King of Kings in Cedar Rapids

KING OF KINGS TO HOST SMALL GROUP WORKSHOP FOR AREA CHURCHES

On Saturday, April 24, from 9:00 AM-3:00 PM, all pastors and church leaders from Iowa District East are invited and encouraged to attend this Small Group Workshop. This workshop is designed for congregations, pastors and church leaders interested in learning more about Small Group Ministry, or strengthening a congregation’s existing Small Group Ministry. The workshop will cover everything from starting a Small Group Ministry from scratch to building, strengthening and encouraging existing Small Group leadership. The Workshop Sessions include, “How to Set Up a Healthy Small Group Ministry”, “Healthy Leadership for Healthy Groups”, Maintaining a Healthy Small Group Ministry”, “Reviving the Dying…Small Group Life Support & Recovery” and “ The Heart of Small Groups”.

All workshop sessions will be led by LCMS ordained and commissioned professionals with a LCMS perspective. Our guest speakers include, Rev. Burt Garwood, senior pastor at Lord of Life in Leawood, KS. Burt’s experience includes many years of directing Small Group Ministry at King of Kings in Omaha, where he had oversight of 200 plus small groups. DCE, Jim Anderson from St. Michael’s in Bloomington, MN will also be a guest speaker. Jim has 20 plus years of experience directing Small Groups for both adults and youth. King of Kings very own, Rev. Mark Halvorson will also speak about what’s at the heart of Small Group Ministry and why it’s important to congregational life. Mark has developed a passion for Small Group Ministry from nearly 20 years of congregational experience with it.

The cost for the workshop is only $35 per person, or just $100 for a congregation bringing an unlimited number of congregational members.

Please contact King of Kings for more information, including a workshop brochure and registration forms, 319-393-2438 or outreach@kingofkingscr.org

The workshop cost is $100 per congregation or $35 per individual. King of Kings looks forward to having you and your church leaders join us for this exciting event.

St. John Lutheran Church in Denver

6th Annual Venison Feed at St. John Lutheran Church – Denver

On January 31, the MACHO Men of St. John held their 6th annual Venison Feed, with more than 150 people in attendance.

A variety of main dishes and appetizers were offered along with numerous door prizes for men, women and children.

The two main speakers for the event were Daniel Sanchez – Program Director at Camp Io-Dis-ECa, and Nathan Richter – Principal at Valley Lutheran Middle and High School in Cedar Falls.

The event raises funds for a variety of causes. The principle benefactor of the event is their adopted Seminarian, David McCarthy, who has connections to St. Paul Lutheran Church in Readlyn, and is a first year seminarian at Concordia Theological Seminary in Ft. Wayne, Indiana.

Other recipients include Valley Lutheran School, who assisted in the event, and the Camp.

Admission was $10 per person and 1 roll of Duct Tape. The tape was collected for the camp.

Monies raised this year exceeded $1200.

MACHO Men stands for; Men Assisting, Caring for, and Helping Others.

The next MACHO event will be their annual Steak Fry to be held in the fall.

Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Iowa City

ORPHAN GRAIN TRAIN COMES TO OUR REDEEMER

On March 9, an Orphan Grain Train truck was able to stop in Iowa City to pick up items the congregation had originally planned to deliver to them in Norfolk, Nebraska.

The items included hospital beds, l mattresses, wheelchairs, and walkers. Also, there were 98 quilts and a blanket from Our Redeemer's Comfort-tiers.

The money that had been collected from the congregation for shipping was instead sent along with the driver as a donation.

The equipment donors were Guttenberg Care Center and Iowa City Rehab and Health Care.

A previous pickup load of wheelchairs and beds was taken by volunteers to Ida Grove’s Orphan Grain Train warehouse. This equipment was donated by a Care Center in Washington, Iowa, and consisted of hospital beds, mattresses, and wheelchairs.

IDE Church and School Fiscal Summit

On March 13, IDE held its first Fiscal Summit for churches and schools.

Hosted by Zion Lutheran Church in Hiawatha, the goal was to bring congregations together with experts to discuss significant financial issues dealt with by our churches and schools.

Though, for many, it was the opening weekend of Spring Break, over 90 participants gathered together and were able to participate in variety of workshops covering a wide range of fiscal topics including:

Retirement Planning Strategies

Health Plan Alternatives

Ministers of the Gospel Financial Issues

Donor Contribution Strategies

Church Payroll, Employee, Business, and Expenses

Thrivent Choices

Going Green - Engergy and Cost Saving Strategies

Endowments and Memorials - Having A Plan In Place

Risk Management

Well planned and carried out, the day included a wonderful St. Patrick's Day themed lunch prepared and served by the Members of Zion Lutheran Church.

By 3:00, most respondents walked away having gained some knowledge and insights.

The event was co-sponsored by Thrivent Financial For Lutherans, LCEF, and Iowa District East.

Future Summits are under consideration.

Iowa District East Spelling Bee

District Spelling Bee Held at Valley Lutheran

The Annual Iowa District East Spelling Bee was held at Valley

Lutheran School in Cedar Falls, on March 6, 2010. Eight schools bringing about fifty two students, participated in the event. Each contestant received seventy-five words to be written and six oral words, with the top three contestants from each of the three grade levels going on to an oral spell down to determine who would take home the first, second, and third place trophies.

A traveling plaque, presented each year to the school with the most overall points, went to Lutheran Interparish of Williamsburg, with a total combined score of 641 points. Next in line was Trinity Lutheran, Cedar Rapids, followed by Immanuel of Waterloo, Central Lutheran of Newhall, Community of Readlyn, Clemons Lutheran of Clemons, St. Paul’s of Latimer and Valley Lutheran of Cedar Falls.

Thanks to all the contestants, their school, parents, and the many volunteers for all the hard work and time to make it a fun day for all! We would also like to thank Eastern Iowa Lutheran High School Association, Quota Club International, Allstate Insurance-Scott Parsons, Blue Line Moving, Celia Simmer-Trapp Realtors, Iowa Sports Supply, Windows by Pella, Waverly Home Bakery, Michael Wheaton and Valley Lutheran Families for their support in sponsoring this event.

Valley Lutheran was proud to host the event and looks forward to other such events in the future. For more information contact Valley

Lutheran Middle and High School at (319) 266-4565.

2010 IDE Spelling Bee Trophy Winners

3-4 –First Row (left to right)

1^st Austin Wittenburg-Community Lutheran

2^nd Emma Armbrecht-Lutheran Interparish

3^rd Kaitlin Wille-Lutheran Interparish

5-6– Second Row (left to right)

1^st Jakob Schmidt-Lutheran Interparish

2^nd Dylan Lampe-Community Lutheran

3^rd Katy Cromwell-Lutheran Interparish

7-8– Third Row (left to right)

1^st Isaiah Armbrecht-Lutheran Interparish

2^nd Shelby Warner-Immanuel Lutheran

3^rd Samantha Fitzgerald–Trinity Lutheran

Prince of Peace Christian Preschool in Coralville

In late January, the students at the Prince of Peace Christian Preschool in Coralville went ice-skating at the mall. It was a first time experience for most of the 25 students, but a fun one just the same.

IDE LLL

IDE International Lutheran Laymen’s League invites ALL to attend our 67th Convention, May 1, at Zion Lutheran Church, 201 First Avenue in Hiawatha. Doors open at 9AM, and the program begins at 10:00.

The speaker this year complements the message heard from Rev. Terry Dittmer in 2008 when he presented information on the values of different generations our League serves. Now attention is turned to young men and fathers whom God entrusted with the role of godly leadership and responsibility.

Richard P. Cohrs, cofounder of The Men’s NetWork and the U.S. Ministries’ manager, will speak this year on “Man as Spiritual Leader – in his family and his church.” This presentation will offer research and insight on how men can once again be the men that God would have them be in both of these historic roles. He will also provide practical tips and tools to help men in this battle for leadership Satan would have us lose.

Rich will share what the Men’s NetWork is, and how it can provide tools for men’s ministry groups to capture their leadership place. The Men’s NetWork also offers the congregation tools to reach out to men on the fringes of the congregation and help the congregation develop a conversation within the community.

Lutheran Hour Ministries not only addresses the needs of men, but also produces Woman to Woman. Host Phyllis Wallace draws on the experiences of known experts in addressing special needs of women in these busy times.

Please consider sending in your registration RSVP on the following form. More information is found at idelutheranlaymensleague.blogspot.com.IDE

RSVP to: John T. Moeller

2542 Maryview Ln., Davenport, IA 52807

Or: Terrajohn1@msn.com

Please RSVP, if possible, before April 24th.

There will be _________ attending in our party.

All meals will be provided. Cost: $25 per person.

Checks: IDE INTL. LLL Treasurer, Ron Stahlberg

NAME: _______________________________________

ADDRESS: ___________________________________

IO-DIS-E-CA

Nurse of the Week Needed

Are you an R.N. seeking an enjoyable and unique way to use your training for a week in a beautiful setting amidst whispering pines, colorful wildflowers, and jubilant children? Please consider serving as our resident Nurse of the Week to oversee the administration of medication and provide loving emergency care for skinned knees. We will provide you with a room with a private bath, your meals, and plenty of time to relax. If you bring your children or grandchildren, we will give them a 50% scholarship for their camp registration fees. Sound good? Perhaps you would like to volunteer for more than one week? For more information please contact the camp or send an email to prsmall@campiodiseca.org.

IO-DIS-E-CA: GOD REMEMBERS

When God remembers, He acts.

When God remembers, He keeps His promises.

When God remembers, He will do exactly what He says.

When God remembers, He does NOT remember our sin!

The 2010 Summer Program at Camp IO-DIS-E-CA will center on the theme “God Remembers.” Campers will hear how our faithful God remembers them with all the needs of their life. They will hear how God remembered their need for a Savior. They will hear that because Jesus lived, died, and rose for them, God remembers not their sin. And they will hear how God causes them to remember Him and their neighbor.

The 2010 summer season begins the week of June 6th with two “mini-weeks” for campers in Grades 1-6. The season ends on August 3. In between, camps are available for children in Grades 1-12 and will meet the needs of campers with a wide variety of interests.

Campers have opportunities to swim, hike, sing camp songs around a roaring campfire, cook s’mores, paddle a canoe, ride a horse, practice archery or air riflery, make a craft, slide on our seventy foot long slip ‘n slide, climb the “rock wall” tower, and play human foosball, disk golf, Eagles’ Nest, Dare Base, Krazy Kricket, and many more games.

Registration forms are available at IDE congregations or from the camp office. Information and online registration also may be found at www.campiodiseca.org.

Registrations postmarked prior to April 19th will receive an "early bird" discount. Some camps fill quickly.

Please register soon to reserve your bunk for a week of summer fun at Camp Io-Dis-E-Ca.

LCEF PARTNERS IN MINISTRY

Located just one block east of the University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls, College Hill Lutheran Church and Brammer Student Center hosts a vibrant college ministry led by Rev. John Wegener.

“Though a number of years have passed since my graduation from UNI, College Hill continues to be a huge blessing,” said former student and current employee of Lutheran World Mission Leah Sieveking. “Not only was it the place where I was fed spiritually in college, but it was also where I formed friendships that will last a lifetime.”

More than five years ago, IDE encouraged the expansion and enhancement of campus ministry at College Hill, partnering with LCEF for building loan. “This addition created a space that is attractive and inviting to students; it’s welcoming the first time they step in and they want to come back . . . And bring friends,” said long-time congregation member Doris Mauer.

“Any given Sunday may have as many as 40 - 50 students, and, interestingly enough, there is just as good attendance on Wednesday nights. Laborers For Christ helped build the addition which means that our members stepped up to help too; these members have a real ownership in the new space! We traded property with the city so the congregation was able to close off the alley for a full block front. The new addition is located where the alley used to be. The lower level has study rooms for students whose campus dorms are too noisy, a game room and student apartments. In turn for housing, students serve as custodians and take care of light snow removal, etc. It’s a great partnership. By hosting a few students on site, other college students are encouraged to come over too,” said Mauer.

A church van picks up students from campus for Bible studies, choir practice and worship. “Upstairs we added a large fellowship area where today we host monthly potlucks to feed the students some real home-cookin’,” said Mauer. “The students bring their friends and we have a wonderful time.”

College Hill also hosts Lutheran Student Fellowship (LSF) which is very active and utilizes the space by offering various events throughout the year including a high school retreat. The addition has had a huge impact on the ministry. “College students have a wonderful passion for service projects; they’ve gone to New Orleans to help out, and this spring break they are going to work with Habitat for Humanity. They host an annual dinner theatre at the church as a fundraiser for their servant events,” said Mauer. Each evening more than 100 attend. This year performances were in February. Visit college-hill.org for more information on College Hill and their ministries.

LCEF continues to be a ministry partner for LCMS churches.

For information on services available for your church contact Carole White – carole.white@lcef.org.I

St. Paul’s Lutheran Chapel in Iowa City

2010 THEOLOGIAN IN RESIDENCE

Joined by friends from College Hill Lutheran, on Feb. 26th, the students and members of St. Paul’s Lutheran Chapel in Iowa City gathered for the chapel’s annual Theologian in Residence. This year’s theologian was The Rev. Dr. Martin Conkling, Professor of Religion and Pre-Seminary Director at Concordia College, NY. Dr. Conkling’s presentation was entitled Just War – Holy War: The Roots of Conflict Between Islam and the Christian West.

During his presentation, Dr. Conkling examined the concepts of holy war in both Christianity and Islam as manifested in jihad and the Christian Crusades. He also discussed the perceptions of the Crusades, their cause, and how these matters affect relations today between the West and the world of Islam.

On Sunday, Dr. Conkling conducted Bible Class and preached the sermon at St. Paul’s. His Bible Class discussed biblical views of the atonement, including rescue and substitution.

Theologian in Residence is an annual event at St. Paul’s Lutheran Chapel and is designed to provide college students an opportunity to learn from the theologians of our synod. I

Brammer Student Center and College Hill Lutheran Church

HIGH SCHOOLERS VISIT

Brammer Student Center, College Hill Lutheran Church and the University of Northern Iowa were the destination for 22 high school students from 10 congregations who came for an overnight visit. Arriving on Saturday, January 16th, the students were greeted by members of Lutheran Student Fellowship, the LCMS college students’ organization.

The afternoon was busy with a photo scavenger hunt on campus, games, Bible study, and fellowship time. The evening found students having a great time at the Wellness Center on campus where they enjoyed swimming, basketball, racing and, oh yes, the rock wall climbing. The sleep time at the church was minimal for most of that night.

Sunday morning brought everyone together for Bible Study, worship and the traditional Welcome Back to Campus for the college students…….. POTLUCK! The food was delicious and plenty, the fellowship enjoyable.

High School Visitation is an annual event that grows in number and improves in activities and enjoyment each year. Students and congregation members alike look forward to next year's event.

St. Paul’s Lutheran Chapel in Iowa City

WHY PLANT A CHURCH?

Over a bowl of chili and some fine desserts, the students and permanent congregational members of St. Paul’s Lutheran Chapel in Iowa City listened to Rev. Dr. Dean Rothchild give a presentation on planting a new church in North Liberty. Rev. Rothchild gave the same presentation to Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Iowa City, and Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Coralville. The reason North Liberty has been chosen is because the city is ripe for the harvest. Between 2000 and 2008, the population of North Liberty has doubled and the growth is not slowing down. The 2008 census listed the population at 11,561.

Rev. Rothchild began his presentation by asking and answering the question, “Why plant a church?” The answer was simple: Research shows it is the most effect and biblical way to do evangelism.

Next he presented a model of how the church would be planted. One of the congregations in Iowa City or Coralville could serve as the mother church and give birth to a daughter congregation in North Liberty. This could be done with the help of the members of our area congregations who live in North Liberty. It is hoped that many of these members would be willing to serve as hosts for small groups that could eventually be formed into the new congregation.

The daughter church would be formed around the Word and Sacraments. To that end she would be distinctively Lutheran, meaning she would be biblical and confessional, liturgical, sacramental, Christ-centered and when conflict arises, she would be committed to the practice of biblical reconciliation.

Rev. Rothchild stated that he hopes to have a meeting with LCMS members who live in North Liberty later this spring and to begin working in the area as early as September.

The members and students of St. Paul’s are thrilled at this idea, many of them commented, “This is an exciting opportunity for the Iowa District East and especially for the congregations in Iowa City and Coralville and the people of North Liberty.” Indeed, it is an exciting time. May God grant His blessings!

Camp IO-DIS-E-CA

SUMMER SUPERVISOR SOUGHT

Camp Io-Dis-E-Ca is seeking an adult (minimum age 21) to supervise the 2010 summer horse program. The supervisor must demonstrate experience in instruction, stable management, care and feeding of horses, scheduling, staff supervision, and equipment care. Successful completion of courses requiring skills and competency in riding, riding-instruction techniques, safety, and stable management is desirable. For more information contact Camp Io-Dis-E-Ca 319.848.4187. IDE

Camp IO-DIS-E-CA

LUTHER CAMP SCHOLARSHIP

Camp Io-Dis-E-Ca is pleased to offer a scholarship for one camper to attend LutherCamp 2010, a week-long camp for Lutheran teens and young adults in Wittenberg, Germany. Two generous donors have offered to cover the cost of the camp registration and $300 toward transportation costs.

For more infomation about the scholarship, please contact Rev. Terry Small at Camp Io-Dis-E-Ca, 319.848.4187.

For more information about LutherCamp, send an e-mail to Rev. Hinrich Muller at cottbus@selk.de or visit the Web site www.freizeitfieber.de (click on the LutherCamp logo, then "Flyer.pdf" for English information).IDE

Noah’s Ark Christian Preschool in Davenport

Noah’s Ark Christian Preschool in Davenport presented a memorial plaque to Ellen Schuster in honor of her parents, Rev. Frederick Schuster and Anna Schuster, for their dedication, service, and help in establishing the preschool at Holy Cross Lutheran Church. Anna Schuster had been a preschool director at their prior parish in Vinton, IA. Her dedication plus the pastoral guidance of Rev. Schuster helped give Noah’s Ark a successful outreach for the Lord’s work to those in the community.

Current and past church members contributed memorial funds for Noah’s Ark, and their names were placed on the plaque as well. The plaque now hangs in the Preschool building.

Through the work of Noah’s Ark Preschool, since it’s beginning in September 1997, over 170 families have been reached.

Pictured: Teresa Bracker (NACP Board President), and Ellen Schuster.

New Pastors

FORT WAYNE, IN (CTS)—On Thursday, February 25th, faculty, staff, student body and family gathered for the Winter Placement Service in Kramer Chapel on the campus of Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, IN. Three men received their first calls into the Holy Ministry during the service where Rev. Dr. Carl H. Krueger, Jr., President of the SELC District, served as preacher.

Those receiving calls were: Jacob W. Gaugert to Evangelical Lutheran Church of Dr. Martin Luther, Chicago, IL, SELC District. Paul F. Nus to Trinity Lutheran Church, Millersburg, Iowa, and Calvary Lutheran Church, Deep River, Iowa, Iowa East District. Kurt A. Ulmer to Shepherd of Peace Lutheran Church, Braidwood, IL, Northern IL. District.

Please join the entire seminary community in keeping these men in your prayers as they begin their life of service as shepherds of God’s people.IDE

(front row, l-r) Dr. Carl Krueger, Jr., SELC President; Kurt Ulmer; Paul Nus; Jacob Gaugert. (back row, l-r) Dr. Paul Grime, Dean of Chapel; Dr. Carl Fickenscher, Dean of Pastoral Education and Placement; Rev. Larry Harvala, Dean of Placement.

St. James Lutheran Church in Victor

MAY 2 ANNIVERSARY

St. James Lutheran Church in Victor invites you to attend the 100th Anniversary of their Congregation. There will be a Thanksgiving Worship Service at 10:00AM followed by a Family Reunion Tent Picnic at noon. Reservations for the picnic can be made at 319-647-3375 or stjlcv@netins.net.