God in All Things - Without Borders

September 30, 2022

Rev. Robert F. Mayer

October 13, 1929 to September 13, 2022

Rev. Robert F. Mayer was called to his heavenly home on Wednesday, September 13, 2022, at the age of 92. Pastor Mayer served Holy Trinity, Tampa, FL; Ebenezer, Greensboro, NC; Christ, Lansing, MI; and First, Helena, MT. He also served as the English District Interim Mission Executive in 1997-1998. Pastor Mayer retired from full-time pastoral ministry on July 1, 1994.

A memorial service will be held on Monday, October 10, 2022 at Martin Luther Chapel, East Lansing, MI at 11:00 AM. There will be a visitation with friends and family one hour before the service beginning at 10:00 AM. Please keep the Mayer family in your prayers.

Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord. Revelation 14:13

Obituary

On Sunday, September 25, 2022, The Rev. Danlias F. Howe was installed as the Sole Pastor of Trinity, Ocala, FL. Rev. William Douthwaite, Circuit Visitor, officiated the service.

Left to Right: Rev. Joseph Signore, Our Redeemer, Ocala, FL; Rev. Paul Hoyer, Emeritus; Rev. Danlias Howe, Trinity, Ocala, FL; Rev. William Douthwaite, Circuit Visitor; and Jacob Hoyer, Wellspring, DeLand, FL.

The Midwest Regional Conference was held September 26-28, 2022, at Green Lake Conference Center in Green Lake, WI. Conference speakers included Rev. Jonathan Fisk and Rev. Dr. Daniel Paavola.

The emphasis of the presentation by Pastor Fisk was “Needful Things”. The dynamic of the Lutheran churches in America faced an uncomfortable atrophy before 2020. Now, with the advent of fake news, disinformation and conspiracy theories, people and places are fracturing even more.

Dr. Paavola spoke on two subjects. “Patience and Perfection” and “Flowing from the Cross” focused on forgiveness as the heart of our relationship with God. Through Jesus' cross, we know we can come to God's presence and walk in his peace. 

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 Wednesday, February 1, 2023. Please add this topic to your congregational voter’s meeting agenda for discussion in November or December. This will allow for the necessary paperwork to be completed in a timely manner. 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 ext. 320 or by email at kstanis@englishdistrict.org for the login information.

The 2023 Life Conference will once again be a hybrid conference. Participants will be able to come to live sessions at the International Center in St. Louis on March 2-3, 2023, or join via live-stream. They are seeking presentation proposals from potential speakers. Please click here for details.  

You are invited to be reenergized for your service during a "Take Heart! Renewed to Be a Blessing" respite retreat. The retreats are being offered to LCMS teachers and commissioned ministers by DOLXOLOGY: The Lutheran Center for Spiritual Care and Counsel. Financial support is provided by the LCMS Office of National Mission. The next retreat is in Dayton, OH, October 28 - 30, 2022. Registration is available here.

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.