LCC Human Care received a request from Rev. Dr. Allan R. Buss (pictured), President of the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) Northern Illinois District (NID) to help support NID's website contractor. The LCMS Northern Illinois District is reaching out to ask for your support for Jason, our website contractor, who has been an invaluable part of our work together. Recently, Jason has been experiencing severe pain and discomfort due to issues with the muscles in his left arm, which have impacted his ability to use his hand and continue his work. He has been undergoing various medical tests and treatments to find relief, but the process has taken a toll not only on his health but also on his financial situation. Jason does not have health insurance, and medical bills have become a significant burden for him. But through it all, Jason is trusting in God as Provider and Healer. We are asking for your generosity to help Jason in this time of need. Any donation, no matter the size, will help cover the cost of his medical care and support. Jason has been a tremendous blessing to the District, and now we have an opportunity to bless him in return. Please consider making a contribution to ease his financial strain and show him the same care and support he has shown us. Thank you for your kindness, compassion, and prayers for him during this time. Rev. Dr. Allan R. Buss President, LCMS Northern Illinois District Your generous donations will provide Jason with crucial resources and emotional aid, helping him navigate through this difficult period. Let us stand united in love and support for Jason, reflecting the true spirit of our faith and community. LCC Human Care received a request from Pastor Eric Hollar of Bethel Lutheran Church in Claremont, North Carolina (pictured), to assist a young family in need. Dear Lutheran Church Charities, A young family with two children in our community is in need of financial support. Josh and Brittney are active in the community as Optimist Coaches while Brittney is a PE teacher and current volleyball coach for the local middle school. On Tuesday of last week, while at his office job with a local trucking company, Josh started showing signs of a medical emergency. Before too long, he was first taken to the local hospital, then transported by helicopter to a larger Trauma Hospital with a major brain bleed. Nearly a week later he is still in ICU and on a ventilator, non-responsive. Doctors are not sure of the prognosis, but one thing is certain, the family faces a long road to recovery. Already saddled with unexpected expenses due to house flood, they are facing many financial struggles ahead. I am truly humbled to approach you with this request but know this family would be blessed by your generosity. Thank you for your prayers for this family and your consideration of financially supporting them. Living Out His Love, Pastor Eric Hollar Bethel Lutheran Church Claremont, North Carolina St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church in Schaumburg, Illinois, has started offering piano lessons at the church in hopes of building a Parish Music Conservatory that brings together people of all ages to share in the joy of music. Pastor Bob Etheridge (pictured) contacted LCC for support in sustaining this wonderful initiative. Our dedicated piano teacher, passionate about sharing her love for music, needs a reliable vehicle to facilitate her travel to and from lessons. A small, safe, and drivable passenger vehicle, preferably a hatchback, would greatly enhance her ability to serve our community effectively. With a valid driver's license and the ability to obtain insurance, she is eager to get started! If anyone has a vehicle they would like to donate or want to financially contribute to help her afford a vehicle, it would greatly benefit our ministry. Peace, Pastor Bob Etheridge St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church Schaumburg, Illinois By donating a vehicle or contributing financially towards this cause, you can play a crucial role in supporting St. John's ministry. Your generosity will not only assist their teacher but will also have a ripple effect, allowing them to reach more families and individuals eager to experience the joy of music. Click on the button below to contribute financially or contact LCC at (866) 455-6466 if you have a running car to donate. Thanks to the generosity of our donors, the Human Care team delivered financial donations to Immanuel Lutheran Church in East Dundee, Illinois, to assist a teacher in need, and to Faith Lutheran Church in Carpentersville, Illinois, to support the Hospitality House Ministry. Your generosity has made a meaningful impact on their community. Thank you for supporting and encouraging the churches as they offer the mercy, compassion, presence, and proclamation of Jesus Christ to those suffering and in need. We are filled with gratitude as we share the incredible impact of a recent generous donation that has brought hope and transformation to someone in need within our community. A mobility scooter, valued at $3,500, was graciously contributed by a compassionate donor, and it is making a profound difference in the life of an individual facing significant mobility challenges. Our dedicated Human Care forwarded it to Pastor Hesham Shehab at Salam Christian Fellowship in Lombard, Illinois, where it is now serving as a vital tool for independence. For many, the ability to move freely is not just about convenience; it's about reclaiming a sense of autonomy and the joy of participating in life outside the confines of their home. This donation is more than just a piece of equipment; it symbolizes the love and support of our community, working together to uplift those who need it most. We extend our heartfelt thanks to all our donors whose ongoing generosity allows us to continue our mission of compassion and service. Your contributions enable us to support churches and their efforts to spread the love of Christ within their communities.
The church has a community garden that has been operating since 2011. It began with a social justice advocate who learned how many people in their community face food insecurity. She partnered with another church member who had a passion for gardening. Together, they grew a team of volunteers who had the desire to help people in need. Over the years, they have developed local partnerships and share their food with several food pantries. The leadership team recognized more people want to be involved but are limited by their work schedules. They increased involvement by starting the adopt-a-plant program, passing out seeds to church members to grown in their own backyards, and bring the fruits and vegetables back to the church, to contribute to the food that gets shared with the food pantries. The 1,400 pounds of food they've provided this year is a testament to the impact of their efforts. Their commitment to addressing food insecurity through their garden and adopt-a-plant program is truly inspiring. Their Breakfast with Babies program is equally impressive. Once a month, they serve over hundred families by providing a welcoming space for parents and young children to build community by sharing a meal and offering essential items, such as clothes, shoes and baby items. People who participate often bring the items back when they are done with them so they can share them with other families. As a way of thanking the church, many parents decide to become volunteers to pass the blessing to others. This cycle of giving, allows them to contribute back to the program, creates a strong sense of community and mutual support. These initiatives show how churches can leverage their resources and community connections to make a significant difference in people’s lives. It’s a great example of faith in action, meeting tangible needs while fostering a sense of belonging and support. These initiatives show how churches can leverage their resources and community connections to make a significant difference in people’s lives. It’s a great example of faith in action, meeting tangible needs while fostering a sense of belonging and support.
This past Saturday the Human Care team joined Tabor Lutheran Church at their Back-to-School Fiesta. It was a great opportunity to support the church as they focus on building relationships in the community. Tabor is uniquely situated in a predominantly low-income area of Chicago. The church created a sacred space for people of different backgrounds and languages to come together to relax and enjoy the celebration.
We want to share a heartfelt thank you to Naperville Running Company for regularly donating shoes for people who are unhoused or cannot afford to purchase good-quality shoes.
Their most recent donation of 60 pairs of shoes was passed along to First St. Paul Lutheran Church, which connects with people in need by serving community meals, hosting a foot clinic, partnering with Chicago Help Initiative, and giving basic need items to people at the free store. Generous donations like these make it possible for churches to help people in need by sharing the mercy, compassion, presence, and proclamation of Jesus Christ. On Sunday, August 4, the Human Care team joined Faith Lutheran Church, Carpentersville, Illinois, for the blessing of the Hospitality House. Pastor Mark Frusti led a worship service, expressing gratitude to God for providing a place where families can find solace during times of crisis. We are grateful for your generous support and humbly request your ongoing prayers. Please join us in lifting up the family that recently moved into the Hospitality House, as well as the dedicated ministry team that is offering them compassion, encouragement, and the message of Jesus Christ. Your prayers make a meaningful difference in the lives of those facing difficult circumstances. Thank you for your continued support. Lutheran Church Charities Human Care ministry continues to support Trinity Klein Lutheran Church in Spring, Texas, and its Restoring Hope food pantry as the Houston metro region recovers from Hurricane Beryl. Last week, the church’s food pantry distributed food to 270 families, according to Restoring Hope director Lauren McCardell. “We are still seeing a higher than usual amount of people seeking food assistance,” she said. “We are grateful for all the donations, so we can continue to help those who are hurting and in need. We know we serve a God who is faithful.” The food pantry has low supplies or is out of staple items, including cereal, peanut butter, jelly, tuna, pasta, soup, Hamburger Helper, and other goods. Earlier this month, LCC Human Care organized a resupply of the food pantry, which ran out of goods and groceries after a surge in need. In response, LCC donors and some area grocery stores have contributed $8,800 of food, said Denise Snider, director of LCC Human Care ministry. Because of impacts and delays, their usual large food shipment will not arrive until the end of summer. Due to long-term power outages, many families have lost their food, and stores have been slow to reopen and restock their shelves. Additionally, many people have lost wages because their workplaces have remained closed without electricity. “There is still a great need to provide food support to the Houston metro area as they rebuild their lives,” Snider said. “We are grateful to all those who have donated, and we ask for your continued prayers and generous support to help people recover from the hurricane.” Thanks to donors like you, LCC will continue to BE THERE to provide mercy, compassion, presence, and proclamation of Jesus Christ to those who are struggling and in need along the Texas Gulf Coast. Your faithful prayers and kindhearted support are greatly appreciated by the many people affected by Beryl and those responding with help. Click the button to learn more about how LCC Human Care is providing assistance to families affected by Hurricane Beryl and other efforts. We are thrilled to report that one of our Human Care appeals has made a significant impact on a family in need. Through the generosity of our donors, the Nichols family was able to repair their roof, addressing a crucial need in their household. A recent update from the pastor highlights the positive effects of this support on the family. Greetings, Mr. Nichols's health is still very fragile, but he and his wife keep God at the center of everything they do. The generosity of the saints has allowed them to have the outside of their roof repaired, which has stopped the water from leaking into the kitchen. Thank you for all the support from the family of God to the Nichols family. We continue to ask you to pray for the family. God's blessings! Pastor Bryan A. Reeves Immanuel Lutheran Church Richton Park, Illinois |
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