On Sunday, December 29, midway through a church service at the West Freeway Church of Christ in the city of White Settlement near Fort Worth, Texas a man in a trench coat rose from the pews, pulled out a shotgun and opened fire, fatally shooting two people before being killed by an armed member of the congregation. Lutheran Church Charities (LCC) was invited by family members from the church to bring the LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs to be with the church members as well as first responders. In less than 24 hours four LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry teams were on their way. LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs Elijah (Our Redeemer - Wichita Falls, Texas), Pax and Phoebe (St. Paul - Fort Worth, Texas), and Triton (Messiah - Plano, Texas) served members of the West Freeway Church of Christ Monday evening as they gathered inside the church for a vigil while another vigil was being held outside.
The K-9s were on hand to offer love and comfort to church members as well as first responders. One of the deceased, Richard White, who tried stopping the shooter was the best friend of Pastor Farmer. Please keep the families who lost loved ones, the pastor and members of the church in your prayers. LCC never goes where we are not invited and LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry NEVER charges those we serve. We pick up all of our travel, hotel, and meal costs. We also always put boots and paws on the ground within 24 hours (often fewer) from the time we get the invite. On Christmas Day, LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs Barnabas (Trinity Lutheran - Hobart, Indiana), Hannah (LCC Staff), and Comfort Dogs-in-Training Cyrus and Rahab along with their handlers went to Our Savior’s open house for the homeless in Carol Stream, Illinois. The team sat and talked with women and men who, due to different circumstances, do not have a home; some are unemployed, and most have no family or friends to spend Christmas with.
Jesus worked through LCC handlers and staff as they joined these men and women showing acceptance, respect, love, and grace. They laughed together and enjoyed each other’s company, while listening to the women and men’s stories of family, struggles, dogs, or whatever was on their mind. The light and love of Jesus was seen as the team visited at Our Savior’s open house for the homeless through acts of love, service, and presence that Jesus has called us to do. Only God knows what their future will be, but let us serve the least of these with love, mercy, compassion, and presence of Jesus Christ. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’ Matthew 25:35-40
Thanks to your continued support Lutheran Church Charities is able to help families and ministries in need!
LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs Help De-Stress Travelers at Chicago Airports During Peak Travel Period12/24/2019
Last weekeend, the LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs were present at Chicago O'Hare International Airport and Chicago Midway International Airport, Illinois to help de-stress travelers during peak travel period. Chicago O'Hare International Airport, Illinois From Friday, December 20 through Sunday, December 22, LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs helped reduce stress and delivered smiles to hundreds of travelers passing through the United Airlines Terminal 1 at Chicago O'Hare International Airport. The K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry teams were invited to be part of United Holiday Paws, an United Airlines program designed to deliver smiles to passengers who are travelling this week. Hurried travelers, including pilots and flight attendants, took the time to stop by and visit with the K-9s for some much needed comfort during the busy travel season. One passenger on her way to Spain spent more than an hour with the comfort dogs during her five-hour layover at O'Hare. LCC K-9 Ministries teams who participated include LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs Adeena (St. John - Burlington, Illinois), Asher (Faith Lutheran - Lake Forest, Illinois), Barnabas & Isaiah (Trinity - Hobart, Indiana), Caleb (Immanuel - Valparaiso, Indiana), Charity (Brookfield Lutheran - Brookfield, Wisconsin), Chloe (Lord of Life - Elburn, Illinois), Emma, Jacob, Jeremiah & Ruthie (LCC Staff), Eve (St. John's - Lombard, Illinois), Julia (King of Glory - Elgin, Illinois), Levi (Immanuel - East Dundee, Illinois), Malachi (St. Matthew - Hawthorn Woods, Illinois), Myra (St. Andrews - Park Ridge, Illinois), Susie (St. Peter - Arlington Heights, Illinois), and Tobias (Lord of Glory - Grayslake, Illinois); LCC Kare 9 Military Ministry Dogs Brandy, Brutus, Flex (LCC Squad), and Nigel (LCC Staff). United's Holiday Paws brings the LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs to its hubs to help weary travelers. Click on the image below to watch video.
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