English District of
The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod
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Living Our Baptized Life in Christ
Galatians 2:20
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2025 Convention – Deadline Reminder | | |
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Wednesday, February 26, is quickly approaching and is the major deadline for our upcoming 2025 District Convention.
Nomination Ballots for District President and District Vice-President must be returned to the District Secretary by February 26 to be counted. Questions about nomination ballots can be submitted to him via email.
Circuit Forums to Elect Circuit Visitors for the next triennium are to be held by February 26. Questions about Circuit Visitor elections can be submitted to the District Secretary via email.
Nomination Forms for Other District Offices are to be submitted to the Committee on Nominations by February 26. You can find the nomination form on the District website.
Submission of Overtures for consideration by the District Convention are to be made to the District President by February 26. Click here for instructions and forms for overture submissions.
Congregational Pastoral and Lay Delegates should be elected and accredited by their congregations by February 26. This will aid District Staff in proper convention logistics planning. Though accreditation can be done after the February 26 deadline, congregations are highly encouraged not to delay submission of their delegate accreditation forms.
All District congregations are encouraged to participate in the District Convention process. However, the deadlines set by Synod or District Bylaws will be enforced.
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Calls Received
The Rev. Robert M. Zagore has received a Divine Call to serve as Chaplain of Concordia Lutheran Ministries, Cabot, PA (Eastern District).
The Rev. Samuel L. Bobby (South Dakota District) has received a Divine Call to serve as Senior Pastor of Redeemer, Lincoln, NE.
Call Returned
The Rev. Robert M. Zagore has returned the Divine Call to serve as Sole Pastor of Trinity, Willoughby, OH (Ohio District).
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This year marks the tenth anniversary of the release of the short documentary film The First Rosa. Dr. Rosa J. Young was, in the words of the LCMS production team, “a pioneer Lutheran educator and missionary who, alongside the Rev. Nils J. Bakke, planted dozens of historically black Lutheran schools and chapels in the American South.” Born a sinner who was dehumanized by much of society, in Christ she was a beautiful woman who exemplified what it means to be fully human. Most of us never had the opportunity to meet her but we look forward to feasting with her at the Marriage Supper of the Lamb on the Last Day! We highly recommend this 42-minute film, which may be accessed here. | |
Registration is open for Mercy: Love Throughout Life Conference, organized by the LCMS Office of National Mission. The conference will take place March 14-15. There are options to participate in person at one of the three venues: Concordia University, Irvine, CA (with a focus on marriage, life, and the family); Grace Lutheran Church, St. Petersburg, FL (with a focus on spiritual care); and the LCMS International Center, St. Louis, MO (with a focus on advocating, teaching, and caring for human life). There is an option to participate online as well. More details and a link to register may be found at here. | |
Lifeline is the English District’s outreach that promotes the dignity and sanctity of life from fertilization to forever. Click here for Lifeline's 2025 Coming Events, a list of upcoming sanctity of life learning opportunities. Click here for more information on Lifeline. | |
English District Missions | | |
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This month, the Mission Action Team discusses "Church Planting in a Borderless World." The English District is a district, by the Lord’s blessing, WITHOUT borders, meaning that our scope for new missions is without horizon or edge. Click here to read more on how this ministry exemplifies cooperation and fellowship with our geographic counterparts.
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2024 Congregational Statistics and Lay Leader Reports | | |
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The deadline for congregation statistics and lay leader updates is Friday, February 28, 2025. Click here: LCMS Information Support Network for Congregations to log in.
If you cannot remember the username and/or password you created previously for your congregation, follow the on-screen helps on the login page to recover your credentials.
Up-to-date statistical information is essential for the Synod as it plans current and future ministry efforts. Such information is also critical for determining proper voting representation at conventions.
The lay leader list is used to send free copies of Reporter, the official newspaper of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, and other LCMS ministry-related mailings to congregation leaders.
Thank you for providing your information. It assists a wide variety of ministry efforts at both the national and district level.
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Praise the LORD! Praise, O servants of the LORD, praise the name of the LORD! Blessed be the name of the LORD from this time forth and forevermore! From the rising of the sun to its setting, the name of the LORD is to be praised! Psalm 113:1-3 (ESV)
We have had a busy couple of months.
Read our January-February newsletter here.
We are grateful for your continued prayers for our work. We pray for God's richest blessings upon all of you.
Rev. Dale and Suzanne Kaster
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District daily prayers for March 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.
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Alliance Defending Freedom | | |
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"ADF advances every person’s God-given right to live and speak the truth. We contend for the Truth in law, policy, and the public square, and equip the alliance to do the same."
ADF provides legal guidance for churches and ministries in adhering to God's Word regarding parenting, religious freedom, sanctity of life, marriage and family, and other issues.
English District churches and schools get 20% off when signing up to become an ADF member by using the discount codes. For churches it is LCMSdistrict and for schools it is LCMSdistrictMA.
Click here to see member benefits (like ADF's document review process) and to sign up. Click here to view current key cases to watch. For further information, email Isaiah Turner, Regional Manager with Alliance Defending Freedom’s Church and Ministry Alliance or call (812) 498-4058.
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JOIN ADF Livestream on Protecting Your Christian School’s Mission
Our partner, Alliance Defending Freedom, is hosting a Christian School Livestream on February 26th. Your school’s policies are more than just rules — they reflect your mission. Policies on admissions, hiring, and athletics are critical to protecting that mission. Without a clear and intentional approach, these policies could expose your school to unnecessary legal risks.
Join ADF’s "Legal Insights for Christian Schools in 2025" livestream on February 26, 2025, at Noon ET / 9 AM PT to learn how to strengthen your policies and protect your school’s biblical foundation.
This event features four experienced ADF attorneys who have worked closely with Christian schools nationwide. They’ll share practical insights and legal expertise to help you navigate today’s challenges.
In this livestream, you’ll learn:
- How to strengthen your admissions and handbook policies
- Why faith-based hiring policies matter
- How to navigate gender identity issues in athletics and create athletic policies that align with your biblical values.
REGISTER NOW
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Lumen Christi Award Nominations | | |
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Our gracious Lord blesses our English District by providing dedicated and talented professional and volunteer leaders/teachers in child, youth, adult, and family ministry areas. These servants of our Lord exercise their God-given gifts in many creative and unique ways to bless those they serve. The Lumen Christi award is presented to publicly recognize the service of educators, to further promote and encourage all professional and volunteer leaders/teachers who are active members of an English District LCMS congregation.
The 2025 Lumen Christi Award nominations for the English District Professional Educator of the Year and English District Volunteer Educator of the Year are due by May 7, 2025. Nominations can be completed and submitted online. Please prayerfully consider making a nomination.
Click here for criteria and definitions.
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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 | |
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Trinity, Erie, PA
RSVP for this event by March 23 here.
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Trinity, Ocala, FL
Congregational officers and those in leadership roles of Trinity Lutheran Church were installed during a recent worship service by Pastor Dan Howe. Congratulations to all and God's blessings on your service.
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Prince of Peace, Mesquite, NV
The Women of Life at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church got a special treat at their February meeting. In addition to their regular meeting agenda, they made Valentine's Day treat boxes filled with Hershey Kisses. Pictured are: Bev Butler, Kathy Rolff, Linda Gwynn, Cheryl Schwing, Toni Swaney, Pam Larason, Wyntress Balcher, Sue Pratt, Beth Campbell, Janey Lyons, Dee Thorpe and Jane Benham. A good time was had by all.
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Peace, Palm Desert, CA
The L.W.M.L. women of Peace Lutheran Church of the Desert recently met for their monthly meeting. President Linda Kieft led the meeting, which included introducing the new "Prayer Pockets" by Arlene Blas in which to place inspiring messages and/or small gifts. Peace Lutheran's Pastor James built the prayer pocket apparatus. Tami led a devotion entitled "Candy Hearts" reminding attendees of God's love for all through various scripture readings. Linda led a Cherry Blossom craft which the group enjoyed. Arlene Blas and Nila Rodriquez shared their wonderful experience at the last Women's Retreat held in Phoenix. God is working at Peace Lutheran and through L.W.M.L. To God be the Glory!
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This three-day theological conference (May 2-May 4) is for young men confirmed in the church who want to learn more about a vocation in the Office of the Holy Ministry and pastors/parents who wish to learn more about the ministry for their families and congregations. The conference will be held at Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church, Winter Garden, FL. Click here for more info. Click here to register.
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Holy Land Tour with Pastor Nabil Nour | | |
For further information email Pastor Nour directly or call him at 605-201-6998. | |
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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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using your email's forwarding option.
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