In this time of anguish and uncertainty, we draw strength from our faith, knowing that God's boundless love transcends all pain and sorrow. As we engage with the community more throughout this week, we will continue to share a message of hope, reassuring everyone that they are not alone and that there is a path to healing through faith. We invite you to join us in prayer, as we ask for God's love to flow through us, bringing peace and healing to the hearts of the Perry community. Together, let us be the vessel of God's boundless love, spreading hope and strength in these uncertain times. Thank you to the following LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry teams for saying, "Here am I; send me!" and answering the call to serve: LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs Charity (Brookfield - Brookfield, Wisconsin), Eden (Peace – Columbus, Nebraska), Gideon (St. Michael’s - Bloomington, Minnesota), Joanna (Christ Lutheran – Lincoln, Nebraska), Katie and Phinehas (Trinity - Fremont, Nebraska). We thank Gary Kilvinger, Dawn Gilfry, and Pam Lienemann for their leadership and for managing the teams on the ground Thank you for BEING THERE by working through Lutheran Church Charities
LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs Emma, Hannah (LCC Staff), Tobias (Lord of Glory - Grayslake, Illinois), and LCC K-9 Comfort Dog In Training Lazarus and their handlers knew they needed to be there for the students and staff at St. John's Lutheran School in Lombard, Illinois, after the sudden death of their 8th grade teacher Mr. Golz. On Monday, the Comfort Dogs spent time with the classes offering the students the same unconditional love, gentleness, and care that LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Eve did before her passing last year. The students filled the Heart of Mercy & Compassion made in memory of Mr. Golz with messages of love for this kind and inspiring teacher. Mr. Golz was a beloved teacher at St John's Lutheran School. He took the students to Walcamp each year to learn more about the outdoors to help them grow in their faith in the Lord. On Tuesday, LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs were also present to comfort and provide a safe and quiet place for Mr. Golz’ wife, children, family, students and friends at his visitation. We ask God to watch over and comfort his wife and two young children who will forever miss his loving presence in their lives.
The Lutheran Church Charities (LCC) community is deeply saddened by the passing of Terry Styka, a devoted volunteer who selflessly served in various ministries. Despite battling cancer for over five years, Terry remained committed to helping others and was especially passionate about the LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry. To honor his memory, LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs Emma and Hannah (LCC Staff), Jael (Trinity - Hobart, Indiana), and LCC Kare 9 Military Ministry Dogs Asher (Faith Lutheran - Lake Forest, Illinois), Brutus (LCC Squad), Michael and Nigel (LCC Staff) provided comfort and support to Terry's loved ones and friends during his visitation and funeral on Sunday, January 7th, and Monday, January 8th. Terry's unwavering dedication to LCC and his commitment to serving others will always be remembered and cherished.
The LCC K-9 Comfort Dog team from Trinity Lutheran Church in Fremont, Nebraska, with LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs Katie and Phinehas, was present last night at two candlelight vigils, bringing love and comfort to the community gathered to support each other. Lutheran Church Charities has been invited by Lynsi Pasutti, Executive Director of Perry Chamber of Commerce, to bring additional LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs, as well as LCC Hearts of Mercy & Compassion, to the shocked and hurting community that this horrific event has greatly impacted. LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs Charity (Brookfield Lutheran - Brookfield, Wisconsin), Eden (Peace – Columbus, Nebraska), Gideon (St. Michael’s - Bloomington, Minnesota), Joanna (Christ Lutheran – Lincoln, Nebraska), Katie and Phinehas (Trinity - Fremont, Nebraska), and their dedicated handlers, will arrive in Perry on Sunday to be present and BE THERE with those who are grieving, bringing them comfort, love, friendship, hope, and prayer.
Thank you for being a part of the Mercy and Compassion Ministry of Lutheran Church Charities.
Serving Together in the Comfort of Jesus! Last week LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs responded quickly to be there for the staff and students at Rykers’ Ridge Elementary School in Madison, Indiana, after a tragedy struck this small community. The community is reeling from the devastating loss of Naomi Briner, her daughter Adelia, and her two youngest children, Leland and Lyla, who were tragically found shot in a house fire. LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs Claudia (Trinity - Toledo, Ohio), Dove (Peace - Fremont, Indiana) and Magdalene (Cornerstone - Carmel, Indiana) were present at Rykers’, where Leland and Lyla attended, providing comfort and love to everyone who needed it. The counselors expressed their gratitude to the Comfort Dog teams, stating that the day would have been much more difficult without their presence. The LCC K-9 Comfort Dog teams also left three Hearts of Mercy & Compassion, one for each of the children, as a way for teachers to offer their condolences to the heartbroken father. The Comfort Dogs and their teams have once again shown their incredible ability to bring comfort and healing to those in need during difficult times.
Thanks to You, We Are Able to BE THERE for Students and Staff The comfort dogs serve as a bridge, their presence encouraging conversations, soothing anxieties, and creating a haven of comfort in a time of profound sorrow. They remind us that, amidst the chaos, there's a profound beauty in the simplicity of their affection. We are so grateful to our LCC K-9 Comfort Dog teams who dropped everything to BE THERE for the UNLV students and staff. LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs Lois (First Good Shepherd - Las Vegas, Nevada), Micah (Light of the Valley - Elk Grove, California), Phinehas (Trinity - Fremont, Nebraska), Reuben (First Lutheran - Yuba City, California), and Salome (Faith Lutheran - Las Vegas, Nevada) spent time with students who remained on the University Nevada Las Vegas campus during the winter break. Wherever the Comfort Dog teams went, the handlers could see relief as students spent time with the dogs, feeling safe and diverting them from oppressing thoughts of the shooting that happened on their campus last week. A resident assistant at one of the dorms even sent a photo to all her residents to get them downstairs to where the dogs were. It did not take long for the students to come to the Comfort Dogs once that photo was shared. The students relaxed, accepting the comfort, gentleness, and safety the Comfort Dogs offered them as they talked to the handlers about school, their lives, and dreams for the future. The Comfort Dogs also visited the UNLV School of Dental Medicine students who had finals this week. One of the students shared, “This is the best thing we needed today. We needed to spend time with a dog today.” The handlers could see their bodies relax, and their eyes and smiles light up during these special visits with the Comfort Dogs and handlers. The faculty from the school of dentistry was happy to see the students on the floor relaxed and spending time with Lois, Micah, Phinehas, Reuben, and Salome. On Tuesday, the Comfort Dogs visited the Sunrise Hospital staff that received and cared for the victims of the shooting. The teams presented to the emergency medical staff a Heart of Mercy & Compassion filled with messages of comfort and prayers. The LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs and their teams will spend time this week with the Las Vegas 911 operators and coroner’s office that responded to the shooting. These dedicated women and men respond and see so much tragedy every day. We hope the Comfort Dogs and handlers can share the comfort, hope, and love of Jesus, providing them a safe and relaxed place from their worries and stress. Hearts of Mercy & Compassion for the Lives Lost
Thank you for BEING THERE by working through Lutheran Church Charities
LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs were requested to be at Wauconda High School on Monday, December 11 to support and comfort the grieving students and staff. Wauconda High School administrative staff and counselors provided time for the students to be together to process Mr. Gillen’s loss and to share memories of him as a teacher and trainer. LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs Mary (St. Paul's - Janesville, Wisconsin), Michael (LCC Staff), and Tobias (Lord of Glory - Grayslake, Illinois) were a welcome and loving distraction from the hurt and pain they were going through. A Heart of Mercy & Compassion was given to the staff to sign with their own comforting messages to pass on to Mr. Gillen’s wife. LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs and their handlers have been providing comfort, love, and a safe place for students at Wauconda High School to go to during times of difficulty and loss during the last five years. It is a relationship we cherish and sustain. We lift up in prayer Mr. Bob Gillen's wife, his parents, students, colleagues and those who knew and loved him for God’s comfort, peace and healing. |
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