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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In the afternoon of Saturday, July 10, 2021, St. John, Darien, IL celebrated the Rite of Ordination of Ministerial Candidate Daniel K. Greg. Many pastors and supporters from around the Midwest attended to offer God's Word, encouragement, and support to Daniel. Bishop Jamison Hardy officiated. Dr. David Lewis of Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, MO preached. |
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The people of God at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Germanicus, Ontario, Canada gave praise and thanks to God for their pastor, The Rev. Richard Klein, who celebrated his 50th year in the ministry on Sunday, July 11th, exactly 50 years from when he was ordained. Pastor Klein noted that the Scripture readings for the day seemed very appropriate as they had much to say about the ministry of God’s Word. The Rev. Jeffrey Miskus, 1st Vice President of the English District, was the guest preacher and presented certificates of recognition from the English District LCMS and Lutheran Church-Canada to Pastor Klein and his wife Rose. Assisting Rev. Klein with the liturgy was Pastor Dusan Tillinger from First Lutheran Church, Kingsville, Ontario. Sue Buske read greetings from Pastor Klein’s former congregation, and Pastor Klein’s son shared a video that featured greetings from his other children and a history of his ministry. The English District gives praise and thanks to God for under-shepherds like Pastor Klein who faithfully feed Christ’s flock with His Word and Sacraments. We pray God’s richest blessings on Rev. Klein and his family as they begin this next chapter in their life and ministry. |
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Sunday, July 11, Rev. Dr. Martin Erhardt presided over the installation of the Rev. Dr. Elwood (Woody) E. Mather as Pastor of Bethany Evangelical Lutheran Church in Ewing, NJ. Pictured from left to right are Pastors Gordon Naumann (Trinity, Scarsdale, NY), Martin Erhardt (Messiah, Princeton, NJ), Woody Mather, Rich Mokry (Hope, Levittown, PA -- Eastern District), and Jonathan Naumann (LCMS missionary in the Dominican Republic). |
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Pittelko Memorial Service |
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The Memorial Service for Bishop Emeritus Roger D. Pittelko and Mrs. Beverly Pittelko will be at Trinity Lutheran Church in Villa Park, IL on St. Mary, Mother of Our Lord Day, August 15, 2021 at 2:00 p.m. All pastors are invited to vest and process for the service. Wear white stoles. If you have questions, contact Pastor Rob Rogers at 630-834-3440 or email Pastor@TrinityVP.com. |
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Calls Received
The Rev. Kurt R. Cockran has received a call to serve as Associate Pastor of Risen Savior, Basehor, KS (Kansas District).
The Rev. Alexander W. Sabol has received a call to serve as Sole Pastor of Trinity, Fairhope, PA (Eastern District).
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Connecting College Students with Campus Ministry |
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This fall millions of students will make their way to the college or university of their choice. Moving to college is both an exciting and scary time, full of challenges and opportunities for students to grow as God’s people. This year is unique in that both first- and second-year students will likely be on campus for the FIRST time, as many colleges and universities held classes virtually last year.
LCMS campus ministries are strategically located at many colleges and universities for the express purpose of serving these students while they are in school. Campus ministries give students the opportunity to grow in faith and integrate what they are learning in the classroom with the faith they learned at their home congregations. The goal is that at the end of their college career, these students will go out into the world ready to be a blessing to God’s Kingdom as they pursue their chosen vocation.
LCMS campus ministries need your help to identify and connect with these students. Please take the time this summer to connect each of your college students with a campus ministry or local congregation in the community where they are studying. Call or email the campus pastor and give them your student’s contact information, so that the campus ministry can reach out to them yet this summer before they even arrive on campus. You can find a list of campus ministries here.
You can also help your students by giving them the information about your partner congregations and campus ministries. Encourage them to go visit and get involved.
If you have questions about campus ministry, or want to start a ministry to college students in your area, please contact any of the members of our English District Campus Ministry Task Force:
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Kiss the Frog
I am sure that each of us has heard the old story of the beautiful princess who kissed the ugly frog. You will remember the frog is really a handsome prince changed into a frog by a wicked witch/fairy. It seems to be an irrevocable curse since the only way to break the spell is for someone to kiss the frog. There’s not usually a long line waiting to kiss frogs. But the princess kisses the frog out of the depth of her COMPASSION and the prince emerges.
On the Fourth of July, we heard President Biden say that “America is coming back together.” Since March 2020, in fear of the pandemic, we have sought to isolate, wear masks, gloves and other PPE, social distance at least six feet apart, work remotely, and even stay away from our own church families. And all this was done rightly under the premise of “staying safe.” But the Good Shepherd knows that we are not safe as individual sheep out in the wild. As Jesus said, “We are like sheep without a shepherd.” Jesus rallies us back together under the call for compassion: KISS THE FROG. Would you “kiss the frog” to make a difference in our world? Read the article from your English District Evangelization Team which will encourage you to “kiss the frog” in the name of sharing Jesus with the world.
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$25,000 Matching for New Mission Gifts |
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God has lifted up a donor who wants to match new money given for our new missions. The gift will match $25,000. If you would like to have your gift matched, dollar for dollar, this is your opportunity.
Every circuit in our District is being challenged to identify new mission possibilities. Some possibilities are:
- New church plant where there is no Lutheran church
- New satellite congregation developing from a mother congregation
- New campus ministry at a college
- New ethnic congregation
- New mission we haven’t even thought of yet
We know God is continuing to open doors of opportunity. This new collection will be used to provide the resources to advance these new identified opportunities.
Gifts can be given online through the English District website or by direct mail to our District office. Please designate your gifts as being for “New District Missions”. |
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National Lutheran Youth Workers Conference |
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The 2021 National Lutheran Youth Workers Conference was held in Houston, TX this past week. Pictured are some English District Youth Leaders getting ready for the Youth Gathering in 2022.
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Congregational Treasurer's Manual |
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The LCMS Congregational Treasurer's Manual is a valuable resource for any church treasurer, no matter their level of expertise. The manual, organized into two volumes, contains six major sections: Employment Issues; Federal and State Tax Matters; Establishing and Administering the Organization; Supporting Organizations; Accounting and Finance; and Insurance.
The manual is available online FREE OF CHARGE and is updated yearly in the fall. Printed copies are only available through the district office and must be preordered. The cost for the printed manual is approximately $10-15, depending on postage and printing costs. If you would like to order a printed copy of the 2021 manual due out later this year, email Peggy Oke or call her at 800-755-9335 ext. 210 no later than August 5, 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 August 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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Mount Calvary, Lititz, PA
The children gathered for VBS on Wednesday evenings in June to consider the theme of Gideon, God’s Mighty Judge. They learned of Christ, their Gideon, who delivered them from the powers of sin, death, and hell, by the mighty trumpet and torch of His Word, strengthening weak faith with the signs of Baptism and Holy Communion that He gives. The children participated in games, crafts, and activities, as they memorized LSB #666, “O Little Flock, Fear Not the Foe,” and joyfully sang Psalm 83.
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All Saints, Slippery Rock, PA
All Saints hosted Ron Grimm, English District Gift Planning Counselor, after service to a Lunch & Learn with the All Saints Church Council on the topic "Transfer the Blessings via Lifetime Plan for Giving" and how these ministries can facilitate generosity today, tomorrow & forever that will support their important ministries.
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Sherman Oaks, Sherman Oaks, CA
New officers and committee members were installed on July 11, 2021.
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Continuing Education Opportunity |
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Immanuel Lutheran Church in Alexandria, VA is excited to host a summer continuing education course, August 2-4. Dr. Roland Ziegler will present on “Luther’s Bondage of the Will.”
To register or find out more information, please visit the Concordia Theological Seminary website here. |
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Part-Time Music Director Needed |
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Immanuel Lutheran Church of Orange, CA is currently seeking a part-time music director with experience in traditional/liturgical worship.
Immanuel currently has two Sunday worship services (8 a.m. and 10:45 a.m.) both are traditional/liturgical. Responsibilities would include worship service planning, development of seasonal/special services, direction of the choir and handbell choir, contracting guest musicians, oversight of church tower bell chimes, managing the church music library and the music patrons fund and other related responsibilities. If you would be interested in discussing this further, please contact us at (714) 538-2373 or church@immanuelorange.org.
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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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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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