After seeing firsthand the impact of the Hearts of Mercy and Compassion Ministry, members of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Janesville, Wisconsin, have become mission partners with Lutheran Church Charities in making crosses, painting hearts, and providing the hearts in the greater Janesville’s area.

Dianne and Tom Moore met with Rich Martin and Tim Laabs to pick up their first delivery of Mercy Hearts to be painted last week. We pray for God’s blessing on their work and the lives they will touch with His mercy and compassion.

Pastor John Brazeal and members of Christ the King Lutheran Church in Chicago, Illinois, presented members of Martha Jennings family with a Mercy Heart in her memory at a memorial service on Thursday July 30. The service was broadcast via Zoom so other family and friends could participate.
 
Martha and her husband, Geoffery, were confirmed at Christ the King under the founding Pastor Andrew Schultze, in 1952. She was a faithful member attending services and serving as a leader of the ladies group. Martha influenced many persons to love Jesus Christ, supporting Christ the King until the end of her life. One of her daughter’s, Keli, lives in Philadelphia and is in the United States Navy Reserve.

The LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry team for Bethany Comfort Dog at Trinity Lutheran Church in Danville, Illinois, had the privilege to travel to the Quad Cities and present a Mercy Heart to Rick Fauser to aid in his recovery from a recent serious medical issue.

The heart was signed by LCC staff, Bethany Comfort Dog’s ministry team, and Trinity Lutheran School teachers. Rick is the father of one of Bethany Comfort Dog’s handlers, Sara. He is doing well at home. His granddaughters enjoyed our time together too. God bless Rick and his family

The LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry team for Hope Comfort Dog at Faith Lutheran Church in Marietta, Georgia, were busy painting hearts last week.

They recently presented a Mercy Heart signed by many Faith families to a member for encouragement during her current medical challenges. Through this act of care and love, they saw another powerful way to connect and serve people through outreach ministry.

The team took the project further to bring presence and prayer to those suffering and in need.

Hearts of Mercy & Compassion Director Rich Martin along with Project Manager Tim Laabs led a youth servant project this past weekend with Jennifer Edwards, Director of Youth Ministry at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Palatine, Illinois.
 
The painting of the hearts took three days to complete. The youth that participated included Ken, Kai, Lily, Aaron, Noah, Derek, and Megan who did an amazing job and were meticulous in their work. One of the finished hearts will be used during a memorial service later this week at Christ the King Lutheran Church in Chicago, Illinois
 
We are grateful for their hearts to serve, thank you Prince of Peace!

Gena was greatly moved when presented with a Mercy Heart from friends in remembrance of her husband Claude who recently passed from his second battle with cancer. The wooden blue heart was a perfect dedication to his craftsmanship of making furniture and refurbishing Grandfather and other antique clocks of all shapes and sizes. Hearts of Mercy & Compassion are painted blue, the color of hope. Gena shared that Claude often felt the hope, comfort, and reassurance of Jesus who was walking alongside him during his difficult days.
 
We keep Gena and her family in our prayers as they grieve the loss of Claude but find comfort and peace in his presence with Jesus!

Well known friend to LCC, Bill Tingle, recently lost his father William F. Tingle MD who had distinguished service with United States Air Force.
 
Hearts of Mercy & Compassion Director, Rich Martin, presented Bill with an HMC purple heart in recognition of his father’s service to our country. Bill has been a valued partner and friend in helping set up our annual K-9 Conferences at the Hilton Chicago-Northbrook. Our prayers go up for Bill and his family.

Friends come alongside friends during challenging times. A member from Brookfield Lutheran Church in Brookfield, Wisconsin, did just that by reaching out to a friend on her tennis team that has been going through some of her own challenges. Sandy received the signed Mercy Heart from her teammates. Hearts of Mercy & Compassion are painted blue, the color of hope. We lift up all who are going challenging times and pray for God’s comfort and strength to them in their time of need.