Peace Lutheran Church in Oelwein

Do you know how big Noah’s ark actually was?
Do you know what Noah’s profession was while he built the ark?
Do you know precisely how long Noah and his family had to live aboard the ark?
Rest assured all the children who attended Peace Lutheran Church’s VBS certainly do. Each day the children learned more and more about the Christian faith through songs, crafts, prayers, and even lessons taught aboard the ark itself! (One of the Sunday school rooms was transformed into a room aboard the ark.)

On the first day the children learned about faith. The author to the book of Hebrews tells us that “faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” The children learned this lesson well as they helped build the ark, even though it looked like it would never rain. Yet Noah had faith and continued to blindly trust God’s Word.

During the second day the children learned how Noah was not only called to be a great architect, but a preacher as well. [2nd Peter 2:5] Together we heard how Noah preached God’s Word and invited everyone to come aboard the ark, but sadly no one listened. On this day the children finally boarded the ark along with all their animal friends.

On days three, four, and five life aboard the ark was rough. It became very crowded. There wasn’t much light. The animals were noisy and growing impatient. The ark itself began to smell like a barn with hay everywhere! Yet throughout it all the children knew that God would keep His promise.
All those who attended VBS passed their time aboard the ark much the same way Noah and his family probably did. Together we prayed. We sang songs. We encouraged one another by recalling many examples of how God had saved His people in times past. One day we all noticed the snakes and were told the story of Israel and the fiery serpents. [Num 21:4-9] We learned how Moses (a man born many years after Noah) was told to set a bronze serpent on a pole in order to save Israel much the same way God set His Son upon the cross for our salvation. Another day we noticed the sheep and learned how Christ is our Good Shepherd. (Luke 15:1-7) And still another day we saw the dove and heard about Jesus’ baptism and all the promises given to us in our own baptism. (Matt 3:13-17)

Finally on the last day the children learned how God had kept His promise to Noah. Gathered around a rather large rainbow we rejoiced by singing songs, eating pizza, silly stringing the pastor, and soon said our goodbyes. Some of the children and parents were even reminded how a church is a lot like an ark. In fact, at every child’s baptism we pray: “Behold now this child and bless him with true faith by the Holy Spirit, that through this saving flood all sin in him would be drowned and die. And grant that he may be kept safe and secure in the holy ark of the Christian Church.” (LSB, p. 269.) All in all this year’s VBS at Peace Lutheran church proved a great success. The VBS was six days long and attendance was up from last year. There has been talk that next year the lessons should focus on Moses and the children of Israel. Maybe than we all will build a pyramid, but I guess we will have to wait and see!


Peace Lutheran Church enters float in Oelwein’s fourth of July parade. This year’s float made many in the community aware of the church’s Vacation Bible School as well as Pre-K. Peace Lutheran Pre-K begins on September 3rd and meets on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. For more information please call the church office at (319) 283-5778.

Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Independance

Our Redeemer of Independence celebrates the baptism of Abigayle J. with its annual summer church picnic on July 27th.

On July fourth, Our Redeemer of Independence entered a float into the city’s Independence Day parade. This year’s parade theme was “Extreme Makeover: Independence Edition.” Under the direction of Janet Buls several members constructed a float matching this year’s theme. Focusing on the foundation of our faith, the float made its way through town accompanied by a number of church members as well as the pastor, who donned a clerical collar, jean shorts, and a hard hat for just such an occasion. Although the float did not win any awards, members of Our Redeemer are proud to bear this cross while clinging to the hope of next year.

IDE LLL

IOWA FLOOD FUNDS HAVE BEEN DISTRIBUTED

By the International Lutheran Laymen’s League district board in our Iowa District East. A gift was given to the League from an anonymous couple that gave over $54,000 who wanted it to go to Iowa churches and their families. The League worked with Rev. Rothschild from our district office in identifying families and congregations who had the greatest amount of dollar loss and suffering.

A few weeks ago Adam Eggemayer from Lutheran Hour Ministries, Keith Schmidt, president of the Iowa Intl. L L L district board, and Ron Stahlberg the President of Zone # 2 personally handed out checks to St Johns in Waverly, Iowa and Trinity and Bethany in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. They identified that St John was the only church really affected by flood waters as their whole basement was filled with water and they lost most items one would find in most church basements such as heating and cooling systems, kitchens and extra storage for a multitude of items saved through history.

As many as 40 plus families were affected by the flooding in a couple of the churches. Working with Rev. Rothchild, our Assistant to the President of IDE,158 families were found in IDE as suffering from flood loss and they came from 24 churches. No families were identified personally, and they were given quantities of funds, as decided by their churches, not the League. Remaining checks were mailed to various churches with affected families. There also are a couple of photos of St. John’s looking like it desperately needed an island built on the rock in this blog-spot. However the good news is, it still stands as a witness to Iowa of our LCMS faith. Also the IDE website has a section called St John Church, Waverly Iowa - Flood Recovery Needs you might also visit this link.

John T Moeller For the Intl L L L Iowa East District board

Grace Lutheran Church in DeWitt

Grace Lutheran Church in DeWitt held their annual Summer Camp. Campers enjoyed three fun filled days of Bible study, music, crafts, sports activities, and more. Tuesday night was Family Night with entertainment provided by the Kaczinski Family, which was followed by a flashlight walk to the cross and a bonfire.

Trinity Lutheran Church in Cedar Rapids

ALASKA, is where the long, warm summer days of bright sunshine show forth God’s indescribable beauty of wildlife, mountains, and glaciers. These longed for days are followed by months of long, dark, freezing cold which bring snow and ice that keep people at home much of the winter. The results are often depression, drugs, alcohol, suicide, and child abuse. These problems occur more often in the small villages that dot the vastlands of Alaska. Here in Alaska less than 10% of the people are Christian, with churches few and far between.

Into these villages, the Alaska Mission for Christ (AMC) brings teams of volunteers from the lower 48 states to Share the Love of Jesus with the Alaska children. This year over 600 volunteers answered God’s call to “Go and Tell!!”

Trinity Lutheran Church (Cedar Rapids) assisted two teams of volunteers this summer, with prayers, time, talents, and treasurers. Thrivent for Lutherans matched funds and Trinity school children gave chapel offerings.

In July, a team of 13 people went to Lindeman’s five acre ranch at Ninilchik, SW Alaska. Sixty-four children were registered with an average of 46 attending daily. The ranch owners provided a pole barn for the music and Bible stories, garage with picnic tables for crafts, and a barn haymow for Bible study for the 14-20 teenagers.

In August, six people went to Gakonaan, an Athabascan Indian village of 100 people in SE Alaska. VBS was held in the community center with 31children registered, and a daily attendance of 19. Some children came 10 miles away from Galkana.

Curriculum for both teams was “God’s Perfect Creation, The Fall of Adam and Eve into Sin, Jesus' Birth, Jesus the Storyteller, Jesus the Miracle Worker, and Jesus' Suffering, Death, and Resurrection.” We taught them songs, including Jesus Loves Me, The Lord’s Prayer, and John 3:16. Music and crafts were coodinated with the Bible lesson of the day. We provided a hardcover, child-friendly Bible for the children of both villages. They carried their Bibles in a “JESUS LOVES ME” canvas tote bag they had decorated.

Both teams traveled in RV rentals. We slept in the RVs, on floors of churches, in a garage loft, and on a tiny cabin floor. We bought food and supplies and cooked our own meals.

VBS at Ninilchik and Gakona were entirely different in many ways, but the Gospel message of "Jesus' LOVE FOR ALL PEOPLE” was the same. LISTEN---Do you hear God calling you? Maybe your call is across the kitchen, the street, or the world. We plant seeds of faith and God makes them grow. May God bless the ninety-five VBS children of Alaska and their families.

Irene Reinking
Triniry Lutheran Church

Black Hawk Chapter of LFL

Purity “Life-style” Show

Hosted by Black Hawk LFL

The purity “life-style” show, “Dressing for Life: Secrets of the Great Cover-up,” was hosted on June 7 by the Black Hawk chapter of Lutherans For Life (LFL). Approximately 140 women and young girls attended the event at Valley Lutheran Middle and High School in Cedar Falls.

“Dressing for Life” is both an educational and mentoring event. The script, written and presented by Linda Bartlett, helps women to focus on what God says about clothing, behavior, and choices. Vintage clothing from the past 100 years that illustrate changing cultures and ideologies were modeled by 13 young women from the Waterloo/Cedar Falls area. The event is educational because it explains why God made clothes and how being modest makes a positive difference for men and the culture. The event mentors purity, Biblical womanhood, and the gift of hospitality. Each table hostess mentored the gift of hospitality at her creatively decorated table.

“Dressing for Life” is also a fund-raiser. A free-will offering was taken on June 7 and matched by Thrivent Financial for Lutherans. The funds donated will help the continuing ministries of Word of Hope (www.word-of-hope.org) and Titus 2 for Life (www.titus2-4life.org), the healing and mentoring ministries affiliated with Lutherans For Life. Some of the funds were used to help purchase “God’s Word for Life” study Bibles for the Alternative Pregnancy Center in Waterloo.

During the past three years, “Dressing for Life” has raised over $35,000 for Word of Hope, Titus 2 for Life, local caring pregnancy centers, and area pro-life projects. Linda Bartlett and Judy Hayen have taken this purity “life-style” show to Oklahoma, Missouri, Michigan, Illinois, Nebraska, South Dakota, and all around Iowa.

Black Hawk LFL began planning this “life-style” show a year ago when several women, including Kie Maas, attended the “Dressing” event hosted by Linn County’s LFL in Hiawatha. Kie, Marcene Niehaus and a team of volunteers, coordinated the event. Five women helped with the models, 20 hostesses invited guests and decorated tables, and two women took the models to TJ Maxx to pick out modest clothing that was modeled at the end of the show.

All who attended were encouraged to order the ten-lesson Bible study, “Dressing for Life: Secrets of the Great Cover-up,” which is available from www.lutheransforlife.org in a reproducible PDF format. This study is appropriate for use by moms and daughters, girls in catechism class, at a sleep-over, at a girls’ retreat, or during a series of “girl’s night outs.”

“Dressing for Life” is a model for ministry offered by Titus 2 for Life. Other models include Titus 2 Retreats and training events for small groups. To learn more, visit www.titus2-4life.org

“The message of ‘Dressing for Life’ is counter-culture,” notes Linda Bartlett. “It challenges girls and women to rebel against the ‘sexy’ image and, instead, see themselves as God does. It encourages them to dress and behave in a way that brings glory, not to themselves, but to the God who created them.”

“Dressing for Life” concludes with the “perfect” dress: the white wedding dress. “We learned why the dress is white, what the veil means, and why God wants a woman to wait to be sexually intimate until marriage,” Kie explained. “But, that wasn’t all. Linda offered hope to all women – who trust in and wait patiently for their Savior, Jesus Christ.”

For more information on the events and projects of Black Hawk LFL, please e-mail kmaas48@mchsi.com

Grace Lutheran Church in DeWitt

The Installation of Rev. Brad A. Brown as Associate Pastor, at Grace Lutheran Church in DeWitt was conducted on June 22, 2008. Rev. Brian Saunders presided over the installation and Rev. Thomas Olgilvie was the preacher. (Back Row)-Rev.(s) Victor Young, Steven Henderson, Timothy Carr, Brad Brown, Thomas Olgilvie (Front Row) – Rev.(s) David Dahlke, Timothy Jones, Brian Saunders, Garland Gotoski, Dennis Arndt and Terry Ellis.

St. Paul's Chapel in Iowa City

The Peer Ministers.

Welcome Back Picnic.

Waiting for worship.

Worshiping at St. Paul's Chapel.

ISM Picnic at City Park in Iowa City.

ISM Picnic.

ISM Picnic.

Awesome August at St. Paul’s Lutheran Chapel

Term papers. Exams. Group projects. All nighters. None of that mattered opening weekend, as parents and students unloaded cars, vans, and U-Hauls in the heat of mid-August. The excitement of a new school year, the joy of seeing old friends, and the happiness of making new ones infected all of the University of Iowa campus.

The students and congregation of St. Paul’s Chapel were right in the middle of all the hoopla. Welcome week was packed with events designed to reach both American and International students.

The week began with the Welcome Dinner for international students and volunteers at City Park on Friday, August 22. Even the weather, which had threatened rain, cooperated. The crowd feasted on a fried chicken dinner in the cool evening hours. Deaconess Intern Angie helped everyone to mix and mingle, and many people lingered until well after 8:00 in the evening, telling stories and forming friendships. Many families learned about the opportunities offered to internationals through our ISM program at St. Paul’s.

Welcome week continued on Saturday, as chapelites delivered goodie baskets to incoming LCMS freshmen around campus. The newcomers were greeted by upper classmen, who answered questions about the campus and the Chapel. The new students were handed baskets, with treats and information designed to help them survive the first few days of dorm life.

Sunday was the busiest day of the Welcome Week for both students and permanent congregation at St. Paul’s. The Divine Service at 10:30 was followed by an information fair in the fellowship hall during coffee hour. Students learned about all the different activities at the Chapel and were able to sign up for everything from teaching Sunday school to singing in the choir to helping with international student ministry.

The Welcome Weekend concluded with a huge Sunday evening picnic on the front lawn of the Chapel. Pastor Mons fired up the grill. New students, returning students, and members of the permanent congregation enjoyed the relaxed and casual supper. A Frisbee and football each made an appearance. All too soon the sun set, and it was time to head home to get ready for the first day of classes.

Welcoming new students is not just a weeklong event at St. Paul’s. It is the lifestyle of campus ministry. Visitation teams will be making calls all semester. Events and activities to welcome and include students are ongoing. New conversation groups and classes are being formed for international students and families.

As chapel students and congregation catch their breath after the flurry of Welcome Week activities, we realized what a privilege it is to be a part of LCMS campus ministry. To see young people, away from mom and dad for the first time, deciding to make the church a priority is exciting. It certainly has been an awesome August, and we are looking forward to a spectacular September.

Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Iowa City

Vicar Hartwig with Rev. Timothy Zimmermann

On June 1, Vicar Brent Hartwig was installed at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Iowa City. Vicar Hartwig is a fourth year seminarian from Concordia Seminary in St. Louis.

Vicar Hartwig and his family, wife Kara and children, Grace, Emma, Noah, and Claire, moved into the parsonage at the end of May. They arrived just in time for the floods.

Vicar Hartwig grew up in Pekin, Ill., as did his wife, Kara, his high school sweetheart. He attended Ill. State University and graduated with a degree in Recreational and Park Administration and a Minor in Business Administration. After graduation, he worked for Disney World for over eleven years as a business and strategic planner.

While living in Florida, he became a part time youth coordinator at Woodlands Lutheran Church. He continued to work for Disney, but after working for two years for this church, he became encouraged to become a Pastor. This, and unending encouragement from his wife, helped Vicar Hartwig to decide to attend the seminary.

Central Lutheran School in Newhall

Day One.

Day 30.

Completed!


Ribbon Cutting.

______________

Students and staff at Central Lutheran School in Newhall, Iowa, marked the first day of the 2008-09 school year with a ribbon-cutting ceremony to commemorate the completion of a building project that began back in May 2008.

Pastor Steven Rempfer (St. John’s Newhall) provided the invocation just minutes before Principal Jan Doellinger, Art Rinderknecht (project manager) and one student from each grade (K-8) cut the ribbon.

Construction on the 6,500 square foot addition began May 5, 2008. The project moved swiftly (five weeks early and under budget) largely because of the volunteer labor provided by congregation members of the supporting churches, parents, grandparents and others in the community.

The addition includes three classrooms, one resource room, a library, computer lab and band/music room. Students will no longer have to leave the building in order to reach the library and band room, which were formerly housed in two double-wide trailers in the back of the school.

Administrators have planned a formal Dedication/Volunteer Recognition Open House for Sunday, November 16, at which time they hope to have the library and computer lab completely furnished and ready for students.