MEN'S GROUP SERVICE PROJECTS:
 
Help Build a Habitat for Humanity Home
in Parkersburg
 

On May 25, 2008, Parkersburg, Iowa was hit by an EF5 Tornado Killing 8, injuring 70 and damaging or destroying 400 homes. 

The following year, on June 24, a disgruntled 24-year-old former football player walked into the Aplington-Parkersburg High School weight room, filled with at least 20 A-P High School students, and mortally shot the high school's football coach, Ed Thomas. Coach Thomas was featured on the cover of the July 6, 2009, Sports Illustrated issue. Since then, the community has had to endure a trial as the families of the former coach and the student still reside in the small town.

In a community that needs to see examples of the Love of Christ, the solidarity of Christians serving those in need, and the healing power of reconciliation, Bethel Lutheran Church in Parkersburg has been a powerful witness. But there is still much to do. A member of Bethel Lutheran was severely injured in the tornado and he lost the home he and his sister lived in. 

On May 22, 2010, the Iowa Heartland Habitat for Humanity will break ground on a new home for the Anderson family. If a men's group in your area is looking for a weekend service project, the Northeastern Iowa Synod invites you to consider a trip to Parkersburg Iowa.

For more information, please contact the Habitat office at 319-235-9946 or visit www.heartlandhfh.org. You can also contact Butler County volunteer coordinator Jennifer Heeren at 319-267-2378 or jennifer_heeren@hotmail.com.

For logistical assistance please contact Pastor Mark Anderson at the synod office at  319-352-1414 or andersonm@neiasynod.org.

Host a Free Air Check Event

The synod’s “Care of Creation Work Group” is promoting ways for people to save money and lower their carbon footprint. When automobile tires are under or over inflated by even a few pounds, it decreases the car’s mpg, costs the owner more to drive, and releases more carbon into the atmosphere. In fact, every pound square inch that a tire is under inflated results in as much as a six percent loss in fuel efficiency. 

In our congregations, many members don’t know the importance of keeping tires full, don’t know how to check tires, or don’t think of checking tires. The challenge to Men’s Groups is to pick a Sunday and offer to check and fill people’s tires in the church parking lot before and following worship. 

Here's how it could be done:

Step 1: Pick a Sunday and announce in the previous week’s church bulletin, newsletter and web site.

Step 2: On that Sunday, have some volunteers standing by with tire gages and an air compressor to check and fill tires. The proper psi is usually indicated on a sticker on the frame of the driver’s door and in the owner’s manual. 

Step 3: Send a short description of your event and photos to Pr. Sarah Stadler-Ammon for submission to the synod’s newsletter, web site and the Lutheran Men in Mission Newsletter.

Extra Credit:

Step 4: A week before the event, submit an announcement to the local paper welcoming all who would like to participate.

Step 5: Offer to collaborate with the youth group to see if they want to have a car wash at the same time as a fundraiser.

Links:
Article and Video on how to check tire pressure  http://www.edmunds.com/ownership/howto/articles/125093/article.html

Article on Fuel Efficiency http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/maintain.shtml

RESOURCES:
 

Coming of Age: Exploring the Spirituality and Identity of Younger Men
by David W. Anderson; Paul G. Hill; Dr. Roland D. Martinson

What is the state of faith today among younger men in the church? How is the church responding to the spiritual needs of a new generation? Armed with these questions and many more, authors Roland Martinson, Paul Hill, and David Anderson conducted interviews with young men (ages 18-40) of differing life and faith experiences, and differing ethnic backgrounds in six regions of the U.S. This new book, Coming of Age, is based on the results of this study.

Available online at Augsburg Fortress Price: $15.99 Item No: 0806652241
 

BIBLE STUDY:
 

The Master Builders Bible for Men, 2^nd edition is available from Augsburg Fortress by calling 800-328-4648 or www.augsburgfortress.com.

Format:  Hardcover  7 x 11.5 inches
Availability: In stock, usually ships within 24 hours
Online Price:  $20
 

 

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Building Men for Christ Workshop
Nov. 5 & 6, 2010
Nazareth Lutheran
Cedar Falls, Iowa

Join this 24-hour workshop to learn how to develop a life-changing men's ministry in your congregation.

Presenters
Doug Haugen, Lutheran Men in Mission Executive Director

Lon Buss, Lutheran Men in Mission Board Representative Region 5

Download Agenda & Registration Form

Download Building Men for Christ Brochure
 

NATIONAL EVENT:

2011 Lutheran Men's Gathering
July 22-24, 2011
Marriott Denver Tech Center

Contact:
Rev. Mark Anderson
Assistant to the Bishop
 

Lutheran Men in Mission Website

Foundations
Lutheran Men in Ministry Newsletter