St. Paul Lutheran Church in McGregor

The ushers, elders, trustees at St. Paul Lutheran Church, LCMS, McGregor, IA, were honored at a pot-luck in appreciation for their doing God's work at St. Paul. Also recognized was Pastor David Zimmer in honor of Pastor's Appreciation Week. From left to right, ftotn, Pastor David Zimmer, Keith Hering, Wayne Mathson, Henry Kleinow. Back; Clete Rose, Tom Coleman, Allen Skime.


This 'Choir of Angels' was part of the McGregor, Iowa St. Paul Lutheran Church LCMS' Sunday School Christmas Program. The angels, along with the other Sunday School children, brought the message of Christ's birth with verses and traditional Christmas hymns.

A Piece of the Action

“Your Missions Offering at Work in Iowa District East!”

Word of God Lutheran Church

Cedar Rapids, IA

Rev. Mark Anderson, Pastor

When I first accepted the call a little more than a year ago as a pastor to the deaf in the western part of Iowa District East, the first thing I did was to get acquainted with Deaf members, one at a time, at three locations - Cedar Rapids, Waterloo and Mason City - to adequately assess their overall spiritual health so that I could better serve them.

The more time I spent with the deaf members the more need there was to (1) administer the Word and Sacrament in their own language, which is the American Sign Language; and (2) provide biblical insights into crucial issues, such as living together without marital benefits, accepting and forgiving one another as brethren in Christ and abortion.

Also, I discovered that the deaf population at large has been scattered throughout Iowa District East. This has isolated them, not only from the general population but also within the Deaf community, especially with Deaf-Blind individuals who are even more isolated in terms of visible modes of communication. There always is a great opportunity to proclaim the Good News to such people at distant locations.

At the moment there are about five deaf members who had expressed a strong interest in being
actively involved in sharing the love of God in Christ and have since taken pre-seminary courses via Deaf Pah, the nationwide Deaf LCMS website by which they would study at home through the use of DVDs.

Evidently the deaf members have been truly blessed by the fact that they could finally receive
the Word of God in their own native language, especially from the pastor who happens to be
profoundly deaf himself. This certainly makes a huge difference when the Word of God is
effectively and effectually played out in signs and expressions from a deaf person to another deaf person.

It is my sincerest prayers that within a short time deaf members would gain an excellent
understanding of the main Lutheran cornerstone of “justification by grace through faith” and eventually become more effective and more earnest witnesses to their deaf friends of the amazing grace of the Lord God

Camp IO-DIS-E-CA Hosts the Annual Sno-Ball College Retreat

Zion Lutheran Church in Hiawatha

On Saturday, April 28, Zion Lutheran Church in Hiawatha will host an "Equipping to Share" workshop. The "Equipping to Share" workshop was developed by Lutheran Hour Ministries and provides an individual the knowledge of how to share your faith with others in your daily life.

The session will begin at 9:00 AM and conclude at 2:00 PM. A meal will be provided. There is a fee of $10 to cover the cost of the meal and snacks. Zion is located at 210 - First Avenue in Hiawatha.

Please RSVP Dick Hoelz by April 22 to allow for final planning. Dick can be reached at (319) 363-1214, via e-mail at rahoelz@mcleodusa.net or by mail at 3519 Heatheridge Dr. NE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52402-7624. Should you have any questions, please contact Dick. You can also find more information at Lutheran Hour Ministries' web site, lhm.org.

St. John's Lutheran Church in Keystone - Nativity

Experiencing Bethlehem through the eyes of Keystone
Nancy Stuck
Times Correspondent

O little town of Bethlehem,
How still we see thee lie!
Above thy deep and dreamless sleep the silent stars go by;
yet in thy dark streets shineth the everlasting Light;
the hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight.

If you were amongst the many that walked through the “town of Bethlehem” at St. John’s Lutheran church in Keystone recently, you were very fortunate to have experienced this event.

As you entered the town you were greeted by the tax collector. He declared that “all the world should be taxed, according to the Emperor of Rome, Caesar Augustus.” As you traveled on down the candlelit walkway, you were met by citizens of the town and market vendors carrying baskets with loaves of bread. As you approached the Inn, you heard the Innkeeper proclaiming “the Inn is full, there is no room here”. You could witness the shepherd child playing her flute to calm the mood and the fisherman making his fishing lines out of rope. There were street vendors selling off chickens and ware, there were shepherd’s out in the field gathered around a fire, watching as their sheep grazed near by. And then, there was the most glorious site of all, the manger. Mary, Joseph and the baby Jesus gathered together in the stable.

For Christ is born of Mary,
and gathered all above,
while mortals sleep,
the angels keep their watch of wondering love.
O morning stars, together proclaim the holy birth!
And praises sing to God the King,
and peace to men on earth.

I found myself standing there in awe, surrounded by stable animals and envisioning how it must have been for them.

There were additional sights to experience inside the church building as well. As you entered through the doors, you came in the presence of a shocking pure and white sight, the Angel. She was there to proclaim the wonderful news of the birth of Jesus. Proceeding on into the next room, this is where the tax collector’s area was, filled with coins and riches. Passing on through, you heard the sounds of water coming from falls and soft soothing music. The final room was decorated as a market place and it was in this room that you could purchase some of the finest homemade cookies and candies that this writer has ever had. Those responsible for all the divine treats really out did themselves.

There was still more to the event. Some local homes held open-houses for those wishing to stop by and admire the decorations and enjoy some fellowship.

For this writer, I know that this was the best history lesson that I could ever have. It truly was a memorable occasion; one I hope will be repeated year after year. Attending this event would be a wonderful tradition to have and to celebrate with family and friends.

How silently, how silently,
the wondrous gift is giv'n!
So God imparts to human hearts the blessings of His heav'n.
No ear may hear His coming, but in this world of sin,
where meek souls will receive Him,
still the dear Christ enters in.
O holy Child of Bethlehem!
Descend to us, we pray;
cast out our sin and enter in,
be born in us today.
We hear the Christmas angels the great glad tidings tell;
O come to us, abide with us,
Our Lord Immanuel.

Eldora Circuit

On a beautiful Sunday afternoon, December 10, over 100 people crowded into the new home of Niki Sly and her daughter Zoe. The crowd came together in Eldora to dedicate the first house built in Hardin County using the combined efforts of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans and the Central Iowa Habitat for Humanity Chapter.

Working primarily on Saturdays beginning in June, crews from St. Paul Lutheran in Eldora, St. John’s Lutheran in Hubbard, St. Paul Lutheran in Alden, St. Paul Lutheran in Buckeye and Immanuel Lutheran in Iowa Falls took turns building on the Habitat house. On a few Saturdays there were also crews from other churches and civic organizations and individuals who hammered and sawed and made the house happen.

This Habitat house was a labor of love for all the church members and Habitat chapter members who have been planning for a couple of years to partner in building a home for a qualifying family. The project received a major boost when Thrivent Financial for Lutherans decided this past year to become a major sponsor of Habitat home building. For the Eldora house, Thrivent committed 70 percent of the cost of constructing the house. The local Lutheran congregations committed to raising 10 percent of the funds needed and the last 20 percent of the bills were paid by the Habitat organization.

The way Habitat operates is that volunteer workers and financial supporters construct low cost but high quality houses which are then sold to partner home owners with a no interest loan. The partner homeowners invest several hundred hours of their own labor in the project and undergo training in mortgage responsibilities and home upkeep. The house payments they make are channeled back into future Habitat houses. In the past 30 years Habitat has built more than 200,000 homes for over a million people this way in more than 3000 communities around the world. It is a winning formula and for a mother and daughter like Niki and Zoe it is an opportunity to have a place they can call their own.

The Eldora Circuit churches contributed to the Habitat house through all the work crews that built on Saturdays. Morning and afternoon coffee breaks and noon lunches were provided by various ladies groups. Pastors led opening devotions before work would begin. Fund raising went on in each church through activities like benefit dinners and VBS and Sunday School offering projects and door offerings.

As Pastor Jay Jaeger of Alden/Buckeye noted in one of his opening devotions, EVERY HOUSE IS BUILT BY SOMEONE, BUT GOD IS THE BUILDER OF EVERYTHING (Hebrews 3:4). Many people were involved in building this house for Niki and Zoe but truly God was the one who really made it happen!

St. Paul's chapel In Iowa City

Progressive Dinner 2006: Sisters at Work
Fern Parish,member board of outreach, Our Redeemer, Iowa City

On Sunday, December 10, St. Paul'’s Lutheran Chapel, along with Prince of Peace, Coralville, and Our Redeemer in Iowa City, served a progressive dinner for international students and their families.

We began at St. PaulÂ’s Chapel where a number of the participants boarded our deluxe motor coach (a.k.a school bus) and we began our journey of good food and good teaching.

Our first stop was Prince of Peace. A humongous spread of appetizer were served as Pastor Otto presented a program on Advent. Pastor Otto noted the history and traditions of Advent. Most importantly, he spoke about preparing for the coming of Jesus.

Following appetizer, the participants journeyed to Our Redeemer, where the main course lasagna dinner was served. Pastor Gebel told the Christmas story. A large mural in Fellowship Hall helped him depict the wondrous Nativity story for the international families. Here we learned that you canÂ’t have Christmas without Jesus.

Our last stop was dessert at St. Paul'’s Chapel. Pastor Mons finished the evening by describing Epiphany and the fact that Jesus is the Savior of all people.

With the world'’s secular focus on Christmas, this event shows our international students the true meaning of Christmas. Christ our Savior is born and he has saved us by his death and resurrection for all people.

Cedar Falls

The van garage gets a face lift at Brammer Student Center, College Hill Lutheran Church in Cedar Falls. Yes, the faithful van will have a newly sided garage and new doors for itÂ’s home, thanks to volunteers from the church and a working grant from Black Hawk County Chapter of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans. Workers pictured are Keith Macomber, Bob Bolte, Kevin DeVries, and Scott Ackles. IDE


On December 4th a Christmas progressive dinner was enjoyed by the students at University of Northern Iowa who are active in the campus ministry student centers. Brammer Student Center, College Hill Lutheran Church in Cedar Falls, hosted the dessert stop. There were students from a number of student centers present and interim pastor, Reverend Thomas Wegener. Games and activities followed in the student lounge area of the church. IDE



College Hill Lutheran Church and Brammer Student Center was decorated for the Christmas season by the college students. This is an annual activity of the Lutheran Student Fellowship and is appreciated by the congregation members. From the altar area to the fellowship hall, the greens are hung and trees decorated. IDE

District President Arp's January Article

To the Saints of Iowa District East:

I hope you had a blessed celebration of our Savior's birth and that 2007 is off to a good start! The beginning of the new Calender Year is traditionally the time to make resolutions. A great resolution for every Christian, not only on New Year'’s Day, but every day of life is to live more fully as a redeemed child of God "“that others might see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven."
”
In the Church Year the sixth of January is Epiphany. Epiphany is "“the manifestation of Christ to the Gentiles as represented by the Magi."” The Epiphany season lasts until the beginning of the Lenten Season. The entire season of Epiphany focuses on the manifestation of Christ, not only to the Gentiles, but also to the people of Israel. The Gospel Reading for each Sunday in the Epiphany Season is a manifestation that Jesus is the Christ. The Gospel for the first Sunday in Epiphany reveals Jesus'’ divinity as He changes water into wine at the wedding in Cana. In the Gospel readings for the following Sundays Jesus tells worshippers in His home town that He is the fulfillment of the Old Testament Scripture performs miracles of healing, He calls the Twelve, and He preaches the "“Sermon on the Plain."” The Sunday before Ash Wednesday is Transfiguration Sunday - "“This My beloved Son with whom I am well pleased."
”
Jesus reveals Himself to be true God to confirm the faith of those of us who believe, but also for those who do not believe. God "“wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth."” But how can anyone be save if he does not hear the message? That, of course, where you and I come in. The Apostle Peter instructs us: "But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect"” 1 Peter 3:15.

We also give a witness to the hope we have in Christ by supporting our District and Synodical mission projects. Because of the rising cost of construction in Lithuania we continue to receive offerings for the Palanga Project. We also expect that this spring you will have an opportunity to volunteer to go to Palanga Lithuania on a work crew. We will publish the details as soon as we have them.

The offerings you give to your congregation that are forwarded on to District go to support our two missionaries to the deaf, the hospital chaplaincy, the state penitentiary chaplaincy, POBLO, subsidy to Our Redeemer, Independence and our two campus ministries. Your offerings are the only source of support for these vital ministries in Iowa District East.

Over the past several years the giving pattern of God'Â’s people has changed. The giving toward the mission, it would appear, has actually increased. However, instead of giving nearly all of the offering to the local congregation and allowing the congregation to divide it between local and "“Synod,"” there is much more direct giving to favorite “mission projects. ” This is making it more and more difficult for Districts and Synod to meet expenses. In order to continue funding these ministries the District Board of Directors has found it necessary to decrease our commitment to Synod.

I commend you for your support of Iowa District East which has made it possible to support the ministries in our District. It is my prayer that our Lord will continue to make it possible to carry out the mission He has given to us.