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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1-1-1 A Dollar for Missions
One Dollar - Per Member – Per Week
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In May of 2019, we invited congregations to walk with us in faith and undertake the “Dollar for Missions” mission fundraising initiative. Many congregations and individuals have responded since that time, and we are now able to announce to you that a gift has been sent to both Holy Cross Lutheran Mission & Tree of Life Lutheran Church in support of the great work they are undertaking in God’s Kingdom! We were so honored to speak about these congregations and their mission around the District over the past several months, and now we are rejoicing at the opportunity to share what God has provided as an answer to prayer. View video message from Missions Council chair Rev. Justin Laughridge
here.
Contact our District Mission Executive, Pastor
Derek Mathers
or Pastor
Justin Laughridge
, Chair of the Missions Council, with any questions regarding 1-1-1.
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Staying Connected in Our Congregations
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How are congregations staying connected?
Elizabeth Harmelink, a member of the Church of St. Mark – Lutheran, Mississauga, ON, has come up with a unique contest. She wrote:
“Since our isolation, I enjoyed making up some jumbo puzzles for our church family, but felt something different might be appreciated, which hopefully will bring us closer to each other, and that is sharing “the peace of the Lord” by phone.
Most people I know use email instead of the phone, including me. For intimacy, the phone is more satisfying when it comes to immediate feedback. One can sense a mood very quickly, be it happy or sad. I am hoping that closer relationships will develop as we phone our brothers and sisters in Christ. I have made this a contest in that in order to win a prize, at least 10 phone calls will have to be made. During this call, “the peace of the Lord” has to be shared. Also the congregation is encouraged to phone at least one person they don’t know, but is in the directory.”
She closes her thought with, “I’m having fun with this and I hope you do also. May the peace of the Lord be with all of us.”
Is your congregation doing things to stay socially connected? Let
Pastor Derek
know.
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Guide to Reopening Churches
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There isn’t a "flip the switch" moment when we will be back to normal, so ongoing, constructive, evaluative conversations are necessary.
There are no black and white answers, nor a one-size-fits-all way to respond. There are best practices, common sense behaviors, and actions that are medically advisable, but no plan will fit every situation. It is appropriate to distinguish between urban and rural settings as well as large, mid-size, and smaller congregations as leaders craft a plan that maintains health and wellness while allowing for services to resume.
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English District COVID-19 Soldiers of the Cross Grant Endorsement Application
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The Soldiers of the Cross grant is available to all rostered church workers who serve in English District ministries (congregations, schools, and RSOs.) The fund is for temporary relief for those suffering economically as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. To download more information and the application click
here
.
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Livestreamed/Recorded Services
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We encourage everyone to take advantage of alternative opportunities to hear God’s word and to be blessed by the Divine Service. We have compiled a
list of opportunities
on the English District website that is continually updated.
If your congregation is recording or live streaming and is not included on this list, please email us at
info@englishdistrict.org
and let us know how people can access it.
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English District pastors are invited to participate in a continuing education class entitled “Letters from a Lonely Lutheran: Confidence and Joy Under the Cross”. The class will be led by Dr. John Pless and it will be held June 30-July 2, 2020
at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church (Pacific Southwest District), 1421 W. Ball Rd., Anaheim, CA 92802. This class will examine the pastoral letters of Hermann Sasse (1895-1976) as he encouraged brother pastors the world over to continue steadfast in the hope that does not disappoint. The class is worth 1.5 CEU.
Anyone interested may register
online
.
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PPP Loan Forgiveness Requirements
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If your congregation or ministry received a Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan, there will be documents and detailed accounting required for maximizing the loan forgiveness. Start preparations now for maximum loan forgiveness at the end of the 8-week covered period.
Read more
Please see
here
for more information about Navigating the Next Steps with a Paycheck Protection Program Loan. To sign up for a webinar on the topic scheduled for May 20 at noon Eastern time register
here
.
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Concordia Technology Blog
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Ministerial Health Commission
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All of us have our “down” days. All of us have our days (or more) where we “do what we don’t want to do and don’t do what we know we should.” Lord, have mercy! As your
Ministerial Health Commission
of LCMS English District, we know that our life journey is a struggle at times. What we want you to know is that we are here to be a
confidential
sister or brother in Christ, walking along side of you in your struggle. We strive to be a listening ear with a non-judgmental heart, supporting you where you are, not where anyone thinks you should be! We will encourage, not chastise, listen without advising, and pray without ceasing for you. May God grant you the strength to reach out if and when you need it.
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“Building Up the Body: Worker-to-Worker” is a series of church worker wellness devotions on t
he LCMS website. The focus for this week is
Relational Wellness
.
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Quick Reference Guide for Disasters & Pandemics
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LCMS Disaster Response has developed a
Quick Reference Guide for Disasters and Pandemics
for use by church workers. They hope that it is useful to you in your duties. It is available under Resources on the Disaster Response page of the
LCMS website
and on their
Facebook page
. Please pass it along to all those who could benefit from it.
The Lord keep you as you continue to work in His church to bring mercy and hope to the afflicted and the fearful.
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Free LAMP 50th Anniversary Devotion Book
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Given the global pandemic and devotional resources needed at home, LAMP would like to invite all English District friends to order a
free
LAMP 50th anniversary devotion book
online
. They will mail a hard copy for free.
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Your prayer concerns are important to the English District. When you submit a prayer request, with your permission, it will be posted in this weekly eNewsletter. The Bible's promise is true: "If we ask anything according to his will, he hears us" (1 John 5:14).
- Pray for recovery from surgery for Holly Scheer.
- Pray for the family of Rev. Arlo Janssen
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There are key times in ministry when you need to provide personalized communication. But how do you do that efficiently and effectively? In this week's Lutheran Church Extension Fund (LCEF) Ministry Moment
video
, Vice President of Ministry Support, Rev. Mark Frith, has a few tips and tricks to help you and bless others.
A new video for school administrators titled "
Leading Your School Out of the Crisis" is available
here
.
If you are interested in moving your ministry forward with ideas like these, please get in touch with
David Thiele
! LCEF is here to support you and your congregation.
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Church Mutual is proud to announce the creation of the “CM CARES COVID-19 Protecting the Greater Good Recovery Fund.”
We understand the heavy toll that the COVID-19 global health crisis has taken on communities throughout the United States. The impact has resulted in more Americans than ever in need of assistance. During this difficult time, Church Mutual Insurance Company, S.I. (a stock insurer)
1
is stepping up and offering financial support to help the communities where we live and do business.
That’s why CM CARES, the Church Mutual Insurance Company Foundation, has established a $500,000 “COVID-19 Protecting the Greater Good Recovery Fund.” This fund prioritizes donations to support essential needs provided by 501(c)(3) religious, education, nonprofit/human services, senior living and camps organizations that are experiencing increased demand for services and/or supplies caused by the pandemic.
We are pleased and humbled to share this opportunity with you. We are inviting eligible nonprofit organizations to apply for a donation up to $2,500.
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Contact David Thiele, English District LCEF Vice President, by
email or phone
517-980-2857.
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For more information contact the English District Gift Planning Counselor Ron Grimm by phone (
412)-584-7039
or
email
.
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Slippery Rock Campus Ministry
Read about All Saints Lutheran Church's ministry on campus during this time
here
.
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Christ the Shepherd, Alpharetta, GA
On Friday, May 8, Luke Comfort Dog Ministry and Children's Sunday School Ministry helped participate in a birthday parade. Masks were worn and social distance was strictly enforced. Happy birthday to a wonderful blessing to our church, Hadley.
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Luke Comfort Dog Ministry delivered 65 hot meals to our front line workers at Emory Johns Creek Hospital, near Alpharetta, Georgia. Luke typically participated in visiting patients, staff, and visitors. At the current time we are web conferencing with those who request it.
Many were blessed as Team Luke brought the mercy, compassion, and proclamation to those suffering and in need. We are excited to be involved once it is safe again! Social distancing and safety precautions are taken very seriously. Units receiving food included the infusion center, ER, L&D, and the Security Department.
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We are ZOOMING Sunday school! In our world's uncertain times ZOOM really helps Christ the Shepherd Lutheran Church's families stay connected. The challenge to leaders is engaging children with supplies that they have around the house! Shelter in place is encouraged until they can meet in a group setting.
Pictured is the teachings of God's promise/Noah’s ark. Children were encouraged to dress as an animal or bring their favorite pet! They had fun learning that Jesus is our Savior and He has a plan in every situation.
At the current time Sunday school is very well received by other families In the church, and outside of CTS. Families include the Open Arms daycare, Luke’s Ministry friends, VBS friends, and another church in another state. God is blessing them.
Come check them out! For security purposes please email
Judy
to request access
. Bring a friend or a grandma that is alone! All are welcome.
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Messiah, Danville, CA
To all of you…Thank you! God bless you!
You are a blessing to us and all the saints!
I am happy to report the following from our 100 Cloth Mask Project:
245 cloth masks were made exceeding our goal of 100!!!
60 plus elastic band extenders were also crocheted and donated!!!
$220.00 was donated to cover costs of postage!!!
Because of this generosity, we are also happy to report:
200 masks have been mailed to Atlantic District President Lecakes for use in New York City.
25 have been mailed to Pastor Roy Coats, congregational son and son of Parish Nurse Elisabeth Coats, for him and his congregation in Baltimore, Maryland.
20 cloth masks have been reserved for Messiah members.
To God be the glory!
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First Trinity, Pittsburgh, PA
Congratulations Vicar Hasselbrook on receiving the St. Timothy award for exegetical academic excellence from Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, IN.
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English District Financial Aid - Deadline for submission is June 1st
English District Financial Aid information is available on the English District
website.
Please read the material carefully.
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Christ the King, Grosse Pointe Woods, MI
Teachers delivered care packages to their students at home.
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Redeemer, Pittsburgh, PA
Pets helped with school work today!
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Hope, Hastings, MN
Congratulatory parade for teachers. Video
here
.
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Bethesda International Academy, Chicago, IL
Online debate team.
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Shepherd King, West Bloomfield, MI
Message from teachers and pastor.
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Short-term Pastoral Vacancy
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Immanuel Lutheran Church (Florida/Georgia District) Tavernier, FL, is searching for a pastor to serve their congregation from June 21, 2020 through September 13, 2020. The church is located on Key Largo. Salary and housing are provided. If interested please call the church at 305-852-8711 or mobile at 612-710-4600.
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Chaplaincy Position Available
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For over fifty years, the North Wisconsin District has had a full-time LCMS chaplain working at the state-run Wisconsin Veteran's Home in King, WI. The chaplain is fully supported by the North Wisconsin District. The current chaplain is retiring on September 1st and the North Wisconsin District will begin interviewing for the position in early June. To apply, please send an email to President Dwayne Lueck at
dwayne@nwdlcms.org.
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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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Please share your congregation's or school's unique ministries with the rest of the District. Send pictures and stories for consideration to
Holly Scheer
by Wednesday, 12:00 pm 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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