On Monday, November 16 and Tuesday, November 17, LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs Joanna (Christ Lutheran - Lincoln, Nebraska), Katie (Trinity - Fremont, Nebraska), Moses (Christ Lutheran - Cairo, Nebraska), and LCC Kare 9 Military Ministry Dogs Eddie (Peace Lutheran - Grand Island, Nebraska), Nicodemus (The Rock - Seward, Nebraska), and Priscilla (Trinity - Lincoln, Nebraska) shared their comfort with family and friends of 21-year-old Sgt. Ivan Messersmith, who died tragically when a weapon he was working with accidentally discharged. 

Ivan was a member of  the Army National Guard, served in Afghanistan, and was a student at the University of Nebraska studying Civil Engineering. He graduated from Heartland Lutheran in 2018. At the time of his death, he was a member of Grand Island-based Company B (Bravo Company), 2nd Battalion, 135th Aviation Regiment.

He was also a crew chief for a CH-47 Chinook helicopter. It was a “high honor” for Messersmith to be selected for a flight crew so early in his career, said Chief Warrant Officer 4 Brandon Bennett, who served with Messersmith in Afghanistan. The Heartland Lutheran graduate was selected for the flight crew “because of his motivation and determination,” Bennett said. People who knew him said he was unselfish, a great teammate and a leader. They talk about his work ethic and his ever-ready smile.

Please pray for Ivan’s family and friends as they mourn his loss.

”And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.” (Revelation 21:4)

CLICK HERE to read more.

In October, St. Andrews, Stockton, California, LCC K-9 Ministry team attended handler training and met their LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Rahab. Since that time, the team has actively trained and built a relationship with Rahab Comfort Dog. LCC is pleased to announce that the St. Andrews Stockton team has successful completed the placement process.
 
LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Rahab will serve as a bridge for St. Andrews to show the Mercy, Compassion, Presence and Proclamation of Jesus Christ to those who are suffering and in need. Rahab Comfort Dog's Bible verse is Joshua 2:11: "When we heard of it, our hearts melted in fear and everyone’s courage failed because of you, for the Lord your God is God in heaven above and on the earth below."

The LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry is one of presence. When the Lord calls, we must go and serve Him. Isaiah 6:8 tells us, “Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, ‘Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?’" St. Andrews team has heard the call and has said "Here am I. Send me."

The following new LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry handlers have heard the call:
 
Top Dog Deb Rider, Bonnie Centers, Pastor Dan Deuel, Miriam Deuel, Brianna Kleinert, Amy Lapointe, Phillip Lapointe, Bobby Moore, Marybeth Muldowney, Ann Marie Rehbein, and Michael Rehbein
 
LCC is honored to include the following veteran handlers to the LCC Kare 9 Military Ministry:
 
Bobby Moore - U.S. Navy (1994-1998)
Michael Rehbein - U.S. Air Force (1982-1989)
 
God is with them as they begin this new journey as part of the LCC K-9 Ministry. Please pray for God’s guidance for this new team as they go out to share the Mercy, Compassion, Presence and Proclamation of Jesus Christ to those that are suffering and need.

On October 19, LCC received an email requesting assistance for a car from Tamisha, a single mom of two children (ages 2 and under), who lives in Cincinnati, Ohio.
 
Because of Tamisha's location, our car ministry at LCC in Illinois would not be a feasible match for her. After speaking to Tamisha and hearing about her struggles, we learned that she was a Christian but did not belong to any church. LCC referred Tamisha to Pastor Allen Stuckwisch at Messiah Lutheran Church in Cincinnati, Ohio, who said that he would meet with Tamisha.
 
Three weeks later, LCC received a photo of Tamisha with the car Messiah Lutheran Church was able to provide for her and her family. Together we make a difference, sharing the Mercy, Compassion, Presence and Proclamation of Jesus Christ to those who are suffering and in need.
 
Many thanks to the people of Messiah who welcomed Tamisha into their community, and were Jesus' hands and feet to make an impact on her and her family's lives.
 
Vehicle Donations
​Do you have a car or van that still has some life left in it? Consider donating it to LCC. There is a constant need for reliable transportation. Your donation of a car or van can help families to get back on the road to financial stability. Your donation can Make A Difference in someone’s life. If you have a running vehicle to donate contact LCC at (866) 455-6466.

Lutheran Church Charities is seeking donated indoor winter warehouse space in the Northern Illinois District only to store our boom lift on its transport trailer and the dump trailer. Approximately 500 square feet of storage space is required that can be easily accessed immediately if any of the heavy equipment is needed for a disaster response deployment.
 
Please contact us at dradmin@lutheranchurchcharities.org if you know of an available location in Northern Illinois.

Last week, Lutheran Church Charities Director of Disaster Response Kathy O'Day and Lutheran Early Response Team (L.E.R.T.) chainsaw team members responded to the 70 mph straight-line wind damage in northern Illinois.
 
In less than 24 hours, we were able to assist in removing a large tree that fell across the driveway of Luther Academy and two adjoining neighbors’ yards in Rockford, Illinois. Principal Curtis Wudtke was very appreciative of the rapid response for help and the professional work completed.

We also removed a downed tree in Deaconess Lauren Olsen’s yard and a large limb from Immanuel Lutheran Church, both located in Belvidere, Illinois.

The chainsaw certified volunteers and heavy equipment operators that willingly responded to serve at all of these affected places were from the following Illinois teams:
 
Immanuel – Belvidere: Mike Buhl, Steve McElroy, Wes Johnson
Immanuel – DeKalb: Pete Springmire
St. Peter – Schaumburg: Ken and Vicki Kiviranta

On Wednesday, November 11, LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs Eddie (Peace Lutheran - Grand Island, Nebraska), Joanna (Christ Lutheran - Lincoln, Nebraska), Moses (Christ Lutheran - Cairo, Nebraska), Nicodemus (The Rock - Seward, Nebraska), and Priscilla (Trinity Lutheran - Lincoln, Nebraska), and their K-9 Ministry teams were asked to come and comfort students and staff at Holdrege Middle School in Holdrege, Nebraska, after an 8th grade student, Makenna, died in a car accident. 

Nicodemus Comfort Dog and his K-9 Ministry team spent their day with all the 5th graders. One of them is Makenna's sibling.

In addition to spending the day at Holdrege Middle School, Joanna Comfort Dog and her K-9 Ministry team also attended a candlelight vigil for Makenna in the park Wednesday night, and stayed for Thursday morning. Makenna's family was able to spend time with Joanna.
 
Thank you, God, that you care about us and that we don't need to carry our burdens alone. Please lift up family and friends who are mourning the loss of Makenna. Help them to cast all their worries, concerns, hurts, and suffering to You. You hold time within your hands, and see it all, from beginning to end. Please keep and carry these precious people in their sadness and loss. Cover them with your great wings of love, give their weary hearts rest and their minds sound sleep. Lord, lift their eyes so that they may catch a glimpse of eternity, and be comforted by the promise of heaven. We ask all this in the precious name of Jesus. Amen.
 
Please pray for the family and the community as they mourn Makenna's tragic death.

On Sunday, November 15, LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Devorah (Redeemer - Fort Collins, Colorado) and her K-9 Ministry team were commissioned at all three services at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Fort Collins, Colorado. Three Redeemer pastors participated in the commissioning - pastors Tim Runtsch, Frank Johnson, and Scott Coerber. The commissioning was available to be viewed online for all who did not attend in person worship.

Eight handlers received their badges in a ceremony following the worship service, inlcuding a veteran handler for LCC Kare 9 Military Ministry, and a law enforcement handler for LCC K-9 Police Ministry. Ministry Partners also attended the commissioning and ceremony.

It was a joy to have LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Cubby  (Redeemer - Fort Collins, Colorado) and Devorah Comfort Dog present to greet worship attendees between services. There were smiles all around!