Lutheran Church Charities (LCC) is calling on its supporters to pray for families and individuals affected, as well as LCC’s preparations to serve the Florida-Georgia, Southeastern, and Mid-South districts of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (LCMS) and Lutheran Early Response Teams (LERT) participating in recovery efforts.

Thanks to you, Lutheran Church Charities will continue to BE THERE to provide the mercy, compassion, presence, and proclamation of Jesus Christ to those who are struggling, suffering, and in need.
 
Your earnest prayers and kindhearted support are greatly appreciated by the many people affected by Hurricane Helene and those who are responding with help.

If you are compelled to give, please donate to the LCC Disaster Response Fund. Thank you for being a part of the Mercy and Compassion Ministry of Lutheran Church Charities.

Serving Together in the Comfort of Jesus!

In light of the tragic bridge collapse in Baltimore, Maryland, and the recent stabbing attack in Rockford, Illinois, the LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry teams and Hearts of Mercy & Compassion volunteers are uniting to BE THERE to provide support and comfort to the affected communities. Driven by their faith and compassionate spirit, these dedicated individuals are committed to being a source of solace and assistance for those in need. We are ready to BE THERE!

Rev. Dr. Pres. William Harmon of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) Southeastern District and Deaconess Sally Hiller, District Disaster Response Coordinator of Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Baltimore, have extended an invitation to LCC to bring our K-9 Comfort Dogs and Hearts of Mercy & Compassion to provide support and comfort to the community and to help those who have been deeply affected by the tragic event.
 
Among the teams ready to respond is LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Kezia (Emmanuel - Baltimore, Maryland). Additional LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry teams stand by, prepared to offer their services whenever they are needed to assist the shocked and hurting community during this difficult time.

Pastor James McCoid of Christ The Rock Lutheran Church in Rockford, Illinois, extended an invitation to LCC to bring our K-9 Comfort Dogs to offer solace and support to the community in the wake of a senseless act of violence that killed four beloved members of the community on Wednesday.

Additionally, LCC's Hearts of Mercy & Compassion Ministry (HMC) has placed four hearts and crosses to pay tribute to each victim and in encouragement for community members to sign and write messages to each of the victims' families, embodying the spirit of compassion and unity during this difficult time.
 
We pray that the presence of the LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs and the Hearts of Mercy & Compassion will serve as a reminder that people across the nation love and support them, and that both communities would find solace in the presence of these comforting reminders of the hope we find through Jesus Christ.

Thank you for being a part of the Mercy and Compassion Ministry of Lutheran Church Charities.
 
Serving Together in the Comfort of Jesus!

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!

In response to the devastating tragedy that occurred in Lewiston on Wednesday night, the network of LCC-affiliated churches across the nation mobilized to provide relief and comfort to those affected.

As soon as news of the tragedy broke, staff, congregants, and volunteers came together to make a plan to BE THERE for the community. Their actions were inspired by their faith and guided by an overwhelming desire to help those in need.

Several LCC K-9 Comfort Dog teams immediately started preparations to deploy when it was safe to do so.

Now that the shooter is no longer a threat to the community, Lutheran Church Charities has been invited by The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod New England District President Rev. Robert D Beinke and Rev. Timothy Sandeno, Redeemer Lutheran Church, Gorham, Maine, to bring the LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs and Hearts of Mercy & Compassion to the shocked and hurting community that has been greatly impacted by this horrific event.

LCC President/CEO Rev. Chris Singer, Bonnie Fear, LCC K-9 Crisis Response Coordinator, Jody Lockwood, HMC Representative and the following LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry teams will be deploying to Lewiston this weekend to be with the families, survivors, and all of the first responders who serve them.

LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs Caleb (Immanuel – Valparaiso, Indiana), Claudia (Trinity – Toledo, Ohio), Gideon (St. Michael's – Bloomington, Minnesota), Jared (Holy Cross – Fort Wayne, Indiana), Kezia (Emmanuel – Baltimore, Maryland), Lily (Good Shepherd – Old Bridge, New Jersey), Lydia (Messiah – Lynnfield, Massachusetts), and Magdalene (Cornerstone – Carmel, Indiana), and their handlers will be present to listen to those who are grieving, bringing them comfort, love, friendship, hope, and prayer.

LCC Hearts of Mercy & Compassion from Suburban Bethlehem (Fort Wayne, Indiana); Trinity (Toledo, Ohio); Cornerstone Lutheran (Carmel, Indiana); and LCC (Northbrook, Illinois) have joined hands to send Hearts of Mercy & Compassion to Lewiston along with K-9 Ministries Coloring Books and Mini Stuffed LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs.

Their selfless and compassionate efforts are aimed at providing comfort and hope to the people of Lewiston during these difficult times. We hope that these resources will serve as a reminder that people across the nation love and support them. We pray that the community finds solace in the presence of these comforting resources.

Please support us by prayer and if you are so moved, help us with travel expenses.
 
Thank you for being a part of the Mercy and Compassion Ministry of Lutheran Church Charities.
 
Serving Together in the Comfort of Jesus!

L.E.R.T. Volunteers with Heavy Equipment are Helping those Most Impacted

“For I am the LORD, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you,
Do not fear; I will help you.” (Isaiah 41:13)

Lutheran Church Charities (LCC) Disaster Response Lutheran Early Response Team (L.E.R.T.) volunteers deployed out immediately late yesterday afternoon after a rare Derecho storm - described as an "inland hurricane for more than 100 miles" - passed through northern Illinois, causing widespread property damage and leaving tens of thousands without power.
 
We have been out early this morning and will continue to be out serving people who have been affected by the storm.

LCC Disaster Response L.E.R.T. has more than 280 trained and certified chainsaw volunteers with multiple pieces of heavy equipment, trailers, lifts and tractors.
 
LCC Disaster Response L.E.R.T. volunteers immediately deployed out to the areas listed below. Because of the severe damage, the teams will be out at least through the weekend.

Chainsaw teams are currently serving affected families through the following churches:

Lansing, Illinois – St. John Lutheran Church
Villa Park, Illinois
Wheaton, Illinois – St. John Lutheran Church
Frankfort, Illinois – Good Shepherd Lutheran Church
East Dundee, Illinois – Immanuel Lutheran Church (also working in Marengo, Illinois)
Bloomingdale, Illinois – Trinity Lutheran Church (Roselle)
McHenry, Illinois – Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church
Elburn, Illinois – Lord of Life Lutheran Church
Joliet, Illinois – Our Savior Lutheran Church
Rockford, Illinois – Mt. Olive Lutheran Church
 
We are adding locations by the hour as needs continue to come in.
 
Please keep all the above people in your prayers, including all the LCC Disaster Response volunteers and staff, as we deploy out to various locations.

LCC never goes where we are not invited. We NEVER charge those we serve. We pick up all of our travel and meal costs. We put boots on the ground within 24 hours (often fewer) from the time we get the invite.
 
Please consider a donation to the LCC Disaster Response General Fund or LCC Disaster Response Equipment Maintenance & Fuel Expense Fund so that we may continue to show the mercy, compassion, presence and proclamation of Jesus Christ to those suffering and in need.

Your prayers, support, and involvement help Make A Difference – in the name of Jesus to those in need.
 
Serving Together, Serving Others in Need, as We Serve Jesus!

60+ L.E.R.T. Volunteers with Heavy Equipment are Helping those Most Impacted

 “You, LORD, are my lamp; the LORD turns my darkness into light.”
 2 Samuel 22:29

On Tuesday, March 3, at 12:45 am, Tennessee residents had a 3 – 6 minute warning that a powerful storm tracking 150 miles and producing an EF-3 tornado was hitting their community. The devastation caused at least 25 deaths, numerous injuries, massive structural damages to residential and commercial areas, and widespread power outages. There are still communities that cannot be entered for recovery efforts

Your Donations are Needed to Support 60+ L.E.R.T. Volunteers in Action!

LCC is sending a very large team of experienced L.E.R.T. volunteers for a week to make a big impact during this initial recovery effort. We need your financial assistance to help feed them for the week. All of the volunteers have driven many hours – many taking time off of work to volunteer – and are sleeping on the floors in a room at the church every night after a full day of physical work helping others. Your donations will help us take care of our volunteers!

Sixty-plus Lutheran Early Response Team (L.E.R.T.) volunteers brought a Bobcat, mini Bobcat, Ditch Witch, three tractors with grapples, 24’ dump trailer, 50’ boom lift, and two vehicles with 50 steel cable winches to help in tornado recovery.
 
Neighborhoods throughout the community have been devastated, some literally flattened. Families are still shaken by the experience and overwhelmed with the task ahead of them. LCC L.E.R.T. volunteers will be present in the communities of Hermitage, Donelson and Mt. Juliet to show residents mercy and compassion while assisting in the physical recovery of their property.

Showing the Love of Jesus with Helping Hands for Hurting Hearts!

LCC never goes where we are not invited. We NEVER charge those we serve. We pick up all of our travel, lodging, and meal costs. We put boots on the ground within 24 hours (often fewer) from the time we get the invite.
 
Please keep residents in impacted Tennessee communities in your prayers, including all the LCC Disaster Response volunteers and staff during our deployment.

Please prayerfully consider a donation to the LCC Disaster Response General Fund or LCC Disaster Response Equipment Maintenance & Fuel Expense Fund so that we may continue to show the mercy, compassion, presence and proclamation of Jesus Christ to those suffering and in need.

Two students died, multiple injured
"For the LORD comforts his people and will have compassion on his afflicted ones." Isaiah 49:13

Pastor Gerber stated, “Every person who entered the church, whether it was an evacuee or volunteer, will feel the love of Christ and know they were family.” Dawn Gilfry, Top Dog for Katie Comfort Dog, and her team provided comfort and care to those who stayed in their church and are continuing to reach out to them as they were moved to another shelter. They are committed to following and helping these families through this long recovery process that is just beginning.
 
Pastor Gerber and Dawn Gilfry state they are currently assessing how many church and school families are affected. They know 1 staff member, 1 congregation member, and 5 school families have lost their homes completely. They anticipate many more families with losses will be identified in the coming days as the water begins to recede both within their congregation and in their community. They will be helping people with basic needs and housing expenses. 
 
Your donations are greatly needed to help LCC and Trinity Lutheran Church serve their members and their community. If you are so moved, please donate now, and please keep Trinity and their surrounding communities in your prayers during their long recovery.

LCC is also watching the river levels in surrounding areas of our district that may also experience flooding in the days and weeks ahead with snow melt and warmer temperatures occurring. If you know someone that is in need of assistance in the Northern Illinois District (NID), please contact Lutheran Church Charities Disaster Response at 866-455-6466 or [email protected]. Our LCC LERT teams are willing to respond with the mercy, compassion, presence and proclamation of Jesus Christ to those suffering and in need.

Please keep all those affected by flooding in the Northern Illinois District and surrounding states in your prayers as they face many losses and a long recovery.

Update: November 9, 2018