This approach underscores the importance of sincerity and allowing one's faith to guide the message. By encouraging individuals to write from their heart, recognizing the Holy Spirit's prompting, we can offer messages that reflect God’s love.

At another vigil recently, high school friends wrote messages that bring memories of the friends they lost, speaking of their smile and laugh or an inside joke that takes a personal tone.  It is also common to add Scripture references like were added - Romans 8:18 and Psalm 62:2 – messages that hold great encouragement for a believer.

At memorial sites across the nation, individuals are encouraged to contribute personal messages on the hearts. The HMC placard at the memorial site invites visitors to share memories of the person, offer words of encouragement or a message of hope.  In Rockford, Illinois, earlier this year, a young visitor bowed his head in contemplation as he deliberated over what to inscribe on a Heart of Mercy & Compassion. Similarly, in Charlotte, North Carolina, vigil attendees solemnly penned messages in honor of first responders who had died in the line of duty.

Often, the overflow of heartfelt messages extends to encompass the arms and legs of the cross. This abundance of support surrounding a family is a profound blessing indeed!

Messages of gratitude also fill the hearts when we gift hearts to honor veterans, first responders, church workers, or volunteers. These heartfelt tributes express deep appreciation for their dedicated service and selfless contributions.

By trusting in the Holy Spirit, individuals can offer words of love, hope, and compassion that will be cherished by the family for years to come. Anyone can contribute to this mission by signing or gifting  a Heart of Mercy & Compassion to someone in need. Let us all come together to offer comfort and support during life's most difficult moments.

CLICK HERE to learn more how you can request a Heart of Mercy & Compassion for someone in need.

On Saturday, July 13, the LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry handlers Jim with LCC Kare 9 Military Ministry Dog Nigel, Gene with LCC Kare 9 Military Ministry Dog Brutus, and Toni with LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Jeremiah presented a Heart of Mercy & Compassion to the widow Nancy and daughter Lynda of Doward Douwsma, a veteran who served in Naval Air Intelligence in the Vietnam War from 1961-1965. Doward was stationed in Guam and flew in many missions.

He was in hospice for over a year, and Jeremiah and his handlers visited him regularly throughout the year, including weekly visits toward the end. The LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry provided emotional and spiritual support to Doward and his family during his final days, and it was an honor to visit Doward and his family.

Last Wednesday, the Strasburg-Stewardson, Illinois, community faced a heartbreaking tragedy involving the loss of three young lives in a devastating UTV accident. Our hearts ache for the families and friends of Edie Whittenberg, Karly Wetherell, and Sienna Bostedo during this incredibly difficult time. All three girls were members at local Lutheran churches and poised to start high school in the fall.  A group of school superintendents and principals, along with LCC staff, helped set up the Crosses and Hearts in memory of the three girls.

Rev. Whybrew of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Strasburg extended an invitation to the LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry to join in offering comfort and solace to those affected by this tragedy. The vigil held at Stewardson-Strasburg High School last Thursday provided a space for students, staff, and community members to lean on each other for support.

We are deeply grateful to the group of school superintendents, principals, and LCC staff who helped set up the Crosses and Hearts in memory of the three girls. This display serves as a poignant reminder of the lives lost and the love they shared with those around them.

Over 1,000 people attended the vigil , filling the gym with a shared, reflective mood. Pastor Weaver had baptized and confirmed one of the girls and Rev. Whybrew, similarly, had confirmed two more recently.  They offered prayers and scripture readings amidst the grief. The vigil focused on scriptures about eternal rest and faith in Jesus, reflecting the community's strong Lutheran beliefs.

Despite the sadness, there were moments of solace and even smiles among the grieving families, supported by friends and families. One of the local teachers spoke of survivor guilt as her children were with her, safely. She emphasized how everyone is united in faith, emphasizing their reliance on God, and His promises, to cope. The vigil highlighted the community's resilience, unity, and unwavering faith as they mourned their loss together.

Rev. Whybrew knew Edie and Karly as these young girls and their families are part of St Paul’s church family. This has been an emotional time for his congregation and him as well. Sienna and her family are members at Trinity Lutheran Church in Stewardson. The truck driver, who survived, and his family are members at Grace Lutheran Church in Strasburg where Rev. Whybrew is also their pastor.
 
LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs Esther and Jordan from Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Collinsville, traveled immediately to be there for the hurting communities of Strasburg-Stewardson. They spent time with those who knew and loved Edie, Karly, and Sienna, surrounding them in love, comfort and protectiveness as the dealt with the shock of this unthinkable loss. The teams for Esther and Jordan returned to Strasburg-Stewardson on Tuesday, July 16, for the visitation held for Edie Whittenberg, Karly Wetherell and Sienna Bostedo.

Edie was a driven, determined, ambitious soul with a contagious smile that lit up a room. She radiated a pure love for life, Jesus, family, and her friends. When you think of Karly, remember her smile, her love for Christ, her laugh, her long thick hair that got frizzy when she would sweat, her sportsmanship, her enthusiastic cheering at games, and the brightness she brought to all those around her. Sienna was goofy, smart, fun, caring, a hard worker, and a natural born leader.  She loved her family above all else.  They were her world and she was theirs.
 
We remember the families and loved ones of these three precious children of God and pray for them to be wrapped in God’s loving and comforting arms.

The Fernandez family, from the Las Vegas area, experienced a heartbreaking incident on June 25th when they lost their beloved 14-year-old daughter, Tonya, in a tragic car accident.

In honor of Tonya's memory, the Hearts of Mercy & Compassion (HMC) team from First Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Las Vegas, Nevada, gifted a heart and cross at her funeral last Saturday. The heart was adorned with inscriptions of faith, including the words "Love you, princess of the Most High God," and messages of reassurance such as "Now you live forever with Jesus in the presence of God."

During this challenging period, the family finds comfort and strength in their faith in God and the unwavering support of their community as they come to terms with their profound loss.

In response to a heartbreaking loss within our community, LCC has extended its support and condolences to staff member Rev. Mike Mast (pictured) on the passing of his beloved wife, Debbie.
 
Our President and CEO, Rev. Chris Singer, traveled to Farmington, Missouri, to be by Mike's side and deliver a special Heart of Mercy & Compassion signed by the LCC staff and team.
 
The outpouring of comfort and love from the LCC community has touched and uplifted Mike and his family during this difficult time.
 
President Singer shared: “Debbie was such a pillar of faith and strength to her family and was a dedicated pastor’s wife. The role of the pastor’s wife is often one that requires quiet resilience and tireless effort. Debbie’s faith in Jesus was truly her testimony from all who knew her.”
 
As we continue to hold Mike and his family in our prayers, we eagerly anticipate the blessed reunion promised to all who find peace in the embrace of Christ.

The Pacific Southwest District Convention of the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League (LWML) took place last weekend in Rosemead, California. It drew over 250 attendees who listened to presenters share their ministry work.
 
Numerous attendees visited the LCC booth, where they were pleasantly surprised to discover the breadth of the organization's responses and outreach. Many were inspired to learn about the availability of Spiritual First Aid training nationwide. LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Lois (First Good Shepherd - Las Vegas, Nevada) and her team garnered significant attention and became a focal point in many pictures and even selfies.

Additionally, six individuals demonstrated their gratitude by acquiring small Hearts of Mercy to gift to someone special. The attendees also expressed a keen interest in forming partnerships with LCC to establish affiliate ministries within their congregations. We are truly thankful to God for the display of enthusiasm and servant-heartedness shown by these remarkable women.

Immanuel Lutheran Church in Glenview, Illinois, has been actively addressing the pain and sorrow within their community following the tragic passing of Marko Niketic, a 17-year-old senior at Glenbrook South High School in Glenview, Illinois, in a recent car accident. The church has been unwavering in their efforts to foster healing and support amongst their close-knit community.
 
Recently, they delivered a heart to the Glenview Police Department, who were the first responders at the scene of the accident. The heart included messages of gratitude and comforting Bible verses from the church members. Rev. Matthew Douglas expressed, "Their job can often feel thankless and isolating, and we wanted to ensure they felt valued and appreciated." This compassionate act aimed to acknowledge the emotional toll that such devastating incidents can have on those who serve and protect the community.

Following the visit to the police department, Immanuel received an invitation from the Battalion Chief of the Glenview Fire Department, to present hearts as a gesture of gratitude to the fire stations that were the first responders on the scene. The hearts were personally presented at each station to the dedicated first responders last Friday.

Following the recent tragedy, the church is reaching out by hosting a special gathering for the affected high school students. This event will provide a safe and supportive environment where the students can come together, share their experiences, and support each other in the healing process. Additionally, the local churches are actively engaging in outreach activities, finding ways to extend ministry and support to those in need, guided by the belief that the Lord provides the necessary pathways for their efforts.

St. Paul’s Lutheran Church HMC team in Painesville, Ohio responded to the heartbreaking death of Euclid Police Officer, Jacob Derbin, who died in the line of duty while responding to a domestic disturbance call. The Northeastern Ohio communities were wracked with grief as they mourned the death of this young man, who was just one year out of the police academy and engaged to be married. In their grief, they also celebrated his life, stating that he was “born to serve”.
 
The Police Chief is honoring Officer Derbin with the department’s highest honor, the Euclid Police Department’s Medal of Honor, as his actions on the scene saved the lives of four other individuals.
 
The St. Paul’s team crafted the Heart of Mercy & Compassion with Psalm 34:18 in calligraphy, “The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.” The team signed the heart and presented it to the police department. This is the first time a local police department in Northeastern Ohio has received an HMC. It is an honor to recognize the protection our first responders provide and to thank them, especially in such difficult moments.