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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The Rev. Daniel L. Jansen was installed on Sunday, February 21, 2021 at New Beginnings, West Branch, MI. Bishop Jamison Hardy was the guest preacher and officiated the installation.
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What Do You Say About Jesus? |
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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!
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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.
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English District Virtual Gala |
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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.
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Roger D. Pittelko Ille Dilexit Ecclesiam Award
Deadline is March 5th
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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 Friday, March 5.
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.
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Lumen Christi Award Nominations
Due February 28th
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Our gracious Lord blesses our English District by providing dedicated and talented professional and volunteer leaders/teachers in child, youth, adult, and family ministry areas. These servants of our Lord exercise their God-given gifts in many creative and unique ways to bless those they serve. The Lumen Christi award is presented to publicly recognize the service of educators, to further promote and encourage all professional and volunteer leaders/teachers who are active members of an English District congregation.
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1-1-1 - Focus on Campus Ministry |
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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 LCMS-U – Whitewater, $1 at a time.
Read more about the campus ministry birthed at The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater campus.
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Debt Reduction Grants - Deadline March 1st |
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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 has been established to 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 ordained 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 800-755-9335 ext. 311.
Deadline for applications is March 1, 2021.
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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).
Join us in praying for Rev. Manuel De La Rosa for continued healing and strength.
Pray with us for the family of Blanche Halboth, who was called to glory on February 11, 2021. See obituary.
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.
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Take Heart Scholarship Program |
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LCEF recently opened up applications for its Take Heart Scholarship Program. The Take Heart Scholarship was developed for Lutheran Church Extension Fund’s (LCEF) Y.I. Club members who are high school seniors and will soon advance to the next level of higher education. During these times of excitement, anxiousness and uncertainty, “take heart!” As Christians, we cannot anticipate that life will be perfect or familiar, but when we feel that the world has become difficult, take comfort in knowing that our God has overcome it all!
As students begin this new journey, LCEF’s Young Investors Club wants to assist their transition by offering financial support through the Take Heart Scholarship with up to three awards of $3,000, $1,000 and $500. Applications close April 19, 2021. Winners will be announced on May 7, 2021. For complete details and to apply, visit lcef.org/scholarship/.
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What do we announce? When do we announce? How can we minimize distraction from the worship? In their 2nd video on communication, LCEF focuses on things to consider about your worship announcements. Watch the video here.
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.
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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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Apostolic, Moses Lake, WA
The Apostolic Lutheran Church, along with Pastor Winston Grieser, welcomed two new members, Cynthia Cochran and Bryan Bjork through the rite of Adult Confirmation.
I was glad when they said unto me, let us go into the house of the Lord.
Psalm 122:1
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Holy Cross, Cleveland, OH
The children at Holy Cross Preschool enjoyed artwork in the snow with "Kool Aid" paint, developing their fine motor skills.
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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.
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English District Position Available |
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This information is being published in the hope that you may know of someone in your congregation or ministry who would be interested in applying for the position. We would very much appreciate your putting a notice in your bulletins or newsletters. Thank you.
The English District of The Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod is seeking a part-time (approximately 10 hours per week) Communications/Media Facilitator. This position is available immediately.
Qualifications required: Experience in communicating through all forms of media. Knowledge and ability to work with others throughout the District and in the print, social networks, and communications field to reach an end product. Must be self-motivated, well-organized and team-oriented.
Duties include: Responsibility for public relations and communications for the purpose of disseminating information and mission and ministry awareness of the English District - LCMS.
Anyone interested in this position please submit a resume and cover letter which includes compensation requirements and availability to Sally Naglich at snaglich@englishdistrict.org.
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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 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.
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