English District of
The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod
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God in All Things - Without Borders | |
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On Saturday, February 3, 2024, Rev. Michael Mathews was installed as Sole Pastor of Shepherd of the Mountains, Pinetop, AZ. Rev. Derek Mathers officiated.
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Assistant to the Bishop's Visits | | |
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On Sunday, February 4, 2024, Rev. Derek Mathers, Assistant to the Bishop and Mission Executive, visited and worshipped with Rev. Rodney Schmeltz, his wife, Renee, and the members of Faith, Overgaard, AZ.
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Later that day, Rev. Mathers visited Shepherd of the Pines, Payson, AZ.
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Call Received and Accepted
The Rev. Dr. Mark D. Menacher (Colloquy Candidate) has received and accepted a Divine Call to serve as Sole Pastor of St. Luke’s, La Mesa, CA.
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2023 Congregational Statistics and Lay Leader Reports | | |
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It is that time again to submit your congregation’s end-of-year statistics and update your current list of lay leaders.
Click here: LCMS Information Support Network for Congregations
Congregational leaders should use the same login information that was used last year to register for the Presidential Voters. If the username and/or password that was created for the congregation is unknown, follow the on-screen helps on the login page to recover the congregation’s credentials.
NOTE: As was the case last year, do not include online engagements or views in average weekly attendance. Average attendance includes only those who were physically present. If the congregation hosted any part of its worship services online during 2023, whether live or recorded, a separate online form will be available to provide that information once the regular 2023 statistics are submitted.
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.
Online reporting is intended to help congregations honor their commitment as members of the Synod, as confirmed by the 2016 LCMS Convention in Bylaw 1.3.4.3:1.3.4.3 Congregations of the Synod, to enable the Synod to plan current and future ministry efforts and to lend accuracy and integrity to the Synod’s delegate representation and voting processes, agree to provide annual membership and statistical information to the Synod.
The lay leader list is used to send copies of the REPORTER and other LCMS ministry related mailings to congregation leaders. The REPORTER is sent, free of charge, to all Congregational Chairmen and Board of Elders Chairmen each month and will be sent to the other congregation leaders as funding permits. Emails for lay leaders will be increasingly important as channels for critical convention communications.
The deadline for congregation statistics and lay leaders reports is March 31, 2024, Congregational leaders may also review their congregation’s profile and lay leader information anytime throughout the year to make sure the contact information, service times, and other important data are current.
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Church Worker (Student Loan) Debt Reduction Grants Available | | |
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The purpose of the English District Endowment Fund is to provide God's people with a unique opportunity to participate in a perpetual fund. This fund shall assist congregations and rostered workers alike. One aspect of the Endowment Fund currently being offered to Rostered Church Workers is a grant for financial assistance with their student loans. Those rostered workers who are currently serving (called workers) in an English District LCMS congregation or school are eligible to apply for this education indebtedness grant.
For a Church Worker (Student Loan) Debt Reduction Grant we ask that you complete an Application for Church Worker Transitional Assistance. These forms are available on our District website.
If you have any questions, please contact Rev. Derek Mathers at 1-800-755-9335. Deadline for applications is April 26, 2024.
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Roger D. Pittelko "Ille Dilexit Ecclesiam" Award | | |
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Nominations are requested for the third annual Roger D. Pittelko Ille Dilexit Ecclesiam* Award (*He loved the Church).
The English District has created this award to recognize and celebrate pastors who have served God’s people well in the English District.
Recipients of this award must meet the following criteria:
- He is an ordained pastor who served in the English District.
- He has retired from full-time active parish ministry.
- He exhibited a lifetime of faithfulness to our God and service to God’s people through congregations and the wider field of the English District.
Download the nomination form from the English District website.
The deadline for submitting nominations is Friday, March 8, 2024. The recipient of this award will be announced as part of the 2024 Professional Church Workers Conference.
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Lumen Christi Award Nominations | | |
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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 2024 Lumen Christi Award nominations for the English District Professional Staff of the Year and English District Volunteer Educator of the Year are due by March 8, 2024. Nomination forms are available through the links above. The Lumen Christi Award Criteria and Definitions are available here. Please prayerfully consider making a nomination.
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Please click here for the January Convention Accent. It contains all of the information about the 2024 convention including registration forms. Come to the LWML English District 41st Biennial Convention April 26 - 28, 2024 in Detroit, MI.
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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 March 2024 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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Contact Dan Lepley, DVP - English and SELC District Lutheran Church Extension Fund, for more information at 317-402-9401.
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Lutheran Federal Credit Union | | |
Hales Corners, Hales Corners, WI | |
Let's celebrate these brothers and sisters in Christ! In January, they completed FAITH 101, a three-week class for adults taking the next step in their faith journey. Along with Pastor Todd Liefer, they dived into God's Word, growing in their understanding of the basics of Christianity, Lutheran teachings, and God's beautiful story of love and faithfulness in the lives of his children. | |
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Family of Christ, Phoenix, AZ | |
Sunday, February 4, Family of Christ Lutheran Church held an infant baptism. They welcomed with great joy Nina Rose, daughter of Babak and Jennifer, into Christ's Family through the waters of Baptism, . | |
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Mount Calvary, Lititz, PA
The children of Mount Calvary bury their Alleluias. Their colored pictures will remain in the tomb until Easter Sunday where they will be hung around the church.
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Grace, Redford, MI
This week, Rev. Tim Halboth brought communion to the oldest member of Grace Lutheran Church. Evelyn turned 102 in January. Rev. Halboth used his great-great grandfather’s 102 year old communion kit that has been passed down to five generations of Halboths.
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Ascension of Christ, Beverly Hills, MI
On Sunday, February 4, Ascension of Christ Lutheran Church held a Hymn Festival and Organ Dedication to honor Peter Paselk, recently retired Music Director, for his 40 years of service in music ministry to several LCMS congregations in the Metro Detroit area.
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Prince of Peace, Medina, OH
On Sunday, February 4, Prince of Peace Lutheran Church celebrated their 60th anniversary with a whole church birthday party, a reception, and a rededication of the church. chair of the English District Board of Directors and charter member of Prince of Peace, Terry Leu, preached and shared a letter and certificate from Rev. Dr. Jamison Hardy in celebration of the anniversary.
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Prince of Peace, Mesquite, NV
Prince of Peace Lutheran Church held its initial Men's Fellowship meeting on Saturday, January 27. There was lively fellowship, great coffee and refreshments, and a devotional.
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Ascension, North Olmsted, OH
On Sunday February 4 the Saints of Ascension Lutheran Church kicked off their 75th anniversary celebration with worship and brunch. The theme of the year is "To God Be The Glory" and will include monthly opportunities to praise God for His faithfulness.
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Fairlawn, Fairlawn, OH
The Kindergarten class at Fairlawn Lutheran School celebrated "100 days smarter" by dressing how they will look when they are 100 years old.
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Abounding Love, Lee's Summit, MO
In celebration of Super Bowl week, Abounding Love Preschool is having a canned soup drive and spirit week. One day, everyone had an Andy Reid moustache, and another day was dress like Patrick Mahomes day.
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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 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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If you'd like to share our emails, please forward
using your email's forwarding option.
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