English District of
The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod
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Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind.
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Redeemer, Saint Clair Shores, MI
Redeemer Lutheran Church celebrated its 100th anniversary on Sunday, November 7, 2021. Bishop Jamison J. Hardy was the guest preacher.
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First Trinity, Pittsburgh, PA
Bishop Jamison J. Hardy was honored to be a part of the 30-year celebration of Rev. Douglas Spittel at First Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church.
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Rev. Derek Mathers, Assistant to the English District Bishop/President, was the guest speaker at First Lutheran Church on Sunday, November 7th. Pictured here are Rev. Dusan Tillinger and Rev. Derek Mathers.
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Our Saviour, Chatham, ON
On Sunday, November 7, 2021, Our Saviour celebrated its 75th anniversary.
Banners are a rallying point for the Church (Ps 60:4).
Their 75th anniversary banner repeats the rallying cry of the Reformation: "The Word of the Lord Endures Forever." (1 Peter 1:25) In Latin: Verbum Domini Manet in Aeternum (VDMA).”
Pictured are (L to R): Cherie Janovicek, banner bearer; Rev. Dr. Roger Ellis, Sarnia; Rev. Derek Mathers, Assistant to Bishop Hardy, preacher; Rev. Paul Pollex, Vacancy Pastor, Chatham; Rev. Dr. Robert Bugbee, First, Windsor; and Cherie’s grandson Robert Janovicek, cross bearer
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The English District Board of Directors met this past week at The Lutheran Church of the Messiah, Princeton, NJ. The meeting time included lunch with circuit pastors and leaders, a walking tour of Princeton University and a look at their campus ministry.
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From the Mission Field: Philadelphia Lutheran Mission and Logos Church
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Things in the city are slowly returning to normal. A great many college and university students are back in the city on campus.
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Vicar Daniel Warner spends time on campus attempting to meet new students and offering to pray with them.
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The group at midweek services is studying through the Old Testament readings appointed for the previous Sunday. It is a nice way of recalling the theme of the previous Sunday’s service while also tying in Christ in the Old Testament.
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Ministerial Health Commission
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As part of our English District regional church workers’ gatherings, every worker received a Ministerial Health Commission (MHC) fridge magnet with the strong encouragement to place on their family’s fridge when they arrived home. The reason? Because our MHC is here to care not only for the church worker but for their whole family. The magnet is a small way to let the whole family know there is care and support a web site or a phone call away. "Standing with Church Workers and Their Families for Their Strengthening”, the members of the commission are “Caring & Hopeful, Serving & Committed, Committed to Integrity & Trustworthiness.” We are thankful to the church worker who sent us this picture.
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Do You Need to Make a Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) from an IRA or Retirement Plan?
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Your RMD can be given as a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) to the English District and will not be taxable to you! (See specifics below)
If you are required to make the minimum distribution (RMD) from an IRA or an employer retirement plan, you can avoid paying taxes on the distribution by making a charitable gift to the English District.
Talk to your investment advisor knowing your gift will make a difference!
Thank you in advance for your support!
“Taxpayers age 70 ½ or older who need to withdraw their required minimum distribution (RMD) for the year should consider leveraging a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD). The taxpayer may direct the distribution of up to $100,000 each year from their employer sponsored retirement plan or IRA to one or more qualified charitable organizations. This distribution counts toward satisfying their RMD and will not be taxable to the individual. This is a smart way to gain an effective deduction for charitable gifts without the need to have itemized deductions in excess of the newly increased standard deduction.” - Robert Westley, CPA/PFS member of the AICPA PFS Credential Committee
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VETERANS - WE’VE GOT YOUR SIX
The Apostle Paul wrote in Romans 13:7, “Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed.” Veterans are owed both respect and honor. In recent years, our nation has become more acutely aware of our veterans’ needs with the Wounded Warrior Project, treatment of PTSD and the catch phrase, “Got your six.” In the military, “got your six” means “I’ve got your back.” The saying originated with World War I fighter pilots referencing the rear of an airplane as the six o’clock position. If you picture yourself at the center of a clock face, the area directly in front of you is twelve o’clock. Six o’clock is what lies behind you. On a battlefield, your “six” is the “most vulnerable.” So, when someone tells you that they’ve “got your six,” it means they’re watching your back. (Taken from www.wehaveyoursix.org) By extension, that person expects you to have their back as well.
In this month of November, there may be no greater respect and honor given to our veterans than for our entire nation to have our veterans’ backs along with each other’s back. Veterans need our love and care. Thanks be to God we can reveal to them - and our nation - the One who always has our backs with His unfailing care and everlasting providence. The gift of the Gospel is the greatest assurance that one’s back is covered now and for eternity. Read more as this article explores the ways we can have veterans’ and each other’s backs by sharing the Gospel truth about God, our Rock, Refuge and Mighty Fortress.
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International Lutheran Council News
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American Lecture Tour by Finnish Bishop
In November, Bishop Juhana Pohjola is visiting the United States for a lecture tour sponsored by the ILC. Bishop Pohjola faces charges in Finland for his role in publishing a 2004 booklet which articulates historic Christian teaching on human sexuality. READ MORE
New program to support Lutheran theological education worldwide
The International Lutheran Council has announced a new program dedicated to supporting confessional Lutheran theological education worldwide: the International Lutheran Council Accreditation Agency. Rev. Dr. Steven Schumacher will serve the ILCAA as its Chief Accreditation Officer. READ MORE
Lutherans in Spain welcome new bishop
On October 9, 2021, the Spanish Evangelical Lutheran Church celebrated the consecration of its new bishop, Rev. José Luis de Miguel. READ MORE
Standing with the Saints before the throne
Rev. Roger B. James, Assistant to the General Secretary of the ILC, reflects on All Saints Day. READ MORE
The Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod is a member of the International Lutheran Council (ILC), a global association of confessional Lutheran church bodies. For more World Lutheran News, visit www.ilcouncil.org.
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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 December 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.
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Are you interested in being on our mailing list of upcoming convention exhibit opportunities? Please email Info@englishdistrict.org to be added to the list.
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All Saints Campus Ministry, Slippery Rock, PA
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Women Are Better Shots Than Men
All Saints campus ministry is always trying to find ways to expand our outreach to college students. We are so pleased when we can provide them with activities which they will enjoy and which will help them grow in Christian faith.
I still can hardly believe that taking college students from Grove City College, Slippery Rock University, and Westminster College to a local sportsmen’s club to rent their gun range and skeet shooting facility would be such a marvelous opportunity. People were a bit skeptical with our plan, but it turned out to be well worth the effort to bring students to the shooting range.
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For more information, contact the English District Gift Planning Counselor Ron Grimm by phone (412)-584-7039 or email.
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Risen Savior, Green Valley, AZ
Two groups of new members were received at Lutheran Church of the Risen Savior on the weekend of October 23 and 24. Praise be to God!
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Messiah, Danville, CA
Messiah Lutheran Church celebrated Reformation Day with an Oktoberfest themed lunch. There was bratwurst, cabbage, sauerkraut, German potato salad, desserts, and even some dancing! A good time was had by all!
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Redeemer, Ft. Wayne, IN
Redeemer Lutheran Church celebrated the baptisms of Aaron and Micah on Sunday, November 7th.
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Ascension, North Olmsted, OH
Ascension Lutheran Church and Hosanna Lutheran Church, Columbia Station, OH (Ohio District) held the first of a series of prayer services on November 5th. Prayers were lifted up for country, community, and Church. The Word was preached, and the two congregations enjoyed fellowship together.
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New Beginnings, West Branch, MI
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On October 24th we joined in celebrating the baptism of Kaydon & Genevieve!
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On November 7th, we celebrated Lisa’s baptism as well as confirmation along with Steven, Don, Ken and Kelly.
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Matthew 28:19-20
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.
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Holy Cross, Cleveland, OH
Last week, the students at Holy Cross Lutheran School studied planes, trains and automobiles and even a submarine! Everything transportation week!!
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Abounding Love, Lee's Summit, MO
Abounding Love Preschool thanks all the staff and volunteers who helped make their Fall Fiesta auction on November 5th such a wonderful success!
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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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Also, please share your congregation's or school's unique ministries with the rest of the 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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