God in All Things - Without Borders

November 10, 2023

On Sunday, November 5, 2023, Bishop Jamison Hardy visited with Rev. Ike Nicholson and the members of St. John the Divine, Chicago, IL.



Pictured: Bishop Jamison Hardy, Rev. Ike Nicholson, Rev. Jeffrey Miskus

The English District’s Board of Directors met on Saturday, November 4, 2023, at St. John the Divine, Chicago, IL. Special thanks to the members of St. John the Divine for their warm hospitality.

Christine R. Seiler, Commissioned Minister-Emeritus

December 21, 1943 to July 12, 2023

Christine R. Seiler, Pearland, TX, was called to glory on July 12, 2023. A funeral service was held on September 16, 2023, at St. Andrews Lutheran Church, Park Ridge, IL. Please keep the Seiler family in your prayers.

“Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord!”

Obituary - Christine R. Seiler 

Call Accepted

The Rev. Michael W. Mathews (Minnesota South District) has accepted the Divine Call to serve as the Sole Pastor of Shepherd of the Mountains, Pinetop, AZ.

Call Received and Accepted

Ministerial Candidate James F. Bowes has received and accepted a Divine Call to serve as Sole Pastor of Peace of the Desert, Palm Desert, CA.

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?

Pastor Dakota Monday of St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Whispering Pines, NC, under the banner of his congregation, provided a Reformation Day service for those of the new Silver Valley Lutheran mission site (near Lexington, NC) which a local church planting team is exploring.

Pictured are those who attended with Pastor Monday. Please pray for this early English District developing mission.

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.

The Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod has published a booklet of prayers, Psalms and hymns which can be used when praying at abortion facilities, during pro-life rallies and marches, and also when praying at home. 

Please click here for the booklet in digital form.

Please click here to read the update from Pastor Jonathan and Deaconess Cheryl Naumann in the Dominican Republic.

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 December are located on our website.

Please continue to pray for the family of Lucas Fitzgerald. 

Obituary - Lucas Fitzgerald

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.

Grace, Redford, MI

On Friday, October 20 Rev. Timothy Halboth of Grace Lutheran Church had the privilege of leading Chapel at Lutheran High School - Northwest in Rochester Hills, MI. Pictured with Pastor Halboth is his wife, Erika, and their son Erik who teaches math and history at the high school. 

Christ, West Olive, MI

Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church, the new church plant started this past summer by Grace Evangelical Lutheran already has nine college students attending the Divine Service. Five of the students are LCMS who have been actively reaching out to other students on their respective campuses. Two are being catechized in order to receive the Sacrament of the Altar, while two more have expressed a desire to begin catechism.

On Reformation Sunday, three of the students formed an instrumental ensemble to accompany the singing of "A Mighty Fortress Is Our God". That afternoon, they gathered around the bonfire to eat a pulled pork dinner, organized by the founders of Christ Evangelical for them, for the members of the host church, and for others who have visited Christ Evangelical in the past months.

Rev. Christopher Nuttelman, pastor of Hope Lutheran Church, Grand Rapids, MI, has begun serving at the new church plant as well. Both parishes look forward to helping one another in service to Christ and his people. May the Lord bless our efforts in his name!

Shepherd of the Mountains, Pinetop, AZ

On Reformation Day (Halloween) Shepherd of the Mountains Lutheran Church hosted approximately 300 for their annual Trunk or Treat. Besides traditional candy, free hotdogs were available for all. The most notable costumes amongst members of the congregation included Pastor Dave Kaiser and Elder Richard Emelo as two versions of Martin Luther. Bibles were distributed to all participants with many asking for additional bibles for family members not present. A fun time was had by all.

Trinity, Erie, PA

Trinity Lutheran Church held a Christian concert Saturday, October 28 at the Holy Grounds CoffeeHaus. Forty people attended and over 72 watched it on Facebook live. The group, "Let There Be Light," gave their first acoustic concert for the general public.  

Ascension, North Olmsted, OH

Ascension Lutheran Church celebrated All Saints Day on November 1st. The congregation enjoyed a catered meal and worship featuring a brass sextet and a performance by their newly formed choir.

Trinity, Scarsdale, NY

On Saturday, October 28th, Trinity Lutheran Church hosted an Oktoberfest dinner in their upper room. They enjoyed a full spread of German food and an evening of joyful fellowship. Helen Fanelli sang German songs and led everyone in a verse of "Edelweiss." 

Eternal Life, Mesa, AZ

On Sunday, October 29, Eternal Life Lutheran Church celebrated Reformation Day, and the church was blessed to have two young men confirmed in their Christian faith. Congratulations to brothers in Christ, Shane and Cooper.

ENGLISH DISTRICT LCMS

248-476-0039

info@englishdistrict.org

www.englishdistrict.org

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