Thursday, February 24, 2011

Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Coralville

Annual Christian Preschool Ice-skating trip to the mall. Post-skating picture taken next to the Zamboni.

St. John’s Dorcas Society of Reinbeck


“Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will not be exhausted, …” Luke 12:33b was the theme verse for an “Old Bag Brunch” hosted by St. John’s Dorcas Society of Reinbeck on February 12th. It all started with a holiday Scripture reading - and once the ideas started coming, they didn’t stop:

Laura Woebbeking wrote an original skit entitled, “Where’s your Heart? Where’s your Treasure?”
The ladies were invited to bring a favorite ‘bag’ and share its story. (Mary won the prize for ‘best story’ by sharing the purse her mother carried to church every Sunday with a hanky and offering inside.)
Purses were weighed, with prizes for the heaviest, lightest and prettiest.
Purses and examples of ‘earthly’ and ‘heavenly’ ‘treasures’ served as centerpieces.
Table favors were small felt purses attached to cards printed with Luke 12:33b.
A purse scavenger hunt was held with grab bag prizes of purse-related items - tissue packs, travel-size lotion, pocket calendar, etc.
Even some Brunch items were ‘bag’-themed.

With attendees ranging in age from 11 months to 91 years, everyone enjoyed sharing the time together.

VBS Idea

Looking for a theologically rich yet very affordable curriculum for your summertime VBS?  “River of Life” is a week-long reproducible VBS curriculum from the Lutheran Heritage Foundation that features five favorite Bible stories: creation, Noah and the ark, the crossing of the Red Sea, Jonah and the baptism of Jesus. Each lesson also ties to a different oversea mission field and the culture of the people there. The craft projects can be made with items found on hand at most churches, or with things that can be easily and cheaply donated by your members. Also includes music plans, snack ideas and a sample end-of-week worship service. Total cost is a flat fee of $125. To order your free preview kit, send an e-mail to info@LHFmissions.org, or call their office at (800)554-0723.

Lutheran Interparish School 5K/1 Mile FUN RUN

The 2011 4th Annual LIS 5K/1 Mile Fun Run/Walk will be held on Saturday, April 2, at 9 am. There will be a 5 kilometer run/walk and a 1 mile run/walk followed by door prizes and awards.

Please join us, either as a helping hand or as a participant, on what is usually a beautiful spring morning! Refreshments will be served before and after the race for participants. Registration forms are available at school, or on the LIS website, www.lutheran-interparish.pvt.k12.ia.us. If you would like to donate refreshments contact Rhonett Wardenburg at 319-664-3267 or e-mail lisptl@hotmail.com. If you would like to donate prizes or money toward costs, or be a sponsor of this event and have your name or business name featured on the race T-shirt, please contact Robyn Schaefer at 668-1711 or robschaefer4@gmail.com.

Proceeds will go to upgrading LIS playground equipment.

St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Latimer


Grandma's request was simple "How about a service for us?" This request grew out of an after school program in which a number of the Hispanic children took part. Feeling our way along and borrowing what we could from here and there, St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Latimer has offered a Spanish language ministry now for five years. On October 24th, the fifth anniversary of this ministry we had the opportunity to celebrate the Sacrament of Holy Baptism for four Hispanic children. Included in the photo are the four children:

Maria, Susana Julio and Roberto Gonzalez. Also included are Rev. Karl and Julie Bollhaqen (sponsors) Gloria Sanchez (mother) Tom and Pam Tyrrell (sponsors) and Rev. Marvin Lorenz.

Spanish services at St. Paul's are offered twice monthly on Sunday afternoons. Our average attendance is 19 per service, about half of which are children. Truly God can and will bless even the simplest efforts to tell the good news about Jesus.

Thursday, February 03, 2011

St. Andrew Lutheran Church in Van Horne









Sixteen energetic people put together over 50 quilts for Lutheran World Relief and Orphan Grain Train. The sewing involved three days of working together in the fellowship hall and many hours of individual sewing at home. For all three days we shared a wonderful "pot-bless" meal for lunch. St. Andrew, Van Horne.

CAMP IO-DIS-E-CA









Camp Io-Dis-E-Ca Upcoming Events for IDE Today
New Summer Camp Programs!
Register online at www.campiodiseca.org or send your registration in via mail to secure your spot in our Living and Active summer program! If you need a registration form, contact the camp office or download one from our website.
Our Christ-centered theme Living and Active is surrounded by numerous activity specific camps with which to spend the week! Horse camp is offered each week, bike and canoe trips are available for Sr. High youth, while sports, wilderness, and adventure await Middle School and Jr. High campers. Each week features exciting, on-site camps for a specific age group in addition to the adventurous, off-site camps.
On the schedule for 2011 are two new programs! The first is a shortened week for 1st - 4th grade campers who may not yet be ready to attend on their own called Beginner Camp. Campers will enjoy a few fun-filled days with an adult: mom or dad, grandma or grandpa, aunt or uncle. The second is our new Family Weekend. Come and get away with the family for a weekend of rest, relaxation, fun, and spiritual learning! In addition, Camp Io-Dis-E-Ca will be sending out traveling teams to several areas June 26– July 1. Contact Program Director Daniel Sanchez for more information or to reserve a team.

Mother/Child Retreat May 6-7

Camp Io-Dis-E-Ca is the place to be May 6-7 for a weekend of outdoor fun, Bible study, campfires, and activity time with your kid(s). It is a great opportunity for mothers, grandmothers, and children to escape to the beautiful outdoors and for time to study God’s Word. You’ll also get to do archery, go canoeing, and go on a hike! At night, you’ll enjoy s’mores around a toasty campfire! Even Grandma can come! For questions or more information, e-mail Daniel at daniel@campiodiseca.org or call 319-848-4187.

Spring Workdays
A great way to serve with your congregation, youth, or family is to help prepare camp for its busy season Come join us to help clean up the winter debris and make your camp a best in class facility! We’ll cook lunch for all who come!

 IDE Youth Events

Sr. High Retreat

Youth from across the district gathered at Camp Io-Dis-E-Ca November 19-20 for the IDE Sr. High Retreat. Bible study was led by Rev. Max Mons of St. Paul Lutheran Chapel, Iowa City on the topic of ‘Your Christian Identity”. A great time was had by all, especially during the ‘SPOONS’ tournament. Participants also received a presentation on campus ministry from Pastor Mons, Pastor Wegener of College Hill Lutheran, Cedar Falls, and a few UNI students.


Jr. High Retreat and SNOLYMPICS

The IDE Jr. High Retreat was help January 28-29 at Camp Io-Dis-E-Ca. Rev. Ronnie Koch led a Bible study titled ‘Flee Temptation!’. Plenty of broomball was played and SNOLYMPICS was won by the team of Salem Snoop, Trenton Garbers, Matthew Langel, Cheridan Brickman, and Ben Venticher from St. Peter, Westgate and Zion, Hiawatha.

Your Thrivent Choice $$$ at Work at Camp Io-Dis-E-Ca

Are you a member of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans? If so, you've probably heard about their Thrivent Choice program for some time now. Thrivent Choice is your opportunity to direct some of Thrivent's charitable dollars to places like Camp Io-Dis-E-Ca. Last year alone, Thrivent Financial provided more than $100 million to support congregations, communities and organizations like ours! Since the program began, your camp has received thousands of “Choice” dollars. If you have not designated your Thrivent Choice funds for Camp Io-Dis-E-Ca, now is the time to do so. Go to  https://www.thrivent.com/thriventchoice/ or call 800-THRIVENT (800-847-4836) and state "Thrivent Choice". 
Another way to support your camp with Thrivent Choice funds is through your congregation. Many congregations have received money from Thrivent Choice. Your congregation can make a gift to your camp using their Thrivent Choice funds.
Thanks for helping make the Thrivent Choice program a valuable stream of revenue for Camp Io-Dis-E-Ca.