Rev. Dr. Brian Saunders, District President

Presidents Piece for Peace

As quickly as Christmas has come and gone, now Lent is upon us with an almost silent approach. We will notice the changes in the sanctuary. Purple now adorns the altar, parts of the liturgy are omitted, the hymns carry the minor key as the major focus of the season is on repentance. The Scripture readings appointed throughout the season will call out to us the need for reflection and repentance. The solemnity of the decor and Word are heard from John the Baptist as recorded by Luke in his 3rd chapter when it says that John "went into all the country around the Jordan preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins." John quotes from the prophet Isaiah and calls for the hearers to "prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for Him." John is preaching a Lenten sermon then and now.

Lent assists us with one of the most difficult tasks we have as Christians. The call to repent. I am reminded of the liturgy from TLH 15 when in the corporate confession of sins we said "but I am heartily sorry for them." If one speaks over those words too quickly a dangerous change can take place. Our temptation is to look upon our sins and say "I am hardly sorry for them." Some sins we find repulsive. Those are usually the sins committed against us or the sins so easily identified in other people. The task is to find our sins repulsive. When we convince ourselves that the transgressions we commit are acceptable by society or they don't really hurt anyone, and since I seem to like my trespasses; we soon are hardly sorry for them.

The Lenten season is such a blessing to us that we might not appreciate it fully. It causes us to listen to the Word of God in all of its Truth and honesty. It doesn't just inform us that "all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God." It makes sure we know that "there is no one who has not sinned, no, not even one" including us, we, me. Lent is not a season of self congratulation, self promotion, or self esteem. It is a season of self reflection with honest evaluation. It drives home the painful point that "the wages of sin is death." It is a season of repentance.

It prepares the way for the Lord, it makes straight paths for Him. It sweetens the Easter joy with a message that assures us of the victory Jesus gained over sin and death with His glorious resurrection. There is hardly any need for a sin forgiving Jesus if we are hardly sorry for our sins. When Lent has had its way with us, driving us into the deep purple of repentance, our hearts will be lifted up like the evening sacrifice when the Good News of Jesus resurrection is proclaimed. It was His heart that bled the red fluid of redemption. His body and blood sacrificed to deliver us from the consequences of sin. His body and blood placed in our mouth that we may be benefactors of divine deliverance.

God bless you my brothers and sisters as we enter the ever so difficult season of Lent. May He bless you with the sure and certain hope and truth of forgiveness through Jesus Christ our Lord.

President Saunders.

Grace Lutheran Church in DeWitt

The installation of DCE Mark Sperry and January 27th welcome of new Members.

Davenport Lutheran Home

Davenport Lutheran Home Dedicated Volunteers

Marea Likeness is pictured here with Mary Ash and Eileen Butenschaen. Together these beautiful ladies have been helping to facilitate the weekly BINGO game at the Lutheran Home for over 65 years! Marea has volunteered here ever since we opened the doors in 1971. Marea now resides at the Lutheran Home herself, but still, every Friday she helps another resident play BINGO. When Mary had just retired from being a Teacher’s Aid, when a friend invited her to help out with BINGO. That was twenty years ago! Eileen was also invited to volunteer with a friend five years ago and appreciates the friendship that has grown between she and Mary while handing out BINGO cards and prizes at the Lutheran Home. Thank you Marea, Mary and Eileen for all 65 years of service to others!

Activity Volunteer, Bill O’Brien is pictured here with Davenport Lutheran Home resident, David Neal. For two years Bill has been making frequent visits to the home to chat with David and other residents and also facilitates the Bag Toss Game twice a month. Thank you, Bill!

Bingo Volunteers, Danna Wuestenberg, and her son, Lucas are pictured here with Davenport Lutheran Home resident, Allen Plambeck. Danna and Lucas help out at BINGO and other large group activities at the home. Alan said he likes having Lucas help him with his BINGO card and he thinks it’s great that he is learning to serve others by volunteering at such a young age.

East Side Mission in Daveport

Greetings from Lutheran East Side Mission!

We are enjoying changes at the Mission, September of 2010 the Mission welcomed vacancy Pastor, Reverend David C. Anderson. The Board of Directors extended a call to Pastor and on April 3rd, 2011 the celebration and installation was held at Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Davenport. The service was beautiful and impressive with thirteen Pastors present.

The joy continues; we were honored to host a reception for Pastor David C. Anderson and Susanne as they celebrated their union as husband and wife with a luncheon and reception at the Mission on Sunday, August 12th. We look forward to what God has planned for Pastor Anderson and Susanne. We take heart in knowing that Pastor has plans to remain in the Quad Cities and will continue as our Pastor of Lutheran East Side Mission.

We appreciate your prayers and continued financial and hands on support of Lutherans East Side Mission. Through your prayers we touch the lives of so many people. The Mission is blessed to share in the joy as we witness Christ at work in the hearts of the families who worship, pray and play at the Mission. Worship service is Sundays at 11:30 with Sunday school for Pre-K through Junior High. The Ladies Bible Study meets twice a month and the After School program is Monday – Thursday, 3:00 to 5:00. The Mission Board of Directors meets every other month. Please visit us soon!

The Mission Statement:  “Renewing hearts and minds by bringing God’s people to the knowledge of his teachings and prepare our youth through spiritual enrichment to provide stepping stones in building a Christian foundation . The Mission goal is to grow God’s Church, strengthen the community, and build positive relationships between parents and children.

Rejoicing with you in the glory and wonder in all of God’s Gifts!

ST. Andrew Lutheran Church in Van Horne

St. Andrew, Van Horne quilting days!

Over a three day period, members of St. Andrew came together to assemble and sew quilts which will be sent to Lutheran World Relief and Orphan Grain Train. Last year over 60 quilts were made and shipped. The pictures show the different stages of the quilt making process and then they are displayed for one Sunday for the whole congregation to see.

Immanuel Lutheran Church in Grand Mound, Grace Lutheran Church in DeWitt

The choirs of Immanuel, Grand Mound, and Grace, DeWitt, combined in December to present the Christmas cantata, "Celebrate the Season". The two choirs have come together every other year for the past six years to sing a cantata together at Christmastime. This year they sang at the 8:00 and 10:30 AM services at Grace on December 9th and the 10:00 AM service at Immanuel on December 16th. The two groups start rehearsing separately in September and then come together in November to practice together until the presentations. The combined choir is shown here at Immanuel.

Picture from (left to right) is Sheryl Zinda, Immanuel Choir Director, Julie Matzen, Grace Choir Director, Joyce Fletcher, pianist and Nancy Haney, audio & videos from Grace.

Grace Lutheran Church in Blairstown

Family Treasures

When Florence Meyer taught herself to quilt nearly 80 years ago, she could not have imagined that four generations of family members would enjoy and treasure the products of her handiwork.

Florence is 95 years old and still lives on her own in the farm house that she and her husband, Theophil, built in 1954. Florence tends to her yard and garden, and her energy, independence, and service to others are inspirational for her family.

Florence was born in a farmhouse near the small town of Watkins, Iowa. Her parents had been raised in the German community called the Amana Colonies in Iowa, and she grew up speaking German at home. Florence recalls that as a teenager, her grandmother gave her some fabric, and she taught herself to quilt by watching others.

Eight decades later, Florence still uses the wooden quilting frame that belonged to her grandmother. She uses pre-measured cardboard squares and triangles as guides when cutting the fabric. Florence usually makes what is called a four-square design; she lays out a design based on the colors of the fabric she has available. Once she has decided on a pattern and color scheme, Florence sews the 4x4 inch fabric squares together on a sewing machine she bought in the late 1950’s. Florence says that she is able to spend more time quilting during the winter months, when the bitter Iowa winters limit the amount of outdoor work. She says that if she’s able to work at a quilt steadily, it only takes her two to three days to complete the quilt.

Florence’s hand-made quilts are prized as gifts among her family. She makes baby quilts when a new member of the family arrives. She has also made quilts as graduation, wedding and house-warming presents, and her family members often make special requests for one of her quilts.

But the blessing of Florence’s Christian love and sense of service extend miles and miles beyond her family. Florence has made hundreds of quilts and donated them to Lutheran World Relief and other organizations over the years. From 2008 to 2011, Florence made and donated more than 120 quilts to Lutheran Word Relief.

Florence’s generosity with her time and talents are a heartwarming example of God’s love in action.

CAMP IO-DIS-E-CA

IDE Retreats at Camp Io-Dis-E-Ca

On November 16-17, the IDE Sr. High Retreat was held at Camp Io-Dis-E-Ca. Pastor Mons from St. Paul Lutheran Chapel in Iowa City led the weekend’s Bible study titled Defining Love in Four Ways: Answering the Question, “What is Love?”.

Also at Camp Io-Dis-E-Ca, the IDE Jr. High Retreat was held on January 25-26. Pastor Peter Hoft from Parkview Lutheran Church in Eldridge led the Bible study titled What is the World to Me?, showing how a Lutheran Christian worldview differs from that of the world around us.

Plenty of activities were enjoyed at both retreats. The Sr. High Retreat participated in its annual SPOONS tournament and the Sno-Olympics followed the Jr. High Retreat, with the group from St. Paul, Mt. Vernon/Iowa City taking home top honors.

St. Paul's Chapel in Iowa City

Sarah Flathers
MY FIRST SEMESTER AT IOWA

Finally getting out of the house and starting at the University of Iowa was a scary for me at first, but St. Paul’s made it much easier to adjust to life at college. During the summer I went to orientation at the University and I got a chance to visit St. Paul’s Lutheran Chapel as a possible place to attend church when I went to school. I wasn’t sure at first, but that was because I have always attended St. John’s Lutheran Church in Clinton, Iowa, and was so used to Pastor Pool and Pastor Brinkman and their preaching. I thought someplace different just wouldn’t be the same. Soon that all changed.

My first Sunday at St. Paul’s I walked into the chapel not knowing what to do or where to go. Within a few minutes of wandering into the building, the members and students of the chapel helped me and answered all my questions. It was then that I realized St. Paul’s would be a really good place to attend; everyone there is so friendly and kind, and they help you out with whatever you need.

Not only do we have services on Sunday mornings at 10:30 but we also have different activities for the college students and the permanent members of the congregation. One of my favorite activities is the Home Away from Home program. That is where a permanent member invites a college student into their home to get away from the dorm and to give them a home cooked meal.

Some other chapel events include Nerf War, going to a high school football game, and retreat weekends with other college students. By participating in all these events I have made some terrific friends who made my first semester at Iowa a great experience. Many of us even get together outside of Chapel just to hang out. You really make some great friends at St. Paul’s. I have also been teaching Sunday school at St. Paul’s which lets me share my faith in Christ with the little children at Chapel.

I would like to thank Pastor Mons and his family Christine, Katie, Susie, Annie, and James Mons, Daniel and Crysten Sanchez, Sarah Henry, Catie Rinderknect, Caleb Koch, Rebecca Schaff, Nathan Black and Brooke Elliff for welcoming me to St. Paul’s this first semester.

St. Paul’s has made my transition into college much smoother than I expected. It would have been a difficult transition if I didn’t have a place like St. Paul’s to welcome me at University of Iowa. If you are ever in Iowa City on a Sunday morning stop by and come worship with us all at St. Paul’s!

More Unwrapped Pictures

St. Paul's crowd along with Rev. Steve Schulz and students from North Dakota State University. St. Paul's hosted them on their way back to North Dakota

IDE College Students Attend Unwrapped

“There’s awesome. Then there is really awesome. Then there is Unwrapped!” That’s how students from College Hill Lutheran, Cedar Falls and St. Paul’s Lutheran Chapel, Iowa City described Unwrapped! The 2013 LCMS National Campus Ministry Conference, which was held on the campus of St. Louis University, January 2-5, 2013.

All told, more than 425 college students (did we mention College Hill sent 20 students - the largest group?) and pastors gathered in St. Louis to unwrap God’s Word and learn how to defend the Christian faith. Students heard from the plenary speaker, Mr. Craig Parton, who is both a trial lawyer and the U.S. Director of the International Academy of Apologetics, Evangelism and Human Rights in Strasbourg, France. Parton examined the remarkable decline of American evangelicalism, why so many are going to Rome, Eastern Orthodoxy, and Calvinism, as well as why many Lutherans are trying to be Baptists at the very moment Baptists are wanting to know how to become Lutherans!

In addition to Mr. Parton, students listened to twenty seven sectional speakers who presented on topics ranging from C.S. Lewis to the joy of being single. Many of our students commented on how hard it was to choose which sectional to attend; they were all so good.

A highlight of the conference was worship. Each morning and evening conference participants gathered in the chapel for Matins and Evening prayer. Intercessory prayer was held in the chapel at 2:15 pm, each day. Compline was held in the hotel lobby. The message of Christ crucified and risen for us and our forgiveness was clearly proclaimed.

Unwrapped! was the first campus ministry conference in close to a dozen years. It was the largest campus ministry conference in over thirty years and the students from College Hill and St. Paul’s cannot wait for the next one!