Word of God Lutheran Church for the Deaf Cedar Rapids IA

We love the Word of God because God’s Word shows us the way of salvation. His Word gives us His law and tells us that we have failed to obey His law. But He also gives us the good news (Gospel) that Jesus suffered, died, and rose alive again to pay for our sins and give us eternal life.

We are a Lutheran Church, a member of the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod (LCMS). The LCMS is a church body that believes in the Triune God (Father, Son and Holy Spirit). Jesus our Savior is true God and true Man. We believe we cannot do anything to save ourselves, but God completely saves us as His free gift. The Bible is God’s Word, it has no errors, and it is the perfect guide and teaching for us to learn about God and His salvation.

We are a church for the Deaf. American Sign Language is our language. We love and value Deaf culture. We want to bring the good news about Jesus to all the Deaf in Eastern Iowa and throughout the world!

 

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The Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod  

https://www.iowaeastdeaf.org/  

 

 

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At Word of God Lutheran Church for the Deaf, we celebrated our 50th anniversary in 2019. We thank God for working through this church and the people here for the past 50 years. We invite you to look at the timeline with some pictures and documents to remember people, events, and God’s work.

1938 Rev. Ernest Mappes traveled from Omaha, Nebraska, to Cedar Rapids to have worship services for the Deaf. Trinity Lutheran Church, Cedar Rapids, hosted these services.

1955 Rev. Victor Messenbring was the first resident pastor in Des Moines. He traveled regularly to Cedar Rapids, Mason City, Cedar Falls, Burlington and Rock Island, Illinois.

1969 Feb. 16, Rev. Quintin Quade was installed as the first pastor for the Deaf in Iowa District East. On Dec. 28, Word of God was officially incorporated as a congregation. The congregation met at Trinity Lutheran Church in Cedar Rapids. Preaching stations included Burlington, Dubuque, Monticello, Clinton, Muscatine, and Rock Island, Illinois.

1971 Nov. 10, Rev. Quade died after a sudden and brief battle with cancer. Vicar Richard Thompson from Trinity Lutheran Church learned sign language and served during the vacancy. Word of God still met for worship at Trinity during this time.

1973 July 1, Rev. Allan Page was installed as the new pastor for Word of God. He served Cedar Rapids and the preaching stations of Burlington, Dubuque, and Rock Island.

1974 Word of God bought Oakland Church of the Nazarene at 1515 29th St. NE, Cedar Rapids. The dedication service was in September.

1976 Rev. Allan Page took a call to West Hartford, Conn. Rev. Richard Thompson from Trinity Lutheran Church served as the vacancy pastor.

1977 In September, Marion Van Manen was installed as a Lay Minister. He served until July 1981.

1981 Sept. 13, Rev. David Mueller was installed as the new pastor. Word of God had 99 baptized members and 73 communicant members.

1982 Word of God received a “Forward in Remembrance” grant to purchase videotape equipment. Worship services and Bible studies were taped and sent to the preaching stations. The preaching stations met in members’ homes to learn and worship together. The preaching stations at this time were Dubuque, Clinton, Quad Cities, Ottumwa, Burlington and Oelwein.

1986 Pastor Mueller accepted a call in March to serve the Deaf in Jackson, Mississippi. On June 29, Rev. Mike MacDonald was installed as the new pastor.

1987 June 25-28, Word of God hosted the International Lutheran Deaf Association (ILDA) convention. A committee of 20 members of the church worked hard to plan everything to perfection. 400 attendees enjoyed Christian fellowship, worship, learning, a trip to Amana, skits and more. (Somehow we don’t have ANY pictures of this!)

1994 Pastor MacDonald accepted a call to serve the Deaf in Charlotte, NC. In June, Roger Altenberger began serving Word of God for his one year vicarage.

1995 Aug. 13, Rev. Roger Altenberger (now graduated) was installed as the pastor of Word of God.

1999 Aug. 1, Rev. Tim Eckert was installed as the second pastor for the Deaf in Iowa District East. He served primarily the Quad Cities, but also Burlington, Muscatine and Dubuque.

2000 Pastor Altenberger accepted a call to become the synodical counselor for Deaf Ministry (the person who oversees Deaf Ministry for the LCMS). Rev. Tim Eckert served during the vacancy.

2001 June 17, Rev. Fred Leighty was installed as the pastor of Word of God.

2005 Pastor Leighty moved to Columbia City, Indiana. Pastor Eckert served during the vacancy.

2006 January 22, Rev. Mark Anderson was installed as the new pastor in Cedar Rapids.

2013 Pastor Anderson had to go on disability. Pastor Eckert served the vacancy.

2014 Nov. 9, Rev. Tim Eckert was installed as the pastor of Word of God, Cedar Rapids. From 1999-2014, there were two pastors serving the Deaf in the district. With Pastor Eckert’s installation, he was the sole pastor for the Deaf.

2019 Happy 50th Anniversary!