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.

Grace Lutheran Church in DeWitt

Grace Ev. Lutheran Church, DeWitt held their 9^th annual OctoberFeast.  The celebration included a wonderful meal and a silent basket auction.  A total of 638 people came and enjoyed a great time of food and fellowship, which helped to raise over $6,000 toward disaster relief efforts.

CAMP IO-DIS-E-CA

2012 Theme

Revelation 21:3 - And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God.

From beginning to end, the Bible teaches us that God desires to be with his people.  Join us in the  Summer of 2012 as we explore God’s plan of reconciliation in Jesus Christ. We’ll even take a look at how God continues to be with His people to this very day and into the everlasting life with God in heaven.  To be sure, campers will learn the wonderful truth that we have God With Us.

Fall Festival 2011

Our annual quilt auction fundraiser took place at Fall Festival on October 9th, bringing in over $8,200 for Camp Io-Dis-E-Ca. Auctioneer Tom Sandersfeld led the auction on an incredibly gorgeous Fall afternoon. Nearly 150 people attended to partake in day’s festivities and numerous bidders vied for the opportunity to take home excellent quilts and fine crafts. Fall Festival is moving back to Summer Fest in order to attract more bidders and revenue for the annual auction. Be sure to mark Saturday July 28th, 2012 down on your calendar. We hope to see you next year at Summer Fest for our annual quilt auction fundraiser!  

Fath Lutheran Church in Waterloo

 

FAITH BLIND OUTREACH

It is believed that ninety-five percent of all blind and visually impaired people do not attend church. There are various reasons for this, including lack of transportation, extreme isolation and previous negative church going experiences. In an effort to address these issues, Faith Lutheran Church, Waterloo, has developed Faith Blind Outreach. We have begun serving a lunch to the blind and visually impaired and their caretakers, with intention of learning more about their needs and challenges, and providing an atmosphere of trust and openness so that Christ may be proclaimed. These efforts are already leading to requests to inquiries about membership and opportunities to catechize the unbaptized. 

We request your prayers as we go forward, that we might continue to locate, serve and witness to those isolated and separated from the love of Christ. 

FAITH REFORMATION PARTY

Faith Lutheran Church, Waterloo held a chili supper and a screening of the Luther film on October 30th. Over seventy people came and dined on delicious homemade chili, and enjoyed the opportunity to view a film depicting our Lutheran heritage with their fellow redeemed. Many in attendance said they learned a great deal they didn't know, and several developed new questions and curiosity about doctrinal positions we hold. It was a great opportunity to celebrate our faith and the deep roots we have in the history of Christendom. 

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__________________________________        
         The Rev. Edward J. Killian
    Faith Evangelical Lutheran Church
     (Unaltered Augsburg Confession)
             1555 W. Ridgeway Ave
                Waterloo, IA 50701
                     319-236-1771