English District of
The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod
| |
God in All Things - Without Borders | |
2024 Professional Church Workers Conference | | |
|
Registration closes on March 18 for this mandatory conference!
2024 Professional Church Workers Conference, Board of Directors meeting and Circuit Visitors Conference
Advent Lutheran Church
11250 N. Michigan Rd.
Zionsville, IN 46077
GO and tell what you have seen and heard.
Matthew 11:4
Board of Directors – April 29 (1:00 p.m.) – April 30 (12:00 p.m.)
Conference – April 30 (3:00 p.m.) – May 2 (11:30 a.m.)
Circuit Visitors – May 2 (12:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.)
Visit our website for more information.
| |
Eighteen From English District Congregations | | |
|
God gives His church pastors and church workers for the sake of the Gospel and for the blessing of all people. Set Apart to Serve (SAS) is an initiative of our LCMS national office to identify, encourage, and support individuals to consider and commit to the vocation of the many opportunities available to become a full-time church worker.
Since church work is rooted in Baptism and a lifetime of hearing the Word, SAS encourages young people to consider church work vocations primarily through their continued and faithful involvement with their congregation. SAS also encourages parents/grandparents, pastors, professional church workers, Sunday school teachers and others in our congregations help speak into the lives of children and young people to consider serving the church in these sacred and joyful vocations.
It is with joy that in 2023 four men entered seminary programs from the English District. In the fall of 2024, we have another potential twelve men ready to begin seminary education in preparation to serve in God’s church as pastors, each being raised up, identified, and encouraged by their English District home congregation. Our District joy grows even larger with one person entering Lutheran teacher education training and another starting her preparation to becoming a deaconess.
Is there someone in whom you see potential and aptitude to be a Church Worker? Can you tell them what you see as an encouragement? Let us pray that God will continue to raise up and provide workers in his church.
| |
Show Us Your 1-1-1 Container | | |
|
This 1-1-1 jar is from Holy Cross Lutheran Chapel, Hazelwood, PA.
Congregations are invited to send a picture of their container, with their congregation’s name and location to jmcgarr@englishdistrict.org. Watch for your container to be shared in an upcoming issue of Servant to Servant.
| |
|
Scripture teaches that every one of us was intimately known and chosen in Christ by God from well before our conception (Jeremiah 1:5; Ephesians 1:3-6; 2 Timothy 1:9). This means that each human embryo, beginning at the earliest one-cell (zygote) stage of development, is in fact a person! Each one of these very young babies is a sinner for whom Christ died and rose again, and one whom He desires to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth (1 Timothy 2:4). And this is true even for those who were conceived in a manner that is not God-pleasing. Indeed, the sanctity of life begins, even pre-dates, fertilization. Who are we to think otherwise (Genesis 3:1)?
Our Synod has a number of very helpful resources that examine the development of the baby from fertilization to birth, as well as the issues that arise for the Christian when considering the use of reproductive technologies; these may be found here. Please note that access to some content requires setting up a free account. We also commend the Lutherans For Life (LFL) resources, including the LFL Position Statements on these and other sanctity of life issues, which may be found here.
Please do not hesitate to let your English District Lifeline Team know if we can be of help to you on this or any other sanctity of life issue. We thank you for being Gospel-motivated voices for life in your congregations and communities and pray His richest Lenten blessings on you.
| |
Nominate Young Musicians for Lutheran Summer Music | | |
|
Lutheran Summer Music Academy & Festival (LSM) is a residential academy for high school musicians. Students study with nationally recognized faculty, and are immersed in musical experiences through large ensembles (Choir, Band and Symphony Orchestra), chamber music, private lessons, elective classes, ongoing recitals and concerts. Students also experience a welcoming and joyful community that worships together daily, offering musical gifts through Lutheran liturgy and hymnody. LSM 2024 takes place at Valparaiso University in Indiana from June 30-July 28 and is open to students who have completed grades 8-12. Spots for LSM 2024 are filling fast! Nominate a student today at LSMacademy.org/nominate.
| |
English District Financial Aid | | |
|
Financial aid is available to students in English District congregations enrolled in synodical-approved church work programs (pastor, teacher, DCE, DCO, deaconess, etc.) at a Concordia seminary or university. If you know of a student that will be enrolling at a Concordia university in the fall, please let them know about this opportunity.
The deadline for applying is June 1st.
Visit our website for more information.
| |
Church Worker (Student Loan) Debt Reduction Grants Available | | |
|
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.
| |
Roger D. Pittelko "Ille Dilexit Ecclesiam" Award | | |
|
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.
| |
Lumen Christi Award Nominations | | |
|
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.
| |
|
The Bible's promise is true: If we ask anything according to his will, he hears us - 1 John 5:14.
Please pray for the newly established LCMS-U Chapter at Eastern Washington University in Cheney, WA and its ministry to students and staff under the auspices of Blessed Sacrament Lutheran Church.
Prayers requested for Rev. Fred Reaman as he receives treatment and recovers from a heart event.
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.
| |
Contact Dan Lepley, DVP - English and SELC District Lutheran Church Extension Fund, for more information at 317-402-9401.
| |
Lutheran Federal Credit Union | | |
For more information, please contact our Lending Department at 314-394-2790. | |
St. Paul, St. Clair Shores, MI | |
|
Rev. Simeon Cornwell is shown to the right tearing up the mortgage agreement of St. Paul Lutheran Church after the congregation paid it off.
| |
Risen Christ, Plymouth, MI | |
|
Risen Christ Lutheran Church experienced the joy and wonder of the miracle of Baptism at church on February 26. God claimed baby Lillian as his own through the Sacrament of Baptism. As a sister in Christ, welcome to the family Lillian!
| |
|
Congratulations, Aidan, on your Confirmation at Ascension Lutheran Church on February 26. May you continue to grow spiritually and may your faith in Jesus always be strong.
| |
|
On Friday, February 23 Vicar Solomon Spangler of Grace Lutheran Church returned to his former high school, Lutheran High School Northwest, in Rochester Hills, MI to lead Chapel. He is pictured with Principal Matthew Tschudy.
| |
On Saturday, February 24 volunteers at Grace Lutheran Church bagged over 100 bags of food and grocery gifts cards that were distributed to local Redford residents in need. More than 70 families were helped and over 20 volunteers from Grace donated their time. | |
|
On Monday, February 26 Pastor Tim Halboth, Senior Pastor of Grace Lutheran Church led Chapel services at Lutheran High School Northwest in Rochester Hills, MI. Pictured with him is Principal Matthew Tschudy and Pastor Halboth’s son Erik Halboth who teaches Math and Earth Science.
| |
|
Trinity, New Lenox, IL
Students at Trinity Lutheran Preschool studied the letter “F” for Food week! They learned the story of how Jesus fed a crowd of 5,000. They had a fun week making lunch boxes, soup and going grocery shopping.
| |
|
Immanuel, Alexandria, VA
Immanuel Lutheran School hosted a successful 2024 ILS Chili Cook-off fundraiser. Many volunteers, judges and families joined together for a fun afternoon of great food and fellowship!
| |
|
Christ the King, Grosse Pointe Woods, MI
Students at Christ the King Preschool are working on gross motor skills, jumping over crocodiles and balancing on turtle shells.
| |
|
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!
| |  |
|
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.
| | |
If you'd like to share our emails, please forward
using your email's forwarding option.
| | | | |
