St. John's Lutheran Church in Keystone

Meeting every Thursday, starting in January, The Piece Sewers/The Peace Sowers of St. John's in Keystone gather to quilt for others. Eighty-five quilts were produced this year benefiting Lutheran World Relief, the Willis Dady Home, the Madge Phillips Home, local fundraisers, the Ft. Wayne Seminary, and Camp IO-DIS-E-CA. Made from donated material, once completed, the quilts are displayed in St. John's sanctuary and narthex for a Sunday.

Susan Albers, Karla Albertsen, Maxine Walters, Janice Pohlmann, Darlene Harder
Lois Schlotterback, Alice Junge, Joanne Seeck, Yvonne Kuch

St. Stephan's Lutheran Church in Atkins

Making a public profession of faith and a lifelong pledge of fidelity to Christ in the Rite of Confirmation on Palm Sunday, March 24th were: Darci Lange, Luke Peterson and Carl Gerhold. They are pictured with Pastor Doug Woltemath.IDE

St. John Lutheran Church in Keystone

Four young adults confirmed their faith at on Sunday, May 5th with Rev. B. Andrew Wright officiating. They are: Cameron Clemann, Grant Franzenburg, Pastor Wright, Taylor McManemy and Luke Hermsen. IDE

Bethany Lutheran Church in Cedar Rapids

The National Day of Prayer at Bethany Lutheran, CR

All 50 Governors and the President of the United States proclaimed the 62nd annual National Day of Prayer as millions of Americans gathered from coast to coast in solemn assembly. It was the single, largest mobilized effort to prayer in the history of our nation with more than 42,000 events taking place at courthouse steps, parks, offices, government buildings, churches and homes symbolizing a single prayer – one voice – one cry – for such a time as this. It was, perhaps, the fulfillment of the vision of President John Adams, who wrote on June 17, 1775, “We have appointed a Continental fast. Millions will be upon their knees at once before their great Creator, imploring his forgiveness and blessing; his smiles on American councils and arms.” (from www.nationaldayofprayer.org)

Bethany Lutheran Church (Cedar Rapids) hosted one of the 42,000 events on May 2, 2013. The congregations of Cedar Rapids North and South Circuits were invited to attend this event and asked to submit names of members of the armed forces and emergency responders from their congregation to be prayed for that day. Personal invitations to this service were sent to President Obama, Vice-President Biden, Governor Branstad, and local government officials, although most were unable to attend. The Sunday School children at Bethany, however, helped promote this event by using their artistic chalking abilities on the sidewalks and driveways near Bethany on the Sunday prior to the National Day of Prayer. “Pray on May 2”, “National Day of Prayer”, “Pray” were among the many colorful statements chalked.

On May 2 Bethany’s sanctuary was open for prayer during the day, with 11 people taking advantage to pray in the Lord’s house. A live webcast from the Washington DC, National Day of Prayer event was played in the Living Room with 5 watching at various times during the morning

The highlight of the day at Bethany however, was the Service of Prayer and Preaching with LCMS Iowa District East President Rev. Dr. Brian Saunders as our guest preacher. During the sermon based on II Kings 19:5-19, President Saunders reminded those gathered of the importance of lifting up our nation in prayer to the One True God, who alone can hear and answer them. A special choir, led by Mrs. Carolyn Sternowski, complimented the theme for the day by performing two musical selections. An offering was also taken for the LCMS Ministry to the Armed Forces, with $560 being collected to train military chaplains and provide much needed supplies. Rev. David Miller, Trinity (Cedar Rapids); Rev. Dr. Randy Nord, Bethany (Cedar Rapids); and Rev. Mike Erickson, Bethany (Cedar Rapids) were among the others who helped lead worship for the almost 100 people in attendance. And of course, the fellowship time following the service was enjoyed by all!

Plan to join us on Thursday, May 1, 2014 for the 63rd annual National Day of Prayer.

IDE Spring Conference

St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Marion hosted the 2013 Spring Worker's Conference on April 15-16. The topic was "Fight The Good Fight," presented by Rev. Ed Keinath of Ambassadors of Reconciliation with contributions by District President Saunders.

 Rev. Greg Williamson

 Rev. Dr. Dean Rothchild

 Rev. Ed Keinath

 Rev. Dr. Brian Saunders

Trinity Lutheran Church in Clinton

Trinity Lutheran Church in Clinton celebrated their 80th Anniversary, April 21, 2013 with the following pastors attending:

back row left to right: Rev. Clarence Pannier, Rev. Paul Goddard, Dr. Lester Schmitt
front roow left to right: Rev. John Preus, Rev. Gilbert Meseke, Rev. Eugene Rall

Trinity Lutheran Church in Clinton celebrated 80 years of grace. All pastors and previous members were sent invitation to help celebrate the day. All members and guests were presented a historical booklet with photos and memories. Ladies Aid also celebrated 80 years and Eventide celebrated 60 years with 175 parishioners enjoying a noon meal followed by an afternoon program led by Dr. Dale G. Wulf. Pastor John Preus led us in prayer with Pastor Gilbert Meseke and Dr. Lester Schmitt sharing many wonderful memories. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed a wonderful day.

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

All has been done for you!

The above statement should shape our lives as Christians. It also should illicit some questions from us. For example: What does that mean for me? How does that statement impact my life in terms of service to my neighbor? How can I best serve my neighbor through my various daily vocations?

In reality there are times when we simply look upon other people in light of the question, “What can they do for me?” What do they have which can enhance my life? When those attitudes and actions persist we end up using other people. To do so, is to sin. Sin is always something which God calls us to repent of; in fact as we live from our baptism we find that repentance is a daily activity in the life of the believer.

The reality is that we are saints and sinner at the same time. Paul says: “Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old things have passed away; behold, new things have come.” II Cor. 5:17. We rejoice that in Christ Jesus we have become new creations. Jesus actions for us help shape that life as a new creation. Jesus said: “Just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” Matt. 20:28. He also states: “For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.” Luke 19:10.

Christ Jesus served humanity through His perfect life of obedience and service and by His all-atoning bloody death upon the cross for the sins of all people. His victorious resurrection was bestowed upon us in the water and Word of Holy Baptism. Our lives are now directed to serving our neighbor as he or she is the one who needs our good works, not God!

Luther wrote: “The noblest and greatest work and the most important service we can perform for God on earth is bringing other people, and especially those who are entrusted to us, to the knowledge of God by the holy Gospel.”[1] What a wonderful opportunity for parents to teach their children and to bring them to the Divine Service where that Gospel is proclaimed in its truth and purity.

One other quote from Luther is pertinent to our lives as well. Luther wrote: “The greatest of all services is to free him [my fellow man] from sins, to liberate him from the devil and hell. But how is this done? Through the Gospel, by preaching it to him and telling him that he should cling to the works of Christ and firmly believe that Christ’s righteousness is his and his sins are Christ’s. This, I say, is the greatest service I can render to my fellow men. On the other hand, blessed be the life in which a man does not life for, and serve, himself but his fellow man.”[2]

All of that flows for us as a result of having received the forgiveness of sins and newness of life in Christ Jesus. Our lives are freed for service and to show mercy to our neighbor because “all has been done for us!”


[1] What Luther Says, Ewald M. Plass, (Concordia: St. Louis, 1959), Vol. II, p. 958.
[2] What Luther Says, Vol. III, p. 1282.

IDE Capital Campaign

CAPITAL CAMPAIGN

approved on 6/29/12 by Iowa District East in Convention.

·        Each congregation has received a DVD and a congregational commitment form.  The DVD can be shown at Church Council, Voter’s meeting and other venues as appropriate.  The form is for a congregational intent for the Capital Campaign.

·        Pastors will be contacted by phone for potential names of  those

saints in Christ Jesus who may wish to make an individual gift.

·        Dr. Rothchild will send a letter of introduction to potential donors and will follow-up with a phone call to schedule a personal visit.

·        Dr. Rothchild will show the DVD and share other information at the time of his visit and the saints will be given a donor form to complete as they deem appropriate.

Update:                Gifts received to date:  $148,027.50

                             Gifts promised in next 1-5 years:  $38,200

TOTAL TO DATE through 4-29-13:                $186,227.50

For further information, please contact Rev. Dr. Dean F. Rothchild at 319-373-2112 or deanrothchild@lcmside.org

Early Childhood Conference

We held the District Early Childhood Conference on March 23 at TLC Preschool at Trinity, Vinton. We had 48 registrations representing 15 preschools. Our speaker was Kim Marxhausen. She has taught in LCMS schools for more than 25 years. She currently teaches at the University of Nebraska and at Concordia University Nebraska. She is enrolled in a PhD program in educational psychology at the University of Nebraska, Lincoln.

Kim’s topic was from a presentation entitled “Seeking the Faith Quotient.” In this presentation we explored how teaching the faith to children supports their emotional development which in turn supports their academic development. She told us how emotionalskills are more important to success than intelligence. The presentation showed the relationship between intelligence quotient, emotional quotient, and faith quotient.

A continuing education certificate for 6 contact hours was provided by Concordia University Nebraska. This certificate meets the requirements of both the DHS and the DE.

College Hills Luthean Church in Cedar Falls

On Sunday, April 7th, the college students of College Hill Lutheran Church in Cedar Falls hosted the 2013 Pastor Panel for the Waterloo Circuit. More than 40 people gathered to hear brief presentations from the pastors and to ask their own questions.

Questions were submitted to the college students a month before the panel and were organized into an outline following the structure of Witness, Mercy, and Life Together. Two pastors were assigned to each section and were given 30 minutes between the two of them to answer the submitted questions. The final 30 minutes of the event gave the opportunity for questions from the floor.

Rev. Michael Knox and Rev. Ed Killian gave answers to questions that were under the Witness category. Rev. Randy McHone presented on questions dealing with Mercy. Rev. Larry Feldt and Rev. David Steege responded to questions concerning our Life Together. Rev. John Wegener served as moderator.