English District of
The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod
|
|
Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind. |
|
What Do You Say About Jesus? |
|
|
Jesus asked His disciples this question, “Who do you say that I am?” What if He asked you that same question right now? How would you answer? Peter confessed correctly, “You are the Christ!” but then went on to rebuke Jesus concerning His impending death - which was for his sin, your sin and the sin of the entire world. If I asked you, “What do you say about what’s going on in Washington, D.C.?” you would probably have a very passionate answer. Or, “What team will you put to win your bracket for the upcoming men’s basketball tournament?” Many of you have already been studying all the teams so you can win the ESPN bracket challenge. But what do you SAY about Jesus? What you are equipped, willing and ready to say as a child of God is exactly the HOPE the world right around you is desperate to hear. Read this encouraging article written by Rev. Diener of the English District Evangelization Team to encourage you to boldly speak about your Savior!
|
|
Re:Vitality - Shepherding Our Strays (SOS) |
|
|
Rev. Dr. Mark Wood has news to share with us. Shepherding Our Strays: Actively Serving Our Inactive Members (SOS) has successfully completed the doctrinal review process. This was the last step in SOS becoming available to LCMS congregations in its production version.
The production version of SOS is provided at no cost to LCMS congregations. If your congregation is interested in using this resource please request the materials by emailing WOR@lcms.org.
Download the SOS Quick Guide that provides an overview of the resource here.
If you haven’t seen the promotional video for SOS (which proves that Dr. Wood is "outstanding" in a field), here’s the link: https://youtu.be/33yRV1J9k_c.
|
|
Ministerial Health Commission
The catch-all acronym for the stuff that keeps you safe in the pandemic is "PPE." That, as you probably know, is "Personal Protective Equipment:" masks, coverings, sanitizers, face shields, etc. What people often forget, even in the Church, is that focus upon PPE is not the final answer to keep our lives free from fear.
Your English District Ministerial Health Commission is here to be a confidential sister or brother in Christ, walking alongside our church workers and their families. Please reach out if you need assistance.
|
|
2022 LMCS Youth Gathering Update
Greetings and Blessings in the name of the One who is In All Things, Jesus Christ!
My name is Terry Leu and I am both humbled and honored to have been asked to serve the English District as the District Coordinator for the 2022 LCMS Youth Gathering! This Gathering will be the twelfth Gathering I have been blessed to attend. Hard to believe but I started as a 20 something year old adult leading a group from Prince of Peace, Medina, OH to the first Gathering in Ft. Collins CO, in the summer of 1980. All of these Gatherings have been Mountain Top experiences for me, and I have been truly blessed by each of these experiences. I hope to be able to share some of the valuable lessons of leading I have learned along the way with other youth leaders of our District.
But I need some help! First and foremost, I need the prayers of EVERYONE in the English District. This is a daunting task, just ask DCE Kristi Bauer or Vicar Jim Bretthauer whose shoes I’m trying to fill. They set the bar high at the last Gathering. Secondly, I need the names and contact information of people who will be leading your youth. I have reached out to the list from the last Gathering and the response has been better than I expected. But that list only includes 20 congregations. So please answer two questions for me here.
My email is terleu@gmail.com. Stay up to date by checking our Facebook English District-2022 LCMS National Youth Gathering page.
Responding to God’s Love,
Terry
|
|
English District Virtual Gala |
|
|
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.
OR
|
|
The Rev. Todd A. Seaver, All Saints, Slippery Rock, PA, has received and accepted a call to serve as Sole Pastor of Redeemer, St. Clair Shores, MI.
The Rev. Zachary W. Marklevitz, Grace, Redford, MI, has accepted the call to serve as Sole Pastor of Grace, Wyoming, MI.
|
|
Roger D. Pittelko Ille Dilexit Ecclesiam Award
Deadline is TODAY
|
|
|
Nominations are requested for the first annual
Roger D. Pittelko Ille Dilexit Ecclesiam* Award
(*He loved the Church.)
The English District has created this award to recognize and celebrate pastors who have served God’s people well in the English District.
Recipients of this award must meet the following criteria:
- He is an ordained pastor who served in the English District.
- He has retired from full-time active parish ministry.
- He exhibited a lifetime of faithfulness to our God and service to God’s people through congregations and the wider field of the English District.
The deadline for submitting nominations is TODAY.
The recipient of this award will be announced as part of the 2021 English District Virtual Gala to be held on June 13, 2021 at 7:30 p.m. ET.
|
|
1-1-1 - Focus on Campus Ministry |
|
|
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 the effort of Grace Lutheran Church, Oberlin, Ohio at Oberlin College, $1 at a time.
Read more about the campus ministry being envisioned and birthed at Oberlin College and Conservatory.
|
|
The Bible's promise is true: "If we ask anything according to his will, he hears us" (1 John 5:14).
Please pray with us for Sally Naglich's father for healing and strength.
District daily prayers for March 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.
|
|
LCMS Statistical Reports - Due March 31st |
|
|
2020 Congregation Statistics and Lay Leader Reports
Thank you to the English District congregations who have already submitted their end-of-year statistics on the LCMS Information Support Network (LISN) for Congregations. We are able to maintain current data with electronic submission. When you file your statistical report, please update us on your lay leaders and provide their email addresses. These will be important to your congregation receiving timely reminders to participate in Synod governance through the convention cycle.
We are eager to achieve unanimous participation:
- because it is useful, especially now. We want to know how our congregations are doing and how best to work for their benefit and on their behalf.
- because we need to be able to contact leadership by up-to-date emails to facilitate their governance of their Synod. This was of key importance in the recent congregational referendum and will be increasingly so as we move toward convention.
- because the Bylaws expect it (1.3.4.3) and require the Secretary (3.3.3.2 [e]), district presidents (4.4.8), and circuit visitors (5.2.3 [h]) to urge it, consistent with an objective of the original 1847 Constitution of the Synod (Ch. IV 13).
Each congregation is able to enter its statistics directly into the LISN database, which is designed to provide better service and greater access. If you have problems logging in, or need assistance, please send an email to rosters.stats@lcms.org or call (314) 996-1366 to request your login information. Deadline to submit the congregation statistics is Wednesday, March 31, 2021.
|
|
Pastors -- Do you schedule regular time away for ruminating and writing? A retreat specifically for this purpose can have many benefits. Learn more in this LCEF Ministry Moment video titled Pastor's Writing Retreats.
Contact your LCEF District Vice President, Pastor Daniel Lepley, to discuss this and other ideas to help your ministry move forward according to God's will.
|
|
For more information, contact the English District Gift Planning Counselor Ron Grimm by phone (412)-584-7039 or email.
|
|
Livestreamed/Recorded Services |
|
|
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.
|
|
Bethesda, Chicago, IL
Mrs. Noski's class at Bethesda International Academy went all out on Wacky Wednesday with squids, balloons, caterpillars, spiders, and lots of crazy colors....and that was just on their heads!
|
|
Financial Relief for Church Pastors
Many pastors leave seminary with over $40,000 in student loans and expenses. Hearts For Pastors was created to reduce the stress and emotional toll of financial burdens on pastors. At the core of the program is a fund, endowed by generous Lutheran benefactors who seek to ease the financial burdens of pastors and other called church workers in the LCMS. The fund is professionally managed and overseen by an appointed board of directors. A portion of the fund will be disbursed each year to pastors in need to assist with their educational debt and/or relocation expenses.
Read more on the Hearts for Pastors website.
|
|
 |
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!
|
|
|
|
Please share your congregation's or school's unique ministries with the rest of the District. Send pictures and stories for consideration to info@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.
|
|
|
|
If you'd like to share our emails, please forward
using your email's forwarding option.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
