 Last week, Lutheran Church Charities Director of Disaster Response Kathy O'Day and Lutheran Early Response Team (L.E.R.T.) chainsaw team members responded to the 70 mph straight-line wind damage in northern Illinois. In less than 24 hours, we were able to assist in removing a large tree that fell across the driveway of Luther Academy and two adjoining neighbors’ yards in Rockford, Illinois. Principal Curtis Wudtke was very appreciative of the rapid response for help and the professional work completed. We also removed a downed tree in Deaconess Lauren Olsen’s yard and a large limb from Immanuel Lutheran Church, both located in Belvidere, Illinois.  The chainsaw certified volunteers and heavy equipment operators that willingly responded to serve at all of these affected places were from the following Illinois teams:
Immanuel – Belvidere: Mike Buhl, Steve McElroy, Wes Johnson Immanuel – DeKalb: Pete Springmire St. Peter – Schaumburg: Ken and Vicki Kiviranta  On Wednesday, November 11, LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs Eddie (Peace Lutheran - Grand Island, Nebraska), Joanna (Christ Lutheran - Lincoln, Nebraska), Moses (Christ Lutheran - Cairo, Nebraska), Nicodemus (The Rock - Seward, Nebraska), and Priscilla (Trinity Lutheran - Lincoln, Nebraska), and their K-9 Ministry teams were asked to come and comfort students and staff at Holdrege Middle School in Holdrege, Nebraska, after an 8th grade student, Makenna, died in a car accident. Nicodemus Comfort Dog and his K-9 Ministry team spent their day with all the 5th graders. One of them is Makenna's sibling. In addition to spending the day at Holdrege Middle School, Joanna Comfort Dog and her K-9 Ministry team also attended a candlelight vigil for Makenna in the park Wednesday night, and stayed for Thursday morning. Makenna's family was able to spend time with Joanna. Thank you, God, that you care about us and that we don't need to carry our burdens alone. Please lift up family and friends who are mourning the loss of Makenna. Help them to cast all their worries, concerns, hurts, and suffering to You. You hold time within your hands, and see it all, from beginning to end. Please keep and carry these precious people in their sadness and loss. Cover them with your great wings of love, give their weary hearts rest and their minds sound sleep. Lord, lift their eyes so that they may catch a glimpse of eternity, and be comforted by the promise of heaven. We ask all this in the precious name of Jesus. Amen. Please pray for the family and the community as they mourn Makenna's tragic death.   On Sunday, November 15, LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Devorah (Redeemer - Fort Collins, Colorado) and her K-9 Ministry team were commissioned at all three services at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Fort Collins, Colorado. Three Redeemer pastors participated in the commissioning - pastors Tim Runtsch, Frank Johnson, and Scott Coerber. The commissioning was available to be viewed online for all who did not attend in person worship. Eight handlers received their badges in a ceremony following the worship service, inlcuding a veteran handler for LCC Kare 9 Military Ministry, and a law enforcement handler for LCC K-9 Police Ministry. Ministry Partners also attended the commissioning and ceremony. It was a joy to have LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Cubby (Redeemer - Fort Collins, Colorado) and Devorah Comfort Dog present to greet worship attendees between services. There were smiles all around!
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