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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Installation
The Rev. John A. Hile was installed at Epic Church, Shelby Township, MI on Sunday, January 30, 2022. Circuit Visitor Rev. Daniel Grams was present for the installation and Bishop Jamison J. Hardy officiated.
Campus Ministry Conference
Martin Luther Chapel, East Lansing, MI, hosted the Campus Ministry Conference on January 31, 2022 to February 1, 2022. Bishop Jamison J. Hardy was the guest preacher at the opening worship service.
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Call Received and Accepted
The Rev. Jon A. D. Scicluna received and accepted a call to serve Beautiful Savior, Arlington, TX (Texas District).
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2022 English District Gala |
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Rooted in Christ, the 2022 English District Virtual Gala, on Sunday, June 12, 2022 at 7:30 PM.
Find more information and resources on our website.
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Standing with Church Workers and Their Families for Their Strengthening |
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Upon hearing that a fellow pastor had resigned his call, Pastor Greg wrote: “While all of our situations are unique, I encourage my brother pastors...and actually all my dear friends.... don't be afraid to seek out help for mental health issues, burnout, anxiety, depression, and the like. Don't ignore it, sweep it under the carpet, kick the can down the road, or hope it magically goes away. It doesn't work. It will never work. Seek help....and cry out to God! He hears you and is with you. He will provide!”
Your English District Ministerial Health Commission is ready to listen with respect so we can act with understanding and compassion. We are here to walk together with those seeking hopefulness, courage, and strength to move forward. We value confidentiality as a cornerstone in all our endeavors.
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English District Endowment Fund |
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Endowment Fund Board of Managers are gift givers.
Are you mission minded? Has God given you the ability to be a good steward of His treasures? Do you have the desire to assist and grow the English District’s Endowment Fund so that we can support mission work throughout our District today, tomorrow and forever?
If you or someone you know in our congregations, whether a lay person or a commissioned or ordained minister, has a mission heart, promotion or marketing skills, prudent investment of financial resources talent, or has an eye to discern worthy proposals for projects advancing the Lord's mission, plan to ask your parish's voters assembly submit a nomination for that person to the English District Endowment Fund Board of Managers by February 20, 2022.
Nomination forms and convention documents are available here.
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On Monday and Tuesday, January 31 and February 1, 30 campus ministry workers and supporters gathered at Martin Luther Chapel in East Lansing, Michigan for the 2nd Campus Ministry Summit. The Summit was planned as an event to encourage and support campus ministry workers in the vital task of discipling students while they pursue their course of study at college. Campus ministries of the English District, the Michigan District, and many others were invited to attend.
In addition to the formal presentations, participants had the opportunity to spend time in conversation together, sharing ideas and supporting one another in this unique and vitally important ministry. The presentations were recorded and may be made available through the Lutheran Campus Mission Association website in the near future.
Campuses represented included; Michigan State University, University of Michigan, Central Michigan University, Eastern Michigan University, Hillsdale College, Northern Illinois University, University of Arizona, Kettering University, University of Wisconsin - Whitewater, Grand Valley State University, Illinois State University, Northwood University.
This Summit, like a similar one held 5 years ago, was made possible by the enthusiastic support of Bishop Jamison Hardy, and by God's people of the English District through 1-1-1 gifts. Organizers hope to make this a regular, perhaps even annual, event as they support the ministries that disciple students on college and university campuses across the country.
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LCMS 2021 Congregation Year-end Statistics |
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Up-to-date statistical information is essential for the Synod as it plans current and future ministry efforts. Such information is also critical for determining proper voting representation at conventions. Every congregation should have received an email from Synod regarding their 2021 year-end statistics. (If they don’t have an email address, they have mailed a copy to the congregation.) The deadline for submitting statistics is February 28th. Please use the link in the email to complete them as soon as possible.
If you have questions regarding this process, please contact LCMS Rosters & Statistics at rosters.stats@lcms.org or 888-843-5267. |
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2023 Holy Land Familiarization Tour |
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In preparation for the Holy Land Tour with District President Wally Vinovskis and LCEF District Vice Presidents TJ Mattick and Rev. Dan Lepley, Pastor Lepley will be leading a monthly Bible study open to all. Each class will be offered twice, a morning and an evening session.
Tuesday, February 15, 2022, 10:00 a.m. EST/7:00 a.m. PST Zoom Link
Tuesday, February 15, 2022, 9:00 p.m. EST/6:00 p.m. PST Zoom Link
All pastors, spouses, and lay people are welcome and encouraged to attend.
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Continuing Education Opportunities |
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Immanuel Lutheran Church, Alexandria, VA is excited to host a continuing education course, June 27-29. The course is part of Concordia Theological Seminary’s continuing education program. Dr. Paul Grime will present “Singing with God’s Saints through the Ages.” The cost for this course is $100 for the laity and $150 for clergy. To register, visit Concordia Theological Seminary’s website. |
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Immanuel Lutheran Church, Orange, CA will be hosting a continuing education course August 1-3. Prof. John Pless will present "God's Two Kingdoms and Three Estates" from his new book. Registration information is available here.
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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 – LCMS congregation.
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2022 LCMS YouthLead Leadership Training |
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YouthLead, formerly known as Lutheran Youth Fellowship, is an annual training event that is teen-led and gives teens the tools they need to mature in their faith, become leaders in their congregations, and reach out to their peers with the love of Christ.
The English District has sponsored and encouraged teens to attend this training for many years and would like to continue to send teens to this annual training to be held March 17-20, 2022 in St. Louis, MO. Please contact DCE Rod Lane at 402-499-0807 for more information. District stipends will be made available to help cover the cost to attend which is a registration fee of $375.00 per youth or adult plus travel expenses. Adults are not required to attend. English District Youth Coordinator Rod Lane will be attending and is comfortable chaperoning teens from other churches.
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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).
We pray for healing for Rev. J. Derek Mathers.
District daily prayers for February 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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Contact Dan Lepley, DVP - English and SELC District Lutheran Church Extension Fund for more information at 317-402-9401.
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Contact the English District Gift Planning Counselor Ron Grimm for more information at (412)-584-7039 or email.
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Immanuel, Orange, CA
Immanuel Lutheran Church is celebrating 100 years of ministry October 15-16, 2022. LCMS President Rev. Dr. Matthew Harrison will be the guest speaker.
Please share these dates with church or school alumni, past staff or someone you know who should be invited, or send their address to church@immanuelorange.org.
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On the Fourth Sunday of Epiphany Redeemer Lutheran Church celebrated the retirement of Parish Secretary, Jane Anne Rose who has served the parish for several years. Presentation of flowers and other gifts was made by Congregation President Sheila Ginn. |
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A new resident of Sarnia, Martie, was received into membership by transfer by Rev. Dr. Roger Ellis Vacancy Pastor, during the service. |
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Ascension, Tucson, AZ
Christian was brought into God's family at Ascencion Lutheran Church through baptism on January 30.
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St. John's, Hannibal, MO
Our apologies as Dr. Rebecca Schmidt was mislabeled in this photo in last week's edition. She is pictured here with Pastor Carlson and English District School Executive, Albert Amling.
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Our Savior, Hartland, MI
Bishop Jamison J. Hardy read Bible stories to the preschool children at Our Savior Lutheran School.
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Bethesda, Chicago, IL
English District School Executive Albert Amling visited with Aaron Landgrave at Bethesda International Academy. Shown here is Aaron with Mrs. Acosta, the preschool teacher. A parent also sent a photo and thank you to the English District that is shared below.
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Shepherd King, West Bloomfield, MI
Students had the best time celebrating Lutheran Schools Week! They painted crosses, made angels and painted prayer rocks. They created our planet Earth to show that God has the whole world in his hands! They also read a book about Joseph and his coat and cut and pasted paper to make his coat.
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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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Also, 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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If you'd like to share our emails, please forward
using your email's forwarding option.
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