God in All Things - Without Borders

January 6, 2023

Noah Hardy, son of Bishop Jamison and Wendy Hardy, wed Kaeley Sterkel on Saturday, December 17, 2022 in Dana Point, CA. Bishop Hardy officiated the ceremony. God’s richest blessings to Noah and Kaeley as they begin their life as husband and wife.

Pictured: The Hardy family, Nathaniel, Bishop Jamison Hardy, Noah, Kaeley, Naomi, Wendy, and Odin (dog).

Call Received

Mr. Joshua M. Schmitt, Director of Christian Education (South Dakota District), has received a Divine Call to serve as Director of Christian Education of Fairlawn, Fairlawn, OH.

Call Received and Accepted

The Rev. Dr. Terry N. Hursh, Emeritus, has received and accepted a Divine Call to serve as Associate Pastor of St. Mark’s, Mississauga, ON, Canada.



Call Received and Accepted

Ms. Tonya C. Waite, DCE-elect from Concordia, Austin, TX, has received and accepted a Divine Call to serve as Director of Christian Education of Ascension, Tucson, AZ.

Call Returned

The Rev. Jeffrey S. Teeple has returned the Divine Call to serve as Senior Pastor of Immanuel, St. Clair, MI (Michigan District). 

Youth are invited to attend the YouthLead gathering which district youth have attended for 5 years.

Who should attend this gathering?

• Youth who are considering church work and are active in their congregation.
• Those who want a spiritual conference that equips and teaches them how to share and teach the faith.

YouthLead conference is in St. Louis, MO, March 16 – 19, 2023. The event cost is $375.00 per person, which includes meals and lodging. District stipends are available.

Please contact DCE Rod Lane at 402-499-0807 if you have questions. The deadline to register is January 18, 2023. 

It is said that young people are interested in the genre of real life crime podcasts even as they seriously weigh the truth. Why not encourage your pro-life views this year and make an impact by passing along to your congregation, children, friends, neighbors and grandchildren the real life story of America's most prolific serial killer, Dr. Kermit Gosnell. Irish born journalist Ann McElhinney reveals how Dr. Kermit Gosnell appeared to be a kindly community doctor but killed with impunity whilst those who were supposed to stop him looked away. Serial Killer: A True Crime Podcast exposes how Gosnell was able to kill for almost 40 years before his crimes were exposed because of a routine drugs investigation and a curious cop determined to seek justice for one of his forgotten victims. Check out this interesting presentation here or wherever you get your podcasts.

Time to Register! Retreat attendance limited to the first 50 youth.

Life by Drowning: A Higher Things Youth Retreat

February 17-18, 2023

Mount Calvary Lutheran Church, Lititz, PA

Have a parent go to Retreats – Higher Things and click on “Lititz-PA” to create an account and register. Payment can WAIT until the retreat. Bring a check or cash payment at that time. (Cost is $50.)

Our retreat leader is Eric Andrae the Campus Outreach Pastor at Trinity Lutheran, working with college students in Pittsburgh, PA. Youth are sure to benefit spiritually from his presentation on baptism and confession as well as from interesting sectionals they get to choose! Fun, food, fellowship, and a free T-shirt will round out the time together with other pastors and youth from the greater PA area.

Click here for Retreat Schedule and Retreat info packet

(you can print any or all of these pages for your use):

Click here for an Instagram promotional video

REGISTER TODAY!

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

For Rev. James M. Grady and his family at the passing of his wife, Debra.



For Wendy De Santo, wife of Rev. Steven De Santo (emeritus), for ongoing health issues.

District daily prayers for January 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.

Gethsemane, Windsor, ON

On the fourth Sunday in Advent, Rev. Jordan Simon led the Nuer service for the Sudanese community at Gethsemane Lutheran Church. This day the children told the wonderful Christmas story dressed up as the Christmas story characters in scripture as part of the divine service. Pictured are Rev. Dr. Roger Ellis and Rev Jordan Simon.

Peace in the Valley, Benson, AZ

A group of parishioners received permission from their local Safeway store to sing Christmas carols in front of the building. It was a joyful afternoon sharing the songs of the season with shoppers!

Ascension, North Olmsted, OH

Children from Ascension Lutheran Church shared the Christmas story with residents of The Normandy Assisted Living in Rocky River, OH.

Trinity, Ocala, FL

Trinity Lutheran Church members brought Christmas cheer to Fort McCoy VFW Veterans Village on Tuesday, December 13^th, singing carols, delivering gifts and sharing homemade treats to this residential facility which they serve. The next night they shared the Christmas Spirit with their community by offering Christmas Carols on the beautiful Ocala Town Square. 

Eternal Life, Mesa, AZ

On Sunday, December 18, a new baptismal font and bowl was blessed during the Divine Service by Rev. Brian Crane. The font was built as a special gift to Eternal Life Lutheran Church by a member of the church. "The Lord Almighty, the Father, the + Son, and the Holy Spirit, bless this baptismal font and bowl and all who are regenerated here by water and the Word."

ENGLISH DISTRICT LCMS

248-476-0039

info@englishdistrict.org

www.englishdistrict.org

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