LWML Dubuque Zone Spring Rally

The Bible Study was followed by the feature speaker, Rev. Daniel S. Johnson from Marshalltown. He gave a powerful talk on the Mission of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod in Siberia followed by a moving film. A collection was taken for the Siberian Mission.

Trinity Lutheran Church in Guttenberg

Bible Study.

College Hill Lutheran Church in Cedar Falls

WELCOME BACK TO BRAMMER STUDENT CENTER

On Sunday August 23^rd the congregation at College Hill Lutheran Church welcomed the students from UNI and HCC as they returned to campus for the fall semester.

The welcome really began on Saturday with the delivery of gift glasses to the students already identified at orientation or with notification from their home congregation. The glasses were delivered by Lutheran Student Fellowship (LSF) members welcoming the students and inviting them to attend worship on Sunday.

Sunday morning began with Bible Study. Pastor John Wegener opened the new study of the book of GENESIS for students and congregation members.

Worship service was set up outside on the west lawn and invited all to participate. The welcome also extended to the neighbors. It was a sunny morning although a bit cool.

Music was provided on the keyboard and the loud speakers carried the sermon message and liturgy clearly to all in attendance.

Following the worship service the students and congregation members engaged in fellowship as they shared the traditionally great food of the CHLC potluck. The food was plentiful and tasty, enhanced by visiting which was enjoyable.

That evening the LSF hosted a light supper for the students. Pastor Wegener grilled hotdogs and hamburgers for all. The opportunity to get better acquainted was a real treat of the evening.

All students experienced the welcoming attitude of the church members and the desire for the student to make College Hill their church home while away from home. It’s going to be a great 2009-2010 school year.

Parish Nurse

Parish Nurse’s Corner

Mercy Medical Mission to Madagascar

with LCMS World Relief and Human Care

Interested? Yes, I was!

Earlier this spring, I responded to LCMS World Relief and Human Care's plea for volunteers. Volunteers were needed for their upcoming Mercy Medical Team trips to Madagascar on Oct. 21st – Nov. 1st, and to Kenya, Nov. 14th-25th.

I have been told that I will be part of a group of 21 volunteers that will be going into a Lutheran Hospital in Madagascar to provide free surgeries and medical care. The medical team will be led and accompanied by 2 experienced staff members of LCMS World Relief and Human Care. The trip will include an introductory clinical orientation and team-building session at the beginning before we begin our work. Following orientation, we will set up clinics for the care of the extremely underserved poor in this country.

Volunteers are required to cover the cost of the trip which includes air travel from a designated central airport and a flat fee for ground transportation, lodging and medical supplies for the needy. I’ve been blessed that my brother and his wife have graciously volunteered to provide my international airfare. Now I’m getting excited and will be busy completing the required medical physical examination, necessary immunizations, getting a passport in order, and collecting donations for medical supplies.

Please pray for this mission project’s success and my opportunity to serve in this life-changing experience, and putting my faith into action and witnessing the mercy of Christ.

The LCMS World Relief and Human Care organization still need a variety of medical specialties and hard working laity. For more information contact Jacob.Fiene@lcms.org or maggie.karner@lcms.org. No matter what your clinical specialty; whether you are retired or currently working, LCMS World Relief and Human Care can put you to work. PLEASE CONSIDER THE OPPORTUNITY.

Your Sister in Christ, Helene Kuempel

Parish Nurse

Trinity Lutheran Church and St. Paul Lutheran Church, McGregor

Rev. Brian Saunders, IDE President

Greeting’s to everyone in the name of Christ Jesus our Lord.

This is my first letter to the Pastor’s, Professional Church Workers, and Sheep of IDE. I wasn’t sure what I could say that would interest the reader to give consideration to the articles I write. It has only been a month that I have served in this Office and am still getting used to the schedule as well as the service necessary for the sake of God’s People.

I have had recent opportunities to be with the membership of this district as well as the clergy when visiting the folks and attending installations of Called Workers. It is from these visits that I have come to see some of the truly, humble and dedicated hearts God has given to the Church. I will share two stories with you that exemplify that very truth.

As most of you know, a few weeks ago the center counties of Iowa were hit with a torrential rain and hail storm. The wind was so powerful that softball sized hail blew horizontally and caused untold damage to houses, structures and crops. When on a visit to one of the farmers who had lost about 500 acres of crop; I was witness to the true spirit of mercy and kindness. We looked at his home and later walked out into his fields of corn (what was left of them anyway). He would have no crop to harvest this fall and even needed to repair damage to some grain bins as well as his home. I asked him what this disaster had done to him and his answer was beyond my expectations. While I was waiting for his plan to recoup finances that he had lost, he spoke of no such thing. He told me that what this has done for him has made him aware of the needs that arise and the call to serve. “If this happens to another town or farm” he said, “within driving distance. I will immediately load up my pickup with plywood and drive up and down the city streets and the county roads with a sign that says: ‘free plywood, take as much as you need’.” There would be no advertising his name, no attention called to him. There would only be one child of God taking notice of the needs of others and making the effort to lessen their hardship. That is the kind of membership IDE has been blessed with.

My second story involves a kind and caring Pastor. I was getting ready to install a Servant of the Church and it became known that I did not have a garment bag to carry my stole and alb. After the service, when albs and stole were being prepared to travel; one of the Pastor’s took pity on his District President who was trying to keep his Ecclesiastical attire from dragging on the ground. “My dear President”, he said, “I think you need this more than I do.” He then, out of the goodness of his heart gave me the garment bag. He saw the need of a brother clergy, and he met that need without thought to the sacrifice he would make for another. That is an example of the kind of Pastor’s we have in IDE.

My first letter is to inform you what a wonderful gift we have in each other. We are a gathering of those who gather. Showing mercy and kindness to those in need is the life of Christ lived in and through us as the hand’s of Christ exercise compassion for our neighbor in need. God bless you all and continue to bless us with hearts that notice the need, meet the need, and call attention only to Jesus as it is done.

Rev. Brian Saunders,

President of Iowa District East

St Paul's Chapel And University Center in Iowa City

A Hawkeye Welcome!

An invasion of backpacks and flip flops have appeared seemingly overnight in Iowa City. Each August, the summertime quiet of campus dissolves into a hubbub of activity and noise, as over 20,000 undergraduate students with 40,000 parents in tow head into town.

St. Paul’s Lutheran Chapel is right in the midst of all the excitement. Welcome Week at St. Paul’s kicked off with a celebration of the Divine Service. On Opening Sunday, it’s all-hands-on-deck, as older students and congregation members greet newcomers. The fun architecture of St. Paul’s becomes a great conversation starter, as groups navigate the half-staircases and twisty hallways in search of the sanctuary. That evening the welcome continued with the annual picnic on the chapel’s front lawn. Frisbees and footballs sailed across the crowd as upperclassmen, new freshmen, and permanent congregation members feasted and began new friendships.

Campus ministry is never stagnant: the schedule always changes to accommodate new ideas, new plans, and new outreach. This year, the students asked for more mid-week worship opportunities. Each Wednesday morning the chapel now offers a 7:30 A.M. Holy Communion service which lasts only half of an hour. Evening Prayer has also been added at 7:30 P.M. on Wednesday night. Many students attend one or the other or both, in addition to Sunday mornings.

At St. Paul’s there’s also plenty of time for fun. “Softball and Slop,” the annual softball game got underway on the Friday of the first full week of class. Talent is completely optional for this event. After a few hours of athletic endeavor, everyone heads to Pastor Mons’ house to hang out and eat Sloppy Joes.

International Student Ministry continues to be a vital outreach at St. Paul’s. Newly commissioned Deaconess Angie Carriker serves as program director. Pontoon outings, Bible studies, cooking classes, and English conversation have all begun in earnest as the chapel welcomes newcomers from Asia, Europe, and Latin America.

Camp IO-DIS-E-CA

De-Rumorizing Camp

An Honest Response To Questions

Regarding Camp Io-Dis-E-Ca

“I hear camp is like being in church all day.”

"I hear the music is all messed up.”

“The kids don’t have any fun at camp.”

So what exactly is going on at camp? What kind of music are they doing? Is camp just all-day churchy stuff? Let’s take a look at some of these concerns and provide some real answers to these questions.

Do kids really have fun at camp?

Camp Io-Dis-E-Ca was founded to be a Lutheran Camp. Unlike secular camps, Camp Io-Dis-E-Ca’s programs are rooted in LC-MS doctrine and practice. Each summer, a Biblical theme is chosen and becomes the focus of the worship times and Bible study. The rest of the time is typical summer camp. The study is real study, the fun is real fun. Anyone who says it’s like church all day has not been to camp! The best way to explain this is to look at a typical camper’s day.

A typical camper’s day starts with a morning devotion led by the pastor of the week, flag raising, and breakfast. Everyone does chores at camp, and that follows breakfast. Pathfinders, Trailblazers, Explorers, and Discovery campers then head off to Bible Study, where they don’t just open their Bibles and stare at them; the staff uses puppets and drama to bring the story to life. The goal of Bible study is to teach one aspect of the week’s theme. The Gospel is clearly presented and campers hear once again of Jesus’ saving death and resurrection. Bible study lasts for about an hour, but it depends on questions and discussion. Campers are actively engaged in this activity. Bible study at camp is not some passive enterprise.

After Bible study, the cabin groups explore an area of camp, such as canoeing or archery. The focus is on friendship, teamwork, and fun. Lunch follows the cabin activity, and then it’s back outside where each camper chooses his or her activity for the afternoon. This can include horseback riding, target practice with air rifles, rock wall climbing, archery, or (a new favorite with all the campers) human foosball. The day continues with swimming, canteen visits, afternoon devotion, dinner, all-camp events (generally a huge game such as “Eagle’s Nest” or “Boofer” or cabin skit night) and then the hilarity of campfire. As campfire winds down, the pastor of the week leads a brief evening devotion, and then it’s back to the cabins and to sleep - -or not, depending on the amount of chattering.

Real fun. Real study. To quote one camper, “I wish camp was every week of the summer!” Camp Io-Dis-E-Ca is all the wonder and joy and fun of summer camp rooted in the solid foundation of Christ.

I hear all kinds of things about music. What is going on?

Camp music is very simple. LSB, the Lutheran Service Book, is used during morning and afternoon devotions. Hymns are specifically selected to match the program theme and reinforce its message. Guitars accompany the hymn singing, lending a special “camp feel” during this time. Secular, or “fun” songs, are sung during other times of the day. Worship music is used during devotional times and secular tunes are used during times of play and fun.

What is happening at campfire times?

At camp, campfire is the day’s concluding activity for the entire residential crowd. It’s how the

day is “wrapped up.” Campfire starts out with general mayhem and goofiness. Secular camp songs are bellowed out, generally getting louder and more raucous as the evening progresses. This is a time to be silly with the staff and scream and yell and have a great time. The counselors perform a skit, met with peals of laughter, and it’s up to the pastor of the week to interpret the skit in the context of the day’s theme. After about 20 minutes of outdoor hoopla, it’s time to calm everyone down and focus again. The atmosphere quiets. The pastor of the week reminds campers once again who they are in Christ and closes the day with prayer. Campfire time concludes as campers link arms to sing a benedictory song with the guitars.

What do parents and kids have to say who attended this summer’s camp program?

Below is just a sample of the many comments received on this year’s evaluations.

"We are so blessed to have this camp available to our family. This was our first camping experience and we hope to continue to support Camp Io-Dis-E-Ca in the future."

"We love Camp Io-Dis-E-Ca! Keep on doing an outstanding job!"

"Excellent! This was more than a camp experience with a daily Bible study. The campers' faith was fed several times a day... devotions with Bible readings and catechism review, singing of hymns, Martin Luther's prayer before meals with the Lord's Prayer, Bible studies, etc... Thank You!!"

"Camp Io-Dis-E-Ca is truly a gem in our district and a wonderful mission outreach."

Camp Io-Dis-E-Ca is a marvelous place for children of all ages. It is a unique mission in our district. Every camper experiences the activities and delights of a typical summer camp wrapped in the essentials of Lutheranism, namely, God’s grace and mercy in Jesus Christ.f questions still remain regarding program or activities, please contact Rev. Terry Small, the Executive Director, Daniel Sanchez, the Program Director, or any camp board member

Rev. Dr. Dean Rothchild, Assistant To The District President

Many Blessings to Celebrate

and Rejoice In

By nature we tend to find the worst in everything. We complain when it rains too much or gripe about it when it gets too hot. We really see the reality of being “saint” and “sinner” at work in our lives on a daily basis. What a joy and privilege it is for us to return daily to our baptism, repenting of our sins and being assured that through that baptism we have received forgiveness of sins, life, and salvation.

In April of this year each congregation received a mailing from the District Office in regards to our building project in Palanga, Lithuania. To date, 15 of the 48 projects have been adopted by congregations or individuals throughout Iowa District East. That is something which we do celebrate and rejoice!

In June our District met in convention. Two resolutions were passed in support of the project in Lithuania. The two resolves from the overtures which were adopted are: “That the saints of Iowa District East be encouraged to contribute toward the capital campaign with a minimum goal of $210,000 to help our brothers and sisters in Lithuania occupy the facilities in Palanga,” and “we encourage all congregations of Iowa District East in Christian love both small and large to consider adopting a needed project so the Lithuania ministry center will be completed to the point where it can be inspected and opened for use to the praise and honor of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.”

We rejoice in the passing of both of those resolutions! Please consider which project you or your congregation can complete. If you need additional information it is available on the District website.

Former District President, Rev. Dr. Gary Arp is willing to come and speak to your congregation about the project in Lithuania. This could serve as a “Mission Festival.” Please contact him to set up a date. We rejoice in Dr. Arp’s willingness to see this project through to its completion. We rejoice that monies continued to be given for this worthwhile project.

We rejoice in the forgiveness of sins which we have received from a merciful, loving, and gracious God. St. Paul states: “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich.” II Cor. 8:9. We truly are rich in the forgiveness of our sins, and the life and salvation which is ours in Christ Jesus!