God in All Things - Without Borders

March 31, 2023

Bishop Jamison Hardy visited the people of Hope Lutheran Church, Hastings, MN along with their pastor Rev. Kenneth Boudreau on Sunday, March 26, 2023.

Bishop Jamison Hardy spent time on Monday, March 27, 2023, visiting with the members of Peace in the Valley, Benson, AZ. In addition, he visited Faith, Tucson, AZ on Tuesday, March 28, 2023.

Call Received

The Rev. Dr. Edward A. Naumann has received a Divine Call to serve as Sole Pastor of Christ, Paris, TN (Mid-South District).

Calls Accepted

The Rev. Jason (Jisong) Hong (Pacific Southwest District) has accepted the Divine Call to serve as Sole Pastor of Crosspoint, Sahuarita, AZ.

The Rev. Joshua P. Moldenhauer has accepted the Divine Call to serve as the Sole Pastor of Trinity, Elgin, MN (Minnesota South District).

The Rev. Robert M. Zagore (Missouri District) has accepted the Divine Call to serve as Sole Pastor of Celebration, St. John’s, FL.

Do you have a desire to care for your brothers and sisters in ministry through service on the English District Ministerial Health Commission (MHC)?

If someone is in need, our MHC is ready to walk alongside our church workers and their families, to listen in a non-judgmental way, and to encourage and offer support.

We seek to gain understanding, give comfort, and provide encouragement through confidential conversation, supportive consultation, and resource recommendations.

We are asking God to raise up members of our English District who have compassion, are open in mind and heart, and are faithful and prayerful, to join our MHC.

We are asking God to move those skillful in active listening, those able to give and take counsel, and those who have experienced woundedness and healing in life and a willingness to walk with others, to join our MHC.

We are looking to God to grow our MHC with new members who are able to be available and flexible, are inclined towards a participatory presence, and are willing be a resource through the ministry of our MHC.

Our Mission is: To understand the issues of concern and envision the possibilities, strategies, and available support to enhance the well-being of English District workers and their families.

Our Vision is: To be an ever-present resource and support to a culture in which well-being strengthens workers of the English District and their families.

Contact either of our co-chairs, Pastor Tim Holzerland or Pastor Derek Mathers if you have a desire to serve and care for our church workers and their families as a member of the MHC.

If you know of someone who has the gifts to serve in this capacity, please let them know of this opportunity.

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 shall 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 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 1-800-755-9335 ext. 311. Deadline for applications is April 30, 2023.

Evangelism should be easy and possible for everyone but... then there’s a struggle...

• You don't know where to start or what to do.
• There isn’t an easy, straightforward plan.
• What we’re doing isn't working.
• Figuring it out on your own is like getting lost in the woods.
• There's too much information to sort out or remember.
• You're leaving it up to chance, but if you won’t maybe no one will… save a life.

Every One His Witness is an online course that has everything you need to get started and know what to do. It’s doctrinally reviewed. Register for the online course free of charge using "E1HWFREE" in the Invitation Code field.

And, anyone can get these resources for free and begin today by clicking here.

For more information contact the English District Evangelization Team.

Martin Luther Chapel at Michigan State University is hosting a Campus Ministry Summit where you can join other campus ministry professionals for two days of sharing, encouragement, and conversation around the task of making disciples on college campuses.

Speakers include:

• Trevor Sutton - Technology and Campus Ministry
• Brad Urlaub - Church Planting Lessons for Campus Ministry
• James Wetzstein - "Inspiring Comfort" - Peer Ministry training
• Craig Oldenburg - NLOMA/College Students at Summer Camp
• Dan Winter - Outreach with International Students

Representatives from LCMS Youth Ministry/LCMS-U, National Lutheran Outdoors Ministry Association, and Lutheran Campus Mission Association will be in attendance.

There is no registration fee for this event. Both Monday dinner and Tuesday breakfast will be provided. Transportation and housing are not included.

Click here to register.

This is the last day to submit your congregation’s end-of-year statistics and update your lay leaders at lc.lcms.org. Up-to-date statistical information is critical for determining proper voting representation at conventions. Emails for lay leaders will be increasingly important as channels for critical convention communications.

If you do not have your congregation’s login information, contact rosters.stats@lcms.org, or the LCMS Church Information Center at 888-843-5267.

The Bible's promise is true: If we ask anything according to his will, he hears us - 1 John 5:14.

Please pray for Marlene Naumann, wife of Rev. William Naumann (Chapel of the Cross, Mission Hills, CA) for recovery and healing after surgery to place a stent in her heart.

Prayers of healing for Wendy DeSanto, wife of Pastor Emeritus Steve De Santo, who suffered a stroke.

District daily prayers for April 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.

Shepherd of the Coast, Palm Coast, FL

Shepherd of the Coast Lutheran Church hosted a group of 18 college students from Bridgewater College who were spending their spring break building a home with Habitat for Humanity. The college students were housed in the church fellowship hall, and the church was able to help with some meals - including some that were delivered directly to their work site. Shepherd of the Coast is led by Pastor Greg Michel.

Apostolic, Moses Lake, WA

The congregation is growing at Apostolic Lutheran Church. Bryan and Elizabeth (left) Bjork are expecting their second son this upcoming June, and Andrew and Kira (right) Jenson are expecting identical twin boys in July. As well as being members of the same church, Elizabeth and Kira are sisters-in-law. 

Calvary, Mechanicsburg, PA

The most recent Military Share distribution at Calvary Lutheran Church was held on March 15. They served 33 families, totaling 79 people. Six families were unable to pick up their food. Their food allotments were distributed to two local food banks.

Trinity, New Lenox, IL

The students at Trinity Lutheran Preschool created beautiful Easter wreaths in art class this past week.

Bethesda, Chicago, IL

The habitats have arrived for Bethesda International Academy's first- and second-grade hermit crabs! The students set up their cages in preparation for the Easter arrival of their new class pets.

St. John's, Hannibal, MO

Recently St. John's Lutheran School fifth and sixth graders were introduced to The Oregon Trail game. Their reactions were priceless as they faced the perils of the trail while making decisions that would determine if they would make it to Oregon. Those river crossings were dangerous and apparently the snakes were abundant.

ENGLISH DISTRICT LCMS

248-476-0039

info@englishdistrict.org

www.englishdistrict.org

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