HELP LUTHERAN HIGH SCHOOL DAMAGED BY HURRICANE IDA CONTINUE TO SERVE ITS STUDENTS AND COMMUNITY9/29/2021
 For over fifty years, Lutheran High School of Greater New Orleans (LCMS) has been providing education for high school students while emphasizing the values and teachings of our Lord and Savior. We are a stand-alone high school that serves the greater New Orleans area. Our school is founded on the teachings of the Lutheran Church, but throughout the years, we have shared the message of Jesus Christ to those of other faiths and fellow Lutherans, with a very diverse student body, which includes students from two city parishes of various socioeconomic statuses. Our mission at LHS exists solely by God’s grace …here to provide a quality body, mind, and spirit education to all of its students, enabling them to succeed in college and be exemplary citizens who go forth to Love, Honor, Serve. Last school year, our school population declined due to the impact of Covid-19. After a hopeful and successful start to our new school year, Hurricane Ida struck. This storm dealt us another blow - one that severely impacted our school building! We have roof damage that is so extensive that most of our classrooms were flooded or received water infiltration. Our HVAC systems were destroyed, and our gas line had to be removed due to a leak. We are determined to open our doors for this school year! Our plan is to close off the 3/4 of the school building that needs major repairs and operate out of the remaining space of the school. We can and will make this work! As steadfast and dedicated as our school population is, we still need assistance from our faith community and friends. How can you help us? First and foremost, you can pray for our school and us. Secondly, any monetary donation that you can send our way would be greatly appreciated. Donations will be used to replace damaged textbooks and smart boards for the classrooms, school uniforms lost by students, computers, teacher salaries, and tuition subsidies.
Thank you for any assistance you can give us. God’s continued blessings to you. In His Service, Nancy Hernandez Principal, The Students and Staff of Lutheran High School  A second Lutheran Church Charities L.E.R.T. disaster response team has deployed and is assisting the LCMS Southern District to recover from Hurricane Ida this week. They also brought 20 flood buckets that the Palatine L.E.R.T. team had assembled to give to hurricane-affected homeowners. The teams are working with Pastor Ed Brashier, Southern District Disaster Response Coordinator through Atonement Lutheran Church in Metairie, and the Southern District Office in Slidell, Louisiana. Nine LCC chainsaw L.E.R.T. volunteers have begun serving in Hammond and Metairie, Louisiana, and describe extensive home and tree damage in these coastal communities. They have continued to work on a property with multiple large downed and damaged trees that another LCC team had started on their week of deployment. The homeowner is very grateful for all of the assistance and care shown to him.
 Pastor Ed is welcoming and receiving L.E.R.T. volunteers who are willing to deploy from around the country to provide chainsaw assistance. More importantly, the volunteer L.E.R.T. teams are offering the hope of Jesus Christ in the hard-hit communities of Metairie, Slidell, Lacombe, Houma, Baton Rouge, and other cities.
Please continue to pray for all of those affected by Hurricane Ida and for all of the public works, volunteers, and LCMS and LCC Disaster Response teams who serve them. If you are so moved, please donate generously to help LCC support the recovery efforts in Louisiana. Lutheran Church Charities Disaster Response is ready to show the Mercy, Compassion, Presence and Proclamation of Jesus Christ to those suffering and in need.  Christ the King, Newtown, Connecticut, and the LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry suffered a significant loss with the passing of their beloved handler Dave Erikson. Dave was a kind, gentle man and touched many lives. As a handler for LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Maggie (Christ the King Lutheran Church - Newtown, Connecticut), he regularly visited the following places and brightened up people’s day when he arrived:
LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs Abraham (Trinity - Hicksville, New York), Addie (Immanuel - Danbury, Connecticut), and Leah (Immanuel - Danbury, Connecticut) and their teams joined LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Maggie’s team at Christ the King on Saturday, September 25, as family and friends gathered for the Memorial Service for Dave Erikson. The LCC K-9 Ministry teams were there to be a comforting and compassionate presence as Dave’s family and friends said their goodbyes. Family and friends were able to sign a Heart of Mercy and Compassion displayed on a cross and write messages of love and prayers in remembrance of Dave. Lutheran Church Charities Welcomes Faith, Appleton, Wisconsin, to the K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry9/28/2021
 In August, Faith Lutheran Church, Appleton, Wisconsin joined LCC staff for handler training. The team was very excited to meet their new LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Hagar and to become part of the LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry. The new handlers and caregivers spent many hours training in ministry and in handler skills. LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Hagar will serve as their handlers’ bridge so they can be the Hands and Feet of Jesus Christ to those who are suffering and in need. K-9 Hagar’s Bible verse is Genesis 16:13 “So she called the name of the Lord who spoke to her, ‘You are a God of seeing,’ for she said, ‘Truly here I have seen him who looks after me.’” The LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry is one of presence. When the Lord calls, we must go and serve Him. Isaiah 6:8 tells us, “Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, ‘Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?’ And I said, ‘Here am I. Send me.’” The following new LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry handlers have heard that call: Donna Bub, Jim Bub, Carrie Foster, Diane Frisque, Lynn Kolbe, Ken Lederer, Joann Schwan, Tim Schwan, Jody Springer Faith’s LCC K-9 Comfort Dog team was commissioned on Sunday, September 26. They were joined by the teams of LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs Charity (Brookfield Lutheran - Brookfield, Wisconsin), Sage (Concordia University Wisconsin - Mequon, Wisconsin), and Tobias (Lord of Glory - Grayslake, Illinois). God is with them as they begin this new journey as part of the LCC K-9 Ministry.
 In August, Trinity Lutheran Church, Toledo, Ohio, joined LCC staff for handler training. The team was very excited to meet their new LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Claudia and to become part of the LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry. The new handlers and caregivers spent many hours training in ministry and in handler skills. LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Claudia will serve as Trinity’s bridge to show the mercy, compassion, presence, and proclamation of Jesus Christ to those who are suffering and in need. K-9 Claudia’s Bible verse is Matthew 27:19 “Just then, as Pilate was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent him this message: ‘Leave that innocent man alone. I suffered through a terrible nightmare about him last night.’” The LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry is one of presence. When the Lord calls, we must go and serve Him. Isaiah 6:8 tells us, “Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, ‘Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?’ And I said, ‘Here am I. Send me.’” The following new LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry handlers have heard that call: Nancy Borders, Mack Borders, Jennifer Eck, Dianne Kleimola, Linda Lewis, Erin Marcis, and Jonathon Rusche LCC is honored to include the following veteran handler to the LCC Kare 9 Military Ministry: Mack Borders – U.S. Navy (1969-1970) Claudia Comfort Dog was commissioned on Sunday, September 26, at Trinity Lutheran Church and School in Toledo, Ohio. In addition, Anna and Ezra Comfort Dogs were re-commissioned and all handlers and ministry partners were installed or reinstalled! It was a blessed day for the Comfort Dog Ministry at Trinity!
 On Sunday, September 26, Lutheran Church Charities staff members Kathy O’Day, Deb Baran, and Marta Rees presented a special Hearts of Mercy & Compassion to Senior Pastor Karl Fay, Pastor Matt Koenig, and Susan Klemstein, Director of Outreach & Financial Controller at Prince of Peace, Palatine, Illinois. Prince of Peace celebrates 50 years of ministry in Palatine; groundbreaking at their current location in September 1971 and being officially charted as Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in October of that same year. LCC celebrates with the members of Prince of Peace for all that they do and the wonderful partnership in ministry they have with them in serving the same King and building the same Kingdom! “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, … to proclaim the favorable year of the Lord.” Luke 4:18-19  Your donations help LCC purchase desperately needed supplies for most vulnerable Haitians  Our Mission Partners in Haiti - Ministry in Mission and Mission:Haiti continue to have people on the ground who are distributing desperately needed supplies. The most urgent need is still for water, food, hygiene kits, and blue tarps. We received this update from Ministry in Mission: Food is in high demand. Inflation is up, roads are blocked making it very difficult to purchase food. Ministry in Mission can purchase food in country and distribute it to those living in outlying areas.
There is also a need for motorcycles. Mission:Haiti has identified three pastors in the area who need motorcycles in order to reach the people they serve: Motorcycles are still needed for three Pastors; Pastor Jean Phenol in Fond Rouge, Pastor Pierre Onel in Abricot, and Pastor Bernard Jonis in Lebedin. All three are in the Les Cayes/Jeremie areas, where the earthquake did its worst damage. The cost of a durable bike is currently $1,900.
LCC L.E.R.T. Chainsaw Teams Help Four More Families in Woodridge, Illinois, with Tree Damage from June EF-3 Tornado  This past week, the LCC L.E.R.T. chainsaw team was asked by Mayor Gina Cunningham of Woodridge, Illinois, to help four more families with tree damage from the June 21st EF-3 tornado. Each of the homeowners were grateful that we would still commit to helping them after several months have passed. We explained that this is a volunteer ministry that serves through our local church in an affected community with the mercy and compassion of Christ. The homeowners shared that the removed trees and volunteers were a blessing to them. Twenty-Four L.E.R.T. Chainsaw Team Members Participate in “Saluting Branches” National Event  On Wednesday, September 22, twenty-three L.E.R.T. chainsaw team members participated in "Saluting Branches" at the Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery in Elwood, Illinois, and one L.E.R.T. team member at South National Cemetery in St. Charles, Illinois. "Saluting Branches" is a national event for arborists and other tree care professionals throughout the country to unite and provide exceptional tree care to keep our veterans' cemeteries safe, beautiful places for all those who visit. Many of our L.E.R.T. team members are veterans themselves, but all who serve at this event feel it is an honor and privilege to give back to those who served our country. LCC thanks the following L.E.R.T. team members for their willingness to serve: Cross, Yorkville – Derek Kowalczyk Good Shepherd, Frankfort – Joel Powless Heartland, Normal – Tony Buchberger Lord of Life, Elburn – Jeff Johnston, Mike Rullman, Larry Zagorski Shepherd of the Hills, McHenry – Alan Holm, Bruce Preston, Gary Rucker St. John, Wheaton – Marty Johnson, Dave Mummah, Tom Prickette St. John, Wilmette – Tom Morrison St. Paul, Rockford – Dean Ulrich St. Peter, Arlington Heights – Ed Damman St. Peter, Schaumburg – Missy Dieckman, Bob and Barbara Royce, Ken Kiviranta Trinity, Lisle – Ed Boerman, Bill Flowers, Mike Kostecki Trinity, Villa Park – Jim and Debbie Long
LCC DISASTER RESPONSE SERVING HOMEOWNERS IN LOUISIANA WITH RECOVERY EFFORTS AFTER HURRICANE IDA9/21/2021
Working with LCMS Disaster Response, Districts & Churches to Help Impacted Individuals and Families with Recovery Efforts  Ida, a Category 4 hurricane, produced winds up to 150 mph, 10 tornados, and historic flash flooding as it moved inland across eight states at the beginning of the month. FEMA is currently reporting 111 deaths attributed to this deadly hurricane. Some residents and businesses are still without power in multiple states, which may take another week to restore. Thousands of people have lost their homes, belongings, security, and hope. LCC L.E.R.T. disaster response teams are assisting the LCMS Southern District, working with Pastor Ed Brashier, Southern District Disaster Response Coordinator through Atonement Lutheran Church in Metairie and the Southern District Office in Slidell, Louisiana.
LCC chainsaw L.E.R.T. volunteers, Tony Buchberger, Derek Kowalczyk, and Joel Powless spent this past week serving in Slidell, Hammond, Metairie, and Baton Rouge, Louisiana, with a team from Texas. They describe extensive home and tree damage in each community they were in. They met several homeowners who told them although there is much more work to be done at their homes, they were grateful for help with tree removal and getting them started moving forward in their recovery. It gave them hope and an opportunity to see how the church serves those in need. Another LCC L.E.R.T. chainsaw team with equipment will be deploying next week to serve in these hard-hit communities.
Pastor Ed is continuing to assess the damage and now welcoming and receiving L.E.R.T. volunteers from around the country to provide chainsaw assistance. More importantly, he and volunteer L.E.R.T. teams are offering the hope of Jesus Christ in the hard-hit communities of Metairie, Slidell, Lacombe, Houma, Baton Rouge, and other cities.
Please continue to pray for all of those affected by Hurricane Ida and the first responders, public works, volunteers, and LCMS and LCC Disaster Response teams who serve them. If you are so moved, please donate generously to help LCC support the recovery efforts in Louisiana. Lutheran Church Charities Disaster Response is ready to show the Mercy, Compassion, Presence and Proclamation of Jesus Christ to those suffering and in need. The LCC Disaster Response Ministry never charges those we serve. Please donate to the LCC Disaster Response General Fund or Equipment Maintenance & Fuel Expense Fund so that we may continue to show the Mercy, Compassion, Presence and Proclamation of Jesus Christ to those suffering and in need. |
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