The Vinton Lutheran Home

Trininty Lutheran Church in Vinton Rev. Clarke Frederick, Iowa District East President Rev. Brian Saunders and Vinton Lutheran Home Chaplain Rev. Lawrence Schmidt

Ken Popenhagen enjoyed the Chapel Service and Open House.

Rev. Clarke Frederick assisted in leading the dedication Chapel Service.

Vinton Lutheran Home Auxiliary member Pauline Schminke helped serve refreshments 

during the Open House

Bible verses are adorn the walls throughout the facility.

The Vinton Lutheran Home is proud to present its Memory Care addition and facility renovations. “Oh my gosh… this place looks amazing! If I hadn’t come in the front door to know that I was at the Lutheran Home, I would not have recognized the place!” was a recent comment made upon entering the Lutheran Home. After more than 35 years in its present building, the Vinton Lutheran Home has a new look –inside and out!

Vinton’s longest-serving nursing home has finished work on an extensive renovation and building addition that began a little more than a year ago. Our Memory Care addition features eight private rooms and a large dining and activity area. Care Center renovations include new flooring and window treatments throughout, complete kitchen renovation and new furnishings all through the facility. A beautiful new entrance and reception area, larger therapy room and more private rooms were also part of our project. Residents and employees are excited about the completion of the project and are proud to show it off!

The Vinton Lutheran Home began in 1952 by lay people who wanted a place for aging loved ones who needed both physical and spiritual care. Over the years, the continuum of care has expanded to include a 61 bed Medicare Certified Nursing Facility (including a 19 bed Memory Care addition), a Medicare/Medicaid Certified Home Health Agency, 18 Assisted Living Apartments and 16 Independent Living Town Homes.

On September 9, 2012, the Vinton Lutheran Home will be celebrating its 60th Anniversary of Providing Quality Christian Care and Service to the residents of Vinton and the surrounding communities. Please join us in this celebration. Watch for further information.

St. John's Lutheran Church In Waverly

St. John Lutheran preschool students plant a tree in their playground for Arbor Day.

Rev. Dr. Brian Saunders, President of IDE

Two publications ago we began a look at C.F.W. Walther's four points concerning the exercise of a congregation's duty to do its share that the church in general may be established and promoted. Point number one was living a life that exemplified the Faith we confess. Number two involved a daily diet of study and devotion in God's Holy Word. Point number three calls for the church to have grown by the power of the Word that "fraternal witness" to Christ is evident in our neighborly relationships. Primarily Walther is talking about the way the members of the congregation treat each other. When genuine love is expressed within the fold those outside the church take notice. Unfortunately the community is also keenly aware of bitter strife when they see it.

Walther is a true theologian of the power of the Word. That is why he says "In addition there must also be fraternal witnessing, for which, if I were to go as a student into a foreign land, I would need the necessary preparation." The necessary preparation for him is the Word of God. Walther expected internal strife in the church to come to an end when the Word is rightly preached as well as a dedicated study of Holy Scripture.

"The Word became flesh and dwelt among us." Jesus is the Word. As Word made flesh He came to suffer and die in our place. He bore our iniquities and loved us to His own death. He took His life up again that He may live and reign on high as our Lord. Into this Lord we have been baptized and made anew. The new life in Christ is the life that loves, especially your fellow church member.

Walther points out that Jesus love for us was not demonstrated by hugs and smiley hello's for those who did well by Him. No, His love was demonstrated in the midst of our conflict with Him as sinners. That "while we were still sinners He died for us." The mark of love in the church is how we treat each other in the midst of conflict. Love does not gossip, it does not speak evil of someone to others. It does not reveal weaknesses but bears them up for the sake of Christ.

Love desires to expose the face of Christ to our neighbor through our own faces. That first requires us to meet face-to-face with anyone we may have a conflict with. Talk to them and with them for the sake of exercising the oneness we share by the Blood of Christ. When we have concerns over what someone has said, meet with them face-to-face so as to clarify the comments, make sure you heard correctly, ask questions for the sake of better understanding. Love resolves issues with patient suffering as did Christ our Lord. He did this in fraternal love for us that we may be a fraternal witness as to who the church really is.

Addressing each other in love does not mean overlooking sin. Love governs the way we address sin for the sake of the "glory of God and the salvation of the neighbor" (Walther's Pastoral Theology, 241). While this is a very challenging thing to do, it is exactly what we ask for when we pray in the post communion collect "we implore You that of Your mercy You would strengthen us through the same in faith toward You and in fervent love toward one another." In and with such love expressed in the church we are doing our part that the church in general may be established and promoted.

God be with you all,

President Saunders.

St. Paul's Lutheran Chapel In Iowa City

Over the weekend of March 24-25, St. Paul's Lutheran Chapel was pleased to host Rev. Dr. Jack Preus, Executive Vice President for Mission Advancement with Bethesda Lutheran Communities, for her annual Theologian in Residence weekend. His presentation was entitled "The Worlds We Construct: Bridging the Chasm Between Us and Them"

During the weekend Dr. Preus noted that, “The Bible says, ‘In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth…’ but in every age we have constructed our own worlds between which we have placed great chasms which it seems at times none may cross. We do this with people who are different: a different clan, a different village, a different ethnic ability, a different social standing, a different appearance, a different ability. No chasm is greater, no two worlds seem further apart, than the world of the intellectually disabled and the world of the intellectually enabled.” Using these worlds as a paradigm, Dr. Preus presented a biblical path towards deconstructing our worlds of difference and bridging the chasm between us and them.

St. Paul's Lutheran Chapel in Iowa City

What do you get when you set a 7.5 pound Mesquite smoked beef brisket, an 8 pound Maple brined turkey breast, 8 pounds of St. Louis style pork steaks, along with a few pounds of potato salad and cole slaw, in front of seventeen men? You get St. Paul's Lutheran Chapel Men's Meat Night, a good time, and no, that is NO leftovers. These boys are all official members of the Clean Plate Club!

St. John's Lutheran Church in Waverly

 Easter at St. John's.

St John's Lutheran Church in Waverly

"I'm king of the Mountain!" St. John Lutheran Preschoolers playing on the pile of pea gravel that was delievered just before recess. April 24th.

Davenport Lutheran Home

Rejoicing in God’s gift of baptism

Jesus said, “all authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And, lo, I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

At our Lutheran Home, we have the great privilege of carrying out this command Jesus gave to His church to disciple and teach those who come to our Home. We also on occasion have the opportunity to baptize people as Jesus commanded if they have never been baptized and desire that it be done after some instruction. In that vein, I share the good news that one of our residents, named Bob Dietz, was recently baptized at our Home.

Bob has been a resident of our Lutheran Home since January 29, 2008. Until recently, Bob would not attend our church at the Home, however it was not for lack of invitation. Pastor Pannier had shared the Gospel with him and encouraged him to come to church, but to no avail. I encouraged him to come to join us for church for many months, but to no avail. Finally, by the Lord working through those many invitations and through the encouragement of some of his friends at the Lutheran Home, Bob decided to come to church one day. In his own words, “he liked it”, and began to consistently come. It was then through one of our conversations that I found out Bob had never been baptized. Finally, after some time of encouragement and conversations, Bob said he wanted to be baptized.

Therefore, we rejoice in the mercy of our Lord as on February 26, 2012 Bob Dietz was brought into God’s family through baptism in our chapel.

Trinity Lutheran Church In Osage

The women of Trinity Lutheran Church in Osage worked through the winter to make 69 quilts. These are to be donated to Lutheran World Relief. On Palm Sunday, the quilts were laid over the pews for the worship service. In this way they became a visual reminder of the crowds on Palm Sunday who laid their garments on the road to honor Jesus (Matthew 21:7-8). The women of Trinity pray that their quilts glorify Jesus and will lead those who receive them to praise and honor Him, too.

Immanuel Lutheran Church in Waterloo

Immanuel Lutheran Church and School in Waterloo will be undergoing big changes during the month of June. The property the church and school has occupied since the 1950’s has been sold. The buildings will be torn down over the summer to make way for a CVS pharmacy. The last major events in the building will take place the weekend of June 2 and 3, 2012. June 2nd will see a school celebration for friends of Immanuel with alumni basketball games, an open house, and closing program on the schedule. June 3rd will be the last two Sunday services at 207 Franklin Street, with selections by a group of alumni handbell ringers and an alumni choir. A short program and time of fellowship will follow the early service. Disposition of the church property will take place immediately following the late service. The congregation will then convoy to its newly purchased site for a ground dedication. A new church will eventually be built off Oster Parkway in Cedar Falls. Immanuel will worship temporarily at Christ Lutheran Church, 234 S. Hackett Rd. in Waterloo, starting June 9 and 10. For more specific information about these events, email immanuelsecretary@hotmail.com or call 319-233-7052.

Central Lutheran School In Newhall

 Within a day of receiving the iPad, second grade teacher Mrs. Kristin Meyer 

had it in her students’ hands.  

 Rev. Jerry Doellinger (retired LCMS minister and self-admitted gadget-a-holic) demonstrates how the iPad cover will clean the screen as well as protect the device.

Preschool teacher Becky McKinney gets acquainted with her new iPad.

An Apple For the Teacher

Teachers at Central Lutheran School (Newhall, IA) were surprised when their Principal emailed them recently and told them all to attend an early morning meeting—attendance was mandatory and tardiness would not be tolerated.

As the 10 full time teachers sat around the conference table, Principal Jan Doellinger began to talk about the
technology goals set by the staff earlier this year in preparation for the National Lutheran School Accreditation site visit. Doellinger said it quickly became apparent that in order to hit the ground running, the teachers needed to have some new technology in their hands so they would be comfortable enough to use it in the classroom when the time came. Then she and her husband Pastor Jerry Doellinger began handing out iPads, one to each teacher.

The iPads were paid for by a grant from an Iowa foundation and donations from two anonymous donors. The iPads are just the beginning of a technology wishlist the staff has put together in the months preceding the NLSA visit. Other items include faster internet connections, an improved wireless system and extra memory for 35 used laptops donated for student use.

College Hills Lutheran Church in Cedar Falls

College Hill LSF

Spring Break Trip to Philadelphia

By: Mary Alice Seaba

While many of their classmates spent their spring break relaxing on Florida beaches, students from College Hill LSF in Cedar Falls volunteered in the streets of Philadelphia. Twenty-three students from the University of Northern Iowa accompanied Pastor John Wegener on a week-long trip to work with Philadelphia Lutheran Ministries (PLM). Pastor Joshua Gale, missionary for PLM, planned a week of volunteer activities for the students. This included painting a newly acquired church property, assisting Philadelphia’s homeless population, and getting a real taste of Philly culture. Students helped handing out care packages to the homeless and selling Philadelphia’s first street newspaper, One Step Away, which helps provide employment to those in need. They were also treated to dinner made by a local Lutheran Liberian community and took a few breaks from volunteering to explore the city. Freshman Jenna Licht remarked, “It was an eye opening experience, and lessons learned will stick with me for the rest of my life.” Junior Samuel Kleiss stated, “It was epic and heart jerking all at the same time.” 

Link to Rev. Wegener's Article on  Short Term Mission Trips

Valley Lutheran High School

Glenn Rollins installation as Executive Director/Principal of Valley Lutheran School, Cedar Falls.

Mr. Rollins was installed on April 11th, during Wednesday Chapel at the school.

Pictured from left to right
Pastor Randolph McHone, Grace Lutheran
Pastor Scott Yount, Ascension Lutheran
Pastor Len Brokenshire, Ascension Lutheran
Mr. Glenn Rollins
President Brian Saunders and
Pastor Gerald Kapanka-Immanuel Lutheran

Immanuel Lutheran Church in Grand Mound

At the National Youth Gathering in New Orleans in 2001, Cory Selby, son of Mike & Jill Selby, was one of many participants from Immanuel Church in Grand Mound attending the event. Cory was called to his heavenly home while at the convention when he died of a heart complication. In memory of Cory, the youth group at Immanuel has held Bowl-A-Thons to raise awareness of heart disease and to also raise money which is donated to the local heart department of the Genesis Foundation.

This year, Immanuel church in Grand Mound, along with several youth from Immanuel church of Charlotte, spent a Sunday afternoon bowling at the third annual Bowl-A-Thon. Twenty-one youth and several adults had lunch together at Grand Mound’s church Youth Center. Gaylon Heetland (Thrivent's representative) talked to the youth about stewardship and the importance of the gifts God has given to all of us: time, talents, and treasures. Gaylon also used oatmeal to demonstrate the Bible verse from Luke 6:38 about how much God has given us and that we will NEVER be able to out-give God! After lunch, everyone headed to DeWitt Bowling Lanes for an afternoon of fun and fellowship.

A big thank you to the Immanuel congregation for the $789.40 that was donated, as well as Charlotte’s Immanuel Church for their participation and donations, too. Thrivent will also be adding to this amount with their matching fund program. This money will be given to the local heart department of the Genesis foundation in memory of Cory Selby. 

IDE Spelling Bee 2012

District Spelling Bee Held at Valley Lutheran Middle & High School

The Annual Iowa District East Spelling Bee was held at Valley Lutheran School in Cedar Falls, on March 3, 2012. Seven schools with forty-four students participated in the event. Each contestant received seventy-five words and six oral words, with the top three/four contestants from each of the three age levels moving on to an oral spell down to determine the trophy winners.

In the 3rd-4th grades, 1st place went to Lydia Armbrecht, Lutheran Interparish,
Williamsburg, 2nd place to Gabe Smith, Trinity Lutheran, Cedar Rapids, 3rd place to Cody Solberg, Lutheran Interparish, Williamsburg, and 4th place to Abigail Howe, Central Lutheran, Newhall.

The 5th -6th place winners were: 1st place Austin Papini, Lutheran Interparish, 2nd place Emma Armbrecht, Lutheran Interparish and 3rd place Inys Maness – Trinity Cedar Rapids

7th - 8th grade winners were: 1st place Dylan Lampe, Community Lutheran,

2nd place Michael Martens – Lutheran Interparish, Williamsburg and 3rd place Lauren Weimer, Valley Lutheran, 4th place Matthew Voss, Central Newhall.

A traveling plaque was presented to Lutheran Interparish, for earning 658 points in the competition. Second place in the point totals was Trinity Lutheran, and 3rd Place was Central Lutheran, Newhall.

Other schools competing were: Community Lutheran of Readlyn, Immanuel Lutheran, Waterloo, Valley Lutheran, Cedar Falls and St. Paul Lutheran, Latimer.

Sponsors of the event were: Eastern Iowa Lutheran High School Association, Quota Club International, Allstate Insurance- Scott Parsons, Blue Line Moving, Celia Simmer- Trapp Realtors, Iowa Sports Supply, Rack’Em Up Promotions, A-Line Scrap Metal, Street Smarts-Neil & Donna Jones, and Street Smarts LLC, Dan McElroy.

Pictured: Front row left to right: Gabe Smith, Abigail Howe, Cody Solberg, Lydia Armbrecht. Middle row left to right: Inys Maness, Emma Armbrecht , Austin Papini.

Back Row left to right: Lauren Weimer, Matthew Voss, Dylan Lampe , Michael Martens.