God in All Things - Without Borders

September 23, 2022

The Rev. Dr. Roger C. Ellis was ordained into the Office of Pastoral Ministry on June 25, 1972. He served St. Peter’s, Edmonton, AB, Canada from 1972-1979 and Redeemer, Sarnia, ON, Canada from 1972-2015. He retired from full-time ministry on October 31, 2015. Most recently, he served as vacancy pastor of Redeemer, Sarnia. On Sunday, September 18, 2022, a 50^th ordination anniversary celebration was held in his honor at Redeemer, Sarnia. Bishop Jamison J. Hardy was the guest preacher. Many family and friends were present for this milestone event in Pastor Ellis’ life.

The English District LCMS (Canada Corporation) held their annual meeting at Hope, Kitchener, ON, Canada on Saturday, September 17, 2022. 

The Rev. Steven A. De Santo, Celebration, St. John’s, FL is retiring from full time pastoral ministry on September 25, 2022. He shepherded Celebration Lutheran Church as their sole pastor since 2019 and as their Intentional Interim Minister from 2017-2019. Prior to moving to Florida, Pastor De Santo served Shepherd of the Pines, Payson, AZ from 2008-2017. He was ordained on July 18, 2008. We give thanks to Pastor De Santo for his many years of faithful service to his Savior and to the Church.

The final numbers are in!

We give praise and thanks to God for His faithfulness in blessing our English District Virtual Gala with a final total of $27,800. These funds were raised by our English District congregations to support our District’s Endowment Fund which in turn supports many different missions and ministry needs in our beloved English District each year. God works through His people and always provides what we need to do the work He has called us to do.

Perhaps the greater blessing is the promotion of the mission work being done in many corners of our district. Seeing and hearing about the different missions of our English District as well as the ministry of our award recipients serves as a great inspiration as we work together for mission and ministry. Clips from our gala were also presented during our convention this year to promote missions. You can still view the gala using this link.

We give thanks to God for the three mission congregations highlighted in the gala, the award recipients who gave inspiring interviews, our gifted speakers, MC, and presenters, and the members of the Gala Organizing Committee who devoted much time and talent towards this event (Sally Naglich, Shirley Holle, Rev. Joshua Ulm, Todd Brady, and DCE Rod Lane).

To God be the Glory!

Rev. Jeffrey Miskus

First Vice President of the English District

Chair of the Virtual Gala Organizing Committee

In His great love and mercy, God blesses and sustains His church through the men and women serving in church work vocations. The LCMS rejoices and gives thanks for the more than 14,000 faithful church workers who serve in congregations and schools across our Synod. People serve the church in many roles, especially:

PASTORS

LUTHERAN SCHOOL TEACHERS

DIRECTORS OF CHRISTIAN EDUCATION (DCE)

DIRECTORS OF CHRISTIAN OUTREACH (DCO)

DIRECTORS OF FAMILY LIFE MINISTRIES (DFLM)

DIRECTORS OF PARISH MUSIC (DPM)

DIRECTORS OF CHURCH MINISTRIES (DCM)

DEACONESSES

The most important way to thank God for your church workers is to receive the gifts that He provides through them: go to church to receive God’s gifts of Word and Sacrament. Take time also to say “thank you” to them and to show your appreciation in special ways. Pray for the church workers at your congregation and all of the workers in the LCMS, thanking God for their service.

For a few ideas to show your support, the LCMS has posted resources here.

The Bible's promise is true: "If we ask anything according to his will, he hears us" (1 John 5:14).

The Apostolic Lutheran Church in Moses Lake WA. requests prayers for safety of Pr. Greiser while deployed in Iraq, for the wellbeing of Pr. Greiser's wife Anya and their three young children, and for his congregation during his absence.

District daily prayers for October 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.

Lutheran Benefits Group in Sterling Heights, MI is seeking a full-time customer service representative (CSR) to work with clients and prospects. Provide excellent customer care to churches, schools and employees while assisting in the growth of the agency. Self-motivated with strong administrative and organizational skills. Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, Publisher, Adobe, general technology and learn third party software. If interested, please contact Keith Mueller at 586-739-5700.