Helping Our Veterans in Need
ShowerUp Is Grateful for Your Donations, Helping the Homeless in Chicago
 This past Friday, Tom Farruggia, with the Breakfast With Baby Ministry of Our Savior Lutheran Church in Carol Stream, Illinois, came to the LCC Headquarters in Northbrook to pick up a rocking chair and a check with your donations for the ministry.
The ministry began four years ago and is growing in leaps and bounds. During COVID, Breakfast with Baby stayed open and adapted so they could continue to serve the families in their community. They transitioned from in-person shopping and a hot breakfast for the family to recipient families placing their order online before the designated pick-up date. The plan is to open once again as soon as possible for in-person shopping and serving a hot breakfast for the families. On average, this year, they serve 60 to 80 families a month; however, there have been two times where they served over one hundred families in one month. To learn more about Breakfast with Baby, check out their Facebook page: www.facebook.com/OurSaviorCarolStream. Please prayerfully consider donating to help Breakfast with Baby serve families in their community. LCC Ministry Partners Benefit from Put Your Hands Together Food Pantry, Immanuel, Hillside, Food Distribution  On July 8, Put Your Hands Together Food Ministry (PYHT) at Immanuel, Hillside, Illinois, hosted a food distribution day. Five LCC ministry partners stopped by to pick up food for their communities: Immanuel, Des Plaines; Pastor Jason Pankau of Chicago Hope Church; Dawn with Breakfast With Baby; St. Paul, Oak Lawn; and the newest partner, Pastor Keith Kinslow of Chatham Fields, Chicago. Pastor Keith provided food for his community for the first time, and shared some pictures from his distribution at Chatham Fields. Your Donations Helped Make a House a Home Ron heard of LCC through a friend and asked if we had some furniture he could use to fill his empty house. LCC staff member John worked with Ron on the Items Free for the Asking page on the Lutheran Church Charities website and was able to find enough items Ron could use. LCC volunteer Bob Desiron delivered the items to Ron's house. Ron wants to thank Lutheran Church Charities and all those who donated the items that have allowed him to make a house a home.
SELCU Pastors Helping Ukrainians 100% of Your Donations Continue to Support Ukrainians in Need SELCU Pastors Serving Ukrainians The humanitarian needs in Ukraine continue to grow larger and larger. Many geographical areas in eastern Ukraine are in mere survival mode. Working through LCC staff member for Ukraine relief Rev. Larry Myers, the pastors and laity of the Synod of Evangelical Lutheran Churches in Ukraine (SELCU) continue to put forth outstanding efforts in proclaiming the truth of the Gospel through Word and action.
SELCU Pastor Oleksiy Navrotskyy and lay member Nikolay Pholily prepared 130 humanitarian food parcels for distribution in the ship district of Nikolaev. There even water is in short supply and greatly appreciated when received.
In spite of the ongoing Russian invasion and bombardments, a SELCU congregation was able to conduct a youth camp in eastern Ukraine in early July.
 SELCU Pastor Valeriy Verba (Kherson & Nova Kakhovka) expresses his gratitude: “When we say that we are going to the Donetsk region, people ask if we are afraid to get under fire? Today there is a war in our country. Today in any city of Ukraine, you can get under fire. Should this stop God's plans? No. The Lord preserves His messengers who bring help and blessings and who proclaim the Word and prayer! ‘The Lord is my rock and my refuge; my Redeemer, my God, my rock; in him I trust; my shield, the horn of my salvation, and my refuge.’ (Psalm 17:3:) Amen!” “I never stop thanking the Lord for His support and your service. I believe that our joint efforts serve the glory of God. I hope that after the end of the war, we will be able to drink a cup of tea together and chat. God bless!” Your Donations are Immediately Helping Ukrainians in Need!
Immanuel, DeKalb – Pete Springmire Lord of Life, LaFox – Matt Byars, John Griffin, Ken Johnston, Harry Krage, Kevin Krage, Rick Mathieu, Bill Pietsch, Jeff Straughn, Kyle Straughn St. Peter, Schaumburg – Ken Kiviranta St. John, Wheaton – Marty Johnson 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.
Funding Still Needed to Continue Camp J.O.Y.
Lutheran Church Charities is helping to support Our Savior Lutheran Church in Buffalo, New York as they seek to help bring stability and growth to children affected by the tragic Tops supermarket shooting on May 14th. Click the video to watch Barbara Glover, Church President at Our Savior Lutheran Church share her moving testimony about Camp J.O.Y. Our Savior is hosting Camp J.O.Y. (Jesus, Others, Yourself), a 6-week day camp focused on spiritual and developmental growth for area children. After any community tragedy, children are often scared, confused, and looking for stability and comfort. Camp J.O.Y. seeks to provide that stability and comfort through faith-focused personal development for children.
With massive changes in the economy, Camp J.O.Y. has had to hire four additional staff members and cover more expenses than usual in order to make sure that community children are supported. This additional cost has become a hardship for a ministry that has impacted the community of Buffalo for many years, bringing faith and personal development to a generation of children who need it most.
The LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs and Hearts of Mercy & Compassion continued to serve the Highland Park community all week after the Independence Day celebrations turned to tragedy on Monday, July 4, when a gunman killed seven people and injured dozens of others at a July Fourth parade in Highland Park, Illinois. Lutheran Church Charities was invited by Rev. Jim Buckman, Senior Pastor of Faith Lutheran Church in Lake Forest, Illinois, to bring the LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs and Hearts of Mercy & Compassion, Crosses for Losses, to the shocked and hurting community that has been greatly impacted by this tragic event.  LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs were present at several locations in and around Highland Park to offer comfort and support. On Tuesday, July 5, LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs and their handlers attended an Interfaith Prayer Vigil at Highland Park Presbyterian Church. LCC Hearts of Mercy & Compassion, Crosses for Losses placed hearts and markers for those whose lives were taken too soon in this horrific tragedy. People stopped by the blue, wooden hearts to grieve and to sign them with heartfelt messages. They serve an important purpose for those grieving - comfort and reassurance. "I realized last night, while watching the news, that your blue hearts with the fish have become a regular visual in the news coverage. It gives me comfort to see them because I know you are where you're needed, but I'm beyond sad that you're needed so often. Thank you for what you do." Ann, Facebook comment LCC K-9 Comfort Dog teams organized several Meet and Greet events throughout the week at the Highland Park Veteran's Memorial. "It's just bringing that comfort to a hurting community," said LCC staff member Dona Martin. "When they're petting a dog, it just naturally lowers their blood pressure. It just gives them that moment to be natural for a little while," Martin said.
The LCC K-9 Ministry teams brought with them Mini Stuffed LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs. Many children and adults smiled upon receiving a stuffie and cuddled it tightly. A stuffie is one way LCC can offer lasting comfort. Thes stuffies are available for purchase on our website, and every time you purchase a stuffie, we give one to someone who is suffering and in need.
Buy one give one: https://luthcc.org/BuyOneGiveOne If you would like to donate to the mini stuffed dogs but not have one shipped to you, here is a different link to donate. Donate stuffies: https://luthcc.org/DonateStuffies Throughout the week, the teams have made several visits to the Family Assistance Center at Highland Park High School and Highland Park Montessori Preschool. They met many people who were at the Fourth of July parade, heard the gunshots, or knew one of the victims. They met individuals who experienced survivor's guilt and wish they had done more. They met nurses who have been tending to the wounded and police officers who have been working nonstop.
These LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs have been serving Highland Park, Illinois, and will continue to be present with the community and walk with them in their grief.  LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Asher (Faith Lutheran - Lake Forest, Illinois) LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs Bekah & Kye (Immanuel - Belvidere, Illinois) LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Benjamin (LCC Staff) LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Caleb (Immanuel - Valparaiso, Indiana) LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Charity (Brookfield Lutheran - Brookfield, Wisconsin) LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Emma (LCC Staff) LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Eunice (LCC Staff) LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Hannah (LCC Staff) LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs Isaiah & Jael (Trinity - Hobart, Indiana) LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Jacob (LCC Staff) LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Julia (King of Glory - Elgin, Illinois) LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Levi (Immanuel - East Dundee, Illinois) LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Malachi (St. Matthew - Hawthorn Woods, Illinois) LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Mary (St. Paul's - Janesville, Wisconsin) LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Myra (St. Andrews - Park Ridge, Illinois) LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Ruthie (LCC Staff) LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Sage (Concordia University Wisconsin - Mequon, Wisconsin) LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Samson (Zion – Marengo, Illinois) LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Tobias (Lord of Glory - Grayslake, Illinois) LCC's K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry and Hearts of Mercy & Compassion Ministry never charge those we serve as we bring the Mercy, Compassion, Presence and Proclamation of Jesus Christ to those suffering and in need. We know that comfort is needed to help this shocked and devastated community and the first responders who serve them
SELCU Pastors Serving Ukrainians  100% of Your Donations Continue to Support Ukrainians in Need SELCU Pastors Serving Ukrainians The humanitarian needs in Ukraine continue to grow larger and larger. Working through LCC staff member for Ukraine relief Rev. Larry Myers, the pastors and laity of the Synod of Evangelical Lutheran Churches in Ukraine (SELCU) continue to put forth outstanding efforts in proclaiming the truth of the Gospel through Word and action. The SELCU pastors were able to meet Sergiu Trifa in person recently. Sergiu lives in Romania, is a member of the Confessional Lutheran Church in Romania, and is the son of the Rev. Sorin-Horia Trifa of that national church body, an alliance church with The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. For the past four months, Sergiu has purchased and shipped food items and other supplies from Romania to the SELCU congregations and pastors in Ukraine. Funds were provided by your donations to Lutheran Church Charities. SELCU Pastor Oleg Schewtschenko in Odessa reports: “Finally, after many times and late hours talking on the phone and lots of emails, we see each other face to face! Dear Sergiu, thank you and all the people behind the world for your support, help, and care for our people. The Lord loves you. You are truly a man of God.” Sergey Bevz (SELCU pastor)  "For a long time, I did not share what is happening with us and what we are doing now. As before, we are immersed in work and service. Every Tuesday and Thursday we receive refugees in the church building, share the Gospel with them (sermon 10-15 minutes), and bless them with food packages. On each such day, we receive about 100-130 people. For many people, this is the first time in their lives when they can listen to a sermon and hear the Word of God with an accessible and relevant explanation. Once a week, if possible, we deliver aid to the villages that are located in the frontline zone. It's the most difficult situation. Also, in the last month, we visited several villages in our region where refugee settlements are organized. As a rule, these people live in poor housing conditions and have much less help from the government than in larger cities. We also provide targeted assistance for individuals who deal with special situations. As for the situation in our city and in general, in the country, it became more dangerous. As you probably already know, the Russians have begun to strike a lot of civilian targets and civilian homes. You have probably heard about the latest high-profile events - missile attacks on a residential multi-story building in Kyiv, a shopping center in Kremenchug, and strikes in the Odessa region. Last week there was a blow to our city. The missile hit the service station and the transport park. People died. Early today, six missiles were shot down over our city by air defense. Therefore, we try to be even more careful and, if possible, avoid crowded places. Thank you for continuing to help people in Ukraine! We want you to know that your assistance helps not only to saturate the human body, it also serves to saturate hearts with the Word of God. We always try to give people more than food and basic necessities. We are always trying to share with them the gospel of our Lord and proclaim to them the hope in the Lord that will help them now. And we see how many people are very open to the Word of God. Thank you and everyone who donates. God's needed help for the body and spirit is now reaching many people." Yurii Timerkan (SELCU pastor)  "Thanks to all of those people who continue to pray and worry about Ukrainians. Unfortunately, the war is not stopped. We can see it every day. This situation teaches us to start our morning not with a cup of coffee but with Thanksgiving to God for a new day of life and trying to know that all of our relatives are okay. We continue to serve and help people around us. It is not easy and sometimes scary, but God's grace and your support give us a power and make it possible to tell people about God's love even through the war. Infinitely thank you for your open hearts. Blessings to you.” Your Donations are Immediately Helping Ukrainians in Need!
Lutheran Church Charities continues to work with our Mission Partners Mission:Haiti and Ministry in Mission to send your donations to purchase and distribute desperately needed supplies to help save and improve the lives of the most vulnerable Haitians. We received the following update from Lophane Laurent after he distributed food to those in need:  Blessings, blessings everyone, There are no words to explain our happiness and to say thank you to all of you and all our donors and sponsors for supporting my poor Haitian people to have a chance to receive that beautiful and healthy package of food every month for their families. This month we fed the area of Titanyen and Bien Aime where we fed 100 families with a package of rice, milk, spaghetti and oil. May God continue blessing you and your families and ministries. Have a great day everyone. Blessings, Lophane The needs in Haiti are great and ongoing. Please prayerfully consider making a monetary donation to enable Lutheran Church Charities to continue to send funds to Haiti.
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