English District of
The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod
Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind.
Servant to Servant
Greetings!
April 9, 2021
Called to Glory
Rev. Dr. Joseph Paul Fabry
September 26, 1929 - March 28, 2021
 
The Rev. Dr. Joseph Paul Fabry, was called to glory on Sunday, March 28, 2021. Pastor Fabry was baptized on October 13, 1929, confirmed on May 3, 1942, and ordained on June 13, 1954. He faithfully shepherded Dr. Martin Luther, Gary, IN; Faith, Dunnville, ON, Canada; St. Matthew’s, Smithville, ON, Canada; and Christ the King, Grosse Pointe Woods, MI. The visitation and funeral were held on Maundy Thursday, April 1, 2021 at Christ Our Savior Ev. Lutheran Church in Livonia, MI.
 
We pray the Lord’s blessings on the entire Fabry family.
 
"Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his faithful servants." Psalm 116:15
Bishop's Visit
Bishop Jamison J. Hardy had a wonderful parish visit with Rev. Titus Utecht and members of Sherman Oaks Lutheran Church, Sherman Oaks, CA on Monday, April 5, 2021. 
Reconsider Re:Vitality
As confusing and as frustrating as this past year has been God’s Word has not been stopped or even hindered from going forth and accomplishing God’s will in the hearts and lives of people around our world. This is true of the focus and efforts of Rev. Dr. Mark Wood, Director of LCMS Witness & Outreach Ministry and director of the LCMS revitalization initiative.
 
These Re:Vitality tools, and they are just tools, are specifically meant to assist congregations in identification, reflection, and refocusing of the witnessing and outreach they are currently involved in. With a renewed awareness and consideration of these activities, the tools of Re:Vitality can help God’s people discover a growing level of intentionality in these same areas of their ministry and mission. The key is always this, the information gained is of no use or profit unless it is given energy and priority to be applied. You can have the right tool for a task but if you do not use the tool it is of little to no benefit to you. No secret, there will be a cost as congregations generally do not like change but that is what the tools of Re:Vitality present us with, opportunity for change that will work to strengthen our witness and outreach to our world and specifically to individuals looking for hope.
 
I encourage you to take another look at Re:Vitality and imagine how these tools might open doors of more effective witness and outreach for God’s people into our world.
 
In 2020, Rev. Dr. Wood spoke at the Minnesota South District Pastors Conference, providing a complete presentation of all the current Re:Vitaility tools and resources, explaining how they fit together and what the purpose is of each one. I believe it is worth your time to consider these tools as they have been reworked to be used without needing an outside facilitator. Here is the link to the video.
 
It is my hope that you will let me know your thoughts after watching it.
 
Rev. Derek Mathers
Assistant to the Bishop and Mission Executive
Concordia, Myerstown Mission Closes
New missions always start with a positive and hope-filled vision and passion. When, for whatever the reason, the new mission work comes to an unexpected end it can be most discouraging. Even in such moments we hold fast to our Lord and Saviour and continue to put our trust in Him.
 
Concordia Lutheran Mission – Myerstown, PA, one of our English District 1-1-1 missions, has closed. The closure is a consequence of many different factors which include these days of Covid-19. As the English District, we express our appreciation for the vision and effort that God’s people at Mount Calvary Evangelical Lutheran Church, Lititz, PA put forth in starting the mission in Myerstown. This is how new congregations are best planted, in partnerships with others in a circuit and District.
 
All matters concerning the Myerstown Mission have been brought to an organized conclusion. Remaining funds from the mission have been disbursed to cover remaining obligations and a balance of about $52,000 forwarded to the English District. These funds will be used by the English District to support other mission starts and congregations. Thanks be to God.
Dealing with Feelings of Guilt and Shame
Ministerial Health Commission

In Lutheran Church Canada's Q&A with Rev. Dr. Harold Ristau some of the topics discussed include those of guilt and shame, addressing the following questions:
  • How do we identify guilt or shame in ourselves?
  • What are some signs that a person is experiencing problematic levels of guilt or shame?
  • What effects can guilt or shame have on our lives physiologically, psychologically, socially, and spiritually?

Ristau explains, "This is how it often goes: the devil points to a true fact, a sin that we ought to feel guilt or shame over, but then convinces us that God is not loving, compassionate, or forgiving. Sin, flesh, Satan, and we ourselves try to keep us away from going to Jesus with our mental and spiritual baggage... Forgiveness is the solution and yet we avoid it."

In these especially isolating times, let us continue to encourage each other in truth and in love—comforting each other with the comfort we ourselves have received from God, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort.

Your sister in Christ,
Alex Steinke
2 Corinthians 1:3-5


Your English District Ministerial Health Commission is here to be a confidential sister or brother in Christ, walking alongside our church workers and their families. Please reach out if you need assistance.
English District Virtual Gala
Prayer Requests
The Bible's promise is true: "If we ask anything according to his will, he hears us" (1 John 5:14).

Please pray for Rev. Christian Just for healing.

District daily prayers for May are located on our website.

Your prayer concerns are important to the English District. If you have a prayer request you would like shared in this newsletter, email the District office.
LCMS Statistical Reports - Deadline Extended
Due April 30
2020 Congregation Statistics and Lay Leader Reports

Thank you to the English District congregations who have already submitted their end-of-year statistics on the LCMS Information Support Network (LISN) for Congregations.. For those of you who have not submitted your reports, the deadline has been extended to April 30, 2021, and these reports will be used when we invoice the convention assessments this year.

When you file your statistical report, please update your lay leaders and provide their email addresses. These will be important to your congregation receiving timely reminders to participate in Synod governance through the convention cycle.

Congregation statistics are entered directly into the LISN database, which is designed to provide better service and greater access. If you have problems logging in, or need assistance, please send an email to rosters.stats@lcms.org or call (314) 996-1366 to request your login information.

Again, the deadline to submit the congregation statistics is Friday, April 30, 2021. Convention assessment invoices will be mailed from the District office in early April using the figures available at that time. If no report has been filed, the last known figures will be used. For questions regarding the assessment, contact the district office: info@englishdistrict.org or 800-755-9335.
A baptized disciple of Jesus is engaged in worship, Bible study, evangelism, service and fellowship. Now is the time to develop a digital discipleship strategy for your church to keep your people involved in all of these areas. Learn more in this LCEF Ministry Moment video called Digital Discipleship.

Contact your LCEF District Vice President, Pastor Daniel Lepley, to discuss this and other ideas to help your ministry move forward according to God's will.

Are you currently receiving LCEF's Interest Time publication? Subscribe today to the print or electronic version.

LCMS Foundation
For more information, contact the English District Gift Planning Counselor Ron Grimm by phone (412)-584-7039 or email.
Easter Greetings from the DR Mission Field
Greetings from Deaconess Cheryl and Pastor Jonathan Naumann!

Dear friends in Christ,

In season, and out of season, God's Word is preached and brings souls to faith in Jesus Christ as their Savior!
Please click HERE to read our March Newsletter! We wish you every blessings in this Holy Week and Easter season!
Livestreamed/Recorded Services
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.
In Our Churches
Crosspoint, Sahuarita, AZ
Pastor Bob Stevens with confirmands David, Ellen, and Jordan on Palm Sunday.
Grace, Elyria, OH
Rev. Robert Weldon with confirmands Jacob and Cassandra on Palm Sunday.
Redeemer, Oakmont, PA
This year, in place of their annual Easter Egg Hunt, the people of Redeemer held a drive-thru Resurrection Road. Click here to watch the video.
Faith, Naples, FL
The high schoolers at Faith Lutheran Church served the younger families for Easter Sunday... Easter. Eggs. Everywhere!
In Our Schools
Holy Cross, Cleveland, OH
Preschoolers had great fun with their Easter celebrations and crafts at Holy Cross Lutheran Preschool and send wishes for a Happy Easter.
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!
Please share your congregation's or school's unique ministries with the rest of the District. Send pictures and stories for consideration to jmcgarr@englishdistrict.org by Wednesday at 12:00 Noon 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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