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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Calls Received
The Rev. Peter C. Ahlersmeyer (Michigan District) has received a Divine Call to serve as Senior Pastor of Peace, Fremont, IN.
The Rev. Samuel M. K. St. John has received a Divine Call to serve as Theology Teacher of Faith Lutheran Middle School and High School, Las Vegas, NV (Pacific Southwest District).
The Rev. Samuel M. K. St. John has received a Divine Call to serve as Sole Pastor of Lutheran Church of the Living Christ, Madison, WI (South Wisconsin District).
The Rev. Joshua P. Obermann (Eastern District) has received a Divine Call to serve as Sole Pastor of Trinity, Villa Park, IL.
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Rev. Timothy Halboth and members of Grace Lutheran Church recently celebrated the 85th anniversary of the church’s founding and its 85 years in the same location. The congregation also celebrated 80 years of pastoral service by members of the Halboth family. Rev. Dr. David Schmitt, Professor at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, and Rev. Halboth’s college and seminary classmate, preached during the Divine Service, with Vicar Elect Aaron Halboth serving as communion assistant. Afterward, members gathered for fellowship in the parking lot with Travelin’ Tom’s Coffee Truck and shared a meal at a local banquet hall. The Supervisor of Redford Township also attended worship and presented a proclamation naming it “Grace Lutheran Day” in Redford. May the Lord continue to bless Grace, Redford!
Pictured (L-R): Rev. Tim Halboth, Vicar Elect Aaron Halboth, Erik Halboth, teacher at Lutheran High School - Northwest, Rochester Hills, MI, and Rev. Dr. David Schmitt.
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Rev. Dionatan Ferreira and members of Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church, Chatham, ON, recently celebrated the congregation's 80th anniversary. Bishop Jeff Miskus preached at the Divine Service, reminding the congregation that "grass withers, flowers fade, but the Word of the Lord remains forever."
The original deed dated 1947 for the home of the new mission church, eventually to be called Our Saviour's Evangelical Lutheran Church, was displayed. Pictured (below, L-R) are Rev. Wilhelm Torgerson (who serves First Lutheran Windsor, the mother congregation of Our Saviour's), Rev. Ferreira, and Bishop Miskus. We praise God for His continued blessings upon this faithful congregation.
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Canada Day:
Canada Day sanctity of life reflections from the Lifeline Team. Click here to read.
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Independence Day:
Some Independence Day sanctity of life reflections from Rev. Christopher Seifferlein. Click here to read.
| | 1-1-1 Dollar for Missions | | | |
"...Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. For the time is coming when people will not endure sound[a] teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions..." 2 Timothy 4:2-3
How many Christian denominations fit Jesus into their world and theology? How many fit their world and theology into Jesus? These are critical questions and distinctions upon which very lives are dependent. We know we live in the time of which the apostle Paul writes. Only the truth about man and the Truth in God will do. This is why we do what we do with Mission 1-1-1 dollars.
We have the Truth because we have Jesus in His Word and Sacraments.
This is what our missions share with the world—in season and out of season. We know this is critical because it was the last word our Lord shared before ascending from this world. We read in Matthew 28:19-20a, “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.”
We encourage you to share this message with those who may not have electronic access to our weekly message. If you are reading this, and your church has yet to participate in Mission 1-1-1, the message below is for you.
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All the information your congregation needs to get started in contributing to the Mission 1-1-1 ministry can be found on the district website. It is the goal of this campaign to saturate our efforts with Scripture, through where the Holy Spirit moves us.
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We pray for congregations in conflict that God will provide His peace, which surpasses all understanding.
District daily prayers for July 2026 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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Happy Canada Day to our Canadian friends! July 1st is the anniversary of when Canada became a self-governing country.
| | English District Endowment Fund | | | The English District Endowment Fund is to provide God’s People with a unique opportunity to participate in a perpetual fund which assists congregations in supporting ministries and missions such as Campus Ministries, Human Care & Disaster Relief, and New Missions. There are earnings available for grants. Please visit the website for more information. | | 2027-2028 Mission Grant Applications | | | |
The 2027-2028 Mission Grant Application form is now available on our website. All applications are due by Sunday, July 19, 2026.
| | Church Worker (Student Loan) Debt Reduction Grants Available | | | |
Rostered workers who are currently serving (called workers) in an English District LCMS congregation or school are eligible to apply for an education indebtedness grant. These grants are one aspect of the Endowment Fund currently being offered to Rostered Church Workers to assist with paying off their student loans.
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. The deadline for applications is Tuesday, June 30, 2026.
To support our congregations, ministries, and church workers through the English District Endowment Fund, click here to donate.
If you have any questions, please contact Rev. Derek Mathers at 1-800-755-9335.
| | Contact John Hoover, LCEF District 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. | | |
St. Paul's, St. Clair Shores, MI
The congregation of St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church celebrated the confirmations of Fin and Naomi (center). Fin and Naomi are pictured with friends and Bishop Emeritus Rev. Dr. David Stechholz, who, along with other retired pastors, has been serving St. Paul’s.
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Faith, Overgaard, AZ
Pastor Rodney Schmeltz and members of Faith Lutheran Church hosted a presentation from the Arizona Origin Science Association (AzOSA). AzOSA's objectives include promoting "Creation Science in churches, in schools, and in our culture" and "equip[ping] people to present Creation Science and the authority of God’s Word."
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Redeemer, Sarnia, ON
Members of Redeemer Lutheran Church welcomed folks from the community and church neighbourhood to their annual barbeque. God blessed them with great weather, and a record number showed up to enjoy hot dogs, popcorn, candy floss, chips, lemonade, and homemade cookies. There were games for children, and music was provided by “One + Way”. The congregation is thankful to God for giving them the opportunity to share His love in their neighbourhood.
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West Portal, San Francisco, CA
Pastor Jacob Swenson and members of West Portal Lutheran Church extended a warm welcome to Evelyn Priest and Israel Frayle as they joined the West Portal Lutheran community. Thanks be to God! Pictured below: Evelyn with her family and Israel with his family.
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Blessed Sacrament, Hayden, ID
Pastor Marcus Williams and members of Blessed Sacrament Lutheran Church held their annual Augustana Picnic, a celebration of the Book of Concord. The event included a campout, fishing derby, and, of course, good food. Pastor Williams delivered a presentation entitled, "The Paradoxical Comfort of the Doctrine of Original Sin and the Bondage of the Will."
| | Christ Academy Fall Confirmation Retreat 2026 | | | |
Join us at Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, for a formative weekend of confessional catechesis, liturgical worship, and life together September 18–20. Rev. Christian Schultz, director of Christ Academy, will lead sessions on baptism to supplement students’ confirmation instruction. Young people preparing for confirmation will also spend time in worship and Christian fellowship.
The weekend costs $120 for each individual (whether student or chaperone), which includes food, housing, classes, and activities.
Click here for more information and to register.
| | Biblical Archeology Lecture | | | |
The third annual "These Stones Will Shout" lecture in biblical archaeology will explore the rich intersection of Scripture, history and archaeology at 7 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 29, in Werner Auditorium on the campus of Concordia Seminary, St. Louis. This year’s lecture, titled “Finding the Last, Lost City of the Gospels,” will be presented by Dr. R. Steven Notley, dean of religious studies at Pillar College, Newark, N.J. Notley will present the results of 10 seasons of excavations at Khirbet el Araj on the shore of the Sea of Galilee, the evidence unearthed of a Jewish fishing village that was transformed into a small Roman polis – just as Josephus Flavius describes it – and conclude with the discovery of a legendary Byzantine basilica that according to tradition was built over the house of St. Peter.
The event is free and open to the public. For more information, contact Continuing Education at 314-505-7286 or email.
| | Free to Good Home: Wurlitzer Organ | | | Trinity Lutheran Church, Villa Park, IL, has an electric organ that they would like to offer to another church within the English District that may have need for one. The Wurlitzer organ, Model 4573, is complete with the owner’s manual. Call 630-780-0821 for more information. | | |
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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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