Love your neighbor as yourself 
Servant to Servant                                      8-3-2018

Bishop's visits
Bishop Jamison Hardy had a wonderful visit with The Rev. Kevin Elseroad at Christ the Shepherd in Alpharetta, GA. In addition, Bishop Hardy had the pleasure of meeting Luke the comfort dog, Judy Adams and daughter, Alexa.
Vicar Meyers, Rebecca, and Matthias
1+1+1 National Mission in action and moving forward!
Vicar Sawyer Meyers was installed at Mount Calvary, Lititz, PA and Concordia Lutheran Mission, Myerstown (Lebanon County), PA, on Sunday, July 29, 2018. Our district 1+1+1 national mission grant is helping this new mission move forward. Vicar Meyers, Rebecca and their son have made their home in the community of this new mission. Together with the members of the mission they will seek to connect with people of the town and county, build relationships and, as God provides opportunity, speak of God's love and forgiveness in Jesus.
 
There will be more about this mission in future issues of Servant to Servant. Right now we celebrate the arrival of Vicar Meyers and his family!
The Rev. Adam Koontz leading the rite of installation

Vicar Sawyer Meyers, The Rev. Adam Koontz, and

The Rev. J. Derek Mathers

A Dollar for Missions 

One dollar, per member, per week = 1+1+1! 

The English District has launched a new model for funding missions to which every congregation is invited to participate. It is completely voluntary, but we believe that as God's people see and hear what is being accomplished, specifically and directly in support and development of new missions and enhancing existing missions, more and more of us will want to be involved.
 
It's simple. Very simple. It is NOT burdensome, nor sacrificial. It involves every baptized member of the Body of Jesus in your congregation, from the newest baby baptized to the oldest member. It demonstrates the power of the beautiful body of Christ working together, prompted by faith. It shows how much can be accomplished by many, giving little.

Here's the plan: $1/per baptized member/per week. Simple, right? Self-explanatory almost. Not burdensome, nor sacrificial. All can participate. 

Questions? Contact Rev. Derek Mathers, Mission Executive, dmathers@englishdistrict.org , or Rev. Justin Laughridge, Chair, Missions Council, at jlaughridge.ctm@gmail.com  

Thank you!
Greetings in Christ! On behalf of our English District Missions Council, along with Bishop Hardy and Pastor Mathers, please allow me to say a big THANK YOU to the dozens of Congregations that have thus far expressed their intent to participate in the "Dollar for Missions" initiative within our District.
  
I am beyond honored to receive stories, questions, and updates from many of your congregations about how you are participating in the wider mission of God's Church in the world. I am humbled by your faith and your generosity and will continue to rejoice in each case where God provides beyond what we could ever ask or imagine.  
  
The following congregations have thus far committed to participation in A Dollar for Missions:
  
Participating Congregations
 
  
Thank you and thank you again! Our hope and prayer is that this becomes such a regular and normal part of the giving across our District that we are able to support new missions and new ministries each and every year. Why? Because that means people coming to saving faith in Jesus Christ. It means adults being baptized and children being brought by their parents to the same. It means someone in your community, your neighborhood, your own family, who may hear that good news of the Gospel for the first time. Remember, there is power and strength in many giving a little, and it all comes from our God who has given so richly to us first.
  
God's Blessings as you Serve Him with Joy!
Rev. Justin Laughridge
Chair, English District Missions Council
The Rev. J. Derek Mathers, Assistant to the Bishop and Mission Executive, no longer has a United States phone number. If using your cell or landline phone to contact him in Canada will be a long distance charge to you, please call the District office and leave a message. Rev. Mathers will return the call at his expense.
Rev. J. Derek Mathers
Assistant to the Bishop and Mission Executive
33100 Freedom Road
Farmington, MI  48336
District Office: 248-476-0039 Ext. 311
Toll Free: 800-755-9335
Cell and Text: 416-320-6366
Fax: 248-476-0188
#LoveThyNeigbor
 
Creative comfort
St. John, Pembroke, ON, Canada, started a Sleeping Mat Mission in the fall of 2009. Since that time, over 400 sleeping mats have been made. The outer bag of a four-litre milk bag is saved, then it is cut in such a way that there is one continuous strip. This strip is then used to crochet a sleeping mat. It takes about 500 milk bags to make an adult-sized sleeping mat. Some women have learned how to weave sleeping mats. To do this, the bags are cut so that loops are made. The women meet two times a month, and the group includes women from St. John's congregation as well as the community.
LERT in action
A Lutheran Early Response Team (LERT) training was held at First, El Cajon, CA, on June 9, 2018. They partnered with a neighbor church's LERT team to do metal debris removal. A few weeks after the LERT training, the area experienced a devastating fire.



Raising funds
Epic Church, Shelby Township, MI, held a "Mom-to-Mom" sale. All proceeds from the sale will help Epic continue to serve their community through

 
In our churches
Installation
Rev. Aaron Sterling was installed on Sunday, July 29, 2018 as the Associate Pastor of Christ the Shepherd, Alpharetta, GA. Bishop Jamison Hardy officiated.
Celebration
On Sunday, July 29, 2018, Kim Sperry was presented with the Lumen Christi - Professional Ediucator of the Year award at Christ the Shepherd, Alpharetta, GA recognizing her passion and dedication to children's ministry. 
Singing praises
The Grace Lutheran Church's Women's Ensemble, Wyoming, MI, performed "You Raise Me Up" with "Be Still My Soul."
Youth gathering
The youth group of St. Luke, Toronto, ON, Canada, met for a summer garage barbecue. There was plenty of food along with spiritual nourishment from the Word of God.
#VBS2018
Children at Prince of Peace, Medina, OH, were "shipwrecked," but found out that Jesus rescues!
Kids and volunteers alike had a great time during "Splash Canyon" VBS at Ascension of Christ, Beverly Hills, MI.

 
 
 
Holy Trinity, Tucson, AZ, hosted "Shipwrecked - Rescued by Jesus" for VBS in June. The children had so much fun, they want to do VBS every week!
 



Hope, Hastings, MN, hosted a construction-themed VBS.
Position Available
English District Communications/Media Facilitator
This information is being published in the hope that you may know of someone in your congregation or ministry who would be interested in applying for the position. We would very much appreciate your putting a notice in your bulletins or newsletters.Thank you.
The English District of The Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod is seeking a part-time (approximately 10 hours per week) Communications/Media Facilitator. This position is available immediately.
  
Qualifications required: Experience in communicating through all forms of media. Knowledge and ability to work with others throughout the District and in the print, social networks, and communications field to reach an end product. Must be self-motivated, well-organized and team-oriented.
  
Duties include: Responsibility for public relations and communications for the purpose of disseminating information and mission and ministry awareness of the English District - LCMS.
  
Anyone interested in learning more about this position can contact Bishop Jamison J. Hardy at the English District office: 1-248-476-0039 (or toll-free at 1-800-755-9335).
  
Please submit a resume and cover letter which includes compensation requirements and availability to Bishop Jamison J. Hardy at  jhardy@englishdistrict.org, fax 724-941-9442. Must be received no later than Monday, August 6, 2018.

Lutheran Federal Credit Union
Serving the Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod Community
Lutheran Federal Credit Union (LFCU) is a nationwide financial institution with banking and lending solutions for all levels of The Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod.
 
LOANS
LFCU offers a number of loan products to meet your financial needs, from auto loans, to home loans, to credit cards, to whatever loans--loans to use for whatever your need may be.
 
PROMOTIONS
With Lutheran Church Extension Fund (LCEF), LFCU offers a special mortgage program for rostered church workers (RCWs) in nearly all states with no private mortgage insurance, competitive rates and underwriting that understands RCW realities.
 
ADDITIONAL SERVICES
In addition to providing the standard credit union products and services, LFCU has partnered with leading organizations to provide you with additional opportunities, such as insurance, college planning resources, and auto research services.
 
AND MORE
LFCU is part of a co-op network of shared branches and shared ATM's. This means that you have over 5,000 branch locations to conduct your personal LFCU transactions in person, as well as 30,000 ATM's throughout the U.S. for your own personal use.
 
LFCU offers 24-hour banking by phone for free! Call 1-855-726-9021 and make transfers, get balances, and pay loans by using the touch pad on your phone.
 
Lastly, LCFU has actual employees, too! Call Monday through Friday between 8:00 AM- 4:30 PM (CT) at 314-394-2790 and someone will be happy to assist you.
 
News From Our International Workers

Greetings all!

 

We hope you are all enjoying your summer months. Please click here to read our latest newsletter. Thank you for your continued prayers and support.
 
En Cristo,
Rev. Ted & Rebecca Krey,
Esther, Matthias, Natalia, Evangeline & Azariah
 
Dear friends in Christ,

God continues to bless LCMS mission work in Latin America.  
Please click here to read our  newsletter.
 
We are scheduled to be on "home service" in the United States from mid October through December 2018, and are in the process of creating a schedule for visits to congregations and schools. Please let us know if your congregation would like to host us for a mission presentation at a Bible class, ladies' group, congregational dinner or any type of mission festival! 
 
Your fellow workers in Christ,
Cheryl & Jonathan Naumann
 
 
 
LCMS Rural & Small Town Mission
Click  here  to read the the latest newsletter.

 
The LCMS School Ministry office will once again be working with Discovery Education Streaming
to provide a deeply discounted rate for our Lutheran schools. Please submit the Online Subscription Form no later than Monday, August 27, 2018 if you would like to subscribe for the 2018-2019 school year. You will receive an invoice in September to submit with payment for your services at your discounted rate. Please do not submit payment to the School Ministry office until you have received this invoice.
 
Discovery Education Discounted Pricing for 2018-2019
  • Discovery Education Streaming: $4.75/student w/$525 minimum and $1,100 per school max
  • Discovery Education Streaming Plus:  $7.25/student w/$625 per school minimum and $2,175 per school max
If you have any questions please contact Matthew Bergholt in the LCMS School Ministry office at 314-996-1285 or via e-mail at Matthew.Bergholt@lcms.org.
English District National Youth Gathering T-Shirt Design Contest
Calling all artists! The English District is in need of a t-shirt for the 2019 National Youth Gathering and your design could be the winner! Deadline for submission is August 26, 2018. Click here for official rules and guidelines on design.
Save the Date
St. Peter's, Columbus, IN, is once again hosting "Best Practices for Ministry: Heartland" in October. This free conference will be held October 10-12, 2018.
 


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 Peggy Oke by Wednesday, 12:00 pm ET.

We want to see how your congregation or school is "loving your neighbor as yourself."
ENGLISH DISTRICT LCMS

webmail@englishdistrict.org



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