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Love your neighbor as yourself
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SERVANT to SERVANT 8-19-16
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The Rev. Christopher I. Thoma is an English District pastor who is currently serving Our Savior Ev. Lutheran Church in Hartland, MI. Pastor Thoma has recently written a book,
Ten Ways to Kill a Pastor. I recommend that pastors and laypeople purchase this book. It's real life ministry and while I was reading it, I could see my own ministry unfolding page after page.
Bishop Jamison J. Hardy
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Amazon describes the book as:
A collection of stories,
Ten Ways to Kill a Pastor peeks behind the curtain and shines a light into what has become for so many in pastoral ministry a very dark place. From abusive members to impossible schedules often resulting in failing health and family decay, Ten Ways presents church-goers with an opportunity for personal reflection as well as gives voice to the often undetectable "hurts" lurking behind the pastor's smile.
The Rev. Dr. David P. Scaer, Chariman of systematic Theology, Concordia Theological Seminary, Ft. Wayne, IN said, "(The stories) are incredibly real and reflect life in the ministry from a very important perspective. Each chapter being a mirror of a pastor's soul, I highly recommend this as a resource to be studied and discussed by pastors and laypeople alike. The Lutheran Confessions speak of the 'mutual consolation of the brethren.' Thoma has provide a place where the need for that consolation can be identified and the effort begun. Purchase a copy by clicking on the link below. |
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Southern District President, Rev. Kurtis Schultz, has deployed their District Disaster Response Coordinator (DDRC) to work with others to establish a volunteer work camp. There have been 10 confirmed deaths and 40,000 homes damaged as a result of this widespread flooding.
100% of your gifts to the English District for Louisiana Flood Relief will go toward disaster recovery efforts in southeastern Louisiana through the Southern District LCMS. Please know that the help you provide means everything to the people who have been affected by this historic flooding.
- Donate by mail: Make check payable to English District LCMS; in the memo write: Louisiana Flooding and mail to 33100 Freedom Road, Farmington, MI 48336-4030.
- Donate online by credit card or EFT using our secure, online donation page (click link below). On the left side of the page will be a section titled Mission Donations. Choose "Other," enter the amount and specify Louisiana Flooding
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Continue to keep all those affected and the volunteers in your prayers in the weeks and months ahead.
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Urgent Call for Volunteers to Help with the Clean up!
The work will be general, basic muck-out work. There are no basements in the area, so it will be on the ground level. If you are interested in volunteering, or have teams/individuals in your congregation or other spheres of influence that are willing and able to volunteer, your help would be greatly appreciated.
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All volunteers will deploy to:
10925 Florida Blvd.
Baton Rouge, LA 70815
Please share this information with your constituents to let everyone know of these opportunities. If you have any questions, please contact
[email protected] God's richest blessings to you!
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| Front row: The Rev. Henry A. Simon, The Rev. John O. Flahn, The Rev. Peter T. De Mik, The Rev. Samuel O. Maconachy, The Rev. Dr. Jon T. Diefenthaler, The Rev. Peter A. Schiebel Back row: The Rev. Donald E. Treglown, The Rev. Mark A. Hricko, The Rev. Gary D. Rueter, Vicar Derrick Miliner |
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Mrs. Liz Maconachy and The Rev. Samuel O. Maconachy |
On Sunday, August 14, 2016, Candidate Samuel O. Maconachy was ordained at Our Savior Lutheran Church in Laurel, MD. The Rev. Dr. Jon T. Diefenthaler officiated the service. Samuel is a recent graduate of Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, MO.
The Rev. Samuel O. Maconachy will be installed as an Associate Pastor of Faith Lutheran Church in Naples, FL on Sunday, October, 9, 2016. Bishop Jamison J. Hardy will officiate the installation.
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The Rev. Ronald F. Astalos, 81, of Port Huron, MI went home to be with his Lord and Savior on Wednesday, August 17, 2016.
He is survived by his wife, Kimiko; five children, Jesse Astalos, Mitchell Astalos, Lynn Astalos, Ellen Johnson and Julie Buckbee; eleven grandchildren, Aaron and Sarah Astalos, Nicholas and Kobi Astalos, Cayman and Keana Astalos, Ella, Alicia, Chloe, Jack, and Kenji Johnson; two brothers, Richard and Robert Astalos ; a sister, Patricia Wangen; and several nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be 2:00-4:00 PM & 6:00-8:00 PM on Sunday, August 21, 2016 in Pollock-Randall Funeral Home (
912 Lapeer Ave, Port Huron, MI 48060).
Funeral services will be at 11:00 AM on Monday, August 22, 2016 in Trinity Lutheran Church (
1517 10th St, Port Huron, MI 48060) with visitation beginning at 10:00 AM. The Rev. Dr. Mark J. Madson will officiate.
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DO YOU HAVE A CHURCH DOG?
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It's back-to-school time! With many students heading back to campus, guest blogger Augusta Mennell, Campus Ministry Director at All Saints Lutheran Church and Student Center in Slippery Rock, PA, shares how Campus Ministry reaches out to all students, forming life-changing bonds.
Can you imagine the look on students' faces when they see Scout, All Saints Lutheran Church and Student Center's church dog? Scout is a beautiful Golden Retriever, who is Rev. Larry K. Loree Jr.'s dear friend and companion. Scout has become, very unofficially, All Saints' church dog. He is a magnet for students on campus and for everyone who comes into the church building. Scout, who loves to be petted, has given Pastor Loree many great opportunities to welcome everyone, especially students.
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CHURCH AND SCHOOL ACTIVITIES
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Coincidences at the Street Fair
When Christ Our Redeemer moved into its new church in Allen Park, MI, the congregation knew they wanted to become a part of the community. They were aware that the Allen Park Street Fair would be an opportunity to let others know they are now in the community. Little did they know that Angelica Lutheran, also in Allen Park, MI, was attending the event. God saw fit to put both churches back-to-back to each other. In between the rain and the heat, the two churches were a presence on both sides of the walk. While Christ Our Redeemer offered free games for the kids, Angelica was putting
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Cupcake the Clown |
on puppet shows. As the saying goes, "God works in mysterious ways," and the two churches discovered that they also shared a space with the local atheist group. Needless to say, a few members were able to witness to some of the "unbelievers" in the booth next door.
Cupcake the Clown was the "icing on the cake," so to speak. She greeted the children and created huge smiles. Cupcake was a great addition not just to Christ Our Redeemer, but she also "moonlighted" over at the Angelica puppet show. (Rumor has it, Cupcake also moonlights in the English District office!)
It was a day of great fellowship, and it seemed that everyone was happy the churches were there. Plans are already in place for next year's event.
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| Christ Our Redeemer, Allen Park, MI |
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| Paul Jentzen, Bishop Emeritus David Stechholz, The Rev. Mark Raitz |
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Lächeln!
How's this for a "great cloud of witnesses!" This photo of the youth and leaders from Vlotho, Germany, along with the host families from Martin Luther Chapel, East Lansing, MI, was taken after the Sunday morning worship service.
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#VBS2016
Last weekend, Anna Comfort Dog enjoyed a day with the children and adults from Ascension of Christ Lutheran Church in Beverly Hills, MI. This year's Vacation Bible School theme was "Pets Unleashed - Where Jesus Cares 'fur' You." They sure fetched some faith-filled fun and unleashed the love towards Anna!
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Back to School!
Back to School Day at Faith Lutheran, Arlington Heights, IL, is more like a day of fun! The local fire department and the mobile public library were on hand, as well as other fun activities for the children. It sure made the first day back to class a fun and memorable event.
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Sharing God's Love & Mercy
David Chelini, member of Lutheran Church of the Risen Savior in Green Valley, AZ, shares a presentation during an Adult Bible Class that he prepared for the men at the Gospel Rescue Mission shelter in Tucson. He goes every 5th Friday to share this message of God's act of love and mercy with people who desperately need to hear it.
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NEW LEGAL GUIDE HELPS MINISTRIES PREPARE FOR LAWSUITS
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A new concept that sexual liberty trumps religious freedom has begun to impact churches, ministries, faith-based educational institutions and individual Christians across the nation in the form of sexual-orientation, gender-identity ordinances (SOGIs).
In response, The Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod (LCMS) and
Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF) have collaborated on a downloadable manual - Protecting Your Ministry (From Sexual Orientation Gender Identity Lawsuits) - now available to help LCMS congregations, schools and other ministries hedge against legal intrusions by preparing for issues that may arise in the future.
Protecting Your Ministry offers congregations, schools and ministries guidance on updating their statements of belief on the issues of marriage, human sexuality and gender to include the congregation's belief on same-sex issues.
The manual contains sample language that provides a starting point. Churches and other religious institutions also can ensure facility-usage policies are revised to allow only uses that are consistent with their religious beliefs. The manual provides recommendations for facility-usage policies and more.
"Now is not the time for compromise. It's time once again for a Reformation," said Synod President Rev. Dr. Matthew C. Harrison in a recent statement announcing the manual's publication. "By holding to our core biblical convictions, fighting for our God-given rights of conscience and fighting against government intrusion into the church and the lives of Christians, we stand firm not only for our church and those who shall follow us; we take a stand for the First Amendment religious liberty for all people."
At the 2016 Synod convention, delegates overwhelmingly adopted Res. 14-10A "To Thank Alliance Defending Freedom" for its ongoing collaborative partnership with the LCMS, which involves protecting religious liberty.
To download Protecting Your Ministry,
click
here.
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Registration is open for Best Practices for Ministry - Heartland, hosted by Carmel (Cornerstone) Lutheran Church in Carmel, IN. This event is FREE and will be held October 5-7, 2016.
The theme is: "Re: Inspire".
You are invited to share some of your Best Practices so that others can learn from your experience. Contact Kate Giger at [email protected] if you are interested in being a presenter. Contact Karen Minniear at
[email protected] if you are interested in information about securing a vendor booth.
There will be inspiring speakers, delicious food, a Thursday night football tailgate, a 5K run/walk, and encouraging worship.
For more information and to view hotel accommodations, click here.
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The English District Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod supports and funds missions, from our churches' local communities to people across the globe. Whether it is a scholarship or basic humanitarian needs, we seek to "love our neighbors as ourselves" in all we do. Your financial support can assist us in doing more in Christ's name. To support English District ministries
click here.
Please prayerfully consider making a donation today.
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Congregations both large and small face the serious task of managing their funds. The members work unselfishly to share His Word in the local community. In order to do this most effectively, each church must make daily decisions as to how to best manage its finances. Many congregations have in their constitution the requirement of an "audit" of their financial records on a periodic basis. Often times, this can be difficult to accomplish due to a lack of availability of the proper level of expertise.
Bishop Jamison J. Hardy has been contacted by many congregations and, thus, the English District would like to offer an objective and confidential solution.
The English District would like you to consider using me to meet your need for this financial review. The only monetary responsibility to the congregation would be for my travel expenses (transportation, lodging and food). This will not require an extended amount of time on site and I will do my best to provide you with a comprehensive summary of my analysis within two weeks of completing the work.
I am happy to say that the list of congregations wanting to take advantage of my assistance is beginning to grow. We are working together to schedule the trips and I would consider it a privilege to add your church. I am a firm believer in being direct when it comes to this important area. I come to you out of love as my Christian brothers and sisters. Please let me help you.
If you would be interested in exploring this opportunity to strengthen your congregation's foundation, please feel free to contact Bishop Hardy for a personal reference. Please sign up through the District President's office 248-476-0039 or [email protected].
Thank you for your time and have a great day living the Gospel.
Paul Stanis
Member of Peace Lutheran Church (English District, LCMS), McMurray, PA
CPA (Inactive Status)
Senior Tax Accountant
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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 first and last 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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