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Love your neighbor as yourself
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Servant to Servant 1-19-18
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#LoveThyNeighbor
Caring for the community
Members of the HCL LEAD team from Hales Corners Lutheran School, Hales Corners, WI, spent Saturday afternoon, January 13, 2018, baking more than 21 dozen cookies to give to local first responders.
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Caring for the hungry
Students at Martin Luther Christian School, Pennsauken, NJ, participated in a "Service Day" on Monday, January 15, 2018 in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., by preparing PB&J sandwiches for The Unforgotten Haven.
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In our churches
Youth retreat
Prince of Peace, Medina, OH, took 33 youth and five chaperones to Camp Mowana, near Mansfield, OH, braving ice and cold temps to deepen their commitment to the Lord and to each other. They used an Olympics theme to team-build and create long-lasting relationships. The theme verse was Hebrews 12:1-2.
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Baptism!
Stephanie Luptak was baptized at Fairlawn Lutheran Church, Fairlawn, OH.
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Lock-in
Sixteen young people from Hope, Hastings, MN, gathered for an overnight of learning about God's call (1 Samuel 3). Some fun time during this lock-in included a "live-human" game of "Hungry Hungry Hippos." Click
here
to watch a video of the game
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"Free to Serve"
On January 13, 2018, the Arizona South Circuit hosted the "Free to Serve" symposium, one of a series of events commemorating the 500th anniversary of the beginning of the Reformation. The event was held at the Campus Christian Center at University of Arizona and began with Matins for which The Rev. Joshua Palmer presided and delivered the homily. Dr. Roni
Grad then briefly reviewed Dr. Martin Luther's teachings during the early Reformation, in which he reintegrated the work of the laity into the life of the church, culminating with his 1520 treatise on Christian Freedom. The Rev. Dr. Frank Ciampa spoke on freedom to serve in the home; The Rev. Dr. Michael Morehouse on freedom to serve in the church; and The Rev. Ron York on freedom to serve in the community. The attendees then viewed the film The First Rosa, which was introduced by The Rev. Dr. Vernon Schindler, and concluded with a discussion led by Mrs. Shirley Holle and Dr. Diana Honebrink. The overall theme was chosen to highlight and unpack Bishop Jamison Hardy's triennium emphasis and the English District Reformation 500 theme for the Tucson community.
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In our schools
Wordy competition
Several students from Emmanuel - St. Michael Lutheran School, Ft. Wayne, IN, participated in a Spelling Bee. Congratulations to all who practiced and were involved in this event!
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Pizza + Preschoolers = Fun!
Little ones at Shepherd King Preschool, West Bloomfield, MI, learned about the letter "P" by using various art materials. They also practiced rolling and kneading "pizza" dough, and worked to turn their kitchen center into a pizza shop.
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Story time
The Kindergarten class at West Portal Lutheran School, San Francisco, CA, enjoy listening to a story.
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Devotions
Third graders at West Portal Lutheran School, San Francisco, CA, participated in class by leading devotions.
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Called to Glory
Arthur Edgar Frese, age 82, of San Francisco, CA, went to be with his Lord on Thursday, December 7, 2017, surrounded by his family. Art was a commissioned teacher who completed his 50th year in ministry in 2005-2006. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, January 27, 2018 at West Portal Lutheran Church, 200 Sloat Blvd, San Francisco, CA 94132.
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The Rev. Dr. Jakob K. Heckert, 87, passed away peacefully at home with his family on January 16, 2018. Dr. Heckert was a pastor of the Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod and an emeritus of the Faculty of Concordia University as a professor of Biblical Languages. He served as Pastoral Assistant of Our Savior Ev. Lutheran Church in Hartland MI. Funeral visitation will take place on Friday, January, 19, 2018 from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Muehlig Funeral Chapel, 403 South Fourth, Ann Arbor, MI. A funeral service will be held on Saturday, January 20, 2018, 10:00 AM, at Our Savior Ev. Lutheran Church, 13667 Highland Road, Hartland, MI 48353.
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National Lutheran Schools Week
National Lutheran Schools Week is January 21-27, 2018. Click here
for resources that can be used.
We'd like to encourage all of our schools and preschools to celebrate by sharing events and photos* of this celebration. If the photos will be shared on social media, please tag the English District. Also, use the hashtags #LuthEd, #NLSW18 as well as our own, #EngDistNLSW18, so that they can be referenced online. Additionally, schools can email photos to Lynne Cobb. Please add a brief description so that the information can be added to the district's weekly newsletter, Servant to Servant.
Any questions? Please send an email to Gail Holzer
, School Ministry Executive, or Lynne Cobb, Communications Coordinator.
Have a fun week celebrating Lutheran schools!
*Note: Please make sure that students whose photos will be used have a signed parental release form on file.
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Get 2018 Life Sunday resources (bulletins, inserts, Bible studies, sermons, children's messages) here.
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2018 Walk For Life Opportunities
Saturday, January 27th 12:00 PM
Saturday, January 20th 12:00 PM
Monday, January 23rd 1:00 PM
Saturday, January 27th 12:30 PM
Saturday, January 27th 10:00 AM
Friday, January 19th 12:00 PM
Monday, January 22nd 12:00 PM
Monday, January 22nd 11:00 AM
The LCMS participants in the Tucson March for Life will be gathering at the
Campus Christian Center at 9:00 AM for prayer and then will proceed to join the March.
Saturday, January 20th 10:30 AM
Nebraska Walk For Life - Lincoln, Nebraska
LCMS Pre-Walk Gathering at Trinity Lutheran Church at 8:30 AM
Saturday, January 27th 10:00 AM
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Write a Hymn
You are invited to write and submit a hymn to be considered as the Convention Hymn for the 56th Regular Convention of the English District LCMS. The convention will be held June 19-21, 2018 on the campus of Concordia University, Ann Arbor, MI. The theme of the hymn: Love your neighbor as yourself. Deadline for all hymn submissions is Monday, January 22, 2018. Please email the lyrics and music to
Bishop Jamison J. Hardy.
Tips for writing a hymn:
- Begin with a Scripture passage.
- Add visually descriptive or figurative language.
- Choose a melody from a well known and beloved hymn.
- Make it a rhyme or use repetition as a method.
- End the hymn with your best line.
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Free Webinar
Faith Formation in the Age of the Selfie - Part 1
The Michigan District LCMS is hosting a webinar on Wednesday, January 24, 2018 at 1:30 PM EST, to discuss the following:
What effect does constant engagement with social media, often through our personal devices, have on faith formation?
What are the challenges for faith formation in the Age of the Selfie?
This webinar will explore the nature of how social media and personal devices influence our lives in ways that deeply affect our faith. Part 1 will focus significantly on describing various cultural practices and habits that intersect with Christian spirituality in ways that are often perceived as benign but in fact may be detrimental. To participate, click here
to register.
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Calling a seminary candidate
Is your congregation interested in requesting a candidate from the seminary to fill a vacancy? If so, please contact Administrative Assistant Kathy Stanis at 248-476-0039 ext. 320 or email her to receive information needed to request a candidate and how to obtain call documents online. Deadline to make a request and submit call documents to the English District office is February 1, 2018.
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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 Fiscal Year Ending January 31, 2018 is Wednesday, February 14, 2018.
Please note on your Remittance Advice form "FINAL 2017 REMITTANCE" when you submit your final remittance for 2017.
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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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2018 English District Convention
Preparations are well underway for the English District Convention to be held June 19-21, 2018 at Concordia University, Ann Arbor, MI. Each congregation should be making preparations as well, and to facilitate communication regarding convention deadlines, we are emailing
convention e-notes to our congregations and pastors at the beginning of every month.
The next deadline is February 19, 2018 with the following due:
Delegate information forms
Nomination forms
Overtures & Memorials
These forms (e
xcept for the president and vice president nomination forms)
are available on the English District website
2018 Convention page
. Official nomination forms for president and vice presidents were mailed in late November and are only available in printed format. If you are unable to locate your president and vice president nomination forms, please contact
Rev. Luke Zimmerman (
[email protected]
or
717-636-1545) to receive another copy.
The deadline for convening a Circuit Forum is also February 19, 2018.
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Best Practices for Ministry Conference
Best Practices for Ministry Conference will be held February 22-24, 2018 at Christ Church-Lutheran, 3901 E. Indian School Rd., Phoenix, AZ 85018. It is FREE to attend.
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New: TLH Module for Lutheran Service Builder
The Lutheran Hymnal (TLH) contains 312 hymns that are not found in Lutheran Service Builder (LSB). Now, the TLH hymns that are in the public domain (282) are available as a free download to be used within Lutheran Service Builder for your worship bulletin.
If you already use Builder to produce your bulletins, then simply download the TLH Module below. If you are not familiar with Lutheran Service Builder by Concordia Publishing House, visit their website
to learn more.
Download may be found here.
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Shortened Luther movie now on Netflix
A shortened version of the full-length, two-hour edition of the acclaimed film that premiered in select theaters last February and was broadcast nationwide on PBS September 12, 2017 is now available on Netflix. Click
here
for more details that were published in the Reporter.
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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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