English District of
The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod
| |
God in All Things - Without Borders | |
|
On Sunday, December 3, 2023, The Rev. Larry Loree, Jr. was installed as the Sole Pastor of Ascension of Christ, Beverly Hills, MI. Bishop Jamison Hardy officiated the service.
| |
Visit from the Assistant to the Bishop | | |
Lutheran Church of the Holy Spirit, Elk Grove Village, IL celebrated its 65th anniversary on Sunday, December 3, 2023. Rev. Derek Mathers, Assistant to the Bishop and Mission Executive, served as the guest preacher and assisted Rev. Daniel Greg in the Divine Service. A 65th anniversary certificate was presented at a fellowship gathering following the worship service. | |
|
Rev. Dr. Daniel M. Pourchot
November 28, 1926 to May 30, 2023
The Rev. Dr. Daniel M. Pourchot was called to glory on Tuesday, May 30, 2023. Dr. Pourchot was an honorary professor of the Faculty of Theology and specialist in the history of Christianity, ecumenism, life of the Church and patristics at the University of Montreal, Canada. He began his career at the Faculty of Theology of the University of Montreal as a lecturer from 1976 to 1978, then as a professor from 1978 to 1995, after obtaining his Doctorate in Theology at the University of Strasbourg. He also served Ascension, Paris, France from 1952-1956; St. Pierre, Great Paris, France from 1956-1958; Christ, Montreal, Quebec, Canada from 1958-1973; and La Reconciliation, Montreal Quebec, Canada from 1975-1997, before retiring in 1997. A memorial service was held on Thursday, June 15, 2023, at St-Albert le Grand Church, 2715, chemin de la Côte-Sainte-Catherine, Montréal, Québec, Canada. He is survived by his wife, Nicole Pourchot (nee Ricalens), three children, Pierre Emmanuel, Jean-Frédéric, and Carine, seven grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren.
Please keep the Pourchot family in your prayers.
Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord. Revelation 14:13
| |
|
Call Returned
The Rev. Aaron D. Sterling has returned the Divine Call to serve as the Sole Pastor of Faith, Springfield, MO (Missouri District).
| |
Evangelism Team December 2023 Newsletter | | |
|
Please click here for the December issue of the English District Evangelism Team newsletter.
| |
Church Workers on Candidate Status | | |
|
At the July 2016 Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod Convention, delegates passed resolution 12-02A, which in part states:
WHEREAS, there are ordained and commissioned church workers on candidate status, that is, rostered church workers without calls but who are available for calls and service to the church, be it
Resolved, that district presidents publish annually in a district publication the names of these candidates.
Click here for a listing of the English District rostered church workers who are on candidate status.
| |
|
Our English District 1-1-1 serves as a model for other districts for mission funding. LCMS Central Illinois District has produced a frequently asked questions video about “A Dollar for Missions”, featuring Rev. Dr. Ken Schurb, Stewardship Executive for the LCMS Central Illinois District, which is worth watching.
Click here to watch the video
| |
Calling a Seminary Candidate/Requesting a Vicar | | |
|
If your congregation is interested in extending a divine call to a seminary candidate, or plans to make application for a vicar, the call documents and vicarage applications must be received no later than Thursday, February 1, 2024. Please add this topic to your congregational voter’s meeting agenda for discussion in November or December. This will allow for the necessary paperwork to be completed in a timely manner. Calling congregations must access the Call Documents for Ordained Ministers and the Vicarage Application using a web address/URL. Please contact Kathy Stanis, Administrative Assistant, at 248-476-0039 for the login information.
| |
Respite Retreats for Church Workers | | |
|
A recent poll found that 38% of church workers have considered quitting in the past year, and many are on the brink of burnout. Ministry can be an “all-consuming fire” with little relief.
If you are a church worker, have you ever wondered how retreats can help restore holistic health or maintain church worker health before trouble begins? If you are a lay person, have you considered how a physical retreat can take care of your church workers and aid their retention in ministry?
In this LCEF Ministry Moment video, Pastor John Glover, Vice President of Ministry Solutions, provides some thoughts on the value of physical retreat as a means by which ministry fatigue and burnout can be addressed and healed.
Click here to watch video.
| |
|
The LCMS Commission on Theology and Church Relations has released a new report on Christian decision making at the end of life. This report supplements their previous reports on end of life issues and may be downloaded here.
| |
The West Coast Walk for Life will take place in San Francisco, CA on Saturday, January 20, 2024. The walk will be preceded by a gathering at 10:30 AM at West Portal Lutheran Church & School Parish Hall, 200 Sloat Boulevard, San Francisco, 94132. The speaker will be Rev. Ray and Aubrey Hulett, on the topic Confessing Life in the Midst of Loss. The group will then travel together to the Civic Center Plaza (Larkin St. and Grove St.), arriving at noon. The Main Event for all gathered for the Walk will begin at 12:30 PM featuring Lila Rose, Kaya Jones, Dr. Kimberly Henkel and Rev. Clenard Childress. The Walk itself will begin at 1:30 PM. For further information, please contact Elaine Mills. A flier for the event can be seen here. | |
|
The Bible's promise is true: If we ask anything according to his will, he hears us - 1 John 5:14.
District daily prayers for January 2024 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.
| |
Contact Dan Lepley, DVP - English and SELC District Lutheran Church Extension Fund, for more information at 317-402-9401.
| |
Lutheran Federal Credit Union | | |
|
Canadian Circuit Gathering
Pastors and spouses of the Canadian circuits and some friends gathered for an annual Christmas worship service with Holy Communion at Faith Lutheran Church, London, ON (LCC Rev. Oscar Castillo). Following worship, they enjoyed hearing news from each of the ministries, then shared a meal and fellowship.
| |
|
Pilgrim, Kenmore, NY
Pilgrim Lutheran Church welcomed 12 new members on Sunday, November 26. They praise and thank God for them! Each one has God-given gifts that will help spread the “Light of Christ.”
| |
|
|
Christ, West Olive, MI
Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church has four college aged catechumens who are also students at Hope College, Holland. Shown here are Brian, Rev. Christopher Nuttelman, and Andrew.
| |
|
Catalina, Catalina, AZ
Catalina Lutheran Church LWML held an Advent Gathering for the women of the congregation on Saturday, December 3rd with the theme O Christmas Tree. It was a good time of fellowship. With the congregation's assistance 120 pounds of baking goods were collected for IMPACT, the local Catalina Social Services/Food Bank. The ladies also had a cookie exchange and cookies were boxed for the shut-ins of the congregation.
| |
|
Grace, Redford, MI
A resurgence has begun among the young adults of Grace Lutheran Church. A small group home Bible study has restarted! Vicar Spangler is pictured leading a group in the book of Ecclesiastes. Grace members continue to give thanks to God for all of His blessings.
| |
|
St. Luke, Toronto, ON
Sunday, December 3, worship was highlighted by their annual Christmas drama. They are thankful for all who organized and participated in this event, and were happy to welcome several newcomers (both to Canada and to the congregation) to celebrate the birth of Jesus.
| |
|
West Portal, San Francisco, CA
The Kindergarten class sang on Saturday, December 2nd's evening worship service then participated in a cookie decorating workshop.
| |
|
Faith, Fort Wayne, IN
Faith Preschool at Jacob's Well is having a clever food drive to "Fill the Stable" before Christmas.
| |
|
Trinity, New Lenox, IL
Students at Trinity Lutheran Preschool are excited to have their lessons include Christmas themes!
| |
Employment Opportunity: Headmaster | | |
|
Immanuel Lutheran School, a mission of Immanuel, Alexandria, VA, is a Classical Lutheran school with a liberal arts curriculum for Junior Kindergarten through 8th grade. The are seeking a Headmaster for the school.
Click here for a compete job description, responsibilities, and necessary qualifications.
| |
|
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 the unique ministries of your school or congregation with the rest of the English 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.
| | |
If you'd like to share our emails, please forward
using your email's forwarding option.
| | | | |
