Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind.
Servant to Servant
Greetings!
March 29, 2019
Ordination and Installation

For many years, Roger Yoder has faithfully served Messiah, Parker, AZ as a Licensed Lay Deacon. In 2018, Roger submitted his application for the Specific Ministry Pastoral Colloquy Program of the Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod. His application was approved, and on Saturday, March 23, 2019, Bishop Jamison Hardy had the honor of officiating Roger's ordination and installation at Messiah.
DEADLINE: TODAY, March 29, 2019
 Professional Church Workers Conference
Loving God: Heart, Mind, Body and Relationships
Information on the 2019 Professional Church Workers Conference (PCWC) was emailed to all pastors and rostered church workers last month. The informational letter, schedule and link to register are also available on our website. Registration deadline is TODAY, March 29th.

If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact the District office: info@englishdistrict.org.
Divine Call
Call Accepted
The Rev. Mark A. Steinke has accepted the call to serve as Sole Pastor of Tree of Life, Inverness, FL.
2018 Congregation Statistics Report - Online
Deadline Extended
Based on current return rates and congregations’ increasingly busy Easter schedules, the deadline for congregation statistics reporting is being extended until April 30, 2019. The online entry system for congregations, LCMS Information Support Network (LISN), is open to all LCMS member congregations and new church starts. You should have received login information in February. If you have not received your login information or have questions, email rosters.stats@lcms.org or call the LCMS Church Information Center at 888-843-5267.
CLERGY HOUSING ALLOWANCE
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit in Chicago ruled on Friday, March 15, 2019 that the clergy housing allowance is a constitutionally permissible tax benefit. While this ruling could also be appealed, congregations and ministers should continue to utilize the housing allowance for the foreseeable future.
1-1-1 for Missions
Concordia Lutheran Mission exists to share the Good News of Jesus in Lebanon County, PA. We are excited to have been doing that in many ways recently:

On Saturday, January 26th, members from both Mount Calvary, Lititz and Concordia canvassed over one hundred homes in a neighborhood in Myerstown. We told our neighbors about our church and left informational door hangers.

On Saturday, February 2nd, members of Concordia volunteered at Evangelical Seminary’s annual Scholarship Run
in Myerstown. Concordia is blessed to use Evangelical’s chapel for worship.

In addition to volunteering, Concordia had an information booth set up at the run. Both of these opportunities gave us the chance to make many community connections and tell many about our church. 

On Sunday, March 3rd, Concordia welcomed Brad as the newest member of our mission! Pictured are Rev. Jim Witt officially receiving Brad into Concordia and then some of our members celebrating Brad’s reception with cake at Bible study.
Prayer Requests
Your prayer concerns are important to the English District. When you submit a prayer request, it will be posted in this weekly eNewsletter. The Bible's promise is true: "If we ask anything according to his will, he hears us" (1 John 5:14). Please email  Holly Scheer  with your prayer requests.

Please pray with us:
Jarrett Suydam – Prayers for healing
In Our District
Lutheran Education Association Distinguished Early Childhood Director Award 
L aurie Schneider received the Lutheran Education Association Distinguished Early Childhood Director Award from Dr. Jonathan Laabs on Sunday, March 24 at Ascension Lutheran Church and Early Childhood Education (ECE) Center, North Olmsted, OH. Gail Holzer, English District Executive Director of Schools, and Kevin Creutz of the Ohio District were there to celebrate.
Laurie is not only the director of Ascension's ECE Center, but the early childhood consultant for both the English and Ohio Districts. She is an invaluable resource for the ministries of our centers, and we are so very proud of her work to teach the Gospel. 
Every One His Witness (E1HW)
Did you know that 900 E1HW kits have been sold, and that means there could be up to 12,000 individuals who have E1HW workbooks?

Did you know that 600 of those 12,000 individuals have signed up at  www.everyonehiswitness.org  to watch and learn more about witnessing through the additional context modules available. More are being developed.

Every One His Witness can be led by church staff or a layperson. There is a guide for whoever leads it, and it is easy to follow.

The desired end is, of course, that individuals currently outside the
Kingdom of God hear about God’s love through Jesus so that the Holy Spirit can draw them into the Kingdom of God.

We plant and water, God causes the growth.

Consider purchasing an Every One His Witness Kit from CPH and see what doors God might open to you to share His love.
Congregational Self-Assessment
Did you know that you can schedule a FREE congregational assessment? Watch this quick video, and then contact Rev. Mathers (248)476-0039 ext. 311 or Evelyn (248)476-0039 ext. 212 to find out how this tool can help your parish!
In Our Churches
West Portal Lutheran Church, San Francisco, CA


New members received in March through baptism, confirmations, and transfers.
LWML Spring Retreat, Peace in the Valley, Benson, AZ
The March LWML Spring Retreat hosted by Peace in the Valley Lutheran Church (PITV) was a huge success! Fifty women representing seven of the churches in the LWML Zone were there for Bible study - "Bloom Where You're Planted" - and fellowship. They also raised money to add to the Baby Bottles for the We Care Center to open in
Benson, and boxes and bags of school supplies for the Benson schools.

A big thank you to Connie, PITV's LWML President, who planned the day and led the study, and to the women active in LWML at PITV for all their help in making this a blessed event.
Grace Lutheran Church, Wyoming, MI
The church hosted a ladies tea.
Sherman Oaks Lutheran Church, Sherman Oaks, CA
A MERCY PACK is a one-gallon zip lock bag filled with daily care items and food supplies. This is a new ministry at Sherman Oaks to help the needy in the community. Once they get enough supplies, they have a packing party. These gallon size bags filled with hope, will be available to those in need in their paths! “Then these righteous ones will reply, 'Lord, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you? Or thirsty and give you something to drink?' And the King will say, 'I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it for me!'" (Matthew 25:37,40)
Markham Lutheran Church, Markham, IL
Markham Lutheran Church's spring luncheon was sponsored by the Women's Guild.
In Our Schools
Redeemer Lutheran School, Verona, PA
The NHS crew spent the evening serving a meal at the Ronald McDonald House (RMH) for Grace's senior project. This was the last of three meals that were organized this year for Grace's project which also includes a cereal collection for RMH. They did a terrific job and really enjoyed the opportunity to serve in this way, helping families who are staying at the RMH while their children receive medical attention.

Thank you to all of the Redeemer family who helped to support this project with their food and financial donations!
Christ the King, Grosse Pointe Woods, MI
Ms. Ziegler’s 4-year-old AM and PM class Olympians!
Shepherd King Preschool, West Bloomfield, MI
Preschoolers learn about the letter X.
Faith Preschool of Jacob's Well, Fort Wayne, IN
Chapel this week was the story of the woman who washed Jesus' feet. The memory verse was "O Lord of host, happy are those who trust in the Lord" (Psalm 84:13).
Lutheran North High School, Macomb, MI
Lauren Schaidt, Lutheran North teacher, was featured by Right to Life of Michigan . Lauren shared her inspiring story of hope and encouragement - check it out !
Previous issues of the Servant to Servant eNewlsetter are available on the   English District website . You are encouraged to 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 your congregation's or school's unique ministries with the rest of the District. Send pictures and stories for consideration to  Holly Scheer  by Wednesday, 12:00 pm ET. We want to see how YOUR congregation or school is showing the love of God to those around you.
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