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Love your neighbor as yourself
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SERVANT to SERVANT 4-29-16
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This past week has been a busy week with several things happening in the life of the English District.
Late last week I had the pleasure of being with our ladies from the English District LWML in Philadelphia, PA. I was so thankful that the ladies allowed me to speak to them at the beginning of their conference since I had to fly to St. Louis for COP meeting and Placement at both seminaries.
The LWML conference was lively and well organized. I was particularly impressed with the dedicated spirit of all the ladies that I had the pleasure to meet.
Special thanks goes out to the Philadelphia Zone for all their work in preparing for the convention and all the work done while the convention happened. Very well done! A special thank you to Jan Simmons, the English District LWML President, for your great work and dedicated leadership. (Yes, Jan is a member of my congregation and all my gals did a great job and have always been so dedicated to LWML. Way to go ladies!)
I left Friday evening from Philadelphia and flew to St. Louis where the Council of Presidents met for Placement and its regular meeting. The time spent with the brothers on the council was very valuable and needed as we discussed ways for unity and brotherhood for the sake of the Gospel. The highlight was the call services at both seminaries.
From Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, MO we received two candidates for placement. First, Samuel Maconachy, and his wife Liz, will serve as Associate Pastor at Faith Lutheran in Naples, FL. Second, Adam Thompson will serve as Associate Pastor at Fairlawn Lutheran in Akron, OH.
From Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, IN we received two candidates and three vicars. The vicars are Jacob Benson who will serve in Philadelphia with PLM. Stephan Gramenz will serve at Messiah in Danville, CA and Adam Debner and his wife Emily will serve at Advent in Zionsville, IN.
The candidates are Andrew M. J. Fedder who will serve First Lutheran in El Cajon, CA. Zachary Marklevitz and his wife Jennifer along with daughter Audrey will serve as Assistant at Grace Lutheran in Redford, MI.
We are blessed to add these fine workers in the harvest field and give thanks to our Lord for calling these men and their families into service in the English District.
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| LCMS President Matthew C, Harrison and English District Bishop/President Jamison J. Hardy |
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| Preparing for Call Service at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, MO |
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| The newest English District workers from Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, IN |
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| The newest English District workers from Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, MO |
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The English District extends a warm welcome to the following:
From Concordia Seminary - Saint Louis, MO
Samuel Maconachy of Maryland received his Master of Divinity and received the call to be an Associate Pastor at Faith Lutheran Church in Naples, FL.
Adam Thompson of Missouri received his Master of Divinity and received the call to be an Associate Pastor at Fairlawn Lutheran Church in Akron, OH.
From Concordia Theological Seminary - Fort Wayne, IN
Andrew M. J. Fedder of Hawaii received his Master of Divinity and received the call to be Sole Pastor at First Lutheran Church in El Cajon, CA.
Zacjhary W. Marklevitz of Michigan received his Master of Divinity and received the call to be an Assistant Pastor at Grace Lutheran Church in Redford, MI.
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Candidate Andrew and Megan Fedder
Children: Wesley, Beatrix
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Candidate Zachary and Jennifer Marklevitz Daughter: Audrey |
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Vicars Elect
Jacob Benson, Philadelphia Lutheran Ministries - Broomall, PA
Adam Debner, Advent Evangelical Lutheran Church - Zionsville, IN
Stefan Gramenz, Messiah Lutheran Church - Danville, CA
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Call Pending
The Rev. Joshua Moldenhauer from Grace, Oberlin OH has received the call to serve St. Paul, Woodland, IN.
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LWML 37th BIENNIAL CONVENTION
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Assembling Hygiene Kits at the LWML Convention |
The 37th Biennial Convention of the LWML English District took place April 22-24, 2016 in Philadelphia, PA. The theme was "Freely Sowing, Serving & Sharing" based on Galatians 5:13, "You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love." Ov
er 80 women were in attendance, enjoying worship services, Bible studies, Mission Speakers and Christian fellowship.
The Convention opened with a message from Bishop Jamison J. Hardy followed by a Festival Worship Service on Friday evening. The Rev. Fred Gerlach was the Celebrant and The Rev. Ryan Peterson proclaimed the message.
One of the highlights of the convention was the dynamic Bible study led by Rev. Peterson based on the theme.
Another highlight was the presentations from the following mission speakers:
- The Rev. Adam DeGroot, Philadelphia Lutheran Ministries,
- The Rev. Nathan Esala and Sarah Esala, Lutheran Bible Translators, and
- Mr. Rob Hall, Orphan Grain Train.
Elections were held for officers and the mission grants were selected. The mission goal for this biennium was set for $16,000 to support the following missions:
- Gospel Hands Vacation Bible School - Lutheran Friends of the Deaf
- Catechisms for Sudan & Sudanese Immigrants - Lutheran Heritage Foundation,
- Operation Barnabas Committee - Calvary Lutheran Church, Mechanicsburg, PA
- It's All About the Kids - Lutheran Special Education Ministries, Deaconess Rachel Powell Missionary Work in Dominican Republic,
- Grace Community Meals - Grace Lutheran Church, Wyoming, MI.
A banquet with local singing talent was enjoyed by all on Saturday night.
The Convention ended with a worship service Sunday morning with Senior Counselor The Rev. Vernon Schindler preaching and Junior Counselor, The Rev. Steve Patton as Liturgist.
The women departed refreshed and uplifted, ready to Freely Serve, Sow and Share God's Love and Word.
Submitted by Mrs. Jan H. Simmons, LWML English District President
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| Ladies from Peace, McMurray, PA |
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| LWML Officer Installation |
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Principal Gail Holzer, Kayla Marie Konow and Dr. Jonathan Laabs |
Kayla Marie Konow was awarded Outstanding New Lutheran Early Childhood Teacher on Sunday, April 24, 2016. The presentation was made by Dr. Jonathan Laabs, director of Lutheran Education Association, at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Oakmont, PA, following the worship service
Miss Konow is a second grade teacher at Redeemer, and graduated in 2015 from Concordia University in Chicago.
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PROFESSIONAL CHURCH WORKERS and
CIRCUIT VISITORS CONFERENCES
June 14-17, 2016
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Margaret E. Stuenkel, wife of The Rev. Emeritus Roger Stuenkel was called to glory on Tuesday, April 12, 2016. A memorial service was held at Risen Savior, Green Valley, AZ on Tuesday, April 26, 2016.
Read obituary |
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Doctor of Divinity
The Board of Directors of the English District has authorized that the title Doctor of Divinity be granted to an English District pastor at the June Professional Church Workers Conference. The nominees will be submitted to the College of Circuit Visitors and Praesidium for selection of the pastor to be honored.
Please email the
nomination form
to Bishop Jamison J. Hardy at [email protected].
In submitting a nominee, please indicate the reason that you feel the pastor nominated should be considered for this honor.
Deadline for nominations is Tuesday, May 10, 2016
May the Lord God bless all pastors who have served and continue to serve faithfully and fruitfully in the Lord's Vineyard.
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Synod Church Planters Look To 'Where We Aren't' In America
In a time when so many Americans are unchurched, a dozen national mission
leaders - including Synod, district and seminary representatives - met at the Synod's International Center in St. Louis, MO on April 4, 2016 to look at the future of church planting.
They gathered for a church-planting roundtable to discuss the importance of planting new LCMS churches and to examine ways to develop resources for national initiatives, as well as to have theological dialogue.
"First of all, it was the agreement on why we should plant churches - that it's not just about our institutional preservation - it's just a natural part of the church. It's just who we are as a church body," said the Rev. Steve Schave, director of LCMS Church Planting with the Office of National Mission (ONM). "We need to continue putting that in front of people to promote why church planting is important in reaching the lost."
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Dear Friends in Christ,
We wish you all a blessed Easter Season! This last few weeks have been very busy for us as we get ready to move to Mexico as a family. We thank you for your prayers and support of God's mission in Mexico. Continue to keep us in your prayers as we make this transition. God's richest blessings to all of you!
In Christ,
Daniel, Kathy, and Ana Conrad
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Dear Brothers and Sisters,
Christ has risen! He has risen, indeed! Alleluia!
That Easter greeting is at the heart of all Christian witness. If Christ was still dead we would have nothing to tell. We would be without any hope whatsoever. But Christ has been raised and has conquered sin, death, and hell. That is such good news that Christians tell others, whether near or far, of the hope that we have in the living Christ.
We pray that this newsletter will encourage you to pray for the work that the Lord Jesus is doing here, even through unworthy subjects as ourselves. And we pray that it will also encourage you in your witness where God has placed you here and now.
Please feel free to send this newsletter on to friends and others. We would also welcome a spot, just a corner, of your church bulletin board. We want others to rejoice with us and to pray with us.
God keep you in His grace and fill you with the joy of the resurrection,
Rev. Dale and Suzanne Kaster
Your
International Workers in Ghana, West Africa
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Has God given you a passion to care for those in prison? Do you have a formal ministry in your church that demonstrates the love of Jesus through caring for the least of these? Do you personally volunteer at your local prison facilities providing support to inmates? We are looking for you. Our District is seeking to identify individuals who have this heart for those in prisons. If you are such an individual please contact Pastor Derek Mathers at our District office.
Pastor Derek Mathers,
Assistant to the Bishop and Mission Executive
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Continuing Education Opportunity-Mechanicsburg, PA
Time to recharge those theological batteries? Then consider the Continuing Education course offered in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, by Concordia Theological Seminary (CTSFW), Fort Wayne, Indiana:
Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania
August 1-3, 2016
Calvary Evangelical Lutheran Church
208 Woods Drive
Mechanicsburg, PA 17050
1 Corinthians and a Pauline Model for Ministry
Dr. Peter Scaer
Concordia Theological Seminary
Fort Wayne, Indiana
This course aims to take a fresh look at Paul the pastor, especially as he dealt with the many problems which beset the congregation at Corinth. In this regard, we will discuss the ways in which secular values began to infiltrate Corinthian theology. We will take special note of the way in which Paul dealt sensitively with the matter of Apollos, who, though a great teacher, introduced some unsound notions to the Corinthian congregation. By studying Paul as a pastor, we will offer suggestions as to how a pastor might firmly but sensitively lead his congregation in the way of the Lord. A pastoral approach to such topics as closed communion and speaking in tongues will be considered.
(1.5 CEU)
Please
click here
for a more complete course description, as well as a list of suggested reading material.
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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 [email protected] (include full name, email address and church) 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!
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