 Your Donations Needed to Respond to Growing Requests for Hearts & Crosses! Lutheran Church Charities’ Hearts of Mercy and Compassion, Crosses for Losses (HMC) Ministry provides hearts and crosses to families and friends who have suffered loss or serious illness of a loved one. We rely solely on donations to cover the cost of materials to make them and shipment to get them where they are needed. Trinity Lutheran Church in Hicksville, New York Delivers Mercy Hearts Soon after the Governor removed restrictions, Trinity Lutheran Church & School in Hicksville, New York, home of LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Abraham, had boots and paws on the ground delivering comfort and compassion. They have been in the epicenter of the coronavirus with over 39,837 positive cases in his county of Nassau and 38,164 in the neighboring Suffolk County. Abraham Comfort Dog has been seen participating in birthday and graduation parades but he couldn't wait to go back out and thank first responders, call center operators, nurses, doctors and anyone who he could just give a hug to. Here are just a few of the visits he made with his handler this past week:
Please join LCC in praying for individuals, families, essential workers, and first responders as they adjust to a new normal in the hardest hit area of New York.
First Responders at Windsor Severance Fire Rescue Given Comfort & Prayer LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Cubby and her handler (Redeemer – Fort Collins, Colorado) were invited to Windsor Severance Fire Rescue to bring a little comfort to this crew who experienced the tragic drowning of a 13-year-old boy on May 7. The team honored them with Essential Workers are our Heroes signs at their station last week. They also signed a Hearts of Mercy & Compassion, Crosses for Losses Mercy Heart in honor of Mason that will be presented to his family. Please pray for this family and continue to pray for all frontline workers and first responders as they selflessly continue to do what they have been called to do – to serve others.
Redeemer Lutheran Church Comforts Family on Memorial Day On Memorial Day, Monday, May 25, LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Cubby and two of her handlers (Redeemer – Fort Collins, Colorado) presented a Mercy Heart to the family of Garrett, a 28-year-old young man who is remembered for his goofy sense of humor and his big heart! His mother, Barbara, is a ministry partner with Redeemer’s in process team for their second LCC K-9 Comfort Dog. They were blessed to spend time with Barbara, her son Michael, his wife Selam and her grandson Marcus. Cubby Comfort Dog gave hugs and comfort to everyone while they talked, laughed, cried, and prayed together. Barbara remarked, "Thank you so much for this wonderful remembrance of Garrett – it means so much!" May God grant peace to his family during this time of grief and sadness.
Click HERE to read all the ways the Hearts of Mercy & Compassion, Crosses for Losses Ministry has served this year. Your Donations Make a Difference in Sharing the Hope of Jesus Christ Our hearts are made of the highest quality wood and produced with caring Christian hands. Material production and shipping costs for hearts are approximately $30 each. We need your help in sharing the mercy, compassion, presence, and proclamation of Jesus Christ to those who are suffering and in need. Help Us Reach Out with Hearts of Mercy & Compassion Are you interested in having LCC provide a Heart of Mercy & Compassion for a loved one? There is no charge for the hearts. The hearts are made by caring Christian hands and provided with presence and prayer. Is your church interested in becoming a mission partner? CLICK HERE to request information.
Click HERE to learn more about the Hearts of Mercy & Compassion, Crosses for Losses Ministry.  Your Donations Needed to Help Us Serve Those In Need Lutheran Church Charities’ Hearts of Mercy and Compassion, Crosses for Losses (HMC) Ministry provides hearts and crosses to families and friends who have suffered loss or serious illness of a loved one. We rely solely on donations to cover the cost of materials to make them and shipment to get them where they are needed. Please help us continue to comfort people when they need it the most so that they know that they are loved. Redeemer Lutheran Church Visits Family of Hospice Friend
Cook County, Illinois, Sheriff Deputies Die from COVID-19
Click HERE to learn read all the ways the Hearts of Mercy & Compassion, Crosses for Losses Ministry has served this year. Your Donations Make a Difference in Sharing the Hope of Jesus Christ Our hearts are made of the highest quality wood and produced with caring Christian hands. Material production and shipping costs for hearts are approximately $30 each. We need your help in sharing the mercy, compassion, presence, and proclamation of Jesus Christ to those who are suffering and in need. Help Us Reach Out with Hearts of Mercy & Compassion Are you interested in having LCC provide a Heart of Mercy & Compassion for a loved one? There is no charge for the hearts. The hearts are made by caring Christian hands and provided with presence and prayer. Is your church interested in becoming a mission partner? CLICK HERE to request information. Click HERE to learn more about the Hearts of Mercy & Compassion, Crosses for Losses Ministry.  Help Us Share the Hope of Jesus Christ Lutheran Church Charities’ Hearts of Mercy and Compassion, Crosses for Losses (HMC) Ministry provides hearts and crosses to families and friends who have suffered loss or serious illness of a loved one. We rely solely on donations to cover the cost of materials to make them and shipment to get them where they are needed. Please help us continue to comfort people when they need it the most so that they know that they are loved.
LCC staff member Rich Martin presented a cross with a Mercy Heart to Rita at her home. Rita had Arthur’s school picture with her from the day he was murdered. Recalling this tragic day, Rita wept as Rich consoled her with prayer.
Illinois National Guardsman Losses Life in Motorcycle Accident 20-year-old Andrew Westfallen lost his life in a motorcycle accident on May 3, 2020. Andrew is the nephew of Northern Illinois District staff member Michelle La Velle. He was a member of the Illinois National Guard and student at McHenry County College. LCC’s Rev. James Kirschenmann presented a purple Mercy Heart to Michelle who gave the heart to the family. Please pray for the Westfallen family and friends during this time of unexpected loss and grief.
Christ Lincoln Serves Member & Family Handlers of LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Joanna at Christ Lutheran in Lincoln, Nebraska signed and presented a Mercy Heart to ministry team member Jill whose brother Kevin passed away from death by suicide. The team also presented a purple Mercy Heart for Jill’s brother. Kevin is survived by his wife and two children. Please remember the Juracek family in your prayers. If you feel like you have no one to call, please call the Suicide Hotline at 1-800-273-8255.
Click HERE to learn read all the ways the Hearts of Mercy & Compassion, Crosses for Losses Ministry has served this year. Your Donations Make a Difference in Sharing the Hope of Jesus Christ Our hearts are made of the highest quality wood and produced with caring Christian hands. Material production and shipping costs for hearts are approximately $30 each. We need your help in sharing the mercy, compassion, presence, and proclamation of Jesus Christ to those who are suffering and in need. Help Us Reach Out with Hearts of Mercy & Compassion Are you interested in having LCC provide a Heart of Mercy & Compassion for a loved one? There is no charge for the hearts. The hearts are made by caring Christian hands and provided with presence and prayer. Is your church interested in becoming a mission partner? CLICK HERE to request information.
Click HERE to learn more about the Hearts of Mercy & Compassion, Crosses for Losses Ministry.  Donations Requested to Share the Hope of Jesus Christ  Lutheran Church Charities does not charge those we serve for the Hearts of Mercy and Compassion, Crosses for Losses (HMC) Ministry. We provide hearts and crosses to families and friends who have suffered loss or serious illness of a loved one. We rely solely on donations to cover the cost of materials and mailing to get them where they are needed the most. The Living Visitation of Greg Zanis Lutheran Church Charities President & CEO Tim Hetzner was joined by LCC Staff Rich Martin and Tim Laabs as they attended the living visitation of Greg Zanis on Friday, May 1. Hearts of Mercy & Compassion, Crosses for Losses lined the long driveway as 400 vehicles proceeded in front of the Zanis home in Aurora, Illinois. As visitors passed by his porch, they saw Greg in a wheelchair with his wife Susan and children nearby. People came from near and far to pay tribute and lift up their prayers for Greg. Families from as far as Las Vegas, Nevada, came as well as other Chicago area families who lost loved ones. Greg made a tremendous impact on thousands of people, each sharing the story of the day he came into their lives.
Greg was called home to his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Monday, May 4. He will forever be remembered as “the cross man.” He felt it was his calling to be there in times of tragedy, making and delivering over 27,000 crosses in 23 years.
Since January 1, 2020, when Greg turned over Crosses for Losses to LCC – the Hearts of Mercy & Compassion, Crosses for Losses Ministry continues to serve others every day. Here are some of the ways we are present when people need us the most: A Heart for Hospice On Friday morning, May 1, a mercy heart was delivered to Fran and Dick Tatina in Countryside, Illinois. Fran provided the heart to her sister’s family in Chicago, Illinois, where her sister Geri was in home hospice. Fran tells us that her husband Dick has been of great spiritual support to her sister with daily calls and prayers. Geri passed away the morning of Tuesday, May 2, and that the family was greatly moved when they received the mercy heart. We lift up in prayer Geri and the Wasik family in their time of need. Remembering Officer Katie Thyne Killed in the Line of Duty Earlier this year, Officer Katie Thyne, Newport News Police Department in Newport News, Virginia, was killed in the line of duty in the process of conducting a traffic stop in January. Sgt. Alison Funaiock requested a heart and cross in her honor for her family and friend Brittany Cummings, who is currently training a K-9 for the Newport News Police Department. On Saturday, May 2, LCC K-9 Police Ministry law enforcement handlers, Officers Gary and Beth Cummings, with Police Ministry Dog Amos of Our Savior’s Way – Ashburn, Virginia, presented a Thin Blue Line mercy heart and cross to Sgt. Funaiock and Brittany. Brittany will be bringing the heart and cross to Officer Thyne’s family who lives out-of-state.
Melrose Park Police Officer Joseph Capello LCC volunteer Alan Stoeckel, retired Palatine Police Chief, presented a Thin Blue Line mercy heart to the teammates of Officer Joseph Capello of the Melrose Park Police Department who passed from COVID-19. Over 100 squad cars from all over lined the street for Officer Capello’s procession. LCC lifts up Officer Capello’s family and teammates in this most difficult time, and all of our first responders who serve and protect their community every day.
CLICK HERE to read all the ways the Hearts of Mercy & Compassion, Crosses for Losses Ministry has served this year. Your Donations Make a Difference in Sharing the Hope of Jesus Christ Our hearts are made of the highest quality wood and produced with caring Christian hands. Material production and shipping costs for hearts are approximately $30 each. We need your help in sharing the mercy, compassion, presence, and proclamation of Jesus Christ to those who are suffering and in need. Help Us Reach Out with Hearts of Mercy & Compassion Are you interested in having LCC provide a Heart of Mercy & Compassion for a loved one? There is no charge for the hearts. The hearts are made by caring Christian hands and provided with presence and prayer. Is your church interested in becoming a mission partner? CLICK HERE to request information.
Click HERE to learn more about the Hearts of Mercy & Compassion, Crosses for Losses Ministry. Increasing Demand Due to COVID-19 & Other Deaths
Mercy Hearts are needed more than ever as LCC’s Hearts of Mercy & Compassion, Crosses for Losses is touching lives of individuals, families, co-workers, and students who grieve the loss of someone due to COVID-19 or other tragic deaths. Trinity Lutheran Church in Hicksville, New York, Serves Hardest Hit County COVID-19 in Nassau County, New York (as of April 26, 2020): 34,522 Positives, 352 Ventilator Patients, and 1,587 Related Deaths In numbers not seen in most states, Nassau County, New York is one of the hardest-hit counties in the United States. With approximately 1,400,000 people, the demand on hospitals and first responders from COVID-19 has been devastating. Stay at home orders have been strictly enforced and movement has been restricted to essential workers. Trinity Lutheran Church in Hicksville, New York is at the epicenter of COVID-19. Although all gatherings have been cancelled, online worship services continue at Trinity. Working with Pastor John Hopkins and Donna Haines, Top Dog for LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Abraham, LCC is preparing to respond as restrictions ease with Hearts of Mercy & Compassion for members, law enforcement, and others who have died from the virus.
The first heart, painted purple, will be provided to the family of Air Force Veteran Moses Saxon. Others are planned for members, law enforcement officers, and 911 dispatchers. “The LORD replied, ‘My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.’” Exodus 33:14
Chicago Police Department Three officers of the Chicago Police Department have died so far from the pandemic virus COVID-19. The latest was Officer Ronald Newman, a 20-year veteran with over 130 departmental awards assigned to the 4th District. A Mercy Heart was presented to the Chicago Police Department Officer Harriet Taylor in honor of Officer Newman by retired Palatine Police Chief Alan Stoeckel and LCC Staff member Tim Laabs. The heart will be signed by his teammates and given to Officer Newman’s family.
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” Matthew 5:9 LCC is saddened by the loss of lives of so many in this pandemic and we continue to pray for the many first responders and essential workers that put their own safety on the line every day for all of us. Remembering Our Veterans
Supporting Funeral Homes Grieving the loss of a loved one is challenging enough. In our current pandemic with social distancing and stay at home orders, it raises greater challenges for families and funeral homes. In many cases, the families have not been allowed to be at the side of their loved one in their final hours whether in hospitals or senior living. Limiting the number of people at funeral services to immediate family has also been hard on family and the people who provide services. Hearts of Mercy & Compassion are now being offered to grieving families through funeral homes. The signature blue Mercy Heart is the color of hope eternal in Jesus Christ.
Your Donations Make a Difference in Sharing the Hope of Jesus Christ Our hearts are made of the highest quality wood and produced with caring Christian hands. Material production and shipping costs for hearts are approximately $30 each. We need your help in sharing the mercy, compassion, presence, and proclamation of Jesus Christ to those who are suffering and in need. Help Us Reach Out with Hearts of Mercy & Compassion Are you interested in having LCC provide a Heart of Mercy & Compassion for a loved one? There is no charge for the hearts. The hearts are made by caring Christian hands and provided with presence and prayer. Is your church interested in becoming a mission partner? CLICK HERE to request information.
Click HERE to learn more about the Hearts of Mercy & Compassion, Crosses for Losses Ministry. Increasing Demand Due to COVID-19 Deaths
More than ever, LCC’s Hearts of Mercy & Compassion, Crosses for Losses is touching lives of individuals, families, co-workers, and students who grieve the loss of someone due to COVID-19 or other tragic death. In these unprecedented times, we need your help to meet the growing demand for Mercy Hearts. Chicago Fire Department Last week, another Chicago, Illinois firefighter succumbed to COVID-19. Firefighter Edward Singleton, who worked out of Midway Airport Engine 127, passed away on April 14, 2020. LCC volunteer Robert Morris, a Director with the Illinois Fire Prevention Bureau, presented his teammates with an LCC Heart of Mercy & Compassion heart designated with the Thin Red Line, which will be signed and given to Firefighter Singleton’s family.
Chicago Police Department Chicago Police Department (CPD) Sgt. Cliff Martin also died from complications to COVID-19. At the time of his death, he was the second Chicago Police Officer to die from COVID-19. LCC’s Tim Laabs and retired Palatine Police Chief Alan Stoeckel presented an LCC Heart of Mercy & Compassion heart to Officer Rhihanna Hubbard of the CPD Special Activities Unit who will have Sgt. Martin’s teammates sign it and then give to his family. Before leaving, Tim and Alan joined officers in prayer for their safety.  LCC is preparing a heart for CPD Officer Ronald Newman, a highly decorated officer of the 4th District, the third CPD officer who passed from COVID-19. Arrangements are being made to present it to CPD’s 4th District for signatures and then given to his family. LCC lifts up in prayer all of our first responders, public service workers, and medical professionals everywhere for their selfless acts each day.
Your Donations Make a Difference in Sharing the Hope of Jesus Christ Our hearts are made of the highest quality wood and produced with caring Christian hands. Material production and shipping costs for hearts are approximately $30 each. We need your help in sharing the mercy, compassion, presence, and proclamation of Jesus Christ to those who are suffering and in need. Help Us Reach Out with Hearts of Mercy & Compassion Are you interested in having LCC provide a Heart of Mercy & Compassion for a loved one? There is no charge for the hearts. The hearts are made by caring Christian hands and provided with presence and prayer. As LCC’s Hearts of Mercy & Compassion, Crosses for Losses continues to reach people who are grieving and suffering loss, congregations across the country are stepping up to become mission partners. St. Paul Lutheran Church in Fort Worth, Texas is in production and nearing completion on hearts that will reach across Texas and Oklahoma. Well done good and faithful servants!
Is your church interested in becoming a mission partner? CLICK HERE to request information.
Click HERE to learn more about the Hearts of Mercy & Compassion, Crosses for Losses Ministry. Help us with INCREASING DEMAND due to COVID-19 deaths and suicides  LCC’s Hearts of Mercy & Compassion, Crosses for Losses continues to touch lives even in this challenging environment. In these unprecedented times, the need continues to grow. All of the hearts are being made with the loving and caring hands of Christians who are giving of their time and talents. Here are a few examples of how the Hearts of Mercy & Compassion, Crosses for Losses Ministry is showing the love of Jesus through presence and prayer. Prayers for Greg Zanis
More Hearts to Meet the Needs Last week, LCC’s staff member, Tim Laabs, picked up hearts in Wisconsin to provide to volunteers who are staying at home during the current COVID-19 pandemic, and who will be painting the hearts and fish. LCC is grateful for all the churches and volunteers who continue to look for ways to reach out to people who are suffering and in need. Brookfield Lutheran Church in Brookfield, Wisconsin, has been just one of the many mission partners. A Heart of Mercy & Compassion was provided to the family of Donny Fostner who lost his life to the coronavirus. Donny’s family are members of Brookfield Lutheran Church.
Hearts for First Responders
“Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.”John 15:13 In the past two weeks the Chicago Fire & Police Departments have lost members to the coronavirus. LCC is preparing two hearts this week; one for Chicago Firefighter Mario Araujo and Chicago Police Department Sgt. Cliff Martin. Please continue to pray for our first responders and medical personnel as they put their lives on the line each day for us. Please prayerfully consider donating to Hearts of Mercy & Compassion as the need continues to grow! Your donations can help purchase the materials to make the heart. The cost to produce one heart is $30 (includes shipping). Click HERE to learn more about the ministry. Help us with INCREASING DEMAND due to COVID-19 deaths and suicides  LCC’s Hearts of Mercy & Compassion, Crosses for Losses continues to touch lives even in this challenging environment. In these unprecedented times, the need continues to grow. All of the hearts are being made with the loving and caring hands of Christians who are giving of their time and talents. Here are a few examples of how the Hearts of Mercy & Compassion, Crosses for Losses Ministry is showing the love of Jesus through presence and prayer.
Redeemer Lutheran Church in Fort Collins, Colorado will be providing five hearts to individuals in their church and community: a man in senior living confined to a wheelchair who visited with Cubby Comfort Dog on a regular basis; a member of the K-9 Ministry Team who just lost her nephew in California; another member of the K-9 Ministry Team who lost her son; a beloved member of the congregation who lost his son to cancer; and a woman well-known in the community living in a senior living facility. Brookfield Lutheran Church in Brookfield, Wisconsin will be providing a heart to members of their congregation who lost a son in New York City, New York to Covid-19. Chicago Police Officer Marco Di Franco died on April 2 from Covid-19. His teammates in the narcotics division will be honoring him by signing a “Thin Blue Line” heart of mercy later this week. We are so thankful for our law enforcement officers and first responders. “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” Matthew 5:9 In Collinsville, Illinois, the community is mourning the loss of Phyllis Wallace. Phyllis’s Woman to Woman talk show on KFUO, St. Louis, Missouri, was highly acclaimed and she was loved by all. Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Collinsville presented the heart to Good Shepherd in Collinsville who will give the heart to family this week.  Officer Terri Albright with the DuPage County Sheriff Department and law enforcement handler for LCC K-9 Police Ministry Dog Julia (King of Glory – Elgin, Illinois), presented a heart to the medical team at Central DuPage Hospital. We pray to God for the health and safety of all of our medical teams who put their personal safety on the line every day.
Your donations can help purchase the materials to make the heart. The cost to produce one heart is $30 (includes shipping). Click HERE to learn more about the ministry. 
 LCC K-9 Ministry teams continued to serve the community in Milwaukee, Wisconsin following a workplace shooting at Molson Coors campus that occurred on Thursday, February 27, claiming the lives of six people, including the gunman. The LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs were invited by Pastor Rob Mrosko of Brookfield Lutheran Church in Brookfield, Wisconsin to bring comfort to the workers, families, and friends of the Molson Coors employees and the surrounding communities. On Tuesday, March 3, teams were invited to spend time with workers who were in lockdown at Harley Davidson. Rich Martin, Director of K-9 Deployments with other LCC K-9 Ministry teams met with over 100 employees whose offices were directly across the street from Molson Coors where the shooting took place. It was a time to relax and refresh as employees sat with the K-9s and shared stories with the handlers.
The LCC K-9 Ministry teams also visited the Medical Examiner’s office. The employees were grateful for our presence and the comfort we provided. In a profession that serves 24/7, it was a much needed rest! We received a heartfelt thank you note from the coroner's wife: Thanks for the love, joy, and laughs that you brought to the Medical Examiner's office! We loved meeting the dogs and it was super exciting meeting your handlers! May God continue to bless you in this marvelous ministry — there’s nothing like a cold nose and a warm heart. You have a tough, yet rewarding job, so I will keep you in my prayers. The following LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs and their handlers were present at various times during this deployment: Kare 9 Asher (Faith Lutheran – Lake Forest, Illinois) Barnabas & Isaiah (Trinity – Hobart, Indiana) Kare 9 Blitz (LCC Squad) Kare 9 Brandy (LCC Squad) Charity (Brookfield Lutheran – Brookfield, Wisconsin) Dora (LHSA of Greater Milwaukee) Police Ministry Dog Eve (St. John’s – Lombard, Illinois) Kare 9 Flex (LCC Squad) JoJo (Living Christ – Arlington Heights, Illinois) Julia (King of Glory – Elgin, Illinois) Lila (Beautiful Savior – Mequon, Wisconsin) Malachi (St. Matthew – Hawthorne Woods, Illinois) Mary (St. Paul’s – Janesville, Wisconsin) Myra (St. Andrews – Park Ridge, Illinois) Rhoda (Prince of Peace – Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin) Sage & Zoey (Concordia University Wisconsin – Mequon, Wisconsin) Susie (St. Peter – Arlington Heights, Illinois) Tobias (Lord of Glory – Grayslake, Illinois) Emma (LCC Staff) Ruthie (LCC Staff) Comfort Dog-in-Training Rahab Faith Lutheran – Appleton, Wisconsin (in process) Please continue to keep the people of Milwaukee and the families of Molson Coors in your prayers as they continue to heal.   Hearts of Mercy & 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. A caring Christian provides these symbols in order to share the hope of Jesus Christ in their time of need in Presence and Prayer. The Hearts allow people to write a message or signature on them to show their love and support for those grieving or suffering. Hearts of Mercy & Compassion, Crosses for Losses responded to the deaths of the six workers from Molson Coors through Brookfield Lutheran Church in Brookfield, Wisconsin. Church members volunteered to paint the hearts, sign them (after Sunday services) and begin delivering them to the families of the deceased. On Sunday evening, March 1, the Hearts of Mercy & Compassion and Crosses were brought to the vigil at Milwaukee City Hall where hundreds came to pray, sign hearts and be comforted. During our visit with Molson Coors employees on Wednesday, March 4 and on Thursday, March 5, we put out the hearts for people to sign, so that the HR department would deliver them to the families of the deceased.
Painting of hearts and fish continue at Brookfield Lutheran Church – Brookfield, Wisconsin, St. Matthew – Barrington, Illinois, Immanuel Lutheran – Belvidere, Illinois, and St. Paul – Skokie, Illinois.
Is your church interested in becoming a Mission Partner? Click here for more information and to sign up. LCC never goes where we are not invited and NEVER charges those we serve. We pick up all of our travel, hotel, and meal costs. We always put boots and paws on the ground within 24 hours (often fewer) from the time we get the invite. Please help LCC as we bring the Mercy, Compassion, Presence and Proclamation of Jesus Christ to those who are suffering and in need. We know that comfort is needed to help this shocked and devastated community and the first responders who serve them. Please support us by prayer and if you are so moved, help us with travel expenses. |
Categories
All
Archives
June 2020
|
RSS Feed
Location |
|