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Concordia University Wisconsin Students and Alumni Paint Hundreds of LCC Hearts of Mercy & Compassion During the "Week of Service" Event

4/12/2022

 
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Lutheran Church Charities partnered with Concordia University Wisconsin (CUW) in Mequon this past week during their “Week of Service” event held on campus. Ninety-one students and twenty-five alumni attended this two-day event, where they painted 275 Hearts of Mercy & Compassion (HMC) and 350 fish that are placed upon the HMC Heart. The students learned how to make the wooden hearts “come alive” to share the mercy, compassion, presence, and proclamation of Jesus with the giving of an HMC Heart to a recipient in need.
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The “Week of Service” project team included Dr. Randall Ferguson, Director of Christian Service & Ministry, and Greg Witto, Director of Alumni & Parent Relations with CUW, Tim Laabs, Project Manager for LCC HMC, Wayne Kolweier, LCC staff member, and Bob Brandt, Director of HMC. LCC volunteers included Tom and Diane Moore from St. Paul, Janesville, Wisconsin, and Bob Desiron from Immanuel, Des Plaines, Illinois.
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Hearts of Mercy and Compassion, Crosses for Losses provides a physical and spiritual symbol through the giving of hearts and crosses to families and friends who have suffered loss or serious illness of a loved one. Each one is lovingly handmade for someone in need.
 
If you would like to learn more about Hearts of Mercy and Compassion, Crosses for Losses, please visit www.LutheranChurchCharities.org.
REQUEST A MERCY HEART OR CROSS
DONATE — HEARTS OF MERCY & COMPASSION, CROSSES FOR LOSSES

Oliver Hitchcock Vigil

4/12/2022

 
The Hearts of Mercy & Compassion Ministry wish to recognize our HMC Partners, Dianne and Tom Moore from St. Paul Lutheran Church in Janesville, Wisconsin, who promptly provided a Heart and Cross for transport to the Oliver Hitchcock Vigil on Sunday, April 10th, and to Cheryl and Tom Skelly, handlers for LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Mary, who transported and set up the Heart and Cross at the Vigil site.
DONATE – HEARTS OF MERCY & COMPASSION

Waukesha County Historical Society & Museum

1/25/2022

 
The Waukesha County Historical Society & Museum is working to preserve items from the temporary memorial that was in Veteran's park as well as other items from the Christmas parade tragedy.

In the lobby of the museum, you can continue to view the tree and Hearts of Mercy & Compassion, Crosses for Losses from the temporary memorial.
DONATE – HEARTS OF MERCY & COMPASSION, CROSSES FOR LOSSES
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Visitation for Lt. Garrett Ramos

12/13/2021

 
On Wednesday, December 8, more than 500 firefighters from around the country attended the visitation for Lt. Garrett Ramos of the Sterling, Illinois, Fire Department who was killed in the line of duty. 

LCC staff member Wayne Kolweier presented three Hearts of Mercy & Compassion to the Sterling Fire Department in memory of Lt Garret Ramos.  

LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs Julia (King of Glory - Elgin, Illinois) and Mary (St. Paul - Janesville, Wisconsin)  where present to share the compassion, mercy, and presence of Jesus with the hurting firefighters and the community.
DONATE – HEARTS OF MERCY & COMPASSION
DONATE – LCC K-9 COMFORT DOG MINISTRY

LCC Ministries Attend Waukesha Community Vigil Following Christmas Parade Tragedy

11/23/2021

 

LCC K-9 and Hearts of Mercy & Compassion, Crosses for Losses Ministry Teams Continue to Serve the Community

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For the LORD comforts his people and will have compassion on his afflicted ones. Isaiah 49:13
DONATE — LCC K-9 TRAVEL FUND
DONATE — HEARTS OF MERCY & COMPASSION
At 4:39 pm on Sunday, November 21, the Waukesha Christmas parade route was packed with families and children of all ages who were present for the festive occasion when a fleeing vehicle drove recklessly into the route. Six people have been killed – four female adults and one male adult with ages ranging from 52 – 81, and one 8-year-old boy who passed away on Tuesday. Six children are critical and approximately 62 other victims with injuries ranging from critical, serious, and fair conditions. Eighteen patients between the ages of 3 to 16 were taken to Children’s Wisconsin Hospital, including three sets of siblings.
 
In less than 24 hours, LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs were invited by Pastor Peter Schmidt from Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church in Waukesha and were present at the Waukesha Candlelight Vigil that night.
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Tim Hetzner, LCC President/CEO deployed with LCC K-9 Ministry teams and brought hearts/crosses through our Hearts of Mercy & Compassion (HMC), Crosses for Losses Ministry to help people who are shocked and trying to process this horrific event.
 
LCC K-9 and HMC Ministry teams served with open hearts to listen to the hurting, bringing them hope, comfort, and prayer. The hearts/crosses are placed at the Veterans Park memorial site for people to sign and leave condolence messages, pray, and pay their respects to the five lives lost so far. Additional hearts/crosses were left with Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church.

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Monday night the community of Waukesha came out to support each other after Sunday’s devastating tragedy. Attendees shared their grief, honored the victims, sought comfort, and found hope. A simple touch of the hand placed on the soft warm fur of one of the Comfort Dogs, hugging tightly one of the plush LCC K-9 Comfort Dog stuffies, prayers from the handlers or the opportunity to write their messages to the families on the LCC Hearts of Mercy and Compassion for each of the victims helped them process their grief.
 
LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs Candace (LCC Staff), Charity (Brookfield Lutheran – Brookfield, Wisconsin), Mary (St. Paul – Janesville, Wisconsin), Rhoda (Prince of Peace – Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin), Tobias (Lord of Glory – Grayslake, Illinois), and Zoey (Concordia University Wisconsin – Mequon, Wisconsin), along with their ministry teams were present at the vigil to help bring comfort and hope to all who are grieving.

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LCC K-9 Ministry teams have already been invited to visit the following:
 
Pewaukee School District: LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs Charity and Rhoda and their teams visited teachers and staff on Monday, November 22, in preparation for the students to return to class on Tuesday.
 
Waukesha Emergency Service Group: LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs invited to the Friends & Family Resource Center at Carroll University Campus Center this week to be a calming presence for anyone who is in need of counsel or help.
 
Hales Corner Lutheran Church: LCC K-9 Comfort Dog attended prayer service on Tuesday, November 23, to comfort those who are grieving.
 
Beautiful Savior Lutheran School: LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs will visit each classroom to comfort students and staff on Monday, November 29.
 
Waukesha Police Department & Dispatch: On Monday, November 29, the LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs will visit night shift officers, dispatch, and support staff that responded to the parade tragedy to thank them for their service and comfort them as they continue to process what they experienced that night.
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Through these tragic times, we hold on to each other and God’s love and presence. LCC K-9 Ministry teams will continue to serve in Waukesha and the surrounding community as invited wherever they are needed.
 
The LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry and Hearts of Mercy & Compassions Ministry never charges those we serve as we bring the Mercy, Compassion, Presence and Proclamation of Jesus Christ to those suffering and in need. We know that comfort is needed to help this shocked and devastated community and the first responders who serve them.
DONATE — LCC K-9 TRAVEL FUND
DONATE — HEARTS OF MERCY & COMPASSION

Hearts of Mercy & Compassion, Crosses for Losses in Honor of  Montee Clifton

11/16/2021

 
On Monday, November 8, LCC received a request for a Hearts of Mercy & Compassion, Crosses for Losses to be placed at the site where a young man, Montee Clifton, lost his life as a result of a car accident in Aurora, Illinois. 

LCC staff member Tim Laabs delivered the heart to Angelic, who was on her way to the prayer vigil in Montee’s honor. LCC is pleased to be a part of honoring Montee’s life and pray that all who feel the impact of his death are comforted in their time of mourning.
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DONATE – HEARTS OF MERCY & COMPASSION, CROSSES FOR LOSSES

LCC Hearts of Mercy & Compassion, Crosses for Losses Ministry Welcomes Suburban Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Fort Wayne, Indiana to the Ministry

10/26/2021

 
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Pastor Alex Duff's and Suburban Bethlehem’s, Fort Wayne, Indiana, vision to be an outreach ministry around the community is electric! The team of builders and painters have completed their first run of Hearts and Crosses and are excited to serve those who are suffering and in need.

Partnering in ministry with nearby Holy Cross Lutheran Church, home of LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Jared, both churches will provide the love and hope of Jesus through presence and prayer along with these physical and spiritual symbols.

Thank you, Suburban Bethlehem, for your passion to partner in this meaningful and growing ministry and for a job well done on your first production run, which united many church volunteers and put their woodworking, painting, and assembly skills to use.

DONATE – HEARTS OF MERCY & COMPASSION, CROSSES FOR LOSSES

Memorial Service for Handler Dave Erikson

9/28/2021

 
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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:

  • The cancer ward of the VA Hospital in West Haven, CT (along with his wife, Virginia)
  • Village Crest Center for Health and Rehabilitation in New Milford, CT
  • Almost Home Adult Daycare in Danbury, CT
  • Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, CT

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.

DONATE – LCC K-9 COMFORT DOG MINISTRY
DONATE – HEARTS OF MERCY & COMPASSION, CROSSES FOR LOSSES

Heart of Mercy & Compassion and Crosses for Losses in Memory of Keishanay Bolden

8/24/2021

 
On Friday, August 13, LCC was honored to pay tribute to murder victim Keishanay Bolden, who was 18 when she lost her life in May 2020. Delivered by Pastor John Brazeal of Christ the King, Chicago, Illinois, a Heart of Mercy & Compassion, Crosses for Losses was presented to Keishanay’s mother, Crystal. Pastor John spent time with Crystal and two of her children, sharing prayers and encouragement. The Heart and Cross will stand as a beacon of hope and love to this grieving family.
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DONATE – HEARTS OF MERCY & COMPASSION, CROSSES FOR LOSSES

Heart of Mercy & Compassion and Crosses for Losses in Memory of  Chicago Police  Officer Ella French

8/17/2021

 
In response to the shooting death of Police Officer Ella French, Terri Albright, LCC K-9 Police Ministry Coordinator, presented a Heart of Mercy & Compassion, Cross for Losses  at the memorial site where slain Chicago Police Officer Ella French was tragically killed. Joined by several Chicago Police Officers, the cross and heart were placed to remember fellow Officer Ella French and to comfort each other through prayer during this very difficult time.

Additional Hearts of Mercy & Compassion have been presented to Officer French’s unit as a reminder of all of the work they have shared and to Officer French’s family. Please keep the other two officers involved with this incident in your prayers as one is still in critical condition, and the other is suffering emotionally.
DONATE – HEARTS OF MERCY & COMPASSION, CROSSES FOR LOSSES
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Lutheran Church Charities
3020 Milwaukee Ave.
Northbrook, IL 60062
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