Love your neighbor as yourself
Servant to Servant                                         6-16-17

Ordination and Installations
Victor Manuel De La Rosa was ordained and installed as assistant pastor of Chapel of the Cross, Mission Hills, CA on Sunday, June 11, 2017. The Rev. Daniel Pezzica officiated both the ordination and the installation. 
 
Front row - Rev. Bob Barker, Rev. Daniel Pezzica, Rev. Victor Manuel De La Rosa, Rev. Justin Laughridge and Rev. Bill Naumann.
Back row - Rev. Erik Loza and Rev. Brandon Scott Jones
 
The Rev. Travis Schmidt was installed on Sunday, June 11, 2017 at Trinity, Erie, PA.  The Rev. Dwayne R. Hendricks, Circuit Visitor, officiated.
The Rev. Gregory S. Michel was installed on Sunday, June 11, 2017 at Peace, New Berlin, WI.  Officiating the service was The Rev. J. Derek Mathers, Assistant to the Bishop and Missions Executive.
Divine Calls
Calls Received
The Rev. Adam DeGroot, Candidate Status, has received a call to serve St. Andrew Church Plant, Albuquerque, NM.

The Rev. Ian Pacey, Memorial Lutheran Church, Houston, TX  has received a call to serve West Portal, San Francisco, CA.

Calls Accepted
Candidate Kurt R. Cockran has accepted the call to serve as Pastor of Faith, Tucson, AZ.

The Rev. Adam DeGroot, Candidate Status, has accepted the call to serve St. Andrew Church Plant, Albuquerque, NM.

Process for Calling Commissioned Ministers
The English District Bishop/President, executives and staff are committed to assisting you in the process of calling the best commissioned minister for your ministry and mission needs as a congregation or school.

The first step in extending a call to a commissioned worker (Deaconess, Director of Christian Education, Director of Christian Outreach, Director of Family Life Ministry, Director of Parish Music, Lay Minister, Parish Assistant or Teacher) begins with making you aware of the process established, completing the information form, and returning a copy of the information pages to our Administrative Assistant to School Ministry and Mission Executives at the District office. Once these forms have been received, Evelyn Jentzen, administrative assistant, will continue the process outlined with you.

Who to contact:
  • Rev. Derek Mathers, Assistant to the Bishop/Missions Executive [email protected]   (248)476-0039 ext. 311
  • Evelyn Jentzen, Administrative Assistant to School Ministry and Missions Executives [email protected]  (248)476-0039 ext. 212

 

Click here to download the instructions and information form.

 
Type One Confessional
God, a Pastor, and a Girl with Type 1 Diabetes
Type 1 Diabetes is a monster. By such monsters, faith is tested. But God is there. He is listening. He is acting. He can be trusted.

At its core, Type One Confessional explores in narrative form the struggle to reconcile God's love in times of crisis. In particular, Rev. Christopher Thoma, Our Savior, Hartland, MI, speaks directly to the unexpected and life-altering calamity of his seven-year-old daughter's diagnosis with what is often an overwhelming disease-one that is both difficult to manage, and if left untreated, is more than deadly. Thoma does this in a semi-fictional way-that is, each of the events included in the volume is true, and yet, even though the back-and-forth engagements between the Creator and one of His pastors are fictionalized, the content within arises from the Word of God-the place where God's voice is heard clearly and where He meets each human being with the promise of His love in the midst of the darkness of uncertainty.

 

Foreword by Rev. Dr. Jamison J. Hardy, Bishop of the English District of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. 
LWML Convention 2017 - Albuquerque, NM
Join Us via Livestream

So you can't attend the LWML convention in Albuquerque, NM on June 22-25, 2017?

Even though you may not attend in person, you can still be part of this exciting convention from the comfort of your very own home. LWML will be livestreaming convention sessions so you can still participate in the convention's Bible study, hear the grateful and enlightening mission grants speakers, and be on hand when the new biennium's mission goal and mission grants are announced.  

Your Donation Will Help Share Jesus' Love
 
In addition, via  Livestream, you'll be able to celebrate LWML's 75th anniversary and be on hand when LWML's exciting new look is revealed.

Even though miles apart, we can celebrate the One who has made us new through His sacrifice on the cross for the forgiveness of sins. The One whose name is above all names - Jesus Christ!

You can even send in a mission offering by clicking here, or by sending it to your district treasurer or the LWML office.

Let's attend convention together!
#LoveThyNeighbor
 
In our churches

Operation Barnabas: LCMS Ministry to the Armed Forces
In 2007, The Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod's Ministry to the Armed Forces launched Operation Barnabas -  the only one of its kind in the United States.

Our own English District congregation, Calvary Lutheran Church, Mechanicsburg, PA, has done much to support members of the Armed Forces over the past three years.
 
Through their generosity, they have:
  • Collected items, packed, and disbursed 250 comfort bags for homeless female veterans.
  • Collected items, packed, and disbursed 40 comfort bags for children of homeless female veterans.
  • Donated 24 toaster ovens to newly-housed veterans.
  • Purchased 10 sets of pots and pans, and 10 sets of kitchen utensils to help with kitchen start-ups for newly-housed veterans.
  • Held two Resource Days at Calvary to acquaint veterans with benefits to which they may be entitled.
  • Sponsored four Armed Forces Sunday Picnics to honor those who have served and are serving.
  • Sent care packages to deployed troops.
  • Created a plaque to honor those Calvary members who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces.
  • Collected and sent more than 20 boxes of clothing and comfort items to the VA Medical Center in Lebanon County.
  • Attended the interment of SPC4 Mary Morton's unclaimed cremains at the Fort Indiantown Gap National Cemetery.
  • Provided flowers at Calvary on the Sundays during Memorial Day weekends.
 
One goal of the Operation Barnabas program is to forge partnerships with other groups in the community to meet the needs of veterans. Partners include Military Order of the Purple Heart Chapter 1983; Days Inn of Harrisburg; Gideons; YMCA of Greater Harrisburg; and the Missing in America Project.
 
Baptisms!
What a special way to celebrate Holy Trinity Sunday at Grace, Elyria, OH. Two of their Children's Music Ministry kids and their mom were baptized in Christ. The rest of the Children's Music Ministry kids agreed to be their sponsors!
 
 
 
 
Confirmation
On Sunday, June 4, 2017, Christ Lutheran Church of Lake Mills, WI and The Rev. Aaron Boerst welcomed by confirmation and confession of faith new confirmand Andrew John. To celebrate this special day, Rev. Boerst also donned the stole he made years ago as a confirmand.
Welcome!  
Lutheran Church of the Prince of Peace, Menomonee Falls, WI, held their annual outdoor church service and picnic. Thanks be to God for the great weather, fellowship and food and for all who participated in making the 2017 picnic a success. Additionally, the congregation welcomed five new members: Tom Harms, Marietta Houk, Ron and Brooke Tabbert, and Seth Tomson.
 
 
 
Outdoor fun
The Empty Nester Bible Study group at Fairlawn Lutheran Church, Fairlawn, OH, enjoyed their end-of-the-year picnic.
 

#VBS2017
It must be summer, because Vacation Bible School has started! Photos from churches who hosted #VBS2017 this past week:
  • Mighty Fortress was the VBS theme at Faith Lutheran, Overgaard AZ.
  • Chapel of the Cross, St. Louis, MO, kicked off VBS this week, with Mighty Fortress as the theme.
In our schools
  
Congratulations, grads!
Each year, the eighth grade class at Hales Corners Lutheran Middle School designs banner posters based on their class's chosen Bible verse. The Class of 2017 chose 1 Timothy 4:12 (ESV), "Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity." The class then voted on the one they felt best represented their mission statement and the legacy they would like to leave behind. This year's banner was created by eighth grader Tori W. and assembled by the Trumble family. Congratulations, Tori, and the rest of the Class of 2017.

Lego Camp
Summer camp attendees at Abounding Love Preschool, Lee's Summit, MO, are having a great time building and learning at Lego Camp.
Fun Festivities
Last day of school fun at Our Savior, Hartland, MI, included special recognitions and celebrations. Congratulations to Luther House for winning the House Chalice for 2017 as well as the essay contest winners and the 2017 eighth grade graduating class.
Ground-breaking
The Rev. J. Derek Mathers, Assistant to the Bishop/Missions Executive, was privileged to worship and celebrate with Hales Corners Lutheran Church, Hales Corners, WI, as they broke ground for their new school addition.
Past and present pastors turn dirt as God's people say, "In the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen."
Future leadership steps forward to turn some dirt.
LCMS Disaster Response
Free Resource Guide
 
 
 
This easy reference guide is to help volunteers find appropriate scripture passages, blessings, and prayers for victims of tragedy. It can be quickly unfolded by a team leader for devotions or for that helpful guidance for when the right words escape you. 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].


Free Conference - "Best Practices for Ministry"
October 11-13, 2017
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.

Mission Grant Applications
The English District is excited and honored to share in the mission of Jesus with you as part of our district. We celebrate and give thanks to God for your mission and ministry which is one of the many ways we love our neighbor. Please use this opportunity to complete a Mission Grant Application and return it to the district office.
 
 
Download this form to fill out a congregational evaluation and apply for a grant. The Mission Grant Applications are due by July 15, 2017.
Please return the application to:

English District - LCMS
Rev. Derek Mathers
33100 Freedom Road
Farmington MI 48336-4030

Fax: 248-476-0188
 
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the district office at 248-476-0039.

News from Our International Workers

 

Dear Family and Friends,

 
Please click here to read our newsletter. Thank you for keeping us in your prayers. You are in ours, also. God's blessings.
 
Love in Christ,
 
Rev. Ted & Rebecca Krey, Esther, Matthias, Natalia, Evangeline and baby Azariah

2019 LCMS Youth Gathering
The 2019 LCMS Youth Gathering provides thousands of youth and adults the opportunity to come together, as a community of God's people, to learn more about Jesus Christ, the Christian faith and their Lutheran identity. The next Gathering will be under the theme "Real. Present. God." The theme is rooted in Psalm 46.   

During the five days of the Gathering, youth spend time together in God's word, worship, service, and fellowship with others from across the synod. This event is organized by LCMS Youth Ministry in Saint Louis, MO.





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."
Previous issues of the eNewlsetter, Servant to Servant, 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!
ENGLISH DISTRICT LCMS

[email protected]



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