English District of
The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod
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Living Our Baptized Life in Christ
Galatians 2:20
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Calls Received
The Rev. Mark R. Hartsough (Ohio District) has received a Divine Call to serve as Sole Pastor of Redeemer, St. Clair Shores, MI.
The Rev. Bryan K. Schindel (Michigan District) has received a Divine Call to serve as Sole Pastor of First, Kingsville, ON, Canada.
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Mrs. Margaret Ann Finley, Commissioned Minister, Emeritus
March 3, 1938 to November 26, 2024
Mrs. Margaret Ann Finley, Commissioned Minister, Emeritus, was called to glory on Tuesday, November 26, 2024, in San Francisco, CA. Margaret devoted her adulthood to the Christian education of young students and served many roles up to and including Principal of West Portal Lutheran School (WPLS), San Francisco, CA. Further extending her stewardship by serving as Administrator of Hope Lutheran Day School in Daly City, CA (while also engaged as Assistant Principal at West Portal) gave her much joy. She also especially enjoyed her time as Athletic Director for WPLS, and in recognition of her leadership, the Church and School dedicated the school gym, Finley Court, to Margaret and her husband, Jim, in 2019. She is survived by three daughters and six grandchildren.
Visitation was held on Friday, December 6, 2024, at West Portal Lutheran Church, San Francisco, CA and the funeral was held on Saturday, December 7, 2024, at West Portal Lutheran Church, San Francisco, CA.
Please keep the Finley family in your prayers.
“Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints.” Psalm 116:15
Read full obituary here.
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Mercy: Love Throughout Life Conference | | |
Registration for the Mercy: Love Throughout Life Conference is now open.
The conference, hosted by LCMS National Mission, will take place March 14–15, 2025. Conference sessions, all of which will be livestreamed, will take place in three different locations. Participants may attend in person or they may watch online. Click here to register.
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Over 50 members of congregations of the Arizona South Circuit joined their counterparts from local Pacific Southwest District congregations in the annual Tucson March for Life. Rev. Dr. John Stieve, Arizona South Circuit Visitor, led the pre-March devotions and pronounced the benediction at the conclusion. | |
The Lifeline team gives thanks to God for President Matthew Harrison's proclamation at the National March for Life in Washington, D.C., and pray His richest blessings on President Harrison, Bishop Jeff Miskus, Pastor Chris Esget, and all participating in the march. Thanks and praise for all Gospel-motivated voices for life!
Click here for Lifeline's 2025 Coming Events, a list of upcoming sanctity of life learning opportunities. Click here for more information on Lifeline.
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Mission Grant Recipient Report | | |
Below is some wonderful news shared by
Pastor Jacob Deal regarding
All Saints Lutheran Church and Student Center.
Here ends the year and an absolutely wonderful year it was, God be praised! We had a lot of planning over the summer to set us up to be the most successful we could possibly be. There was a general feeling that the congregation was really coming together to be more fully engaged with the life of the colleges. More attention was given to academic calendars, student feedback was reviewed, student leaders approached, and more weight was handed over to the students as the leaders of the organization.
What loomed over our heads was the reality that we may not have a Slippery Rock University (SRU) Lutheran Fellowship. Too many students had left and we had none, to our knowledge, to replace them. Again, the Lord answered our prayers. While last year He blessed us with the upstart of Grove City College (GCC) Lutheran Student Fellowship, this year He gave to us a young man to lead the fellowship at SRU. If you haven't gone through the establishing of a student group, know this, it takes years sometimes. It can be difficult and frustrating. It is much easier to hold on to one than it is to recreate one. God be praised for His mercy.
We are pleased to announce that All Saints has decided as a congregation not to apply for any grants this year. For a very long time those grants were vital for our ability to carry out the extra work of campus ministry. To God be the glory, He has established the work of our hands, and we are now in a position to step aside and allow others to receive while we work to give back. It is with great joy and thanksgiving that we can announce that through the cheerful giving of our members, our mortgage has finally been paid off. We know that the opportunities which now lay ahead of us are endless.
Many of you have heard of All Saints Lutheran Church and Student Center through the years because of the wonderful work of Augusta Mennell. Her writings over the years have given our congregation a special place in the heart of many. You have watched students grow in faith and life. I hope that you will read and enjoy her future writings. She will be continuing to write to you all through the English District Servant to Servant. We hope that you will all continue to keep us in your prayers. May the Lord of all mercy and grace bless you in the new year. To God be the Glory forever and ever!
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The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) has received a $750,000 grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. to support efforts of member congregations to nurture the faith of young people through worship. The program is funded through Lilly Endowment’s Nurturing Children Through Worship and Prayer Initiative, a national initiative designed to help Christian congregations more fully and intentionally engage children in intergenerational corporate worship and prayer practices.
Click here to read full Press Release.
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2024 Congregational Statistics and Lay Leader Reports | | |
It is that time again to submit your congregation’s end-of-year statistics and update your current list of lay leaders.
Click here: LCMS Information Support Network for Congregations
The deadline for congregation statistics and lay leader updates is Thursday, February 28, 2025. You may also review your congregation’s profile and lay leader information anytime throughout the year to make sure your contact information, service times, and other important data are current.
If you cannot remember the username and/or password you created previously for your congregation, follow the on-screen helps on the login page to recover your credentials.
NOTE: As was the case last year, do not include online engagements or views in average weekly attendance. Average attendance includes only those who were physically present. If your congregation hosted any part of its worship services online during 2024, whether live or recorded, a separate online form will be available to provide that information once your regular 2024 statistics are submitted.
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.
Online reporting is intended to help congregations honor their commitment as members of the Synod, as confirmed by the 2016 LCMS Convention in Bylaw 1.3.4.3:
Congregations of the Synod, to enable the Synod to plan current and future ministry efforts and to lend accuracy and integrity to the Synod’s delegate representation and voting processes, agree to provide annual membership and statistical information to the Synod.
The lay leader list is used to send copies of Reporter, the official newspaper of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, and other LCMS ministry-related mailings to congregation leaders. Reporter is sent, free of charge, to all congregational chairmen and Board of Elders chairmen each month and will be sent to the other congregation leaders as funding permits.
Thank you for providing your information. It assists a wide variety of ministry efforts at both the national and district level.
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Lutheran Witness – Deadline Reminder | | |
Lutheran Witness renewal forms were mailed to all churches with subscriptions/subscribers in November. All changes are due back to the district by January 30, 2025. Forms can be emailed (info@englishdistrict.org) or faxed (248.476.0188) back to the district office. It is not necessary to return forms if there are no changes. Subscriptions will automatically renew.
The annual subscription rate for 2025-26 remains the same as last year: $20.65 U.S. and $29.65 (U.S. funds) for Canadian addresses.
Email (info@englishdistrict.org) or call (248.476.0039) the district office if you have any questions.
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2025 Convention – Deadline Reminder | | |
Official nomination ballots for president and vice presidents have been mailed. Enclosed with the mailed ballots is an envelope addressed to Rev. Luke Zimmerman, secretary of the district, for returning your completed nomination ballots.
The deadline for returning nominations, overtures, congregation delegate forms, and circuit visitor election results is February 26, 2025. Please make a note of this deadline and plan your congregational voters meetings accordingly. These convention forms were emailed to all congregations in September. If you are unable to locate these forms, they are available on our website.
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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 Friday, January 31, 2025. 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 or by email at kstanis@englishdistrict.org for the login information.
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District daily prayers for February 2025 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 John Hoover, LCEF Vice President, by email or phone 314-276-3370 for more information. | |
Lutheran Federal Credit Union | | |
For more information, please contact our Operations Department at 314-394-2790 | |
"We Are Not Alone" Conference | | |
In today’s world, it can feel like you’re standing alone in your faith. The prophet Elijah felt that way in his time: “The Israelites have rejected your covenant, torn down your altars, and put your prophets to death with the sword. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me too” (1 Kings 19:10b NIV).
But there’s hope! Just like God assured Elijah that there were 7,000 in Israel who had not bowed down to Baal, He reminds you that you are never truly alone—there are many more Christians around you than you think.
The Michigan District LCMS is sponsoring this conference on February 1. Attend in person or livestream and discover the strength that comes from partnering with others in ministry. Click here for more information and to register.
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2025 LCMS Youth Gathering | | |
The 2025 LCMS Youth Gathering will take place July 19-23, 2025, in New Orleans. Learn more here. Learn about volunteer opportunities for young adults and adults here. | |
Church and Childcare Center Operations Director
Ascension of Christ Lutheran Church (LCMS) in Beverly Hills, MI
Ascension of Christ Lutheran Church is seeking a dedicated individual to join their team as a Church and Childcare Center Operations Director. This position is part-time (30 hrs/wk), pays $20-22/hr, and includes benefits (employee discount, paid time off, professional development assistance, and retirement & disability). It offers an opportunity to serve and contribute to the growth of God’s kingdom in their community.
If you’re excited about the prospect of working in a team environment and using your talents to serve and contribute to the growth of God’s kingdom in the world, submit your resume to info@ascensionofchrist.org or apply through Indeed.
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Outreach Leader
Lutheran Church of the Prince of Peace (LCMS), Menomonee Falls, WI
Lutheran Church of the Prince of Peace is searching for a full-time Outreach Leader. Duties include working with and reporting to our pastor, becoming immersed in the local community with the Gospel message, and identifying lost, lapsed, and unchurched persons.
Email office.popmf@gmail.com for more information.
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Thanks for spreading the word!
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Please share the unique ministries of your school or congregation with the rest of the English District. Send pictures and stories for consideration to llinthicum@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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