Rev. Dean Rothchild, Assistant To The District President

My wife and I traveled to a basketball game in Dubuque a couple of weeks ago. We went with another couple who also had a daughter who was a cheerleader. The man who drove works as an attorney in the trust department of a local bank. As we were just about home I mentioned to him that we had three new banks in our neighborhood. One was about two years old, one just opened in February and the third is currently under construction.

He commented that several years ago bankers thought that with the use of ATM’s new bank buildings would probably not be forthcoming. Somehow that prediction has fallen by the wayside. People do use online banking, direct deposit, and ATM machines. That is not going to change.

Some of us like to still talk to a person at the bank. One of my frustrations is to call a business and get a recording with a menu of options that is a mile long and you don’t get to talk to a real person. I recently learned that if you just press “0” that you will get to a live person. Have we become so impersonal and disconnected from people? Then you call Iowa District East, you will be greeted by a live and friendly voice unless you call during morning devotion time 8:00-8:15AM when the answering machines picks up the calls. In this impersonal fast-moving world in which we live, are we becoming disconnected from relationships with people? How does that impact the church and the message of the Gospel? I think it has an impact in this way. Are Christians taking the time to develop relationships with those who are outside the church and living apart from Christ Jesus? Are we too busy or too tired to get to know our neighbors who may be unchurched or dechurched?

God has placed His people in a variety of vocations out in the world. It is out in the world where we are “light” and “salt” as Jesus says in Matthew 5:13-16. Every person we meet is someone for whom Jesus died! They need to know why they need a Savior and what the Savior has already done for them. St. Paul declares: “This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself as a ransom for all, the testimony borne at the right time” I Timothy 2:3-6.

As we connect with people out in our mission fields, what Paul declares in Romans 10:9-10 can begin to happen: “that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you shall be saved; for with the heart man believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation.” All people need the Savior because of sin. Paul said of his own life: “It is a trustworthy statement, deserving full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, among whom I am foremost of all” I Timothy 1:15. What a privilege we have to connect with people and bring them to our churches where they can receive the gifts of God, namely forgiveness of sins, life, and salvation.

College Hills Lutheran Church

Dinner Theater 2007: Mardi Gras

On February 16 and 17, the Lutheran Student Fellowship of College Hill Lutheran Church & Brammer Student Center in Cedar Falls, IA hosted their 9th Annual Dinner Theater. The event was the fundraiser for their Spring Servant Event. The evening began with dinner consisting of chicken and noodles, green beans, and cheesy potatoes. When the meal was over the emcees took the stage to begin the night of fun. Skits included one at a beauty parlor, someone winning a prize for wearing a seatbelt, and the ghoul scouts. Students going on the trip helped out either one or both nights. There was enough money raised, with matching funds from Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, that most of the cost will be covered for the fourteen students going on the trip. This year’s trip takes them to Bethel Lutheran Church in New Orleans. There they will help with the tearing out of the damage to the second floor so that rebuilding can begin.

St. Paul's Chapel and University Center in Iowa City

The weekend of February 17 and 18 St. Paul’s Lutheran Chapel had the pleasure of hosting Rev. Jeffrey Kloha, Assistant Professor of Exegetical Theology, Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, as her 5^th Annual Theologian in Residence. Theologian in Residence is a yearly study weekend at St. Paul’s to which a seminary professor is invited to present on a topic of interest to the students.

Under the title of “Did We Get Jesus Right” Rev. Kloha gave an in-depth look at the Gnostic Gospels through a three-part presentation on Saturday and Sunday.

In his presentation Rev. Kloha showed us how the letters and accounts which we today know collectively as the Bible came to be compiled, and why they are considered accurate where other documents are not. We examined the origins of texts such as the Book of Judas which have been brought recently into the public eye by cultural phenomena like The DaVinci Code. Dr. Kloha also gave us a startling overview of the teachings of the Gnostics as interpreted from their religious writings, which show a wild contrast to Christian doctrine.

The weekend had a great turnout, and it was a fascinating experience to take a close look at the origins and history of the Word through which God has revealed Himself to us.

Author: Nicole Dudley

Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Mason City

Bethlehem, Mason City to start Child Care Ministry.

Bethlehem, Mason City was formed as a congregation in 1919. Over the years many changes have taken place in their congregation. Change again will happen as they saw a need in their community for child care. Their hope is, as of July 1, 2007, to have child care available along with their already existing preschool.

According to member David Mairs, “We started the planning with the mind set that we would not be simply providing baby sitting services, but would actively involve ourselves in teaching those children in our care about our Savior Jesus Christ and His love for all people.”

How exciting it is to think of the lives this ministry will be touching! Not only will it touch lives of their members’ children, but also in their community, as they touch the lives of families who may not know Jesus as their Savior. The impact that it will also have on the members of the congregation as they serve in different capacities of the ministry is immeasurable!

“Once the business plan was formulated and all agencies involved in licensing a child care were satisfied, the Board of Education requested that the voters sign a note from Lutheran Church Extension Fund (LCEF) for initial funding of the new child care.” Mairs said explaining the process of getting things started.

“Working with LCEF and Carole White was one of the easiest and most enjoyable processes we have been through in a while concerning monetary issues.” he added.

LCEF is able to offer low cost loans to churches because other congregations and individuals invest with them.

Become a part of the LCEF investing family, people that not only receive interest for themselves but make projects like this possible to further the Kingdom of God!

St. paul's Chaple in Iowa City

Welcome Back Dinner.
In all aspects of life, whether it is family, work or school, we celebrate homecomings and reunions with friends and family and here at St. Paul’s Chapel it is no different. For four long weeks our Chapel was empty. Most of the students had returned to their hometowns to enjoy their time with their families during the Christmas Season. It seemed that everything I did was futile, because there was nobody to share my thoughts with and nobody to speak to.

That is why Sunday, January 14th was a really good day to celebrate! A “Welcome Back Supper” was held for the International students and their families. We gathered to celebrate and welcome our friends back from the long break, but it was not about the meal, and not even about the cake, although the pleasure of eating good food is undeniable. We gathered together around the table for fellowship with those who are dear to us. Celebrating with food is an expression of hospitality, friendship and a way to show that we are glad to get together.

Just as when we approach the Lord’s Table during Communion we know that we are welcome to participate because the Host – Jesus Christ – calls us to be refreshed by His body and blood. And we all, who approach the Table, share the same faith in Him. It’s not only a meal. It’s meal which makes us alive and acceptable to God, because it cleanses us from sins.

Whenever I have a meal with someone else I think about the importance of the unity with those with whom we eat. We start every meal with thanksgiving to remind ourselves of God’s mercy and gifts which He provides for us. In the Lord’s Supper God offers us Himself in order for us to live. To those who come to our house, we offer only the best that we have. The goal is not to show prosperity, but to show that we care and that they are welcome to share a part of our life.

When our students come back from Christmas break and we welcome them with a “Welcome Back” meal, it’s not just a tradition it is an expression love, “I am so glad to see you” and we mean it. Our service at the Chapel would be futile if there were no students and we thank God for every student who returns. We have a reason to have a “Welcome Back” supper, because we want to share the joy of being able to be reunited with those whom God has given us to serve. A Welcome Back meal is by no means sacred, but the memories and relations which we created are precious.

Bethany Lutheran Church in Cedar Rapids

Epiphany Concert 2007

On Saturday, January 6, Bethany Lutheran Church hosted its annual Epiphany Concert entitled "Go Light Your World" and welcomed the public to attend free of charge. Attendance numbers were around 425 for both performances. About 175 people were served at the soup dinner and reception following the first performance. Free transportation was available for the elderly and
homebound.

Community churches were invited to participate in a mass Epiphany Choir. In the end, about 46 singers joined forces from Trinity, Concordia, and St. Paul's Lutheran in Mt. Vernon. The choir was showcased on several pieces, but the concert also included special performances by the Bethany Chamber Players, Bethany Brass, Children's Choir, and the Alma Turechek String Trio
from Coe College. Liturgical artists, Karen Godecke and Janet Hoech, provided special artwork themed around light. Through music, word and art, the program revisited Advent and Christmas and focused our attention on the meaning of Epiphany.

Bethany would like to thank everyone from choir members to soup servers who pitched in to improve our efforts at outreach through this special program. We received a lot of positive feedback from visitors and many singers are very excited to participate again next year. There is a lot of time and energy that goes into such a large event, and it takes a small army of volunteers to make it all happen. Thank you! We may never know the full extent of God's blessing on an event such as this, but to God be the Glory!

Steven Moore
Minister of Music
Bethany Lutheran Church
music@bethanycr.org

From the IDE Board For Congregational Services

Christian Care and Mental Health
A Series of Articles designed to help Christians understand the various components of mental
health and support those with mental health needs.
© February, 2000 by Rev. Daniel Krueger ~ author of “Gospel Therapy” www.Gospeltherapy.com

Mental Health Is Not Just about Medication.
(Mark 12:30 NIV) “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.”

Our relationship to God is not just a matter of the mind, but of heart, soul, mind, and strength. God designed us as an integrated whole, with each part of us influencing and acting upon another. Mental stress impacts the health of our bodies, and conversely, poor care for our bodies impacts our minds. For instance, a poor night’s sleep alters our ability to concentrate and learn, and can turn a normally happy go lucky person into a morning grouch.

Unfortunately, when dealing with mental health issues, many people address only one piece of the puzzle. Roughly 90% of all people being treated for depression or anxiety use a medication only approach. Several recent studies have confirmed that treating depression with medication alone results in a relapse rate of roughly 75% to 85%, while treating depression with specific forms of talk therapy and medication drops that rate to the 25% to 35% range. These studies suggest that in many cases medication is treating the symptoms of various mental health disorders, without addressing the real causes.

In addition to therapy, improved sleep habits, a regular exercise routine, improved diet including diets rich in Omega 3 fats (the type you get in fish) and low in other fats, light therapy, are just some of body centered activities which have been shown to impact all kinds of mental health issues including depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, and ADD (ADHD). For some individuals, changes in these areas have allowed them to live their lives free of medication.

No one should ever go off a prescribed medication without consulting a physician. Some mental health issues are more profoundly affected by changes in the areas mentioned above than others. However, modern medical research increasingly shows that medication is not the only answer to poor mental health. It may be a piece in the puzzle of addressing mental health issues, but as Christians we recognize that we are more than individual pieces of body, mind, or soul.

While historically most religions believe in an immortality of the soul, Christianity is one of a very few religions that believes in an after life that includes the body. God doesn’t redeem only parts of us. God redeems us through Christ as body, mind, and spirit united into one person. God treats the whole person, not just parts, and when it comes to mental health, so should we.