English District of
The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod
| |
God in All Things - Without Borders | |
|
On Sunday, March 17, 2024, Bishop Jamison Hardy visited with Rev. Christopher Esget and the members of Immanuel, Alexandria, VA.
| |
|
Rev. Dr. David Timothy Stein, 4-25-1936 to 9-25-2023
The Rev. Dr. David Timothy Stein, Emeritus, was called to glory on Tuesday, September 25, 2023, in Leander, TX. Pastor Stein served as a professor at Concordia Teachers College (Concordia University), River Forest, IL from 1961-1979, Apostles, Melrose, IL 1989-1991, and Holy Spirit, Elk Grove Village, IL, 1991-2002. He is survived by his wife, Judith Ann Stein (nee Ritchhart), four children, seven grandchildren, and eight great grandchildren. A memorial service will be held in late spring of 2024.
Please keep the Stein family in your prayers.
Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord. Revelation 14:13
| |
The Due Date for End-of-Year Statistics Extended | | |
|
Because of the challenges many congregations are having with the new log-in process, the deadline to submit your congregation’s end-of-year statistics and update your lay leaders at lc.lcms.org has been extended to Friday, April 30, 2024. If you need assistance with that process, contact rosters.statistics@lcms.org.
Click here to submit: 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.
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.
Thank you for providing this information in a timely manner.
| |
|
LCMS-U Eastern Washington University
For the 2023-2024, another one of the Dollar for Missions recipients will be LCMS-U at Eastern Washington University. This mission of Blessed Sacrament Lutheran Church [Hayden, ID] exists to seek, find, and give religious ministry to synod-member students and staff, and to offer ministry support to all others interested and referred. Led by Rev. Marc DiConti, EWU LCMS-U Campus Pastor and Associate Pastor of the congregation, they have been a presence on the LCMS.org "LCMS-U map" for a year, but it took months of navigating and overcoming the university administrative hurdles before they could begin ministry outreach on the EWU campus.
Their motto is "Loving God and Neighbor in Fellowship with Jesus Christ". Offering free cider served by a "priest-like" man, an amazing spiritual phenomenon often occurs… The Holy Spirit provides His rapport of peace and trust for friendly open dialogue between complete "strangers", including poignant sharing from the heart.
Only the Holy Spirit can woo and evoke such ministry and sharing of heart in conversations in brief moments with a Christian they’ve just met. Only God can bring vulnerability to someone to share their painful past to a Christian stranger about suicidal thoughts. Using LCMS-U at EWU, Jesus is introducing Himself, inviting and calling students into relationship with Him; by it He tills hearts' soils, sows, and waters His Gospel seed; by LCMS-U’s efforts, God’s Spirit is preparing others to trust Him to share their prayer requests.
| |
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.
| |
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.
| |
|
|
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 April 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.
| |
|
Calvary, Mechanicsburg, PA
Calvary's most recent free clothing event was held during a chilly, wet Saturday morning on March 2. Despite the weather, over 40 people from the community attended. Most left with at least one full bag of clothing and carrying one of the coats, donated by Calvary members. They also received multiple donations for distribution from individuals outside of church membership.
| |
|
Peace, Palm Desert, CA
Sunday, March 17 Peace of the Desert Lutheran Church celebrated St. Patrick's Day and Rev. James Bowes' birthday. A wonderful service with Celtic music was followed by a birthday celebration for their new pastor. To God be the Glory!
| |
|
St. John's, Pembroke, ON
Sunday, March 17, St. John's Lutheran Church welcomed four new members, Jon & Laurel, Cheryl and Cynthia (not pictured). The new members were introduced to the church family during fellowship after church. Jon was baptized at St. John's on March 3 in anticipation of becoming a member.
| |
|
Prince of Peace, Menomonee Falls, WI
Sunday, March 10 The Lutheran Church of the Prince of Peace celebrated Pastor's Wives Appreciation Sunday with Pastor Emeritus Rev. Norm and Karen Timmermann and Youngshin and Rev. Tom Engler. Coffee and cake was enjoyed by all.
| |
|
Grace, Redford, MI
Tuesday, March 19, women from across the Detroit area gathered for the 60th Annual Council of Lutheran Women’s Luncheon who honor parish woman. Pictured with Rev. Tim Halboth is Grace, Redford’s Lutheran Woman of the Year Joan Calleja, who truly exemplifies a hard working child of God at Grace.
| |
|
Prince of Peace, Mesquite, NV
The Women of Life from Prince of Peace Lutheran Church held a High Tea Party on March 7. Twenty-three participants shared in activities and fellowship.
| |
|
Trinity, Erie, PA
Trinity Lutheran Church held their March paint night last week. This fellowship event was held twice that week to accommodate busy schedules. The theme was "Dandelions in the Park."
| |
|
Bethesda, Chicago, IL
Ephesians 6:10-11 states "Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes." At chapel on March 20, Bethesda International Academy students had an opportunity to see what it would look like to put on the armor of God. Although it may be fun to put this on everyday, we can put it on through prayer. As we enter the end of our Lenten season, make sure to continue in prayer and remember what the Lenten season means to you as we approach Good Friday and Easter!
| |
|
Redeemer, Pittsburgh, PA
Before spring break, the third grade class conducted a root beer float experiment to go along with their "States of Matter" science unit. They combined root beer (liquid) with ice cream (solid) to witness the transformation of states of matter. Afterwards, they got to enjoy the tasty treat!
| |
|
Shepherd King, West Bloomfield, MI
Dinosaur week in preschool was awesome! The students LOVE dinosaurs. They did dinosaur crafts, sang dinosaur songs, and even watched a “real” dinosaur egg crack open! Everyone really got into the dino spirit.
| |
|
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.
| | | | |
