Love your neighbor as yourself


 
Servant to Servant                                    9-23-16
Bishop's visit
The. Rev. Martin Erhardt and Bishop Jamison J. Hardy





Bishop Jamison J. Hardy traveled to Princeton, NJ on September 18, 2016 to visit with The Rev. Martin Erhardt and the members of the Lutheran Church of the Messiah.

Eastern Region Pastors Conference
The Eastern Region Pastors Conference was held at Adam's Mark Hotel in Buffalo, NY, September 19-21, 2016.

The guest speaker was The Rev. Hicham Chehab, an LCMS pastor based in Chicago. He spoke about the challenge of Islam and  Christian witnessing to Muslims. His ministry's website is: http://salamchristianfellowship.org/.

The Rev. Ben Eder, Bishop Jamison J.Hardy, and

The Rev. Dwayne Hendricks

Morning, afternoon and evening devotions were held during the conference. Special thanks to The Rev. David Beutel, The Rev. William Douthwaite, The Rev. Jeffrey Webb, The Rev. Dwayne Hendricks and The Rev. Martin Erhardt for each preparing one of the devotions.

Everyone gathered at Pilgrim Lutheran Church, Buffalo, NY the evening of Tuesday, September 20, 2016 for a Divine Worship Service. A fellowship meal followed for all to enjoy.

In addition to the full agenda, the pastors were given plenty of time to socialize and sight see. Some made their way to Niagara Falls to take a trip on the Maid of the Mist. Others found time to sample some Buffalo beverages and cuisine.
Lutheran school teacher honored with award
WCRIS Representative and Jana Horn



Wisconsin's first-ever Private School Teacher of the Year was announced in a surprise student assembly at Hales Corners Lutheran School, Hales Corners, WI on September 21, 2016. Congratulations to veteran teacher Jana Horn for this distinguished award.

Church and school activities
Love Thy Neighbor
 
 
 
In your community
 
Vicar Seth Hoeppner and Faith Lutheran Church, Watertown, WI, welcomed the Laborers for Christ as they worked on service projects for Bethesda Lutheran Services. Some of the Laborers were in Watertown from May-September.
Comforting the lonely

After collecting socks and canned goods for the area needy, many of the students from Martin Luther Christian School, Pennsauken, NJ, visited the residents of The Lutheran Senior Home
and presented them with the items that they collected.
Supporting our troops
 
Packages for Patriots, a ministry of Lutheran Church of the Holy Spirit, Elk Grove Village, IL, heard from the USS Eisenhower:
 
To all the members of the Lutheran Church of the Holy Spirit,
 
Thank you so much for the care packages that you have sent me. They always make the day better and helps through the tough days. Everything has been so helpful. I grew up a few towns over in Inverness so it made me so happy to see that you guys were from home and just reminded me of so many good memories. I am stationed on the aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower and have been deployed for just over 3 months now. If you had any questions I would be glad to try to answer them to my best and able knowledge.
 
Thank you for all that you guys are doing. It makes a huge difference to everyone who serves.
 
God Bless,
MMN2 Donohue, R.P
Reactor Training/RP Representative
Sharing with others

Wyatt shared his LCC comfort dog, Samson, during Sunday School at Faith Lutheran Church in Arlington Heights, IL. The students learned about prayer and the younger ones made prayer chains.
Saving lives
 
Peace Lutheran Church, Palm Desert, CA, is helping young moms. Check out Birth Choice of the Desert to see God's work in saving lives: www.desertbirthchoice.org  
In our schools
 
 
 
Hopping in for a visit
 
A bunny visited the sixth grade class at Martin Luther Christian School, Pennsauken, NJ.


 
Technology and the Periodic Chart
 
Sixty-three students in the eighth grade at West Portal Lutheran Church and School in San Francisco, CA, collaborated and created a QR (Quick Response) Periodic Table of Elements. Each code can be scanned, showing either a website or YouTube video featuring one of the 118 elements.
Project Mercy
 
In Pennsauken, NJ, Martin Luther Christian School's Principal, Elizabeth Mauro, and The Rev. Dr. Dean D. Pittelko are pictured with students who received an award through Project Mercy. The project emphasizes kindness and good manners towards others.
Upgraded learning space
 
Students at Bethesda International Academy, Chicago, IL, are already benefitting from their new science lab. They have more equipment to come, thanks to Mr. Dembowski's "Dream" being granted by CLEF (Chicagoland Lutheran Educational Foundation) last May, as well as through the generous donations students made during the Spring Carnival when they were able to shoot water at Mr. D. during their Sharknado event!
Keys 4/Kids - Pianos on Parade (POP)
 
Grace English Lutheran Church and School, Chicago, IL, has a piano on display for this community program.
 
The POP Program delivers acoustic pianos to classrooms in order to create a hands-on, interdisciplinary learning opportunity for kids. Students learn how pianos work, their history, and also artistically transform the piano into a colorful work of art.
 
Once students complete the project, the local community adopts each piano and places it in an outdoor, public location. These interactive and colorful art installations are played by the community, creating spontaneous interactions and enhancing the Chicago public landscape and experience.
 
Each piano has a plaque that recognizes the financial sponsor(s), and thanks them for their generous support of our students, the community and the arts in general. (Grace English is still accepting donations for their piano.)
 
POP offers an opportunity for youth to actively engage with the arts and as a result, raise their self-esteem and confidence, build community relationships, and make the arts more accessible to all people, regardless of income, age, or previous arts experience.
In our churches
 
Third grade students and new students at Bethesda International Academy, Chicago, IL, were excited to receive their Bibles!
Bonding together
 
The men from Hope Lutheran, Hastings, MN, had a fun and inspirational weekend together. They took aim (not only with a bunch of guns) but even more at the "Marks of Manhood."

  
Welcome!

On Sunday, September 11, five new members were received at Mount Olive, Cleveland Heights, OH. Left to right is The Rev. Ryan Beffrey, Clarke, Ruth, Glorianne, Bethany, and Daniel Earley.


Divine call
Call Returned
The Rev. Wallace Kimari has returned the call to serve Resurrection, Shawano, WI.

Seminaries offer campus visits to prospective students
High school and college students, as well as adults considering a second career, are invited to attend on-campus visitation events at the Synod's two seminaries to get information about preparing for church work while sampling seminary life.

Most of the 10 events, which are offered beginning this fall through next summer, are free, but registration is required for all.
Scheduled at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, are:
  • "Contemplate," October 13-15, 2016, and March 9-11, 2017, a three-day visit for college students and second-career men and women that offers an in-depth view of the preparation that leads to service as a pastor or deaconess. Included are a campus tour and an opportunity to meet faculty and students. Free, with meals and lodging included. Register here.
  • "Green & Gold Days," November 4, 2016; January 6, April 7 and November 3, 2017, an opportunity for college students and second-career men and women to spend the day on campus, meeting with current students and professors, attending classes and chapel and ending the day with dinner and discussion. Free. Register here.
  • "Shepherds of God's Flock," January 5, 2017, for college students and second-career men, which focuses on the decision-making process of "service as a shepherd." At this one-day event, participants explore ministry through Bible study, hear panel presentations from pastors and students, and talk with others who are asking the same questions. Free. Register here.
  • "Taste of the Sem," January 14-16, 2017, which gives high-school men an opportunity to spend the weekend on campus diving into Lutheran theology, prayer and worship. Participants can talk with current students and professors and engage in some seminary recreation. Free, including meals and lodging. Register here.
  • "Vocatio," June 24-29, 2017, a week long retreat to explore God's calling and direction for high-school men and women. This event includes Bible study, worship, vocation discussion, a servant event, "some St. Louis fun" and a Concordia University System college fair. Registration is $150 and includes meals and lodging; travel assistance is available upon request. Register here.
  • "Next Steps," July 7-8, 2017, an opportunity for families to spend two days on campus connecting with current students and their families to learn about transitioning to life at the seminary from those who have already taken that step. Free, including meals and lodging. Register here.
To learn more about visitation events at Concordia Seminary, call 800-822-9545.
Scheduled at Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, IN, are:
  • "Prayerfully Consider Visit," October 13-15, 2016, and March 30-April 1, 2017, a three-day event for prospective students and their families to experience daily life at the seminary while worshiping with the CTSFW community, attending classes, meeting with faculty, learning about financial-aid options and getting to know the Fort Wayne area. Free, including meals and lodging. Register here.
  • "Christ Academy/Phoebe Academy College," October 20-23, 2016, which gives college students contemplating church service an opportunity to immerse themselves in day-to-day campus life, including attending classes, worshiping in Kramer Chapel, asking questions of Admissions staff and taking part in social activities. Free, including meals and lodging. Register here.
  • "Christ Academy High School," June 18-July 1, 2017, which gives male high-school students an opportunity to explore the pastoral ministry, take part in theological studies and form lasting friendships. The $600 tuition covers meals, lodging and all activities for two weeks. Register here.
  • "Phoebe Academy High School," June 18-25, 2017, which gives female high-school students an opportunity to explore God's Word on mercy, participate in a service project as well as theological studies, meet deaconesses and form lasting friendships. The $400 tuition covers meals, lodging and all activities for one week. Register here.
Those who are unable to attend a scheduled visitation event are welcome to schedule a visit at a more convenient time at ctsfw.edu/Plan-Your-Own-Visit.

Prospective students also may call the Admission staff at 800-481-2155.

Halloween is Perfect for Surprising the Kids on Your Street

As you plan for Halloween this year, offer the kids stopping by your house a bit more than the standard fare of candy galore. As you're tossing in a handful of treats, drop in one of Lutheran Hour Ministries' (LHM) six pocket-sized volumes of colorful fun; each one features a kid-friendly Christian message.


Packets of 25 are available for $7.00 each plus shipping. 

Do You Know Who Jesus Is?
This booklet is geared towards pre-school to third-grade children. It is written in rhyme to teach children the answer to the question, "Who is Jesus?"
Sharing Your Faith
This booklet is geared towards pre-school to 3rd grade children. This children's book is full of fun rhymes for youngsters (and parents). It reminds readers that both words and actions are part of telling others about Jesus.
Learning to Pray
This booklet is geared towards pre-school to third-grade children. It is written in rhyme to teach and encourage children (and parents) to spend time with God in prayer.
Purchase
The Easter Story
This Easter children's story book is about Jesus' life on earth. Watch Him as He enters Jerusalem, speaks with His disciples, is betrayed, arrested and, eventually, crucified.
The Christmas Journey
This Christmas children's story book is about God's expedition to earth as the Babe of Bethlehem. Enjoy this little booklet as it rhymes its way through the Nativity story of Jesus' birth.
The Bully
This booklet is geared towards pre-school to 2nd grade children. This children's story book is about a boy affected by bullying. Enjoy this little booklet as it rhymes its way through David's story at school.
Summer 2017
A weekend of service, community and faith in action
Thousands of Lutheran youth have participated in Servant Events, learning that serving others can make a difference because of Jesus Christ. Servant Events equip God's people to grow in their faith through serving, sharing Christ and developing relationships.

In the summer of 2017, the English District will be hosting two High School Servant Event Retreats. They will be held In Medina, OH, July 13-16, 2017 and Lincoln, NE, July 20-23, 2017. Registration opens October 1, 2016 and closes on February 15, 2017. Registrations will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. A non-refundable, but transferable, deposit of $50 per person is due at the time of registration with the remaining $100 per person due May 1, 2017. Due to the nature of this event, youth must have finished 8th grade by the time of the Servant Event to attend. A ratio of no more than seven youth to one or two adults is established.

Plan now to attend one of the English District's Servant Event Retreats!

Questions about registration should be sent to:
Nik Locker
Director of 516 Missions
Phone: (206) 335-3587
Email: servantevents@516missions.com
Mailing Address: 4 Elm Street, Exeter, NH 03833
Support our mission
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.
    
Servant to Servant
Please send pictures and stories from your church, school or ministry to Kathy Stanis  for possible inclusion.

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 (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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