This past Sunday, members of Faith Lutheran Church in Marietta, Georgia, showed their love for one of the congregation's truly devoted saints as she recovers from a hospital stay.  The Heart of Mercy & Compassion® was not large enough to hold all the signatures and well wishes!  Adelle's favorite Bible verse on the Heart: Psalm 105:4 "Look to the Lord and His strength; seek His face always."

LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry brought much-needed comfort, care, and love to East Lansing, Michigan, after the tragic shooting at Michigan State University (MSU) that took the lives of Brian Fraser, Alexandria Verner, and Arielle Anderson and left five others critically injured.
 
The LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs and the Hearts of Mercy & Compassion Ministries were invited by Rev. Dr. Jamison Hardy, Bishop & President, English District of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, Rev. David A. Davis, The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod Michigan District President, Rev. Curt Dwyer, Lead Pastor, and Rev. James Robinson, Campus Ministry Pastor, at Martin Lutheran Chapel in East Lansing, Michigan, and Pastor Trevor Sutton at St. Luke’s Lutheran Church, Haslet, Michigan, to be present last week throughout the community.

Within hours, LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs Anna (Trinity – Toledo, Ohio), Caleb (Immanuel - Valparaiso, Indiana), Claudia (Trinity – Toledo, Ohio), Dove (Peace – Fremont, Indiana), Jared (Holy Cross – Fort Wayne, Indiana) and Jude (St. Peter – Three Rivers, Michigan) and their handlers departed from their communities in Michigan, Indiana, and Ohio to East Lansing, to be a physical presence of love, comfort, and peace to those who are in shock and grieving.

LCC Hearts of Mercy & Compassion Ministry provided three hearts and crosses, one cross for each of the young students killed, and placed them at the memorial site.
 
The students, parents, faculty, and community are numb, devastated, and in shock and are still trying to comprehend the violence that struck this Michigan State University community. The LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs and their handlers spent time sitting with many affected, letting them gently pet and receive love and comfort from the K-9s.

The LCC K-9 Ministry teams spent time with many at the vigil held at MSU last week and within the community at East Lansing. The Comfort Dogs welcomed MSU students and faculty with their gentle and loving eyes to sit with them, providing a comforting and quiet place to be. Much comfort and attention were given to the Sparrow Hospital medical staff who took in the victims with urgency, skill, and care.

Pastor Trevor Sutton and the congregation at St. Luke’s Lutheran Church were a welcome and helpful partner to the LCC K-9 Comfort Dog teams who deployed to East Lansing. Pastor Sutton helped the LCC K-9 team build connections with MSU faculty, students, and the local hospital. The St. Luke’s congregation was a thoughtful and generous host to the six LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry teams.

LCC is very grateful for the support of the MSU faculty and students, MSU Friendship House, the East Lansing community members, and local businesses. LCC K-9 Comfort Dog teams are also grateful for their time spent with Phi Delta Theta, where Brian Fraser was president of the fraternity. The members of Phi Delta Theta lost a friend and a brother, and their hearts are broken.

The MSU community is in need of our support, love, presence, and prayers as they begin their journey of grief and healing. Each hour a gentle hug, a kind word, and a prayer for God’s comforting presence are needed. We pray for the MSU community, the families, and the loved ones of Brian Fraser, Alexandria Verner, and Arielle Anderson. We lift up the five others critically injured for strength, healing, comfort, and rest so they may go home soon to their families and friends.

After the K-9s visit, LCC received the following note from Dan Winter, Executive Director, of Friendship House MSU:

Please join LCC in praying for the entire Michigan State University community and for all of the first responders who heroically responded during this incredibly difficult time.
 
The LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry and Hearts of Mercy & Compassion Ministry never charge 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.

On Monday evening, February 13, a 43 year-old man entered the Michigan State University (MSU) campus walked into the academic building and student union and began shooting. Three students have been confirmed deceased and five others critical or injured. Terrified students and others sheltered in place for hours on the East Lansing campus, which is home to 50,000 students. The suspect was later found dead with a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
 
The LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs and the Hearts of Mercy & Compassion Ministries were invited by Rev. Dr. Jamison Hardy, Bishop & President, English District of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, Rev. David A. Davis, The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod Michigan District President, and Rev. Curt Dwyer, Lead Pastor, and Rev. James Robinson, Campus Ministry Pastor, at Martin Lutheran Chapel in East Lansing, Michigan, to be present this week throughout the community.

The LCC K-9 Ministry teams brought hearts/markers through our Hearts of Mercy & Compassion (HMC), Crosses for Losses Ministry to be present and help people who are shocked and trying to process this horrific event.

LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs Anna (Trinity – Toledo, Ohio), Caleb (Immanuel - Valparaiso, Indiana), Claudia (Trinity – Toledo, Ohio), Dove (Peace – Fremont, Indiana), along with their ministry teams, were at the Martin Luther Chapel, 444 Abbot Road, East Lansing, Michigan, for the 5:15 pm prayer vigil on Tuesday, February 14, for victims, families, and the whole MSU community.

LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs Jared (Holy Cross – Fort Wayne, Indiana) and Jude (St.Peter – Three Rivers, Michigan) will join the others on Wednesday. They will be present to listen to those who are grieving, bringing them hope, comfort, and prayer. The hearts/markers will be placed at the designated memorial site for people to sign and leave condolence messages, pray, and pay their respects to the three lives lost so far.

Please pray with LCC while we are present with the Michigan State University community and with all of the first responders who heroically responded during this incredibly difficult time.
 
The LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry and Hearts of Mercy & Compassion Ministry never charge 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.

LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs Lois (First Good Shepherd – Las Vegas, Nevada), Micah (Light of the Valley - Elk Grove, California), Rahab (St. Andrew – Stockton, California), Reuben (First Lutheran – Yuba City, California), and Salome (Faith Community – Las Vegas, Nevada), along with their ministry teams were present at many locations throughout the week to listen to those who are grieving, bringing them hope, comfort, and prayer.

LCC K-9 Ministry teams went to Emmaus Lutheran School and Preschool to comfort students and staff. They also returned to the memorial at City Hall to be with the grieving community there. They have seen countless faces light up and have been the highlight of many people's day.

The LCC K-9 Ministry teams also visited the Monterey Park Police Department, 911 Call Center, and Los Angeles County Medical Examiner-Coroner Office. Our hearts are filled with gratitude for these brave men and women who answer the call to serve and protect during times of tragedy like this.

The K-9s and their handlers visited the students and staff at San Gabriel Mission Elementary School. In times of tragedy, it can be difficult to find joy in the world, but visits like this remind us that there is joy all around us and can be found in the small moments and in the connections we make with others.

The LCC K-9 Ministry teams brought hearts/markers through our Hearts of Mercy & Compassion (HMC), Crosses for Losses Ministry. The hearts/markers were placed at the memorial site for people to sign and leave condolence messages, pray, and pay their respects to the 11 lives lost.

Please join LCC as we pray for the Monterey Park community during this incredibly difficult time and for all of the first responders who heroically responded.
 
The LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry and Hearts of Mercy & Compassion Ministry never charge 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.

On Saturday evening, January 21, a 72-year-old man walked into the Star Ballroom Dance Studio and began shooting, killing 11 people and wounding nine others during the start of a two-day Lunar New Year festival in Monterey Park, California. The suspect was later found dead in a van with a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
 
The LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs and the Hearts of Mercy & Compassion Ministries were invited by Rev. Dr. Michael Gibson, The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (LCMS) Pacific Southwest District President, and Pastor Carl Kaye and Pastor Patrick Jow from Emmaus Lutheran Church and School in Alhambra, California, to be present this week throughout the community. Emmaus Lutheran Church and School has an English and Chinese speaking congregation.

LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs Lois (First Good Shepherd – Las Vegas, Nevada), Rahab (St. Andrew – Stockton, California), Reuben (First Lutheran – Yuba City, California), and Salome (Faith Community – Las Vegas, Nevada), along with their ministry teams were present at the Monterey Park City Hall memorial site on Monday night to listen to those who are grieving, bringing them hope, comfort, and prayer.

LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Micah (Light of the Valley – Elk Grove, California) and his handlers joined the others for the vigil last night at Monterey Park City Hall.
 
On Tuesday, the LCC K-9 Ministry teams were invited to be with employees at Monterey Park City Hall, Monterey Park Police Officers, Monterey Park Fire Station #61, and the town library. They will also be present at a vigil that will be held at Monterey Park City Hall on Tuesday night.

Please join LCC as we pray for the Monterey Park community during this incredibly difficult time and for all of the first responders who heroically responded.
 
The LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry and Hearts of Mercy & Compassion Ministry never charge 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.

Updated: December 20, 2022

More than 30 service men and women from the Air Force base in Jordan received Hearts of Mercy & Compassion (HMC) expressing thanks and encouragement from LCC. HMCs were also sent to their fellow Air Force base in Kuwait, where those service men and women were also thanked for their service and given encouragement.

The scripture verse on the hearts was from Deuteronomy 31:6, which read, "Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid, for the Lord is with you." Additional wordage included "Thank you for your service and sacrifice."

Handwritten notes from numerous LCC volunteers expressing the love of Jesus also accompanied each heart to further pick the spirits up of each recipient. Milwaukee-based SMSgt. Brandon Gumm, who oversees both Jordan and Kuwait personnel, said his personnel greatly appreciated LCC's notes, prayers, and hearts and wished LCC God's richest blessings.

Posted: November 21, 2022

Last week LCC staff and volunteers enjoyed visiting the 128th Air Refueling Wing of the Wisconsin Air National Guard in Milwaukee. It was a chance to show our appreciation to the firemen and women assigned to this location and those deployed abroad, including Jordan and Kuwait, with the presence of LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Charity (Brookfield - Brookfield, Wisconsin) and LCC Kare 9 Military Ministry Dog Mary (St. Paul - Janesville, Wisconsin).

LCC staff members presented seventy-five Hearts of Mercy & Compassion for all personnel of the 128th Air Refueling Wing , thirty of which are being sent to the teams in Jordan and Kuwait this week. The message on each Heart of Mercy & Compassion (HMC) read, "Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid, for the lord is with you." (Deuteronomy 31:6), and "Thank you for your service and sacrifice." Each of the thirty hearts being sent to their team in Jordan and Kuwait also included a personalized note of love and encouragement handwritten on HMC theme cards by numerous LCC volunteers, which meant a lot to SMSgt. Gumm, who oversees them.

We thank our host SMSgt. Brandon Gumm and his team for our time shared and for a tour of their fire station on the base. Lifting their entire team and their mission up in a group-wide prayer was certainly a highlight.

LCC staff and K-9 Affiliates were very impressed in learning how much this base supports their community in many positive ways and would like to partner with LCC in upcoming community events.

The Air National Guard as we know it today is a separate reserve component of the United States Air Force and has a unique dual-mission that consists of both Federal and State roles. This dual mission means being part of the nation's entire military force and responsible to their respective states during times of state or community emergencies.