ONE HUNDRED YEARS OF SPIRITUAL BLESSINGS



In 1907, Theodore Roosevelt was serving as President of the United States of America. On July 10, 1907, a precious child of God was born. She was baptized, confirmed and married at Trinity Lutheran, Lowden and following her marriage to Edwin Soenksen she became a member of Grace Lutheran, DeWitt. Her married name is Esther Soenksen.


During the first part of July, 2007, the Grace Lutheran Prayer Warriors honored Esther on her 100th birthday during a Thursday afternoon Prayer Service. A book was compiled and presented to her during the service containing a picture of each individual Prayer Warrior accompanied with a loving note from each of them.


May God continue to richly bless such a faithful Prayer Warrior who is a beautiful witness for Jesus in so many ways.

The Luthean Service Book Receives An Award

Lutheran Service Book—Pew Edition Wins the FiberMark Specifier Award

ST. LOUIS, MO—Concordia Publishing House’s Lutheran Service Book—Pew Edition is honored to win the prestigious, 2007 FiberMark Specifier Award. This award is judged on overall appearance, decoration, design, use of color, construction quality, and the relationship of the material to the product.

Concordia Publishing House won the award in the religious publishing category, competing with publishing companies from around the world. Representatives from FiberMark said the Lutheran Service Book design is “subtle, yet beautiful,” and the “stamping and debossing took extremely well to the material.”

Lutheran Service Book builds on the riches of the liturgical and hymnic heritage that Lutherans have received from past generations. To honor that tradition, Lutheran Service Book not only preserves significant portions of the Lutheran heritage but also makes its own contribution for the 21st century. Lutheran Service Book introduces a significant body of new resources that faithfully celebrate Christ and His Gospel of forgiveness and life.

FiberMark’s specialty fiber-based materials support industries and consumers worldwide. They provide value-added solutions to customers’ needs with advances in fiber technology. The primary markets they serve include office products, publishing, luxury packaging, technical/industrial, graphic design, and more.

St. John Luthean Church in Waverly

ST JOHN WAVERLY DEDICATES ROSCHKE ARBOR ON JUNE 24.

On June 24, the congregation at St John Waverly dedicated an Arbor to a former long time Pastor Harold Roschke and his wife Alvera. The Roschke Arbor, an aesthetically appealing tribute to a beloved Pastor who led the congregation from 1940 to 1976.

The Arbor grew out of an idea at a St John garden club meeting when church member Steve Schoepske suggested building an Arbor to beautify the church grounds. One of the Roschke daughters, Kathryn Roschke Schaefer immediately connected with the idea and suggested that it be dedicated to her parents who had gone to their Glory in 2005. Kathryn still lives in Waverly and is a member of St. John Lutheran Church.

Steve ran a business building garden arbors in Waterloo several years ago. He had planned to build one to honor his parents but his wife Sheri suggested he build one for St John.

Using his skills with woodwork and 3D design and the machines at his workplace, Progressive Tool company in Waterloo, Steve carefully crafted the over 400 piece latticed wood arch. Each side of the arched structure features three crosses, the face of Jesus and the phrase, "I am with you always."

With the help of 10 members of the St. John garden club, the pieces were stained and on Monday June 18 the arbor was assembled. On June 24 following the worship service the congregation proceeded outdoors where a short dedication ceremony was held led by Pastor Versemann. Steve Schoepske the designer of the arbor spoke briefly explaining that he hopes the arbor will hold a special meaning for everyone. "It all pertains to Jesus and I just think it's a fixture to honor Christ and to honor people who taught his word".

Reverend Harold Roschke and his wife Alvera were well known throughout Iowa District East as Pastor Roschke served in many capacities within the district including 1st vice president. He graduated from the St Louis seminary in 1936 and because of the depression many graduates did not have a call. However, he was determined to be a Pastor and after serving as. an assistant in Jackson Missouri where he had vicared and at Clinton, Iowa he received a call to St. John Waverly in November of 1939. He arrived in Waverly in January 1940 and served faithfully until January 1976. Under his leadership and the guidance of the Holy Spirit, the church grew from about 70 members to over 700. Because of the rapid growth a new building was built in 1957. He truly understood servant hood and served not only his congregation but the entire community as well. He ministered to non members that were sick and hospitalized and earned a reputation for his generosity, giving food and money to strangers who stopped by the church. He remembered what the Bible taught, “If you have done it to the least of these my brethren, you have done it unto me.”

In 1976 he accepted a call to Our Savior Lutheran church in Muscatine. He served there for six years and then served Peace Lutheran Church in Shell Rock, Iowa until his "official" retirement in 1992.

He was without a secretary for many years and his dear wife would fold all the bulletins, prepared the communion, wash the linens and many other things that needed to be done to carry out the work of the Lord. Pastor and Alvera Roschke were blessed with 5 children. Kathryn, Paul, John, Joyce and one son who died in infancy. Kathryn lives in Waverly, Paul is deceased, John lives in Minneapolis and Joyce lives in Ames.

At the time of his departure from Waverly, the local paper in a tribute to Pastor Roschke wrote, "His vigor and enthusiasm for his work, his unfailing good nature and his friendliness with everyone he meets marks him as an exceptional man-Waverly will miss a good friend".

If Pastor and Alvera Roschke were here today they would say, “TO GOD ALONE THE GLORY!”

Christ Luthean Chuch in Davenport

Friends in Christ,

Christ Lutheran High School is currently taking applications for part-time and full-time teaching positions. Send your resume to P.O. Box 1535, Davenport, Ia 52809-1535, to the attention of Rev. Steven L. Anderson, or reply to this message.


Christ Lutheran High School
"A Different Kind of School" Rev. Steven L. Anderson, Administrator, 1020 W. Central Park Ave. Davenport, IA 52804

http://www.clhsqc.org/

563-391-2190

Iowa Lutheran School Tuitian Organization

Iowa Lutheran School Tuition Organization


What is the Iowa Lutheran School Tuition Organization (STO)? During the 2006 Iowa Legislative Session a new program to benefit Iowa Non-public Accredited School Families was put in place. It a program designed to help parents who desire a non-public education for their children, but are unable to afford it. For the calendar year 2007, $5,000,000 was allocated for Tuition Tax Credits. For the 2008 calendar year $7.5 million dollars have been allocated for Tuition Tax Credits.

In January 2007 the State Accredited Lutheran Schools of Iowa went together to form a Lutheran School Tuition Organization. During this school year we can raise $346,000 for our tuition organization. We have $224,928 in tuition tax credits to distribute. During the 2007 calendar year we are raising money to be distributed during the 2008-09 school year. How does this benefit Iowa East Lutheran Schools? There are two ways.

First of all, for those of you who donate to the Lutheran Tuition Organization you will receive a 65% tax credit. For example, if you donate $1000 to the Lutheran STO you will receive a voucher for $650 tax credit on your Iowa State Income Tax. That means you will be able to subtract $650 from the dollar amount owed the state of Iowa. In addition, you can use the amount as a deduction on you Federal Income Tax as a charitable contribution. Wouldn’t it be great to help a student attend an Iowa District East Lutheran School instead of paying taxes?

Second of all, families whose income is up to 4 times the national poverty rate are eligible for tuition assistance from this program. We would be able to more fully fund students attending Iowa East Lutheran Schools. We would be able to provide our school ministry and share the Gospel with more children and their families. By so doing, increase enrollment. Now that’s something to think about.

Our goal is to fully fund the Lutheran STO this year. I am asking you to consider a donation. Not only will you help students attend Iowa East Lutheran schools in the state, you will also benefit from a tax credit. Not only that, but Thrivent will match up to $400 of your contribution.

Please share this information with your friends. Any person who pays Iowa State Income Tax is eligible for the tuition tax credit. Please consult your tax advisor, to see how this program can benefit you.

If you would like more information spend some time at iowalutheransto.org or contact Mrs. Buescher at 319-233-3967.

To receive tax credit for the 2007 tax year, your donation must be made by December 31, 2007. Remember, we only have $224,928 in tax credits to give out. Once that amount is gone, there can be no more tax credits given. So donate early, you don’t want to be left out! We are now able to accept non-cash donations also.
___________________________________________

The Iowa Lutheran
School Tuition Organization (STO)
Donation Form
Gifts to the STO must be paid and received by December 31, 2007 to be eligible for the tax credit. Total credits available are limited and will be provided to donors on a first-come, first-served basis. You will receive a tax credit certificate from the STO in January, 2008 to attach to your Iowa income tax return. If you choose to designate funds to a specific school, we will direct funds to the designated school. Once the identified needs of qualifying students attending the designated school have been met, any unused restricted donations will be made available to satisfy the needs of qualifying students at other schools within the STO.

Name: __________________________________________________
Address: ________________________________________________
City: ____________________ State: ______ ZIP: _______________
Phone: (______)________-___________
Email Address: _______________________________________________
Church Name & City/State: ______________________________________________
Total gift amount: $____________ SSN: _____________________________________
Signature: ________________________________________
Gift Fulfillment:
􀁒 My gift payment is included
􀁒 Please contact me for a gift in 2008.
Please make checks payable to Iowa Lutheran STO

Please apply my donation to: (check one)
􀁒 Iowa Lutheran STO General Fund: Distribute where needed most
􀁒 Trinity Lutheran School, Boone
􀁒 Central Lutheran School, Newhall
􀁒 Trinity Lutheran School, Cedar Rapids
􀁒 Zion-St. John Lutheran School, Paullina
􀁒 Clarinda Lutheran School, Clarinda
􀁒 Community Lutheran School, Readlyn
􀁒 Clemons Lutheran School, Clemons
􀁒 St. Paul Lutheran School, Sioux City
􀁒 Trinity Lutheran School, Council Bluffs
􀁒 Iowa Great Lakes Lutheran School, Spencer
􀁒 Trinity Lutheran School, Davenport
􀁒 Concordia Lutheran School, Storm Lake
􀁒 Zion Lutheran School, Denison
􀁒 Immanuel Lutheran School, Waterloo
􀁒 Dubuque Lutheran School, Dubuque
􀁒 Lutheran Interparish School, Williamsburg
􀁒 St. Paul Lutheran School, Fort Dodge
􀁒 Zion Lutheran School, Wilton
􀁒 St. Paul Lutheran School, Latimer

Please mail completed Donation Form and payment to:
Iowa Lutheran STO
1122 W. Central Park
Davenport, IA 52804

The deadline for 2008-09 school year donations will be December 31st, 2007.
Donations received in 2008 will be applied to the 2009-2010 school year.

IDE - Parish Nurse Report

Iowa District East is made up of: 13 circuits, 119 congregations, 10 elementary schools, 38 preschools, two high schools, 99 pastors, 95 teachers, 7 DCEs and 21 parish nurses! I am the district parish nurse representative for the eastern half of Iowa. On a larger scale, the synod has 35 districts with about 950 parish nurses across the country. The “average” LCMS parish nurse is a 57 year old, married female, with a baccalaureate degree. She has served 6.5 years in her Mid-west parish.

I was privileged to attend the 15th Annual Concordia Conference for Parish Nurses and Congregational Health Ministries in Mequon, WI at the end of May and was able to meet many other parish nurses. The LCMS Health Ministry is well organized with Carol Broemmer RN, Manager of Health Ministries, LCMS World Relief and Human Care in St. Louis and Dr. Marcia Schnorr, National Coordinator, LCMS Parish Nursing in Rochelle, IL.

Twenty five of the 35 districts had representatives present at a gathering prior to this conference. In attendance at the District Representative meeting was a parish nurse from Bethlehem, Palestine, she is studying in the states for a month. We traveled to Finland via live teleconference, and had a report about work being done in Kenya with volunteer Mercy Medical Teams. There was time for district updates, networking and lots of learning! Our keynote speaker was Dr. Lou Jander from the Texas District; he spoke on Effective Team Ministry. I attended breakout sessions on Forgiveness & Healing, Health and Humor, Church Workers and Wellness, Community Ministries, Obesity Epidemic, Being an End of Life Advocate, and National Health Care & the Presidential Candidates.

As a District Rep I strive to promote, educate, and support health ministry and parish nursing in our district. Please contact me if I can be of assistance to you and your congregation! Ronda Anderson RN, Parish Nurse, Bethany Lutheran Church, Cedar Rapids. ronda.anderson@bethanycr.org 319-364-6026

Grace Lutheran Church in DeWitt - Memorial Day

Grace, DeWitt Prayer Warrior's held a special Memorial Day Service May 24th to honor all veterans that are serving or have served our country in the Armed Services. Special guests were Ron and LaVonne Jurgersen, parents of Sgt Major Brent Jurgersen, US Army. Brent was injured critically twice in Iraq, has had a leg amputated, spent many months at Walter Reed Medical Center in Washington DC and is currently serving with the Army in Texas.

Grace Lutheran Church in DeWitt

Grace Lutheran Camp, DeWitt, hosted their annual Women’s Retreat on May 1st with noon and evening sessions. Twila Belk a popular speaker, humorist and radio personality presented the program at the retreat entitled “Bloom Where You’re Planted!” This was a May Day opportunity to celebrate spring and new life in the midst of where we are planted in our lives. Guests enjoyed a delicious salad meal at each session, devotions and group singing.

Grace Lutheran Church in DeWitt

From His Triumphal Entry to His rising from the dead, members of Grace Lutheran, DeWitt, shared with the community during Holy Week in a lighted display on the lawn of the church.

District President Gary Arp's May Article

Christ the Lord is Risen! He is risen indeed. Alleluia!

When one looks around at events in the world—the situation in Iraq which never seems to improve, the massacre at Virginia Tech, skyrocketing gas prices...—it is easy to become discouraged and negative. In times such as this we need to focus on who we are in Christ and where we are going. We are pilgrims, sojourners, on our way to a new homeland. You can be certain of who you are where you are going because Christ the Lord is risen. Because He is risen we can live as triumphant, victorious people no matter what is going on around us—in good times and bad.

And there are plenty of good things going on! This is the season of new life in nature. Things are coming back to life (a reminder of our resurrection!). As I write this it is a cool, rainy day, but as I look out my living room window from the comfort of my recliner it is absolutely beautiful outside. You can almost see the grass growing before your eyes, the baby leaves on our maple tree are poking their heads out and the birds are singing! What a beautiful world God has given us through which to pilgrim!

Marjorie and I are looking forward to the confirmation of a granddaughter, the wedding of a grandson, and the birth of two great grandchildren (our first). How could anything dull the joy of such blessings from the hand of our gracious Lord and Savior?

I have been happy to hear that so many of our IDE congregations have purchased the new hymnal, Lutheran Service Book (LSB). For those who want a variety of services LSB has many. For those who want the familiar, the services from LW and TLH are there, and there are hymns new and old. Concordia Publishing House has announced that because of the continuing demand it is going extend the introductory discounted price for several more months.

July 13-19 are the dates for the next convention of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod. At this writing, the workbook with the reports and overtures has not yet arrived so I cannot report on what might be coming before the convention. However, it is safe to say that “Funding the Mission” is going to receive a good deal of attention. I mentioned the financial concerns of District and Synod in the March edition of IDE TODAY. The convention floor committees are scheduled to meet May 18-21. I will be serving on the “Program and Finance Floor Committee.” Please put the convention delegates in your prayers.

Warmer weather has come to Lithuania and Pastor Petkunas reports that the work on the building project we have been supporting is progressing more rapidly now. The roof is on and work on the tower is headed toward completion. I haven’t heard from Pastor Petkunas for about three weeks, but I expect that perhaps some interior work has begun. Please continue to pray for Pastor Petkunas and the Palanga project.

I hope you have a wonderful, enjoyable summer.

Spring Professional Worker's Conference held at Bethany Lutheran Church in Cedar Rapids

Guest Speaker Rev. Dr. Bryan Salinen and Rev. Dean Rothchild.
Conference Leader Rev. W. Max Mons and District President Gary Arp.
Dr. Salminen's topic was "Sixth Commandment Issues."
Rev. Dr. Bryan Salminen.
The staff and members of Bethany Lutheran Church were terrific hosts.
The conference was held April 30-may 1st.
Plenty of time to visit is always appreciated at a conference.

St. Stephan's Lutheran Church in Atkins

Confirmed on April 1
Left to Right:  Elisa Phipps, Kadie Woltemath, Anna Krug,
Reverend Douglas Woltemath,
Zachary Twedt, Catherine Steinfadt & Jordon Haerther.

ISM Traing At St. Paul's Chaple in Iowa City

Being a volunteer is a hard job. You have to sacrifice your time and energy for things which are time consuming and never get paid for it. Even more so—from time to time you get to go to some boring training…

We do our best to equip volunteers for their work with International students. Of course, we cannot be ready for every situation. Every meeting with International students is a new learning experience not only for them, but also for those who teach them.

On the first Saturday in March, St. Paul’s Chapel organized a retreat for volunteers involved in International student ministry. Rev. Max Mons and ISM Director Leonarda Decker provided volunteers with information and means to help them feel more comfortable approaching international students and sharing the Gospel.

We set and reviewed goals for the ISM program, emphasizing that our ultimate aim is to spread the Gospel.

The work that we do is important at many levels. English Conversation classes improve
students’ English skills, which also positively affects their social life in the USA. As a Church we welcome to the Chapel’s community everyone who is looking for a familiar place, a second home, which is open for them and their families.

Guest speaker Gilsun Lim introduced volunteers to the Korean culture and talked about many ways in which it differs from American culture. It was fascinating to learn of things which are important in Oriental culture but are disregarded in the USA. This raised awareness among the volunteers to be aware of certain things that we might say and do with people from Korean culture—and with other International students. The volunteers then had a opportunity to ask questions about traditions in Korea and learn “first hand” instead of reading about it in books or on the Internet.

Also, the volunteers had the opportunity to listen to the ISM Director present on Oriental religions (Buddhism, Confucianism, Taoism and others) and compare them to Christianity. The presentation helped the volunteers to see the differences: that all religions in the world are Law based, and only Christ offers the Gospel by fulfilling the Law for His people.

The last part of the training aimed at giving providing tips on how to share the Gospel with people who are not familiar with or know very little about Christianity. Pastor Mons introduced devotions and prayers which are easy to use and explained how to present them in the way that could reflect the essence of Christian teaching. He also shared a list of recommended literature which will help volunteers to prepare for devotions and Bible lessons with the international students.

The retreat ended with a potluck which crowned the long morning. It might be true that training is not always fun, but the knowledge gained was priceless.

It is amazing to see the willingness with which the ISM volunteers ask questions and wish to learn more. Training cannot increase the faith in our students, but certainly can improve our knowledge about good news. Spreading the Gospel is not only about sharing something what we know, but it is an opportunity to tell people about God’s love which leads us from death to life. Faith is the question of life and death. The answer is Jesus Christ. His love is the motivation which drives our volunteers and the foundation which our ministry stands on.

Christian Care and Mental Health

Christian Care and Mental Health
A series of articles designed to help Christians understand the various components of mental health and to support those with mental health needs.
© February, 2007 by Rev. Daniel Krueger ~ author of “Gospel Therapy”
www.Gospeltherapy.com
_____________________________________
The Apostle Paul writes: “We know that the law is spiritual; but I am unspiritual, sold as a slave to sin. I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do” Romans 7:14-15. In dealing with depression and other mental health issues, what you want to do, and what you choose to do, are often at odds with each other. Unfortunately, we often fail to recognize this distinction and its impact on mental health.

In an experiment where people were placed into a sad or happy mood and then shown a series of slides which could be viewed at their own pace, happy people spent more time looking at happy scenes, whereas sad people spent more time looking at sad scenes. Another experiment had depressed and non-depressed students interact socially, frequently switching partners, and then rating how much they liked the other individual. The old proverb “misery loves company” turned out to be true. Depressed people preferred the company of other depressed people, whereas happy people preferred the company of other happy people.

In the classes I teach on depression and anxiety one activity is recording, for several weeks, what I refer to as UPPERS and DOWNERS. Uppers and Downers are not the things we want to do or don’t want to do. Uppers and Downers are determined by how we feel after doing a specific task. For instance, you may want to stay in bed all day because you are feeling depressed. After a particularly stressful day you may feel like sitting down and eating a bucket of strawberry ice cream. The question is, how do you feel after these activities? While these are choices you may want to make, they are also choices that are designed to make you feel even more negative about yourself, and tend to perpetuate depression.

Frequently people are not fully aware of the impact of their daily choices. I remember vividly the reaction of one class member who, on her list of downers (things that make you feel depressed after doing it), wrote: “Calling my Mother!” This woman’s mother happened to be very judgmental and negative. Shortly afterward I asked this same woman what was one of the first things she did when started to feel depressed. At first she gasped, then in a tone expressing amazement she uttered, “I call my Mother!” Prior to that moment she was oblivious to the connection between this particular choice and her daily battle with depression.

I believe it was Albert Einstein who defined insanity as “doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.” Improving mental health involves a thorough examination of the daily choices we make and the discipline to make new choices. One positive choice that may impact your life, is starting your day out with Scripture and Prayer. Before you consider everything you think you must do, refresh yourself with all the things that God has promised to do for you in Christ, and a reminder that at the end of day, no matter where you have failed, you will still be perfect through Christ. It may be just the medicine you need to make you WANT to get out of bed!

Rev. Dean Rothchild's May IDE Article

St. Peter writes: “but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to every one who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence” I Peter 3:15.
_____________________

On Saturday, April 21st, I had the privilege of presenting a Witness Workshop at Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Davenport. The workshop is based on “The Christian Doctrine of Vocation and Informed by the Distinction Between the Two Kinds of Righteousness.” At one point in the presentation I paused and asked, “Have any of you ever been called on by either the Mormons or the Jehovah Witnesses?” Just about every hand in the room went up.

Going home for lunch the following Tuesday, who did I catch in the act of sticking a Watchtower in my door but a pair of Jehovah Witnesses. We talked a little, but the lady didn’t leave any material as they went on their way. The Jehovah Witnesses have been working my neighborhood quite hard the last couple of years.

Trying to give the best witness I could, and later wondering how well I did, Peter’s words came to mind. He says, always be ready. Be ready because who knows when the opportunity will come to share Christ with those who are lost? Maybe at lunch time today.

It is good to know that in Christ Jesus we are ready, we are even prepared to do this because we are forgiven. As forgiven saints, Jesus prepares us to be His witness when the opportunity arises.

Peter says to be prepared to make a defense. I believe that in the midst of the rise of false religions and the loss of the clear proclamation of the Gospel in so many churches, along with the many other “isms” around us, we have to be able to defend what we believe, teach, and confess. But how? It would behoove all of us Christians to prepare as best we can, asking our Pastors, for example, to train us in what the Bible and the Lutheran Confessions teach. Now is not the time for us to settle for “light” catechesis. After all, if we don’t know what we believe how can we possibly be ready to defend it?

For who knows who is going to ask? It might be the person at the lunch table in the break room at work. It might be the neighbor two doors down. It might be the person who sits next to us on an airplane. It might even be the new seed salesman who is just beginning to work our area. We never know who, but know people will ask!

To give an account means to be able to say this is what the Bible teaches about God’s love and His plan of salvation through Jesus, this is what I believe and confess about Jesus, and this is why Jesus came had to come into the world. Because I am a poor miserable sinner, without Jesus, I would spend eternity in hell because of my sins. I have hope in heaven because Jesus earned the forgiveness of sins for all people, including me, through His perfect life, His innocent suffering and death on the cross, and by His glorious Easter resurrection. And that He has given all this to me freely, in the water and Word of Holy Baptism.

What is the hope that is in us? It is the sure and certain hope of eternal life because Jesus has done it all and has given His victory to me as a gift. We can tell others what Jesus has done for them because we can tell them what He has done for each of us. By the Holy Spirit’s guiding, we can do this with gentleness and reverence.
________________________

If you wish to hear more about this Witness Workshop, or would like to host one, please contact me.

deanrothchild@lcmside.org

IDE Thrivent Check

Thrivent Financial Supports IDE Events

Thrivent Financial for Lutherans is very pleased to provide $6,875 to assist in the funding of the following 2007 IDE sponsored events:

Early Childhood Conference: January 27th
Spring Professional Workers Conference: April 30-May 1
Pastors Golf Outing & Luncheon: June 25th
Fall Pastors Conference: October 1-2
Church Secretary’s Conference: TBD
Singles Retreat: TBD

Thrivent Financial Representatives Chuck Zadow (member of Concordia, C.R.) and Kari Kibby (member of Zion, Hiawatha) presented the check to Rev. Dean Rothchild.

St. John's Lutheran Church in Waverly, Grace Lutheran Church in Artesian, Immanuel Lutheran Church in Waterloo

The human care committees of St. John's Lutheran Church in Waverly, and Grace Lutheran, Artesian, and Immanuel Lutheran Church of Waterloo, along with the Black Hawk Chapter of Lutherans For Life worked together to raise diapers and other needed supplies for four local agencies that serve new mothers in need. The donations given included baby formula, bibs, towels, and a total of 1,845 diapers! The diapers and other supplies will be donated to House of Hope, a transitional housing program for new mothers, Alternatives Pregnancy Center, a crisis pregnancy center, the Salvation Army, a homeless shelter, and Cedar Valley Friends of the Family, a battered women's shelter. The multi-church effort was designed to witness to mothers and families who have chosen life in the midst of some difficult circumstances as well as educate congregation members of the agencies in the community that are working to support these new families. One of the agencies, Alternatives Pregnancy Center, saw 649 individuals from May-October 2006 who heard the gospel message, discussed spiritual matters and prayed with a staff member. Mary Collins, Executive Director of Alternatives, had this to say about the people they serve, "Many of the young women who come to us have been involved in abusive and broken families. They have seldom, if ever, been to church. They know little about our Savior, but it is our hope and prayer that when they leave the Center, they have received a glimpse of His love and abundant life!" Those involved with the diaper drive wish to thank all of the congregation members who supported this effort through their donations and prayers.

IDE ILLL Zone #3

Members of Zone # 3 from the International Lutheran Laymen’s League gathered at Holy Cross in Davenport to hear suggestions on how to help their congregations and their pastors keep the” Iowa Ablaze” movement alive. Keith Schmidt and Allen Schmid, (Zone # 3 President) encouraged their listeners to attend the League’s convention on April 20-21 at Camp IO-DIS-E-CA.

This Spring Rally was an attempt to make the driving time and possibly weather conditions a little more acceptable for driving several miles from other cities to enjoy the fellowship of our rallies. Some members have been attending these rallies for 20 years or more and it is the smiling faces and the handshakes that keep them coming back. The Rally started at 10:00 A M and was history shortly after the noon meal of Soup & Sandwiches. It was followed by a short presentation on making the bracelets.

Keith Schmidt our Intl.LLL President did an excellent job of presenting the many different programs of the League that are designed to help congregations in their outreach efforts. You may find the League’s website at www.LHM.org.

John Moeller ( Media and Young Adult ), told the attendees about Davenport’s “Mississippi Valley Youth And Young Adult Fair Booth venture.” This is a multi-church venture that wishes to identify and mentor the next generation of League and congregational leaders. Iowa Dist East LLL leaders are now asking all congregations in the district to help make 30,000 “salvation, or Jesus bracelets” like Iowa West brought to the Iowa State Fair last summer. If your congregation truly believes the phrase “Come Worship With Us” We could use your help in making some of these 30,000 bracelets and explain a program called “Prove His Grace” that can be used to fund the bracelet making and promoting of the LCMS in “Our half of Iowa”. Contact us at Terrajohn1@msn.com and just type LHM in the subject line.

2007 IDE Spelling Bee

2007 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 10, 2007. Fifty-three students representing eight schools participated in the event. In the preliminary round, each contestant received seventy-five words to be written and six oral words. The top three contestants from each of the three age levels advanced to an oral spell down to determine who would take home the first, second, and third place trophies.

This year’s trophy winners are:

3^rd-4^th grade level:

1^st- Isaiah Armbrecht, LISWilliamsburg

2^nd-Anna Hage, Central Newhall

3^rd-Katharine Benya, Trinity Cedar Rapids

5^th-6^th grade level:

1^st-Zack Richardt, Trinity Cedar Rapids

2^nd-Kaitlyn Pegump, Central Newhall

3^rd-Harlan Owen, Trinity Cedar Rapids

7^th-8^th grade level:

1^st-Anthony Hardy, Trinity Cedar Rapids

2^nd-Mara Huebner, Community Readlyn

tie for 3^rd-Matthew Malm, Valley Lutheran, Cedar Falls

& Tyler Cook, Immanuel, Waterloo

A traveling plaque, presented each year to the school with the most overall school points, went to Central Lutheran of Newhall, with a total combined score of 422 points. Next in line was Trinity Lutheran-Cedar Rapids, then LIS-Williamsburg, Community Lutheran-Readlyn, Dubuque Lutheran, St. Paul’s-Latimer, Immanuel-Waterloo, and Valley Lutheran-Cedar Falls.

Thanks to all the contestants, school representatives, 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 Quota Club International, Blue Line-Cedar Falls, Pella Windows-Waterloo, Iowa Sports, and Bethany Bible Chapel 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 VLS at (319) 266-4565 or visit www.valleylutheranhigh.com.

St. John Lutheran Church in State Center

Mrs. Inez Badger of St. John – State Center, commissioned this crucifix to be carved by Reverend Vitali Gavrilov, a Deacon of Tranfguration Lutheran Church – Touim, Khakassia, a city in south central Siberia, in the fall of 2005.

Rev. Gavrilov began work in January 2006 and the corpus was completed in October 2006. The Reverends Daniel S. Johnson (Redeemer – Marshalltown) and Michael Scudder (Faith – Mt. Pleasant) brought the corpus back with them through airport security when they returned from their latest trip to Siberia in November 2006. Deacon Vitali Gavrilov learned this art of carving while serving a prison sentence in a Siberian prison in the 1990s. While he was in prison Pastor Pavel Zayakin - Abakan, Khakassia, visited him. After he was released from prison he was baptized and joined the Lutheran Church in Siberia. He now serves as an ordained Deacon (an assistant pastor in LCMS terminology) under Pastor Zayakin in the small city of Touim. The life story of Rev. Gavrilov can be read in the Siberian Lutheran Mission Society (SLMS) May 2005 newsletter, available as a “pdf” download at www.tslms.org. A recent article about life in Touim, Khakassia is published in the May 2007 SLMS newsletter.

Pictured: Pr. David Steege and Mrs. Inez Bager (St. John – State Center) stand next to a processional cross dedicated on Ash Wednesday.

Collage Hills Lutheran Church in Cedar Falls

Spring Break 2007: New Orleans

As thousands of people in Iowa were wondering when they were going to get their power back from the ice storm, 13 college students and 2 leaders from College Hill Lutheran Church and Brammer Student Center in Cedar Falls, IA had their eyes set on going down to New Orleans for spring break.

As we started our trip, we were blessed to stay with host families at St. Charles, MO and then at Jackson, MS. One of the amazing spots that we visited was Trinity Lutheran Church in Altenburg, Missouri. This history and beauty of this church and location was enjoyed by all.

As we traveled into New Orleans, we meet up with Rev. Jerome Terry and his wife, Dora. They showed us to our new home for the next three and half days.

We were soon off in the vans to the Ninth Ward and the Lower Ninth Ward to see the damage first hand. As we were driving, the van was silent with gasp of disbelief of what we were seeing. We then got a quick tour of the French Quarter as we would later spend a couple of nights there enjoying the atmosphere.

The work week started off early Monday morning. The original plan was to help with the clean up of the Bethel Lutheran Church building but the damage was too great. The church now is going to be destroyed and rebuilt. Instead we helped them clean up the grounds from other people dumping garbage on their lawn. We also had two groups helping at another church and a home with some painting that needed to be done. Later in the week, we had the opportunity to tear down some drywall from two homes so that they can start the rebuilding

This gave us an opportunity to help folks start getting their lives back. As the time down there came to a close, we got to worship with other volunteers. One of the students summarized the trip as: humility, reality and hope. We have given hope to the people in New Orleans and they have touched our lives forever.

College Hills Lutheran Church in Cedar Falls

College Hill Lutheran Church and Brammer Student Center was the site of the game night for the International Programs in the Cultural and Intensive English Program.
Foreign students attending the University of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls. Students and staff involved in the program came to the Student Center for an evening of fun, fellowship and food. The program will also be having their graduation program at the Brammer Student Center for those students completing their English training and moving on to other University programs. Assistant program director, Chris Pesek, organizes the events with/for the students. The College Hill Lutheran Student Fellowship and congregation members are pleased to have the group utilizing the facility.

Grace Lutheran Church in DeWitt

Grace Lutheran Church, DeWitt – The Sunday School participants “Marched” into March by declaring it Brent Jurgersen Month. 1st Sgt Brent Jurgersen, a former Sunday School attendee and confirmed member (class of 1976), who served in Iraq, endured a number of injuries resulting in having a leg amputated. Because of the love and dedication to his soldiers and friends, and his desire to ride a motorcycle, his fellow soldiers wanted to surprise him with a Harley Davidson Trike. Thus the fundraiser began! Grace Sunday School (along with the congregation) hopped right on and rode along with four exciting Sundays – March 4th was bring a friend to Sunday School – after all, we were helping our friend Brent! March 11th was “Cool Dude” Sunday, complete with shades (sunglasses), funny hats and a Harley Davidson Jacket. March 18th was “Wearing of the Green” and March 25th was Patriot Sunday where the red, white and blue colors were displayed (see picture) and treats were enjoyed. The total amount forwarded to Texas to put towards the trike was $1674. 88. The trike (along with a trailer) is to be presented to Brent on April 14 in Texas where he is currently stationed.