St. John's Lutheran Church in Waverly

Each year Pastor Versemann holds Basic Christianity Classes for anyone interested in attending. These classes are held on Sunday evening for a hour and a quarter for 12 weeks. This winter we have 26 people participating and 16 of them are non members. We provide snacks and also babysitters. Pastor told us that this is his 40th class since he started his ministry in 1991. We think his classes are awesome.

St. John Lutheran Church in Keystone

The children of St. John Lutheran Church in Keystone had a fun, learning experience at their Wednesday evening Midweek Class the week before Halloween, they carved "Jesus 0' Lanterns". Others will see Jesus in us when HE lives within our hearts. Having Christ, as Savior and Lord of our life, will make a difference in the way the world sees us. 2 Corinthians 5:17 says - "If anyone be in Christ, he is a new creation; the old is passed away, behold the new is born!"

What is it like to be a Christian? It is like being a pumpkin. God picks you from the patch, and He brings you in and washes all the dirt off of you. Then He cuts off the top and scoops out all of the yucky stuff. He removes all the seeds of doubt, hate, greed, etc., and then He carves you a new, smiling face. Next He puts His light inside you, to shine for all the world to see.

F3

(Fun, Festivities and Fellowship)

ADVENT PROGRESSIVE MEAL ENJOYED BY TRINITY LUTHERAN CHURCH OF GUTTENBERG & ST. PAUL LUTHERAN CHURCH OF MCGREGOR

Jerry Mays and Pastor Zimmer warmed our hearts with a short program at each course. After lighting the appropriate candle(s), Pastor read from the Bible and Jerry shared Martin Luther's comments about that portion of Scripture and the reaction of the persons in each of the readings. Jerry's thought provoking questions drew each of us into the scene portrayed by the Bible readings and made us think about how we would have reacted to the news of the Savior's birth. After enjoying wassail at Trinity, all looked forward to the rest of the feast.

St. John's Lutheran Church in Homestead

St. John's Homestead Ladies Aid provided the initiative for two enhancements for Advent/Christmas worship. Members of the congregation created more than 150 Chrismons for our Christmas tree. A description of each Chrismon and how it's symbolism pointed to Christ was available in each pew. On December 27, we observed St. John, Apostle and Evangelist Day, which was particularly meaningful for a St. Johns congregation. Marilyn Wichmann designed the banner which uses the eagle to represent St. John. "The eagle flies higher than any other bird, and the Gospel of St. John soars to heights greater than the other Gospels in its theology of Christ" (What an Altar Guild Should Know, Paul H.D. Lang).

Lutheran Student Fellowship (LSF) at College Hill Lutheran Church in Cedar falls

Lutheran Student Fellowship (LSF) at College Hill Lutheran Church held their annual Christmas party prior to test week. True to form, the students managed to build service to others into their evening of fun, food, and fellowship. They baked and decorated cut-out cookies for Pastor Wegener to share with all the shut-ins of the congregation as he made his visits. Looks like fun and service make a great mix, doesn't it?

Brammer Student Center, College Hill Lutheran Church in Cedar Falls

Once again the students at Brammer Student Center, College Hill Lutheran Church in Cedar Falls, have worked their magic and transformed the sanctuary and other areas of the church with Christmas decor.

Hard work always involves a bit of fun too when you are with your friends and completing a task well done. It is also a task appreciated by the congregation members.

Thank you Lutheran Student Fellowship (LSF) members for your service to the church.

College Hill Lutheran Church and Brammer Student Center in Cedar Falls

On Saturday, December 5th the members of College Hill Lutheran Church and the students of Brammer Student Center treated the audience of nearly one hundred early risers to the First Annual Advent Breakfast. There were children, students, parents, and senior citizens too who managed to gather at 8 AM for the event.

The program was planned by a combined committee of students and congregation.It included a lively skit with Sunday School children interacting with the presenters. The church choir, consisting mostly of students, accompanied by key board and bass violin sang several songs, interspersed with Scripture readings appropriate for the Advent season.The breakfast casserole made with hashbrowns so as to be gluten free was declared a “keeper” recipe. The casserole was accompanied by bagels and cheeses, coffee cake and chilled mixed fruit. Oh, yes there was plenty of coffee and milk too. After the program there was a drawing for door prizes and that was enjoyed by all, especially the winners. After many positive comments it seems Advent breakfast will quickly become a tradition at College Hill and Brammer Student Center.

St. John Lutheran Church in Fairbank

Lutheran Church Extension Fund provides affordable financing for various LCMS ministry needs such as new construction, remodeling and catching up with operating expenses during lean summer months (visit lcef.org for current rates.)

More than 80% of LCMS organizations have partnered with LCEF over the years including St. John Lutheran Church in Fairbank (photo.) This congregation, established in 1868, now serves a community of approximately 1,700 souls, 25 miles northeast of Waterloo.

If your LCMS church or school has financing needs, church extension is blessed to serve; contact your district LCEF Vice President Carole White at 877-439-5233 Carole.White@lcef.org for more information.

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

How Did I Get Here?

Seminarian Troy Peperkorn

When I visited St. Paul’s Lutheran Chapel in Iowa City five years ago I knew that it could be my home away from home. It affected my decision to go to the University of Iowa more than the school itself. There was stability and a proclamation of Christ Crucified that I would come to learn was more foundational for my life as a Christian adult than any field of study I could choose. It was my life at the Chapel that guided me to study at Concordia Theological Seminary in order to become a pastor.

For four years I reveled in the discussions of various aspects of Christ and living as confessors of His sacrifice. I wrestled with free will in the Confessions with one of my friends from the Chapel and with Pastor Mons. I learned how demons and angels are perceived in society and then how the Bible actually portrays them. I learned the proper distinction between Law and Gospel while reading C.F.W. Walther with the Peer Ministers. In the Peer Ministry I learned how to plan events, coordinate people, and delegate tasks. I also met my fiancée at the Chapel. However, it was hearing the Word and receiving the Lord’s Body and Blood every Sunday without fail that strengthened my faith in Christ and gave me peace from the doubts of study in a secular society.

As a result of my involvement in Chapel activities I went on two mission trips with other students from the Chapel. The first was to Lithuania where we were given a story of how the Church survived religious persecution under Communist control for fifty years. The second was to Kenya were we distributed donations of school supplies and clothes, taught Bible stories and songs, and visited families. We proclaimed the Gospel to Christians who relied on God’s mercy and love in order to live in poverty and an unstable cultural environment. When national elections forced the entire country to stay inside for two weeks, their livelihood was threatened. It was this chance to speak words of comfort and mercy every day to those who clearly hungered for it which led me to see that this was what God had given me to do. Because of what St. Paul’s has given me in experience, Word, and Sacrament, I am now blessed in my studies to continue the proclamation of God’s eternal mercy.

Lutheran For Life

Rev. Dr. James Lamb, executive director of Lutherans For Life, was on hand to present “Renewal For Life” to the pastors of the Westgate and Waterloo Circuits at the third annual pastor appreciation dinner served by the Black Hawk Chapter of Lutherans For Life. On November 10 at the joint winkel of these circuits, Dr. Lamb encouraged us together to “Impact Lutheran congregations to become Christ-centered,enthusiastic, and ongoing voices For Life.”

Grace Lutheran Church in DeWitt

Grace Ev. Lutheran Church is happy to announce the opening of our new dedicated youth facility at Grace Camp. The G.Y.M. (Grace Youth Ministries) Building was dedicated for use in service to the Lord in late August. Construction and interior finishing was completed and the youth were able to move into the building and begin using the facility on October 31^st. Since that time, regular meetings of our Junior High and High School Youth Groups have been taking place there. On the December 13^th the Grace Youth Board and the youth of Grace hosted an open house, welcoming members of the congregation and community for a time of fellowship as we celebrated the opening of the building. We give thanks to God for His great provision throughout the planning and construction phases of this project and are now looking to the future as the G.Y.M. Building is used in ministry to the youth of Grace Lutheran Church, DeWitt, and the surrounding communities.

Trinity Lutheran Church in Chariton

Quilter Retires

Gloria DeWitt of Trinity Lutheran, Chariton, is retiring from quilt-making for Lutheran World Relief (LWR) after 23 years of planning, cutting, pinning, sewing, unstitching, tying and trying again.

Gloria has lived most of her life in Marion and Lucas counties, mainly in the Russell and Chariton areas. She worked briefly at Maytag in Newton, and later worked about five years each at two different sewing factories in Knoxville and Chariton, besides other various occupations throughout the years.

She was also a farmer's wife to husband Leonard Moore, to whom she was married for 30 years. He died in 1982.

She has been married to another farmer, Floyd DeWitt for 24 years. They are now retired and live in Chariton.

Gloria has six children, nine grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren, in addition to one daughter-in-law, one son-in-law, two step-grandsons, one step-granddaughter and five step-great grandchildren.

In the 20 plus years for LWR, she has made over 400 quilts. Within the last six years she was pretty much the sole quilt-maker at Trinity, with occasional help from other Trinity members.

In addition to the quilts, she has made quilts for each member of her family and also does wall hangings, doll clothes, table runners, cloth dolls and baby quilts.

"I have loved to sew for many years. It has been a good thing for me to keep busy."

In addition to her quilt-making, Gloria has been known for her willingness to take part in most activities at Trinity through the years, including Vacation Bible School, LWML, cooking (great pies) and cleaning the church.

President’s Piece for Peace

Greetings brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Have you noticed that families are comprised of those who have specific titles for the sake of identity and maintaining respect for those whom God has placed in positions of authority? The language that we use has a great deal to do with the image we have of those over us as well as the respect that is so much a part of our life under Christ. When I was a teenager it was not uncommon to hear someone speak of their father with the phrase “old man”. That phrase was not allowed to come from my mouth, for if it did, it may have been one of the few last words I would have spoken. It was not hard to see that those who used such a phrase would speak of their father or mother in a very negative way. It was very difficult to conclude that the speaker was in anyway appreciative or respectful of their parents.

The language we use is not only good for those who hear us but is also good for us as we use it. To use disrespectful language or even improper terms for those in authority over us only succeeds in creating a poor image in our minds of who these are whom God has given as a gift to us. In the work place we have bosses, supervisors, and foremen who are to receive our respect in word and deed. In the home the office of father, mother, grandparent, uncle and aunt are among those titles that deserve the very title it carries for the sake of order, honor and respect.

In the Church we have titles for the sake of the offices that God gives us as well. The title Pastor does not merely serve as a term so as to identify the man from everyone else. It is a title to define for himself who he is in the midst of those over whom God placed him. The German title for the office is Seelsorger, a word that defines the care of the pastor for the souls of God’s sheep. There is no danger in that word of the pastor becoming an overlord or a tyrant. The Holy Scripture prevents any such attitude on behalf of the Pastor. It is good for him to hear that term used about himself that he retain in his heart and mind the very purpose for which God placed him in the midst of the sheep. He is to speak to the soul the comforting words of the Gospel. He preaches the compassion of Christ from the Cross; he calms and soothes the hurting heart, caused by sin, with the Word connected to the elements of the Sacraments. To use the proper and biblical language of the Scriptures when speaking to and referring to your Pastor is good for him and good for you.

The Office of the Principal and Teacher is due the same respect and honor for which God has called and placed them. Not only do the students benefit from a proper understanding of these offices but so do the parents when they speak to their children about the activities of their school. With proper respect and honor classrooms are more fruitful, schools are training grounds of fine boys and girls in the Faith, Churches are places of rest for the weary soul and homes are a haven for devotions and prayer.

In the next edition of the IDE Today I wish to further this topic of language and the importance of using the language God has given us for the sake of our heritage, our daily life and our eternal life. Until then, God be praised and Glory be given to Him with respect and honor.

Brian Saunders, President IDE

News from Palanga, Lithuiana

Ieva and Auguste Petkunas, twin daughters of Pastor and Inga Petkunas, at age 11 are accomplished musicians. Last summer they were invited to play with the Klaipeda Chamber Orchestra at its concert. This month they participated in a nation-wide piano contest of advanced piano students playing music of J. S. Bach. Ieva and Auguste won first place! Their mother is also a musician. She taught herself how to play the organ. She plays the organ and directs the choirs in all three of the congregations Pastor Petkunas serves. Pastor Petkunas reports that Ieva and Auguste are now helping Mom by playing during the offering and Mom says they play better than she does. Pastor Petkunas says they practice piano every day. On Christmas Ieva and Auguste will accompany the choir when it sings ANGELS WE HAVE HEARD ON HIGH.

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

“Hometown Tour” Spends the Day in Benton County

It started out as a fun suggestion that morphed in to one of the most delightful events of the fall semester. Since both freshman Catie Rinderknecht and Pastor Mons (most recently) are from Benton County, they thought it would be fun to take a crowd from the Chapel to show off their county. The day started in Luzerne with the ladies of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church welcoming everyone with freshly baked treats. Pastor Mons showed the students the church and surrounding town where he received his first Call. Then they headed over to Atkins. They stopped by the Schanbacher farm to see the cow that scared Catie. The tour concluded with a delicious lunch at the Rinderknechts. The students had so much fun, they now all want to show off their hometowns.

Our Savior Lutheran Church in Muscatine

On November 8th, Rev. Jeffrey Pautz was installed as Pastor at Our Savior Lutheran Church, Muscatine. Rev. Pautz and family come from Freeman, SD. Those participating in this event included: IDE President Brian S. Saunders (not pictured) and (Front row) Rev. Timothy Jones, Rev. Jeffrey Pautz, Rev. Joshua Reimche (Back row) Rev. Chris Hinkle, Rev. Steve Rasmussen, and Rev. Dennis Arndt.

Faith Lutheran Church in Waterloo

In a culture that grows increasingly hostile to the idea that every human soul has value, it is imperative that the church makes God’s position clear.

This October, The Blackhawk County chapter of Lutherans for Life joined forces with Faith Lutheran Church, Waterloo, to take a stand for the sanctity of human life. The annual Life Memorial Service was held at Faith on October 4th. This service is held each year to remember the tens of millions of lives exterminated by abortion since the landmark Roe v. Wade decision which legalized abortion in the United States. Prayers to end abortion, to heal those living with guilt over abortion, and for a godly view of the sanctity of life in our nation were offered.

To augment the witness against abortion, these crosses were placed in the yard outside of the church. The high visibility of these crosses at the corner of W. 4th St. and W. Ridgeway Ave., made an impact on many passing by over the course of the several weeks they remained planted. Accompanying the crosses were a sign that explained their purpose, and a sign proclaiming that Jesus Christ can forgive every sin, and heal broken lives.

We hope you will join us in our fervent prayer that laws, world-views, and most importantly hearts that are ambivalent to life will be changed by the One who grants forgiveness, salvation and eternal life. We hope that many of you will join us next year.

IDE Fiscal Summit: A Congregational Financial Worship

Is there is a way to make a donation to a Lutheran school and get up to 100% of donation back in tax savings? Should a congregation post federal guidelines for employee wages and hiring--and why? Is an employee handbook importnt for a school or congregation? Is there a way to lower health insurance costs to the congregation/school and possibly increase benefits to the employee or called worker? How can a church cut energy costs? What should a congregation do if it receives a large financial gift? Is special insurance waiver needed when outsiders use church facilities?

These are just a few of the questions that will be answered on Saturday, March 13, from 9:00-2:30, at the IDE Fiscal Summit sponsored by Thrivent, LCEF, and Iowa District East. Eight speakers will present twelve workshops. Each workshop will be presented once in the morning and once in the afternoon. Representatives from each IDE congregation and school are requested to attend the event at Zion Lutheran Church in Hiawatha. Beyond the rostered Church Workers, Trustees, Elders, Treasurers, members of Boards of Finance, Congregational Chairmen, and Secretaries should consider attending.

The workshops will consist of:

- Concordia Plan Services will present workshops explaining health and retirment plan alternatives for church and school employees.

- An expert in LCMS church accounting issues will conduct workshops dealing with personal tax issues for called workers, employee and payroll issues, and internal bookkeeping controls with regards to handling contributions.

- Church Mutual will present a workshop on Risk Management.

- Thrivent will explain changes to the fraternal gifting that will affect Thrivent policy holders and the congregations that use their funds.

- Alliant Energy will share ways churches can cut energy costs and how to access financial incentives available to congregations.

- Lutheran Church Extension Fund will present on how to manage building renovations.The LCEF rep will also present a workshop on ways that LCEF can be of assistance to rostered workers.

- A workshop will focus on using SCRIP, a national program through which dollars can be earned for church work through the purchase of gifts cards.

- President Saunders will present a workshop titled, "God’s Gifts: Gratitude and Trust."

- A workshop will address charitable giving options.

- A workshop on the handling of Endowments and Memorials will be presented.

Registration for the IDE Fiscal Summit will begin in late January. Watch your church office's mail for the registration form. One $25.00 fee will enroll up to 5 representatives from each church or school, including lunch. Space is limited to 250 participants, so register early. IDE

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

The Only Resolution that Matters

Some people make New Years resolutions. They touch upon a variety of subjects but many revolve around a persons’ physical life. Sometimes they might touch upon the spiritual realm of life. The simple truth is that many times we fail to keep our New Years resolutions!

Recall for a moment the words from Joshua 24:15ff. “But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. And the people said to Joshua, “We will serve the Lord our God and we will obey His voice.” Those are commitments which were made but not kept. They were resolutions that failed.

We have the same failed resolutions before us when we look at people who are no longer living by the vows which they took on the day of their confirmation. Confirmation is a continuum of one’s baptism. Hear the questions being answered by the confirmand. “Do you intend to hear the Word of God and receive the Lord’s Supper faithfully?” “Do you intend to live according to the Word of God, and in faith, word, and deed to remain true to God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, even to death? “Do you intend to continue steadfast in this confession and Church and to suffer all, even death, rather than fall away from it?’
Where one is no longer living according to those vows, that person needs to be called to repentance. When repentance is made, absolution will come from Christ Jesus through the voice of the called Pastor. What a blessing that is!

Let us recall for a moment God’s resolutions. First to Adam and Eve: “And I will put enmity between you and the woman, And between your seed and her seed; He shall bruise you on the head, And you shall bruise him on the heel.” Genesis 3:15. Christ Jesus would come to crush and defeat Satan through His perfect completion of all of God’s resolutions, to the point of death itself, even death on the cross.

The separation between God and mankind has been “resolved” through the death and resurrection of Christ Jesus. It was said of Jesus: “And it came about, when the days were approaching for His ascension, that He resolutely set His face to go to Jerusalem.” Luke 9:51. Nothing could keep Jesus from His gracious and merciful work of redemption on behalf of all mankind. Salvation is an accomplished reality. It is God’s resolution to deal with our sin and its guilt that really matters; for through His work we are forgiven and freed to serve our neighbor through our good works.

As we resolutely come to the “Divine Service,” God brings us His gifts, most especially the forgiveness of all of our sins. We are sent forth from the Divine Service to “resolutely” love our neighbor as our self, and to communicate to them God’s wonderful accomplished work of redemption in His Son Jesus Christ.