“I lift up my eyes to the hills -- where does my help come from? My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.” Psalm 121:1-2 Lutheran Church Charities’ (LCC) mission is to share the Mercy, Compassion, Presence and Proclamation of Jesus Christ to those suffering and in need. LCC remains operational 24/7 – and now is NO exception. We are experienced in Crisis Response, Disaster Response, and Human Care Ministries. As Christians this is what we are called to do – to serve you and others in need. As some of you have heard, Illinois is on a "stay at home" order from Governor starting at 5:00pm today, Saturday, March 21. For everyone's safety, we encourage people to adhere to this. LCC does national and international ministry and will continue to be operational 24/7 to provide service and assistance for people in need. If you have a need, know of someone in need, or need someone to call and pray with you or others, let us know: Call our office: 866-455-6466 Email us: LCC@LutheranChurchCharities.org The staff at LCC are available right now – including delivering food and needed supplies to those who are homebound. We are also working through our churches nationally helping them to do the same. GOD is still in charge – always has been – and He works 24/7 Here is God’s promise through His Word to remember during these challenging times: “The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be calm." Exodus 14:14 “But the LORD said to him, ‘Peace! Do not be afraid. You are not going to die.’” Judges 6:23 “Say to him, 'Be careful, keep calm and don't be afraid. Do not lose heart because of these two smoldering stubs of firewood -- because of the fierce anger of Rezin and Aram and of the son of Remaliah.” Isaiah 7:4 “He stilled the storm to a whisper; the waves of the sea were hushed. They were glad when it grew calm, and he guided them to their desired haven.” Psalms 107:29-30 “They will pass through the sea of trouble; the surging sea will be subdued and all the depths of the Nile will dry up. Assyria's pride will be brought down and Egypt's scepter will pass away.” Zechariah 10:11 LCC NEVER charges those we serve! Please prayerfully consider a donation to the LCC COVID-19 Assistance Fund so that we may continue to show the mercy, compassion, presence and proclamation of Jesus Christ to those suffering and in need. Your prayers and support help Make A Difference – in the name of Jesus to those suffering. Serving Together, Serving Others in Need, as We Serve Jesus! Tim Hetzner
President/CEO Lutheran Church Charities
Lutheran Church Charities (LCC) Disaster Response L.E.R.T. (Lutheran Early Response Team) chainsaw teams were invited by Rev. Ross Johnson, Director of LCMS Disaster Response and Rev. Dr. Roger Paavola, LCMS Mid-South District President to assist Pastor Keith Enko at Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Hermitage, Tennessee with tornado recovery in their community. On March 3, Nashville and surrounding towns experienced seven tornadoes that were on and off the ground for 150 miles, leaving a trail of destruction and sadly taking the lives of 24 people and injuring countless others. Kathy O'Day, LCC Director of Disaster Response, LCC Staff and forty-eight L.E.R.T. chainsaw certified team members completed their deployment this past week, serving 25 families affected by tornadoes in Hermitage, Mt. Juliet, Lebanon and Donelson. They worked with Pastor Keith Enko at Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Hermitage. The church intends to continue to assist the two families that have lost everything attending their Early Childhood Center, and to provide spiritual and emotional support to their community as they prepare for a long-term recovery.
Just wanted to take a moment and thank y’all for your great assistance during the tornado cleanup at our school. The love of the Lord was very evident in the lives of all your folks. Thank you again, and may God continue His blessings on you all, and continue His safety and protection to your group. Blessings, Danny The team also worked on an elderly couples’ property for several days. The couple was given a slice from a tree with a cross and the team's signatures on it. After expressing their thanks, the man said that, when they rebuild their home, he would make a table out of this slice to always remember what was done for them in the name of the Lord. LCC L.E.R.T. volunteers serve those in need after a storm - to bring the mercy, compassion, presence and proclamation of Jesus Christ! LCC never goes where we are not invited. We NEVER charge those we serve. We pick up all of our travel, lodging, and meal costs. We put boots on the ground within 24 hours (often fewer) from the time we get the invite.
Please prayerfully consider a donation to the LCC Disaster Response General Fund or LCC Disaster Response Equipment Maintenance & Fuel Expense Fund so that we may continue to show the mercy, compassion, presence and proclamation of Jesus Christ to those suffering and in need. In the beginning of March, Lutheran Church Charities (LCC) received a request from Pastor Karl Fay, Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, Palatine, Illinois for financial assistance for a couple burdened with ongoing and extraordinary medical concerns and expenses.
Thanks to your support, additional donations were presented this week by LCC staff member Debra Baran to Pastor Karl Fay to help the couple with their medical expenses. They are extremely grateful and thank all for the financial support and continued prayers in this difficult time. Unfortunately, they just received test results that the husband’s work-related injury is not recovering as they had hoped and he needs additional specialized medical attention which they are now seeking. They continue to need financial support during this very difficult time. If you are so moved, please prayerfully consider making a generous donation to assist this family. Together, we can demonstrate the mercy, compassion, presence and proclamation of Jesus Christ to this family in need. LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry teams come up with creative ways to carry out the ministry during these challenging times.
LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Gideon (St. Michael's - Bloomington, Minnesota) Last week, Gideon Comfort Dog "visited" his friends at Presbyterian Homes of Bloomington via FaceTime! It was good to see them, even through a screen, and learn that they are doing well. On Monday, March 16, Gideon Comfort Dog made his usual Monday rounds to NC Little Hospice and Presbyterian Homes of Bloomington to visit through the windows. Everyone appreciated it and is asking Gideon Comfort Dog to come back to the windows as often as he can during this time of separation. Even in the toughest times, God will provide a way to bring His people safely together.
Thank you to the churches, donors and volunteers who donated and put together items for the residents affected by tornadoes in Tennessee St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Beecher, Illinois and Zion Lutheran Church, Grant Park Lutheran Women's Missionary League (LWML) Illinois, put together 30 flood buckets with cleaning supplies at their Spring Rally. They donated them to LCC for the L.E.R.T. volunteers to give to tornado affected residents in Tennessee on their deployment. The buckets were picked up by the Good Shepherd, Frankfort L.E.R.T. volunteers and blessed by Pastor Kevin Hahn before being sent with L.E.R.T. volunteer Joel Powless. Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Hermitage, Tennessee will be placing them for distribution in their community food pantry as affected residents come for food and now much needed cleaning products.
Immanuel Lutheran Church in Des Plaines, Illinois put together 70 bags with children’s items, such as coloring books, crayons, books and a small toy for children affected by the tornado. Emmanuel Lutheran Church began giving them to affected families in their Early Childhood Center and will continue to use as they serve families in need. All of these donations are greatly appreciated and show the mercy and compassion of Christ to those suffering and in need.
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