I o w a D i s t r i c t E a s t — LC M S In This Issue 2 President’s Piece for Peace 3 5 6 7 8 April 2015 Calendar of Events Things to Share Vacancy Updates Directory Updates From Rev. Dr. Dean Rothchild 9 Proclaiming Christ Jesus Capital Campaign 10 Focus on Education 11 Parish Nurse Page 13 Youth Leader Page 14 Camp Io-Dis-E-Ca 17 Hospital Chaplaincy 18 LCEF Upcoming Events 20 5th & 6th Grade Gathering 24 Family Life Conference 26 The Gospel in Philippians CEU Opportunity 28 IDE Golf Outing The Professional Packet is Iowa District East's monthly newsletter sharing updates on vacancies, upcoming events, and district news. 1100 Blairs Ferry Rd Marion 52302-3093 Phone: 319-373-2112 Fax: 319-373-9827 lcmside.org Iowa District East is on Facebook! facebook.com/lcmside This issue of the Professional Packet is the third issue of 2015. The deadline for content that you would like included in the next issue for May is April 15, 2015. Content can be submitted anytime before then by emailing it to [email protected]. Professional Worker Packet—Iowa District East 1 President’s Piece for Peace Rev. Dr. Brian S. Saunders April 2015 A few weeks ago I had surgery on one of my eyes. The goal was to reduce the pressure in that eye. Rising pressure damages the nerves that allow you to see. When the nerves are destroyed, there is no restoring the vision lost. That is why intrusive measures have to be taken sometimes to save ones vision. What a blessing it is to have such modern skills and facilities that surgeries like this can be done with what has become a very common procedure. Pressure seems to have negative effects on us. The pressure of ministry, especially in the festival seasons of the church year, only increases the closer we get to the Holy Festival of Easter. Whether it is preparing multiple sermons a week, extra services including funerals, confirmation ceremonies as well as preparing students for additional music and study for the Easter Celebrations, pressures mount up. Pressure can affect our vision as well. I am not referring to what you see physically but it can take our focus off of what is important and place it on busy peripherals. The service we have been given to render for Christ can become in our own eyes a burden rather than the honor it truly is. The word “pressure” is a rare word in the Scriptures. The Greek word is “bareo”. It is where we get the word barometric. In the places it is used we find pressure filled situations. In Matthew 26 and Mark 14, Peter, James and John are with Jesus as He prays the night He was betrayed. Three times Jesus came to them and found them “heavy with sleep”. They were under great pressure that night and it overcame them with fatigue. If there was anyone under pressure in that garden, it was Jesus. Certainly the redemption of the world requiring His suffering and death was heavy upon Him. What a remarkable prayer He offers up under such pressure when He says “not My will be done but Thine.” It is not as though Jesus didn’t have pressure, He just knew what to do with it when it came. He took it to His Father in prayer. He trusted the promise given to Him by He who is good, benevolent, gracious, kind, and loving. The situation looked bleak but the ability to see through it all lay in the promise of His Father. St. Paul brings up the topic in II Corinthians 1:8 when he points out the “great (or powerful) pressure” he was under when suffering for Christ in Asia. What the pressure was we are not told but one can imagine he was persecuted by a pagan society that had no use for his sermons that called the sinner to repentance. Paul did not have it any easier than we do when it comes to standing for the Word of God and remaining faithful in practice. He suffered to the point he fell into despair. The despair reached the point he questioned whether it was worth living in such situations any longer. What did he do? He pointed out that this pressure was merely a sign to him why he could not rely on his own wisdom, strength and skill. He could only rely on “God who raises the dead.” God knows about every deadly peril we are in and will face. He knows of them because He sent His own Son into them for our sake. The pressures mounted on Jesus beyond our comprehension, even to the point of His own death. Yet the Father’s promise carried Him through that pressure all the way to the glorious resurrection from the dead. Whatever our pressures, no matter how heavy our schedule and demands become, we take them to the Father. He knows of them and has already dealt with them in His Son. Not only did He deal with them but demonstrated victory over them and reduces the pressure with a marvelous gift, the forgiveness of all our sins. His promise is laid on you with every absolution. His promise is renewed every time His body and blood are placed in your mouth. His promise is our perfect vision in and through all the pressures of festival and non-festival seasons of the church year. I pray God’s peace be with you all as you serve His children with Word and Sacrament. I pray He give you the wisdom to take all pressures to Him where He has already taken its damage away. He has given you perfect sight through each day with the gift of faith. May He lead you in peace and joy this blessed festival season. President Saunders. Professional Worker Packet—Iowa District East 2 Calendar of Events April Good Friday District Office Closed 3 9 Marion Circuit Visitor Catechesis 9:00 am District Office 18 Cedar Rapids 21 Marion 23 Marion 24 25 Board of Directors 9:00am District Office Professional Workers 8:30am District Office Williamsburg Hiawatha LLL Convention Bethany 5th & 6th Grade Gathering 5:30pm LIS Family Life Conference 8:30am Zion May 7 9 Marion Marion Professional Worker Packet—Iowa District East Youth Committe Meeting 7:00 pm District Office Convention Floor Committee Meetings 9:00 am District Office 3 Save the Dates April 2015 Circuit Visitor Catechesis April 9, 2015 District Office 1100 Blairs Ferry Road Marion, IA 52302 5th and 6th Grade Gathering April 24, 2015 Lutheran Interparish School 804 Court Street Williamsburg, IA 52361 Family Life Conference April 25, 2015 Zion Lutheran—Hiawatha Lutheran Day at Adventureland June 24, 2015 Adventureland 305 34th Ave NW, Altoona, IA 50009 2015 District Convention June 26-27, 2015 Marriott Hotel and Convention Center 1200 Collins Rd NE Cedar Rapids, IA 52402 Professional Worker Packet—Iowa District East 4 Things to Share April 2015 Church & Sanctuary Photos IDE Archives is planning to put on a continuous slide presentation at the display table at the next IDE Convention. A few church exterior (E) and sanctuary (S) pictures are still needed. Check the list and send your photo(s) to the IDE Archivist at [email protected] Christ-Waterloo (E & S) Good Shepherd-West Union (S) Our Savior-Ft. Madison (E & S) Our Savior-Manchester (E & S) Redeemer-Ventura (E & S) St John-Sumner (E & S) St Paul-Alden/Buckeye (S) St Paul-Waverly/Artesian (S) St Paul-Evansdale (S) St Paul-Sumner (S) Trinity-State Center (S) Allen Konrad.....><> IDE Archivist 2015 Convention Registration is open for the 2015 District Convention. You can find out more and register at http:// lcmside.org/2015-district-convention/. Hotel Reservations: Hotel Reservations must be made by June 5, 2015. You can register for the Iowa District East block of rooms at https://resweb.passkey.com/go/ IADistrictEastLCMS . or call the reservation hotline at 1-800-396-2153. When making the reservation by phone be sure to reference the Iowa District East LCMS convention. This will insure you’re given the correct group rate. 1 King or 2 Double guestrooms are $98.00 per night 1 Bedroom King Suites are $108 per night. Congregational Statistics Please submit your congregational statistics by April 15, 2015. Our goal is to achieve 100% participation from all Iowa District East congregations! If you have questions please contact the district office at 319-373-2112. Professional Worker Packet—Iowa District East 5 Vacancy Updates April 2015 Calling Congregations: Messiah, Mason City—Clarke Frederick (vacancy pastor) Trinity, Ottumwa—Calling Graduate—Kevin Saylor (vacancy pastor) Redeemer, Ventura—Scott Kozisek (vacancy pastor) Grace, Waterloo—pastoral transition Pastors Call Update: Accepted: Daird Korth, Latimer to St. Peter, Elma Pending: Grant Bode, New Ulm MN to Redeemer, Ventura Declined: Anthony Bertram, MNS to Redeemer, Ventura Philip Rigdon, Avon, IN to Grace, Waterloo DCE / School / Teacher Calls: Vacancies: Trinity, Cedar Rapids—1st Grade Teacher Trinity, Davenport—5th Grade Teacher Central, Newhall—4th Grade Teacher Community, Readlyn—Principal Accepted: Margaret Weber, Seward Grad to Trinity, Cedar Rapids Pending: Nicholas Muench, Matteson, IL to Community Lutheran, Readlyn Declined: Professional Worker Packet—Iowa District East 6 Directory Updates April 2015 Please take a moment to add these changes and corrections to your Fall 2014 directory. Page Name Change 10 Goldberger, Jack New email: [email protected] 12 Kane, Patrick New email: [email protected] Crossroads Mission Website: www.crmide.com 12 Killian, Edward New Cell: 319-610-4063 17 Piotter, Keith New Email: [email protected] 27 Bettendorf—Our Savior Rev. Keith Piotter: [email protected] Rev. Jack Goldberger: [email protected] Eric Brie, DCE: [email protected] Heather Scheuermann (Parish Administrator): [email protected] Lisa Piotter (Preschool Director): [email protected] 61 Bettendorf—Our Savior Contact Email: [email protected] Please notify the District Office of any changes in email address, home address or staff changes. Include all professional worker changes within your congregation, school or preschool. 7 Something Profound: Taking in Strays Rev. Dr. Dean F. Rothchild Assistant to the President April 2015 At a recent meeting of the District Youth committee, one of the high school members was talking about the number of high schools which were represented in her youth group. She then went on to say that her youth group “takes in strays.” As I pondered that thought it really hit me, that is exactly what the Christian Church is about, “taking in strays, one by one.” People who are apart from Christ Jesus and His church are “strays.” By nature we are all strays. We have “strayed” from God’s holy ways as laid out in the Ten Commandments. That notion of being a stray is described in many different ways: “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Romans 3:23. “We are by nature children of wrath.” Ephesians 2:3. We are by nature separated from God, from His Church, and from Christ Jesus Himself. The reality of “straying” is pictured throughout Scripture. “All of us like sheep have gone astray, Each of us has turned to his own way.” Isaiah 53:6. “Woe to them, for they have strayed from Me! Destruction is theirs, for they have rebelled against Me.” Hosea 7:13. We have the example of the “straying sheep” in Matthew 18:12 which needs to be sought after and found. James 5:19-20 states: “My brethren, if any among you strays from the truth, and one turns him back, let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death, and will cover a multitude of sins.” Finally we read in I Peter 2:25, “For you were continually straying like sheep, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Guardian of your souls.” Does your church take in strays? Put it another way, does your church take in sinners? Of course, you are a member of your church and you are a sinner. Sin is real. It separates us from God. It needs to be repented of. People need new clothing. They need to understand what their own clothing is really like. “For all of us have become like one who is unclean, And our righteous deeds are like a filthy garment; And all of us wither like a leaf, And our iniquities, like the wind, take us away.” Isaiah 64:6. Stray dogs and cats sometimes end up in animal shelters. Stray people (sinners only) are gathered safely into the ark of the Church. This happens in Holy Baptism. Those outside the ark (the church) are currently perishing and unless rescued (baptized in Christ Jesus) will perish eternally. May God grant your congregation eyes and hearts which are looking for the “strays” and also for those who have strayed and have become “absent saints.” The cross and empty tomb of Christ Jesus has earned forgiveness of sins for all people. As Paul wrote: “He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, that being justified by His grace we might be made heirs according to the Hope of eternal life.” Titus 3:5-7. The ark of Christ’s Church is not full. As Peter wrote: “In which also He went and made proclamation to the spirits now in prison, who once were disobedient, when the patience of God kept waiting in the days of Noah, during the construction of the ark, in which a few, that is, eight persons were brought safely through the water. And corresponding to that, baptism now saves you—not the removal of dirt from the flesh, but an appeal to God for a good conscience—through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.” I Peter 3:19-21. Christ Jesus will continue to grow and build His Church as He takes in “strays.” Professional Worker Packet—Iowa District East 8 Capital Campaign Update Capital Campaign (Update: 03-16-15) approved on 6/29/12 by Iowa District East in Convention. Pastors are being contacted by phone for potential names of those saints in Christ Jesus who may wish to make an individual gift. Dr. Rothchild will send a letter of introduction to potential donors and will follow-up with a phone call to schedule a personal visit. Dr. Rothchild will show the DVD and share other information at the time of his visit and the saints will be given a donor form to complete as they deem appropriate. Dr. Rothchild wishes to thank all our faithful donors, both individuals and congregations Update: Gifts received to date: $ 479,172 Gifts promised in next 1-10 years: $ 42,733 Total to Date: $ 521,905 For further information, please contact Rev. Dr. Dean F. Rothchild at 319-373-2112 (office), 319-350-9564 (cell) or [email protected]. Professional Worker Packet—Iowa District East 9 Jeffery Pool Assistant to the President for Education Focus on Education April 2015 Iowa Education Celebration of Freedom of Choice in Education An Icy but Successful day! It was great to have about 300 parents and students from Iowa attend this informative event. Representatives from the Roman Catholic Church and The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, as well as other non-public schools, were in attendance. Several of our Iowa Stage congresspersons and nationally known speaker on school choice, Virginia Waldon Ford of The District of Columbia, spoke at the rally and the committee meeting held just prior to the Rally under the theme of “School Choice Now.” Yellow shirts displaying that theme populated the Rotunda and meetings. The rally will support the Iowa AACE committee’s efforts in the Iowa Legislature to support Student Savings Accounts (SSA’s) in Iowa to allow parents and the legislature to put aside funds for non-public education for qualifying Iowa students in coming years. Talk to your school’s local leader of ILSTO (Iowa Lutheran School Student Tuition Organization) about currently existing tuition savings accounts. (Statewide: Mr. Dewey Torkelson) Jeff Pool Assistant to the President—Education Hearts for Jesus 2014—2015 Hearts for Jesus is our effort in Lutheran schools to encourage student offerings to the Lord and to special projects designed to help special needs globally. For the next quarter of the 14-15 school year, we have adopted the following suggestions. Goal: Unlimited Funds. Chosen Missions: African Missions: It has been estimated that if Christian mission work in Africa is not blessed by success, within 10 years the continent could be lost to the Muslim influences there. (Suggested Reading: The Next Christendom by Philip Jenkins – the book studied by our district education executives at the recent Confedex conference) The mission offerings support preaching and educational ministries (Such as Iowa native Kristin Matasovsky) that are working to spread the Good News of Jesus as Savior in South Africa and other places. Owen’s Mission: Carried over from our Fall Educators’ Conference, Owen’s Mission seeks to support Lutherans for Life (Dr. James Lamb) in the effort to provide fetal models for use in all Lutheran schools -1078 schools to teach respect for all human life. Lutherans for Life will provide details for this mission. Professional Worker Packet—Iowa District East 10 Parish Nurse Page April 2015 from March Resources 2015 Kansas Parish Nurse Ministries submitted by Ronda Anderson RN, Bethany Parish Nurse, Iowa District East Parish Nurse District Representative Spring Cleaning: Get Your Fitness Back on Track! 1. Lose Extra Pounds and watch your waistline - Blood pressure often increases as weight increases. Losing just 10 pounds can help reduce your blood pressure. Losing weight also makes any blood pressure medications you’re taking more effective. You and your doctor can determine your target weight and the best way to achieve it. Besides shedding pounds, you should also keep an eye on your waistline. Carrying too much weight around your waist can put you at greater risk of high blood pressure. In general, you are at risk if your waist measurement is greater than: Men greater than 40 inches Women greater than 35 inches 2. Exercise Regularly - Regular physical activity (at least 30 to 60 minutes most days of the week) can lower your blood pressure by 4 to 9 mm Hg. And it doesn’t take long to see a difference. If you haven’t been active, increasing your exercise level can lower your blood pressure within just a few weeks. Your doctor can help determine whether you need any exercise restrictions. Even moderate activity for 10 minutes at a time, such as walking and light strength training, can help. 3. Eat a healthy diet - Eating a diet that is rich in whole grains, fruits, vegetables and low-fat dairy products and skimps on saturated fat and cholesterol can lower your blood pressure by up to 14 mm Hg. This eating plan is known as the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet. 4. Reduce sodium in your diet - Even a small sodium reduction in your diet can reduce blood pressure by 2 to 8 mm Hg. 5. Limit the amount of alcohol you drink - In small amounts (1xday for all women and men older than age 65 and 2xday for men younger than 65). If you drink more than moderate amounts, alcohol can actually raise blood pressure. It can also reduce the effectiveness of high blood pressure medications. 6. Avoid tobacco products and secondhand smoke - The nicotine in tobacco products can raise your blood pressure by 10 mm Hg or more for up to an hour after your smoke. Smoking throughout the day means your blood pressure may remain constantly high. Inhaling smoke from others also puts you at risk of health problems. 7. Cut back on caffeine - The role caffeine plays in blood pressure is still debatable. To see if caffeine raises your blood pressure, check your pressure within 30 minutes of drinking a cup of coffee or another caffeinated beverage you regularly drink. If your blood pressure increases by 5 to 10 points, you may be sensitive to the effects of caffeine. 11 Parish Nurse Page April 2015 8. Reduce your stress - Take some time to think about what causes you to feel stressed, such as work, family, finances or illness. Once you know what’s causing your stress, consider how you can eliminate or reduce stress. If you can’t eliminate all of your stressors, you can at lease cope with them in a healthier way. Take breaks for deep-breathing exercises. Get a massage or spend time in a stretch and relaxation class. 9. Monitor your blood pressure at home - make regular doctors visits— Learning to self-monitor your blood pressure with an arm monitor can help motivate you. Regular visits to your doctor are also likely to become a part of your normal routine. These visits will help keep tabs on your blood pressure. If your blood pressure isn’t well controlled, or if you have other medical problems, you might need to visit your doctor every month to review your treatment and make adjustments. If your blood pressure is under control, you might need to visit your doctor only every 6 to 12 months, depending on other conditions you might have. 10. Get support from family and friends - Supportive family and friends can help improve your health. They may encourage you to take care of yourself, drive you to the doctor’s office or embark on an exercise program with you to keep your blood pressure low. Talk to your family and friends about the dangers of high blood pressure. 12 Youth Leaders’ Page April 2015 Like Him 5th & 6th Grade Gathering April 24th, 2015 What is your image? What is your identity? In other words, who or what are you like? As we look at ourselves, we don’t have to look very far to see that we are unlike God. As we sin and experience the pain of sin in our lives, being Like Him might just be the last thing on our minds. That is why we need Jesus. Now that we identify with Jesus, what is life like? Join us in answering these questions as we explore life in Christ under our theme Like Him. Lutheran Day at Adventure Land June 24, 2015 Registration for the 2015 Higher Things Conferences opens Nov. 1st! Te Deum, Te Deum Laudamus, “We Praise You, O God.” All praise, all glory, all honor, all everything goes to you, O Lord, for You sent Your Son who died on the cross for us. He rose again. He saves. He is the sacrifice that makes us — and our praise — acceptable to You. In the Te Deum, we confess all that God the Father did for us in the sending of His Son. And by faith, we join our voices with those apostles, prophets, martyrs, and of the whole Church of all times and places, in praise and worship of the Holy Trinity…giving us a glimpse right into the divine Throne Room of heaven itself! This summer’s 2015 Higher Things Conferences will rejoice in the gift of the Te Deum, a hymn of praise that gives us a foretaste of what’s happening in worship in heaven and on earth. Download the Registration Packet and register at tedeum2015.org. Call or email Crysten Sanchez (319-389-0105, [email protected]) with any questions! See you at Te Deum! University of Nevada, Las Vegas, NE - July 14-17, 2015 Calvin College, Grand Rapids, MI - July 21-24, 2015 Concordia University, Seward, NE - July 27-31, 2015 Professional Worker Packet—Iowa District East 13 Camp Scholarship Funds Needed Camp Io-Dis-E-Ca has several camp scholarship requests, but needs more funds to be able to cover each of them. You can make a Christ-centered camping experience for a child possible by making a donation to the Camp Scholarship fund. This fund goes to support both Family’s First Camper scholarships, as well as camp scholarships for children who need financial assistance to make their week of camp a reality. We anticipate needing up to $2,500 more that we currently have available to be able to fund every camper who qualifies or requests assistance. To donate, write “scholarship” in the memo line of your check or online contribution. Your donation directly supports our primary mission of providing young people with outdoor recreation and Lutheran outdoor education! Growing in Wisdom and Stature: Your Post-Confirmation Life A new spring retreat from Camp Io-Dis-E-Ca for grades 7+ Confirmation. All you have to do is pass the class, say the words, and boom, you’re graduated right? There’s a great temptation to think that being Confirmed in the church means being done with having to learn the Catechism and go to Sunday School. But what is life after your confirmation supposed to look like? Join us as we explore what your Confirmation really means (HINT: It's really about your Baptism), and what gifts Jesus still has for you as you continue to grow in His grace and knowledge your whole life long! We'll even have some Good News for navigating the craziness that is High School as a Christian. Camp Io-Dis-E-Ca is hosting this retreat on April 10-11 in conjunction with Higher Things, a Lutheran youth organization. Pastor Mark Beutow, from Bethel Lutheran Church in DuQuoin, IL, will be the retreat’s presenter. For registration, you can download the registration packet ( http://cdn.higherthings.org.s3.amazonaws.com/imgs/uploads/retreats/2015-iodiseca-packet.pdf ) or register online ( https://higherthings.org/retreats/registrations ). The retreat will go from 7PM on Friday, April 10 to 4PM on Saturday, April 11. 3271 Sandy Beach Road NE, Solon, IA 52333 phone 319.848.4187 web www.campiodiseca.org email [email protected] Camp Presentations THRIVENT CHOICE Would you like to know more about Camp Io-Dis-E-Ca? Camp Director Daniel Sanchez is available to speak to congregations and groups about Camp Io-Dis-E-Ca’s mission, facilities, and programs. Call 319848-4187 to schedule a speaker! Our total Thrivent Choice for 2014 contributions was $17,199! Thank you, donors, for making this program a success for Camp Io-Dis-E-Ca. Will you help make 2015 another excellent year in Thrivent Choice giving? Go to https://www.thrivent.com/thriventchoice/ or call 800-THRIVENT (800-847-4836) and state "Thrivent Choice" to designate your choice dollars for Camp Io-Dis-E-Ca today. Thank you for making Thrivent Choice a valuable stream of revenue for Camp Io-Dis-E-Ca! Needs List Convection Oven; Ping Pong Paddles; First Class Postage Stamps; Toilet Paper; Trash Bags (18 and 33 Gallon); Smoke Detectors; Carbon Monoxide Detectors; Clorox Bleach; Disinfectant Spray; Popsicle Sticks. Please see our web site for a complete list: www.campiodiseca.org. 2015 Summer Staff Important Dates Camp Io-Dis-E-Ca is looking for college-aged young adults to make a difference in the lives of children. The opportunity to serve children and families at camp awaits! Go to www.nloma.org and click on the employment tab at the top of the page to submit your application today! April 10-11 Higher Things Retreat: Grades 7+ April 25 & May 2 Spring Workday Camp Io-Dis-E-Ca also needs Junior Counselors (JC’s) to assist the summer program. Applicants should be at least 15 years old. JCs spend the week with a cabin group enjoying the many camp activities and serving as a positive role model and motivator for younger campers while helping the cabin counselors supervise younger campers. It’s a great experience for only $95 per week. Please contact Camp Director, Daniel Sanchez by emailing [email protected] for more information or to receive an application. May 2 Early Bird Registration Discount Deadline #2 May 8-9 Mother/Child Retreat June 10 First Day of Summer Camp August 1 Summerfest Auction Fundraiser Become a fan of Camp Io-Dis-E-Ca by clicking the ‘Like’ button on our Facebook page. 3271 Sandy Beach Road NE, Solon, IA 52333 phone 319.848.4187 web www.campiodiseca.org email [email protected] U of I Hosptial Chaplaincy April 2015 Greeting to my Brothers and Sister in Christ in Iowa District East, The University of Iowa Hospitals is a very large and busy hospital. The building of the Children’s Hospital continues. When it is finished it will be the largest building in Iowa City. It will provide the opportunity to treat well over a thousand children in ways that were unthought-of just ten years ago. Currently in our Neo-Natal Intensive Care Unit we have 98 beds. When they first told me that, I thought, “That’s crazy. They’ll never fill them all.” Since 2008 when I first went to the University Hospital, they haven’t had an empty bed. The number of children we turn away every day because we don’t have a bed for them is heart breaking for the family and staff both. When the new hospital is finished we will have more than double the space and will be able to treat hundreds more children. I also want to remind you that if you are a patient at the University of Iowa Hospital to be sure to tell them that your religious preference is Lutheran – Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod. That way you will turn up on the list that I am given and I can make sure that I visit you and I can make sure your Pastor knows you are a patient in the hospital. It is very difficult for your Pastor to visit you if he doesn’t know you are in the hospital. May you all have a blessed Holy Week and Joyous celebration of the Resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Rev. Michael Musick Pastor—St. Paul’s Lutheran Church Luzerne, Iowa Chaplain—University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics Iowa City, Iowa 16 IOWA EAST & WEST LCEF z For more information on LCEF loans, investments, and services, please contact: Carole L. White LCEF V.P. Iowa East & West 1150 Home Park Blvd #7 Waterloo, IA 50702 Toll Free Phone: 1-877-439-5233 [email protected] Loans with a Partner You Know: LCEF If you’re a rostered church worker in The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS), you don’t need to spend hours researching financial institutions to help you with a loan. Lutheran Church Extension Fund (LCEF) provides loans for mortgages, both new and refinance, home equity and debt consolidation. Our rates are competitive and our knowledgeable staff is here to help you every step of the way. Plus, you’re working with a partner who is empowering LCMS ministries in Kingdom work, sharing your commitment to serve God’s people. One click or phone call gets you started. Learn more at lcef.org or call 800-843-5233. LCEF is a nonprofit religious organization; therefore, LCEF investments are not FDIC-insured bank deposit accounts. This is not an offer to sell investments, nor a solicitation to buy. LCEF will offer and sell its securities only in states where authorized. The offer is made solely by LCEF's Offering Circular. Investors should carefully read the Offering Circular, which more fully describes associated risks. Lutheran Church Extension Fund-Missouri Synod (NMLS# 3444). 10733 Sunset Office Drive, Suite 300, St. Louis, MO 63127, lcef.org, 800-843-5233. For more information on LCEF’s lending license, go to lcef.org/loans/state_disclosure.cfm. Illinois Residential Mortgage Licensee. Rev. Bob Riggert Director of Customer Services [email protected] Ruth Gerken Promotions Director Iowa East & West [email protected] For current rates go to lcef.org Carole White presented a stewardship lesson to 17/18 year olds at Valley Lutheran High School this month. Contact White if you are interested in a similar presentation to your youth. LCEF supports you in fulfilling your mission with loans and services. The mission of Lutheran Church Extension Fund is to support the Church in fulfilling its mission of sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ by being a Christ-centered servant partner of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS), ensuring that funds and services are available now and in the future. PAGE 2 Small Stewards - Big Blessing Biblical Stewardship Lessons for and with Children (You are invited to share this lesson with children in Sunday school openings, classroom devotions, children’s worship messages, or other congregational settings. The lesson can also be used by the family. “Notes to Family” provides home applications and explorations. May the “small” Biblical stewardship mentors provide “big blessings” for children growing and sharing as God’s stewards.) I Samuel 16:14-16, 19-23 David, the youngest son of Jesse, and the one anointed (I Samuel 16:12-13) to be the future king of Israel is asked to share his musical gifts with the tormented present king, Saul. David’s love and gift of music is evident in the Book of Psalms, the hymnbook of the Old Testament, where half of the Psalms are the inspired words of David. Some of the Psalms were sung accompanied by musical instruments. David’s gift of music provided spiritual relief to King Saul. Hymns today bring the words of Scripture to fight temptation and drive the devil away. In Psalm 101 David directs his gift to the Lord, “To you, O Lord, I will make music.” (vs. 1) David, the ancestor of the Savior, directs his praise to the One who would save him and the world. God gifts His children of all ages today. Evident in Lutheran schools, Sunday school rooms, church preschool classrooms and other contexts are the musical gifts of children. Some may be as spontaneous as a preschool “band” with noise makers. The Sunday school children’s choir blesses the worship of the congregation on Christmas Eve or at other times. The gifted youth pianist offers a service prelude. The high school band trumpeter joins the Easter Sunday brass team. God gifts His children and invites them to be stewards of their talents. Lutheran Church Extension celebrates stewardship of time, treasure, and talent. The churches and schools built with the dollars invested in ministry become places where musical talents are identified, developed, and celebrated. LCEF invites children to not only be stewards of their talents but to invest their treasures in a Young Investors Club account. An investment of only $25 opens an account. Prayer: Dear Jesus, thank You for the ways that you gift Your children. We thank you especially for their musical gifts. May all their gifts be used to Your glory. Amen. Lutheran Church Extension Fund Small Stewards Bring Big Blessings Home—Notes to Family Today’s lesson celebrates the music gift of David, the shepherd boy, future king, and lyre player. How is the gift of music enjoyed by your family? What musical gifts has God given to the children in your family? How can those musical gifts be a blessing to the family, to the church, and to others? Some families invest in the musical gifts of their children (instrument or voice lessons, dance lessons). Lutheran Church Extension Fund invites parents, grandparents, and others to enroll children in the Young Investors Club so that resources are available to support the future explorations of children in a variety of endeavors. See your congregation’s Y.I. Club coordinator or visit www.lcef.org for more information. Carole White, District Vice-President ([email protected]) Rev. Bob Riggert, Director of Customer Services ([email protected]) Ruth Gerken, Promotions Director ([email protected] LCEF is a nonprofit religious organization; therefore, LCEF investments are not FDIC-insured bank deposit accounts. This is not an offer to sell investments, nor a solicitation to buy. The offer is made solely by LCEF’s Offering Circular. Investors should carefully read the Offering Circular, which more fully describes associated risks. 5th & 6th Grade Gathering Like Him April 24, 2015 Presenter: Daniel Sanchez - Camp Io-Dis-E-Ca What is your image? What is your identity? In other words, who or what are you like? As we look at ourselves, we don’t have to look very far to see that we are unlike God. As we sin and experience the pain of sin in our lives, being Like Him might just be the last thing on our minds. That is why we need Jesus. Now that we identify with Jesus, what is life like? Join us in answering these questions as we explore life in Christ under our theme Like Him. Who: 5th & 6th Grade Youth When: April 24, 2015 Where: LIS—Williamsburg Time: 5:30—11:30pm Cost: $25.00 Contact the Iowa District East office at (319) 373-2112 or email [email protected] for more information. Like Him IDE 5th & 6th Grade Gathering April 24, 2015 LIS - Williamsburg 804 Court Street Williamsburg, IA 52361 What is your image? What is your identity? IN other words, who or what are you like? As we look at ourselves, we don’t have to look very far to see that we are unlike God. As we sin and experience the pain of sin in our lives, being Like Him might just be the last thing on our minds. That is why we need Jesus. Now that we identify with Jesus, what is life like? Join us in answering these questions as we explore life in Christ under our theme Like Him. Daniel Sanchez, Camp Director of Camp Io-Dis-E-Ca in Solon, will be teaching the youth about the 2014 Camp Theme Like Him during the 2015 IDE 5th & 6th Grade Gathering. The retreat will take place on Friday, April 24th at 5:30pm and going until 11:30pm. This retreat includes pizza on Friday. This year we are offering online registration for all youth events. Visit http://lcmside.org/2015-5th-6thgathering for more information and to register online. For your convenience an Online Registration Planning sheet is included in this packet. You may use this to gather information before you register online. The registration deadline for this event is Friday April 17th. The cost of the 5th & 6th Grade Gathering is $25. Please fill out the online registration form. If paying by check, make checks payable to “Iowa District East.” On the memo line write “5th & 6th Gathering.” And mail to the District office at: 1100 Blairs Ferry Rd, Marion, IA 52302. Things to Bring Bible Appropriate clothing and shoes for activities (swimwear for swimming) If you have any questions or would like more information please contact the District Office at 319-373-2112 or email [email protected]. In Christ, Jon Kohlmeier [email protected] Communications/Technology Coordinator Iowa Distirct East – LCMS Things Not to Bring: Irreplaceable or valuable items iPods, mP3 players, etc. Extra money Like Him IDE 5th & 6th Grade Gathering Iowa District East Youth Event Health Form/Release First Name Gender Address Parent Names Last Name Age Birthday City Grade Zip Phone Email If not available in an emergency, notify: Name Doctor Dentist Pharmacy Relationship Phone Phone Phone Phone Cell Name of Family Medical/Hospital Insurance: Insurance Carrier Policy # Insurance Phone # (if applicable) Primary Insured’s Name Activity Restrictions by parent’s/physician’s advice: Other information: Allergies: Hay Fever Peanut Butter Poison Ivy Insect Stings Nuts Penicillin Medications brought to event Asthma Other Drugs Foods Notes on giving Acetaminophen, Ibuprofen, antacids, anti-diarrhea medication and first aid MAY / MAY NOT (circle one) be administered to my child, as needed, by designated chaperones. Special Considerations? Authorizations / Release: This health history is correct so far as I know and the person herein described has permission to engage in all prescribed event activities except as noted above. I also give permission to the event coordinator or chaperone to order x-rays, routine tests and treatment. In the event I cannot be reached in an emergency, I give permission to the physician selected by the event coordinator to transport, hospitalize and secure proper treatment, order injection and/or anesthesia and/or surgery. Signature of Parent/Guardian Date IDE Youth Event Online Registration Planning Sheet Name Email Home Phone Cell Phone Gender Age Church Registrant Type M F o Adult o Youth M F o Adult o Youth M F o Adult o Youth M F o Adult o Youth M F o Adult o Youth M F o Adult o Youth M F o Adult o Youth M F o Adult o Youth M F o Adult o Youth M F o Adult o Youth M F o Adult o Youth M F o Adult o Youth M F o Adult o Youth M F o Adult o Youth M F o Adult o Youth For current events visit: http://www.eventbrite.com/o/iowa-district-east-lcms-6137224941. If you have questions please contact Jon Kohlmeier at [email protected] or 319-373-2112. Featured Speakers F a m i l y L if e Co nf er e n ce Dr. Stephen Saunders is Director of Clinical Training (DCT) of the Doctoral Program in Clinical Psychology at Marquette University SATURDAY APRIL 25, 2015 Nelly Hill, Program Coordinator for Waypoint's Domestic Violence Victim Services Program, is an Advanced Certified Domestic Abuse Advocate through the Iowa Coalition Against Domestic Violence with 6 years of experience in direct victim services, program administration, and training development and facilitation. ZION LUTHERAN HIAWATHA, IA Toni Larson, LISW, is a counselor with Lutheran Family Service and also works part-time as a social worker supporting residents, families and staff at Perry Lutheran Home. Sponsored by: 1100 Blairs Ferry Rd Marion, IA 52302 (319) 373-2112 (319) 373-9827 fax http://lcmside.org Iowa District East and Thrivent Family Life Conference Who Should Attend? Pastors DCEs Human Care Committees Preschool Teachers Anyone interested learning more and receiving resources to address domestic violence. Domestic Violence Psychological state of Abusers Elder Abuse Iowa Resources LCMS resources 9:00-9:15 am Welcome and Opening Devotion 9:15-10:00 am Keynote—Dr. Stephen Saunders The cost is $35 per church or school which will enroll up to a maximum of five participants each. Lunch will be provided. Space is limited to the first 250 registered participants so register early to secure your spot! 10:00-10:15 am Break 10:15-11:00 am Keynote—Dr. Stephen Saunders 11:00-11:15 am Break 11:15-12:00 pm Breakout Session #1 Complete the registration form and return with payment by April 03, 2015 . 12:00—12:45 pm Lunch 12:50-1:35 pm Breakout Session #2 Call Rev. Dr. Dean Rothchild at 319-373-2112 or email him at [email protected] City: Tentative Schedule Registration Questions? Church/School: INCOME AALYSIS Email: 8:30-9:00am What does it cost? Family Life Conference Registration Form Topics IDE Family Life Conference The Family Life Conference will address topics surrounding Domestic Violence. The Conference will be held on April 25, 2015 at Zion Lutheran Church, 201 1st Ave, Hiawatha, IA 52233. Phone: Participant Names: Lunch will be provided. Return Registration Form and $35 fee no later than April 03, 2015. Iowa District East—LCMS 1100 Blairs Ferry Road Marion, IA 52302 Make check payable to: Iowa District East Camp Okoboji in Milford, Iowa May 18–20, 2015 Dr. John Nordling Dr. Nordling joined the CTS–FW faculty in 2006. He is a graduate of Concordia University, Portland (A.A., 1977), Valparaiso University (B.A., 1980) and Concordia Seminary, St. Louis (M.Div., 1985). Dr. Nordling has completed two academic degrees in Classics—the first, at Washington University in St. Louis (M.A., 1985), and the second, at the University of Wisconsin–Madison (Ph.D. dissertation: “Indirect Discourse and Rhetorical Strategies in Caesar’s Bellum Gallicum and Bellum Civile,” 1991). From 1990-1994 he served as pastor of Grace English Ev. Lutheran Church and School in Chicago, Illinois. Dr. Nordling taught in the Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures at Valparaiso University (1994-1999) and in the Department of Classics at Baylor University, Waco, Texas (19992006). Dr. Nordling has developed “Lutheranism & the Classics,” a biennial conference wherein pastors, classicists and educators consider how the classical languages have influenced Lutheranism in the past, and how Greek and Latin are poised to enrich church, academy and culture in the future. He has written Philemon for the Concordia Commentary Series (CPH 2004) and Religion and Resistance in Early Judaism: Greek Readings in 1 Maccabees and Josephus (CPH 2010) for the Concordia Peer Reviewed Series. The Gospel in Philippians Readings: See other side. Location: Camp Okoboji 1531 Edgewood Dr. Milford, IA 51351 Coordinators: Lori Gamble – Camp Okoboji [email protected] 1531 Edgewood Dr. Milford, IA 51351 Phone: 712-337-3325 Housing: Lodging and meals for Camp Okoboji need to be reserved by calling 712-337-3325. (The cost for meals and lodging is $190.) (1.5 CEU) Written to thank Christians at Philippi for their generous gift to him, Paul gives hearty utterance in the letter to the Gospel of Christ Jesus: his thanksgiving to God for the Philippians’ partnership in his ministry (1:5), his being torn For more information about opportunities between going on and living in the body or departing to be with for Continuing Education and/or registration, Christ (1:21-24), his joy amid the imprisonment (throughout), you may contact Kara Mertz. the Christ hymn (2:5-11) and the nature of their gift itself and its Phone: 260-452-2103 implications for their life together (4:14-19). The present course 6600 North Clinton Street Email: [email protected] covers all these themes, and then some, and relates them to Fort Wayne, IN 46825 practical considerations in the parish and ministry. Web: www.ctsfw.edu Forming servants in Jesus Christ who teach the faithful, reach the lost, and care for all. Camp Okoboji in Milford, Iowa May 18–20, 2015 Dr. John G. Nordling: The Gospel in Philippians Please return this completed form with your check or credit card information to Concordia Theological Seminary, Continuing Education, 6600 N. Clinton Street, Fort Wayne, IN 46825. Please contact Kara Mertz at (260) 452-2103 or [email protected] with your questions or concerns. You may fax your registration to (260) 452-2121. (Please circle if applicable.) Dr. Rev. Dcs. Mr. Ms. Mrs. Name ____________________________________________________________________________________ Street Date of Birth _______/_______/_______ __________________________________________________________________________________ City __________________________________________ State ________ Zip________________________ Day Phone ________________________ Email ____________________________________________________________________________________ Category 1.5 CEU course for Pastors/Prof. Church Workers 1.5 CEU course for Retired Pastors/Lay Persons Fort Wayne Students/Fort Wayne Vicars 1.5 CEU course for Fort Wayne Vicar/Fieldwork Supervisor Price Qty. Amount $150 x ______ = __________ $0 x ______ = __________ $100 x $0 x ______ ______ = __________ = __________ Name(s) of Vicar/Fieldworker(s): ______________________________________________ Payment Type: My check is enclosed. Make check payable to CTS. Please bill my credit card. Choose one: MasterCard Visa Card # __________________________________ Exp. ____/____ 3-digit security code from the back of credit card. ____ | ____ | ____ Signature: ____________________________________________ Required Readings: Acts 16 (all-English) Bo Reicke, Re-examining Paul’s Letters. The History of the Pauline Correspondence (Trinity Press International, 2001) 91-102, 131-140. Thompson, Michael B.,“The Holy Internet: Communication between Churches in the First Christian Generation.” Pages 49-70 in The Gospels for All Christians: Rethinking the Gospel Audiences. Edited by Richard Bauckham. (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1998). J. G. Nordling,“A More Positive View of Slavery: Establishing Servile Identity in the Christian Assemblies.” Bulletin for Biblical Research 19.1 (2009) 63-84. Available here: http://www.ctsfw.edu/Document.Doc?id=214. Suggested Readings: Either Donald Guthrie, New Testament Introduction, 3d ed., 522-544 or M.H. Franzmann, The Word of the Lord Grows, 119-148 or F.F. Bruce, Paul: Apostle of the Heart Set Free (Paternoster Press, Ltd., 1977) 212-224. J. G. Nordling,“The Gospel in Philemon.” Concordia Theological Quarterly 71.1 (2007) 71-83. Available here: http://www.ctsfw.net/media/pdfs/nordlinggospelinphilemon.pdf. Finally, if you’re up to the challenge, please translate the text selections in Philippians from the original Greek (about 55 verses). IDE GOLF OUTING FAWN CREEK COUNTRY CLUB ANAMOSA, IA WHO: All Professional Church Workers, Pastors, Staff, and Spouses WHAT: Annual Two-Person Best Shot Golf Tournament 9 Holes – Bring Your Own Partner, or We Will Pair You Up WHEN: Monday, June 29, 2015 Arrive by 8:30 a.m.; Tee-Off @ 9:00 a.m. WHERE: Fawn Creek Country Club 1601 130th Street (right along US Hwy 151) Anamosa, IA 52205 HOW MUCH: $15.00 Green Fees & Cart Rental (payable to Fawn Creek at golf outing) PRIZES PRIZES PRIZES Sponsored by Thrivent Financial for Lutherans. Lunch and Prizes provided courtesy of Thrivent. In case of inclement weather, call Fawn Creek @ 319-462-4115 or Rev. Rothchild @ 319-350-9564. Look for registration information on our website by February 1, 2015!
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