Lutheran Church Charities, in partnership with The Coming King Foundation, announced a Care & Remembrance Gathering featuring the installation of 95 Hearts of Mercy & Compassion and the unveiling of the Hill Country Flood Memorial Wall honoring the 137 lives lost in the tragic disaster over the Fourth of July weekend along the Guadalupe River Basin.

This public event — led by LCC President/CEO Rev. Chris Singer and hosted by Kerrville artist Max Greiner — will begin at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, August 14, 2025, on the grounds of The Empty Cross monument at The Coming King Foundation Sculpture Prayer Garden in Kerrville, Texas.

“Our hearts are with the people of the Texas Hill Country after such a devastating tragedy,” Rev. Singer said. “Respectfully and compassionately, we desire to be present with the community for a time of reflection, prayer, and mourning. Even amid sorrow and grief, we believe God is close to the brokenhearted and offers hope and comfort. We invite all who are hurting and in need of support to attend this Remembrance Gathering with us and our ministry partner The Coming King Foundation.”

In addition to the 95 HMCs, which are being delivered from Illinois, Oklahoma, and Texas, LCC will deploy a contingent of 29 staff members and volunteers, including eight K-9 Comfort Dog teams from Texas and Oklahoma and a four-member LCC Care Team from Gloria Dei Houston

The Hill Country Flood Memorial Wall, a 160-foot undulating limestone structure designed by Greiner, traces the curvature of the Guadalupe River. Bronze plaques will bear the names of those lost in the flood and will recognize the first responders, volunteers, and churches that provided critical care and support.

LCC’s Hearts of Mercy & Compassion (HMCs) will be displayed in front of the Memorial Wall as an interactive tribute. Attendees will have the opportunity to write personalized messages of hope, love, and encouragement for the families of those who passed away.

The Care & Remembrance Gathering also will feature eight LCC’s K-9 Comfort Dog teams from Texas and Oklahoma. These purebred Golden Retrievers and their trained handlers will provide emotional support, prayer, and peaceful companionship to help attendees process stress, grief, and loss.

In addition, LCC will deploy a four-member Care Team trained in Spiritual First Aid™ to offer compassionate, trauma-informed care.

Volunteers serving in Kerrville this week include:

Pax Comfort Dog, St. Paul Fort Worth, Texas 
Phoebe Comfort Dog, St. Paul Fort Worth, Texas 
Olive Comfort Dog, St. Paul Fort Worth, Texas 
Handlers: Janice & John Marut, LuAnn Kelly, Laura Lewallen, Bob Hampton, Veronica Vorva, LaRae Witsaman

Triton Comfort Dog, Messiah Plano, Texas 
Handlers: Marti Martz, Jane & Jerry Baedke

Elijah Comfort Dog, Our Redeemer Wichita Falls, Texas 
Handlers: Kelly Shivertaker (Bethany Austin, Texas) and Ken Wehmeyer (Bethany Austin, Texas)

Persis Comfort Dog, Christ The Redeemer Tulsa, Oklahoma 
Handlers: Roxy & Steve Hurry, Lori Knoepfel

Gabriel Comfort Dog, Messiah Houston, Texas 
Handlers: Janet & Charles Cook

Joy Comfort Dog, Gloria Dei Houston, Texas 
Handlers: Karen & Kim Gastler

The 95 hearts and crosses are being driven 22 hours from LCC headquarters in Northbrook, Illinois, with stops at Christ The Redeemer in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and St. Paul, in Fort Worth, Texas. Eric Wendelbo of Christ The Redeemer will deploy as an HMC volunteer.

An LCC Care Team from Gloria Dei Houston will include Susanne Franson, Fred Heiner, Roberta Heiner, and Dawn Petersen.

“We are so grateful for these servants of Christ to join us for the Remembrance Gathering and show comfort and care to the community of Kerrville,” said Rev. Singer. “We know that they are traveling hundreds of miles to be there for people who are still hurting and in need. We are so thankful for their help.”

The Gathering event marks LCC’s third ministry trip to the Hill Country region as part of its ongoing disaster response and community support efforts.

Junior High Youth Spread Sweetness for a Cause

Even more support emerged last week when the Junior High youth at Trinity Lutheran in Villa Park, IL, held a Lemonade/Cookie Sale fundraiser to help families impacted by the July 4 flood in the Texas Hill Country. 

With bright smiles, homemade cookies, and ice-cold lemonade, the youth set up their stand to raise funds for those still struggling to rebuild their lives after the devastating flooding in Texas. The floods, which left many families displaced and in need, struck a chord with the group, inspiring them to take action in the most heartfelt way they knew — serving up treats with a side of compassion.

Adding even more warmth to the day, LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Michael (LCC Staff) made a special appearance, greeting visitors with his gentle presence and wagging tail. Children and adults alike couldn’t resist stopping for a friendly pat, a quick photo, and a cool drink. Michael’s visit reminded everyone that comfort and care can come in many forms — sometimes with fur and four paws.

Neighbors, church members, and passersby came out to show their support, turning the sale into a community gathering filled with laughter, generosity, and shared purpose. Every glass poured and cookie sold helped bring hope to families hundreds of miles away.

The Junior High youth proved that you don’t have to be a grown-up to change the world — just willing to lend a hand, bake a cookie, and pour a little lemonade for those in need.

Lutheran Church Charities can provide this assistance because faithful, generous donors and volunteers are willing to support and serve. Thanks to you, LCC will BE THERE as long as necessary to provide the mercy, compassion, presence, and proclamation of Jesus Christ to those who are struggling, suffering, and in need.

The LCC Human Care team has a long-standing partnership with First St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, located in the heart of Chicago. Amid the city’s bustling urban landscape, this church has become a vital hub for compassionate care—bringing together a growing coalition of churches, nonprofits, and medical professionals to address Chicago’s most pressing needs.

In collaboration with the Chicago Help Initiative (CHI), Project 229, Catholic Charities, Church of the Ascension, Vituity Cares, St. Chrysostom Church, and AA, First St. Paul’s works tirelessly to ensure that refugees, individuals experiencing homelessness, and families in crisis are not forgotten. Instead, they are met with dignity, purpose, and practical support.

This network of partnerships has mobilized volunteers and coordinated ministries that:

• Serve community meals on-site, at Catholic Charities, and directly to people living on the streets.
• Partner with local social workers to offer holistic support that fosters long-term change.
• Operate a collaborative free store providing clothing, shoes, and essential items.
• Host an on-site medical clinic offering basic healthcare, free prescriptions, and referrals to specialized providers.
• Welcome AA and peer support groups, fostering community through shared experiences.
• Launch Stephen Ministry, providing one-on-one, Christ-centered care to individuals facing life’s challenges.
  
  

In every ministry effort, the team offers spiritual care—praying with others, inviting them to church, and welcoming them into Bible study.

Through strong leadership and intentional partnerships, First St. Paul’s brings together the strengths of many organizations, ensuring that those in need receive not just temporary relief, but a pathway toward lasting stability.

LCC is deeply grateful for the transformative work happening through First St. Paul’s Lutheran Church and is honored to be a partner in this mission. Churches and congregations interested in partnering with LCC to launch new human care ministries, strengthen existing outreach, and build a network of resources for a holistic approach to ministry, are encouraged to contact Denise Snider at [email protected].

Last week, communities across the country came together to celebrate National Night Out—an annual event dedicated to building stronger neighborhoods through police-community partnerships and neighborly connection. It’s a time to strengthen trust, foster camaraderie, and create safer, more caring places to call home.

Among the smiling faces, handshakes, and shared stories, many of our LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs were there—tails wagging, hearts open, and ready to serve. From coast to coast, these faithful friends joined their local National Night Out gatherings, helping to bridge the gap between law enforcement and the communities they protect.

In a world where many quietly wrestle with loneliness, anxiety, or fear, the sight of a warm smile and a furry paw can be a gentle reminder: we are not alone. Whether leaning into a hug, sitting patiently with a child, or simply being present, our Comfort Dogs brought calm, joy, and connection to all they met.

We are deeply grateful for the law enforcement officers and community members who serve, protect, and care with compassion. Let’s continue to build bridges, check in on our neighbors, and offer a presence that reflects Christ’s comfort to a world in need.

Comfort Dogs who attended National Night Out in their communities:
Abednego (Immanuel - Crystal Lake, Illinois)
Abraham & Beloved (Trinity - Hicksville, New York)
Benjamin (LCC Staff)
Eden (Peace Lutheran - Columbus, Nebraska)
Emma (LCC Staff)
Gethsemane (Lord of Glory - Grayslake, Illinois)
Isaac (Redeemer - Spokane Valley, Washington)
Kezia (Emmanuel - Baltimore, Maryland)
Mary (St. Paul's - Janesville, Wisconsin)
Michael (LCC Staff)
Shadrach (Prince of Peace - Palatine, Illinois)

Comfort Dogs in training who joined the fun:
Always,  Believe, Bethesda, Blessed, Eternity, Fisher, Forgive, Honey, Love, Shamgar, Sharon

As a new school year begins, Lutheran Church Charities’ ministry partners in Haiti are facing an urgent financial need to help children return to school. Seventy children are holding onto a fragile hope—hope for a chance to return to the classroom, to receive a nourishing meal, to hear the Good News of Jesus, and to escape the darkness that surrounds them.

For these children, school is not simply a place of learning—it is a lifeline.

In Haiti, the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere, children face unimaginable challenges. Hunger, gang violence, and the constant threat of life on the streets are daily realities. Many live in homes without electricity, clean water, or secure shelter. In a country where only 57% of children even enroll in primary school and less than 30% make it to sixth grade, the odds are stacked against them.

Yet, these children show up--eager, smiling, polite, and filled with faith.

They are not asking for much. They’re simply hoping for the chance to learn, to be safe, to be loved—and to know that someone, somewhere, believes in their future.

You can be that someone.

Lutheran Church Charities, through its Haiti Tuition & Food Support Fund, is committed to helping these 70 children return to school this fall. But we cannot do it alone.

Rev. Chris Singer, LCC President/CEO, has launched a $41,000 campaign to provide:

• Tuition to attend Lutheran schools
• Nutritious daily meals
• Medical and school supplies
• Christmas food packages for students and their familieS
  
  

“These children are facing extreme poverty, gang threats, physical hunger, and spiritual darkness,” Rev. Singer shares. “Your gift will bring not just education, but hope in Christ.”

Here’s how you can help today:

• $45/month sends a child to school.
• $225 covers a semester of tuition.
• $70 equips a student with medical and school supplies.
• $60 provides a Christmas food package that feeds a family for 3–5 days.

As our Field Director in Haiti, Lophane Laurent, says:
“When you support a child’s education in Haiti, it’s more than just a blessing—it’s life-changing. The parents and the children are deeply grateful for your generosity.”— Lophane Laurent, Field Director, Mission: Haiti

Haiti Tuition & Food Support campaign, is an extension of LCC’s foundational mission to bring HOPE TO THE HURTING and sharing the mercy, compassion, presence, and proclamation of Jesus to those in need.

This campaign will unfold in phases from August 2025 through Spring 2026, and your support will be felt every step of the way. Through stories, updates, and photos, you’ll see how your generosity is changing lives—one child at a time.

Be a light. Give hope. Support the future of the children in Haiti. Join us in extending the mercy, compassion, presence, and proclamation of Jesus Christ to these precious children. Their tomorrow depends on what we choose to do today.

The Care Team at Faith Lutheran Church in Carpentersville, IL, has nearly finished renovations to its Hospitality House and is preparing to welcome a new family in need in the coming weeks.

The team has overseen the installation of new flooring and made repairs throughout the two-story home, as well as added new living room furniture and performed a deep clean top to bottom. Outside, they have started work on the backyard fence, pulled weeds around the flowerbeds, and removed tree stumps.

Almost all the materials and some of the labor was donated from local vendors and craftsmen. The house has new bed frames and window curtains. It also has a freshly poured concrete and asphalt driveway and backdoor stoop. The team is also working on adding a ramp to make the home accessible to someone in a wheelchair.

“There has been dozens of good people who have helped with the initial work on the house and again with the new work that’s been put in,” said Larry Stemple, who has coordinated the renovation for Faith Carpentersville. “Electrical, plumbing, flooring, every corner of the house has been touched by people lending their talents or donating money. It’s incredible!”

Every effort that has gone into the home has focused on creating a warm, inviting space where a family in need can feel safe and cared for, said Denise Snider, director of LCC Human Care ministry.

Hospitality House, a formerly unused parsonage next to Faith Lutheran, provides tangible help and is a spiritual symbol of God’s love through Christian hospitality. It provides low-to-no-cost, short-term housing for a family in need.

While the house is in between tenants, the church is using it for church meetings and prayer nights. The Hospitality House team will meet in next week to finalize the application process so they can identify the next family that will move into the house in early fall.

In the meantime, Faith is seeking to use a wood chipper and fencing supplies to complete work in the backyard. 

LEARN MORE:
https://www.lutheranchurchcharities.org/hospitalityhouse.html

This year, Hearts of Mercy & Compassion is partnering with Bethlehem Lutheran in Raymore, MO, and St. Paul’s Lutheran in Concordia, MO—two affiliate congregations—to provide Hearts of Mercy and gift boxes to children at Children’s Mercy Hospital in Kansas City.

Each Heart of Mercy and box is painted gold, symbolizing support for those battling childhood cancer. Both churches are passionate about supporting local families and bringing hope through these gifts.

This week, a team of 10 volunteers packed the boxes with toys and goodies, assembled the Hearts of Mercy, and signed messages of love and encouragement. The event also served as a time of fellowship, as volunteers from both churches connected over breakfast snacks and coffee.

Later this month, the churches will deliver the completed boxes and hearts to Children’s Mercy Hospital’s donation center. The teams expressed gratitude for all who contributed and pride in supporting such an important cause.

Lutheran Church Charities will deploy to the Texas Hill Country next week for its third ministry trip in the past 30 days. 

LCC President/CEO Rev. ChrisSinger has been in communication with leadership from the Texas District of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (LCMS) and Pastor Dan Mueller of Hosanna Lutheran Kerrville regarding support and care for the community following the devastating flooding on July 4.
In partnership with Kerrville-based The Coming King Foundation, Rev. Singer has been invited to lead a community remembrance service at the nonprofit's Sculpture Prayer Garden to honor the 137 lives lost in the catastrophic flooding along the Guadalupe River basin. LCC will bring Hearts of Mercy & Compassion for the remembrance. 

​The service will include Scripture readings, prayer, and a time of reflection, culminating in the unveiling of a new memorial wall within the art garden park. The Sculpture Prayer Garden is home to The Empty Cross, a 77-foot hollow steel artwork. The site welcomes more than 120,000 visitors each year.

Watch for more details about the memorial wall in next week’s Making A Difference Newsletter.
LCC will continue to partner with Hosanna Lutheran Kerrville and flood relief coordinator Hope Timmer for ongoing ministry support in the Texas Hill Country.

Lutheran Church Charities can provide this assistance because faithful, generous donors and volunteers are willing to support and serve. Thanks to you, LCC will BE THERE as long as necessary to provide the mercy, compassion, presence, and proclamation of Jesus Christ to those who are struggling, suffering, and in need.

Previously in July, LCC sent K-9 Comfort Dog and LCC Care Teams to visit first responders, city and county law enforcement officers, medical personnel, and residents affected by the tragic flooding.