Love your neighbor as yourself
Servant to Servant                                        9-29-17

 
 
 
Parish visit

Bishop Jamison J. Hardy visited with The Rev. Theodore Laesch, Jr. and the members of Chapel of the Cross, St. Louis, MO on Sunday, September 17, 2017.
 

The Rev. Philip Gai, The Rev. Basil Christoforidis,

The Rev. Dr. Matthias Benfey, The Rev. Jeffrey Miskus and the Rev. Dereck Pillay

  Ordination and Installation

Candidate Matthias Benfey was ordained and installed as associate pastor at St. Mark's, Mississauga, ON, Sunday September 24, 2017. The Rev. Jeffrey Miskus officiated.
 
The Rev. Dr. Matthias Benfey joins two other associates at St. Mark's - Rev. Philip Gai and Rev. Isaac Choi (not pictured) working along-side senior pastor Rev. Jeffrey Miskus. Our Lord Jesus has blessed St. Mark's with many gifts in the area of pastoral ministry, and they are excited to see how the team ministry unfolds for both the care of the Lord's people and the spreading of the Kingdom.

Midwest Region Conference

The Midwest Region Conference was held September 26-28, 2017 at The Cenacle Retreat Center in Chicago, IL.  Jonathan Mumme, associate professor at Concordia University Wisconsin, presented "Preaching Preachers: Martin Luther on the Office of the Ministry from the Pulpit." He pointed out that Martin Luther saw the office of preacher carrying Christ's mission to the world just as the apostles did. Another presenter, Vernis Barrier-Likes, is a grant writer for Lutheran Child and Family Services. She gave a beginning tutorial on the grant-writing process and how churches can find grants for their programs.
Divine Calls

 

Calls Declined 

The Rev. George F. Borghardt, III, Zion, McHenry, IL has declined the call to serve as Pastor at Family of Christ, Phoenix, AZ.
  
The Rev. Daniel W. Pezzica, Sherman Oaks, Sherman Oaks, CA has declined the call to serve as Associate Pastor at Immanual, Columbus, NE.

English District Blog
This article first appeared in Grace English Lutheran School's weekly newsletter. It has been reprinted with permission.

"What is there to do?"
By Vicki Helmling

I hear that a lot with the kiddos in my room. I'm often amazed, since they have school work to keep them busy. What they really seem to be saying is that they don't want to do what is being required of them.

Are we this way?
How often do we say we want to help, but we want to do this on our own terms. We question those we are offering to help - are they deserving of our help. We put conditions on the help we give them.

Vicki Helmling is the school administrator at Grace English Lutheran School in Chicago, IL.  Do you have a ministry experience you would like to share? If so, you, too, could be a guest blogger for the English District. For consideration, please send an email to Lynne Cobb, Communications Coordinator for the English District LCMS, at lcobb@englishdistrict.org.

#LoveThyNeighbor

Schools helping schools
Something that many people have been asking for in light of Hurricanes Harvey and Irma is a way to help out those Lutheran (#LuthEd) schools affected by the storms. You now have a way to do that through the "School to School" program! Click  here for more information. Schools throughout the country are able to connect directly with affected schools and send them what they need as they recover from these disasters. Please consider donating today to help out your fellow #LuthEd schools!
 
To raise more money and have a little competition between the English District schools, Bishop Hardy has approved matching funds up to $1500. The match - 50%: $1 for $2 raised; now until September 30, 2017. 
 
This will be first-come, first-served to get the match. If you are having an event to raise money for a Texas school and would like it increased by 50%, contact School Ministry Executive Gail Holzer with the following:
  • Type of activity or event
  • The Texas school you have adopted
  • How much you have raised this month or intend to raise by the end of September
  • Name of your school
  • Agreement to send photos of event
Once the event has been completed, the English District will cut a check to the school you have adopted and send it to you to include with your gift. Fifteen hundred dollars in matching funds means that together the English District will be able to give $4500 to those in need. The challenge is yours!
 
Questions? Contact Gail Holzer.  
Serving our service members
Packages4Patriots , a ministry of Holy Spirit, Elk Grove Village, IL, shipped 36 boxes weighing 521 pounds from a recent packing event. The event was dedicated to Master Sergeant Mark Evans, the founder of Pizzas4Patriots . Mark was a mentor to Packages4Patriots and he urged the group to "kick our mission up a notch." Mark gave them a logo and a website and helped guide them to shipping over 88,000 pounds of support to our deployed military!
 
 
Working together to help others
During chapel time this month, the little ones at Family of Christ Preschool, Phoenix, AZ, shared their change to help support children and Lutheran education ministries around the world through LeadaChild.
 


Sharing with neighbors
Redeemer, North Tonawanda, NY, was featured on their local news recently. The new North Tonawanda Community Hub will be located at the church. The center will be open quarterly, bringing 40 essential service providers together to assist people in need, especially those who don't have transportation. Services such as heating assistance, family and child services, veterans' assistance, health care, legal assistance, financial assistance and more will be located in one central area. To watch the news clip, click here.
In our churches
 
Baptism!
Adrian was baptized on Sunday, September 24, 2017 at Redeemer, Ft. Wayne, IN.
 
 
 
 
New Member
Welcome to Katie Lynn Krasse, the newest member of Prince of Peace, Menomonee Falls, WI.
 

Confirmation classes begin
The confirmation class at Hope, Hastings, MN, had a fun evening exploring and learning about creation in studying the first chapter of Genesis and the First Article of the Apostles Creed.
German-themed dinner
Mount Calvary, Lititz, PA, hosted a "Taste of Germany" dinner. Everyone brought their appetite to support Martin Hill, who recently entered the seminary. The Rev. Adam Koontz read Psalm 23 in German and everyone said the table prayer in German.
In our schools
 
Welcome!
Fairlawn, Fairlawn. OH, extends a warm welcome to Cathie Lucarelli, the new Interim School Director. Congratulations and God's blessings in your new position, Cathie.


Thank you!
The Rev. Robert Bruggeman presented a giant thank you letter and card to the Pennsauken Township Police Department to thank them for the new school traffic sign along Terrace Avenue by the Martin Luther Christian School, Pennsauken, NJ.
Building time
Preschoolers at Faith Preschool of Jacob's Well, Ft. Wayne, IN, learn the basics of balance during building day.
Good start to a Monday
Students from Hales Corners, Hales Corners, WI, beat the Monday blues by spending some quality time with Dora Comfort Dog.
Smiling faces
Happy little learners at Grace Beginnings Preschool, Wyoming, MI.
Special Visitor
Luke Comfort Dog visits the little ones at Open Arms Lutheran Child Development Center, Alpharetta, GA.
Murals of music
As part of the seventh and eighth grade study of the Great Depression at Bethesda International Academy, Chicago, IL, students created murals of popular songs of that era.
Family fun time
It was a silly-smile kind of day at the photo booth during the family picnic at Abounding Love Preschool, Lee's Summit, MO.
Good sports
Congratulations to some fine athletes! The fifth grade girls from Hales Corners, Hales Corners, WI took second place at the First Immanuel tournament in Cedarburg, WI. The fifth/sixth grade boys cross country team won first place at their first meet, followed by another first place in West Bend, WI.
In our District
Salary Guidelines for English District Congregations
Click here for the 2017-2018 salary guidelines. This is a resource providing guidance for Lutheran congregations of the English District.
2018 English District Convention
Preparations are underway for the 2018 English District Convention. The dates and location are set: June 19-21, 2018 at Concordia University, Ann Arbor, MI. It's time for each congregation to begin making preparations.
 
Every congregation should have received a letter from our District Secretary, Rev. Luke Zimmerman, as well as forms to use in the next several months for circuit forums, delegate selection, nominations and overtures.  There is also a link to these forms on the English District website 2018 Convention page.  Official nomination forms for president and vice presidents will be mailed at a later date and will only be available in printed format.
 
If you have questions, you may contact the District office ( poke@englishdistrict.org  or 248-476-0039) or Rev. Luke Zimmerman ( revzimmerman@gmail.com  or 717-636-1545).
Resources
 
Reformation 500
The English District website offers information and devotions on the upcoming Reformation 500 Anniversary.
 
Additionally, the LCMS has a Reformation website that is worth exploring.  It details the significance of the Lutheran Reformation centered on Christ-crucified for the forgiveness of our sins and its ongoing relevance for today.
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Share the Reformation story
Whether through an outreach event, curriculum, or children's Reformation service, share the suspense of the Reformation and the important truths rediscovered by Martin Luther-that by grace and faith in Christ alone we are saved. Click here  to get an infographic to help with educational planning.
Seminary hosts 500th Anniversary Reformation Service
Musical celebration and meditations spotlight Luther's three 'solas' of the Reformation as Concordia Seminary, St. Louis hosts the 500th Anniversary Reformation Service at 7:00 PM Tuesday, October 31, 2017 in the Chapel of St. Timothy and St. Titus. Click here for downloadable poster. The service is free and open to the public and will be live streamed at https://www.csl.edu/live/.

Jesus said, "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." Matthew 28:19-20
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The last few months have been so busy and hectic with organizing the events of a retreat and Convocation for the Ceylon Evangelical Lutheran Church and preparing the first publications of the Ceylon Evangelical Lutheran Publishing House; finally my wife, Monica, took pity, and kindly stepped in to help put together some newsletter updates. Please click here  to read our newsletter.
 

The Rev. Dr. Edward Naumann

 
2017 Regional LFL Conferences
Lutherans For Life is having one day regional conferences.
 

October 7, 2017
New Braunfels, Texas -  Cross Lutheran Church

October 21, 2017
Lincoln, Nebraska -  Redeemer Lutheran Church

November 11, 2017
Pekin, Illinois - St. John's Lutheran Church
 

Registration Fees: $50 for adults, $25 for students (including lunch)
Conference registration starts at 8:30 AM
with the schedule of events running from 9 AM to 4 PM.
 
Get detailed information (lodging, directions, speakers) for each conference here:

Previous issues of the Servant to Servant eNewlsetter are available on the English District website   You are encouraged to 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 using the "Spread the Word" link at the bottom left of this newsletter. They can subscribe by clicking on the link at the bottom right titled, "Sign up for our emails." Thanks for spreading the word!
Please share your congregation's or school's unique ministries with the rest of the District. Send pictures and stories for consideration to  Lynne Cobb  by Wednesday, 3:00 pm ET.

We want to see how YOUR congregation or school is "loving your neighbor as yourself."
ENGLISH DISTRICT LCMS

webmail@englishdistrict.org



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