2011

In the new year, the IDE TODAY will be printed in February, May, August, and November. The deadlines will be the first days of those months.

IDE Science Fair

These are the 2010 IDE Science Fair winners.

Kindergarten:

1st place-Gage Offill from Central Lutheran Newhall

1st grade:

1st place- Madeline Hoelscher from Immanuel Waterloo

2nd place- Tyler Schaefer from Lutheran Interparish (LIS) Williamsburg

2nd grade:

1st place- Lydia Armbrecht from LIS Williamsburg

2nd place-Mikhael Josue from LIS

3rd grade:

1st- Kaitlyn Sievers from Central Lutheran Newhall

2nd- Ryan Cavett from LIS

4th grade:

1st-Cameron Eggert from Central Lutheran Newhall

2nd- Tie : Willa Kephart from LIS

Ty Buresh from LIS

5th grade:

1st- Kortni Gensley from LIS

2nd- Tie; Elizabeth Stoll from Central Lutheran Newhall

Jade Brown from Dubuque Lutheran

6th grade:

1st-Ashley Kochuyt from Central Lutheran Newhall

2nd- Tanner Hagen from LIS

7th grade:

1st- Matthew Voss from Central Lutheran Newhall

2nd- Hannah Thompson from Central Lutheran Newhall

8th grade:

1st- Anna Hagen from Central Lutheran Newhall

2nd- Luke Stoll from Central Lutheran Newhall

IDE Educator of the Year

Congratulations! Mr. Andy Armbrecht was chosen the Educator of the Year. Andy was awarded the crystal apple at St John’s Lutheran Church, Homestead on Oct 31st by his Pastor, Rev. Wayne Woolery, also District Education Executive. Andy is 6th grade teacher, assistant principal and co–athletic director at Lutheran Interparish School in Williamsburg.

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

Chen Ya Chen is from Taiwan and is a graduate student at the University of Iowa. Earlier this fall she received the Rite of Confirmation at St. Paul’s Lutheran Chapel.

"This is the first time I have studied abroad and I had no idea that what is waiting for me in America. I simply trusted my Lord and, surprisingly, he prepared everything for me: an admission, a comfortable house in which to stay, a perfect learning environment, sincere friends, and the most important part: a warm home in foreign country.

The home is St. Paul’s chapel. In this home, pastor guides me to know more about God’s Word and grace. Sisters, brothers and I enjoy diverse activities and serving others. We sing in choir together, have fun together and learn the culture and language from each other’s country together. God sent me so many angels. He has helped me to experience lots of wonderful things in life. He has helped me to adjust to the new environment.

At St. Paul’s there is a home and family who will give me support no matter what happens to me. At St. Paul’s I know my sadness will be comforted, my concerns will be listened to and my happiness will be cheered.

That makes me feel at ease. Every night before I sleep, I express my gratitude toward Jesus that I am not alone in Iowa; I am with my Father in heaven and my family in the chapel."

Valley Lutheran High School

The National Lutheran School Accreditation Team at Valley Lutheran School working thru Valley’s initial NLSA Application process. Mr. George W. Holland from Dubuque, Mrs. Jan Doellinger from Newhall and Mrs. Merrilee Sump- Team Captain from Clarinda.

Risen Christ Lutheran Church in Davenport

Architect Listens, Designs Accordingly

Rev. Kurt Larson wasn’t at Risen Christ Lutheran in Davenport, when the church was built in 1990. But that doesn’t preclude his being in awe of its beautiful design, created by architect Gary Landhauser, a member of LCEF’s Architectural Advisory Committee. “The church began in 1985 in a temporary modular unit owned by the district,” Larson said, noting that it was replaced in 1990 by the present beautiful sanctuary and fellowship hall. The congregation has high praise for Landhauser’s plans and his willingness to listen to their expectations and design a structure to accommodate future growth. White on the outside, bright and cheery on the inside, the church beckons all to come inside. “He put a lot of thought into the design,” Larson said. “People enter and exit the church through the fellowship hall. So after the service they’re more likely to stick around and socialize.” The fellowship hall has a multipurpose design with enough room to accommodate a large gathering but be broken down into smaller units for classrooms when needed.

In 1995, Landhauser once again put his design skills to work and drew up plans for an education wing with Sunday school classrooms and a day care that is available for the entire community.

Since Larson came to the northwest Davenport church, he has worked closely with LCEF. A few years ago he and the church’s planning committee worked with LCEF Iowa District Vice President Carole White on a demographics study. Their goal was to strategize the ministry’s potential for growth. “There is a possibility of expansion at some point in the future, but no specific plans have even been considered,” Larson said. “We look forward to partnering with LCEF with whatever we do in the future,” he said. “LCEF has always been there when we needed their services. It’s a ministry-based organization with a focus on the work of the church, not just finances. Both Gary Landhauser and LCEF have been a blessing to our ministry.”

Trinity Lutheran Church in Ottumwa

Trinity Lutheran Church celebrated 75 years of God's blessings in 2010. The celebration was in 2 parts. To create memories of the celebration for the children a family hog roast picnic was held on July 25th at the close of the day's Vacation Bible School. The youth group rented large inflatable slides for the occasion. The formal celebration was held on Sept 26th beginning with divine worship at 10:00 am. President Saunders was the preacher. Rev Roy Radloff and Rev Mark Gefaller, former pastors of Trinity, were special guests. A dinner catered by the Indian Hill Community College Culinary club followed. The day ended with the children releasing 75 helium filled balloons.

Iowa Lutheran Schools

IOWA LUTHERAN SCHOOL TUITION ORGANIZATION HELPS FAMILIES

The Iowa Lutheran School Tuition Organization goal for 2010 is $488,000. It’s time now to send in your donation to receive the state tax credit and the knowledge that these funds are supporting families to attend our Lutheran schools.

Last year, the ILSTO received $490,000 and there are more than 300 families sending children to Lutheran schools across the state. This school year, our Lutheran schools have over 25 new students (not including kindergarten) who are receiving the benefits of STO funds. These students could be accepted as there were funds for tuition assistance. Our schools are our mission outposts for Christ - student and parent baptisms, new families worshiping with us.

Funds come from giving people as you who see the value of a Christian Lutheran education. A donor does not have to be a member of one of our churches or a Lutheran. They need to want to give so families might have the option of sending their children to a non-public school, and enjoy the benefits of a 65% state tax credit.

Please let your friends and family in Iowa know of this opportunity. Contact Lois Warnsholz, ILSTO program manager, 563-391-1304 or Lois.Warnsholz@lsportal.net for additional information. To learn more. and print a donor form. you can also go to the website: www.iowalutheransto.org If you are aware of tax accountants and businesses which are C Corporations, please talk with them and/or provide Lois with contact information.

As with any tax matter, be sure to consult your own tax professional if you have any questions.

St. John Lutheran Church in Melcher-Dallas

A special Reformation Service was held on Saturday, October 30, at St. John Lutheran Church i Melcher-Dallas. The event started with a biblical discussion lead by our guest Pastor, Professor Jeffrey Pulse, from Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, IN. Following the discussion, Rev. Pulse assisted Rev. Kent Peck from St. John with a Divine Worship Service. Many members from IDE congregations joined this event. Special music was provided by the St. John choir with soloist Dave Jurgens singing “A Mighty Fortress is our God” in German. An authentic German dinner was served by the members of the church following the service

Messiah Lutheran Church in Mason City

On February 7th, the Reverend Bruce Miller was installed as Pastor for Messiah Lutheran Church, Mason City. IDE District President Brian Saunders officiated. Messiah Lutheran's charter was signed on Reformation Sunday in 1993. It heralded a series of blessing for the congregation including the construction of the church building, the payoff of the mortgage and now having their own Pastor. With the installation, Messiah Lutheran has the flexibility for service times and overall full time participation in the celebration and services to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

IDE Daveport Congregations

Four Local Churches Send Food to Starving Children in Central America

On Oct. 30, four Lutheran churches (Holy Cross, Immanuel, Risen Christ, and Trinity) in Davenport raised $5,330 to pay for the ingredients to create 21,322 meals for children who are starving in Central America. The meals consist of rice, soy, 6 vegetables, and 21 vitamins and minerals.The cost of each meal is 25 cents.

The ingredients were measured, weighed, and placed in plastic bags. The bags were then packed in boxes for shipment. The assembly process was completed in the Trinity Lutheran Church gymnasium. Began at 9:00 a.m., the work was completed in less than three hours. The volunteers included people of all ages. Gary Bates, a member of Trinity commented, “The response to the fundraising from the four congregations has been amazing. And to see children working alongside adults, laughing and having fun while doing something that will share God’s love with others in need is a wonderful experience.”

The work was completed in partnership with “Kids Against Hunger – Quad Cities” who managed the assembly effort. This local satellite organization “uses teams of people who donate their time, energy, and finances to help bag life saving food.” (www.kahqc.com) Locally, over 431,000 meals have been packaged and shipped somewhere in the world, and since the national organization was launched, “Kids Against Hunger has provided over 162 million meals for children and their families in more than 60 countries.” (www.kidsagainsthunger.org)