This past week, Lutheran Early Response Team (L.E.R.T.) chainsaw volunteers Alan Holm and Ron Jones felled a split tree and trimmed dangerous hanging limbs on the grounds of their church, Shepherd of the Hills in McHenry, Illinois. Pastor Tom Rogers was very appreciative of their willing service to make the grounds safe for all.
The St. Peter Lutheran Church, Schaumburg, Illinois Lutheran Early Response Team (L.E.R.T.) again was busy this weekend helping the property manager at St. Peter’s spruce up the church grounds in preparation for their upcoming 175th anniversary, scheduled for October 1. This workday provided a training opportunity for new team members. The following L.E.R.T. team members felled and cut two dead trees, trimmed low-hanging limbs in the cemetery, and disposed of all brush and limb cuttings: Marge Behrens, Christine Carlson, Missy Dieckmann, Sean Freres, Nate Graf, Ken and Vicki Kiviranta, Bob and Barb Royce, and Laurie Truedell. Their hard work is greatly appreciated for making the cemetery safe for visitors and completing ground preparations for the upcoming church anniversary celebration.
Last week, Kathy O’Day, LCC Director of Disaster Response, Anna Piro, St. John, Wheaton, Illinois, Lutheran Early Response Team (L.E.R.T.) leader, and Marty Johnson, LCC/LCMS L.E.R.T. Chainsaw Instructor, were invited to speak to graduate students of the Humanitarian Disaster Institute of Wheaton College. They presented information on LCMS disaster response, L.E.R.T. team structure and deployment, and what our faith-based response looks like as we serve those in need. The students were also able to tour St. John Wheaton’s L.E.R.T. equipment trailer. Jamie Aten, HDI Executive Director, and Joy Lee, HDI Program Administrator expressed their appreciation to all for the information, willingness to share experiences, and knowledge, and for answering many questions. It was good to hear the students' interest and ideas as they learn how to serve those in need in a variety of ways.
It was a fantastic West Coast Gathering last weekend as the teams from that region joined together in fellowship, learning, serving, and the joy of being together.
The following teams gathered together at Light of the Valley Church in Elk Grove, California:
There were opportunities to grow in our faith and service through prayers, devotion, speakers, and discussion. The LCC K-9 Comfort Dog teams also enjoyed time refreshing their skills through handler training and had the opportunity to go out and serve in the community. The LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs went to one of these locations to bring lots of love and comfort: Sacramento Fire/EMS Dispatch, Sacramento Police Department Dispatch, or The Gardens at Laguna Springs (Senior Memory Care Unit). At the end of each day, the LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs enjoyed their paychecks of a quiet and relaxing massage and play time that included chasing the ball, running, or just rolling in the grass. It was a joy to be together and share our love for Jesus and each other. "Our gratitude knows no bounds... And we all thank God together for everything we receive in this difficult time of war.” Valera Verba (SELCU Pastor) 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. Valera Verba (SELCU Pastor) The photo shows Pastor Valera Verba in one of several vans that are used by the Synod of Evangelical Lutheran Churches in Ukraine to deliver humanitarian relief. He reports the following: “And another trip! I love this time of roads, distances, new places, and new people. Everywhere there is a deficit of the Word and food. We thank all our partners, thanks to whom the service in the Donetsk region continues. Praise God; serve people!” “The Lord, in His mercy, blesses again and again. Donations from Lutheran Church Charities came. Our gratitude knows no bounds. The people of Ukraine need your support and service. And we all thank God together for everything we receive in this difficult time of war.” Sergii Bevz (SELCU Pastor) SELCU Pastor Sergii Bevz reports: “Received money transfer today [from Lutheran Church Charities]! We know that collecting donations has become more difficult now. Thank you for continuing to help those affected by the war! We really hoped and prayed a lot that by August, there would be positive changes and the prospect of an end to the war would be visible. But unfortunately, the war machine continues its terrible work. Now we are again seeing a large flow of refugees from the Donetsk region. There, the Russians are slowly seizing new territories. Albeit in small parts, but still. Recently, an evacuation from this area was officially announced. There are many people who will still live in their place. Valera Verba and I continue to visit the villages of the Donetsk region with different frequency. We also continue to help refugees who are in our city and its district. Now our grocery sets have become simpler. However, people are grateful for any help.” The SELCU pastors who receive support from Lutheran Church Charities are producing video recordings that will provide updates on their ongoing ministry. Those videos will soon be available for LCC donors to view Ukrainian Church – Palatine, Illinois
Your Donations are Immediately Helping Ukrainians in Need!
They also report that water and wastewater systems in multiple counties are not operational or functioning in a limited capacity only. Unfortunately, there have been 37 confirmed fatalities and at least 25,000 homes and hundreds of businesses damaged or destroyed, 5 schools destroyed and another 6 damaged, and 2 hospitals damaged. 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. Your Generous Donations Bring J.O.Y. to the Children of Our Savior, Buffalo, New York, After Tragedy8/9/2022
Thanks to your generous donations, Our Savior Lutheran Church in Buffalo, New York was able to host Camp J.O.Y. (Jesus, Others, Yourself), a 6-week day camp focused on spiritual and developmental growth, bringing stability and growth to children affected by the tragic Tops Supermarket shooting on May 14th. Visit with LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Abraham (Trinity - Hicksville, New York) LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Abraham (Trinity - Hicksville, New York) visited Camp J.O.Y. at Our Savior Lutheran Church in Buffalo, New York. Camp J.O.Y. is serving this community by teaching the children not only life skills but the love of God. They are each given breakfast before starting their day filled with prayer, arts and crafts, reading, and community service. Our Savior is just a few short blocks from the Tops Supermarket shooting, and many of the children were affected in one way, shape, or form, so to have a place to go that’s positive and uplifting for them is what they need.
During their visit, the team met Barbara Glover, Church President at Our Savior Lutheran Church who is the founder and director of Camp J.O.Y. Please prayerfully consider continuing to support Camp J.O.Y. as they seek to bring Jesus to the community of Buffalo, New York.
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