English District of
The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod
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Living Our Baptized Life in Christ
Galatians 2:20
| | Bishop Jeff Miskus presided over the installation service of Rev. Philip Gai as Senior Pastor of the Church of Saint Mark - Lutheran, Mississauga, ON. We pray for continued blessings upon Pastor Gai and the congregation. | | |
Calls Received
The Rev. Charles P. St. Onge (SELC District) has received a Divine Call to serve as Sole Pastor of St. John’s, Pembroke, ON, Canada.
The Rev. Travis J. Schmidt has received a Divine Call to serve as Sole Pastor of Faith, Arlington Heights, IL.
| | MinistryFocus Grants for Rostered Church Workers | | | |
Applications for church worker financial assistance in 2026 are now available. All rostered church workers of the LCMS are eligible for these grants. Since 2015, MinistryFocus has awarded more than $1.1 million in financial assistance grants to 392 LCMS church workers.
Additionally, in a partnership with LCEF and MinistryFocus through a matching fund from the Lilly Endowment, the English District is pleased to announce that applications for up to three (3) Ministry Excellence Fund grants are also now available at MinistryFocus.org for pastors and deaconesses in the district. These grants include an online financial education course from Concordia University Wisconsin in addition to a financial assistance grant. The application for all grant programs is the same and MinistryFocus will determine eligibility for the respective grants. Grant applications are due December 31st and award announcements will be made in late January 2026.
If you have any questions, please email Rev. Ken Krueger.
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We pray for all who are considering ministry. We also pray for those who have an opportunity to encourage them, recognizing the importance of raising up future pastors and church workers for His glory.
We pray for those caring for elderly parents that God will provide them strength and peace.
District daily prayers for December 2025 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.
| | 1-1-1 Dollar for Missions | | | |
"How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching?" Romans 10:14
The following statements appeared in a devotion this week:
- Some are hurting
- Some are searching
- Some simply do not know
In marketing terms, these three statements make up a target audience.
In godly terms, they would be known as the mission field. Consider this, please: How many churches in your area faithfully preach the Word and administer the Sacraments in their truth and purity? That can be difficult to answer, as sometimes the mission field is crowded and clouded by confusion and falsehood.
In other areas, however, people sometimes may have to drive an hour one way to find the Gospel in all of its fullness and strength. The mission field is considered too sparse and remote to garner attention, in light of limited resources. Your weekly 1-1-1 Dollar for Missions contributions can and do serve both sides of this spectrum, the crowded, clouded, and confused, and the remote, underserved, and unknowing.
Jesus does not discriminate in His word. He tells us, as He told His disciples in Matthew 9:37-38: “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.” With Mission 1-1-1, we pray for and support both current and new workers in the mission field.
| | If your church is seeking some further encouragement or guidance regarding your 1-1-1 Dollar for Missions efforts, there is a ready source on the English District website. | | English District Endowment Fund | | | |
Your faithful tithes and offerings to the English District Endowment Fund enable us to continue to be a source of hope and opportunity for people who need us. Please prayerfully consider joining us in ministry, so that the English District can continue its work in spreading the message of Christ. The English District Endowment Fund was established to provide support to current and new missions and ministries, church workers and seminary students, and campus ministries in the areas where our congregations live and witness.
Every gift matters. Whatever God leads you to give will be a great blessing as we all work together to plant new missions and schools, and provide resources to existing ministries and church workers across the United States, Canada, and around the world.
Click here to give now.
| | Lutheran Witness Renewals | | | |
The Lutheran Witness renewal forms were recently mailed to all subscribing churches. They are due back to the district by January 29, 2026. It is not necessary to return forms if there are no changes. Subscriptions will automatically renew.
The annual subscription rate for 2026-27 will remain at $20.65 U.S. and $29.65 (U.S. funds) for Canadian addresses.
Email or call the district office at 800.755.9335 if you have any questions.
| | Congregational Treasurer's Manual | | | |
The LCMS Congregational Treasurer’s Manual that is available here is written for every treasurer, no matter what the level of expertise, and is organized into two volumes containing six major sections: “Employment Issues”; “Federal and State Tax Matters”; “Establishing and Administering the Organization”; “Supporting Organizations”; “Accounting and Finance”; and “Insurance.”
Highlights include:
- Payroll and bookkeeping chapters that address tax, accounting, and finance issues for the organization and its employees.
- Examples and filled-in forms of a sample congregation’s bookkeeping system, including payroll forms and related federal tax reports.
- Recommended practices by the tax and legal counsel of the Synod for all LCMS congregations and schools.
| | Calling a Seminary Candidate/Requesting a Vicar | | | |
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 Saturday, January 31, 2026. Please add this topic to your congregational voter’s meeting agenda for discussion in 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 for the login information.
| | Contact John Hoover, LCEF Vice President, by email or phone 314-276-3370 for more information. | | Lutheran Federal Credit Union | | | For more information, please contact our Operations Department at 314-394-2790. | | |
Redeemer, Oakmont, PA
Members of Redeemer Lutheran Church recently held a "Batterbash" event. Participants baked cookies for the congregation's older members.
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Messiah, Danville, CA
Members of "The Yarn Circle" at Messiah Lutheran Church recently gathered to complete 18 blankets which will be given to congregational shut-ins. They also enjoyed singing Christmas Carols and reflecting on devotions.
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We are excited to announce that the LCMS Youth Ministry will be hosting an impactful YouthLead 2026 training event in St. Louis from March 19-22, 2026. This is an incredible opportunity for our high school youth to develop their spiritual leadership skills and connect with Lutheran peers from around the region. Registration for this event is $425.00 per person and includes food, lodging, and materials (transportation to St. Louis is not included). The conference sells out each year. Do not wait; inquire or sign up today.
To reinforce the English District's commitment to fostering the next generation of Christian leaders, the District is proud to offer $250.00 per youth participant. Moreover, we understand the importance of safety and support, which is why we will provide two dedicated DCEs to serve as chaperones throughout the event. For any questions, to learn more, or to register, please reach out to DCE Rod Lane via email or by calling (402-499-0807) or to Pastor Derek Mathers at the district office. We encourage you to take advantage of this enriching experience.
| | Christ Academy High School | | | |
Christ Academy High School will be held June 14–27, 2026 at Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne. Participants will be exploring confessional Lutheran theology, worshiping together, and building lasting friendships.
If you know a young person who is considering pastoral ministry or diaconal service, or one who would benefit from this experience, encourage them to register today. Until January 1, 2026, returning registrants will receive $100 off their registration fee.
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Experience the fifth annual Musical Advent Calendar from Lutheran Summer Music, November 30–December 24—daily musical meditations to inspire reflection throughout the Advent season. Follow along on Facebook, Instagram, or YouTube, with all videos archived.
Sign up to receive each day’s video directly to your inbox here.
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Redeeming Life Outreach Ministries is a Registered Service Organization of the LCMS that provides a home, help, and hope for women in crisis pregnancy situations. We are currently searching for two Lutherans with a passion for life-affirming ministry to join our team, based out of Sanford, FL. Please check out the job listings for Program Manager and Director of Development and contact us if you have interest in discussing these opportunities further.
| | The 2026 Symposia Series January 20–23 at Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, consists of two symposia, one on exegetical theology and the other on the Lutheran Confessions. This year, the 41st Annual Symposium on Exegetical Theology will focus on "Holiness, Sacrifice, and Worship: Leviticus for Today’s Royal Priesthood.” The 49th Annual Symposium on the Lutheran Confessions will explore "Baptism: The Water That Unites and Divides.” Click here for more information or to register. | | |
Members of St. Matthew Lutheran Church, Bethany Lutheran Church, and Grace Lutheran Church are hosting a live Nativity presentation. The “Breath of Heaven” live Nativity will take place at St. Matthew Lutheran Church, 15617 Mason Road, Vermilion, OH 44089. Call Kathy at 440-225-9775 if you have any questions.
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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 llinthicum@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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