Last week, the Palatine Lutheran Early Response Team (L.E.R.T.) helped a very disabled member of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Palatine, Illinois, clean up her yard of overgrown trees and brush. She was very grateful for all of the hard work done, but especially for the mercy and compassion of Christ shown to her.
 
Her thank you was extended to the following L.E.R.T. volunteers:
 
Immanuel, Palatine – Steve MacKay
Prince of Peace, Palatine – Jim Beckley, Richard & Bonnie Habegger, Todd & Kay Kruse, Todd Sloan, Dede Thut
 
Volunteers will also return this week to finish a few more projects for her.

On Saturday, the following Lutheran Early Response Team (L.E.R.T.) volunteers cut and cleared four large, twisted, and split trees and multiple hanging limbs over a walking path from the property around Immanuel Lutheran Church in Dundee, Illinois.
 
More importantly, the team was able to use this workday as training for newer cutters to gain some experience in cutting and felling trees that were severely storm damaged.
 
Immanuel, Dundee - Matt Flynn, Terry Fuelling, Ginnie Goyer, Doug & Kelley Hoyt
Prince of Peace, Palatine - Jim Beckley, Chris Johnson
 
Pastor Younker from Immanuel, East Dundee, greatly appreciated their willingness to serve and hard work in making the grounds safer.

After church, a visitor to Immanuel, Belvidere, Illinois, asked if they knew anyone that could help with removing a tree in her yard that was damaged from recent storms, as she did not have the means to take care of it on her own.

Lutheran Early Response Team (L.E.R.T.) chainsaw volunteers Steve McElroy, Wes Johnson, Carl Jurgens, and Dick Staskal took care of cutting and removing the tree. She was very grateful for their willingness to serve, prompt response, and sharing the mercy, compassion, presence and proclamation of Jesus Christ with her.

The LCC Disaster Response Ministry never charges those we serve. Please donate to the LCC Disaster Response Fund so that, when invited, we may continue to show the Mercy, Compassion, Presence and Proclamation of Jesus Christ to those suffering and in need.

LCC received a request from Pastor Hesham Shehab, Salam Christian Fellowship, Lombard, Illinois:

SELCU Pastors Serving Ukrainians

The humanitarian needs in Ukraine continue to grow larger and larger. Many geographical areas in eastern Ukraine are in mere survival mode. Working through LCC staff member for Ukraine relief Rev. Larry Myers, the pastors and laity of the Synod of Evangelical Lutheran Churches in Ukraine (SELCU) continue to put forth outstanding efforts in proclaiming the truth of the Gospel through Word and action.

The government of Ukraine in the past week has encouraged the evacuation of the complete Donbas region of the country. This means that the SELCU (Synod of Evangelical Lutheran Churches in Ukraine) pastors and their congregations will once again become very busy in housing refugees, assisting with evacuation from the country, and distributing humanitarian relief packages to residents in their respective communities.
 
The Ukrainian disaster continues. The photos reveal an outdoor proclamation of the gospel in the Dnipro area and the distribution of needed clothing. Assistance is needed now more than ever.

On Friday, July 29, LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs Charity (Brookfield Lutheran - Brookfield, Wisconsin) and Sage (Concordia University Wisconsin - Mequon, Wisconsin) provided much needed relief during the visitation for family and friends of Rena Louise Pett, who was called to her heavenly home by her Lord on Wednesday, June 29, 2022.
 
Rena’s family was moved by the presence of the dogs at her visitation.  The children and young adults were able to share their own stories with both Charity and Sage which resulted in smiles during their time of grief.
 
“Blessed are those who morn, for they will be comforted.” Matthew 5:4