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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How do you know you are loved? LISTEN
As we approach the “Hallmark” sacred holiday, Valentine’s Day, how will you know that you are loved? Will you measure it by the number of roses (and even their color), the quantity of chocolate (dark or milk), a bottle of wine or special dinner plans? Maybe you could measure the love you receive according to the five love languages and how they are implemented in your relationships? Or maybe, just maybe, you could listen. Listen to God: “I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore, I have continued My faithfulness to you” (Jeremiah 31:3).
This weekend, we have the rare occasion when Valentine’s Day falls on the celebration of the Transfiguration of our Lord and the turning point from Christmas and Epiphany to Lent and Easter. One of the resounding messages of the Transfiguration is LISTEN TO JESUS! It’s Jesus that reveals the saving truth that God so loved the world – He so loved YOU – that He sent His one and only Son down from heaven to save us from our sin. There’s no doubt about it: YOU ARE LOVED! The Evangelization Team of our English District encourages every member of every congregation to LISTEN TO GOD – and in turn, share His love with the world around you.
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Do you know someone that should apply to be a Young Adult Squad Leader at the 2022 LCMS Youth Gathering?
Applications to volunteer as a Young Adult Squad Leader close on March 15, 2021! Submit your application online today at lcmsgathering.com/volunteer/.
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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
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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 |
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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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Concordia Seminary Calls New President |
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Concordia Seminary, St. Louis has extended a call to Dr. Thomas J. Egger, the Gustav and Sophie Butterbach Professor of Exegetical Theology and chairman of the Department of Exegetical Theology at Concordia Seminary, to serve as the 11th president in the school’s 182-year history. The call was extended Saturday after a unanimous vote on the first ballot by the electors and following interviews with the final slate of two candidates.
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LCMS Life Ministry will host its first-ever virtual life conference March 19–20, under the theme “Making Disciples: Valuing Life.” Registration is open now at www.lcms-life.org.
Join us!
- Be equipped to speak up for the sanctity of life within your community and our society
- Gain ideas on how to care for all human life
- Interact with fellow Lutherans on Life Ministry topics
- Be a part of the LCMS Life Ministry community
Dozens of experts in Life Ministry will present throughout the conference with multiple video presentations available for immediate on-demand viewing as soon as you login. Engage in live Question and Answer sessions with experts in Life Ministry.
Download these materials to promote the conference in your congregation:
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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).
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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VOTE BY FEBRUARY 15, 2021
A letter from Synod was sent by mail and email to all member congregations on December 28, 2020 describing the convention delay referendum, where to find more information online, and a description of the process and credentials for logging into the website to vote. If your congregation has questions about logging in, using the website to vote, or did not receive a letter, please send an email to rosters.stats@lcms.org or call 314.996.1366.
The deadline to vote is February 15, 2021.
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District Nomination Ballots |
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This is a reminder that the deadline for returning nomination ballots for District President and Vice-President has been set for February 17, 2021, as required by District Bylaws IV.B.3 and IV.C.3. If you have any questions, please contact Rev. Luke Zimmerman at EnglishDistrictSecretary@gmail.com. |
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Music Arts Director Position Available |
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Faith Lutheran Church, Lake Forest, IL is seeking a Music Minister/Director and needs a dynamic person to lead and grow our music ministry. Candidate must be able to create an inclusive and spiritual environment that incorporates a variety of musical genres.
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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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LCEF Winter Webinars Focus on
"Coping With the New Norm"
Over the last year, LCEF has greatly expanded the ways in which the organization serves ministries and workers. As I mentioned in my greeting, LCEF has revealed itself to be a true friend of ministry—going far beyond the role of a lender. One great example has been the series of webinars launched to support ministries, workers and lay leaders as they navigate challenges and even opportunities arising from the "new norm" of the pandemic.
A recent LCEF webinar challenged viewers to take inventory of their own wellness during these often stressful times. Titled "How ya doin?" Assessing and Planning Wellness, the webinar is led by Darrell Zimmerman of Grace Place Wellness. In the 45-minute session, he addresses how to assess and plan your wellness using Galatians 5 as a guide. Click here to view a recording of this recent webinar, and see for yourself how our organization is creatively reaching out to encourage ministry leaders!
Contact your LCEF District Vice President, Pastor Daniel Lepley, to discuss 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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Ministerial Health Commission |
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Your English District Ministerial Health Commission is here to be a confidential sister or brother in Christ, walking alongside of our church workers and their families. We strive to be a listening ear with a non-judgmental heart, supporting you where you are, not where anyone thinks you should be. We will encourage, not chastise, listen without advising, and pray without ceasing for you. May God grant you the strength to reach out if and when you need assistance.
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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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English District Campus Ministry
What are some of the ways that God uses to open the hearts of college students to faith? The methods God uses are just amazing!
After a long winter break, students from Slippery Rock University, Grove City College, and Westminster College came back to study online or in the classroom. While they were gone All Saints Fellowship kept in touch by telephoning them to tell them they were in our prayers.
Read more about the faith journey of two students and a helpful resource given to all LCMS-U campus ministries.
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English District LWML
MOST Ministries, Ann Arbor, MI, received a grant from LWML English District for their Clean Water Outreach project. The grant monies will go to purchase water filters for MOST Ministry teams to distribute around the world while sharing the gospel!
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Peace, Windsor, ON
Peace Lutheran Church received a generous donation from Metro Ontario for their food bank. The Lord has amazingly provided so that they are able to bless those in need in their community.
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Trinity, Villa Park, IL
The youth at Trinity Lutheran Church made Valentine packages to distribute to college students and military personnel.
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Concordia Little Lambs, Berwyn, IL
The children of Concordia Little Lambs Preschool took a trip to the Arctic on the Polar Express! The children are selling train tickets and hot chocolate. All Aboard!
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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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