Rev. Dean Rothchild, Assistant To The District President

My wife and I traveled to a basketball game in Dubuque a couple of weeks ago. We went with another couple who also had a daughter who was a cheerleader. The man who drove works as an attorney in the trust department of a local bank. As we were just about home I mentioned to him that we had three new banks in our neighborhood. One was about two years old, one just opened in February and the third is currently under construction.

He commented that several years ago bankers thought that with the use of ATM’s new bank buildings would probably not be forthcoming. Somehow that prediction has fallen by the wayside. People do use online banking, direct deposit, and ATM machines. That is not going to change.

Some of us like to still talk to a person at the bank. One of my frustrations is to call a business and get a recording with a menu of options that is a mile long and you don’t get to talk to a real person. I recently learned that if you just press “0” that you will get to a live person. Have we become so impersonal and disconnected from people? Then you call Iowa District East, you will be greeted by a live and friendly voice unless you call during morning devotion time 8:00-8:15AM when the answering machines picks up the calls. In this impersonal fast-moving world in which we live, are we becoming disconnected from relationships with people? How does that impact the church and the message of the Gospel? I think it has an impact in this way. Are Christians taking the time to develop relationships with those who are outside the church and living apart from Christ Jesus? Are we too busy or too tired to get to know our neighbors who may be unchurched or dechurched?

God has placed His people in a variety of vocations out in the world. It is out in the world where we are “light” and “salt” as Jesus says in Matthew 5:13-16. Every person we meet is someone for whom Jesus died! They need to know why they need a Savior and what the Savior has already done for them. St. Paul declares: “This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself as a ransom for all, the testimony borne at the right time” I Timothy 2:3-6.

As we connect with people out in our mission fields, what Paul declares in Romans 10:9-10 can begin to happen: “that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you shall be saved; for with the heart man believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation.” All people need the Savior because of sin. Paul said of his own life: “It is a trustworthy statement, deserving full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, among whom I am foremost of all” I Timothy 1:15. What a privilege we have to connect with people and bring them to our churches where they can receive the gifts of God, namely forgiveness of sins, life, and salvation.

College Hills Lutheran Church

Dinner Theater 2007: Mardi Gras

On February 16 and 17, the Lutheran Student Fellowship of College Hill Lutheran Church & Brammer Student Center in Cedar Falls, IA hosted their 9th Annual Dinner Theater. The event was the fundraiser for their Spring Servant Event. The evening began with dinner consisting of chicken and noodles, green beans, and cheesy potatoes. When the meal was over the emcees took the stage to begin the night of fun. Skits included one at a beauty parlor, someone winning a prize for wearing a seatbelt, and the ghoul scouts. Students going on the trip helped out either one or both nights. There was enough money raised, with matching funds from Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, that most of the cost will be covered for the fourteen students going on the trip. This year’s trip takes them to Bethel Lutheran Church in New Orleans. There they will help with the tearing out of the damage to the second floor so that rebuilding can begin.

St. Paul's Chapel and University Center in Iowa City

The weekend of February 17 and 18 St. Paul’s Lutheran Chapel had the pleasure of hosting Rev. Jeffrey Kloha, Assistant Professor of Exegetical Theology, Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, as her 5^th Annual Theologian in Residence. Theologian in Residence is a yearly study weekend at St. Paul’s to which a seminary professor is invited to present on a topic of interest to the students.

Under the title of “Did We Get Jesus Right” Rev. Kloha gave an in-depth look at the Gnostic Gospels through a three-part presentation on Saturday and Sunday.

In his presentation Rev. Kloha showed us how the letters and accounts which we today know collectively as the Bible came to be compiled, and why they are considered accurate where other documents are not. We examined the origins of texts such as the Book of Judas which have been brought recently into the public eye by cultural phenomena like The DaVinci Code. Dr. Kloha also gave us a startling overview of the teachings of the Gnostics as interpreted from their religious writings, which show a wild contrast to Christian doctrine.

The weekend had a great turnout, and it was a fascinating experience to take a close look at the origins and history of the Word through which God has revealed Himself to us.

Author: Nicole Dudley

Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Mason City

Bethlehem, Mason City to start Child Care Ministry.

Bethlehem, Mason City was formed as a congregation in 1919. Over the years many changes have taken place in their congregation. Change again will happen as they saw a need in their community for child care. Their hope is, as of July 1, 2007, to have child care available along with their already existing preschool.

According to member David Mairs, “We started the planning with the mind set that we would not be simply providing baby sitting services, but would actively involve ourselves in teaching those children in our care about our Savior Jesus Christ and His love for all people.”

How exciting it is to think of the lives this ministry will be touching! Not only will it touch lives of their members’ children, but also in their community, as they touch the lives of families who may not know Jesus as their Savior. The impact that it will also have on the members of the congregation as they serve in different capacities of the ministry is immeasurable!

“Once the business plan was formulated and all agencies involved in licensing a child care were satisfied, the Board of Education requested that the voters sign a note from Lutheran Church Extension Fund (LCEF) for initial funding of the new child care.” Mairs said explaining the process of getting things started.

“Working with LCEF and Carole White was one of the easiest and most enjoyable processes we have been through in a while concerning monetary issues.” he added.

LCEF is able to offer low cost loans to churches because other congregations and individuals invest with them.

Become a part of the LCEF investing family, people that not only receive interest for themselves but make projects like this possible to further the Kingdom of God!

St. paul's Chaple in Iowa City

Welcome Back Dinner.
In all aspects of life, whether it is family, work or school, we celebrate homecomings and reunions with friends and family and here at St. Paul’s Chapel it is no different. For four long weeks our Chapel was empty. Most of the students had returned to their hometowns to enjoy their time with their families during the Christmas Season. It seemed that everything I did was futile, because there was nobody to share my thoughts with and nobody to speak to.

That is why Sunday, January 14th was a really good day to celebrate! A “Welcome Back Supper” was held for the International students and their families. We gathered to celebrate and welcome our friends back from the long break, but it was not about the meal, and not even about the cake, although the pleasure of eating good food is undeniable. We gathered together around the table for fellowship with those who are dear to us. Celebrating with food is an expression of hospitality, friendship and a way to show that we are glad to get together.

Just as when we approach the Lord’s Table during Communion we know that we are welcome to participate because the Host – Jesus Christ – calls us to be refreshed by His body and blood. And we all, who approach the Table, share the same faith in Him. It’s not only a meal. It’s meal which makes us alive and acceptable to God, because it cleanses us from sins.

Whenever I have a meal with someone else I think about the importance of the unity with those with whom we eat. We start every meal with thanksgiving to remind ourselves of God’s mercy and gifts which He provides for us. In the Lord’s Supper God offers us Himself in order for us to live. To those who come to our house, we offer only the best that we have. The goal is not to show prosperity, but to show that we care and that they are welcome to share a part of our life.

When our students come back from Christmas break and we welcome them with a “Welcome Back” meal, it’s not just a tradition it is an expression love, “I am so glad to see you” and we mean it. Our service at the Chapel would be futile if there were no students and we thank God for every student who returns. We have a reason to have a “Welcome Back” supper, because we want to share the joy of being able to be reunited with those whom God has given us to serve. A Welcome Back meal is by no means sacred, but the memories and relations which we created are precious.

Bethany Lutheran Church in Cedar Rapids

Epiphany Concert 2007

On Saturday, January 6, Bethany Lutheran Church hosted its annual Epiphany Concert entitled "Go Light Your World" and welcomed the public to attend free of charge. Attendance numbers were around 425 for both performances. About 175 people were served at the soup dinner and reception following the first performance. Free transportation was available for the elderly and
homebound.

Community churches were invited to participate in a mass Epiphany Choir. In the end, about 46 singers joined forces from Trinity, Concordia, and St. Paul's Lutheran in Mt. Vernon. The choir was showcased on several pieces, but the concert also included special performances by the Bethany Chamber Players, Bethany Brass, Children's Choir, and the Alma Turechek String Trio
from Coe College. Liturgical artists, Karen Godecke and Janet Hoech, provided special artwork themed around light. Through music, word and art, the program revisited Advent and Christmas and focused our attention on the meaning of Epiphany.

Bethany would like to thank everyone from choir members to soup servers who pitched in to improve our efforts at outreach through this special program. We received a lot of positive feedback from visitors and many singers are very excited to participate again next year. There is a lot of time and energy that goes into such a large event, and it takes a small army of volunteers to make it all happen. Thank you! We may never know the full extent of God's blessing on an event such as this, but to God be the Glory!

Steven Moore
Minister of Music
Bethany Lutheran Church
music@bethanycr.org

From the IDE Board For Congregational Services

Christian Care and Mental Health
A Series of Articles designed to help Christians understand the various components of mental
health and support those with mental health needs.
© February, 2000 by Rev. Daniel Krueger ~ author of “Gospel Therapy” www.Gospeltherapy.com

Mental Health Is Not Just about Medication.
(Mark 12:30 NIV) “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.”

Our relationship to God is not just a matter of the mind, but of heart, soul, mind, and strength. God designed us as an integrated whole, with each part of us influencing and acting upon another. Mental stress impacts the health of our bodies, and conversely, poor care for our bodies impacts our minds. For instance, a poor night’s sleep alters our ability to concentrate and learn, and can turn a normally happy go lucky person into a morning grouch.

Unfortunately, when dealing with mental health issues, many people address only one piece of the puzzle. Roughly 90% of all people being treated for depression or anxiety use a medication only approach. Several recent studies have confirmed that treating depression with medication alone results in a relapse rate of roughly 75% to 85%, while treating depression with specific forms of talk therapy and medication drops that rate to the 25% to 35% range. These studies suggest that in many cases medication is treating the symptoms of various mental health disorders, without addressing the real causes.

In addition to therapy, improved sleep habits, a regular exercise routine, improved diet including diets rich in Omega 3 fats (the type you get in fish) and low in other fats, light therapy, are just some of body centered activities which have been shown to impact all kinds of mental health issues including depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, and ADD (ADHD). For some individuals, changes in these areas have allowed them to live their lives free of medication.

No one should ever go off a prescribed medication without consulting a physician. Some mental health issues are more profoundly affected by changes in the areas mentioned above than others. However, modern medical research increasingly shows that medication is not the only answer to poor mental health. It may be a piece in the puzzle of addressing mental health issues, but as Christians we recognize that we are more than individual pieces of body, mind, or soul.

While historically most religions believe in an immortality of the soul, Christianity is one of a very few religions that believes in an after life that includes the body. God doesn’t redeem only parts of us. God redeems us through Christ as body, mind, and spirit united into one person. God treats the whole person, not just parts, and when it comes to mental health, so should we.

St. Paul Lutheran Church in McGregor

The ushers, elders, trustees at St. Paul Lutheran Church, LCMS, McGregor, IA, were honored at a pot-luck in appreciation for their doing God's work at St. Paul. Also recognized was Pastor David Zimmer in honor of Pastor's Appreciation Week. From left to right, ftotn, Pastor David Zimmer, Keith Hering, Wayne Mathson, Henry Kleinow. Back; Clete Rose, Tom Coleman, Allen Skime.


This 'Choir of Angels' was part of the McGregor, Iowa St. Paul Lutheran Church LCMS' Sunday School Christmas Program. The angels, along with the other Sunday School children, brought the message of Christ's birth with verses and traditional Christmas hymns.

A Piece of the Action

“Your Missions Offering at Work in Iowa District East!”

Word of God Lutheran Church

Cedar Rapids, IA

Rev. Mark Anderson, Pastor

When I first accepted the call a little more than a year ago as a pastor to the deaf in the western part of Iowa District East, the first thing I did was to get acquainted with Deaf members, one at a time, at three locations - Cedar Rapids, Waterloo and Mason City - to adequately assess their overall spiritual health so that I could better serve them.

The more time I spent with the deaf members the more need there was to (1) administer the Word and Sacrament in their own language, which is the American Sign Language; and (2) provide biblical insights into crucial issues, such as living together without marital benefits, accepting and forgiving one another as brethren in Christ and abortion.

Also, I discovered that the deaf population at large has been scattered throughout Iowa District East. This has isolated them, not only from the general population but also within the Deaf community, especially with Deaf-Blind individuals who are even more isolated in terms of visible modes of communication. There always is a great opportunity to proclaim the Good News to such people at distant locations.

At the moment there are about five deaf members who had expressed a strong interest in being
actively involved in sharing the love of God in Christ and have since taken pre-seminary courses via Deaf Pah, the nationwide Deaf LCMS website by which they would study at home through the use of DVDs.

Evidently the deaf members have been truly blessed by the fact that they could finally receive
the Word of God in their own native language, especially from the pastor who happens to be
profoundly deaf himself. This certainly makes a huge difference when the Word of God is
effectively and effectually played out in signs and expressions from a deaf person to another deaf person.

It is my sincerest prayers that within a short time deaf members would gain an excellent
understanding of the main Lutheran cornerstone of “justification by grace through faith” and eventually become more effective and more earnest witnesses to their deaf friends of the amazing grace of the Lord God

Camp IO-DIS-E-CA Hosts the Annual Sno-Ball College Retreat

Zion Lutheran Church in Hiawatha

On Saturday, April 28, Zion Lutheran Church in Hiawatha will host an "Equipping to Share" workshop. The "Equipping to Share" workshop was developed by Lutheran Hour Ministries and provides an individual the knowledge of how to share your faith with others in your daily life.

The session will begin at 9:00 AM and conclude at 2:00 PM. A meal will be provided. There is a fee of $10 to cover the cost of the meal and snacks. Zion is located at 210 - First Avenue in Hiawatha.

Please RSVP Dick Hoelz by April 22 to allow for final planning. Dick can be reached at (319) 363-1214, via e-mail at rahoelz@mcleodusa.net or by mail at 3519 Heatheridge Dr. NE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52402-7624. Should you have any questions, please contact Dick. You can also find more information at Lutheran Hour Ministries' web site, lhm.org.

St. John's Lutheran Church in Keystone - Nativity

Experiencing Bethlehem through the eyes of Keystone
Nancy Stuck
Times Correspondent

O little town of Bethlehem,
How still we see thee lie!
Above thy deep and dreamless sleep the silent stars go by;
yet in thy dark streets shineth the everlasting Light;
the hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight.

If you were amongst the many that walked through the “town of Bethlehem” at St. John’s Lutheran church in Keystone recently, you were very fortunate to have experienced this event.

As you entered the town you were greeted by the tax collector. He declared that “all the world should be taxed, according to the Emperor of Rome, Caesar Augustus.” As you traveled on down the candlelit walkway, you were met by citizens of the town and market vendors carrying baskets with loaves of bread. As you approached the Inn, you heard the Innkeeper proclaiming “the Inn is full, there is no room here”. You could witness the shepherd child playing her flute to calm the mood and the fisherman making his fishing lines out of rope. There were street vendors selling off chickens and ware, there were shepherd’s out in the field gathered around a fire, watching as their sheep grazed near by. And then, there was the most glorious site of all, the manger. Mary, Joseph and the baby Jesus gathered together in the stable.

For Christ is born of Mary,
and gathered all above,
while mortals sleep,
the angels keep their watch of wondering love.
O morning stars, together proclaim the holy birth!
And praises sing to God the King,
and peace to men on earth.

I found myself standing there in awe, surrounded by stable animals and envisioning how it must have been for them.

There were additional sights to experience inside the church building as well. As you entered through the doors, you came in the presence of a shocking pure and white sight, the Angel. She was there to proclaim the wonderful news of the birth of Jesus. Proceeding on into the next room, this is where the tax collector’s area was, filled with coins and riches. Passing on through, you heard the sounds of water coming from falls and soft soothing music. The final room was decorated as a market place and it was in this room that you could purchase some of the finest homemade cookies and candies that this writer has ever had. Those responsible for all the divine treats really out did themselves.

There was still more to the event. Some local homes held open-houses for those wishing to stop by and admire the decorations and enjoy some fellowship.

For this writer, I know that this was the best history lesson that I could ever have. It truly was a memorable occasion; one I hope will be repeated year after year. Attending this event would be a wonderful tradition to have and to celebrate with family and friends.

How silently, how silently,
the wondrous gift is giv'n!
So God imparts to human hearts the blessings of His heav'n.
No ear may hear His coming, but in this world of sin,
where meek souls will receive Him,
still the dear Christ enters in.
O holy Child of Bethlehem!
Descend to us, we pray;
cast out our sin and enter in,
be born in us today.
We hear the Christmas angels the great glad tidings tell;
O come to us, abide with us,
Our Lord Immanuel.

Eldora Circuit

On a beautiful Sunday afternoon, December 10, over 100 people crowded into the new home of Niki Sly and her daughter Zoe. The crowd came together in Eldora to dedicate the first house built in Hardin County using the combined efforts of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans and the Central Iowa Habitat for Humanity Chapter.

Working primarily on Saturdays beginning in June, crews from St. Paul Lutheran in Eldora, St. John’s Lutheran in Hubbard, St. Paul Lutheran in Alden, St. Paul Lutheran in Buckeye and Immanuel Lutheran in Iowa Falls took turns building on the Habitat house. On a few Saturdays there were also crews from other churches and civic organizations and individuals who hammered and sawed and made the house happen.

This Habitat house was a labor of love for all the church members and Habitat chapter members who have been planning for a couple of years to partner in building a home for a qualifying family. The project received a major boost when Thrivent Financial for Lutherans decided this past year to become a major sponsor of Habitat home building. For the Eldora house, Thrivent committed 70 percent of the cost of constructing the house. The local Lutheran congregations committed to raising 10 percent of the funds needed and the last 20 percent of the bills were paid by the Habitat organization.

The way Habitat operates is that volunteer workers and financial supporters construct low cost but high quality houses which are then sold to partner home owners with a no interest loan. The partner homeowners invest several hundred hours of their own labor in the project and undergo training in mortgage responsibilities and home upkeep. The house payments they make are channeled back into future Habitat houses. In the past 30 years Habitat has built more than 200,000 homes for over a million people this way in more than 3000 communities around the world. It is a winning formula and for a mother and daughter like Niki and Zoe it is an opportunity to have a place they can call their own.

The Eldora Circuit churches contributed to the Habitat house through all the work crews that built on Saturdays. Morning and afternoon coffee breaks and noon lunches were provided by various ladies groups. Pastors led opening devotions before work would begin. Fund raising went on in each church through activities like benefit dinners and VBS and Sunday School offering projects and door offerings.

As Pastor Jay Jaeger of Alden/Buckeye noted in one of his opening devotions, EVERY HOUSE IS BUILT BY SOMEONE, BUT GOD IS THE BUILDER OF EVERYTHING (Hebrews 3:4). Many people were involved in building this house for Niki and Zoe but truly God was the one who really made it happen!

St. Paul's chapel In Iowa City

Progressive Dinner 2006: Sisters at Work
Fern Parish,member board of outreach, Our Redeemer, Iowa City

On Sunday, December 10, St. Paul'’s Lutheran Chapel, along with Prince of Peace, Coralville, and Our Redeemer in Iowa City, served a progressive dinner for international students and their families.

We began at St. PaulÂ’s Chapel where a number of the participants boarded our deluxe motor coach (a.k.a school bus) and we began our journey of good food and good teaching.

Our first stop was Prince of Peace. A humongous spread of appetizer were served as Pastor Otto presented a program on Advent. Pastor Otto noted the history and traditions of Advent. Most importantly, he spoke about preparing for the coming of Jesus.

Following appetizer, the participants journeyed to Our Redeemer, where the main course lasagna dinner was served. Pastor Gebel told the Christmas story. A large mural in Fellowship Hall helped him depict the wondrous Nativity story for the international families. Here we learned that you canÂ’t have Christmas without Jesus.

Our last stop was dessert at St. Paul'’s Chapel. Pastor Mons finished the evening by describing Epiphany and the fact that Jesus is the Savior of all people.

With the world'’s secular focus on Christmas, this event shows our international students the true meaning of Christmas. Christ our Savior is born and he has saved us by his death and resurrection for all people.

Cedar Falls

The van garage gets a face lift at Brammer Student Center, College Hill Lutheran Church in Cedar Falls. Yes, the faithful van will have a newly sided garage and new doors for itÂ’s home, thanks to volunteers from the church and a working grant from Black Hawk County Chapter of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans. Workers pictured are Keith Macomber, Bob Bolte, Kevin DeVries, and Scott Ackles. IDE


On December 4th a Christmas progressive dinner was enjoyed by the students at University of Northern Iowa who are active in the campus ministry student centers. Brammer Student Center, College Hill Lutheran Church in Cedar Falls, hosted the dessert stop. There were students from a number of student centers present and interim pastor, Reverend Thomas Wegener. Games and activities followed in the student lounge area of the church. IDE



College Hill Lutheran Church and Brammer Student Center was decorated for the Christmas season by the college students. This is an annual activity of the Lutheran Student Fellowship and is appreciated by the congregation members. From the altar area to the fellowship hall, the greens are hung and trees decorated. IDE