Faith Lutheran Church in Waterloo

Faith Blind Outreach is a luncheon and social time from 11:30-1:30 the third Saturday of each month to share the love of Christ with blind or visually impaired persons and their families. Call Faith Lutheran at 236-1771, if you would like to attend or help with serving or driving. Faith Lutheran Church, 1555 W Ridgeway AvE., Waterloo

Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Corlaville

The 2011 Christmas Pageant was presented on Dec. 4th by the Prince of Peace Sunday School with participation from the Prince of Peace Christian Preschool. The Historical Christmas account was portrayed as two brothers sat in a closet scheming how to get their parents to give them a puppy for Christmas. The pageant was played out as the brothers tried to remember if there was a dog mentioned in Christmas Scriptures to use as leverage with their parents. Both Christmas and Easter were proclaimed through song, hymns, drama, and memorized parts. Everyone enjoyed cookies and treats afterwards.

St. Paul's Chapel in Iowa City

 

As far as favorite chapel student events, we may have a tie between Luther Bowl and Nerf War! A couple dozen students, all dressed in black or camo, came out for a night of war, vengeance and fun for the first Nerf War event of the year. Strategically scheduled shortly before finals week, the students brought their own Nerf guns for some good old-fashioned chapel-style stress relief.

St. Paul's Chapel in Iowa City

 

A favorite event at St Paul's Lutheran Chapel is Luther Bowl, an annual flag football game to re-energize the students mid-semester.  After an exciting and fast-paced game, only one injury was reported this year: a torn ACL.  As usual, this year's event also featured guest referees: Rev. Dan Johnson from Redeemer, Marshalltown and Rev. Mike Scudder from Faith, Mount Pleasant.

St Paul's Chapel in Iowa City

The Home Away From Home program provides students a respite from their studies as members of the permanent congregation at St Paul's Lutheran Chapel "adopt" students during their years in college. Pictured is a snapshot of the Home Away From Home Progressive Dinner, an popular annual event to launch the program each year where two groups of students move from home to home, enjoying homemade courses made by chapel members.

St. Paul's Chapel in Iowa City International Student Ministry

The Tuesday morning English conversation group surprised their group leader with a cake to celebrate her birthday. A different conversation group meets nearly every day of the week, each led by volunteers from sister IDE congregations.

St Paul's Chapel in Iowa City International Student Ministry

International students and families attended a dinner at St Paul's Lutheran Chapel before experiencing the University of Iowa Homecoming Parade. A great display of American college culture and tradition!

St' Paul's Chapel in Iowa City International Student Ministry

Korea meets Iran! Four new international students out to lunch at the Seoul Grill, a popular Korean restaurant in Iowa City. The ladies from Iran enjoyed learning to use chopsticks, with a little help from their new Korean friends. Students who are part of the International Student Ministry program at St Paul's Lutheran Chapel not only learn about American culture, but the cultures of other students and families as well.

St. Paul's Chapel in Iowa City International Student Program

International students and families enjoyed a day of apple picking at the orchard of one of our volunteers. They had a great experience, complete with homemade apple cider and apple bars after a long day of collecting apples.

Davenport Lutheran Home

"Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others." Philippians 2:4


When you visit the Davenport Lutheran Home, you just might be greeted by 91 year old Orville Stout. You may see him in the dining room or in the Activity Room. You may pass him in the hallway near the nurse's station. Orville can be 'seen chatting with a resident or staff member. In fact, it is hard to enter our Lutheran Home, on any day of the week and not encounter Orville's friendly smile somewhere along the way.

There are currently 88 residents, many of them in their 90's living at the Davenport Lutheran Home, so it is not unusual to encounter one of them in passing. But Orville Stout does not live here. He is not a resident; he is a volunteer. Every single day, for nearly ten years, Orville has been coming to this nursing home to volunteer his time and effort, In the morning he helps the dietary staff clean-up the dining room after breakfast. Then he helps with Activities by accompanying residents to and from the Activity Room, by calling BINGO, and keeping score while the residents enjoy bowling. Orville is the official fingernail polish remover on manicure day and on Sundays he assists the Nurse Aids with seating the residents in the Chapel for the Church Service, After the service Orville helps Pastor Lockie facilitate Social Hour and helps residents back to their rooms.

When asked why he dedicates so much time, Orville says he volunteers at the Davenport Lutheran Home because he enjoys the people. We enjoy you too Orville and we appreciate your dedication and service to our residents. Happy Birthday!

Bethany Lutheran Church in Cedar Rapids

Members of Bethany Lutheran Church, Cedar Rapids took part in a church wide emphasis this Fall. The study by Albert Collver III explored the Biblical basis of the three fold emphasis of The Lutheran Church- Missouri Synod- Witness, Mercy and Life Together. These phrases illustrate how the church lives and works together to proclaim the Gospel and to provide for our brothers and sisters in Christ in our congregations, communities and throughout the world.

It all started with a Small Group/Rally Day Kick Off that took place on August 28 in the Family Life Center. People enjoyed plenty of great picnic food from “B-B-Q This!” The fall events were introduced and people were invited to join a small group for the 5 week series that began on Sept. 11. Sermons were preached each Sunday on the lessons which were: Witness; Witness As Confession; Mercy; Life Together; and Witness, Mercy Life Together; small groups met and faith grew!

Sixty three study guides were given to participants and each small group leader had a DVD to show to their group as part of the lesson. Leader Notes were provided in the back of each of the bible study guides making it easy for members to take turns facilitating their small group. Bethany Lutheran has extra copies of the DVD and books we would be willing to share with you. Please contact Ronda @ 319-364-6026 or nurse.bethanycr@gmail.com.

Lenten season 2012 we will once again have another church wide emphasis with preaching and small group study going hand in hand.

Hope Lutheran Church in Sigourney

Rev. Richard A. Meyer was installed at Hope, Sigourney on Sunday, Nov. 13 with a reception following. Rev. Meyer is also the pastor of Immanuel, Williamsburg. He served Hope as vacancy pastor for several years prior to being called.

The pastors in attendance were Rev(s). Nick Huelsman of St. John, Victor, IDE President Brian S. Saunders, Richard A. Meyer and Terry S. Small of Homestead/Wellman.

November Edition

The most recent edition of the IDE TODAY has arrived in the churches. it is also available in color on line (click this link).

Thank you to every one who contributed.

The next issue is Feb. 2012.

St Paull Lutheran Church in Eldora

FALLEN FIREFIGHTER SUNDAY

St. Paul Lutheran Church in Eldora chose to participate in the 30th Annual Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend on Sunday, October 16. For the first time, the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation which sponsors the memorial invited churches to participate by ringing their bells in a tribute to the 72 firefighters who died in the line of duty the past year. St. Paul has nine members who are volunteers with the Eldora, New Providence and Steamboat Rock fire departments. Seven of the nine were able to be present for St. Paul's honoring of the fallen. The tribute included the firefighters standing at attention as LC-MS pastor, Rev. James Likens' song, "Warriors of the Flames" was played and then the church bell was rung 72 times and Pastor David Splett offered a prayer of thanksgiving for those whose vocation includes risking their own lives to protect and help us when fire and disasters happen.

What a blessing are the men and women of our congregations who serve the Lord and us through their own commitment to be firefighters and warriors of the flames!

St. John Lutheran Chruch in Homestead

Installation of Rev. Terry Small on Nov. 6th. Pictured: Rev. Carl Cloeter, Rev. Paul Nus, Rev. Gary Sears, Rev. Terry Small, Rev. Richard Meyer, Rev. Chris Hinkle, Rev. Michael Knox, President Brian Saunders.

Rev. Dr. Dean Rothchild

Each of our 119 congregations has been given the Pastoral Office.  Through the Pastoral Office Christ Jesus brings to His people the forgiveness of sins.  That is distributed through the preaching of the Holy Gospel and by the proper administration of the sacraments (Holy Baptism, Holy Communion, and Holy Absolution).
Each of our congregations has been given a mission field to which that Gospel is to be proclaimed.  God’s people are called to be the face of Christ Jesus in that mission field.  Our Pastor’s are called to be laborers in the harvest fields by faithfully preaching, teaching, and administering the Sacraments.
The next question which looms before each of our congregations is “what should we be doing as a congregation to be the face of Christ in the community in which we exist?”  Do we take on a Christ-like attitude that we live our lives as “God’s sent letters” into our mission field?  Or maybe we adopt a posture which says, the church building is here and the people should come to us? 
The Church is apostolic because Christ Jesus sent the apostles and His Church out into the world.  The Church has the authority of Christ Jesus to be His ambassadors to those who are dying and going to hell.  The Church (both people and pastor) are claimed and sent to be proclaimers.
Each person in our congregation should be able to state three benefits that they received from being a member of their church.  For example:  I readily receive the forgiveness of sins in the Divine Service; my church teaches the true Word of God; and my church practices Biblical reconciliation.  Each person should also be able to list three things that he appreciates of its pastor(s):  For example:  He preaches Biblical sermons, properly dividing Law and Gospel;  He is faithful in doctrine and practice; and he truly cares about and loves the sheep entrusted to his care.
Sometimes congregations get in a rut.  A little time taken to pause, reflect, ponder and plan can help get a congregation focused around the wonderful task of proclaiming Christ Jesus to its community.   It is my privilege to serve you as Paul states: “I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me, and delivered Himself up for me.”  Galatians 2:20.   If you desire to do some strategic planning, I am available to come and lead you through that process.  I can be reached at: deanrothchild@lcmside.org or 319-373-2112.

District President Brian Saunders

As I interact with many congregations who are preparing to extend a Call for a pastor I have noticed a common request on behalf of the congregation. They all want a pastor who is going to reach out with evangelism. I agree that giving witness to the love of Christ is an admirable quality in a pastor. At the same time my question to the congregation is this: "what are you doing to confess the Faith to your neighbor through vocation and life?" The congregation that expects the pastor to do all the work of evangelism is the congregation that does not understand the doctrine of vocation nor the theology of confessing the Faith.
    In 1863 C.F.W. Walther wrote a book called The Form of a Christian Congregation. I recommend this book to all of our members in IDE (available through CPH). In it he spends one chapter on the "Congregations duty to do its share that the Church in general may be established and promoted." He spends half of that chapter talking about the ways a congregation takes the Gospel to those in the community and the world who have no church membership. Walther quotes one of his favorite Lutheran fathers by the name of Conrad Dannhauer. Dannhauer lays out a fourfold approach to confessing the Christian Faith in our vocations. I will address each of these approaches over the next four editions of the IDE Today. The four approaches are Example, Written Word, Witness, and Prayer.
    The first approach is one of Example. Dannhauer writes: The example of a holy life rightly occupies the first place. If that, like a charming perfume, reaches the nose with its sweetness, it easily attracts both eye and ear; but when it spreads an evil smell, it at once repulses. 'Be harmless as doves' (Matt. 10:16), the Lord said at the time when he sent his doves among the hawks that were to be tamed. Keep the serpent in your eyes, but the dove in your heart. From the dove learn the simplicity of the eye which looks straight ahead, without any side glance or misty veil, toward the goal, that is, God. Learn from it true tenderness; if you cannot be without gall, then at least be without horns and teeth. Learn from it the swiftness which it has, moving its wings without noise and pride. Learn from it also its pureness and its abhorrence of all filth, its chastity joined with faith, concord with truth.
    The most effective way to win unbelievers would be to let them see in us the glory of what Christ has taught; to let them know that we do not seek their kingdoms or thirst for their gold or covet their possessions, but that we seek nothing else than their salvation and the glory of Christ. This theology once upon a time subdued both the pride of the philosophers and the invincible scepter of the princes. Without this we would more easily degenerate into Turks and barbarians then that we would draw them to our side.
    The face of God was manifest in the person of Jesus. We have been baptized into the life, death, burial, and resurrection of Christ Jesus (Rom. 6). His face has not only shined upon us but dwells within us by faith. It is the face of Christ that is exemplified through our faces as we interact with our neighbor with the gentle kindness of the dove. Walther would have us believe that Christ is visible to our neighbor through our example of Christian love in our daily lives. God bless us each and every day with opportunity and strength of faith to confess His name to our neighbor.

College Hill Lutheran Church in Cedar Falls

 Rev. John Wegener and Rev. Jonathan Fisk at College Hill Lutheran Church on Sunday, October 30th

Rev. Fisk was our guest preacher for our Reformation Day service.

On the weekend of October 28-30, university students and guests participated in the annual Fall Fling Study Weekend at College Hill Lutheran Church.  Students and friends enjoyed square dancing, a hay ride, and a bonfire on Friday evening.  The highlight of the weekend was a presentation on Saturday by Rev. Jonathan Fisk, host of the Worldview Everlasting podcast, who taught about Postmodernism, The Resurrection, and Dating.  On Sunday, Rev. Fisk described the mission work being done in Philadelphia during Bible study, and was the guest preacher in the Divine Service.

Davenport Lutheran Home

Elaine Freiberger

Eloise Diedrich

Helen Brown and Tammi Rangel

Pastor Chris Lockie and Fern Keding

Wow!     Beautiful!     Fabulous!     Awesome!

When I asked the residents of Davenport Lutheran Home what they thought of the remodeling project that is nearing completion, these are the words they used to describe the changes. May 23rd 2011 was the day they began relocating, remodeling and renovating,  the residents' rooms and community spaces in this nursing home which is celebrating its fortieth year of providing quality, Christian care to its residents. The ladies I visited with told me that they especially like the new flooring and ceiling in the dining room and the paint and flooring in their rooms.  

Planning and fund raising for this project began in 2008. In addition to new paint; the residents rooms now have new walls in the bathroom, an increased number of outlets and new bedspreads. The carpet was replaced in the solarium and administrative offices and new handrails and refinished doors make the hallways look like new. In an effort to enhance the Physical Therapy facilities the therapy room was moved to a larger room in the front of the building, near and outside entrance. The Activity Room was moved to the back of the building, putting it closer to the residents rooms.

Shelly Hopp, Administrator of DLH, said that overall the project went very well. Our Housekeeping and Maintenance staff did a phenomenal job of temporarily relocating residents and then returning them to their finished rooms. There were moments of chaos and confusion, but the residents, their families, staff and visitors have all been very impressed with the process and the outcome. Wow, beautiful, fabulous and awesome indeed!    

Becky Jones

Marketing Coordinator

Davenport Lutheran Home

563-391-5342

Bethany Lutheran Church in Cedar Rapids

A BLUE CHRISTMAS (not Elvis style)

Wednesday, December 14 @ 6:00

This special worship service will acknowledge the pain and sadness many people experience as the holidays   approach but also encourages people to move toward hope.  For those who have not experienced loss this is a time to recognize that the holidays aren’t always merry & jolly for others around us, Christmas can be challenging for those who are grieving.

Please plan to attend A BLUE CHRISTMAS worship   service, Wednesday, 12/14 @ 6:00.

College Hill Lutheran Church

On October 31^st, students from College Hill Lutheran Church won the championship game in the Campus Ministry Association volleyball league at the University of Northern Iowa.