Love your neighbor as yourself
Servant to Servant                                         7-14-17

#LoveThyNeighbor
 
Blessed are the "piece-makers"
The quilting ladies at Prince of Peace (PoP), Medina, OH - also known as "The Piecemakers" - have been busy making baby quilts and pillowcases for the children who come through PoP's shelter program, operation HOMES. The children will get to choose their own quilts. Thank you to these ladies for generously sharing their talents with families in their community.


In our churches
Confirmation
On Sunday, June 25, 2017, Morning Star Lutheran Church of Lakeside, CA and The Rev. Justin Laughridge welcomed by confirmation and confession of faith new confirmands: Nicholas Jones, Carlie Edwards, and Jacob Farmer. Rev. Laughridge's stole is one of his stoles based on the "I Am" passages of John's Gospel. It was custom made by his wife, Emily.
New members
Welcome to all of the new members at Martin Luther Chapel, East Lansing, MI!

 
 
 
 
#VBS2017
Students of all ages had a great time during VBS at Fairlawn Lutheran Church and School, Fairlawn, OH. This year's theme was "A Mighty Fortress."
 


 
 
 
 
Keeping busy
From a Strawberry Festival to children's ministry to a weekly Happy Tea Time every Friday from 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM, the Church of St. Luke's-Lutheran, Toronto, ON, Canada, is having a busy summer!

 


English District Blog
Campus Ministry and Mission at Michigan State University - and beyond
By Rev. Curt Dwyer, Pastor, Martin Luther Chapel

Martin Luther Chapel is in mission to the students, faculty and staff at Michigan State University and to the surrounding communities in the East Lansing area. Martin Luther Chapel serves people at all ages and stages of life, with a special focus on providing college students a place to become part of a worshiping community and serve in meaningful ways during their time on campus.


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].
Congregational Treasurer's Manual
Deadline for ordering printed copies is July 19th!
The LCMS Congregational Treasurer's Manual is a valuable resource for any church treasurer, no matter what their level of expertise.  The manual, organized into two volumes, contains six major sections: Employment Issues; Federal and State Tax Matters; Establishing and Administering the Organization; Supporting Organizations; Accounting and Finance; and Insurance.
 
The manual is available online FREE OF CHARGE at www.lcms.org/ctm a nd is updated on a yearly basis.
 
Printed copies are only available through the district office and must be ordered by July 19, 2017.  There is a cost (approximately $10-15) for the printed manual (cost varies from year to year depending on postage, printing charges, etc.). If you would like to order a printed copy of the 2017 manual, due out later this fall, contact Peggy at 800-755-9335 ext. 210 or [email protected]  by July 19, 2017.
Employment Opportunity - Gift Planning Counselor
English District LCMS and Gift Planning Services - LCMS Foundation
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.

August 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 or in newsletters. 
 


You Shop. Amazon Gives 0.5% to the English District
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.

Attention English District Parish Professionals!
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.
 
English District Communications Corner
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 mail 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
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


Moving Money Between Your IRAs Is a Walk in the Park

If you have questions about moving your IRA assets, LCEF has a handy brochure explaining how you can move them while keeping the tax benefits. Click here to download the brochure.
National Youth Gathering #NYG2019
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.


Portals of Prayer
Concordia Publishing House has released a new Portals of Prayers app for Apple and Android phones and tablets. The app comes with a free seven-day trial period. Learn more by clicking here.

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 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].
 
Lutheran Spirituality Retreat
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.
 
Connect with Concordia!
Each month, Concordia University, Mequon, WI and Concordia University, Ann Arbor, MI connects with hundreds of LCMS pastors through its Clergy Connection e-newsletters, which provide updates, spiritual edification and student stories from the Mequon and Ann Arbor campuses.

Concordia invites you to stay in touch as well!

Click here to subscribe to the Concordia Wisconsin Clergy Connection. 
Click here to subscribe to the Concordia Ann Arbor Clergy Connection.
 
2017 Concordia Seminary, St. Louis Summer Workshops
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.


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.

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!
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."
ENGLISH DISTRICT LCMS

[email protected]



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