Rev. Dean Rothchild, Assistant To The District President

In November, I had the privilege of traveling with a group of 18 people from St. John Lutheran Church in Hubbard to work on the new church building in Palanga, Lithuania. We left on November 12^th and returned on November 19^th.

[See the pictures below.]

The first task was to clean up some of the residual building materials throughout this massive facility. Many buckets of dirt and blocks were gathered and hauled out in a wheelbarrow. After that, several wooden floors were installed in what will be storage areas in the new facility. Some dry wall was hung. Hanging the 4 x 8 foot sheets was rather simple. Installing the metal framing which must be attached to the block walls was quite time consuming. The crew from Hubbard was hard working and dedicated to help get some of the interior work completed.

To date, over $414,000 has been gathered from throughout Iowa District East and other parts of the Synod to help with the construction of the project. Original estimates were in the range of $650,000. With the rise in cost of both labor and materials the project is going to cost closer to $950,000 to get it to the point where it can pass government approval so it can be used.

Pastor Darius Petkunas writes: “We have closed work because we are out of money. The exterior is complete except that some work still needs to be done on the tower. If we receive funds, we can resume in March and hopefully we can have the dedication in the summer time. We would need an additional $170,000 to pay for supplies and labor to meet government approval.”

When I returned I began the process of arranging work crews to donate their time and money to go to Palanga to do further work on the project. That is temporarily on hold due to Laws in Lithuania: Rev. Petkunas writes: “I have just made aware that the laws in Lithuania since the last year have been tightened up. The government now says that tourists cannot work even as volunteers except in emergency situations (natural disasters, etc.). If something was to happen at the site and the government became involved, it could be a problem. If individuals were covered by their own insurance or if there was a blanket policy to cover the group this might work.” He has since written the government officials in Vilnius to get an official ruling about this. That is a Fourth Commandment issue and we must obey the law.

Hopefully this is only a challenge and roadblock which God will help us overcome. As mentioned earlier this is a massive facility which will not only serve the needs of the congregation at Palanga but will be a blessing to the entire Lithuanian Lutheran Church body. I hope that it works out to send other groups on servant events to Palanga. LCMS Human Care and Iowa District East continue to partner in this project and both are committed to seeing it successfully completed.

On a personal note, I was humbled and honored to preach three times on November 18^th. The first two were in unheated churches where you could see your breath. The Lord’s Supper was celebrated at the parish in Priekula. What a privilege it was to kneel beside brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus who have endured much persecution for the Lutheran faith which they confess. Please remember your brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus in Lithuania in your prayers and consider giving a special gift to help bring this project to a God-glorifying completion. You can contact the District Office at 319-373-2112 or email me at deanrothchild@lcmside.org

St. John Lutheran Church in Hubbard

Rev. Dean Rothchild, the Assistant to the IDE District president, preaching in a house church in Lithuania.

Rev. Matthew Rugger and his son working in Lithuania.


In Lithuania, the workers from St. John Lutheran Church.

Rev. Rothchild installing a floor.

The Vinton Lutheran Home

VETERANS OF THE CROSS HONORED

As a culmination to Pastor Appreciation Month (October), the Vinton Lutheran Home sponsored a breakfast for area pastors on November 1. Including several wives, about 24 people were present.

Recognized during the breakfast were two pastors who are residents of the Lutheran Home, and have served God's church for many years.

Rev. Ewald Stuempfig was ordained in July of 1935 and was recognized for 72 years of service. His last calling was as a part-time Chaplain at the Lutheran Home. He held this position until the autumn of 2005.

Rev. Dr. John Zimmermann was ordained October 31, 1937 and was recognized for 70 years of service. He was President of Iowa District East from 1970 to 1982. He then assisted at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Eldora for a number of years.

Also thanked for their faithful love and support through the years were their wives, Ruth Stuempfig and MaeEtta Zimmermann.

God be praised for the many years of ministry these men and their wives gave to His church! May He continue to bless these veterans of the cross as they yet serve Him.

Blackhawk Lutherans For Life

Pastor Appreciation

Black Hawk Lutherans For Life appreciates the pastors of Waterloo and Westgate Circuits. They just have trouble finding a time to show them. Last year they hosted a Pastor Appreciation Dinner in October and invited the pastors and their families. Only four pastors could attend. This year another attempt was made to find a Sunday afternoon or evening in October, Pastor Appreciation Month, but again most pastors were busy with other responsibilities.

On November 13 both circuits were meeting for a joint winkle at Faith Lutheran Church in Waterloo. It was decided to meet them where they were already gathered and take dinner to them. With most chapter members working during the day and the president of the chapter in Europe, it was a challenge to coordinate, but the members rose to the occasion.

President, Marcene Niehaus, provided the recipe and a donation to purchase ingredients before leaving on her long-awaited vacation. Vice-president, Nathan Schutt, printed thank you cards and collected gifts from the National LFL to present to the pastors. Treasurer, Kie Maas prepared the hot dish and rolls and gave to Secretary, Karen Freudenberg, who works at Faith and got the job of baking the casserole and preparing things for the Pastors. Anne Dawson made healthy salads and delivered them to Faith. Susan Dawson made delicious fresh apple pies and a cake and delivered them to Immanuel for Kie to take over on her lunch hour.

After the 15 pastors enjoyed their meal and table fellowship, they were presented with the thank you gifts and given the opportunity to order bulletin inserts for Life Sunday. The chapter will purchase 1650 inserts to distribute to the churches. Two of the pastors had already ordered directly from the National office for which we are very grateful. Watch for the inserts, “In the Hand of God” to be in your bulletin on January 20. See how God’s hands are involved in our lives and connect the Trinitarian theology to the life issues.

On the evening of Life Sunday, January 20, Black Hawk LFL will host the Memorial Service for the Pre-born Killed since 1973 at Faith Lutheran Church in Waterloo. Pastor Ed Killian will be the worship leader and all are welcome to attend. If you would like more information on the Memorial Service, contact Black Hawk LFL at 319-231-5711.

St. Paul's Chaple in Iowa City

Feeding the Flock – Literally!

“Lucky Charms.” “Gummy bears.” “Nacho cheese dip right out of the jar.” When the permanent congregation at St. Paul’s Lutheran Chapel learned what they college students were calling dinner during finals week, they knew help was needed – and quickly. A plan was put in place to deliver a homemade meal and special treats to any student who signed up during the Sunday night just before finals week.

At 4:00 P.M. on Sunday, December 16, members of the permanent congregation gathered in the basement of St. Paul’s to assemble the care packages. Each bag contained a homemade main course, salad, a bag of freshly baked Christmas cookies, a bag of candies (including “Smarties,” of course) and silly toys and games for stress relievers. By 5:00 P.M. the volunteers split into groups and spread out over campus, delivering the bags to hungry students. They were greeted with smiles, thanks, and hugs from all the study-weary recipients.

It’s difficult to say who enjoyed the evening more: the students who received the meals or the congregation members who had the fun of making and delivering the care packages. Everyone agreed this was a excellent idea, and plans are in place to make this a regular end of semester event at St. Paul’s.

Grace Lutheran Chirch In DeWitt

The Human Care/Wellness Committee at Grace, DeWitt prepared over 50 Christmas plates to share with elderly, shut-ins, ill members of Grace congregation, and the DeWitt community during the Christmas season. Donations of cookies, sweet breads, candy, fruit and a Christmas devotion were included with the plates. Committee members and volunteers from the congregation filled and wrapped these the special Christmas gifts and delivered them.

St. Paul's Chaple in Iowa City

Reformation 2007

There are many ways to celebrate the Reformation, but at St. Paul’s Lutheran Chapel, we go all out.

Since this is a campus ministry we begin with something which challenges the mind – Reformation Jeopardy! Categories included The Reformation, The Small Catechism, and the Book of Concord to name a few.

After exercising the mind it was time to exercise the body with a few rounds of musical chairs. Around and around we went to hymns of Martin Luther.

Refreshments abounded and what could be more appropriate than a root beer keg?

St. Paul's Chaple in Iowa City

St. Paul’s Lutheran Chapel: College Football Lives Here.

On a crisp November day, flag clad Hawkeye warriors crossed the Willow Creek, to face one another in the college gridiron classic known as Luther Bowl.

This year marked the seventh annual game, which has from its modest beginnings of a back yard football game to the greatest of all college football contests, complete with two officials and no commercial interruptions.

This year’s game was a real slobber-knocker. On both sides of the ball the Big-Uglies made it their business to bring the wood. Each team exploited the other’s defense via trick plays including the Statue of Liberty, the Fumblerooski, and the old “run-two-steps-beyond-the-next-cone-and-I’ll-throw-you-the-ball-play.

At the final gun the score was 35 to 28 and the food was ready. The players, officials and spectators, both of them, hit the training table in preparation for Luther Bowl VIII.

Brammer Student Center in Cedar Falls

LUTHERAN STUDENT FELLOWSHIP

BRAMMER STUDENT CENTER

COLLEGE HILL LUTHERAN CHURCH

What is Lutheran Student Fellowship without service to others and to the congregation?

It is nothing.

The LSF at UNI held its annual decorating afternoon/evening, spending much time and effort to create a worshipful, inviting atmosphere for the holidays. The students decorated Christmas trees for the sanctuary, fellowship hall and their own student lounge. The nativities were placed in the fellowship hall and on the mantel in the greeting area of the church. Tables and window sills were decorated in the fellowship hall and garland was woven on the banisters. What an attractive sight for all of the congregation and students to enjoy.

Service to the congregation also comes from students who graciously agree to teach Sunday School classes and be supportive workers on the Board of Education.

While some are teaching others are driving the van around to the dormitories providing transportation for fellow students from dorms to church and back.

Serving at regular worship services as members of the choir, greeters and ushers are additional activities of service from LSF members to College Hill Lutheran Church.

God provides opportunities for service and LSF members oblige.

Lutheran Student Fellowship at Brammer Student Center in Cedar Falls

LUTHERAN STUDENT FELLOWSHIP

BRAMMER STUDENT CENTER

COLLEGE HILL LUTHERAN CHURCH

What’s Lutheran Student Fellowship without some fun? It’s nothing.

Well, the students at UNI have many ways to make LSF a synonym for fun.

To acknowledge the traditions of Halloween, the students had a costume party and enjoyed carving pumpkins into jack-o-lanterns. As you can see by the photos the results were very creative. There is even a portrait of Luther and another is Luther’s Rose. Games and good food rounded out the evening.

A second time for fun happened on Dec.7^th as the students got together for the annual Christmas party. They baked and frosted Christmas cookies which were enjoyed at the moment and, yet, enough were made to share at the congregation potluck on Sunday and to share a plate with each of the shut-ins of the congregation. A gift exchange, games, and more good food finished the final social event of the semester.

After a well earned holiday away from books, classes and campus the students will return with more plans for a fun fellowship with LSF friends.

College Hills Lutheran Church in Cedar Falls

FIRST TIME QUILTERS

COLLEGE HILL LUTHERAN CHURCH

CEDAR FALLS

Hurray! The ladies of College Hill have followed the tradition of many women of LCMS churches, tying quilts for persons in time of disaster or economic need in the US and abroad.

The photo shows the fifty-plus quilts the ladies prepared under the direction of Ruby Wegener, who did all the piecing of the tops and bottoms of the quilts.

We wonder how many quilts the ladies will tie in 2008. Yes, that’s a challenge, Ladies!

Grace Lutheran Church In DeWitt

Advent and Christmas Luminary at Grace Lutheran, DeWitt.

The annual Grace Lutheran Church, DeWitt, Luminary display is presented on the church lawn during the month of December and through Epiphany. Several lighted displays including the Nativity Scene depicted the story of Jesusbirth. The Wise men appeared on Epiphany, January 6th, bring gifts to the Christ child. This mission project is our witness of the Good News of OurSaviors birth to our church and community.

The IDE Archivist

Archives and Archivists.

What's that?

Why, we all have a bit of it in us. Check your attic, basement, or wherever you keep things from by-gone days. No doubt, you are hanging on to things that served a useful purpose in the past and you're not ready to throw them away. Why, it might even be useful again sometime. It has memories for you. Hopefully, your kids or grandkids will cherish it also because it will remind them of what things were like before they were around.

IDE is one of 35 districts in the LCMS and has used its archives to gather things of historical value about the church in Iowa. IDE has an "attic" [literally] in the headquarters in Cedar Rapids where things of the past are kept. Things which have to do with the life and activity of its congregations down through the years. Things like pictures of IDE churches, congregation histories, and church bulletins of special occasions. Things like IDE Board of Directors minutes, official church seals, Walther League documents, microfilmed church records, and more. Each LCMS district has an appointed archivist to work their archives. IDE is the only district that has an Archives Committee.

I was appointed to the committee three years ago after returning from missionary work in Africa. The IDE Archivist is a volunteer position. IDE pays for supplies, mileage and attending some conferences. In my work, I try to spend every Wednesday at the office in Cedar Rapids sorting through piles of old documents, newly submitted material, and to be around if anyone in IDE wants to make personal contact with the archives. My goal is to make the archives a place where people want to come and do research on things of the past.

The IDE Archives has been around for a very long time. To add to what already exists, I have worked on creating a folder for each of the LCMS congregations that have ever existed in IDE. I am in the process of creating a list of all clergy that have served these congregations. A future project could be to do the same with IDE teachers. I am also working on indexing the obituaries of all the pastors that have served in IDE since day one.

To do that kind of work, it helps to have access to the old records of the LCMS. So I gave myself the task of collecting all of the issues of LCMS periodicals where this information has been recorded. This means that the IDE Archives needs certain back issues of Der Lutheraner, The Lutheran Witness, and The Reporter to complete its collection. If your "attic" has some of resources, would you be willing to donate it to our "attic"? If so, give me a call at (319) 938-2946, or send an e-mail [onamission@lbt.org] to find out just what your IDE Archives needs.

Allen E. Konrad, IDE Archivist

Immanuel Lutheran Church In Grand Mound

The Women of Immanuel Lutheran Church, Grand Mound, held their annual Christmas dinner for members and friends on Wed. Dec. 5th. Dinner was served by the Ladies Aid. Entertainment was provided by the Chamber Singers of Central Comm. High School in De Witt, which has 4 members of Immanuel as members: Danielle Paulsen, Brian Zinda, Karin McCulloh, and Stuart McCulloh. This was the third year for the Christmas dinner, which also included singing and devotions. Two men from the congregation, Ron Fletcher and Mike Selby, assisted in the serving and clean-up.

IDE LLL

YOUTH MINISTRY LEADER TO BE SPEAKER

AT THE 65 th.

ANNUAL INTL. L L L APRIL CONVENTION

Rev. Terry Dittmer will be the main speaker at the 65^th Annual International Lutheran Layman’s League Iowa District East Convention. It will be at Camp Io-Dis-E-Ca On April 19, 2008. Rev. Dittmer is the Director of the Department Of Youth Ministry and is also responsible for administering Lutheran Youth Fellowship for our Lutheran Church Missouri Synod. Terry is also a published author, and he is the composer of many songs and hymns written for our Synodical Youth Gatherings.

The Lutheran Laymen’s League is concerned about identifying, mentoring, and training the future leaders of our LCMS congregations and our League. We would ask all leaders, and Pastors to encourage participation in this event which is designed to serve “all” of Iowa District East in ways that only the Holy Spirit understands at this moment in time.

The stated goal of our Lutheran Laymen’s League when it was formed in 1918 was, to help our LCMS pastors and congregations, welcome others to come and worship with us. It is to this goal that we ask you to help us pass on the up-coming information that will lead to this convention. Please stress the thought of, “sending some of your flock to be in attendance.” We will now have an LCMS Youth and Young Adult Leader from St. Louis to help us understand how to, revitalize our League and keep the LCMS young folks loses to a minimum, by encouraging the young to stay involved by serving there congregations and their congregational peers.

As a parent and grandparent we see our children drift away from steady Sunday attendance, as they begin to enter adult life after their conformation vows. Yes, they do return, however we would like to fill their lost years with mentoring and guidance without extreme judgments. We are hoping this speaker can help our congregations as well as the League to build lasting Christian relationships for our future leaders.

Concordia Lutheran Church in Cedar Rapids

On Sunday, November18, members of Concordia Lutheran Church in Cedar Rapids celebrated the parish's 50th anniversary, ending a year-long observance of the special milestone.

The congregation kicked off the celebration in November 2006 by formally adopting lay missionaries, Jon and Heidi Heisterkamp, who were preparing to leave for Panama in January 2007. The congregation flew the Heisterkamps to Cedar Rapids so members could meet them and learn about their work.

Sponsoring the Heisterkamps was the main focus of the congregation's anniversary celebration, although parishioners observed the anniversary in many other ways throughout the year. Reverend Jerry Doellinger assembled a 50th anniversary committee to lead the congregation's celebration. The committee settled on the theme, "Concordia Lutheran Church: Built for Eternity, Est. 1957" and then set about planning several events that were designed to give thanks to God for all the blessings of the past 50 years and to show gratitude to charter members who took on the daunting task of beginning a new church.

• A service led by Rev. Mark Gefaller, a spiritual son of Concordia.
• A visit by Gary Thiess, Mission Counselor for the Lutheran Chruch Missouri Synod.
• Introduced an original hymn: music composed by Ryan Loftsgaarden, member of Concordia, with words written by Rev. Paul Doellinger, brother of Concordia's Pastor Doellinger.
• Recognized charter members of the congregation during a worship service.
• Invited past confirmands to return for special outdoor worship service followed by church picnic.
• Invited Concordia's first residential pastor, the Rev. Walter Marth, now a resident of Washington state, who returned to Cedar Rapids to lead a worship service.
• Congregational photo (formation of "50")
• Published 50th Anniversary Picture Directory, with more than 90% participation by congregation.
• Designed and sold 50th Anniversary T-shirts with portion of proceeds set aside for adopted missionaries. Members wore the shirts to all the special observances.
• Wrapped up the year by inviting Rev. Paul Scheidt, pastor at Concordia for 34 years, to preach the sermon at the November 18 service, almost 50 years to the date that Concordia was begun. Congregational meal followed in newly remodeled Fellowship Hall.

At all the special services, free will donations were collected for the Heisterkamps. The committee set a goal of collecting $5,000 by the end of the year. As of this writing, almost $4,000 has been generously donated and there is still a month-and-a-half to go before the year ends.

The Rev. John Zimmermann

ORDINATION ANNIVERSARY

Pastor John Zimmermann, who was ordained into the Holy Ministry on Reformation Sunday, October 31, 1937, observed the 70th anniversary of his ordination on Oct. 29, 2007, when his son, Rev. Tim Zimmermann, conducted the Reformation Sunday worship service at the Lutheran Home in Vinton, Iowa.

Rev. John Zimmermann began his ministry in parishes in Minnesota. In 1948 he became the pastor of St. Paul Lutheran church in Eldora, Iowa and served the congregation for 26 years. He was President of Iowa District East from 1970 to1982. He then returned to Eldora and served St. Paul as visitation pastor and pastor emeritus. During his ministry Pastor Zimmermann also served the church-at-large on various boards and committees and as International LWML Counselor. In 1976 he received a Doctor of Divinity degree from his alma mater, Concordia Seminary in St. Louis. He and his wife Mae Etta moved to the Lutheran Home in 2002. They have been married for 69 years.

Two Zimmermann sons are pastors in Iowa District East: Rev. Bruce Zimmermann of St. John, Wellsburg/Christ, Gladbrook, and Rev. Tim Zimmermann of Our Redeemer, Iowa City. A third son, Rev. Fred Zimmermann, is pastor of St. James Lutheran Church in Shawano, Wisconsin.

Rev. Arp's November Article

Grace to you and peace from God
our Father and from
our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

On October 30th, my wife and I returned home from a vacation. It was a very relaxing and enriching get-away which included a lot of my wife’s family history and the history of our nation.

While traveling, we were privileged to attend services in three different LCMS churches. I was pleased to see that each one of them used our new hymnal, Lutheran Service Book. The very high point, though, was Reformation Sunday when we witnessed the baptism of our great granddaughter, Grace Patton. What a joy it was to see this newest member of our family born again into Christ's holy family.
On our first Sunday home, many of our congregations in Iowa District East were observing All Saints Sunday. Marjorie and I happened to worship at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Waterloo that day. The Epistle reading was one of my all time favorites, from Revelation chapter seven. What a beautiful picture the Apostle John gives us of that eternal home:

After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice,“Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” Rev. 7.

Two of the hymns used at Immanuel were All the Saints and Behold the Host Arrayed in White. This caused us to pause. These two beautiful hymns were sung at our daughter Lonny’s funeral several years ago. So you see, we went from one Sunday, with the joy of seeing the rebirth of a great granddaughter in Baptism, to the next Sunday, being reminded of the death of our dear daughter Lonny and her continual presence before the throne of the Lamb. What a blessing it is to know that Grace and Lonny are connected in the blood of Jesus Christ. Both are members of the household of God, one in the Church Triumphant and the other in the Church militant.

_________________________

I recently received an email from Dr. Darius Petkunas, pastor of the Lutheran church in Palanga, Lithuania. Because of the escalating prices there, they continue to struggle to get that project completed. Here is a picture of the project as it now stands.
There is a group from St. John, Hubbard preparing to travel to Lithuania, at their own expense, to do some work on the interior of the church. We can use some more work groups like that so if you have an interest in this, please feel free to contact me or my assistant, Dean Rothchild.

_________________________

In early November, I had in my office the Rev. Simon Yiech, a Sudanese pastor who is serving a group of Sudanese in Des Moines. He is also the President of a Sudanese Mission Society. Here is another group that has very legitimate needs as they try to minister to people in Sudan. In the near future, we will be providing a bulletin insert or information about the needs there and how you might be able to help meet those needs.

God’s blessings to each of you as you prepare for the Thanksgiving Holiday and the Advent Season.

Grace Lutheran Church in DeWitt

Grace Lutheran Church, DeWitt, hosted their annual OctoberFeast in conjunction with the Grace Lutheran Women’s Harvest Bazaar on October 14th. Over 650 people from all of the community came to enjoy a great meal, to purchase items from the Country Store and Cookie Walk, and take time to look at and bid on basket at our silent auction. The OctoberFeast was a great fellowship opportunity and fun was had by all.

St. Paul Lutheran Church in Mt. Vernon

The Priscilla Guild shares these pictures with IDE. They were taken on October 7, LWML Sunday. The LWML banner was hand made and donated by Mr. & Mrs. Michael Wieben of Colorado Springs, CO. Michaels is the son our longtime members Mr. & Mrs. William Wieben of Lisbon, IA.

The women laid quilts over the pews on LWML Sunday to show the members the care, work, and labor of love they regularly put into these items, which are donations to Lutheran World Relief. Over 100 quilts were donated this autumn.