God in All Things - Without Borders

October 27, 2023

The Western Region Professional Church Workers Conference was held October 24-26, 2023, in Burlingame, CA. The guest speakers included Rev. Dr. Terry Chan, Rev. Dr. Glenn Fluegge, and Rev. Jonathan Priest. Devotions were held throughout the conference and led at various times by Rev. Curtis Binz, Rev. Raymond Hulett, Rev. Kevin Belter, and Rev. Chip Fox. On Tuesday evening, attendees gathered at West Portal Lutheran Church, San Francisco, CA for dinner and an opening worship service.

Mr. Lucas Michael Fitzgerald, Commissioned Minister

Mr. Lucas Michael Fitzgerald, an English District Board of Directors member, was called to his eternal rest on Tuesday, October 24, 2023. Lucas served as the principal of Pacific Lutheran Junior/Senior High School in Gardena, CA. In addition, he was a congregational member of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Orange, CA. He is survived by his wife of 22 years, Erin, and their two daughters, Christie and Hannah. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, November 4, 2023, 11:00 AM, at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Orange, CA.

Please keep the entire Fitzgerald family in your prayers.

Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord. Revelation 14:13

Bishop Hardy was recently interviewed by Rev. Thomas Engler about the renewed emphasis on 1-1-1. In this interview Dr. Hardy shares his heart and thoughts about 1-1-1 and its value to the mission of our English District. Please click here to watch the interview.

211,915… this is an amazing number. It could represent many things but for 1-1-1 it is the number of times an individual person, young and old, has put a dollar into one of the 1-1-1 collection boxes in 59 different participating congregations of our English District over the past five years. 1-1-1 is and has always been about many doing little and accomplishing much. $211,915 has been received by our District, above and beyond our regular District budget, to support and strengthen identified missions of our District as designated by Bishop Hardy. Our 2022-2023 1-1-1 identified missions were Logos, Philadelphia, PA and Evangelical Lutheran Church of Ukraine. Each of these missions received half of the 1-1-1 gifts received by our District in this time frame. Our 2023-2024 identified recipients are LCMS-U chapter just begun at Eastern Washington University, Cheney, Washington led by Pastor Marc DiConti and Nuer Language (South Sudanese) Ministry located at the Church of St. Mark - Lutheran, Mississauga, Ontario led by Pastor Philip Gai.

Of the 59 congregations that have participated over the years, 27 have participated every year. The dream from the beginning of 1-1-1 has always been that every English District congregation would participate in 1-1-1. To renew our emphasis of 1-1-1 we are intentionally focusing this year with the theme of “1-1-1 REIGNITED!” 

This is the power of many giving a little as we are moved by God's Spirit.

Won’t you join us?

If your congregation is interested in extending a divine call to a seminary candidate, or plans to make application for a vicar, the call documents and vicarage applications must be received no later than Thursday, February 1, 2024. Please add this topic to your congregational voter’s meeting agenda for discussion in November or December. This will allow for the necessary paperwork to be completed in a timely manner. Calling congregations must access the Call Documents for Ordained Ministers and the Vicarage Application using a web address/URL. Please contact Kathy Stanis, Administrative Assistant, at 248-476-0039 or by email at kstanis@englishdistrict.org for the login information.

Synodical Resources on Marriage and Sexuality By Rev. Douglas Hoag

As your English District Lifeline Committee continues its theme of The Year of the Family, I would draw your attention to resources pertaining to marriage and sexuality within marriage on the LCMS website. Links will be included.

The best place to start is the webpage on marriage as it addresses the many challenges and joys marriage brings. You can find it here.

One article in particular gives very practical items that married couples can do to increase closeness and intimacy. The article is called Getting Closer As A Couple by Victor M. Parachin. It was written 23 years ago but still contains relevant and timely advice and reminds us that there’s more to sexuality than what society would have us believe. You can find that article here.

Additionally, I commend the resources that our Synod has provided to help address sexuality issues that are prevalent in our society and that we all face in our congregations and communities; these may be found here. If I or anyone on your Lifeline team can be of assistance to you on these or any of the life issues, please do not hesitate to let us know. I pray God's richest blessings on you and your congregations as you reach out on these and all sanctity of life issues in your communities.

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 November are located on our website.

Please keep Ruth Palmer and family in your prayers at the loss of her sister Kathy. Ruth volunteers at the district office.

We pray for the Jung family at the passing of Mrs. Delores G. Jung, wife of the late Rev. Donald F. Jung (former English District President).

Obituary - Delores G. Jung



Please pray for Rev. Dr. Chris Just as he continues to recover after a recent hospitalization.

We pray for Rev. Richard Patt and family at the passing of his wife Shirley.

Obituary - Shirley Patt

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.

Contact Ron Grimm, English District Gift Planning Counselor, 412-584-7039 or visit www.LCMSFoundation.org.

Faith, Arlington Heights, IL

The congregation at Faith Lutheran Church shared fellowship with each other decorating caramel apples for the fall season. The fellowship committee led by Rich and Sue Poppert plan these wonderful activities to keep the congregation feeling young each and every day.

St. John's, Pembroke, ON

On Sunday, October 2, St. John's Lutheran Church had a Pastor Appreciation Potluck to show appreciation and love for their pastor, Rev. Stephen Alles. Pastor Alles is shown with the “Thank Ewe” table put together by church members.

Risen Savior, Green Valley, AZ

Sunday, October 22, Lutheran Church of the Risen Savior celebrated the installation of the Board of Trustees and Elders, and Pastor Appreciation Month. This was a wonderful time of faith and fellowship!

Faith, Watertown, WI

Pastor Appreciation Month led to Pastor Seth Hoeppner's office being newly decorated with lambs!

Eternal Life, Mesa, AZ

On Sunday, October 8, four new families (14 members) were received into membership at Eternal Life. Praise be to God for His many blessings.  

West Portal, San Francisco, CA

During their trip to Washington D.C., the 8th graders participated in a Wreath Laying Ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington Cemetery.

Shepherd King, West Bloomfield, MI

This past week was pumpkin filled for Pre-K! They created all types of pumpkins, painted pumpkins and even hammered into a pumpkin.

ENGLISH DISTRICT LCMS

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info@englishdistrict.org

www.englishdistrict.org

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