English District of
The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod
|
|
Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind. |
|
Mr. John R. Fredel – May 20, 1938 to August 14, 2021
Mr. John R. Fredel, Commissioned Minister, Emeritus, was called to glory on, August 14, 2021. A funeral service was held today, September 3, 2021 at Immanuel Lutheran Church, 1021 Spaight Street in Madison, WI. Please keep the Fredel family in your prayers.
Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord. Revelation 14:13
|
|
On Monday, August 30, Bishop Jamison J. Hardy had the pleasure to participate and attend a prayer service held at Martin Luther Chapel, East Lansing, MI.
|
|
On Saturday, August 28, 2021, Rev. Todd Liefer was installed as an Associate Pastor at Hales Corners, Hales Corners, WI. Bishop Jamison J. Hardy officiated the service. |
|
Rev. Larry Loree was installed during the Divine Service on August 29th as Associate Pastor at Ascension of Christ, Beverly Hills, MI by Circuit Visitor and Senior Pastor, Rev. Daniel Grams. |
|
The district office will be closed on Monday, September 6, 2021 in observance of Labor Day. The office will reopen on Tuesday, September 7, 2021. |
|
A “Clean” Four-Letter Word
This clean four-letter word will often get you dirty. Guessed it yet? The “clean” four-letter word I’m looking for is WORK! We have finally come to the unofficial end of summer that we call the Labor Day weekend. But there are those who see WORK as a “dirty” word. What about you? Do you see work as a necessary evil or a blessing? Are you a “workaholic” or a “work-avoider”? Greatly due to the COVID pandemic, we live in a country that is very much confused about what work means and what it should look like. In America, "labor" and "management" are adversaries. Labor wants the most money for the least amount of work; Management wants the most work for the least amount of money.
Thomas Edison said, “Opportunity is missed by most people because it looks like work.” Work is a four-letter word, but it isn’t a bad word. The Christian cannot separate their work life from their spiritual life. The Christian, the child of God, the follower and bold witness of Christ, can see work as a gift from God to match skills and talents He has given to us to labor to provide for one’s family while we share the Gospel. I pray that you have a blessed and rest-full Labor Day weekend. Read this article to discover how WORK is not only a clean word, but a blessing for your life as a Christian witness.
|
|
Guidance for Religious Accommodations and Exemptions from COVID-19 Vaccination Mandates |
|
|
Churches are facing increasing religious freedom threats. Many of these threats are from government officials who limit churches' rights to freely minister and operate according to biblical beliefs.
- Churches are being compelled to provide coverage for abortion and "sex-reassignment" procedures in employee insurance plans.
- Federal bills like the deceptively titled "Equality Act" potentially threaten churches' ability to hire only employees who adhere to biblical principles.
- In the state of Virginia, churches are even being threatened with fines up to $100,000 for simply expressing biblical beliefs about marriage on their own websites.
These examples only scratch the surface of threats churches are encountering. Therefore, it's important to be as prepared as possible when it comes to your church's religious liberties. You should not have to bear the religious freedom burdens of your church alone, and we've partnered with ADF Church Alliance so you can get the help you need.
ADF Church Alliance is a membership program that provides legal help, so you can freely preach the Gospel and operate your church in accordance with Christian principles. Members get direct access to attorneys, resources, and more – it's virtually all-inclusive for religious freedom issues.
When you apply today, you can get a 20% discount on this already affordable program (use promo code ENGDISTLCMS).
Visit the ADF Church Alliance website to learn more. Or, Sherri Huston, a regional director at ADF Church Alliance, would be happy to speak with you about how they can serve your church. You can contact her at 480-206-9164 or click here to schedule a virtual meeting.
We at the English District strongly encourage you to talk with Sherri and prayerfully consider membership for your church.
Additional Resource:
|
|
Gospel DNA Zoom Event
Five Markers for a Flourishing Church
|
|
|
You are invited to attend a Zoom presentation with Pres. Mike Newman of the Texas District, LCMS. It will be held on Saturday, September 18, 2021 at 10 AM ET.
If you are interested in attending, please send an email to Rev. Travis Schmidt and he will provide you the login information. |
|
God’s blessings to you and His peace, as we celebrate the conclusion of one “1-1-1” missions giving cycle and, by His grace, started a new one on September 1, 2021. We are beyond thankful to the congregations and individuals that have participated in this giving initiative in the past and invite each of you to begin or continue that support in the upcoming year.
Read the full Fall 2021 update on the 1-1-1 page under Updates. |
|
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 September are located on our website.
We offer prayers of health and recovery for Pastor Mark Steinke & wife, Laurie, Tree of Life, Inverness, FL.
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.
|
|
For more information, contact the English District Gift Planning Counselor Ron Grimm by phone (412)-584-7039 or email.
|
|
LCEF has a NEW Church Worker StewardAccount® exclusively for LCMS rostered AND lay church workers. An account can be opened with as little as $100 (new money only) and will earn 1.5% on balances up to $10,000. Learn more at lcef.org/cwsa or call 800-843-5233 for more information. |
|
St. Mark, Janesville, WI
Pastor Brad Urlaub held a special Backpack Blessing on Sunday, August 29 for children returning to school soon. Each child was given a small gift and a card reminding them they are blessed and important members of St. Mark. The blessing follows:
L: God of fresh starts and new beginnings, we bring ourselves, our big feelings and our backpacks to you.
All: Last year was different from what we expected. We couldn’t see our friends or play on playgrounds, we learned at home, in masks six feet apart, or both. In all these changes, we may have felt sad and alone.
L: God, our friend who comforts us, hold us close and wipe our tears.
All: In our backpacks, we carry blank pages, sharpened pencils, and pointy crayons, and in our hearts, we carry big feelings, unanswered questions, and hopeful expectations. There are endless possibilities of what this new year might bring - of what we might learn, who we might meet, and who we might become.
L: God, our friend who is always with us, be with us through it all.
All: Be with us as we ride the bus. Be with us as we walk. Be with us as we buckle seat belts, zip up jackets, and tie shoes. However we get there and whatever we wear, bless this journey into something new. For the grown-ups going back to school with us, God be with them too. Thank you for our teachers, helpers, caregivers, and leaders, and for all they do to help us learn and grow.
L: God, our friend who’s full of wonder, fill their hearts and bless their hands.
All: Amen.
|
|
Family of Christ, Phoenix, AZ
Students at Family of Christ Preschool start the day with the pledge and prayer.
|
|
Slippery Rock University, Slippery Rock, PA
All Saints campus ministry waited three years for Akelah Hughes to become a Lutheran and to have her two young children baptized. I had begun to believe that this would never happen, but it did.
Akelah came to Slippery Rock University from the British Virgin Islands with her husband Willis, and three children. Willis got a job to support the family and Akelah became a student. We welcomed her to worship, Bible study, student meals, and all the time she wanted to visit. She grew to love being in the church and student center. She often brought her children with her. Because I was always in the church, the children came to assume that this was my home and that I lived here!
Click here to read more about Campus Ministry at Slippery Rock.
|
|
 |
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 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.
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
If you'd like to share our emails, please forward
using your email's forwarding option.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
