LCC L.E.R.T. Chainsaw Teams Help Residents in Dolton and Downers Grove, Illinois, After Recent Storms Yesterday, a team helped Mrs. C. remove two large downed tree limbs from recent strong windstorms in Dolton, Illinois. We helped her brother, who lives in Naperville, after the devastating tornadoes hit that area. The L.E.R.T. team then headed to Downers Grove, Illinois, to help an 82-year-old man who had a large tree limb leaning on his roof and broke his chimney since the Naperville tornado. He kept saying, “I can’t believe that you came to help me. This was such a hard thing to do, and you were so professional in how you removed it without causing further damage.” LCC thanks the following L.E.R.T. chainsaw team members who served yesterday:
Prince of Peace, Palatine – Dan Swyndroski St. Peter, Schaumburg – Missy Dieckman, Ken and Vicki Kiviranta Trinity, Lisle – Ed Boerman Both homeowners were thankful that LCC chainsaw teams came to help them in their time of need. It is a privilege to serve fellow brothers and sisters in Christ!
Financial Assistance Needed for a New Jersey District Pastor after His Home Is Destroyed by Remnants of Hurricane Ida LCC received an immediate financial assistance request from Pastor Phil Ressler, Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Old Bridge, New Jersey, for a pastor who lost his home due to impacts from Hurricane Ida: Pastor Dan Fenco from Camino De Fe, a newly planted Hispanic congregation in the New Jersey District, lost his home caused by remnants of Hurricane Ida. During the storm, his home was severely damaged from their neighbor’s house exploding, leaving his home inhabitable. Fortunately, everyone in both homes had already evacuated safely prior to the explosion. Impacts were felt throughout the entire street. They are currently living with family. If you are so moved, please donate to help this Pastor and his family recover from this devastating loss so he can continue to serve his congregation and community. Financial Assistance Needed for Illinois National Guardsman Whose Family Escaped from Afghanistan Last week your donations were delivered to Rev. Jim Buckman, Faith Lutheran Church in Lake Forest, Illinois, and Chaplain with the United States Air Force Illinois National Guard for Lt. Masoud, whose family escaped from Afghanistan. Thank you to all that have donated. The need for this family is great and ongoing. If so moved, please consider a generous donation to help Lt. Masoud provide for his family. LCC received an urgent financial assistance request from Rev. Jim Buckman, Faith Lutheran Church in Lake Forest, Illinois, and Chaplain with the United States Air Force Illinois National Guard: As Chaplain with the United States Air Force in the Illinois National Guard, I was activated to support the National Guard vaccination efforts in Illinois. While on this deployment, I met a young lieutenant named Fahim Masoud from Afghanistan. At the age of seventeen, he volunteered to be an interpreter for our military, serving three rotations. Fortunately, his family was able to escape from Afghanistan this past week. His mother, father, and two siblings have come to our country, but they have nothing. Fahim shares this about his service to U.S. troops in Afghanistan: My name is Lt. Masoud of the Illinois Army National Guard whose family is getting resettled in the United States and needs your help. The sudden collapse of Afghanistan forced my family to flee to the United States after working for the U.S. government for years. My parents are elderly and don’t speak English. My two young siblings will have to be enrolled in school. Please prayerfully consider supporting Lt. Masoud, who risked his life to serve our troops in Afghanistan, take care of his family who made it safely to the United States. Vehicle Needed for an Ethiopian Pastor in St. Louis, Missouri LCC received the following request from Rev. Abraham Mengesha in St. Louis, Missouri. While I was alone at Concordia Seminary studying in the Doctoral program, I did not need a car. Since my family from Ethiopia has joined me in St. Louis, now I find it very important. My daughter and two sons go into three different schools (elementary, mid-school, and high school). The elementary is a walking distance from Concordia Seminary, yet the mid-school and high school are far. I am sharing this so that you may pray for us and kindly request that your organization help me find a used car (van) that I can use to transport my daughter and sons to school. Rev. Abraham Mengesha If you have a running car to donate, contact LCC at LCC@LutheranChurchCharities.org or call 866-455-6466.
2,100 + Killed, 12,000 Injured On Saturday, August 14, a 7.2 magnitude earthquake struck Haiti taking more than 2,100 lives, decimating homes, schools, offices, and churches across the country and leaving hospitals overwhelmed with thousands more injured. Meanwhile, Grace lashed Haiti as a tropical depression on Monday, August 16, dumping up to 10 inches of rain before regaining tropical storm status the following day. Our Mission Partners in Haiti have people on the ground doing assessments and distributing desperately needed aid. We received this update from Ministry in Mission and a request from Mission:Haiti:
We also have been able to send funds to Mission:Haiti, who purchased and distributed much-needed supplies. The need for water, food, hygiene kits, and blue tarps, which can be used to make temporary shelters, is still desperate.
68 deaths, people missing, hundreds rescued Ida, a Category 4 hurricane, produced winds up to 150 mph, 10 tornados, and historic flash flooding as it hit at the end of August and moved inland across eight states at the beginning of the month. FEMA is currently reporting 68 deaths, with this number expected to rise. Millions of residents and businesses are without power in multiple states, which may take weeks to restore. Thousands of people have lost their homes, belongings, security, and hope. LCC L.E.R.T. disaster response teams will be assisting the LCMS Southern District, working with Pastor Ed Brashier, Southern District Disaster Response Coordinator, through Atonement Lutheran Church in Metairie, Louisiana. A first and small LCC chainsaw L.E.R.T. team will be arriving on September 12th to serve for one week. Plans are being made for a second team with equipment to deploy as well this month. Currently, there is no electricity, water pressure is extremely low, and the sewer systems are not operational until the end of the month in parts of Louisiana. It is very difficult to get food, gas, and other essential items needed for residents and volunteers. Pastor Ed is currently assessing damage, determining equipment needs, planning for safe volunteer lodging and deployments. More importantly, he is offering the hope of Jesus Christ in the hard-hit communities of Metairie, Houma, Thibodaux, Raceland, LaPlace, and Lafitte. Power was partially restored to some areas, but full restoration is not expected until September 30. Eleven parishes are still on mandatory evacuation orders, with nine on partial evacuation orders with curfews. In addition, heat advisory continues with temperatures reaching 105 Fahrenheit. Please continue to pray for all of those affected by Hurricane Ida and for all of the first responders, 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 these hard-hit communities. 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. HELP LCC PROVIDE SCHOLARSHIPS FOR CHRIST THE KING LUTHERAN SCHOOL STUDENTS Your generosity and commitment to help Pastor John and Principal Geri Brazeal of Christ the King Lutheran Church and School in Chicago, Illinois, continue their 47-year ministry are appreciated! There are a few more students in need. Please prayerfully consider donating to Christ the King School as you are able. With a proven track record of students who have learned their worth in Jesus, keeping them on the straight path, focused on making a difference in the lives of others, and staying away from an inner-city life that could be easy to fall into. Christ the King School provides small class sizes, a family of faith, the importance of serving others, and resources to serve the whole student’s well-being. Supporting Christ the King Lutheran School is an investment in an incredible ministry where life-changing relationships are established, and an incredible education is earned. Your Donations Make a Difference in Magic's and Micaylah's Lives
Thanks to the generosity of the Kipp Family of Naperville, Illinois, and member of Trinity Lutheran Church, Lisle, Illinois, the need for a vehicle for Christ the King Lutheran Church & School in Chicago, Illinois, has been met! Thanks to the donation, Christ the King will be able to continue their outreach work, picking up food and other supplies needed in their community.
LCC L.E.R.T. Chainsaw Teams Serve Two Illinois Homeowners with Property Damage from Recent Storms
Mr. T. told us he could not believe everything we got done in a day and how well his property now looked and has improved access. He greatly appreciated that it was the church that came to his aid and that he could see Jesus working through all present.
Both homeowners extend thanks and blessings to the following L.E.R.T. team members for all of their willing hands and hearts of service:
Immanuel, Dundee – Matt Flynn Lord of Life, Elburn – Ken Johnston, Matt Rullman, Larry Zagorski Prince of Peace, Palatine – Jim Beckley, Dan and Bobbie Swyndroski Shepherd of Hills, McHenry – Alan Holm, Ron Jones St. John, Sycamore – Steve Brown St. John, Wheaton – Palmer and Judy Goodwin, Marty Johnson, Dave Mummah, Roy and Pat Rose, Dave Schlesselman, Pete and Crystal Springmire, Rich Wren St. Peter, Schaumburg – Missy Dieckman Trinity, Lisle – Ed Boerman, Mike Kostecki Trinity, Villa Park – Jim and Debbie Long LCC Disaster Response considers it a privilege to show the Mercy, Compassion, Presence and Proclamation of Jesus Christ to those suffering and in need. On Sunday, September 5, LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Jemimah (St. Paul - Boca Raton, Florida) was commissioned at St. Paul Lutheran Church, Boca Raton, Florida. The K-9 Ministry team was happy to celebrate Jemimah's commissioning with their congregation and are looking forward to sharing Jemimah Comfort Dog in their community. The handlers and ministry partners enjoyed getting to talk with members before and after worship. It was amazing to see how a gentle interaction with Jemimah could lift so many people's moods. St Paul's congregation has been waiting for this moment to happen, and it was such a joy to celebrate God's timing in bringing together this team and LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Jemimah to do His work. Lutheran Church Charities welcomes the following Top Dog and handlers from St. Paul Lutheran Church to the K-9 Ministry family: Nikki Kubowicz (Top Dog), Tonya Haberlein, Linda Helm, Abbey Houren, Wayne Lindeman, Sue Merritt, Matthew Wargo, Benjamin Willocks, Sara Willocks |
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