LCC K-9 Police Ministry Dog Isaac (Redeemer - Spokane Valley, Washington) with retired police officer and current police ministry handler William, and other members of the Redeemer, Spokane, Ministry team were present at the 34th Annual Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Ceremony and the candlelight vigil that honored officers and K9s who had lost their lives in the last year while serving.

An engraved memorial with the names of all Washington state officers who have died in the line of duty is located in Spokane, Washington. It was a beautiful and moving event to see the community come together to show their respect for these fallen officers and their families.

Police Ministry Dog Isaac was a comforting and loving presence for the family members of some of the fallen officers honored that day. A woman who attended the memorial service shared how she saw Isaac and the LCC K-9 Comfort Dog team interacting with the officers and families before the service and how Isaac’s presence brought such calmness to her on that day. During the ceremony, when they read the fallen officers’ names and their families spoke, she would look for Isaac. Once she saw him, it gave her comfort. At the end of the ceremony, she was able to spend some time with Isaac. She was grateful to have that moment with him and his gentle presence.

Isaac also spent time with many local officers who have bonded with him through their relationship with retired police officer and LCC K-9 Police Ministry handler William.

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God” Matthew 5:9

SELCU Pastors Serving Ukrainians
 
Working through LCC staff member for Ukraine relief Rev. Larry Myers, below is an update on the work of the Synod of Evangelical Lutheran Churches in Ukraine (SELCU) pastors, thanking LCC donors for your financial support and prayers.

Rev. Larry Myers is currently in Germany on vacation. However, his vacation has become an effort to reach out to Ukrainian refugee pastor families of the Synod of Evangelical Lutheran Churches in Ukraine (SELCU).
 
On Mother’s Day, he and his son Christoph hosted a Mother’s Day Dinner in Marsberg, Germany, for the families of four SELCU pastors: Bevz, Navrotskyy, Schewtschewko, and Verba. He also presented a financial gift from LCC donors to assist them with monthly expenses. Myers and his son attended a Russian-language Ukrainian Lutheran worship service on the same evening.

Christoph, who was born in Germany and celebrated his 40th birthday on May 8, reported that it was the best birthday he could remember. Service above self, for the sake of Christ, is indeed motivational and uplifting.

The family is being sponsored by SELK Pastor Christian Utpatel and St. Peter Lutheran Church in Homberg, Germany. The SELK (Selbststädige Evangelisch-Lutherische Kirche) is the German partner church of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod.

Sergiu Marius Trifa, son of the Rev. Sorin-Horia Trifa of the Confessional Lutheran Church of Romania, continues to purchase and ship medical supplies on behalf of the pastors of the Synod of Evangelical Lutheran Churches in Ukraine (SELCU).
 
“Right now, I am preparing a large transport for the week that is coming. I talked with Pastor Oleg when he brought me two groups of people from his Church several days ago, and he told me that I was able to satisfy all the medical needs they have to this moment. Right now, my emphasis remains only on supplying them with food. It seems like the next couple of transports will be only food.”

Please prayerfully consider donating to help Ukrainians by showing the Mercy, Compassion, Presence and Proclamation of Jesus Christ to those who are suffering and in need!
 
Thank You for your support in being the hands and feet of Jesus to those suffering!

Thank you to LCC volunteers Joyce Stahl, who delivered Allstate office supplies donations to Phil’s Friends and Scarce Textbook Rescue, and Fred Vanstrom, who assisted Joyce in loading the Allstate donation and delivered it to the Midwest Veteran’s Closet in Waukegan, Illinois, that serves veterans and active military and their families.

On Saturday, May 7, twelve volunteers from Family in Faith Community Church in Glendale Heights, Illinois, broke ground for a new raised garden. The new garden will provide fresh herbs and vegetables for the Family in Faith Community Food Pantry. The pantry serves the Glendale Heights Community and families from DuPage County.
 
Each day this week Chris Dodaro the project manager, will be working in the garden. He would greatly appreciate any help during the week. The work will start at 10:00 am. On Saturday, May 14, they will have a workday that will begin at 10:00 am until 4:30 pm. Tools and supplies will be provided. You only need to bring work gloves, lunch, and, if you want, a garden kneeler or garden stool.
 
If you can help for any amount of time, please call Dianna Bonfield or John Pejchl at 866-455-6466.

LCC received the following update from Jackie Rychel, Ministry in Mission.
 
The Center of Refuge orphanage in Beaudouin, Haiti, thanks the generous donors for the much-needed mattresses. As you can see these happy faces couldn’t wait to unload the truck and the mattresses on the bunk beds.
 
Ministry in Mission values the partnership of Lutheran Church Charities to help with the important mission work in Haiti, the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere.
 
Please continue the support to help us replace mattresses for the Jacmel Lutheran home for the elderly. They are in need of 12 new mattresses.
 
Jackie Rychel

Last week, Lord of Life, LaFox, Illinois, L.E.R.T. chainsaw volunteers Larry Zagorski, and Kevin and Harry Krage, cut and removed a large tree that fell in recent storms from a church elder’s home. He was very grateful for their caring and professional assistance.

While in Seward, Tim was also was able to enjoy time with members of local LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Teams Nicodemus (The Rock - Seward, Nebraska), Eddie (Peace Lutheran - Grand Island, Nebraska), Joanna (Christ Lutheran - Lincoln, Nebraska), and Eden (Peace Lutheran - Columbus, Nebraska).