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, September 26, 2021, Bishop Jamison J. Hardy was the guest preacher at Peace, McMurray, PA. He was blessed to visit with Rev. Justin Schmidt and the members of his former congregation. |
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Call Accepted
The Rev. James E. Huenink has accepted the call to serve as sole pastor of First, El Cajon, CA.
Call Received and Accepted
The Rev. Michael S. Taylor, Candidate Status, has received and accepted a call to serve as Sole Pastor of Holy Trinity, Albion, PA.
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The Eastern Region Pastors Conference |
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The Eastern Region Pastors Conference was held September 28-30, 2021 in Ocean City, NJ. The guest speaker was The Rev. Dr. Adam Koontz, Assistant Professor of Exegetical Theology and Director of Field Education at Concordia Theological Seminary, Ft. Wayne, IN. Throughout the three days, devotions and prayers were led by Circuit Visitors of the Eastern Region including: Rev. Rob Kieselowsky, Rev. Brian Westgate, Rev. Dr. Martin Erhardt, Rev. Bill Douthwaite, and Rev. Dwayne Hendricks. A Divine Service was officiated by Bishop Jamison J. Hardy. |
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YOUR HEART IS UNDER ATTACK!
Statistics reveal an increasing percentage of people suffer from heart attacks, heart disease, and hardening of the heart arteries. The human heart (the organ) is under attack from increased stress, poor diet, lack of exercise and restoring sleep along with a myriad of other factors. It’s a life and death issue! But the human heart (the controlling source of desires, intentions and actions) is under attack by the culture of death in which we live. Jesus calls it sin - a hardened heart. And according to Jesus, the hardened heart is not only prone to weakness and trouble, it’s positively toxic. We live in a culture that seeks to control the human heart with public opinion, peer pressure and fear - and this has led to the toxicity of polarization on every topic under the sun. Differences of opinion used to be a matter of diversity but now they are a cause for division. YOUR heart is under attack and it’s a matter of life and death.
Is there any hope for the hardened heart of the Pharisee, the disciple, for you and for me? The Gospel of Christ proclaims a life-saving YES! In Psalm 51, David confesses his sin of adultery: “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me” (Psalm 51:10). The Creator of the world, who created mankind as man and woman, is also the One who creates in mankind a new heart through the life, death and resurrection of Christ. There is a great need for the toxic world in which we live to hear the life-saving Gospel truth that God’s plan and will is something completely other than the spiraling moral decay of today’s culture of death. The Gospel of Jesus proclaims the absolute certainty that the old, hardened, toxic heart can be made new again through His saving grace. Read this article as an urgent life and death matter because YOUR heart is under attack and the only hope is the Gospel!
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The annual fall regional pastors conferences are underway! There will be 12 gifts. Twelve signed books, “Connected To Christ” gifted from author Rev. Dr. Mark Wood at each of the four regional conferences. Your Evangelization Team will be giving away three books at each event: one to the first three people at each event who will promise to read and write a personal review of this gem of a book. We have obtained copyright permission from CPH. Rev’s. John Diener and Mark Wood have created a free study guide to go along with the book. You can win at Connecting people to Christ because God waters and grows the seeds you plant. |
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Using MissionInsite During the COVID-19 Pandemic |
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"There has never been a time like this...." Have you heard these words spoken by your families, your colleagues, your friends in the church? We all have.
Everyone who brings leadership to the church is looking for ways to connect with people effectively, being mindful to be safe in the process. We don't want to lose our unique ability to care for each other, being especially mindful of those persons in our churches or in the neighborhoods where we live that find themselves at higher risk during the pandemic.
MissionInsite and ACS Technologies seek to assist as you continue to do ministry. Creative ideas for worship and mission are springing up all around the country. The church is alive! We are bringing light into a world hoping for a brighter future.
To download ministry applications for using during the pandemic, please click here.
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In All Things, Youth Gathering 2022 |
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IN ALL THINGS!
Greetings and blessings to you on a beautiful fall morning here in northeast Ohio. Some of our trees are just starting to change and the fall colors are going to be exceptional this year. Surely our God is In All Things!
I just want to give an update on some resources and a very important date for the Youth Gathering next year. First, I would ask you to check out our Facebook page, "English District-2022 Youth Gathering" for links to the Youth Gathering website. For those of you not using Facebook click here for a direct link. Here you will find useful information about the Youth Gathering’s online store, FAQ's, and Bible studies that are centered around diving deeper into the Gathering theme. And finally, maybe the most important resource, registration process information. Housing assignments will involve a registration date component, a “first come, first served” policy. The sooner you register the better your chances for a hotel assignment closer to the action! Please remember that no registrations will be accepted by the Gathering office with a postmark date before November 1st. The registration process includes youth forms, adult leader forms and deposit information.
Finally, I’m excited to share for the first time the English District button! This button was designed and produced by one of our District youth! It features the Youth Gathering logo, the In All Things theme, and the fact that the English District is Without Borders. Thank you, Joey Scholl, for your excellent design!
In All Things,
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How the Real Estate Market Has Churches Considering "Best Uses" for Their Real Estate |
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Matt Messier, a good friend and great partner for LCEF, is featured in this article, which talks about churches considering how to use their real estate for the kingdom. The pandemic, dwindling membership and hot real estate markets all have combined to give churches good reason to reconsider how they use their space.
If you would like to hear how LCEF can help your congregation make the best use of its real estate, let’s talk! I’m only a call, email or text message away!
English and SELC LCEF District Vice President
317-402-9401
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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).
District daily prayers for October are located on our website.
Rev. Ryan Beffrey, Epiphany, Dorr, MI, recently had surgery. Please continue to keep Pastor Beffrey in your prayers for a full and complete recovery.
Your prayers are requested for the Steinke family and the church family of Tree of Life, Inverness, FL.
For the Johnson family and for the members of Hope, Syracuse, NY upon the passing of Mr. Abednego Johnson, Lay Minister.
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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For more information, contact the English District Gift Planning Counselor Ron Grimm by phone (412)-584-7039 or email.
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LWML Arizona Zone
Vicki Harding, President, and the Executive Board of the LWML Arizona Zone present Rev. Marcus Zill with a mission grant check for his campus ministry at the University of Arizona.
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Peace, New Berlin, WI
Peace Lutheran was honored to offer complimentary copies of the book “Global Inspirations” to everyone who attended their Back to Church Sunday Picnic on Sunday, September 19. Global Inspirations, written by Peace member and published author, Mike Paddock, tells the stories of an engineer's experience as he traveled in Guatemala, Bolivia, the Bahamas, and other locations, and discovered inspiring faith within those he met. Free will offerings given that day were used to support Peace Lutheran’s upcoming trip to Ysleta Lutheran Mission as well as other mission efforts. Pictured are author Mike Paddock and Pastor Greg Michel.
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Redeemer, Sarnia, ON
Rev. Roger Ellis of Redeemer Lutheran Church attended the dedication service of the Indigenous Community Flag Plaza, which is one of the outcomes from the local Reconciliation Committee. The three flags standing by the St. Claire River in downtown Sarnia represent the three local Indigenous Nations - Aamjiwnaang, Kettle & Stony Point and Walpole Island. The dedication included prayer from a local elder, speeches by representatives from each of the nations, drumming, song, and dance and finished with a lunch.
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Abounding Love, Lee's Summit, MO
What do you do when your Fun Run event turns super hot? Add water!
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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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Also, 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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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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If you'd like to share our emails, please forward
using your email's forwarding option.
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