Davenport Lutheran Home

Eldridge, Iowa calls itself the “Hometown with a Vision”; a vision that may have been first perceived way back in 1848 when Jacob Eldridge first settled in North Scott County. Or perhaps it was on July 2, 1871 when Eldridge Junction became an official town; that the founding fathers could see clearly what a fine community Eldridge was destined to be. The Wiese family has been a part of that vision for over 100 years. Heinrich Wiese, a farmer, was among the first German immigrants to start a family here. His sons, Fredrick and Peter farmed with their father, and then opened a farm implement and hardware store in Eldridge. Fredrick served as the City Treasurer for many years and his son, Robert followed in his footsteps. Robert “Bob” Wiese was born and raised in North Scott County. He is 93 years old and has lived his entire life in Eldridge, except for the four years he served in The United States Army. For Bob, the vision has always been clear: Take pride in your hometown and serve the community. In addition to running the farm implement business and raising a family, Bob and his wife, Lu contributed much to the Eldridge vision. Bob has served the community as City Treasurer and Fire Chief. He was the Scott County Assessor for 18 years, served 17 years on the City Council and sat on the Utility and Community Center Boards. Lu put in many, many hours at the Community Food Pantry, worked the meal site, and played a big part in publishing the Centennial Book when the city celebrated its first one-hundred years. Bob was a charter member of the Eldridge Lions Club and he is a 50 year member of the local chapter of the American Legion. Lu worked for the Utility Board, sat on the Board of Directors for the Community Center, and was active in the American Legion Auxiliary. They are both charter members of Faith Lutheran Church, established in 1953. Bob and Lu Wiese will celebrate 70 years of marriage in March this year and they have been committed to community service most of their lives. They have contributed their time and effort to many projects; working hard to maintain and even improve the quality of life for the residents of Eldridge. But, there is one such project that the Wiese’s had nothing to do with. Almost three years ago, Park Board Chairman Scott Campbell, City Administrator John Dowd, and then Mayor Brad Noel had a vision of a downtown park in Eldridge. When a vacant lot at the corner of North Second and Davenport Streets became available, they took action and planning for the new park began. When it was time to come up with a name for this green space in the “Hometown with a Vision”, the Eldridge Park and Recreation Board and the City Council approved the name “ Wiese Park” with a unanimous vote. There are many families in Eldridge whose lineage goes back to those first settlers from Germany. Bob and Lu Wiese are just two of the residents of this fair city that give of themselves for the greater good of all. When the citizens of Eldridge chose to honor one of their own, they chose a family that exemplifies that vision of community fellowship and service to others. Bob Wiese is currently receiving restorative care at Davenport Lutheran Home. He and Lu are here, together most every day. Bob’s sense of humor and quick wit has made him a favorite among staff and residents alike. He is described by everyone as a very nice gentleman and one who has good stories to tell. Ask him to tell you about his home town.

The Color Edition

The February issue of the IDE TODAY is off to the printers and should appear in the congregation mid-month. The color edition is available for viewing and downloading at https://sites.google.com/site/idetoday/feb-2012.
Thank you everyone who contributed to this issue.

College Hill Lutheran Church in Cedar Falls

Christmas Caroling.

College Hill Lutheran Church In Cedar Falls

On the weekend of January 14, College Hill Lutheran Church and Brammer Student Center hosted the annual High School Weekend. High School students from around the state came and interacted with University of Northern Iowa students. They participated in ice breaking activities (Picture One) before going on a campus-wide scavenger hunt. Afterwards, the returned to the church to listen to Pastor Wegener expound upon the differences between High School and College Life (Picture Two). Next on the agenda was a wild night at the WRC, or Wellness and Recreation Center, on the UNI campus. Students played basketball, climbed the rock wall, and played volleyball (Picture Three). The weekend ended with bible study, divine service, and a wonderful potluck courtesy of the members of CHLC on Sunday morning. This weekend allowed High School students to experience a slice of college life and make connections to college students; it is a yearly event enjoyed by all who participate.

Rev. Dr. Dean Rothchild's Article For The Feb. 2012 Issue

How Bad Is It?

   The other morning my wife received a text message at 6:00am which indicated that her school had been delayed for two hours.  No reason was given but it was weather related. About 90 minutes later she received another message that school had been canceled for the day.  As I drove to work a little later I did notice that the roads were a little icy but I did not think that they were that bad.

   Isn’t that the way it is with so many things in life?  We see them from our own point of view.  We look at a situation based upon our own standards of what is good or bad.  When the weather is bad in the winter and the roads are icy, snow covered and the wind is blowing that is not good.  School administrators have criteria that they use when delaying or canceling school for the day.

    Don’t we often fall prey to viewing the Law of God in much the same way when it speaks to our sins?  It is easy to say, “Well, it’s not really too bad.”  “It doesn’t harm anyone.”  “It’s only a little blemish and can be cleaned up.”  Unfortunately, that is how our old sinful Adam operates.  We are great at “rationalizing” our sins away.

   Just how bad is the situation regarding sin?  We know that God’s criterion has not changed.  Sin is sin and it needs to be repented of.  Paul said: “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.  For the wages of sin is death.”  Romans 3:23 & 6:23a.

That sounds real bad and that we need someone to cancel things out for us.

   That is not something that we could do for ourselves but it would have to be heaven sent.  That came in the person of the Son of God, Jesus Christ.  The words of John the Baptist come to mind: “Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.”  John 1:29.  Following His baptism, Jesus was led into the wilderness as the Lamb of God already bearing our sins.  In the wilderness Jesus was tempted and He overcame temptation earned our salvation. 

    Paul would later write of Jesus: “He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” II Corinthians 5:21.

Upon the cross Jesus would suffer the pain and the agony of a sinner deserving of death.  There He would give up His perfect life in place of our lives which we think are “not too bad” from our perspective. 

   Jesus’ blood would flow as the cleansing we needed for our sins.  Paul wrote: “In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace, which He lavished upon us.”  Ephesians 1:7-8a.  Peter states: “Knowing that you were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers, but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ.”  I Peter 1:18-19.

   Jesus dies on the cross the death we deserved and He rises in victory on Easter Sunday.  That victory has become ours in our Baptism.  How bad is it?  What was a really bad scenario has been changed to good by God’s love and mercy in Christ Jesus. Thanks be to God that our status now says we are forgiven and redeemed!

District President Saunder's Article For The February 2012 Issue

President's Piece for Peace

            This is the second issue of a four part series assisting congregations in their duty to do its share that the Church in general may be established and promoted. I am taking these portions from Walthers book "The Form of a Christian Congregation." He quotes one of his favorite theologians by the name of Dannhauer concerning the congregations responsibility in confessing the Faith in their community.

            The first responsibility was for the membership to live a life that exemplifies the goodness bestowed on them by Christ the Lord. When an exemplary life is noticed by your neighbor he then contends that the congregation must extend the written Word. Dannhauer puts it this way,

"If this first call has entered the minds and has been heard by the people, we must try another, namely, the written Word. It pays to try out on the armies of Satan this powerful strategy. Though they may be so firmly fortified that nothing may appear more strongly established, they can never close the access to God's elect from heaven above through letters flying to them from the outside; for they are carried on wings printed on paper with metal- these substitutes for the feet of the apostles. I mean the publications which carry abroad the Gospel, proclaim divine grace, announce glad tidings, and lovingly tell us that the clouds have been swept from the skies and the sun has been restored. I am sure you notice what I have in mind. It is my desire that for the awakening of the hearts the Biblical letters, penned by Almighty God for the whole human race, should be brought everywhere, either secretly or publicly, in vessels of papyrus in order that the kingdom of Christ might be spread far and abroad."

            While Dannhauer and Walther place emphasis on the Christ-like life, they both say it is no replacement for the Gospel. St. Paul says he "is not ashamed of the Gospel for it is the power of God unto salvation for all who believe it." The Word of God is a living Word that cuts deeper than a two edged sword. It identifies the embarrassing sins that plague your neighbor. At the same time it shows them Christ who has made atonement for them and redeemed them from sin and death. The Word not only shows this truth but also has the power to create faith that believes it.

            It is good for a congregation to get the written Word into every members hands beginning with very young. Read the Word to them and hear them read the Word to you. Teach them to read the Word to their neighbor. When reading it, they could give a bible to their neighbor and encourage them to continue to swim in the refreshing waters of life and salvation. The efforts a congregation makes to place the written Word in the hands of their members, then from the membership into the hands of their neighbors is never without fruit in the kingdom of God.

Grace Lutheran Church in DeWitt

On December 18, the members of Grace Lutheran Church held their 4th German Language Christmas Service.  Over 120 people came from all over the area and enjoyed the authentic ethnic experience; honoring the Schleswig Holstein Heritage Society Chorus of Davenport, under the direction of Herr Henry Storjohann.  The guest preacher is Rev. Dr. Jason Soenksen, Associate Professor of Theology at Concordia University Wisconsin in Mequon.  Dr. Soenksen grew up in DeWitt as a member of Grace.   Afterwards fellowship was shared with wonderful German treats and continued with more great German Christmas music.

IDE Lithuania Project

Moving Toward Completion of the Project in Palanga, Lithuania

    The project that LCMS Human Care and Iowa District East embarked upon back in 2003 is nearing completion.  As you can see from some of the photos, the remaining work on the interior is nearing completion.  With a $200,000 gift from Human Care, the project will be completed in 2012.  We are hoping to have the dedication in July of this year.

   We also have two smaller related projects which deal with providing furnishings for the facility.  There are ten sleeping rooms which need to be furnished at a cost of $800 per room.  4 of these rooms are already paid for, so six rooms are available to furnish.  The other related project is to provide the tables and chairs for the meeting room area.  The cost of that project totals $6,200.  If you wish to contribute to either of these projects, make your check payable to: Iowa District East.  Please note in the memo line that this is for room furnishings and send it to Iowa District East, 1100 Blairs Ferry Road, Marion, IA 52302.  If you desire more information please contact Dr. Dean Rothchild at deanrothchild@lcmside.org or 319-373-2112.