Living Our Baptized Life in Christ

Galatians 2:20

July 3, 2026

Rev. Michael Brayton Hahn was ordained by Bishop Jeff Miskus at Advent Lutheran Church, Zionsville, IN. The service was well attended, and a significant number of pastors participated in blessing Rev. Hahn as he begins this chapter of his ministry.

Call Accepted

The Rev. Samuel M. K. St. John has accepted the Divine Call to serve as Theology Teacher of Faith Lutheran Middle School and High School, Las Vegas, NV (Pacific Southwest District).

Call Received and Accepted

The Rev. Charles E. Varsogea has received and accepted a Divine Call to serve as Assistant to the President for Strategic Operations, The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, St. Louis, MO.

Calls Returned

The Rev. Devin J. Burmeister has returned the Divine Call to serve as Associate Pastor and Next Gen Director of St. Peter’s, Columbus, IN (Indiana District).

The Rev. Adam M. Hengst (Minnesota South District) has returned the Divine Call to serve as Senior Pastor of Ascension, Tucson, AZ.

The Rev. Matthew L. G. Zickler (Northern Illinois District) has returned the Divine Call to serve as Associate Pastor of Advent, Zionsville, IN.

The Rev. Samuel M. K. St. John has returned the Divine Call to serve as Sole Pastor of Lutheran Church of the Living Christ, Madison, WI (South Wisconsin District).

Rev. Dr. Paul R. Schmidlin and members of King of Glory Lutheran Church, Sylvania, OH, recently celebrated his 50 years in ministry. Rev. Schmidlin was ordained into The American Lutheran Church in June of 1976 and studied theology at the Evangelical Lutheran Theological Seminary of Columbus. His ministry included serving as a campus chaplain at McMaster University and a vicar at Faith Lutheran Church, both in Hamilton, ON. In 1973, Rev. Schmidlin accepted a summer position as "Beach Minister" at Sauble Beach, ON. The Lord provided him opportunities to serve in an internship at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church and, subsequently, as associate pastor at Bethel Lutheran Church both in Toledo, OH. Rev. Schmidlin has served King of Glory Lutheran Church since 1986 as a "worker priest." We give thanks for Rev. Schmidlin's ministry and pray for continued blessings for many more years to come.

"Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.” Galatians 6:7 (NIV)

Often the world’s view is that God can be mocked without consequence. The fact that Paul links these thoughts together shows the converse is true. Dollars given to any missional effort help address this problem with the grace and truth of the gospel.

Providing a new place for Word and Sacrament, as we know, is the goal behind this support. To this end, we offer our Mission 1-1-1 weekly dollars, trusting in faith that what we are sowing reaps the benefit intended by the One who, by the cross, changes what we sow into what is reaped for His glory.

"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” Galatians 6:9 (NIV)

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.

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.

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.

Happy Independence Day America! As we celebrate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, we thank God for our freedom and our faith.

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.

The 2027-2028 Mission Grant Application form is now available on our website. All applications are due by Sunday, July 19, 2026. 

Tree of Life, Inverness, FL

Pastor Eric Linthicum and members of Tree of Life Lutheran Church recently held a fun-filled Kids in Care (KIC) event. KIC supports children in foster care and their families by providing food and activities for all ages, as well as needed supplies for the youngest participants, like diapers and formula. This time, the main attraction was a castle-themed bounce house. The kids enjoyed outside time while the adults got to spend time in fellowship.

Watch LSM 2026 Live This July. Join us online through Live from LSM and enjoy more than 30 free concerts, recitals, and worship services streamed live from Lutheran Summer Music at St. Olaf College.

Highlights include a special guest performance by Cantus, Bach's St. Matthew Passion, the Bach Cantata Eucharist, the Festival of Hymns, and joyful performances by the Festival Band, Choir, and Orchestra.

View the full schedule and watch live here. 

Contact John Hoover, LCEF District Vice President, by email or phone 314-276-3370 for more information.

Contact Ron Grimm, English District Gift Planning Counselor, 412-584-7039 or visit www.LCMSFoundation.org.

For more information, please contact our Operations Department at 314-394-2790.

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.

ENGLISH DISTRICT LCMS

248-476-0039

info@englishdistrict.org

www.englishdistrict.org

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