On Sunday, June 26, team members and their LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs Hope (Faith - Marietta, Georgia), Lizzie (Trinity - Savannah, Georgia), Seth (Eternal Shepherd - Seneca, South Carolina), and Zoara (Island Lutheran - Hilton Head Island, South Carolina) traveled to Spartanburg, South Carolina to honor fallen Deputy Austin Aldridge and to present a Heart of Mercy & Compassion to department Chaplain Sean Fortner for Deputy Aldridge's precinct to sign and to give to this hero's widow.
The verse chosen was Psalm 34:18: The Lord is close to the broken hearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. Three law enforcement personnel traveled from all across the southeast to pay tribute to their brother whose "end of watch" was June 21, 2022. On Sunday, June 12, LCC staff member Tim Laabs was honored to be invited by Community of Faith Lutheran Church in Sugar Grove, Illinois, to make a live presentation of LCC ministries, specifically the ministry of Hearts of Mercy & Compassion.
Fourteen church members were in attendance and pictured with Tim is lay member, Lee Carpenter, who led the service while their interim pastor was away. All those in attendance were excited about the expanding ministries at LCC and how LCC continues to serve others nationally. When Job’s friends heard of the tragedy he had suffered, they got together and traveled from their homes to comfort and console him. When they saw Job from a distance, they scarcely recognized him. Wailing loudly, they tore their robes and threw dust into the air over their heads to show their grief. Then they sat on the ground with him for seven days and nights. No one said a word to Job, for they saw that his suffering was too great for words. Job 2:11-13 The LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs were present in Uvalde, Texas, to be with the hurting; to let them be seen, heard, and comforted in their grief. ![]() The LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs and handlers were asked last week to attend two visitations to be there for the family and friends of the victims. The grieving needed the loving brown eyes and gentleness of the Comfort Dogs as they cried and mourned the loss of their loved ones. Many hugs were given, and prayers were shared at those times. The LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs were a safe place for the children and adults to go to in their pain. No expectations, no judgments, only unconditional love and acceptance were found in time spent with LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs Job (Christ the King - Memphis, Tennessee), Keren (Immanuel - Ellsworth, Kansas), Pax and Phoebe (St. Paul - Fort Worth, Texas), and Persis (King of Kings - Glenpool, Oklahoma). At the Memorial site, the team spent time with police officers surrounding them in love, compassion, and prayer. The team spent time with the Uvalde Memorial Hospital staff allowing Job, Persis, Pax, and Phoebe Comfort Dogs to do what they do best: love and comfort. The LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs helped the nurses and doctors to smile and relax for a moment and allowed them to process their thoughts, emotions, and loss they were feeling. Each day the LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs and their handlers spent time with parents, children, friends, neighbors, and first responders all affected and grieving the loss of the nineteen children and two teachers. The loss is a heavy weight on this community. The LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry has hopes and plans to return to Uvalde when the students and teachers return to school in the fall as this will be a very difficult time for all of them, including the parents. Dear Lord, Please keep watch over the community of Uvalde who is grieving the loss of their loved ones. You know how deeply they are hurting, how painful the sorrow is, and what they need each day. We pray that you bring them the comfort and strength they need in their darkest moments. Please surround them with people who will show them love, care, and compassion. We pray they draw near to you for your love, hope, and healing as they continue to grieve. In Jesus’ name, Amen
LCC's 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, June 4, and Sunday, June 5, the LCC K-9 Ministries participated in Leon's Triathlon, honoring injured veterans from around the nation. Leon's Triathlon is a historic, short-course racing tradition founded in 1983 by Leon Wolek. Known as "America's Race," Leon's is 100% dedicated to the support and empowerment of U.S. servicemen and women, especially injured military veterans. LCC Kare 9 Military Ministry Dogs and K-9 Comfort Dogs greeted and comforted the triathlon's participants, who were comprised of injured veterans, first responders, and Paralympic men and women. Hundreds of athletes participated in this event ranging from world-class athletes to novices to support our veterans. On Sunday, during the opening ceremony, the LCC Kare 9 Military Ministry and LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry were also honored for their work in serving with the mercy, compassion, presence and proclamation of Jesus Christ to those who are suffering and in need. ![]() Lutheran Church Charities and the K-9 Ministry were honored to be invited to this wonderful event and felt compelled to show our respect, appreciation, and love for these military women and men’s sacrifices and service by giving them a Heart of Mercy & Compassion (HMC) and LCC Kare 9 Military Ministry mini stuffed dog. Both were presented to each military athlete at the camp as they registered for Leon’s Triathlon. The purple Heart of Mercy & Compassion is specifically for the military and reflects the branch they served. LCC staff members Tim Laabs and Wayne Kolweier and LCC volunteers handed out small HMCs to veterans and first responders during the two-day event. It was a wonderful opportunity to connect with our injured veterans and hear their stories in serving our country. ![]() The following LCC K-9 Ministry teams were honored to serve at Leon's Triathlon: Illinois LCC Kare 9 Military Ministry Dog Asher (Faith - Lake Forest, Illinois) LCC Kare 9 Military Ministry Dog Brutus (LCC Squad) LCC Kare 9 Military Ministry Dog Blitz (LCC Squad) LCC Kare 9 Military Ministry Dog Julia (King of Glory - Elgin, Illinois) LCC Kare 9 Military Ministry Dog Levi (Immanuel - East Dundee, Illinois) LCC Kare 9 Military Ministry Nigel (LCC Staff) LCC Kare 9 Military Ministry Dog Samson (Zion - Marengo, Illinois) Indiana LCC Kare 9 Military Ministry Dog Caleb (Immanuel - Valparaiso, Indiana) LCC Kare 9 Military Ministry Dogs Isaiah & Jael (Trinity - Hobart, Indiana) Kentucky LCC Kare 9 Military Ministry Dog Mercy (Our Savior - Louisville, Kentucky) Wisconsin LCC Kare 9 Military Ministry Dog Mary (St Paul’s - Janesville, Wisconsin) LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Charity (Brookfield - Brookfield, Wisconsin) It was a privilege to meet so many courageous men and women and show them our love and support. We are thankful for these men and women who served our country with courage, dignity, dedication, and sacrifice to protect our freedoms and keep us safe. Please prayerfully consider continuing to help LCC support our veterans.
19 Students & 3 Adults Killed |
On Tuesday morning, May 10, Tim Hetzner, LCC President/CEO, met with Prospect Heights Police Chief Jim Zawlocki. Tim presented Chief Zawlocki with a Heart of Mercy & Compassion signed by LCC's staff to commemorate his service and celebrate his upcoming retirement on May 13. We thank Chief Zawlocki for his years of faithful service and wish him well in his retirement. |
If you would like to learn more about Hearts of Mercy and Compassion, Crosses for Losses, please visit www.LutheranChurchCharities.org.
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. | |
Categories
All
"22"
Alabama
All
Boulder
Cal Fire
California
California Wildfires
Colorado
Crisis Response
Crosses For Losses
Dayton
Disaster Response
Displaced Children
El Paso
Ethiopia
Families In Need
Florida
Ghana
Haiti
Hearts Of Mercy & Compassion
Hurricane Florence
Hurricane Harvey
Hurricane Ida
Hurricane Irma
Hurricane Maria
Hurricane Michael
IL Flooding
Illinois Tornadoes
International Missions
In The News
Israel
Jefferson City
Job Openings
K-9 Comfort Dogs
K-9 Court System - Ezra
K-9 Police Ministry
K-9 Travel Expenses
Kansas
Kare 9 Military Ministry
Kentucky
Kind Words For HMC
Kind Words For K9s
Kind Words For LCC
Kind Words For LCC Disaster Response
Las Vegas
LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs
LCC Kare 9 Military Ministry
LERT
LERT Mercy In Action
Linwood
Madison
Maryland Great Falls
Military-ministry
Milwaukee
Ministries In Need
Ministry Resources
Mississippi
Missouri
Molson Coors
Myanmar Scholarship
Nebraska Flooding
NE Flooding
Ohio
Parkland
Prospect Heights Fire
Recommended Reading
Santa Fe
Scrub Buckets
Special Appeals
STEM School
Sudan
Sutherland Springs
Taylorville
Texas
Thank You From LCC
Thousand Oaks
Tornadoes In Tennessee
Ukraine
Uvalde
Watseka
WI Flooding
Wisconsin
Your Donaations Make A Difference
Your Donations Make A Difference
Archives
June 2022
May 2022
April 2022
March 2022
February 2022
January 2022
December 2021
November 2021
October 2021
September 2021
August 2021
July 2021
June 2021
May 2021
April 2021
March 2021
February 2021
January 2021
December 2020
November 2020
October 2020
September 2020
August 2020
July 2020
June 2020
May 2020
April 2020
March 2020
February 2020
January 2020
December 2019
November 2019
October 2019
September 2019
August 2019
July 2019
June 2019
May 2019
April 2019
March 2019
February 2019
January 2019
December 2018
November 2018
October 2018
September 2018
August 2018
July 2018
June 2018
May 2018
April 2018
March 2018
February 2018
January 2018
December 2017
November 2017
October 2017
September 2017
August 2017