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Love your neighbor as yourself
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Servant to Servant 10-13-17
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Parish Visit
Bishop Jamison J. Hardy had the pleasure of worshipping with The Rev. John W. Berg and the members of Hope, Fremont, CA on Sunday, October 8, 2017.
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Installation
The Rev. Curtis A. Binz was installed as the Senior Pastor of West Portal, San Francisco, CA on Sunday, October 8, 2017. Bishop Jamison J. Hardy officiated the service.
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Update from the DRLM
By The Rev. Justin Laughridge
Earlier this month, a team of leaders representing our English District returned to the Dominican Republic for the Church's Fall "FORO" (Forum) and gathering of the Dominican Republic Lutheran Mission's (DRLM) managing partners. We were pleased to be represented by Rev. Roger Ellis, Mr. Jim Wolf, Rev. Justin Laughridge, as well as two members of Pastor Laughridge's congregation, Mr. Tom Kuwazaki & Mrs. Alicia Grambow. Our team had the chance to celebrate along with Pastor Ted Krey, the missionary team, and all of the local pastors and leaders the great and grace-filled growth of this ministry over the past several years.
The Lord has blessed and continues to bless the DRLM -- her congregations (6), schools (2), human care ministries, and now seminary program in Santiago are making more and more disciples of Jesus Christ by God's continued grace, to the point where now the biggest needs in the mission are for the completion of a NEW school campus & church sanctuary (for a school that previously housed 80 or more students in a three-bedroom home) in the suburb of Licey Al Medio, and the finishing touches on the Santiago Seminary campus as students have enrolled already.
The seminary in Santiago, DR is an amazing example of God's grace and perfect timing! As of this writing, residential students from seven Latin American countries attend classes at El Seminario del Reformador, Santiago. Each student is paired with a mentor pastor under which he does field work, and each new pastor will be trained as an evangelist/church planter, as well as a shepherd and teacher to the flock in his care. Students will ideally return to their home countries, making this seminary and its mission a gift not just to the DR, but to all of Latin America and the Caribbean. Praise the Lord!
If you or your congregation desire to support this mission financially or to continue your financial support, please contact the District office or designate your gift for use in the DRLM. Our missionaries on the ground there continue to work very hard in following where the Lord leads them, and they are seeing many people come to saving faith in Jesus Christ throughout the entire country.
Click here t
o view photos of the dedication of the seminary in DR, ordination of Pastor Idjon Fritz and installation of four deaconesses.
May God continue to bless you as you serve Him with joy!!
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| Pastor Sergio Maita and the students of Concordia Lutheran School (Licey) preparing for the end of the school day. Since their school building is small, they are preparing to move to a new campus soon. |
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| The new campus construction is under way! The church sanctuary will be the most visible feature as you pass by, but the entire campus will be a blessing to the ministry of this church and school. |
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| Pastor Roger Ellis visiting with one of the very first partners of the DRLM, Mr. Leonardo Garcia. Also pictured with Rev. Ellis and Mr. Garcia is the fire chief for the area of Palmar Arriba, where the seminary campus is located. |
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| Pastor Ted Krey and Pastor Idjon Fritz distributing the Lord's Supper in our Sunday worship service. Pastor Fritz was ordained and installed at this service, making him the first full graduate of El Seminario del Reformador. Praise the Lord! |
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Divine Call
Call Received
The Rev. Justin A. Krupsky, Trinity, Utica, MI has received a call to serve Crosspoint, Sahuarita, AZ.
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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 Derek Mathers.
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Meet our Missions - Bethany Liberian Mission
By Rev. Fred Gerlach, Pastor, Bethany, Ewing, NJ
In 2001, Bethany Lutheran Church became a home congregation to Liberians who were displaced by the Liberian Civil war. This brutal conflict not only crippled this nation-child of American democracy, but divided families by driving people from their homes and their communities into refugee camps located outside of Liberia. Bethany was an active partner with Lutheran Immigrant Services in helping these immigrants relocate and settle in the Trenton, New Jersey area. Bethany continues to actively serve this community and other socially-challenged members of our community. Our primary objective is to educate Liberian immigrants and others to be Confessional Lutheran in understanding of scripture and worship.
If you have a mission or ministry story you'd like to share, please submit for consideration via email to Lynne at [email protected].
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#LoveThyNeighbor
In your community
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Calvary, Mechanicsburg, PA, collected over $1,115.00 for the Capital Area Pregnancy Center's (CAPC) annual fundraiser. That was an increase of $210.00 over last year's collection. In total, CAPC received over $103,000.00 in donations to continue this life and death ministry.
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A distribution center for Operation Barnabas will be located at Calvary, Mechanicsburg, PA. Operation Barnabas has partnered with the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank to distribute food to military members, veterans, and their families. The MilitaryShare: A Fresh Express Program will start on October 18, 2017. |
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Helping the homeless
Youth from Prince of Peace, Medina, OH, served as outreach ministers on October 1, 2017 at Haven of Rest, a homeless shelter in Akron, OH.
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Helping Hurricane Harvey victims
Prince of Peace, Medina, OH, held a Texas Brisket Fundraiser for victims of Hurricane Harvey. More than $2,000 was raised for LCMS World Relief to help them in their efforts to aid those affected by the disaster. The event was funded by a Thrivent Action Team grant. Texas Brisket was smoked by Greg Ulm in his home built smoker, Christine Bretthauer made Texas Sheet Cake and church members baked corn bread muffins to help raise money. The event was advertised in the community, which caught the attention of nursing home resident Ellen Williams. She called the church and offered to play the piano during the event. Ellen took song requests and entertained guests.
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Helping those needing comfort
The quilters of Grace, Wyoming, MI were blessed with donations of fabric, bed sheets and other quilting materials. These dedicated men and women work hard to make and ship quilts to Lutheran World Relief, many local nursing homes and any other organizations in need. The blessing of the quilts takes place each year during the first part of October.
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In our churches
Baptism!
The Rev. Ben Eder of Pilgrim, Kenmore, NY, officiated at a baptism during worship on Saturday, October 7, 2017.
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In our schools
Learning is fun
Students at Faith Preschool of Jacob's Well, Ft. Wayne, IN, learn about fire prevention and enjoy music class.
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Fundraising run
Redeemer, Pre-K-High School, Oakmont, PA, was well represented at the Pittsburgh Area Lutheran Schools 5K run/walk fundraiser. Congratulations to the winners: Nathan, 8th grade, 1st place; and Charis, 9th grade, 3rd place. Many other Redeemer students and family members also placed.
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Fire safety
Preschoolers at Shepherd King Preschool, West Bloomfield, MI, were introduced to fire safety. They learned about stop, drop, and roll.
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Firetruck fun
It was Fire Safety Week at Abounding Love Preschool, Lee's Summit, MO. Little ones learned about safety and prevention, and got to experience sitting in a fire truck.
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Salary Guidelines for English District Congregations
Click
here for the 2017-2018 salary guidelines. This is a resource providing guidance for Lutheran congregations of the English District.
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Resources
Reformation 500
The English District website offers information and devotions on the upcoming Reformation 500 Anniversary.
Additionally, the LCMS has a Reformation website that is worth exploring.
It details the significance of the Lutheran Reformation centered on Christ-crucified for the forgiveness of our sins and its ongoing relevance for today.
+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +
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Share the Reformation story
Whether through an outreach event, curriculum, or children's Reformation service, share the suspense of the Reformation and the important truths rediscovered by Martin Luther-that by grace and faith in Christ alone we are saved. Click
here
to get an infographic to help with educational planning.
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Seminary hosts 500th Anniversary Reformation Service
Musical celebration and meditations spotlight Luther's three 'solas' of the Reformation as Concordia Seminary, St. Louis hosts the 500th Anniversary Reformation Service at 7:00 PM Tuesday, October 31, 2017 in the Chapel of St. Timothy and St. Titus. Click
here
for downloadable poster. The service is free and open to the public and will be live streamed at https://www.csl.edu/live/.
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November Prayer List
We encourage you to use the prayer list for your daily personal,
congregational, school, classroom, staff, and circuit prayers to the Lord, our God. Please feel free to use this list in your weekend service folders, on the congregational website and in newsletters.
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Free!
Prince of Peace, Medina, OH has two hardwood kneelers available - free to a good home. They measure about five feet long and are in beautiful shape. If interested, please
call 330-723-8293 ext. 101 or email [email protected]
. Shipping is not available. Pick up only.
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Lutherans For Life is having one day regional conferences.
Registration Fees: $50 for adults, $25 for students (including lunch).
Conference registration starts at 8:30 AM
with the schedule of events running from 9 AM to 4 PM.
Get detailed information (lodging, directions, speakers) for each conference here:
http://www.lutheransforlife.org/conference/.
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March for Life
Save the date: Friday, January 19, 2018 is the date for March for Life. Click
here
for details on this annual pro-life event, held in Washington, D.C.
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ELEA IGNITE
Administrator & Pastor Conference
Come to the ELEA IGNITE Administrator & Pastor Conference: Minneapolis, MN, February 28-March 3, 2018, and learn from peers and experts what you need to take your school or center to the next level.
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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, 3:00 pm ET.
We want to see how YOUR congregation or school is "loving your neighbor as yourself."
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