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Your Support Helps Ukrainians Endure and Survive Winter

1/24/2023

 

Limited Access to Food, Warm Clothing, Electricity, and Heat!

 100% of Your Donations Support Ukrainians in Need

DONATE — UKRAINIAN RELIEF FUND
The pastors of the Synod of Evangelical Lutheran Churches in Ukraine (SELCU) continue to bring the good news of Jesus to hundreds this Christmas in their war-torn country, bringing people love, hope, and light.
 
Approximately 6.5 million people in Ukraine have been displaced and are facing freezing winter conditions after being forced to flee their homes. Many take shelter in damaged buildings and have limited access to food, electricity, and heat.
 
LCC received the following update from Pastor Sergey Bevz in Dnipro.
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We continue to carry out our ministry. Due to missile attacks on our critical infrastructure, we continue to have problems with electricity. For many people, this becomes even more of a problem because heating their homes relies on electricity. The water supply can also be connected to electricity.
 
The mobile network also can not work for a long time without it. Therefore, now a very important help for people are candles, batteries, power banks, flashlights, generators, various types of stoves, warm clothes, and blankets. Without this, it is impossible to survive in the de-occupied places because, in most of them, there is no electricity.
 
Also, many people are asking for some building materials to help them close the holes in their damaged houses. Medicines, food, and other basic food items are also important. We still try to make a trip deep into the de-occupied areas once a week.
Also, every Sunday after the service, we receive people in the church. There are also separate groups of people whom we help - wounded soldiers in the hospital, the disabled, and people in special clothes.
 
In recent months, the Lord has been blessing our church, and it is growing. We are also particularly humble before the Lord because we see a revival starting in the church. New people come to repentance. They confess their sins and faith in Jesus. There have been six converts in the last month. There are many people who come to confirmation classes.
 
Recently, our city was hit by a rocket attack. The rocket hit a nine-story building and caused severe damage. We were there bringing help. This is something terrible that shocked us all, although this is far from the first such incident in recent months.
 
Thank you for continuing to remember Ukraine and helping the victims. It helps many people to survive and endure during this time.
 
God's blessings!
 
Pastor Sergei Bevz

Your Generosity Provides Computers for Children in Medinya Orphanage

Last week, Lynda Streich, LCC Interim President/CEO, presented a check with your donations to Archpriest Mykhailo Kuzma of the Ukrainian Church in Palatine, Illinois, to help purchase computers for the children in the Medinya orphanage.
 
Thanks to your generosity, the need has been met!
 
Your support is still needed and greatly appreciated as there are ongoing needs to support the children.
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DONATE — UKRAINE ORPHANAGE FUND

YOUR DONATIONS HELPED MORE THAN 10,000 FAMILIES

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During the current year, Lutheran Church Charities provided support to the victims of the war in Ukraine. The Lutheran Church "Living Water" in the city of Dnipro is one of the churches that received your donations.
 
Your donations here in Ukraine have taken on a different form - food, basic necessities, medicines, clothing, certain critical needs, and so on. And even some bulletproof vests for our volunteers, who often bring help to dangerous places.
 
It is even difficult for us today to calculate more or less exactly the number of people who received help from your donations. In fact, we did not think that all this would last for so many months and that there would be so many victims and those in need of help. But according to rough estimates, this is more than 10,000 thousand families (in most cases, we provide assistance per family, based on 4-5 people) only through our Church in the city of Dnipro.
 
These were refugees who sought asylum in our city (today, there are about 400,000 refugees in our city). Also, these were people who remained in their cities and villages. Many of them survived the occupation. These were Donetsk, Kharkov, and Kherson regions. We have taken aid to many places in these areas.
 
It is difficult to convey in words or even photographs what can be seen in those places where there were battles and occupation. War is worse than words or photos can convey. The Apostle Paul, in his letter to the Romans (5:20), said an amazing thought - when sin increases, grace abounds even more.
 
We did not think that we would see confirmation of these words in this way. But we saw it during the war. When on the one hand, some people became a source of violence, destruction, death, pain, and tragedy. But other people have become a source of help, conductors of compassion, mercy, and God's grace.

Therefore, as a citizen of Ukraine, as a brother in Christ, and on behalf of many people who received your help, I want to glorify the Lord and thank you and your charitable organization for the help provided. It really was important and precious and remains so.
 
We wish you blessed days when we all celebrate Christmas and New Year. We wish you and all of us peace around us, peace within us, and peace with our God through our Savior Jesus Christ.
 
God's blessings!
Pastor Sergey Bevz
City of Dnipro, Ukraine

Christmas Eve Service Without Power

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Most congregations of the Synod of Evangelical Lutheran Churches in Ukraine follow the Eastern Orthodox church calendar. Thus, the birth of Christ ('Christmas') was just observed on January 6-7.
 
The congregation in Mikaloev, pastored by Oleksiy Navrotskyy, experienced a jam-packed house for its Christmas Eve worship. One of the ministries in the Odessa congregation is outreach to the disabled. Their Christmas Eve service for them had to be conducted without any power. Pastor Oleg Schewtschenko reports: "The Star of Bethlehem brought wise men to Jesus. We had no electricity, but the light of the Gospel once again brought children and parents in Odessa to their Saviour!"

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Please prayerfully consider donating to help Ukrainians by showing the Mercy, Compassion, Presence and Proclamation of Jesus Christ to those who are suffering and in need!
DONATE — UKRAINIAN RELIEF FUND

You Are Making Miracles for the Little Ones in Ukraine!

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LCC received the following update from Oksana Svidruk of Immaculate Conception Ukrainian Catholic Church in Palatine, Illinois:
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Happy New Year!
 
Let me start off by thanking all of you on behalf of the orphanage in the village of Medinya for a wonderful Christmas! The orphanage is in the Ivano-Frankivsk region which is cared for by the Church of St. Nicholas. Each child at the orphanage awoke to an amazing Christmas surprise: new warm clothes for exercising and lots of new sports gear!
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Additionally, thanks to your contribution, we were able to send two generators to the orphanage! This means that they will be able to keep the lights on even though the war has taken out the power in most of the area.
 
In November 2022, we sent 30 computers to a different orphanage in the Ivano Frankivsk region, Serdechko. Thanks to these computers, the children can keep studying. Despite the sounds of war all around them, they grow braver every day, knowing that they can continue to study and learn. Thanks to God’s grace, they are able to keep looking toward the future with hope and faith.

We’re reaching out again so that we can provide the Medinya orphanage with the same opportunity. We plan to send 30 computers to the Medinya orphans so that they can keep moving forward in their studies. Your support is greatly appreciated. You have shown great kindness in treating the orphans just as you would the newborn king. Thank you for extending this kindness to the children of Ukraine.
 
Oksana Svidruk
Parishioner
The Immaculate Conception Ukrainian Catholic Church in Palatine

Please prayerfully consider donating to help provide computers for the children in the Medinya orphanage.
DONATE — UKRAINE ORPHANAGE FUND

Help the Physical, Spiritual, and Emotional State of Ukrainians Trying to Survive Winter

1/11/2023

 

SELCU PASTORS SERVING UKRAINIANS ARE GRATEFUL FOR YOUR FAITHFUL SUPPORT

Limited Access to Food, Warm Clothing, Electricity, and Heat!

 100% of Your Donations Support Ukrainians in Need

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DONATE — UKRAINIAN RELIEF FUND
The pastors of the Synod of Evangelical Lutheran Churches in Ukraine (SELCU) continue to bring the good news of Jesus to hundreds this Christmas in their war-torn country, bringing people love, hope, and light.
 
Approximately 6.5 million people in Ukraine have been displaced and are facing freezing winter conditions after being forced to flee their homes. Many take shelter in damaged buildings and have limited access to food, electricity, and heat.
LCC received the following update from Pastor Sergey Bevz in Dnipro.
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Unfortunately, the situation has become more difficult. As we expected, there were serious "winter" problems. Russian missiles and drones are attacking Ukraine's critical infrastructure. Therefore, we often do not have electricity, sometimes for several days in a row. Because of this, there may also be no heat, water, communications, and the Internet.
 
Therefore, today, in addition to products, generators, power banks, candles, batteries, various flashlights, and lamps also fell into the category of critical items.
 
However, we continue to serve the people. As before, every Sunday in our building is the issuance of assistance to needy residents and refugees who live in our city. People receive food and essentials.
 
Also, once a week, we make humanitarian trips to the de-occupied territories of the Kherson region. We carry food packages, medicines, candles, and batteries. We are also collecting warm clothes as much as possible. Russian soldiers, during the occupation, took away many warm things from them - jackets, blankets, sweaters, and much more. People in these places have not had electricity for the last 8-10 months. They also lack gas, often water, and communications. Of course, the physical, spiritual, and emotional state of these people is often very difficult.

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At this time and in this context, we experience the period of Advent and Christmas in a very different way. Now we think about how our Savior came to a hostile world about 2,000 years ago. We are especially comforted by the fact that the Lord personally knew the state of this world, personally knew human cruelty and militancy.
 
But at the same time, Christmas reminds us that we are not left alone. We are not abandoned by our Lord. We are not left without His protection. His name is Emmanuel, and God is with us. He came to be with us and be our Savior. We rejoice that He achieved His purpose. We are glad that He has "de-occupied" our hearts and souls for His Kingdom. The Lord is with us, and this gives us firm hope!
 
Therefore, please accept Merry Christmas greetings from me and the Lutheran Church "Living Water" in the city of Dnipro!
 
Thank you for continuing to support Ukraine and those affected by the war! May the Lord richly bless you and strengthen you in faith!
 
Regards,
Sergey Bevz


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LCC received the following update from Pastor Oleksiy Navrotskyy:

I want to thank you and all partners of Lutheran Church Charities for the incredible work you are accomplishing in my country.
 
Without exaggeration, you and we together have impacted tens of thousands of lives of Ukrainians when they were scared, cold, hopeless, and lonely. Your compassion and generosity have brought hope into the life of so many. God knows the real number of those men, women, kids, and elderly people who were saved from despair and death this year. On behalf of my fellow citizens, church members, and brothers - pastors of SELCU, I thank you for your cooperation in the humanitarian and Gospel mission in Ukraine.
 
Nikolaev Lutheran church (where I serve as a pastor now) is fully packed with new people who hear the Gospel, confess their sins and faith in Christ, and are studying in Confirmation class. It is a real miracle and revival (in the best meaning of this word). God works through His divine Word, growing faith and a new life in so many. You are partners in this labor.

Thank you for your trust and the honor to distribute the resources of LCC in Ukraine. We do it attentively with prayer and consideration.

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We hope that this war will come to an end and we will restore our beautiful country. We pray for Lord's guidance and wisdom and for His mercy to us and our countries in 2023.
 
Thank you again for your participation in the mission in Ukraine.
 
Your brother in Christ,
 
Oleksiy Navrotskyy
Nikolaev, Ukraine

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LCC received the following update from Pastor Oleg Schewtschenko, who's spending Christmas in Ukraine serving his people, separated from his wife and children (the below picture is from last year).

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Dear Friends, brothers, and sisters,
 
What a day! We remember and celebrate the mystery of God becoming flesh! It is a special time to hear the Word of God, a beautiful opportunity to get the whole family together and enjoy the gift of family, love, hope, joy, and faith.
 
As one of the pastors in Ukraine, I treasure this time because so many people will be able to come and hear the meaning of Christmas for the very first time this year! Despite the war and feeling of being empty, powerless, lonely, and even abandoned – what a privilege to come and to bring the life-changing, hope-giving, faith-creating, and strengthen Good News – “For to us a child is born, to us, a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

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I would love to use this time to express my deepest thanks for all your work, your prayers for us in Ukraine, and your generous support! As I travel, getting the needed things for people, preaching, or just praying with people, you are always with me!
 
Thank you so much for allowing me and many others to see and experience God's love agape and His care through you!
 
I want to wish you God's blessing. May the Lord be with you and with us.
 
Pastor Oleg Schewtschenko

Please prayerfully consider donating to help Ukrainians by showing the Mercy, Compassion, Presence and Proclamation of Jesus Christ to those who are suffering and in need!
DONATE — UKRAINIAN RELIEF FUND

Help Ukrainians Survive Winter

12/20/2022

 

Limited Access to Food, Electricity, and Heat

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100% of Your Donations Support Ukrainians in Need

DONATE — UKRAINIAN RELIEF FUND
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Millions of Ukrainians are facing their most challenging winter in recent history, with no end to the war raging in their country.

Approximately 6.5 million people in Ukraine have been displaced and are facing freezing winter conditions after being forced to flee their homes. Many take shelter in damaged buildings and have limited access to food, electricity, and heat.

The humanitarian ministries of the Synod of Evangelical Lutheran Churches in Ukraine (SELCU) continue unabated in the war torn country. Russian missile strikes have managed to damage virtually every aspect of the Ukrainian energy infrastructure.

LCC received the following update from Pastor Yurii Timerkan:

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I am a Pastor from the Bashtanka region. It is the Southern part of Ukraine. By God's mercy we entered the Advent season. Here in Ukraine, just one or two years ago, we had the same spirit and expectations as you have in the USA or wherever you are today.

Expectations about Christmas celebrations, preparing food for guests or finding a good deal in the supermarket. People in the church thought about special worship service. I think it's the same as most of you have. But the war made its adjustment.

A few days ago, I helped one older lady from our congregation (75 years old) to visit her son in the Odessa region in a hospital (220 km far from our home). She said to me when we were on the road that everything she dreamed for the last eight months was to see her son alive. And she did it. She met him in the hospital but not because the war stopped, but because he received a bullet wound and could not defend our country more. During the rest of Advent season, the main expectation of this lady is to hear that her son will have the possibility to recover from his injury.


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And this is a new reality for millions of Ukrainians today. As a volunteer, I visited some de-occupied territories in Herson City. People in that region waited for electricity for more than seven months. They just want to charge their smartphones and call their parents or friends. Some of them wait for good medicine, drinking water or good food.

Of course, we can't provide everything that people need in our regions, but the help and support which you gave us during the last nine months made it possible to find solutions for a lot of needs.

Today I want to tell you that people in Ukraine are the same as you. But because of war, our main expectation is to get back to a normal life. Without war, without tears, and without fear.

We appreciate all your support. It helps a lot of people to feel not alone in this tragedy. Thank you very much for everything. Please continue to pray for Ukraine. We really need it.

Blessed Advent to you, blessed Christmas, and may God richly bless you in all your deeds.

Pastor Yurii


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Please prayerfully consider donating to help Ukrainians by showing the Mercy, Compassion, Presence and Proclamation of Jesus Christ to those who are suffering and in need!
DONATE — UKRAINIAN RELIEF FUND

Ukrainians Need Your Help to Survive Winter

12/13/2022

 
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100% of Your Donations Support Ukrainians in Need

DONATE — UKRAINIAN RELIEF FUND
Millions of Ukrainians are facing their most challenging winter in recent history, with no end to the war raging in their country.
 
Approximately 6.5 million people in Ukraine have been displaced and are facing freezing winter conditions after being forced to flee their homes. Many take shelter in damaged buildings and have limited access to food, electricity, and heat.
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The humanitarian ministries of the Synod of Evangelical Lutheran Churches in Ukraine (SELCU) continue unabated in the wartorn country. Russian missile strikes have managed to damage virtually every aspect of the Ukrainian energy infrastructure.
 
The SELCU pastors report that the energy grid is absent in Odessa and in the eastern regions. Cooking food has become extremely difficult, and keeping warm in these winter months is a major obstacle to survival. To deliver humanitarian relief, the pastors often have to be accompanied by armed military personnel.
 
The photos recently received from Pastors Oleksiy Navrotskyy, Oleg Schewtschenko, Yurii Timerkan, and Verlera Verba visually demonstrate the condition of Ukraine and the difficulties of their ministries. And yet, they continue to share the precious Gospel for the soul together with loving care for the body.

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Please prayerfully consider donating to help Ukrainians by showing the Mercy, Compassion, Presence and Proclamation of Jesus Christ to those who are suffering and in need!
DONATE — UKRAINIAN RELIEF FUND

With Your Help, SELCU Pastors in Ukraine and LCC Mission Partners Continue to Provide Humanitarian Aid and the Gospel to Hundreds In Need

11/15/2022

 

100% of Your Donations Continue to Support Ukrainians in Need

Since March 2022, Lutheran Church Charities has been working cooperatively with pastors of the Synod of Evangelical Lutheran Churches in Ukraine (SELCU) and the Immaculate Conception Ukrainian Catholic Church in Palatine, Illinois, to provide humanitarian relief and the clear proclamation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Your Support Provides Personalized Supply Boxes to the Soldiers on the Front Lines
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Father Mykhailo Kuzma and the Parishioners of The Immaculate Conception Ukrainian Catholic Church-Palatine provided each soldier within The Hunting Brigade 68 with a personalized supply box. Inside each kit is a prayer card hand-crafted by Mrs. Linda Phillips, a warm jacket, winter boots, a hat, mittens, war-time socks, and other useful items with goodies. They received a total of 135 sets. They also delivered needed supplies and medicine for a Field Hospital.
 
Thanks to your donations and prayers, the soldiers feel strengthened and motivated to keep fighting for Ukraine. Please continue to keep them in your prayers.

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SELCU Pastors Serving Ukrainians
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During the week of November 7-11, SELCU Pastor Valera Verba and a young layperson from the Dnipro congregation traveled to the area of Kherson, Ukraine. This is where the congregation is located that Pastor Verba used to serve and from which Russian troops have supposedly retreated. The purpose of the trip was to meet with faithful congregants and to deliver humanitarian aid.
 
He reported the following:
 
“A pastor in body armor. Today, in Ukraine, in some places, this is exactly the case. And this is not an act of distrust of God. These are the rules of safety principles. It is a special blessing not to rely on circumstances but to trust God in the midst of any circumstances.
 
When you go to de-occupied cities and villages, you try to bring a little hope and warmth. Because people have no electricity, gas, water, food and heat for a long time. And such a desire to bring it all, to bring the hope that is always in Christ Jesus. Which I believe is protecting our country.
 
Because it is impossible without God to confront such a Goliath and still receive victory day by day! But when you talk to people, you realize that you believe in them sometimes more than you expected. And they themselves can cheer and support you. Glory be to Jesus Christ!”

Please prayerfully consider donating to help Ukrainians by showing the Mercy, Compassion, Presence and Proclamation of Jesus Christ to those who are suffering and in need!
DONATE — UKRAINIAN RELIEF FUND

SELCU Pastor Sergey Bevz Reports on His Ministry Work in Ukraine

10/10/2022

 
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"We are grateful to you and everyone who continues to support Ukraine and those affected by the war. Your donations help people survive in this difficult time. It testifies to them about God and His care for them." Pastor Sergey Bevz

100% of Your Donations Continue to Support Ukrainians in Need

SELCU Pastors Serving Ukrainians

Since March 2022, Lutheran Church Charities has been working cooperatively with pastors of the Synod of Evangelical Lutheran Churches in Ukraine (SELCU) to provide humanitarian relief which combines the clear proclamation of the gospel.

SELCU Pastor Sergey Bevz sent the following update on his ministry work in Ukraine:
 
The last week has been very hectic. Several strong rocket strikes were carried out on our city. There are dead. There is serious damage. One of the blows came about 600-700 meters from the church building (it is in order). The hits were on residential areas of the city. The houses of some parishioners received minor damage (windows were broken).
 
The bus depot was close to us.
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We continue to maintain our rhythm in service. We are doing a few promotions every week. We continue to help the refugees of our city and local residents. We also make trips to de-occupied places. We visited the city of Izyum and the surrounding villages. The city of Izyum is the largest city liberated as a result of the Kharkiv offensive in September. We were among the first who arrived in this city after the liberation.
 
In the city called Kharkivska Bucha in our media, several large mass graves were found - more than 400 bodies. There are several more that specialists are currently working on. The destruction of this city is terrible. The city is destroyed by 70-80%. There is no electricity, gas, drinking water, communications, or the Internet. Some of the people we gave food to hugged us and cried. They rejoiced not in the products, but in the fact that they were glad to be free from the “Russian world.”
Next, we visited villages in the Izyum region. Visiting such small liberated villages is a priority for us. The fact is that many volunteers and churches go to those places that are well known. In the villages that are located in the depths, little or no help is brought, and that is why we go there.
 
In the near future, we expect a large wave of internal refugees. They will leave their homes because of the cold snap. Many towns and villages were left without gas and electricity. They will not be able to heat their houses.
Pastor Valera Verba is in Odessa now and next month. He is substituting for Pastor Oleg Shevchenko, who received permission to travel to Germany to visit his family. I also hope to get permission to visit Germany in a few weeks. If this happens, I will have the opportunity to see my family, visit and minister to our refugees, and collect humanitarian aid.
 
We pray and hope that the active phase of this war will end in the coming months. Over the past month, most of the Ukrainian lands have been liberated. We hope this will continue in the future. However, there is only escalation on the part of Russia, despite the heavy losses they are suffering.
 
We are grateful to you and everyone who continues to support Ukraine and those affected by the war. Your donations help people survive in this difficult time. In addition, it testifies to them about God and His care for them.

May the Lord be with you!
 
Pastor Sergey Bevz

Your Donations are Immediately Helping Ukrainians in Need!

DONATE — UKRAINIAN RELIEF FUND

After 207 Days Apart, SELCU Pastor Serving Ukrainians Reunites with His Family Before Returning to Odessa

10/4/2022

 

100% of Your Donations Continue to Support Ukrainians in Need

SELCU Pastors Serving Ukrainians

Since March 2022, Lutheran Church Charities has been working cooperatively with pastors of the Synod of Evangelical Lutheran Churches in Ukraine (SELCU) to provide humanitarian relief which combines the clear proclamation of the gospel.
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In spite of the tragedies inflicted upon Ukraine by Russia, there are some joys to report from the Synod of Evangelical Lutheran Churches in Ukraine (SELCU).
 
SELCU Pastor Oleg Schewtschenko, assigned to the congregation in Odessa, is currently in Marsberg, Germany, visiting his spouse Victoria and sons Nathaniel and Dominic. The family photo shows the reunited family. Although he holds a German passport and could have left Ukraine at the start of the conflict, he chose to remain in the country to assist the SELCU congregations and the Ukrainian people.
 
Pastor Schewtschenko writes: “207 days away from my boys; 207 days without hugs; 207 days of prayers: ‘Protect and let our father come to us.’ What a joy of reunion after [traveling] 2,605 km!”

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It was in March of this year that he bade farewell to his family at the Ukrainian-Romanian border. He has missed many family events in the intervening months. In August, on the occasion of his older son’s birthday, he wrote the following:
 
“Happy and Blessed Birthday, dear Nathanael Martin! Another happy and sad day. Joyful because today you are a whole five - and you are again a year older than your little brother. And it's sad because we're still far from each other. Nathanael, I fondly remember our trips. You really like to sit next to your dad, and you do not miss the opportunity to sit behind the wheel and even switch the speed, and you want to drive on the fifth gear very fast.
 
You have incredible attention and visual memory. I appreciate how attentively you listened to stories from your favorite books and especially from your favorite Children's Bible. You love the railway (ICE) so much; even your toy cars must all be lined up - like lights, one by one. Miss you so much, love and prayers. I'm so happy to hear that you pray every day for dad and ask God [that I] meet you. God hears every word!”
 
We rejoice with Pastor Schewtschenko as he spends some quality time in Germany, where his sons once again get to ride with their father, eat meals with him, and pray with him. Soon he will return to Odessa, Ukraine, to continue the important work there.

Your Donations are Immediately Helping Ukrainians in Need!

DONATE — UKRAINIAN RELIEF FUND

SELCU Pastors in Ukraine Continue to Serve Their People Faithfully and Tirelessly

9/27/2022

 
"I never stop thanking God for you, because through you the Lord richly blesses us, we have everything necessary to serve people, to the glory of God. We thank you for the fact that both in joy and in sorrow we are moving together for Christ. Thank you for supporting our ministry and helping us overcome all trials."
SELCU Pastor Valera Verba
SELCU Pastors Serving Ukrainians
Since March 2022, Lutheran Church Charities has been working cooperatively with pastors of the Synod of Evangelical Lutheran Churches in Ukraine (SELCU) to provide humanitarian relief which combines the clear proclamation of the gospel.
Pastor Valera Verba's Summary of His Missionary Work
Valera Verba is one of the pastors of the Synod of Evangelical Lutheran Churches in Ukraine (SELCU), whom Lutheran Church Charities has been assisting.
 
He was displaced from his ministry in the Nova Kahovka (Kherson) area of Ukraine and has since been assisting in the Odessa, Nikolaev, and Dnipro areas.
 
In the PDF document, he provides a lengthy summary of his story and ministry during the past seven months.
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CLICK HERE TO READ PASTOR VERBA'S REPORT

Your Donations are Immediately Helping Ukrainians in Need!

DONATE — UKRAINIAN RELIEF FUND

SELCU Pastors in Ukraine Continue to Serve Their People Faithfully and Tirelessly

9/20/2022

 

100% of Your Donations Continue to Support Ukrainians in Need

SELCU Pastors Serving Ukrainians

Since March 2022, Lutheran Church Charities has been working cooperatively with pastors of the Synod of Evangelical Lutheran Churches in Ukraine (SELCU) to provide humanitarian relief which combines the clear proclamation of the gospel.

It is estimated that since the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, more than half of Ukraine's 44 million populace has either left the country as refugees or become internally displaced persons within the country.
A New Van Helps Pastor Yura Timerkan Serve His Community in Bashtanka, Ukraine
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Congregations and pastors of the Selbständige Evangelisch-Lutherische Kirche (SELK), a partner church of the LCMS, have also been actively involved in supporting Ukrainian refugees and work in Ukraine.
 
The Bugenhagen Foundation in Berlin provided 30,000 Euros for the purchase of a VW van to assist SELCU Pastor Yura Timerkan in his parish and community work in Bashtanka, Ukraine. This past week, Pastor Timerkan completed a trip to Homberg, Germany, to fetch the van and visit his family, wife, four children, and his mother.
 
Pastor Christian Utpatel of the St. Peter Congregation in Homberg reported the following:

“I have no words to express my deep respect for this young brother, Yura Timerkan. He is not conscripted; he could have stayed here legally with his mother, wife, and children. But with great joy, bravery, realistic planning, a lot of trust in God, and encouragement for us who stayed behind, he left.
 
With him went three church members who were here somewhere in Germany and who are returning. And we stuffed all the empty seats and every conceivable crevice in the VW van - and actually managed to get everything in that needed to be taken with them.
 
There was a devotion with prayer and Ukrainian chants, and we all cried as I sobbed and laid my hands on him and commended him to the protection of our God.”

SELCU Pastor Sergey Bevz and Congregation Members Continue to Serve Their People
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In Dnipro, Ukraine, and farther east, SELCU Pastor Sergey Bevz and his congregation members continue to travel widely and provide both humanitarian aid and the gospel message to those whose cities are being ravaged by the Russian invasion.
 
His most recent report includes this story:
 
“The atmosphere in Izumi is hard to describe in words. Broken city; no light, gas, internet, communication, enough groceries, meds, and much more. There are traces of death, destroyed houses, and bridges. People have put up with it all.
 
As soon as we stopped downtown, one woman asked if we had a ‘humanitarian.’ She was upset and says she didn't get enough from those who came before us. Goes home empty-handed. In a minute, she holds in her hands some of God's blessings. Crying, hugs ‘us’ and says, ‘I'm so happy to see you; how would you know how much!’ Of course, ‘us’ means ‘our people.’”

Your Donations are Immediately Helping Ukrainians in Need!

Please prayerfully consider donating to help Ukrainians by showing the Mercy, Compassion, Presence and Proclamation of Jesus Christ to those who are suffering and in need!
 
Thank You for your support in being the hands and feet of Jesus to those suffering!
DONATE — UKRAINIAN RELIEF FUND

Russian Missile Strikes Near SELCU Church in Nikolaev

9/13/2022

 

100% of Your Donations Continue to Support Ukrainians in Need

SELCU Pastors Serving Ukrainians

Since March 2022, Lutheran Church Charities has been working cooperatively with pastors of the Synod of Evangelical Lutheran Churches in Ukraine (SELCU) to provide humanitarian relief which combines the clear proclamation of the gospel.

It is estimated that since the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, more than half of Ukraine's 44 million populace has either left the country as refugees or become internally displaced persons within the country.
Picture
At approximately 2:00 a.m. on Sunday morning, September 11, a Russian missile destroyed apartment homes in the city of Nikolaev that are located only about 100 meters from the church facility of the Synod of Evangelical Lutheran Churches in Ukraine. The church itself suffered minor damage.
 
The Rev. Aleksiy Navrotskyy is the pastor of the SELCU congregation in Nikolaev. He is a full-time missionary of the Lutheran Church-Canada serving in Ukraine who currently resides in Odessa but makes weekly visits to the besieged city of Nikolaev. The images of the destruction again demonstrate the ongoing needs of our brothers and sisters in Ukraine in the midst of a seemingly never-ending war.
 
The plan is for Pastors Navrotskyy and Oleg Schewtschenko, Pastor of the SELCU congregation in Odessa, to travel to Nikolaev as quickly as possible in order to assist the community.
 
Your prayers and financial support are appreciated.

Your Donations are Immediately Helping Ukrainians in Need!

DONATE — UKRAINIAN RELIEF FUND
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