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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On Sunday, May 2, 2021, Bishop Jamison J. Hardy visited with the members of Eternal Life, Mesa, AZ. He was pleased to welcome Eternal Life, a new member congregation, to the English District. |
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I just can’t bring myself to do it! To put one of those Christian fish emblems on my car. Why? Let’s just say I have received a few joking offers to be in the next annual “Faster Pastor Race” over the years. |
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I think we have all seen many Christian fish symbols on cars, piloted by drivers doing crazy things. Does it detract from Jesus’ message? His gospel? A turn off to the de-churched and unchurched. |
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Are there better messages to display on vehicles? Ones that don’t give the impression that I am better than you are because I am a Christian (Jesus loves me…not you?). I’m blessed….And you’re not. |
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How about a refresh? A message that touches a fellow driver with a message of hope. Or maybe a dose of spiritual reality. Far too many Christians today are relying on the once saved, always saved idea… I fear greatly for their eternity, due to decades of purposeful resistance and social distancing. Maybe it’s time to refresh your vehicle’s message.
Evangelization Team Chair
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May is Mental Health Awareness Month |
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From Concordia Plans
COVID-19 has taken a toll on so many of us. Between pastors taking care of their congregations and workers taking care of themselves and their families, nearly everyone’s mental health has been put to the test. But we’re here to provide you and your workers with resources to help. We encourage you to help your workers understand it’s OK to not be OK and to ask for support.
First, it’s important to know that mental health and mental illness are two very different things.
We ALL have mental health. According to the Centers for Disease Control, mental health reflects “how we think, feel and act.” The World Health Organization defines mental health as “a state of well-being in which a person realizes his or her own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to contribute to the community.”
Conversely, according to the National Institute of Mental Health, of the 331 million people living in the U.S., nearly one in five American adults (51.5 million) live with mental illness. According to the CDC, mental illness refers to “conditions that affect a person’s thinking, feeling, mood or behavior” – conditions such as depression, anxiety disorder, bipolar disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder that may affect someone’s ability to relate to others and function each day.
Mental health is represented as being on a continuum, ranging from:
- Mentally well – functioning well and coping with the normal stressors of life.
- Mental health issue.
- Mental illness that may be serious or prolonged.
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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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1-1-1 Focus on Campus Ministry |
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Our English District identified recipients of 1-1-1 (A Dollar for Mission) for 2020-2021 are the campus ministries of our District. We want members of our District congregations, those who bring a (1) dollar per (1) person per (1) Sunday, to have a clear picture of how these gifts are being used to directly support the mission of our District. These gifts come together to fund important ministries across the District, like Martin Luther Chapel at Michigan State University, $1 at a time.
Read more about the campus ministry of Martin Luther Chapel and how they connect with students and faculty during this time of COVID-19 pandemic.
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English District Financial Aid |
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English District Financial Aid information is available on the English District
website. Please read the material carefully and note that the deadline for submission is June 1, 2021.
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As confusing and as frustrating as this past year has been God’s Word has not been stopped or even hindered from going forth and accomplishing God’s will in the hearts and lives of people around our world. This is true of the focus and efforts of Rev. Dr. Mark Wood, Director of LCMS Witness & Outreach Ministry and director of the LCMS revitalization initiative.
These Re:Vitality tools, and they are just tools, are specifically meant to assist congregations in identification, reflection, and refocusing of the witnessing and outreach they are currently involved in. With a renewed awareness and consideration of these activities, the tools of Re:Vitality can help God’s people discover a growing level of intentionality in these same areas of their ministry and mission. The key is always this, the information gained is of no use or profit unless it is given energy and priority to be applied. You can have the right tool for a task but if you do not use the tool it is of little to no benefit to you. No secret, there will be a cost as congregations generally do not like change but that is what the tools of Re:Vitality present us with, opportunity for change that will work to strengthen our witness and outreach to our world and specifically to individuals looking for hope.
I encourage you to take another look at Re:Vitality and imagine how these tools might open doors of more effective witness and outreach for God’s people into our world.
In 2020, Rev. Dr. Wood spoke at the Minnesota South District Pastors Conference, providing a complete presentation of all the current Re:Vitaility tools and resources, explaining how they fit together and what the purpose is of each one. I believe it is worth your time to consider these tools as they have been reworked to be used without needing an outside facilitator. Here is the link to the video.
It is my hope that you will let me know your thoughts after watching it.
Assistant to the Bishop and Mission Executive
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The Role of a Father Confessor for Pastors |
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Every pastor (church worker) needs someone they can talk to, someone they can trust, someone they can confess their sins to and receive the assurance of the forgiveness of their sins in Christ Jesus from their Father Confessor. President/Bishop Hardy has been constant in this message and encouragement since he first was elected as our President/Bishop.
All pastors are fallen individuals. As people of pride and self-sufficiency we often fail to have someone we can trust who can hear our struggles, give sound brotherly advice, and offer the needed absolution of sins. But this is an area that every pastor would do well to pay attention, and to cultivate a relationship with another trusted pastor of proven godly wisdom, character, insight, and confidence.
There seems to be a variety of thought about the role of a Father Confessor in our congregations. To provide a common understanding of the foundation, practice, and benefit of having a Father Confessor as a pastor, Father Mark Braden was invited to write on this topic for us. He has titled the article: “On Private Confession and Absolution for the Pastor.” May the teaching and thoughts he shares be a blessing in your life.
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English District Virtual Gala |
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In the beginning, God spoke and it was so. Thy strong word.
Today ministry and mission work is done with our hands and feet, our actions and our words. Thy strong word.
God also inspires us to give of our treasures. Thy strong word.
Our English District has an Endowment Fund that assists congregations and pastors with ministry and mission work. The 2021 English District Virtual Gala is a time for our district to gather online and recognize the work of our ministries and missions that received assistance from our Endowment Fund. It is also an opportunity for all members and congregations to donate to this important fund so it may continue supporting our district’s work in ministry and mission.
Join the English District on June 13, 2021 at 7:30 p.m. Eastern Time for the Virtual Gala—Thy Strong Word. There will be inspiring speakers, award presentations, opportunities to donate, an online auction, a celebration of our missions, and beautiful music.
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The Bible's promise is true: "If we ask anything according to his will, he hears us" (1 John 5:14).
We pray for comfort for the family of Norma Janz, who was called home to heaven. Norma and her late husband Rev. Marvin Janz were a part of the English District in Canada for many years.
District daily prayers for May 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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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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St. Mark, Sheboygan, WI
St. Mark Lutheran Church was happy to celebrate the Confirmation of three youth shown here with Rev. Brett Matz.
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Pilgrim, Kenmore, NY
The Esther Circle women's group at Pilgrim Lutheran Church, gathered at the church & painted these “Inspirational Rocks”. It was a wonderful time of fellowship! The rocks were collected last summer along the beautiful shores of Lake Ontario. The ladies plan to pass them out during church services this Mother’s Day weekend.
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Mount Calvary, Lititz, PA
Mount Calvary Lutheran Church celebrated the retirement of their LCEF loan. Twenty-eight years ago the service of dedication for their new facility was presided over by Bishop Roger Pittelko.
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Hales Corners, Hales Corners, WI
Hales Corners Lutheran Church gave thanks and celebrated ninety-seven confirmands who, surrounded by family and friends, confirmed their faith in the One True God.
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Faith, Naples, FL
Faith Lutheran Church youth shopped to support the Mission of the Month, Pregnancy Resource Center. Thank you Jesus for helping them bless the Naples community!
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Are you following us on Instagram? |
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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 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.
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