IDE Early Childhood Conference

We almost did not have our District early Childhood Conference because of a snowstorm.  However, 55 preschool directors, teachers, and staff were able to make to Zion, Hiawatha on Saturday, February 21. Pastor Daird Korth the Assistant to the President for preschools began the day with devotions and observations concerning early childhood education in the LC-MS. Our keynote speaker was Rachel Bausch. She is currently the Early Childhood Director as well as part-time Jr. Kindergarten teacher at St. John Lutheran School in Ellisville, MO. Rachel has presented at workshops in the Nebraska, Illinois, Indiana, and Missouri Districts and at Concordia University in Seward, NE. She currently teaches workshops at Early Childhood centers throughout the St. Louis area and instructs Early Childhood education classes through the Community College. She is also the writer for the LCMS Early Childhood Devotions publication. Her theme was “Trash Transformed into Treasures.” The attendees were moved by Rachel’s first presentation, “Treasures of the Heart”, where she urged them to get rid of the trash that interferes with their ministry. In the afternoon, Rachel gave practical advice for the classroom.  Our second presenter was Teri Stuckey, "Music Together" instructor from the Cedar Rapids Symphony School. She involved the group in interactive music, rhythm and movement activities as she shared ideas on how to integrate music into the curriculum. As part of her presentation, Teri also included some of her favorite Bible songs and thematic ideas that she has used with preschoolers in the past. Mary Becker presented “Today’s Kindergarten - Skipping into the 21st Century.” She has taught at Trinity Lutheran School, Cedar Rapids since l982. The participants gave many positive evaluations of the day’s events. The event ended with the presentation of the Early Childhood Educator of the Year to Becky McKinney. Becky is the preschool teacher at Central Lutheran School in Newhall. A special thanks is due to Peggy Seeber, our District Early Childhood Consultant and her staff at Little Lambs Christian Preschool for all the work they did to make it an enjoyable experience.

Immanuel Lutheran Church in Charlotte

The Rev. Terrance Ellis has served as Pastor of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Charlotte for 20 years. Pastor Ellis was surprised on Sunday January 18  by the Sunday School children with cards, gifts and banners. After the morning worship service Pastor was presented with a new Pastoral robe and his wife Sandy received a bouquet of flowers. The Rev. was installed at Immanuel on January 15, 1989. 

Bethany Lutheran Church in Cedar Rapids

The annual Epiphany Concert at Bethany Lutheran Church in Cedar Rapids, Iowa took place on Sunday, January 4, 2009.  Invitations were sent out to the area and we were pleased to embrace 8 different churches that joined us in a community choir.  This was a rare opportunity to nurture and enrich our community in a large choir setting. 

 Many talented individuals came together to share their God given talents with our community, including a 40 member choir, a professional brass quintet, liturgical artists and dancers, and several soloists.  There were 250 people in attendance for the concert entitled “Father Of Light” and a soup supper was provided after the concert.  With the help of Thrivent, a freewill offering was collected and totaled $7,617.  All proceeds raised were donated to the Muhlbach family to defray the cost of medical bills as they recently lost their son to cancer.  

 Steven Moore, Minister of Music, lead the choir in heartwarming music to celebrate the Epiphany season.  It was an inspirational event to reflect on the meaning of Epiphany through a spirited blend of Word, art, dance, prayer and music.

 Linda Patten

Bethany Lutheran Church

Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Brammer Student Center in Cedar Falls

ANNUAL HIGH SCHOOL WEEKEND AT CHLC/BSC

 

Lutheran Student Fellowship at Brammer Student Center, College Hill Lutheran Church, and Cedar Falls hosted its annual high school weekend in January welcoming fifteen students and counselors from three congregations.

The students arrived Saturday and after a tour of the site enjoyed getting acquainted, playing game challenges and Bible study. Pastor John Wegener created a “Law or Gospel” question and answer game to be handled by respective teams. As an aside, Pastor posed the same set of questions to the Adult Bible Class and the participants there were equally challenged for responses.

The high school students and their seventeen LSF hosts and hostesses toured the campus, enjoying a bit of the UNI Women’s Basket Ball game at McCloud Center while doing so.

After dinner and more Bible Study challenges, the students went over to the Health and Wellness Center which was reserved for their exclusive use: swimming pool, ball courts, and climbing wall.

None of the students will admit as to the number of hours slept that night; but they were up and ready for Bible Study the next morning. Following worship service, the students were guests at the monthly potluck hosted by the congregation members.

It is hoped many will choose to attend UNI and be active with their LCMS campus ministry, College Hill Lutheran Church and Brammer Student Center.

Camp IO-DIS-E-CA

Slushball!

With temperatures approaching 60 degrees, the planned Broomball game for the IDE Jr High Youth Retreat turned into Slushball. Pastor Stephen Henderson, Risen Christ, Davenport led the participants in a lively study about the nature and work of Jesus Christ. Camp Io-Dis-E-Ca Program Director, Daniel Sanchez served as pizza chef and host for the event. A fantastic time was had by all as friendships were renewed and new friendships created. Retreat participants are already looking forward to next year's event and wishing there were more events like these each year.

"Forgiven."

Camp Io-Dis-E-Ca is accepting registrations now for their summer programs under the theme "Forgiven." Horse Camp, Wilderness Camp, Sports Camp, Adventure Camp, the Canoe Trip and Bike Trip are some of the specialty camps offered in addition to the regular age-based camps: Explorer, Discovery, Pathfinder, and Trailblazer. Registrations received prior to April 20 qualify for a $10 "Early Bird" registration discount. Campers have an opportunity to climb the 37' climbing tower, canoe, hike, swim, frolic on the 70 foot long slip and slide, play a life-sized game of Foosball, learn to shoot a bow and arrow or air rifle, ride a horse, and much more. New this summer is an exciting crafts program under the guidance of a dedicated Craft Director. Bible studies will be led by a summer vicar and focus upon the forgiveness we receive in Jesus Christ. Campers will hear the comforting news that forgiveness does not depend on our works or attitudes, but solely upon Jesus Christ and his works, his 
attitudes, his life, death, and resurrection for us and delivered through His chosen means. Campers may chose their cabin mates, too. 
Register today online at www.campiodiseca.org or call 319.848.4187 to receive a brochure.

Rev. Dr. Dean Rothchild's March Article

Privileged to be of Service

Webster’s dictionary offers a couple of interesting definitions for the word privilege: “a right or immunity granted as a peculiar benefit, advantage or favor,” “prerogative; esp: such a right to immunity attached specifically to a position or an office.” To summarize, privilege is that which is granted and is often tied to a particular position or office. To serve in the Pastoral Ministry is certainly a privilege. What a great joy a Pastor has in bringing forgiveness of sins, life, and salvation to God’s people through Word and Sacrament!

    Our Lutheran school teachers and our principals are called to serve in our schools. Other commissioned workers, DCEs, deaconesses, DCOs, etc. are called to serve in the ministry of a particular congregation. Teacher’s have the privilege to serve those children entrusted to them in their classrooms where God’s Word can be applied through a proper division of Law and Gospel.

    I have had the privilege to serve the congregations in Iowa District East in my present position for almost seven years.  That service has come in a variety of ways: Stewardship, conflict resolution, congregational self-evaluations, planning models, Witness Workshops, preaching and conducting services, and leading Bible class when asked. Time has flown by. When our family arrived here, we had two children in the nest, and now my wife and I are empty nesters. Our youngest is a freshman in college.

    When I think of service I can think of no better model than that of Christ Jesus. 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.”  As much as we would like to think that our service is meaningful, it is still tainted by our sin. We cannot and do not do things perfectly.

    Our comfort comes in the fact that Jesus has fulfilled all things for us. He has done all service completely and perfectly. He has gone to the cross with not only our imperfections and sins, but the guilt which that sin brings. In giving up His perfect life and shedding His holy and precious blood, He has earned forgiveness of sins for all people. That is service. Jesus continues to serve His Church by bringing His gifts of forgiveness of sins, life, and salvation to His people through His Word and Sacraments. What wonderful service Christ continues to render to His Church!

    I thank you that by God’s grace I have been privileged to be of service to you and will continue to serve you because I have been sacrificially served by Christ Jesus!

Central Lutheran School

When she pulled up to the school and saw the message, “Happy Birthday Mrs. D” written in the snow in blue spray paint, Principal Jan Doellinger knew it would be a day full of surprises, but she had no idea what staff and students at Central Lutheran School-Newhall had in store for her.

After Principal Doellinger finished reciting morning announcements in the gym Friday, Jan. 30, the staff filed in singing Happy Birthday and wearing the uniform of the day, a white T-shirt with a picture of Mrs. Doellinger from her teen years, complete with cat-eye glasses studded with rhinestones.    After the school day was underway, each class took its cue from the overhead PA system.  When they heard the tune “Happy Birthday,” the classes each took turns strolling through Mrs. D’s office with each student depositing a piece of chocolate onto her desk.  (Besides ice cream, chocolate is one of Mrs. D’s favorite things.)    

It all led up to the finale…a lunch that Doellinger will not soon forget.  When she walked into the cafeteria, she did so to the Happy Birthday song being pounded out on the piano, serenaded by the CLS student body, past and present.    

Benton Community Choir Director John Hayden, whose children attend CLS, put together a choir of CLS alumni who came back for lunch on this special day and sang a few original songs written by Mr. Hayden.  The humorous lyrics incorporated some of Mrs. D’s favorite and not-so-favorite things.    

Special surprise guests seated at the head table were Doellinger’s parents Ioleta and Gil Schanbacher and husband Rev. Jerry Doellinger.  The school cooks baked cake for the entire student body while parents and staff scooped ice cream.

IDE Convention Nomination Announcment - Updated

The following are the congregational nominations listed according to the number of nominations received.

The following are the congregational nominations listed according to the number of nominations received.

District President: 26 Brian Saunders, Matthew Reuger; 22 Dean Rothchild; 8 Timothy Zimmermann; 4 Dan Krueger; 3 Keith Piotter, Steven Rempfer; 2 Gary Sears, Terry Small, David Rempfer; 1 Jerry Doellinger, Mark Halvorson, Kristian Kincaid, Daniel S. Johnson, Donald Loesch, Randy McHone, David Splett.

First Vice President: 30 Matthew Reuger; 26 Brian Saunders; 7 Dan Krueger; 6 Michael Knox, Steven Rempfer; 4 Max Mons; 3 Jerry Doellinger; 2 Daniel S. Johnson, Keith Piotter, Joe Polzin, Dean Rothchild, Timothy Zimmermann; 1 Mark Halvorson, Kurt Larson, Mark Leckband, Terry Small, Michael Vokt, David
Weber.

Second Vice President: 20 Brian Saunders; 17 Michael Knox; 8 Matthew Reuger; 5 Daniel S. Johnson, Daniel Krueger, Steven Rempfer; 4 Michael Scudder; 3 Daird Korth; 2 Paul Beisel, Kurt Larson, Randy McHone, Doug Morton, Keith Piotter, Dean Rothchild, Victor Young, Bruce Zimmermann; 1 Karl Bollhagen, Dean Duncan, James Eggert, Terry Ellis, Larry Feldt, Clarke Frederick, Mark Halvorson, Bruce Kaltwasser, Donald Loesch, Max Mons, Tim Zimmermann.

Respectfully submitted,

Dean Duncan
IDE Secretary

Rev. Dean Duncan
Pastor, First Lutheran Church LCMS
Belle Plaine, IA 52208
flc@netins.net
(319) 444-2849 (office)
(319) 521-2596 (home)

IDE Teachers

Yearly there are opportunities for the teachers of Iowa Lutheran Schools to grow professionally. Many teachers take time during the summer to attend classes and some may take classes during the school year to gain credit toward a master’s degree or licensure.

The Lutheran Schools of Iowa also organize a gathering to assist Lutheran School teachers to grow as Lutheran educators. This past October Lutheran teachers from both Iowa District East and West gathered for their 2008 conference. The theme for this conference was “Renewed” with the keynote speaker Dr. Bev Yahnke, Executive Director of DOXOLOGY: The Lutheran Center for Spiritual Care and Counsel.

Other sectional leaders included Jon Laabs of Lutheran Education Association, Wanda Pritzel of Lutheran Family Services of Iowa, Kurt Burgdolt of Concordia University, NE, and Jane Buerger of Concordia University, Chicago.

This year’s conference was held at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Urbandale. Their facilities accommodated the needs of the conference and their staff and volunteers made for a very positive experience.

The conference is also time to award the Educator of the Year. This award is based on nominations received by the Schools Committee of the Iowa District East. Each year an educator in the district is nominated by a peer or by parent. This year’s award went to Denise Block who teaches at Central Lutheran in Newhall.

Also recognized were teachers who achieved a milestone in their teaching careers. This year Marilyn Fahrmann of St. Paul Lutheran School in Latimer and Richard Holste of Immanuel Lutheran School in Waterloo were recognized for 25 years of teaching.

Who puts a gathering like this together? This years Conference Committee was Barb Buescher, Immanuel, Waterloo, Chairperson; Jessica Gavrun, Immaneul, Waterloo; Secretary, Amy Schroeder, Trinity, Boone; Jonathan Danek, Zion, Denison; Amy Koenig, Trinity, Davenport. Serving as “Advisors” were Rev. Bob Riggert, Iowa District West, and Rev. Wayne Woolery, Iowa District East.

When is the next Iowa Lutheran Teachers Conference? October 22-23, 2009. The new committee is already at work to make this conference another professional experience for the Lutheran teachers of Iowa.

IDE LWML

Mark Eischer, announcer and producer of The Lutheran Hour program, has accepted our invitation to speak at our 66th International Lutheran Laymen’s League 2009 Iowa District East Convention this spring. Mark’s presentation is entitled “Behind the Scenes at the Lutheran Hour.” He will explain how the program is put together each week and recount some of the experiences they have had.

If you have been a supporter of the Lutheran Hour through the years, here is an opportunity to speak to a man who understands the very ‘heartbeat’ of the Lutheran Hour as he has been associated with the behind the scenes activities for many years. This year the convention will be at Zion Lutheran Church, in Hiawatha, rather than at the IO-DIS-E-Ca camp. We are experimenting with using a church site this year. We will evaluate the effect this has on attendance.

The convention date will be Saturday, April 18, 2009. Activities begin with registration at 9:00 A.M. and conclude with the evening banquet at 5:00 P.M.

We will have meals as in the past and the cost will be $20 per person for the entire event. The address for Zion Lutheran Church is: 201 First Avenue Hiawatha, IA 52233. First Avenue is just a few blocks east of the intersection of Blairs Ferry Road and I-380.

You are encouraged to pre-register by sending a check to Kay Lenaburg. His address is: Mr. Kay Lenaburg 5101 Rich Mar Lane NW Cedar Rapids, IA 52405-4115 Make checks payable to IDE LLL Zone 4 We will share more information when we receive it and in the meantime you may also try this blog site to find more information on the convention and some facts about many other League programs. http://idelutheranlaymensleague.blogspot.com/.

You may e-mail rahoelz@imonmail.com or Terrajohn1@msn.com

IDE District President Gary Arp's January Newletter Article

To the Saints of Iowa District East

I hope you had a safe and joyous celebration of the Savior’s birth. And I pray that 2009 will be a year filled with blessings. Of course our Heavenly Father has guaranteed the greatest blessing for 2009 and for all eternity by sending His dear Son to save us from what we deserve and to receive what we have not earned!

The past year certainly presented some challenges for many in Iowa District East. Not the least of which was the record flood of 2008 and the tornado that ripped through several communities. And, of course, there is good reason to lament the religious and moral decay in our country. A few weeks ago as I listened to a presentation by a right to life group I was reminded of a quotation I heard recently: “...Apostasy from the gospel [in Protestant churches] is so general, that even secular papers in recent years have pointed out that from pulpits Christ the crucified is no longer preached, and instead morality and politics are proclaimed... Furthermore, in recent decades the number of children, particularly among the American born population, has taken a dive. The chief cause is that hundreds of thousands of American women consistently murder their unborn children, with and without the consent of their husbands.* (Who Said This? See answer below)

King Solomon said it well, “What has been is what will be, and what has been done is what will be done, and there is nothing new under the sun.” (Eccl. 1:9) Such events as the brutal murder of the TV newswomen in St. Louis, the murder of a young child, apparently by his mother, and abortion ought to shock us! However, it ought not surprise us! There is no limit to what our old sinful nature is capable of doing if it is unchecked either by the fear of punishment under the Law or redeemed by the blood of Christ.

A Thank You:

As we bid farewell to the old year and ring in the new I wish to extend a public thank you to the IDE office staff – Rosanne Mashek, Pam Krog, Sherry Brendes, my trusty assistant, Dr. Dean Rothchild, all of the faithful people who continue to work with the flood recovery, especially Crysten Sanchez and Kris Ruprecht who have joined our office staff on a part-time basis to coordinate the flood relief efforts.

Special thanks to Rev. Matthew Harrison, executive director of LCMS Human Care, and his faithful staff for the wonderful support they have given to the flood recovery work. Thank you also to all of God’s people who have contributed so generously.

Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever! (Psalm 107:1)


*From an article by Franz Pieper in Der Lutheraner following the assassination of President William McKinley September 1901. (Translation by Rev. Matthew C. Harrison, Executive Director of LCMS Human Care.)

Rev. Dr. Dean Rothchild's January Newsletter Article

Your Resolutions or God’s Resolve

2009 is now upon us. What will this year bring? Did you make any New Year’s Resolutions? Many people engage in that practice. Maybe this is the year that you will finally kick the smoking habit. Maybe you are going to resolve to eat less, exercise more, and lose weight. You will try to spend more time with your spouse and your children as that is part of your vocation as husband and wife and father and mother. Could this be the year that you make the resolve of “being in the Word” daily? Whatever the case may be, some of these resolves will be met while others will leave us seeming like a failure.

Long ago, Adam and Eve had made a resolve of their own, and they ended up disobeying God. The fruit was eaten and the blame game began to be played. Doesn’t that sound similar, we might admit to doing something wrong, but there was always a reason.

After God confronted Adam and Eve, He resolved to do the following: “And I will put enmity Between you and the woman, And between your seed and her seed; He shall bruise you on the head, And you shall bruise him on the heel.” Genesis 3:15. God’s resolve dealt with what Adam and Even needed, namely the forgiveness of their sins. That resolve also included you and me and all people.

God continued to unwrap that resolve in terms of how it would come about and what it would mean. We read in Isaiah 43:25, “I, even I, am the one who wipes out your transgressions for My own sake; And I will not remember your sins.” In Isaiah 44:22 we are told: “I have wiped out your transgressions like a thick cloud, And your sins like a heavy mist. Return to Me, for I have redeemed you.” What wonderful Gospel we have proclaimed to us as God is “running the verbs.” He is coming to us and resolving to do that which only He can do.

The angel told Joseph, “And she will bear and Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for it is He who will save His people from their sins.” Matthew 1:21. God’s resolve was brought to completion through the suffering, death, and resurrection of Christ Jesus. The resolve of God was applied to us in the waters of Holy Baptism. St. Paul says: “For if we have become united with Him in the likeness of His death, certainly we shall also be in the likeness of His resurrection.” Romans 6:5. May God boldly use each of us in 2009 to be “Heralds” of God’s resolve in and through His Son, Christ Jesus our Savior.

Messiah Lutheran Church in Mason City

Founded only 15 years ago, Messiah Lutheran has already reached a significant milestone in its history. On Sunday October 26th, Messiah held a special service to commemorate the burning of the mortgage. This followed a 10 month intensive effort to raise the funds to pay off the debt. This last Sunday in October was chosen because not only was it Reformation Sunday, but it was also the 15th anniversary of the founding of the congregation.

The service was conducted by Pastor Bruce Kaltwasser, Rev. Dr. Dean Rothchild delivered a special sermon, and over 100 people attended. Former members from across the Midwest joined members and other special guests, including many Laborers for Christ that helped to build the building.

Following the service, a meal was served and a slide show of the church’s history was shown allowing everyone to think of how far the church and its members have changed over the years. Many people were able to get caught up with members of their church family that have played such an important role in the history of Messiah.

Messiah has been served by a vacancy Pastor from area congregations since it was founded. Now that the congregation is free from debt, members are setting their eyes on a new goal. That goal is to call their own Pastor who will be able to help them spread the Word of God to the surrounding communities.