English District of
The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod
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God in All Things - Without Borders | |
On Sunday, October 29, 2023, Bishop Jamison Hardy visited with Rev. Brian Crane and the members of Eternal Life, Mesa, AZ. | |
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Shepherd of the Canyon, Gold Canyon, AZ, held a building dedication service on Sunday, October 29, 2023, with Bishop Jamison Hardy, Rev. Dr. Mark Wood, and area clergy in attendance. | |
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Call Received
The Rev. Scott D. Kruse (South Wisconsin District) has received a Divine Call to serve as the Sole Pastor of Concordia, Berwyn, IL.
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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?
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On behalf of the saints who make up the congregation of Shepherd of the Canyon Lutheran Church, I want to extend our deep appreciation for the mission grant recently received from the English District. Your generous and ongoing support has been critically important to this new church start.
Your support has made it possible for us to secure a facility and position ourselves for ongoing and intentional outreach to the Gold Canyon community. We have already received visitors on Sunday mornings and are planning weekday activities to engage our non-churched neighbors.
-Rev. Dr. Mark Wood, Pastor
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Continuing Education at First, El Cajon, CA | | |
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Pastors, Christian counselors, and interested lay people are invited to attend this continuing education class January 22nd-January 24th.
Making Christian Counseling More Christ Centered
Many pastors and church leaders of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod realize that much of what passes for Christian counseling is based in the Law and not the Gospel of Christ. Dr. C.F.W. Walther said that properly dividing Law and Gospel in “private ministrations” is more difficult than in preaching and teaching. How can Lutheran pastors and other counselors better learn to properly distinguish Law and Gospel in counseling situations — and apply the Gospel as an antidote where needed? How can Lutheran pastors better equip the non-Lutheran Christian counselors they refer parishioners to with these critically important concepts? When should a Lutheran pastor refer a parishioner to a mental health specialist, perhaps even a non-Christian one, when the expertise needed falls into the “left-hand kingdom”? These and other complicated pastoral care questions will be addressed in hopes that the learners will become more confident and effective in their care of the souls entrusted to them. Click here to register.
High school students are invited to attend the Higher Things retreat on January 12th and 13th.
Masks of God
Serving God goes far beyond being an acolyte on Sunday morning, or helping with Sunday School and VBS. In your everyday life, you are a Mask of God. You carry the love of Christ to your neighbors in ways you may not even realize. Let’s explore how God the Father has gifted you to share his love with all your neighbors, not just your church family, and how important all of your work in this sinful world truly is. Click here to register.
First Lutheran Church, 867 S Lincoln Ave, El Cajon, CA 92020
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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 November are located on our website.
Please continue to pray for the family of Lucas Fitzgerald.
Obituary - Luca Fitzgerald
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
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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Lutheran Federal Credit Union | | |
Contact Dan Lepley, DVP - English and SELC District Lutheran Church Extension Fund, for more information at 317-402-9401.
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Sherman Oaks, Sherman Oaks, CA
The congregation at Sherman Oaks Lutheran Church had a pumpkin carving party and everyone who participated had a great time!
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Trinity, Erie, PA
On Saturday October 14th members of the community met at Trinity Lutheran Church for an autumn themed paint night. Trinity member Connie Bootz led them to design their own cat or owl paintings.
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Catalina, Tucson, AZ
On Saturday October 28, Catalina Lutheran Church hosted their annual Reformation Festival. While the grownups studied the theme “A Mighty Fortress” with Vicar Spangler, the children learned to sing the hymn, built a fortress wall, and carried banners pointing to Jesus, our true Mighty Fortress! The weather was beautiful and fellowship and dinner followed under the outdoor shade sails.
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Trinity, Ocala, FL
Trinity Lutheran Church welcomed neighbors, friends and family of dear sister Lucy Jacobson who was called to glory last month. They gathered on October 27th in celebration of her life and shared prayer, scripture, fellowship and happy memories of a life in Christ, well-lived and much loved!
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Hope, Hastings, MN
This year's confirmation class is comprised of all girls! In addition to their weekly catechesis instruction, they enjoy weekly dishes and snacks prepared by Janice Boudreau. Chinese donuts were recently on the menu. So fun and delicious!
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Hales Corners, Hales Corners, WI
The 4th-6th graders at Hales Corners Lutheran School learned the phrase “Dios es bueno todo el tiempo” in Spanish, meaning “God is good all the time” and reflected on all the ways that God is so good.
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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 the unique ministries of your school or congregation with the rest of the English 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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