. Take time for personal reflection, prayer, private confession, and feeding by way of the Word of God. Make the time needed to charge the spiritual batteries of your soul. For if we, the servants of Christ, are not fed and nourished, then how can we show love to our neighbors?
 
All children of Christ must first receive the love of the Savior and the care of the Holy Spirit before they are able to show love to the neighbor. Your acts of love begin with first being loved and only then can we care for those who are our neighbors. Take time for your own spiritual care and refreshment in the wonderful Gospel message. Enjoy the truth of the sin bearer as your reality in life and death. This will empower you to be able to live the great commands of Christ to love your God and love your neighbor.
 
Live in that joyous message.   

BISHOP'S VISIT
On Friday, March 18, 2016 Bishop Jamison J. Hardy enjoyed having lunch with the pastors and members from Prince of Peace, Mesquite, NV and Our Savior's, St. George, UT. During his visit to Las Vegas, NV he was surprised to be reunited with a high school and college friend, Stacy McGee Hoeft. Stacy is the CEO/President of Lutheran Special Education Ministry (LSEM).
Rev. Dr. James Murray, Emeritus, Bishop Jamison J. Hardy, Rev. Travis Lauterbach, Prince of Peace, Mesquite, NV and  Rev. Arthur Drehman, Our Savior's, St. George, UT

Bishop Jamison J. Hardy and Stacy McGhee Hoeft. Both graduated from

Lutheran High School, Westland, MI and Concordia University, Mequon, WI.

DIVINE CALLS
Calls Accepted
The Rev. David L. Schinbeckler from Holy Redeemer, Sandusky, MI has accepted the call to serve Redeemer, Austintown, OH.

The Rev. Dr. Wade E. Butler from Family of Christ, Phoenix, AZ has accepted the call to serve Martin Luther Chapel, Pennsauken, NJ as an Intentional Interim Minister.

Call Declined
The Rev. John Diener from Grace, Wyoming, MI has declined the call to serve Trinity, Appleton, MN.

PASSION PLAY
The Last Supper
Mount Calvary, Lititz, PA put on their first Passion Play over Palm Sunday weekend. After five years of a very successful Live Nativity, the members wanted to finish the story they began telling at Christmas.Over 70 church members made it happen as part of the cast or crew, and more than 215 neighbors came to see and hear the story of our Lord's death and resurrection from Matthew's gospel and the prophet Isaiah. 
Jesus stands before Pilate
Jesus carrying the cross
CHURCH AND SCHOOL ACTIVITIES
Love your neighbor as yourself
Kenya Project
Students at Bethesda International Academy, Chicago, IL, show how to "Love your neighbor as yourself." The third and fourth graders contributed to the Math-a-thon: The Kenya Project, which was a fundraiser to raise money for the less fortunate in Kenya. It gets cold there at night and many people don't have proper blankets to keep warm. With the money that students raised, they were able to purchase 37 blankets for 37 families!
Easter Egg Hunt
Community Involvement

Shepherd King Lutheran Church, West Bloomfield, MI, invited the families from Head Start in Farmington Hills, MI, to a luncheon, Easter Egg Hunt and to a take-home meal for Easter. Over 70 children attended the event, as well as a parent or grandparent. Thanks to Thrivent who gave $250 from one of their action team accounts. The baskets were given help to feed the families and share Christ's resurrection and love with the community. A great way to show how to "Love you neighbor as yourself."
Take home meal for Easter
Children from Head Start, Farmington Hills, MI
God Bless America!
 
On Friday, March 25, 2016, students from Hales Corners Middle School, Hales Corners, WI sang the National Anthem on AM 620 WTMJ radio for their 'We Love Wisconsin Tour'. 

Congratulations to Pastor Michael Frese!
The Rev. Michael Frese, of Redeemer Lutheran Church in Ft. Wayne, IN, is a war veteran and Purple Heart recipient and also serves as the Wing Chaplain for the 122nd Fighter Wing, Fort Wayne, IN in the Indiana Air National Guard. He was named, out of approximately 300 chaplains nationwide, as the 2015 Outstanding Air National Guard (ANG) Chaplain (Samuel Stone Award).
RITE OF CONFIRMATION
Lord, Help Us Ever to Retain     Hymn # 865 stz. 1 (LSB)
 
Lord, help us ever to retain
The Catechism's doctrine plain
As Luther taught the Word of truth
In simple style to tender youth.

We rejoice with thankful hearts that you have been baptized and have received the teaching of the Lord. You have confessed the faith and been absolved of your sins. As you continue to hear the Lord's Word and receive His blessed Sacrament, He who has begun a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.

Palm Sunday, March 20, 2016
Rev. Robert F. Weldon, Sr. and

Megan Murtha of

Grace, Elyria, OH

Palm Sunday, March 20, 2016
Rev. Eric S. Carlson, Benjamin Black, Jordan Colaizzi, Sarah Sciorilli, Ana Crain, Bishop Jamison J. Hardy of Peace, McMurray, PA
SING THE FAITH
Words paired with music are more easily learned and remembered.  With Sing the Faith, the words of the Small Catechism are set to original tunes in order to teach and aid memory of these important words. 

Each of the 67 upbeat songs covers a portion of the Ten Commandments, Apostles' Creed, Lord's Prayer, Baptism, Confession, the Office of the Keys, the Lord's Supper, and prayers.

Sing at home, in the car, at school or at Sunday school. Sing here, there, and everywhere. Sale price: $7.99

ENGLISH DISTRICT BLOG
Who - or what - keeps you grounded?
Guest blogger Vicki Helmling shares a thought-provoking moment. Vicki is the school Administrator at Grace Lutheran School in Chicago, IL.


This past weekend, as we were cleaning up the stage and getting it ready for the Talent Show, I found a brand-new, heavy-duty extension cord. This was great news, as we are always in need of these types of cords. I knew that it was a new one, as it is the one I've been looking for since last summer. One I purchased for use here at school. Imagine my excitement as I planned to use it this evening. Now imagine my disappointment as I had to throw it away. Why did it get thrown away? It was missing a very important piece - the "grounding prong" had been cut off by someone to use in an outlet that couldn't accept a plug with a ground prong.

Why do we have that ground prong? The easy answer is to keep us from getting an electric shock. What happens if someone cuts off the ground prong? Nothing to the appliance or item the person is using, however, a very important safety feature is no longer there for protection. What has happened is the person using the item is now at risk from electric shock, if a wire comes loose.

What about us? What is our grounding prong? What or who keeps us grounded?

Read more
Blessings in Adversity
Guest blogger, Rev. Ben Eder, pastor of Pilgrim Lutheran Church, Kenmore, NY and the First Vice President of the English District, tackles the topic we all face: Why me?

As many of you know, my wife Linda received a cancer diagnosis in December,
2015. The cancer has been removed and she is feeling fine (chemo treatments notwithstanding). We are hopeful for a full and complete recovery. Please join us in prayer that, Lord willing, this may be so!

For years, as a pastor I had been ministering to those suffering from cancer and other life-threatening illnesses: now, it hits closer to home. What have I learned from this experience (so far)?

Do you have a ministry experience you would like to share? If so, you could be a guest blogger for the English District. For consideration, please send an email to Lynne Cobb, Communications Coordinator for the English District LCMS, at lcobb@englishdistrict.org.

CONGREGATION STATISICAL REPORT
Congregations were mailed instructions for submitting their 2015 statistical report on February 1, 2016. To date only 47% of the English District congregations have reported. The deadline has been extended to April 10th. Please complete and return it as soon as possible. If your congregation has lost the letter with the login information and password, please contact Evelyn Jentzen at EJentzen@englishdistrict.org.
INTERNATIONAL WORKERS
Greetings from Santo Domingo!
Thank you for your continued prayers and support for the work God is doing through His people in Latin America and the Caribbean.

James and Christel Neuendorf
International Workers 

Read the Neuendorf's latest newsletter.
 
 

We thank you for following our work here in Africa. In this month's newsletter we have some great news to share with you about what God has been doing here in Ghana. Please join us in prayer for the lost of this region that they might come to know the joy of this season with us.
We pray that your Easter season will be filled with the joy that Christ has completed His work of redemption and has been crowned as victorious. God bless and keep you in His grace.
Rev. Dale and Suzanne Kaster
International Workers - Ghana, West Africa
 
Read the Kaster's latest newsletter.
JOB OPENING
Lutheran Braille Workers: Administrator of Christian Outreach


Lutheran Braille Workers  (LBW), a Recognized Service Organization of The Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod, seeks applicants for the position of Administrator of Christian Outreach. LBW exists to reach out to people who are blind or visually impaired with the Good News of Jesus Christ.

The successful candidate will oversee the starting and maintaining of Lutheran Braille Workers Outreach Centers, serve as a spiritual encourager to participants in the Outreach Centers who are people with visual disability, develop and maintain good working relationships with host congregations/organizations, and encourage prayer, volunteer, and financial support among Outreach Centers, Work Centers, other congregations and other organizations.

Preferred Qualifications
  1. Rostered LCMS Church Worker (ordained or commissioned);
  2. Experience in LCMS organizations (congregation, RSO, District/Synod, World Missions);
  3. Proficient in braille and other tools used by people who are blind (adaptive technology);
  4. Experience in other organizations that serve people who are blind (National Federation for the Blind, American Council of the Blind, World Blind Union, etc.).

For a detailed job description, email revdennis@LBWinc.org or call 800-925-6092.

 

Parish Nurses Offer Hope in Rural Populations
 
United States farming communities and their families are indeed special populations that the church serves. From the wheat fields of Kansas to the dairy farms of Wisconsin, from the or­chards in Washington to the orange groves in Florida, farmers serve our country by providing not only food and fibers, but also jobs to many. Farmers are unique individu­als, working independently, for the most part on family farms, and developing such strong work ethics that they often enter the health care sector late. Often, they lack a comprehensive insurance plan, so rural churches can be a vital part of farming populations' daily lives by providing a congregational health ministry.
 
 
April Life Workshops

The Church and Mental Health
LCMS Life Ministry is hosting a symposium entitled "The Church and Mental Health" from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm on Saturday, April 9, 2016, at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, MO. The event will provide resources for congregations and pastors who are helping families navigate mental-health issues.
There is no cost to attend, and lunch is provided.
Join us as we begin the conversation about this topic, led by the following presenters:
  • Dr. Beverly Yahnke, executive director for Christian counsel, DOXOLOGY;
  • Rev. Todd Peperkorn, pastor of Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Rocklin, CA;
  • Rev. Jeffery Pflug, pastor of Faith Lutheran Church, Madison, IN, and LCMS Disability Task Force member; and
  • Deaconess Dorothy Krans, director of LCMS Recognized Service Organizations and LCMS Disability Task Force member.
We hope this will provide a good starting point for families and congregations, and we look forward to starting a conversation that will extend beyond this one day.
For more information or to register, contact LCMS Life Ministry at 314-996-1711 or email tracy.quaethem@lcms.org
 
2016 Theological Conference: Let's Talk Life
Saturday, April 16, 2016
Our Savior Lutheran Church
7910 E. St Joe Hwy.
Lansing, MI 48917

As Christians, we not only recognize life as a gift from God-we celebrate life! We are called to  STAND together for life ... to  SPEAK for those who have no voice, to  SUPPORT those seeking truth, to  AFFIRM the value and the dignity of every human life. The 2016 Theological Conference, Let's Talk Life, will tackle these issues and teach us what we can do to be more involved in our community. Keynote speakers include retired Air Force Lt. Col. John Eidsmoe and Rev. Dr. Peter Scaer, associate professor of Systematic Theology at Concordia Theological Seminary in Ft. Wayne, IN. Sectional speakers include Rev. Paul Clark, Dr. Cindy Fenske, Ed Rivet, Rev. Trevor & Elizabeth Sutton, and Rev. Dr. Robert Weise. Cost is $20/student and $25/general admission.

The live stream for the event is free. If you would like to watch the live stream, please register and you will receive an email with viewing instructions as the event draws closer.
 
Join us! Let's Talk Life!
 
Lifeline website:  www.englishdistrictlifeline.org

Concordia Seminary, St. Louis and Peace Officer Ministries, Inc. (POM) will host "Christian Law Enforcement Chaplaincy-Theology and Practice," May 23-27, 2016, on the Seminary campus. The workshop offers unique accredited training for chaplains, peace officers and pastors, focusing on effective Christian ministry to and through law enforcement.

 
LCMS Office of National Mission Scholarships
Limited scholarships may be available for Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod (LCMS) pastors and church workers, made available by the LCMS Office of National Mission. Contact ce@csl.edu for more information.

The Terri Ruffatto Memorial Scholarship awards scholarships to LCMS seminary students based on an express interest in practical theology in the area of chaplaincy. The scholarship funds cover Christian Law Enforcement Chaplaincy Seminar tuition, and room and board to attend the seminar.

For more information on Peace Officer Ministries visit www.peaceofficerministries.org.


Greetings English District NYG Participants!
 
Steamboat Natchez
We hope you are able to join us for the English District Event on Wednesday, July 20, 2016 at 2:00 pm. We will be taking a riverboat cruise on the Steamboat Natchez. There will be jazz music and a mid-afternoon lunch. The cost for the event is $30.00 per person. It will be a great opportunity to connect with other English District youth!
 
We also hope you join us in ordering English District NYG t-shirts. The shirts are $10.00 each. XXL shirts have an extra $2.00 charge. Please wear the District t-shirts on the last day of the Gathering--the day of our English District Event.
 
If Primary Adult Leaders did not receive an order form via email, please email me at dcekorey@beautifulsavior-lsmo.org . Please fill out ONE registration form per congregation. Forms and full payment are to be mailed to me (615 SE Todd George Pkwy, Lee's Summit, MO 64063) by April 30, 2016. Please make checks payable to English District - LCMS.
 
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me.
 
Blessings on your planning!
Korey Danley, DCE
LCMS National Youth Gathering
English District Coordinator

PROFESSIONAL CHURCH WORKERS and
CIRCUIT VISITORS CONFERENCES
June 14-17, 2016
The 2016 Professional Church Workers (PCW) and Circuit Visitors Conferences will be held June 14-17, 2016 in Milwaukee, WI. The registration deadline is April 29th.

Mark your calendars now and complete the online registration form at PCW Conference Registration.
 
DEADLINE for your District registration form is April 29th.
Please register separately for J2e3 Missions Summit by May 13th.

Please note: Hotel/airport shuttle hours are 6:30 am-10:00 pm.

66th LCMS CONVENTION INFORMATION
Planners have released more details on events for the 66th Regular Convention of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, set for July 9-14, 2016 at the Wisconsin Center in Milwaukee, WI.

Among those updates is a tentative, basic schedule. A more detailed schedule that includes the order of convention business will be provided later. The schedule is considered tentative, as Bylaw 3.1.9(i)(2) states that the president "shall, at the first session and during the course of succeeding sessions of the convention, announce the order of business for the day and following days."

The convention will begin with an opening Divine Service, 7:30 PM July 9th. Pre-service music begins at 7:00 PM. Convention business will be conducted until 6:00 PM each full day thereafter.


SERVANT TO SERVANT e-NEWSLETTER
Previous issues of the e-Newlsetter, Servant to Servant, are available on the Resources page of the English District website:

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 poke@englishdistrict.org 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!
 
ENGLISH DISTRICT LCMS

webmail@englishdistrict.org



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