Increasing Demand Due to COVID-19 Deaths More than ever, LCC’s Hearts of Mercy & Compassion, Crosses for Losses is touching lives of individuals, families, co-workers, and students who grieve the loss of someone due to COVID-19 or other tragic death. In these unprecedented times, we need your help to meet the growing demand for Mercy Hearts. Chicago Fire Department Last week, another Chicago, Illinois firefighter succumbed to COVID-19. Firefighter Edward Singleton, who worked out of Midway Airport Engine 127, passed away on April 14, 2020. LCC volunteer Robert Morris, a Director with the Illinois Fire Prevention Bureau, presented his teammates with an LCC Heart of Mercy & Compassion heart designated with the Thin Red Line, which will be signed and given to Firefighter Singleton’s family. Chicago Police Department Chicago Police Department (CPD) Sgt. Cliff Martin also died from complications to COVID-19. At the time of his death, he was the second Chicago Police Officer to die from COVID-19. LCC’s Tim Laabs and retired Palatine Police Chief Alan Stoeckel presented an LCC Heart of Mercy & Compassion heart to Officer Rhihanna Hubbard of the CPD Special Activities Unit who will have Sgt. Martin’s teammates sign it and then give to his family. Before leaving, Tim and Alan joined officers in prayer for their safety. LCC is preparing a heart for CPD Officer Ronald Newman, a highly decorated officer of the 4th District, the third CPD officer who passed from COVID-19. Arrangements are being made to present it to CPD’s 4th District for signatures and then given to his family. LCC lifts up in prayer all of our first responders, public service workers, and medical professionals everywhere for their selfless acts each day.
Your Donations Make a Difference in Sharing the Hope of Jesus Christ Our hearts are made of the highest quality wood and produced with caring Christian hands. Material production and shipping costs for hearts are approximately $30 each. We need your help in sharing the mercy, compassion, presence, and proclamation of Jesus Christ to those who are suffering and in need. Help Us Reach Out with Hearts of Mercy & Compassion Are you interested in having LCC provide a Heart of Mercy & Compassion for a loved one? There is no charge for the hearts. The hearts are made by caring Christian hands and provided with presence and prayer. As LCC’s Hearts of Mercy & Compassion, Crosses for Losses continues to reach people who are grieving and suffering loss, congregations across the country are stepping up to become mission partners. St. Paul Lutheran Church in Fort Worth, Texas is in production and nearing completion on hearts that will reach across Texas and Oklahoma. Well done good and faithful servants! Is your church interested in becoming a mission partner? CLICK HERE to request information.
Click HERE to learn more about the Hearts of Mercy & Compassion, Crosses for Losses Ministry. Financial Assistance Still Needed to Help Families Affected by Chattanooga, Tennessee Tornado4/21/2020
Good Shepherd Lutheran Church with Pastor Harry Sheets and First Lutheran with Pastor Joshua Woodrow in Chattanooga, and First Lutheran with Pastor Robert Seaton in Cleveland have reported that their churches sustained minor damage. Both pastors in Chattanooga have minor damage to their homes compared to others in their neighborhood with destroyed homes. Two congregation member families have totally lost their homes and vehicles. Many other congregation families have sustained major and minor damage, lost vehicles and are displaced from their homes. Power still has not been restored to all areas. The Chattanooga Times Free Press reports that in Southeast Tennessee there are more than 6,200 homes and commercial buildings damaged or destroyed and 1,300 cars in need of repair, according to initial insurance claims filed. Because of COVID-19 shelter in place national mandates, Lutheran Church Charities cannot send chainsaw teams to respond at this time, as we have recently before in this district. But, we are being asked if our donors can continue to provide financial assistance so that the Mid-South District and these three churches can help many families move forward in their recovery process as they await insurance and FEMA assistance. This is a very difficult time and these local LCMS churches are standing with their members and community to provide that beacon of hope and a helping hand as they are able. LCC never goes where we are not invited and we NEVER charge those we serve. Please prayerfully consider a donation to the LCC Disaster Response Fund so that we may continue to show the mercy, compassion, presence and proclamation of Jesus Christ to those suffering and in need. Please pray for those affected by the many tornadoes that have occurred and for the safety of all of our LCMS churches, first responders and local volunteers serving all devastated communities.
Pastor Karl Fay of Prince of Peace, Palatine, Illinois, thanks LCC donors for continued financial support for faithful congregation members burdened with medical expenses and for Pastor Alfred Emmanuel and his family as they settle in the U.S. after relocating from Pakistan in February. A couple burdened with ongoing and extraordinary medical concerns and expenses is extremely grateful and thank all for the financial support and continued prayers in this difficult time. Pastor Alfred Emmanuel and his family are blessed by your donations that help them with rent, utility and grocery expenses until they can secure employment. Your financial assistance is still needed. Please prayerfully consider donating generously so that LCC can support Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in helping both families in these challenging times. In this time of uncertainty and fear during the pandemic, God has opened many doors for the Church to reach out into the community to share His message of love and hope. “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope you have.” 1 Peter 3:15 Many federal and local officials announced that all citizens should wear reusable face masks when going out in public to protect other people and help reduce the spread of COVID-19. Members in your congregation with sewing talents can use this outreach opportunity to help your members and people within your community stay safe. CLICK HERE to download instructions, patterns and other resources from the Resource page on the LCC website. As the effects of the pandemic continue, people struggle with the loss of employment and others with feelings of isolation. Parents have to adjust to working remotely or tirelessly working on the front lines; some having to help their children with their class e-learning studies. For many, it’s hard to see the end of this new way of living. LCC K-9 Ministry Teams Are Working Together to Share Comfort and Hope The LCC K-9 Ministry teams are finding unique ways to work together to stay in touch with those we interact with every day, providing support and love to help people cope during this time of change and uncertainty. When we are not physically able to be present, our presence is still felt by sharing the hope and love that can be found in Jesus Christ! LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry® Virtual Visits Now you can schedule an LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry® Virtual Visit with one of the LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs – 24/7 we will be available! It’s as if we were there with you. Click the captions below to read about the many ways our LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs and their handlers are reaching out to stay connected! Making A Difference by Staying Connected!
LCC never goes where we are not invited and LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry NEVER charges those we serve.
LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Seth (Eternal Shepherd - Seneca, South Carolina) featured on his Facebook page some of his Ministry Partner's favorite Bible verses. "Ministry Partners are such an important part of this ministry as they interact with those we serve, by offering a listening ear, a prayer or a word of encouragement to those who are suffering or in need. Each ministry partner featured below has shared their favorite Bible verse which is written next to their picture. Please meet Joyce, Colleen, Skip, Gloria, Sami and Frank. Thank you all for being my helpers!" Last week, LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Ezra (LCC Staff) had a wonderful virtual visit with some friends from court. It was so good to catch up!
"The Lord is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; Of whom shall I be afraid?" Psalm 27:1
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