English District of
The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod
| |
God in All Things - Without Borders | |
|
On Sunday, March 12, 2023, Glenn Mertz was installed as vicar of Grace, Elyria, OH.
Pictured L-R: Rev. Jonathan McCall, Rev. Robert Weldon, Sr., Vicar Glenn Mertz, Bishop Jamison Hardy, and Rev. Joshua Moldenhauer
| |
|
Call Received and Returned
The Rev. Jason (Jisong) Hong (Pacific Southwest District) has received and returned a Divine Call to serve as Sole Pastor of Concordia, Berwyn, IL.
Call Received
The Rev. Jason (Jisong) Hong (Pacific Southwest District) has received a Divine Call to serve as Sole Pastor of Crosspoint, Sahuarita, AZ.
Call Accepted
The Rev. Paul Douglas (Colloquy) has accepted a Divine Call to serve as Sole Pastor of St. John’s, Golden Lake, ON, Canada.
Call Returned
The Rev. Robert A. Rogers has returned the Divine Call to serve as Sole Pastor of Peace of the Desert, Palm Desert, CA.
The Rev. Dr. Douglas H. Spittel has returned the Divine Call to serve as Sole Pastor of Trinity, Scarsdale, NY.
| |
Last Few Days to Register for PCW Conference | | |
|
There are only a few days left to register for the Professional Church Workers Conference. The theme of this year’s conference is God In All Things – Without Borders. Speakers at the conference will include Rev. Dr. David Scaer, Professor at CTSFW; Rev. Richard Snow, Nebraska District President; and Rev. John Wille, South Wisconsin District President. We are excited about the opportunity to gather to worship, learn, and fellowship in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Find more information and a link to register on our website.
| |
Candidates Announced for Synod President, Vice President | | |
|
The 2023 candidates for Synod president are, from left to right, the Rev. Dr. Matthew C. Harrison, the Rev. Dr. Patrick T. Ferry, the Rev. Richard L. Snow, the Rev. Peter K. Lange and the Rev. Benjamin T. Ball.
Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) Secretary Rev. Dr. John W. Sias has announced the names of the candidates for the Synod president, first vice-president and regional vice-presidents. The official notice is available here.
In the case of the President of the Synod, the election will take place, according to Bylaw 3.12.2.4, starting June 17 (six weeks prior to the convention) via Internet balloting. The five candidates listed above constitute the ballot for election. Registration is required to vote in the presidential election. If your congregation has not yet registered a pastoral and/or a lay voter for that election, please do so by Sunday, March 19th. If you have questions or need to request the login information that was sent to every congregation last October, please contact the Synod Office of the Secretary at lcmspresidentvote@lcms.org or 314.996.1417.
| |
|
Here's a short video that highlights the value of re:Vitality resources for congregations in decline, going strong, or just looking for ways to be more active in God's Mission.
Take a minute (and 16 seconds) to watch this video and then share it with your pastor, church council, elders, or anyone else in your congregation who might be interested. Don't forget, re:Vitality resources are available to LCMS congregations at no cost!
Click here for a longer video that provides a more in-depth overview of re:Vitality resources.
For more information contact Pastor Derek Mathers, our English District Mission Executive. Dmathers@englishdistrict.org
| |
Campus Ministry Summit May 22-23, 2023 | | |
|
Martin Luther Chapel at Michigan State University is hosting a Campus Ministry Summit where you can join other campus ministry professionals for two days of sharing, encouragement, and conversation around the task of making disciples on college campuses.
Speakers include:
- Trevor Sutton - Technology and Campus Ministry
- Brad Urlaub - Church Planting Lessons for Campus Ministry
- James Wetzstein - "Inspiring Comfort" - Peer Ministry training
- Craig Oldenburg - NLOMA/College Students at Summer Camp
- Dan Winter - Outreach with International Students
Representatives from LCMS Youth Ministry/LCMS-U, National Lutheran Outdoors Ministry Association, and Lutheran Campus Mission Association will be in attendance.
There is no registration fee for this event. Both Friday dinner and Saturday breakfast will be provided. Transportation and housing are not included.
Click here to register.
| |
End of Year Statistics Due March 31 | | |
|
If you have not done so already, please submit your congregation’s end-of-year statistics and update your lay leaders at lc.lcms.org. Up-to-date statistical information is critical for determining proper voting representation at conventions. Emails for lay leaders will be increasingly important as channels for critical convention communications.
If you do not have your congregation’s login information, contact rosters.stats@lcms.org, or the LCMS Church Information Center at 888-843-5267.
| |
|
Shareboard Webinar March 23, 2023 | | |
|
Shareboard provides lay leaders a valuable resource by helping them connect with others in similar ministry roles across the Synod to ask and answer questions, as well as discuss topics around:
- Human resources issues.
- Supporting ministry workers.
- Ministry finances.
- Board mentorship and training.
- Fundraising and development.
Tell your lay leaders about Shareboard and encourage them to visit ConcordiaPlans.org/Shareboard. Also, let them know about the March 23 webinar demonstrating how individuals can use Shareboard to enhance the service and support of their ministries.
Click here to register for the webinar.
| |
All Saints Campus Ministry: March 2023 | | |
|
Reaching the Unaffiliated
“The religiously unaffiliated are the fastest growing religious group in America,” says an article in the April edition of The Lutheran Witness. This is exactly why All Saints Fellowship’s campus ministry is so grateful to God for allowing us to be on campus to share the Gospel. We appreciate every opportunity possible to share the Gospel with Grove City College and Slippery Rock University students.
Our February student meal was filled with opportunities to share God’s word through the friendship, the conversation, and the board games introduced at this meal. We shared with a Sri Lankan former student at SRU. Then we reassured three Japanese students who were nervous about trying American food. And then we shared with an American graduate student, Jonathan, who wants to make a difference in Slippery Rock borough government.
Aru, a Sri Lankan international who graduated five years ago, stunned us by walking in unannounced to visit. When he was a student here, he and several international friends had attended student meals and had come in for advice, as well as to get rides to the stores. Their photos are in one of the several church photo albums of church activities over the years. One photograph shows them obviously feeling very much at home in our undercroft.
Click here to read the full article.
| |
Church Worker (Student Loan) Debt Reduction Grants Available | | |
|
The purpose of the English District Endowment Fund is to provide God's people with a unique opportunity to participate in a perpetual fund. This fund shall assist congregations and rostered workers alike. One aspect of the Endowment Fund currently being offered to Rostered Church Workers is a grant for financial assistance with their student loans. Those rostered workers who are currently serving (called workers) in ministry in their first through eighth year in an English District LCMS congregation or school are eligible to apply for this education indebtedness grant.
For a Church Worker (Student Loan) Debt Reduction Grant we ask that you complete an Application for Church Worker Transitional Assistance. These forms are available on our District website.
If you have any questions, please contact Rev. J. Derek Mathers at 1-800-755-9335 ext. 311. Deadline for applications is April 30, 2023.
| |
|
The Bible's promise is true: If we ask anything according to his will, he hears us - 1 John 5:14.
Please pray for Glenn, son of Patricia, a member at First, El Cajon, CA. He has been waiting for two years for the right liver donation. Please pray that a liver will soon be available for him and pray for patience for Glenn and family as they wait for God’s answer.
District daily prayers for April 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.
| |
Contact Dan Lepley, DVP - English and SELC District Lutheran Church Extension Fund, for more information at 317-402-9401.
| |
|
First, Kingsville, ON
Sunday, March 12, First Lutheran Church received 21 new members. They worship and praise God for His goodness and love. Awesome fellowship was shared after the service.
| |
|
Prince of Peace, Medina, OH
The congregation at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church celebrated the confirmation of five youth on Sunday, March 12.
| |
|
Prince of Peace, Menomonee Falls, WI
St Paddy's day shenanigans and a great potato lunch were shared at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church! A yearly tradition!
| |
|
St. Paul's, St. Clair Shores, MI
For the past four years, St. Paul’s Lutheran Church has hosted an annual baby shower to collect items and monetary donations to support a local pregnancy resource center. What a joy and privilege to serve those in need in the community!
| |
|
Faith, Watertown, WI
The students at Faith Lutheran School spent time this week learning about Picasso, then tried their hand at self portraits in his style!
| |
|
Grace, Wyoming, MI
A couple of students at Grace Beginnings Preschool here to remind you that Jesus is our super hero!
| |
|
|
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!
| |  |
|
Also, please share the unique ministries of your school or congregation 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.
| | |
If you'd like to share our emails, please forward
using your email's forwarding option.
| | | | |
