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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What Will you ADD for Lent? |
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When the discussion of the season of Lent comes up – at work, at play or even at church – the discussion normally centers around the question, “What are you giving up for Lent?” On the surface, this appears to be an admirable quest. During this Lenten journey to the Cross, it is noble to mirror Christ’s 40 days of fasting in the wilderness before setting His face to the Cross. But we also know that NO sacrifice on our behalf will supplement in any way what Christ has done for us with His life, death and salvation that pays for our sin in full. Therefore, have you considered doing just the opposite? What will you ADD to your life for Lent?
This article by Rev. Diener, on behalf of the English District Evangelization Team, will give you some ideas that will bless your life AND the lives of others beyond the Lenten season.
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The Rev. Zachary W. Marklevitz, Grace, Redford, MI, has received a call to serve as Sole Pastor of Grace, Wyoming, MI. |
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Ministerial Health Commission |
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Thoughts for Wellness
The catch-all acronym for the stuff that keeps you safe in the pandemic is "PPE." That, as you probably know, is "Personal Protective Equipment:" masks, coverings, sanitizers, face shields, etc. What people often forget, even in the Church, is that focus upon PPE is not the final answer to keep our lives free from fear.
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.
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LCMS Convention Referendum Approved |
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The congregations of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) have approved, by over 90%, a proposal to extend the current 2019–2022 triennium, pushing the Synod’s previously scheduled 2022 national convention to 2023 and extending the timeline for districts that wish to delay their conventions from 2021 into 2022.
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LCMS Youth Gathering Volunteers |
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Do you know someone that should apply to be a Young Adult Squad Leader at the 2022 LCMS Youth Gathering?
Applications to volunteer as a Young Adult Squad Leader close on March 15, 2021! Submit your application online today at lcmsgathering.com/volunteer/.
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English District Virtual Gala |
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In the beginning, God spoke and it was so. Thy strong word.
Today ministry and mission work is done with our hands and feet, our actions and our words. Thy strong word.
God also inspires us to give of our treasures. Thy strong word.
Our English District has an Endowment Fund that assists congregations and pastors with ministry and mission work. The 2021 English District Virtual Gala is a time for our district to gather online and recognize the work of our ministries and missions that received assistance from our Endowment Fund. It is also an opportunity for all members and congregations to donate to this important fund so it may continue supporting our district’s work in ministry and mission.
Join the English District on June 13, 2021 at 7:30 p.m. Eastern Time for the Virtual Gala—thy strong word. There will be inspiring speakers, award presentations, opportunities to donate, an online auction, a celebration of our missions, and beautiful music.
OR
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Roger D. Pittelko Ille Dilexit Ecclesiam Award
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Nominations are requested for the first annual
Roger D. Pittelko Ille Dilexit Ecclesiam* Award
(*He loved the Church.)
The English District has created this award to recognize and celebrate pastors who have served God’s people well in the English District.
Recipients of this award must meet the following criteria:
- He is an ordained pastor who served in the English District.
- He has retired from full-time active parish ministry.
- He exhibited a lifetime of faithfulness to our God and service to God’s people through congregations and the wider field of the English District.
The deadline for submitting nominations is Friday, March 5.
The recipient of this award will be announced as part of the 2021 English District Virtual Gala to be held on June 13, 2021 at 7:30 p.m. ET.
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Lumen Christi Award Nominations |
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Our gracious Lord blesses our English District by providing dedicated and talented professional and volunteer leaders/teachers in child, youth, adult, and family ministry areas. These servants of our Lord exercise their God-given gifts in many creative and unique ways to bless those they serve. The Lumen Christi award is presented to publicly recognize the service of educators, to further promote and encourage all professional and volunteer leaders/teachers who are active members of an English District congregation.
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1-1-1 - Focus on Campus Ministry |
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Our English District identified recipients of 1-1-1 (A Dollar for Mission) for 2020-2021 are the campus ministries of our District. We want members of our District congregations, those who bring a (1) dollar per (1) person per (1) Sunday, to have a clear picture of how these gifts are being used to directly support the mission of our District. These gifts come together to fund important ministries across the District, like LCMS-U – Whitewater, $1 at a time.
Read more about the campus ministry birthed at The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater campus.
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LCMS Life Ministry will host its first-ever virtual life conference March 19–20, under the theme “Making Disciples: Valuing Life.” Registration is open now at www.lcms-life.org.
Join us!
- Be equipped to speak up for the sanctity of life within your community and our society
- Gain ideas on how to care for all human life
- Interact with fellow Lutherans on Life Ministry topics
- Be a part of the LCMS Life Ministry community
Dozens of experts in Life Ministry will present throughout the conference with multiple video presentations available for immediate on-demand viewing as soon as you login. Engage in live Question and Answer sessions with experts in Life Ministry.
Download these materials to promote the conference in your congregation:
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Church Worker (Student Loan) Debt Reduction Grants Available
The purpose of the English District Endowment Fund is to provide God's people with a unique opportunity to participate in a perpetual fund. This fund has been established to assist congregations and rostered workers alike. One aspect of the Endowment Fund currently being offered to Rostered Church Workers is a grant for financial assistance with their student loans. Those rostered ordained workers who are currently serving (called workers) in ministry in their first through eighth year in an English District LCMS congregation or school are eligible to apply for this education indebtedness grant.
For a Church Worker (Student Loan) Debt Reduction Grant we ask that you complete an Application for Church Worker Transitional Assistance. These forms are available on our District website.
If you have any questions, please contact Rev. J. Derek Mathers at 800-755-9335 ext. 311.
Deadline for applications is March 1, 2021.
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The Bible's promise is true: "If we ask anything according to his will, he hears us" (1 John 5:14).
Join us in praying for Rev. Manuel De La Rosa for continued healing and strength.
Pray with us for the family of Blanche Halboth, who was called to glory on February 11, 2021. See obituary.
District daily prayers for March 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.
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Does your communication system need help? Learn how to create and execute a communication plan in LCEF's Ministry Moment series on communication. Watch the first video in the series here.
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.
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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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Music Arts Director Position Available |
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Faith Lutheran Church, Lake Forest, IL is seeking a Music Minister/Director and needs a dynamic person to lead and grow our music ministry. Candidate must be able to create an inclusive and spiritual environment that incorporates a variety of musical genres.
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English District Position Available |
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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 this position please submit a resume and cover letter which includes compensation requirements and availability to Sally Naglich at snaglich@englishdistrict.org.
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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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Peace, New Berlin, WI
Peace Lutheran Church, served by Rev. Greg Michel, wanted to support the first responders in their community and thank them for their service. One local police department made known their need for store-bought hand warmers. Two local police departments mentioned they appreciated the chance to have a nice meal while working their shift.
With financial support from Thrivent and by creating Warm Hands and Warm Food, a Thrivent Action Team, Peace members were able to raise enough funds to feed two entire police departments, about 75 police officers. Members of the church, families within the preschool (Little Lambs Academy), as well as preschool students themselves wrote encouraging messages on cards and created artwork that was delivered to the police force. Three members of the congregation who are first responders were given a gift and cards of appreciation.
It was a blessing and an honor to thank the men and women who give so much everyday to the community.
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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 info@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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