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, June 6, 2021, Bishop Jamison J. Hardy was pleased to welcome a new member congregation, Blessed Sacrament, Hayden, ID, to the English District. He was blessed with additional time to visit with Rev. Dr. John J. Bombaro, the elders, and members of the congregation during an afternoon social gathering. |
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Sandra Claire Fields
February 19, 1940 to October 16, 2020
Sandra Claire Fields was called to glory on Friday, October 16, 2020. She was a retired Commissioned Minister-Teacher. Sandra is survived by her husband, Andrew Fields, and children, David Fields and Deborah Crossett. She attended Concordia College/University, Seward, NE. During her teaching career, Sandra taught in Kansas, California, Idaho, Alaska, China, and Arizona. She preferred to teach primary grades with a special affinity for Kindergarten and 1st grade. In addition, she served as an organist at her home congregation and sang in the church choir. Please keep the Fields family in your prayers.
“Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord!”
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Calls Received
The Rev. Todd W. Liefer (Texas District) has received a call to serve as Associate Pastor of Adult Discipleship of Hales Corners, Hales Corners, WI.
The Rev. Daniel E. Grams has received a call to serve as sole pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church, Centralia, IL (Southern Illinois District).
Call Accepted
Ministerial Candidate Raymond Hulett (CTSFW) has accepted the call to serve as pastor of Hope Ev. Lutheran Church, Fremont, CA.
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English District Virtual Gala |
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Thy Strong Word Virtual Gala is Sunday, June 13 at 7:30pm Eastern
To attend the English District Thy Strong Word Virtual Gala, click here.
To view and bid on Auction items to benefit the Endowment Fund, click here. The auction is now live and bids are being accepted.
To donate directly to the Endowment Fund for the English District, click here. Canadian donors who desire a gift receipt for their taxes should send the donation to their Canadian English District congregation and the congregation will issue the tax receipt and forward the gift on to the English District Endowment Fund.
We look forward to sharing a special evening with all of you!
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Seen Any Miracles Lately? |
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It has been said that a miracle is a way for people to witness God touching the world, while others proclaim that a miracle is simply any outstanding or unusual event. When is the last time you witnessed a miracle? For the men reading this, they would immediately point to the miracle on ice in 1980 or maybe the Immaculate Reception or even Secretariat, the so-called “miracle horse.” For Detroit Lions fans, a miracle would be a playoff appearance and win. For me, it’s seeing a black cow eat green grass to give white milk that makes yellow butter. Now there’s a miracle! But seriously, maybe for you it’s a terminal cancer patient whose illness goes into remission or the rescue of an earthquake victim after many days trapped under rubble. This past year, the world witnessed the creation of a vaccine in record time against the terrible pandemic of COVID. Christians certainly would point to God’s gift of life and to the resurrection of Christ, the first fruits of the dead, as the greatest miracles. What miracles have you witnessed or celebrated lately?
In light of this Sunday’s Gospel text, I would propose the growth of God’s Kingdom is an awesome miracle. Jesus helps us understand this true miracle by telling a parable, an earthly story with a heavenly meaning. Jesus says His Kingdom is like a tiny mustard seed. His Kingdom merely appears insignificant, unimpressive, incapable of doing anything great. But the Kingdom of God is Jesus Himself and the saving work He alone accomplished through His perfect life, atoning death and victorious resurrection. The Kingdom is God’s work alone! It’s present among us right now. Therefore, you are witnessing a miracle every day as you bear witness to the growth of His Kingdom. You are privy to this miracle. Because of God’s Kingdom work, you are a child of God, your sin is completely forgiven; By God’s grace, you are an heir to heaven, an ambassador of reconciliation, and a sower of the seed of God’s Word. Who doesn’t like to witness a miracle?
On behalf of the District’s Evangelization Team, read more about the miracle happening right around you this very minute.
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Grieving with our Indigenous Community |
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In response to the graves found recently at the Residential School in British Columbia, we, the Christian congregations of The Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod in Canada, grieve with our Indigenous community and offer our support and prayers in the face of this tragedy.
We are heartbroken over the recent findings of 215 graves. We cherish our Indigenous heritage, and we pray that tragedies such as this would never happen again.
May our God and Father send the comfort of His Holy Spirit upon us as a people and may the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ give hope and faith to all who grieve this tragic loss.
Assistant to the President/Bishop of English District LCMS
Waterloo, Ontario
Pastor Jeff Miskus
1st Vice-President, English District LCMS
Mississauga, Ontario
Pastor James Leistico
Circuit Visitor, English District LCMS - Canada West
Windsor, Ontario
Pastor Gregory Lutz
Circuit Visitor, English District LCMS - Canada East
Barrie, Ontario
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1-1-1 Focus on Campus Ministry |
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LCMS Rosters and Statistics: Sending Annual Reminders for Updates |
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Beginning June 8, 2021, the annual reminders to LCMS congregations, new church starts, and LCMS rostered workers will be sent asking them to review and update their records.
September 1, 2021, is the deadline to be sure that updates are included in The Lutheran Annual 2022; however, congregations and rostered workers may update their records online anytime throughout the year since much of this information is also available on the LCMS Locators.
For help, contact Rosters, Statistics and Research Services at Rosters.Stats@lcms.org, or by calling the Church Information Center at 1-888-843-5267.
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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 July 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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For more information, contact the English District Gift Planning Counselor Ron Grimm by phone (412)-584-7039 or email.
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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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Get ready for Prime Days on June 21 and 22! Sign up for AmazonSmile and select English District of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod as your preferred charity at smile.amazon.com/ch/38-1675740. Remember to shop for deals at smile.amazon.com, or with AmazonSmile ON in the Amazon app, and AmazonSmile will donate to us at no cost to you. This is a great way to support the district while you do your normal shopping! Thank you!
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Santa Trinidad, Tucson, AZ
The Rev. Nicholas D. Wirtz was installed as the pastor of Santa Trinidad, Tucson, AZ, on Sunday, June 6, 2021. The Rev. Todd W. Arnold, Western Region Vice President, officiated the installation service. Pictured on the right are Rev. Vern Schindler, Rev. Todd Arnold, Rev. Nicholas Wirtz, and Jo Reister, members of the Latino Ministry Task Force of the Arizona South Circuit. Members Rev. Garry and Marilyn McClure were not available for the photo.
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Rev. Nicholas Wirtz and Rev. Garry McClure at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church following the Latino Ministry Santa Trinidad service. |
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Ascension of Christ, Beverly Hills, MI
Ascension of Christ welcomed the Fiore family to the body of Christ. Dad and sons received the gift of Holy Baptism. Pictured with them are Rev. Daniel Grams and Trina Stewart, Director of Ascension's Child Care Center. The Fiore family is the 6th family from the child care to become members of the congregation. There have been 13 baptisms, including 4 adults, since the center opened in 2015. To God be the Glory!
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Since January 2021, Our Savior Lutheran Church of the Deaf has been worshipping on Sunday afternoons at Ascension of Christ, led by their Pastor Tyler Walworth. With their pastor on vacation, they joined their fellow Christians at Ascension to receive God's gifts together, with the aid of an interpreter. |
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Fairlawn, Fairlawn, OH
Fairlawn Lutheran Church welcomed nine confirmands, pictured here with Rev. Jim Gau.
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West Portal, San Francisco, CA
West Portal Lutheran Church and School honored church staff, their school Principal and teachers who served in 2020/2021.
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First, Kingsville, Ontario
More than 350 motorcyclists from all over Southwestern Ontario showed up at First Lutheran Church and received a blessing from Pastors Dusan Tillinger and Dusan Toth. This 5th annual Blessing of the Bikes preceded the live online service. All proceedings went to support small businesses in the community of Kingsville.
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Abounding Love, Lee's Summit, MO
Three Abounding Love Preschool friends were able to help Mr. Brad in the garden. An excellent hands-on experience for these budding gardeners. Fingers crossed for pumpkins this fall!
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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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