English District of
The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod
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Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind.
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Appreciation for Congregations and Workers
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District staff and leadership express the District’s appreciation for the servants of God in our English District churches and schools. Watch the video
here
.
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Call Accepted
Ministerial Candidate Brady Retzlaff has accepted the call to serve as Sole Pastor at Living Hope, Racine, WI.
Call Received and Returned
The Rev. Zachary W. Marklevitz, Grace, Redford, MI, received and returned a call to serve as the Associate Pastor of Life in Christ, Peoria, AZ (Pacific Southwest District).
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Guide to Reopening Churches
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There isn’t a "flip the switch" moment when we will be back to normal, so ongoing, constructive, evaluative conversations are necessary.
There are no black and white answers, nor a one-size-fits-all way to respond. There are best practices, common sense behaviors, and actions that are medically advisable, but no plan will fit every situation. It is appropriate to distinguish between urban and rural settings as well as large, mid-size, and smaller congregations as leaders craft a plan that maintains health and wellness while allowing for services to resume.
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English District COVID-19 Soldiers of the Cross Grant Endorsement Application
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The Soldiers of the Cross grant is available to all rostered church workers (ordained and commissioned) who serve in English District ministries (congregations, schools, and RSOs.) The fund is for temporary relief for those suffering economically as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. To download more information and the application click
here
.
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Livestreamed/Recorded Services
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We encourage everyone to take advantage of alternative opportunities to hear God’s word and to be blessed by the Divine Service. We have compiled a
list of opportunities
on the English District website that is continually updated.
If your congregation is recording or live streaming and is not included on this list, please email us at
info@englishdistrict.org
and let us know how people can access it.
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1-1-1 A Dollar for Missions
One Dollar - Per Member – Per Week
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The missions and ministries supported through our 1-1-1 Mission Initiative continue to serve the Lord joyfully in their local contexts. We are thankful to God for the work of Holy Cross Evangelical-Lutheran Chapel in Pittsburgh, PA, one of our
2020 1-1-1
recipients.
Contact our District Mission Executive, Pastor
Derek Mathers
or Pastor
Justin Laughridge
, Chair of the Missions Council, with any questions regarding 1-1-1.
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English District Disaster Relief & Human Care Committee
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Are you interested in attending an LCMS Disaster Relief Conference this fall? If so, please answer this quick 1-question survey
now.
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PPP Loan Forgiveness Requirements
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Check out the
PPP Loan Information
page of our website for important PPP loan forgiveness information. Contact Sally Naglich at the district office with any questions: 248-476-0039 or
email
.
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Concordia Technology Blog
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Which social media opportunities can help your church communicate most effectively? Read more
here.
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Ministerial Health Commission
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Your English District
Ministerial Health Commission
is here to be a
confidential
sister or brother in Christ, walking along side of you. We strive to be a listening ear with a non-judgmental heart, supporting you where you are, not where anyone thinks you should be! We will encourage, not chastise, listen without advising, and pray without ceasing for you. May God grant you the strength to reach out if and when you need it.
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Quick Reference Guide for Disasters & Pandemics
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LCMS Disaster Response has developed a
Quick Reference Guide for Disasters and Pandemics
for use by church workers. They hope that it is useful to you in your duties. It is available under Resources on the Disaster Response page of the
LCMS website
and on their
Facebook page
. Please pass it along to all those who could benefit from it.
The Lord keep you as you continue to work in His church to bring mercy and hope to the afflicted and the fearful.
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Your prayer concerns are important to the English District. When you submit a prayer request, with your permission, it will be posted in this weekly eNewsletter. The Bible's promise is true: "If we ask anything according to his will, he hears us" (1 John 5:14).
Pray for the people of mid-Michigan, thousands of whom have lost their homes because of the flooding.
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English District Financial Aid
Deadline for submission is Monday!
English District Financial Aid information is available on the English District
website.
Please read the material carefully.
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St. Mark, Janesville, WI
Rev. Bradley Urlaub conducted the funeral for Frieda Lubkeman during the pandemic, using media to allow those who couldn't attend still participate. The local paper covered this story. Read about it
here
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Peace in the Valley, Benson, AZ
Rev. Ron York performed a baptism at Peace in the Valley Lutheran Church. Welcome to God's family!
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Redeemer, Lincoln, NE
Redeemer's May Church Council meeting with social distancing. Redeemer's two pastors are in the front row.
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Mount Calvary, Lititz, PA
Mount Calvary Lutheran Church celebrated Gus' confirmation. Welcome to the Lord's Table, Gus!
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Trinity, Scarsdale, NY
Trinity Lutheran Church places welcome cards in her pews in appropriately distanced places for people to sit; yet another initiative to encourage small strong congregations to know that there are safe ways to start gathering together. As people gather for Matins Services, they are at the same time encouraged to make private appointments for holy communion, initiating public gatherings one step at a time.
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Fairlawn, Fairlawn, OH
Special celebration for the kindergarteners!
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Redeemer, Pittsburgh, PA
Learning math and playing games from home!
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Redeemer's alumni congratulate the 2020 graduates in a video
here
.
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Bethesda International Academy, Chicago, IL
Plant life cycles.
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For more information contact the English District Gift Planning Counselor Ron Grimm by phone (
412)-584-7039
or
email
.
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There are key times in ministry when you need to provide personalized communication. But how do you do that efficiently and effectively? In this Lutheran Church Extension Fund (LCEF) Ministry Moment
video
, Vice President of Ministry Support, Rev. Mark Frith, has a few tips and tricks to help you and bless others.
A new video for school administrators titled "
Leading Your School Out of the Crisis" is available
here
.
If you are interested in moving your ministry forward with ideas like these, please c
ontact David Thiele, English District LCEF Vice President, by
email or phone
517-980-2857.
LCEF is here to support you and your congregation.
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Please 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. They can subscribe by clicking on the "Sign up for our emails" link at the bottom. 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
Holly Scheer
by Wednesday, 12:00 pm ET. We want to see how YOUR congregation or school is showing the love of God to those in your community and around the world.
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If you'd like to share our emails, please forward
using your email's forwarding option.
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