Blessed are the Peacemakers for they shall be called the children of God. Matthew 5:9

The Wicomico County Sheriff’s Department and community gathered on June 21, 2022, for the funeral of Sheriff Deputy First Class Glenn Hilliard who was tragically killed in the line of duty on June 12.  Sheriff Deputy First Class Hilliard, who would have turned 42 years old on Wednesday, had a wife and three children. He was a 16-year veteran law enforcement officer.

LCC K-9 Police Ministry Dog Kezia (Emmanuel - Baltimore, Maryland) and her law enforcmenet handler Patrick, LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Amos (Our Savior's Way - Ashburn, Virginia), and LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Solomon (King of Glory - Williamsburg, Virginia) and their handlers, shared God’s love and comfort with law enforcement, their families and other first responders at the funeral for Sheriff Deputy First Class Glenn Hilliard. The LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs were invited by Project Thank A Cop.

The LCC K-9 Comfort Dog teams were honored to be present this day as they saw thousands of people all working together to create an amazing hero's send off for Officer Hilliard's family and friends.  As one of the handlers reflected on this experience, she noticed the LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs and their handlers were approached by officers, friends and family who had smiles on their faces. It felt like their time with the dogs afforded them a moment of joy and peace and allowed them to forget for a moment the unjustness of why they were all gathered that day. God was there- making every one of one mind, one body, laboring for His child and that child's loved ones, so that they would know- everyone there would know- that He loves us more deeply than we can comprehend.

Patrick, an LCC K-9 Police Ministry Handler and former officer reflected, how Kezia, Amos and Solomon Comfort Dogs were a small but significant part of a bigger hedge of protection and compassion that officers, firemen, EMT and community volunteers showed Deputy Hiliard’s family.  What struck him the most, was one officer who never touched the dogs but was walking past the Comfort Dogs and without losing stride looked down at the dogs and said, ‘Thank you for being here.’ 

Patrick saw how the LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs and their handlers' presence meant so much to him. Grief-stricken police wives and children loved on the dogs that helped all of them get through the day. The Comfort Dog team had prayed at the beginning of the day that God would let the light of Jesus shine through the eyes of those dogs and handlers, and He clearly made that happen.

A Heart of Mercy and Compassion was given for law enforcement, family and friends to share messages of love, hope and prayer. 

Please pray for the heartbroken police officers and their families as they say continue to grieve Sheriff Deputy First Class Glenn Hilliard loss. 

The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit. Psalm 34:18

On Saturday, June 18, the LCC Kare 9 Military Ministry was in attendance at the Huntley Veteran's of Foreign Wars Post’s Vet Fest. The Vet Fest features live music, great food and plenty of military-related exhibitors.

LCC Kare 9 Military Ministry Dogs Blitz (LCC Squad), Butch, (LCC Squad), Flex (LCC Squad), Julia (King of Glory - Elgin, Illinois), Nigel (LCC Staff), Butch (LCC Squad), Reba (LCC Squad), and Samson (Zion - Marengo, Illinois) were kept busy greeting the hundreds of people who stopped by our exhibit.

The Kare 9 Military Ministry made some new friends and renewed some old friendships by bringing love, compassion, and comfort to all.

On Friday, June 17, LCC Kare 9 Military Ministry Dogs Brutus (LCC Squad), and Flex (LCC Squad), and Nigel (LCC Staff) visited the Western Springs Park District Recreation Day Camp. The Kare 9s visited campers ages 5-7 years and their camp counselors at two park district locations.

The kids and counselors got plenty of love and comfort from the Kare 9s and wanted to know when we could come again.

On Saturday, June 18, LCC Staff member John Pejchl visited with Karen Farruggia and Dawn Janke, founders of Breakfast with Baby at Our Savior Lutheran Church in Carol Stream, Illinois. Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the need for their services has grown.
 
Their most significant needs are diapers and baby wipes. They spend nearly $1,000 per month to purchase the items they provide to families in need during their monthly giveaway.
 
Please prayerfully consider donating to help Breakfast with Baby meet this need to serve families in their community.

Thank you to everyone who donated luggage that will be used to take medical and other items needed for humanitarian aid to those in Ukraine. The Ukrainian church has individuals who will transport the supplies on LOT Polish Airlines which is allowing up to ten bags to be checked at no charge by people with a Ukrainian passport flying into Poland. The luggage will remain in Ukraine.
 
We currently have enough luggage to make several trips. We will let you know when more donated luggage is needed.
 
Lutheran Church Charities also presented Archpriest Mykhailo Kuzma with donations received to help the efforts back in Ukraine as there are still many needs. A trip to Ukraine will take place this week with the medical and other items needed.

"I think this is what the Lord is calling His Church to do today – to serve the people.” Pastor Sergey Bevz

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!

One of the pastors of the Synod of Evangelical Lutheran Churches in Ukraine (SELCU) was diagnosed with lung cancer. Surgery removed 1/3 of the right lung. It will be a long road to recovery. Medical health coverage in Ukraine will not even begin to cover the expected costs of the treatments.
 
Lutheran Church Charities is making a direct appeal on behalf of this SELCU Lutheran pastor and his family in an attempt to raise $5,000 for ongoing medical treatments and to provide support for the family.
 
CLICK HERE to read the original appeal.
 
This pastor has provided leadership to the SELCU for many years and has been doing so since the beginning of the Russian invasion. If you are so moved, please donate to help this pastor and his family during his recovery.

On Thursday, June 16, Sheboygan, Wisconsin, was one of the many towns that experienced tree and home damage due to high winds with storms that went through the state. Rev. Nathan Meador, South Wisconsin District Disaster Response Coordinator requested Lutheran Early Response Team (L.E.R.T.) assistance at Christ Lutheran Church and for a few congregation members that had storm damage.
 
The following LCC L.E.R.T. team members served this past Saturday:
 
St. Paul, Grafton, Wisconsin – Mark and Beverly Brueggemann, Stu Natale
Trinity, Lisle, Illinois – Ed Boerman
 
Pastor Chris Gugel from Christ Lutheran Church was very thankful for the L.E.R.T. chainsaw volunteers that cut and moved wood and brush from a large tree that was uprooted on the church grounds to the roadside for pick up. They also enjoyed a nice lunch with Pastor Gugel and his wife, who prepared the meal for them.

Afterward, the team helped cut and remove a large limb that was downed in a congregation member’s backyard totaling out his shed.

Tim was so appreciative as he did not have the capability to do this work himself due to his disability.
 
He thoroughly enjoyed the time spent with the team that shared the mercy, compassion, presence and proclamation of Jesus Christ with him.

The LCC Disaster Response Ministry never charges those we serve. Please donate to the LCC Disaster Response Fund so that, when invited, we may continue to show the Mercy, Compassion, Presence and Proclamation of Jesus Christ to those suffering and in need.

The Palatine (IL) Lutheran Early Response Team (L.E.R.T.) spent two days serving at a WINGS home. They were able to thoroughly clean, sort, and organize used and donated items in the garage, kitchen, storage areas, laundry room, and other rooms of the home.
 
They also power-washed the home and painted patio furniture. WINGS Family Advocate, Dara Nicole expressed gratitude to the following team members for all of their willing hands and hearts that cleaned and prepared the home for new residents:
 
Immanuel, Palatine – Steve MacKay
Prince of Peace, Palatine – Jim and Karen Beckley, Sandi Campbell, Richard and Bonnie Habegger, Mike and Lisa Kaminski, Kathy O’Day, Dan and Bobbie Swyndroski
St. Peter, Arlington Heights – Lois Lehman