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Love your neighbor as yourself
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Servant to Servant 7-21-17
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Ordination and Installation
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Candidate Kurt Cockran was ordained at Faith Ev. Lutheran Church, Tucson, AZ on Sunday, July 16, 2017 after which he was installed as pastor of the congregation. Bishop Jamison J. Hardy officiated.
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Call Declined
The Rev. Jeffrey N. Webb from Ponte Verda, FL has declined the call to serve Living Faith Lutheran Church, Marine City, MI.
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Serenity for Veterans
Faith, Naples, FL, an Operation Barnabas Chapter, set aside a special section of their Columbarium for veterans in their Serenity Courtyard.
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Grocery delivery
The Senior Grocery Program at Epiphany, Northfield, OH, delivered groceries to senior citizens on July 8.
Congregation members and friends regularly donate pantry items to support the mission. Recipients are always grateful to receive the bags of food.
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Creating "SafeSpace"
Twenty people (including staff, Stephen Ministers, ushers and others) from Risen Savior, Green Valley, AZ, gathered for a very informative seminar called Mental Health Safe Space
.
Mental Health Safe Space seeks to create a "stigma-free zone" community by providing the tools to help identify those who may need assistance and guide them to available resources. Their goals are to help expand awareness of mental health issues, thereby removing the stigmas attached to those suffering in silence, assisting individuals in receiving the love and support they need to live healthy functioning lives, and encouraging a feeling of safety in our citizens and community.
This training provides:
* A better understanding of mental illness
* Ways to identify a mental health crisis and de-escalate potentially violent situations
* Suggestions for how to approach individuals and offer resources as support
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In our churches
Welcome!
Fairlawn Church and School, Fairlawn, OH, welcomed 21 new members to their congregation during the late service on Sunday. Welcome, and may God bless you all!
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Water fun
Everyone had a blast cooling off at the family play date hosted by Hope Lutheran Church, Hastings, MN. Sunshine, water play and raspberry picking made for a fun, summer event. The church plans to host another play date next week.
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#VBS2017
Camp food, including s'mores because we are getting s'more of Jesus who is the Light, was part of the fun at VBS Campout, at F
aith, Arlington Heights, IL.
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Building a solid foundation
Legoland is where campers will build their foundation on God! The Lego-themed VBS featured skits, Lego projects and more at
Epic Church in Shelby Township, MI.
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Congratulations!!
A middle school student from Martin Luther Christian School, Pennsauken, NJ, was featured in the local paper after participating in the Youth Entrepreneurship Program for Teens.
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Wild West
Summer campers at Bethesda International Academy, Chicago, IL, loved the pony and horseback riding as part of their Wild West theme.
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In our district
Servant Event Retreats
Last weekend's 516 English District LCMS Servant Event Retreat in Medina, OH, was a huge success. Thanks to Prince of Peace Lutheran in Medina for hosting. Some of the service projects included working at the Greater Cleveland Food Bank. In all, 800 boxes were packaged with 28,200 pounds of food for seniors in need and lots of SHINING from the 516 Service Team! Look in next week's Servant to Servant for highlights from the upcoming 516 Servant Event Retreat to be held in Lincoln, NE, this weekend!
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Free Pews
Holy Spirit, Elk Grove Village, IL has four church pews available for free. They are approximately
10 feet long, with kneelers and two vanity panels. All are in good shape. If interested, please email Larry Herforth.
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By Rev. Eric S. Carlson, Associate Pastor, Peace, McMurray, PA
A few months ago, I had the opportunity to attend a workshop on evangelism at First Trinity in Pittsburgh, PA. It was part of the new LCMS Every One His Witness evangelism program. I wasn't sure what to expect, but the opening page of the workbook made me glad I decided to attend. It states, "The Every One His Witness program is designed to equip disciples of Jesus Christ to share the Gospel in their everyday lives with the people whom God has placed into relationships with them."
I am glad to report that the entire workshop focused on this goal. Attendees were given instruction and tools that are helpful in sharing the Good News about Jesus in their daily lives. The teaching and video presentations were bolstered by exercises where participants identified people God had placed in their lives and ways that God's Word could be shared with them in a natural way.
One of the most helpful sections discussed the four realms of vocation: family, neighbor, occupation, and church. Participants are led to see that they live out their identity in Christ every moment of every day. There is no need to force relationships or create artificial ones or do extraordinary things to be a witness for the Lord. The One who calls us to be witnesses also provides the relationships that give us the opportunity to speak of the hope that is in us.
The wonderful thing about this new program is the way it emphasizes witnessing wherever God has placed you. The workshop helps to identify opportunities for speaking the Gospel as you go about your day and provides practical exercises to boost your confidence. The aim is to make witnessing an ongoing activity that takes place throughout the day.
The English District Evangelization Team has a goal that every congregation in the English District would consider conducting an "Every One His Witness" workshop. After my firsthand experience, I encourage you to attend a workshop in your area or host one at your church. Your eyes will be opened to the many opportunities God places before you to be His witness. Click
here for further information about workshops and this wonderful new program, or email
[email protected].
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What do you and Jesus have planned for the summer?
By Rev. Paul Schmidlin, Pastor, King of Glory Lutheran Church, Sylvania, OH
This week's blog has been reprinted, with permission. This article was the Pastor's Letter in the July issue of the congregation's newsletter.
Ah, summer! I want to ask you, what do you and Jesus have planned for this summer? I hope the question doesn't surprise you - afterall, Christians regard Jesus as the Lord and Master of all things.
Click
here to continue reading.
Do you have a mission or ministry experience you would like to share? If so, you, too, could be a guest blogger for the English District. For consideration, please send an email to Lynne Cobb, Communications Coordinator for the English District LCMS at
[email protected].
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Serving Your Community Begins With Understanding It
For over a decade, more than 250 national and regional church agencies and over 125,000 faith-based institutions around the country have seen how MissionInsite's FaithConnect solution enables them to better understand their congregants and community at large. FaithConnect uniquely integrates information about your congregants and visitors with its own demographic and analytical tools to help you solve your most complex strategic mission challenges.
MissionInsite empowers you to carefully plan your local mission focus in the most cost-effective and volunteer-friendly manner. View this video for more information.
This demographic data is available to English District congregations free of charge paid for by the English District LCEF program. If you have not taken advantage of this powerful resource yet, contact Peggy Oke for registration instructions. For questions or to schedule a demographic workshop at your church, contact Rev. David Thiele , English District LCEF Vice President.
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Rev. Bart Day Accepts Position as next LCEF President and CEO
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The Rev. Bart Day, Executive Director of The Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod's Office of National Mission, has accepted the call to become the next President and CEO of Lutheran Church Extension Fund (LCEF). Day's official start date is September 1, 2017. In his new position, Day will oversee LCEF's investments, loans and ministry support activities, communicate to and with LCEF's partner organizations and assist the LCEF Board of Directors in establishing the overall course and direction of the organization.
Click here to read the press release.
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Employment Opportunity -
Gift Planning Counselor
English District LCMS and
Gift Planning Services - LCMS Foundation
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The Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod Foundation seeks candidates for the position of Gift Planning Counselor to work on behalf of the English District of the LCMS. This position will be responsible for serving LCMS members with an affinity or connection with the District and LCMS ministries within the District as well as other Lutherans who desire to fulfill their Spirit-led drive for generosity by working with them to develop their "Lifetime Plan for Giving."
For the full job description and to apply for this position please click here.
Response and applications should be received no later than July 31, 2017.
Inquiries should be directed to the LCMS Foundation Human Resources,
[email protected]
or via telephone at 800-248-1930, extension 1361.
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You Shop. Amazon Gives 0.5% to the English District
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Do you shop on Amazon.com? When you #StartWithaSmile, Amazon donates 0.5% of the purchase price to English District. Bookmark the link
and support us every time you shop.
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Attention English District Parish Professionals!
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We have started a private Facebook group for all English District Commissioned Ministers working in the parish setting. The purpose of this group is to provide support, share ideas, and get to know one another. Please feel free to ask for prayer support, ask for ideas, as well as share blessings in your life and ministry. You may join the group by clicking
here
.
If you have questions, please email DCE
Korey Danley
or Rev. J. Derek Mathers.
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English District Communications Corner
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Are you feeling overwhelmed by what seems to be an endless barrage of electronic means of communication for your church? It truly can be a daunting experience. Questions such as, "Should we print our newsletter - or email it?" Or, "Should we have a Facebook page? Twitter? Instagram?" So many choices.
But... there is help! As the English District Communications Coordinator, I want to share with you what I consider a fantastic resource: Concordia Technological Solutions (CTS). They have a wide number of
resources
available on their website. Their
blog
offers great interviews with others who are tasked with church communications. CTS is definitely there to help! Visit their
website
, and if you have a chance, sign up for one of their free webinars. As always, if you have any communications questions, feel free to email me at
[email protected]
.
Lynne Cobb, Communications Coordinator, English District LCMS
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What's Happening at CTSFW?
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Check out the upcoming events at Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne IN. From continuing education to retreats, see what is up and coming by clicking
here.
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LCMS Disaster Response
Free Resource Guide
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This easy reference guide is to help volunteers find appropriate scripture passages, blessings, and prayers for victims of tragedy. It's made of waterproof durable paper that can take the beating of being out on the disaster field. Get your free copy by emailing the Church Information Center -
[email protected].
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Lutheran Spirituality Retreat
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Pastors and laypeople are invited to attend a Lutheran Spirituality Retreat September 8-9, 2017, featuring renowned author Rev. Dr. John W. Kleinig, Pastor Emeritus of Luther College, Adelaide, SA, Australia. Cost is $75/person. For information, contact Rev. Bert Greenway at (412)793-1394.
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2017 Concordia Seminary, St. Louis Summer Workshops
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Continuing Education workshops offered by Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, MO provide an opportunity for exploration of contemporary topics that influence the practice of ministry. They are designed for pastors, church workers and laypeople. Unless otherwise noted, all workshops begin at 1:00 PM Monday and conclude at noon Wednesday. There are no evening sessions.
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Free Conference - "Best Practices for Ministry" - October 11-13, 2017
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A free conference will be held Wednesday-Friday, October 11-13, 2017 for pastors, other called workers and lay volunteers. St. Peter's in Columbus, IN, will host this event in which various congregations and ministries will share "Best Practices for Ministry." While this fall conference shares goals with the winter conference held in Phoenix, this is the "Heartlands" version. Congregations in the districts are encouraged to ride-pool to the event, and the registration and food during the conference are FREE. For more information visit
www.bestpracticesheartland.com.
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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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