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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Bishop Jamison J. Hardy officiated the installation service of Rev. Zachary W. Marklevitz on Sunday, March 21, 2021. Pastor Marklevitz is serving Grace Lutheran Church in Wyoming, MI.
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On Sunday, March 21, 2021, Rev. Michael A. Matthews was installed as a Specific Ministry Pastor of Borrego Lutheran Church in Borrego Springs, CA. The Rev. Steven J. Duescher, Circuit Visitor, officiated the service.
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Board of Directors Meet in Person |
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The English District Board of Directors held their first in-person meeting in over a year in Detroit, Michigan this week, with a few board members joining via Zoom. A portion of the meeting included time with Synod executives President Matthew Harrison, First Vice President Peter Lange, and Fifth Vice President Christopher Esget. |
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The English District office will be closed Good Friday, April 2, 2021 through Monday, April 5, 2021. The office will reopen on Tuesday, April 6, 2021. The next Servant to Servant eNewsletter will be published on Friday, April 9, 2021. Have a blessed Holy Week and Easter! |
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Take a Stand - Protest or Palms |
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Have you ever or would you ever consider taking part in a public protest or march to take a stand for an issue near and dear to your heart? We live in an age where protests are the norm rather than the exception. What would it take for you to draw a line in the sand and join your voice, to make and wave a message sign, to march your feet beside others and to join your heart with fellow protesters on behalf of a particular issue? We are certainly blessed that our nation upholds the First Amendment right for the freedom of speech, religion and the press. It protects the right to peaceful protest and to petition the government. This Sunday is Palm Sunday. Will you take a stand? Will you boldly wave your palm branch during worship to take a stand for your faith in Christ crucified for you? On behalf of the English District Evangelization Team, please read this article to encourage you to voice your “Hosanna” and wave your palm branch to live one holy week after another.
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Concordia Plans created a new guide to the Paycheck Protection Program that should answer most of your ministry's questions. This reflects the latest updates to the program and includes the information you need about eligibility, loan terms, acceptable use of funds, loan forgiveness and more all in one document. Remember, you can also read about other provisions of COVID-19 legislation at ConcordiaPlans.org.
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Zoom Fatigue and How to Deal with It |
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Ministerial Health Commission
If you find yourself drained at the end of a day of ZOOMing, you join many people who have had a day looking at their computers.
Rev. Steven Sutterer, member of your Ministerial Health Commission, offers some deeper insights as to why this might be and some suggestions for how to manage it.
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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English District Virtual Gala |
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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 the effort of Grace Lutheran Church, Oberlin, Ohio at Oberlin College, $1 at a time.
Read more about the campus ministry being envisioned and birthed at Oberlin College and Conservatory.
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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).
Please pray for Rev. Richard E. Klein, Golden Lake, ON, Canada – for ongoing health issues.
District daily prayers for April 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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LCMS Statistical Reports - Due March 31st |
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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 is March 31, 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 Wednesday, March 31, 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. |
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Esther 4:14 National Grant Program |
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Any congregation or recognized mission of the LCMS that has membership in an LCMS district (U.S. only) is eligible to apply for an Esther 4:14 grant. This grant program is designed to encourage congregations to purchase equipment to meet the technological challenges of the day. Grants will be awarded based on need, innovative character and willingness to share discoveries with other LCMS congregations and organizations.
The awarded grants will favor advancing congregational technological capacity. Grants may provide technology (e.g., cameras, mixer boards); end-user equipment (e.g., tablets for shut-ins); software or software subscriptions (e.g., editing software, Microsoft Teams, Zoom pro accounts); training; and other equipment or technologies to meet timely needs.
Congregations applying are asked to demonstrate that grant funds will allow congregations to reach out to members and their communities. Grants may provide for new programs or provide necessary supplementation to existing programs.
Click here for more information and a link to the grant application. Deadline for applications is April 5, 2021.
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Do you have online viewers who are not a regular part of your church community? Watch this LCEF Ministry Moment video called Online Community for tips on how to connect with them in a deeper way while providing them with the reassurance of Christ, who is our rock and our salvation.
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.
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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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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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Holy Spirit,
Elk Grove Village, IL
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Until they are able to resume their mass packing events, board members of Packages 4 Patriots, a ministry of Lutheran Church of the Holy Spirit, have continued to pack care packages to soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines deployed in harm's way during the pandemic. As expressed in the letter and this video, their efforts are greatly appreciated by our men and women in the armed forces who receive their packages. |
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Prince of Peace, Medina, OH |
Prince of Peace Evangelical Lutheran Church celebrated the Affirmation of Baptism for five of their youth on Sunday, March 21. Pictured with them: Confirmation Instructor, Terry Leu and Vicar Jim Bretthauer. |
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Abounding Love, Lee's Summit, MO
Abounding Love Preschool teachers Mr. Brad and Ms. Heather are teaching their preschoolers about God's creation. They are watching caterpillars grow into butterflies and learning about gardening.
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Fairlawn, Fairlawn, OH
Mrs. Kalal taught her class at Fairlawn Lutheran School about serving one another in humility and love, just like Jesus did with His disciples.
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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 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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