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Love your neighbor as yourself
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Servant to Servant 2-2-18
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Bishop Hardy's Parish Visit
On Sunday, January 28, 2018, Bishop Jamison J. Hardy had the pleasure of worshipping with The Rev. Dr. Robert Roegner and the members of Peace, O'Fallon, MO.
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Divine Call
Call Received
The Rev. John H. Diener, Grace, Wyoming, MI has received a call to serve Grace, Wayne, NE.
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2018 English District Convention
The following items must be received by February 19, 2018:
If you haven't yet returned your Delegate Information Sheet, please do so as soon as possible. Registration information and forms will be mailed to all delegates on file.
All convention forms, with the e
xception of the president and vice president nomination forms,
are available on the English District website
2018 Convention page
. Nomination forms for president and vice presidents were mailed to every congregation in late November and are only available in printed format. If you are unable to locate your president and/or vice president nomination forms, please contact
Rev. Luke Zimmerman as soon as possible
to have another copy mailed to you ([email protected] or 717-636-1545).
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#LoveThyNeighbor
Walk for Life
After gathering for worship, members of Redeemer, Lincoln, NE, participated in the 44th annual "Nebraska Walk for Life" this past Saturday. A front-page photo in the Sunday Lincoln Journal Star captured LCMS participation where one of three
LCMS.org/life
flags carried by Redeemer members appeared in the picture. While saddened that such a walk is necessary, English District Board member Chris Cassel was encouraged by the respectful witness to the truth as well as the large number of young adults present. Read the entire story here.
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Helping others
On Tuesday, January 30, 2018, several staff members of Ascension, Tucson, AZ, participated in a Habitat for Humanity project: Living Generously in Action. Participants included Robert and Terrie Ashbaugh, Derek Barolet, John Phillip, Dee Ponzio, Jo Riester, and Justin Wixon.
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In our churches
Baptisms!
On Sunday, January 28, 2018, Hope, Hastings, MN, welcomed little Aiden Thomas into God's family through the waters of Holy Baptism.
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Salvatore Giuliano II received the Sacrament of Holy Baptism on Sunday, January 21, 2018 at Grace, Redford Township, MI. His parents and sponsors are pictured with The Rev. Timothy Halboth, who also officiated the Giuliano's wedding last year. They are in the process of membership at Grace. All praise and glory to God! This Baptism marked the third of four baptisms performed at Grace during December and January.
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On Sunday, Wyatt Edward Boynton received the Sacrament of Holy Baptism at Grace, Redford Township, MI. His parents are in the middle "flanked" by The Rev. Timothy Halboth and the Baptismal sponsors. Five generations of Boyntons call Grace their home and all serve the church in the music ministry. This Baptism was the fourth at Grace in five weeks. May the Lord of the Church be praised!
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In our schools
English District schools celebrated National Lutheran Schools Week, January 21-27, 2018. Thank you to all who have sent or posted pictures for us to share. There were so many wonderful pictures, and we have highlighted some in Servant to Servant. For more pictures, check out Facebook or Twitter (#NLSW18 or #LuthEd or #EngDistNLSW18).
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Celebrating school
Students from West Portal, San Francisco, CA, celebrated #NLSW week with special projects, such as the art project made by the Kindergarten through third-graders. Each student traced two hands. They also held a joint Chapel service, combining both campuses, and had a special literature assembly.
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Pajamas and puppies
PJ Day + service dog = happy students at Grace English Lutheran School, Chicago, IL.
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Costumed crusaders
Superhero day was a great way to end National Lutheran Schools Week at Hales Corners Lutheran School, Hales Corners, WI.
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Seeking answers
Martin Luther Christian School, Pennsauken, NJ, concluded Lutheran Schools Week with a Bible Scavenger Hunt.
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Silly socks
During #NLSW, Thursday, January 25, 2018 was "Crazy Sock Day" at Bethesda International Academy, Chicago, IL.
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Outdoor fun
Little ones at Grace Beginnings Preschool, Wyoming, MI, enjoyed playing in freshly fallen snow during recess.
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Furry friends
Rhoda the Comfort Dog came to visit the students at Faith Lutheran School, Watertown, WI. Rhoda is part of the LCC Comfort Dog ministry at Prince of Peace, Menomonee Falls, WI. It was a blessing to learn more of the ministry of comfort dogs.
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A Seussical time
Afternoon enrichment students from Fairlawn Lutheran School, Fairlawn, OH, enjoyed reading Dr. Seuss' "Bartholomew and the Oobleck," and then making Oobleck!
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Building fun
Little ones at Faith Preschool of Jacob's Well, Ft. Wayne, IN, learned about the letter "C," and built castles.
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Guest presentation
Students at Lambs of Faith, Naples, FL, had a great time learning from Evan Freeman of Tiger Rock Martial Arts of Naples.
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Annual Giving - Thank you!
The English District Board of Directors would like to thank all who gave generously in this year's annual giving campaign. Almost $12,000 was raised for the Endowment Fund of which the earnings will continue to help fund the mission and ministry of the English District.
As the fund continues to grow, the earnings will allow us to lend more support to our missions and church workers, which you can read about
here. For giving opportunities, click
here.
Thank you again, and may God bless the English District as we seek new opportunities to love our neighbors as ourselves.
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2017 Congregation Statistics Report - Online
Important!
In early January LCMS Rosters and Statistics mailed each congregation instructions for completing the 2017 statistics report. This letter included the congregation ID and password needed for completing the form online. Please be sure this letter gets to the person in your congregation who is responsible for completing this report.
If you have not received this letter yet or have questions, please email
[email protected] or call the LCMS Church Information Center at 888-843-5267.
This statistical information will be used to calculate congregational assessments for the 2018 District Convention. It also assists a wide variety of ministry efforts at the national level, as well as fulfilling the expectation of membership set forth in Bylaw 1.3.4.
Thank you for providing this information as soon as possible!
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Every One His Witness™ kits available from CPH
The Every One His Witness core module kit is now available through Concordia Publishing House. The kit provides everything groups need to implement this evangelism program at their church, school, or organization.
What is Every One His Witness?
Every One His Witness
is a Lutheran evangelism program that teaches you to witness to your friends, coworkers, and any other nonchurched people you may know. Using the LASSIE approach to witnessing (listen, ask, seek, share, invite, and encourage), you will learn how to naturally share the Good News of Jesus Christ through relational, contextual witnessing.
What does this mean? It means listening to those who are unsure about Christianity. It means asking questions that aren't accusatory. It means sharing the Good News about Jesus. Notice how there's no bashing, no judgment, and no forced imposition of beliefs. Instead, there's understanding, communication, and honesty between friends. And Every One His Witness teaches you how.
Each kit, which is designed for a group of 12, contains:
- Every One His Witness workbooks (12)
- DVD (1)
- LASSIE journals (12)
- Experience cards (6)
- Pens (12)
The English District is offering a $40.00 rebate to the first 50 congregations (1 rebate per congregation) that purchase the Every One His Witness kit from CPH. To receive the rebate, email your receipt to Rev. Derek Mathers no later than February 28, 2018.
Click here to order Every One His Witness kit.
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Interested in ministry?
Christ and Phoebe Academies are summer programs held at Concordia Theological Seminary, Ft. Wayne, IN for high school students potentially interested in ministry or interested in theology. Their time there consists of confessional catechesis in classes taught by world-class professors, liturgical worship in beautiful Kramer chapel, and fun together as they build life-long friendships during activities and free time.
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L.E.R.T. Training -
Two opportunities in February
The Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod has a history of responding to disasters throughout the world. Our response allows congregation members to confess Christ to their community, region, and world in the ways that they are willing to share the love of Christ. In February, there are two opportunities for adults of all ages and youth to participate in a training through Lutheran Early Response Teams (LERT). The cost is $35/person and includes training materials, an LCMS volunteer vest and lunch.
Click here
to register for Saturday, February 3, 2018 at St. John's Lutheran Church, Adrian, MI
.
Click here
to register for Saturday, February 10, 2018 at St. Paul Lutheran Church, Hillsdale, MI.
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Congregations - Final Remittance Reminder
The final receipts reporting cut-off for the district's Fiscal Year Ending January 31, 2018 is Wednesday, February 14, 2018. Please be sure that any pledge gifts for the 2017 fiscal year are clearly marked.
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FEMA Expands Public Assistance Eligibility to Include Houses of Worship
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced this month that houses of worship are now eligible for disaster assistance. This is great news for our Lutheran congregations and schools throughout our District and Synod.
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Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
A blessed New Year to you! We pray that 2018 will bring you good health, joy, and many opportunities to share the good news of Jesus Christ with others!
Please click here to read our January newsletter.
Thank you for the messages you send us via email ([email protected]
) and write on our FaceBook page! We appreciate your encouragement and prayers, as well as your financial support!
Pastors and secretaries
, please print copies of the January newsletter for your congregation display board.
Your fellow workers in Christ,
Pastor Jonathan & Cheryl Naumann in the Dominican Republic
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Visit with us for a few moments!
Epiphany greetings from the Ferry family in Indonesia. We have assembled our latest
newsletter
and you're invited to read it for yourself.
The month of January has given us an opportunity to welcome in the new year with our neighbors, including a few who stopped by at our home.
Thank you for your ongoing support and love, and for coming along with us on this road which leads all over Asia. God's peace and joy in Jesus Christ to you!
In Jesus,
The Ferry Family
Charles, Cheryl, Caleb, Caitlin, Carissa, Cassandra, Chloe, and C_____
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Best Practices for Ministry Conference
The FREE Best Practices for Ministry Conference will be held February 22-24, 2018 at Christ Church-Lutheran, 3901 E. Indian School Rd., Phoenix, AZ 85018.
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National Youth Workers Conference
The 2018 National Lutheran Youth Workers Conference (#National18) is scheduled for July 8-11 at the Minneapolis Convention Center in Minneapolis, MN. The conference is geared toward youth workers, and there will also be a youth track following the 2018 Lutheran Youth Fellowship Teen Leadership Training. The early bird (through March 1, 2018) registration rate is $325. Adult participants will receive complimentary registration to the 2019 LCMS Youth Gathering in Minneapolis. Questions? Contact Terry Leu at
[email protected].
Visit the conference web page
here for more information and to register online.
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Mr. Ben Shaprio will be the keynote speaker on
Tuesday, October 9, 2018 at Our Savior Evangelical Lutheran Church and School (13667 W. Highland Road, Hartland, MI 48353) for the annual conference,
"The Body of Christ and the Public Square."
DETAILS:
+ Doors will open at 5:00 PM for general seating.
+ A buffet-style meal will be served at 5:30 PM.
+ Speakers begin at 6:15 PM.
+ The cost is $55 per person to register. A special college/seminary student rate of $28 per person is available by calling
248-887-4300. Seating is limited.
HOW TO REGISTER:
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Previous issues of the Servant to Servant eNewlsetter are available on 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. Forward the newsletter to members of your church 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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Please share your congregation's or school's unique ministries with the rest of the District. Send pictures and stories for consideration to
Lynne Cobb by Wednesday, 12:00 pm ET.
We want to see how YOUR congregation or school is "loving your neighbor as yourself."
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