![]() Thank you to everyone who donated luggage that will be used to take medical and other items needed for humanitarian aid to those in Ukraine. The Ukrainian church has individuals who will transport the supplies on LOT Polish Airlines which is allowing up to ten bags to be checked at no charge by people with a Ukrainian passport flying into Poland. The luggage will remain in Ukraine. We currently have enough luggage to make several trips. We will let you know when more donated luggage is needed. Lutheran Church Charities also presented Archpriest Mykhailo Kuzma with donations received to help the efforts back in Ukraine as there are still many needs. A trip to Ukraine will take place this week with the medical and other items needed. 100% of Your Donations Continue to Support Ukrainians in Need "I think this is what the Lord is calling His Church to do today – to serve the people.” Pastor Sergey Bevz SELCU Pastors Serving Ukrainians
Sergey Bevz (SELCU pastor) "Trips to places with the greatest need are trips to front-line villages. It's always exciting. We ask the Lord for wisdom, safety, and guidance. And it is with His leadership that miles of roads, food distribution, and the preaching of the Gospel is what gives hope! I think this is what the Lord is calling His Church to do today - to serve the people. Thank You, Lord, for all the blessings." 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! Financial Assistance Still Needed for Ukrainian Lutheran Pastor Diagnosed with Lung Cancer One of the pastors of the Synod of Evangelical Lutheran Churches in Ukraine (SELCU) was diagnosed with lung cancer. Surgery removed 1/3 of the right lung. It will be a long road to recovery. Medical health coverage in Ukraine will not even begin to cover the expected costs of the treatments.
Lutheran Church Charities is making a direct appeal on behalf of this SELCU Lutheran pastor and his family in an attempt to raise $5,000 for ongoing medical treatments and to provide support for the family. CLICK HERE to read the original appeal. This pastor has provided leadership to the SELCU for many years and has been doing so since the beginning of the Russian invasion. If you are so moved, please donate to help this pastor and his family during his recovery. You can help in the relief efforts by donating luggage (new or gently used) that will be used to take medical and other items needed for humanitarian aid to those in Ukraine. The Ukrainian church has individuals who will transport the supplies on LOT Polish Airlines which is allowing up to ten bags to be checked at no charge by people with a Ukrainian passport flying into Poland. The luggage will remain in Ukraine. LCC’s headquarters in Northbrook is going to be the point of collection. Please email LCC at LCC@LutheranChurchCharities.org or call John at (224) 373-0083 if you have luggage to donate and to coordinate drop-off times. Tim Hetzner, LCC President / CEO, Presents Your Donations to the Ukrainian Church – Palatine, Illinois From Saturday, June 11 to Sunday, June 12, the Ukrainian Church in Palatine held its annual Palatine Ukraine Festival, featuring two days filled with entertainment, music, and dance. Attendees enjoyed traditional Ukrainian food, and various Ukrainian gifts and crafts.
100% of Your Donations Continue to Support Ukrainians in Need "To all those involved in helping Ukraine, may the Lord richly bless you!” Pastor Oleg Schewtschenko SELCU Pastors Serving Ukrainians The humanitarian needs continue at an alarming rate in Ukraine. Even though the conflict does not occupy the focus of the American public media, it is very real for Ukrainians. Working through LCC staff member for Ukraine relief Rev. Larry Myers, the pastors and laity of the Synod of Evangelical Lutheran Churches in Ukraine (SELCU) continue to put forth outstanding efforts in proclaiming the truth of the Gospel while also caring for the physical needs of their brothers and sisters. Oleg Schewtschenko (SELCU pastor) “Many refugees left their homes without taking even the bare necessities with them. But now, in the conditions of war, it is practically impossible to fulfill one's own needs on one's own. Honestly, there is not enough money even for food, not to mention clothes and shoes. We thank and convey gratitude from the people who are in serious need today. To all those involved in helping Ukraine, may the Lord richly bless you!” Worship Service in the Village of Polyanetskoye
Worship service in the village of Polyanetskoye, located about 200 km (124 mi) north of Odessa, after which people could receive humanitarian aid and food packages. Many Ukrainians have become refugees by force. "Your support is greatly needed, and it is greatly appreciated!” |
“We continue to serve the refugees in our city. We keep the rhythm. Sixty to eighty family sets per day. The number of people is only getting bigger. We have now closed pre-registration for assistance for a while. We've got a list for a few weeks ahead. We don't want to get very far. Many people come without registering and calling. Their situation is such that they are ready to spend half a day just to find out why they cannot get through to us and sign up for a queue for help. |
The last week in our city is quite calm. Thanks be to God. But serious problems with fuel began. Filling up the car is almost impossible. Many gas stations do not work because they do not have fuel. You have to stand in line for several hours to buy 10-15 liters of fuel. We assumed that there would be problems with fuel and made a small reserve in advance. Now we are using it. The authorities promise to arrange deliveries within 10-15 days. But the price of fuel will rise even more.
We are all waiting for good news from the front. Our troops are beginning to push the enemy back in some directions. May mercy and peace be multiplied to you!”

Last week we packed 100 food bags for Nikolaev, but more than 150 people came to Nikolaev Lutheran church for food. People fought for bags; so, we made a list of those who didn't get the good bag last Saturday and promised to satisfy them next Saturday. We put Christian literature and calendars in each bag. Many of those people have lost jobs and depend on food provided by municipalities, charity organizations, and churches.

Last Friday, SELCU Bishop Alexander Yurchenko had surgery. After recovery, chemotherapy will be prescribed. I provided some financial assistance from Lutheran Church Charities donors for the bishop's treatment since we have no insurance medicine here in Ukraine yet.”

Rev. Valera Verba was in Odessa and will be driving back to Dnipro. We have already filled up his minivan with some stuff; tomorrow we will get sixty or so grocery bags to Pastor Timerkan (it is on the way to Dnipro). We will divide it among some of our congregation and this will be given to the people.
I am sorry that I am unable to get to you all the tears and smiles for the people who are getting this needed help right now. I think right now we are not only supporting the people of Ukraine; we are spreading the seeds of the word of Christ among the people. We are showing the people who leave near our congregations who God is, that He cares for the people, that His church is not a building but church is loving and caring! Thank you for being a big part of this work!
Another special thanks for Rev. Larry Meyers for visiting our wives and children in Germany! They really enjoyed the visit and were surprised and grateful for the unexpected gift they brought along!
SELCU Bishop Alexander Yurchenko is recovering from cancer surgery and is in much pain but he is already caring for the people at the hospital.
I am continuing to use the financial donations you sent to meet the following needs:
- Vehicles: lots of fuel, oil and filter change, small repairs. I drove already over 20,000km during this difficult time and paid for the fuel of other drivers who helped.
- Medical support: children and adults.
- Refugees: those who are leaving Ukraine and have no money for transportation, food, or other needed supplies.
- People who left their homes or apartments: housing was destroyed (3 families).
- People to move: traveling to the western part of Ukraine far away from the frontline.
- Groceries and hygiene supplies.
- Transportation: cost for people to take train or bus or cost for travel aid.
May the Lord be with you!
Your Donations are Immediately Helping Ukrainians in Need!
Thank You for your support in being the hands and feet of Jesus to those suffering!
ALL GLORY BE TO GOD!
Working through LCC staff member for Ukraine relief Rev. Larry Myers, below is an update on the work of the Synod of Evangelical Lutheran Churches in Ukraine (SELCU) pastors, thanking LCC donors for your financial support and prayers.
Sergiu Trifa (son of Rev. Sorin-Horia Trifa, Romania)
Sergiu Trifa, son of the Rev. Sorin-Horia Trifa of the Confessional Lutheran Church of Romania, continues to purchase and ship medical supplies to the pastors of the Synod of Evangelical Lutheran Churches in Ukraine (SELCU). Since the war in Ukraine began, he has literally been in a non-stop mode on behalf of the people of Ukraine.
“I was able to complete one more pallet of food today! Now, as soon as I catch transport, it will go to Pastor Oleg! It took me and a helper four hours to put it together from scratch. Another transport left and already arrived! I am so happy it went so smoothly with the border procedures! All the Glory be to God!”
SELCU Pastor Oleksiy Navrotskyy and colleagues delivered 100 boxes of food to his congregation’s community in Mikolaev. Fifty more boxes are prepared for delivery this week.
SELCU Pastor Valera Verba assists fellow pastors in delivering humanitarian relief in the Savran area outside Odessa.
SELCU Pastors Smokvin and Kostyuk lead an outdoor worship service in the Savran area outside Odessa.

SELCU Bishop Alexander Yurchenko underwent exploratory lung surgery last week. His daughter reports:
“The operation is finished; transferred to Intensive Care Unit (ICU). The express test confirmed cancer. Now we wait for the histology, and the doctors will continue to figure out how to treat. Now time for surgery recovery. Keep the prayers coming!!! Thank you for supporting us.”
Christian brothers and sisters in North America join their Ukrainian brothers and sisters in praying for Bishop Yurchenko.
Even in the best of times, challenges occur. An electrical shortage caused a fire in one of the SELCU vans used to deliver humanitarian relief. Fortunately, no one was hurt, nor was the cargo damaged. They hope to find a good specialist who can repair the van for its continued use in serving God and people.
Your Donations are Immediately Helping Ukrainians in Need!
Thank You for your support in being the hands and feet of Jesus to those suffering!
100% of Your Donations Continue to Support Ukrainians in Need
Working through LCC staff member for Ukraine relief Rev. Larry Myers, below is an update on the work of the Synod of Evangelical Lutheran Churches in Ukraine (SELCU) pastors, thanking LCC donors for your financial support and prayers.
Rev. Larry Myers is currently in Germany on vacation. However, his vacation has become an effort to reach out to Ukrainian refugee pastor families of the Synod of Evangelical Lutheran Churches in Ukraine (SELCU).
On Mother’s Day, he and his son Christoph hosted a Mother’s Day Dinner in Marsberg, Germany, for the families of four SELCU pastors: Bevz, Navrotskyy, Schewtschewko, and Verba. He also presented a financial gift from LCC donors to assist them with monthly expenses. Myers and his son attended a Russian-language Ukrainian Lutheran worship service on the same evening.
On Monday, May 9, Rev. Larry Myers and his son Christoph visited the Ukrainian refugee family of SELCU Pastor Yura Timerkan, who has been a student of Myers at the Lutheran seminary in Odessa. Myers was able to visit the pastor’s wife, Katerina, and the four children together with Pastor Timerkan’s mother, his young sister, and his sister-in-law. He also presented the family members with financial gifts from LCC donors to assist them with monthly expenses. |
Sergiu Trifa (son of Rev. Sorin-Horia Trifa, Romania)

“Right now, I am preparing a large transport for the week that is coming. I talked with Pastor Oleg when he brought me two groups of people from his Church several days ago, and he told me that I was able to satisfy all the medical needs they have to this moment. Right now, my emphasis remains only on supplying them with food. It seems like the next couple of transports will be only food.”
Your Donations are Immediately Helping Ukrainians in Need!
Thank You for your support in being the hands and feet of Jesus to those suffering!
"Many people no longer have the money to buy groceries. Therefore, they are ready to stand in line all day to get some groceries.” Pastor Sergey Bevz
100% of Your Donations Will Support Ukrainians in Need
Working through LCC staff member Rev. Larry Myers, below is an update from the Synod of Evangelical Lutheran Churches in Ukraine (SELCU) pastors, thanking LCC donors for your financial support and prayers.
We continue to receive detailed updates from SELCU pastors sharing how your donations are critical to helping them serve the physical and spiritual needs of those they serve.
Yura Timerkan (SELCU pastor)
Pastor Timerkan wrote the following update to the Rev. Dr. Wilhelm Torgerson, a Lutheran Church-Canada pastor currently serving at First Lutheran Church and Christian Academy in Windsor, Ontario, and formerly Rector of Concordia Seminary, in the suburbs of Odessa, Ukraine:
“My city (Bashtanka) suffered a lot by occupying forces. One of the last objects is our hospital; it was destroyed by a missile. Russians are trying to break into our region again. They were not very successful until this day, but we understand that any day they will come because they brought together a very large group in our direction.
We still have worship services. People need it, and I will continue to serve here as long as it would be possible.

The biggest problem is medicine. I spent more than 2,000 USD on the purchase of medicine which is absolutely unavailable for people in our region. Also, I will try to buy gas in cylinders for people in Zelenyi Yar next week, because people already have no opportunity to prepare their food. Gas filling stations [are] not working in our region. Also, two refugees live in my house. I continue to serve people as I can.
Please say thanks to all people who [are] constantly praying for us. We really need this support. Blessings to you. I thank God for you every day. I believe that He will give me a chance to see you again."
Oleg Schewtschenko (SELCU pastor)
SELCU Pastor Oleg Schewtschenko delivers an iCare package to a woman in Odessa. He writes:
“’You give them something to eat,’ said Jesus Christ to the disciples, and therefore to us of His church.”

In some refugee centers, they gave [out] our number and said that they could get food packages from us. Now we cannot cope with the number of calls. When there were not enough places to stay overnight, the maximum number of calls per day was about 450. It is even difficult to count how many now. It is physically impossible to answer even 30% of calls.
We are currently accepting people by appointment only. On Monday-Tuesday we had an appointment until Friday. We also try to distribute people at different times so that there are no queues. Many people, having experience of getting groceries in other centers, ask if they should stand in line at 5 a.m.

It is clear that people are different. There are unpleasant stories with cunning and deceit. We try to be wise and respond. But there are many good stories, good people.
But I will return to the number 147. It's not just about persistence. I think it's about the need people are in. Yes, this is a record in my call log. But this is an indication…the situation is not getting better. Please pray for people.”
On behalf of LCC, Jim Dunne and Pat Sweeney presented additional donations to Archpriest Mykhailo Kuzma of the Ukrainian Church in Palatine, Illinois, to continue direct and immediate financial assistance to their contacts in Ukraine.
Dr. Lazzari received the medical supplies from Blessings International, Medicines for Missions and then delivered them to the church. Archpriest Kuzman has made arrangements to get the medical supplies and your donations into Ukraine to directly help those affected by the war.
Thank you for your faithful and generous support.
Your Donations are Immediately Helping Ukrainians in Need!
Thank You for your support in being the hands and feet of Jesus to those suffering!
White Sox honor retired Bloomingdale nurse who traveled to Slovakia to serve Ukrainian refugees LCC International Missions - Ukraine Assistance (Friday, April 29, 2022 – Daily Herald/Eileen O. Daday) CLICK HERE to read the article |
Donate to Continue to Help Purchase Food, Medicine and Critical Supplies
"Thanks be to God for all His wonderful blessings!” Sergiu Trifa
100% of Your Donations Will Support Ukrainians in Need
Working through LCC staff member Rev. Larry Myers, below is an update from the Synod of Evangelical Lutheran Churches in Ukraine (SELCU) pastors, thanking LCC donors for your financial support and prayers.
We continue to receive detailed updates from SELCU pastors sharing how your donations are critical to helping them serve the physical and spiritual needs of those they serve.
Oleksiy Navrotskyy (SELCU pastor)
SELCU Pastor Oleksiy Navrotskyy made the dangerous trip from Odessa to Mykolaiv to be with his congregation there during the last days of Holy Week and for the celebration of Easter. He reports the following:

We celebrated Easter according to the Eastern Christian calendar. So last Thursday, we had Service with Communion in [our] Mykolaiv church basement. On Friday, we had Good Friday Service; on Saturday we distributed 100 food bags to the people of the church area, and on Sunday we had a great Easter celebration at Mykolaiv church. Most of the congregation has evacuated abroad, but many new people started coming to church services since the war began. God is good. On [Easter] Sunday we had sixteen newcomers.” |
Sergiu Trifa (kneeling) is the son of the Rev. Sorin-Horia Trifa, pastor of the Confessional Lutheran Church of Romania. Sergiu lives in Bucharest and is coordinating the purchasing and shipping of items to SELCU pastors in Ukraine on behalf of Lutheran Church Charities. The pastors let him know what is needed, and he makes the arrangements.
“The first transportation arrived yesterday evening [April 20]! It was the fastest one we could get there! On the other hand, at the warehouse of my friend, we have already over two pallets full of food, medical supplies, bed sheets, backpacks, and other clothes. They left on Monday/Tuesday to Odessa to go to Pastor Oleg. Things started moving really fast and nicely! We continue gathering things, and orders are placed!” |
SELCU Bishop Alexander Yurchenko and Odessa Pastor Oleg Schewtschenko sort medical supplies for assembling first aid kits.
The chapel of the Mission Center of the (Synod of Evangelical Lutheran Churches in Ukraine) is also used as a sorting and assembling area for humanitarian relief supplies. The Mission Center is the seminary of the SELCU, but today most of the building is being used as a center for housing refugees (en route to other countries) and for distributing relief items. The building can house and provide food for up to 25-30 people on a daily basis.
Thank You for your support in being the hands and feet of Jesus to those suffering!
Donate to Continue to Help Purchase Food and Medicine
"As a Church of Christ, we have a great opportunity to serve the people and to share the Good News about Our Savior in such a darkest and difficult time.” Pastor Sergey Bevz
100% of Your Donations Will Support Ukrainians in Need
LCC volunteers Kathy and Joan served Ukrainians for two weeks with Pastor Scott Yount and his wife Lena (from Ukraine) at the Ukraine Mission Center. They also went to the Ukrainian border twice during their stay to hand out food and travel packs as refugees take a break before going to their next destination. They had many opportunities to be a comforting presence as they listened to the hardships, fears, and uncertainties of those they met.
Kathy and Joan share how your donations are helping Ukrainians in need in the video below.
LCC continues to support Pastor Scott Yount and his wife Lena who are helping refugees from Ukraine. Pastor Scott and Lena are personal friends with Pastor Donald Antor from Immanuel Church in Palatine. LCC staff member, Tim Laabs, presented more of your donations on Easter weekend to Pastor Antor who will send them to Pastor Yount to help refugees in need. |
Working through LCC staff member Rev. Larry Myers, below is an update from the Synod of Evangelical Lutheran Churches in Ukraine (SELCU) pastors, thanking LCC donors for your financial support and prayers.
Click on the video below to watch a powerful message from SELCU Pastor Oleksiy Navrotskyy called “On Humanitarian Mission in Ukraine”
“We do all possible and use all our resources to respond to the situation and to host and support the people. Our church building, which is not even fully restored after a winter roof collapse (2019), has become a 24-hour hub for refugees. People can stay here for 1-3 days. They are able to eat and sleep, to do their laundry, and get medicine here. We use every meter of our church space, including an unfinished (unrepaired) sanctuary and second floor. Our church hosted more than 200 people. Now, we have up to 25 people daily. I receive 200-300 phone calls daily from those who search for a shelter. Our little church team consists of church members (who sent their families abroad) and volunteers living nearby.
We are grateful to you, dear friends, that you are also participating in this ministry. Your support allows us to continue to help the many people who have been affected by the war, left or lost their homes. By receiving this help now, they are also receiving evidence of God's love for them. They see and hear the gospel through the way the Church of Christ serves them and shares the message of Christ.”
CLICK HERE to read the full update from Pastor Sergey Bevz.
"Together with the pastors and some brothers of our synod, we took on the service of volunteers and work with refugees. We provide humanitarian aid, and food is transported to different needy regions of the country. Women and children are taken out of dangerous places of warfare. We organize transit points and escort of refugees to the border and to some extent abroad.
My pastoral heart worries about the people of the Nova Kakhovka community. The situation in Nova Kakhovka is not simple: lack of food, lack of necessary medicines, constant danger from the occupying troops, disconnection of communications and the Internet, lack of work and money. We pray intensely for the safety of the lives of people in the occupied territories. With the funds that the Lord blesses through you, we support those in need, transferring parts to their bank cards so that they can purchase the goods necessary for survival. The Lord is with us here and with them there, and blesses and preserves all who fully trust Him.
I thank God for each of you who in this difficult time for us in every way participates and supports us and, through us, many people whom we can serve today. The Lord in this situation uses each of us in His place for the glory of God. I ask you to continue to pray for peace in Ukraine, for communities and ministers, for safety and protection from all kinds of evil. We bless all readers in the name of Jesus Christ.”
CLICK HERE to read the full update from Pastor Valera Verba.
On behalf of LCC, Pat Sweeney presented additional donations to Archpriest Mykhailo Kuzma of the Ukrainian Church in Palatine, Illinois, to continue direct and immediate financial assistance to their contacts in Ukraine.
Your Donations are Immediately Helping Ukrainians in Need!
Thank You for your support in being the hands and feet of Jesus to those suffering!
Categories
All
"22"
Alabama
All
Boulder
Cal Fire
California
California Wildfires
Colorado
Crisis Response
Crosses For Losses
Dayton
Disaster Response
Displaced Children
El Paso
Ethiopia
Families In Need
Florida
Ghana
Haiti
Hearts Of Mercy & Compassion
Hurricane Florence
Hurricane Harvey
Hurricane Ida
Hurricane Irma
Hurricane Maria
Hurricane Michael
IL Flooding
Illinois Tornadoes
International Missions
In The News
Israel
Jefferson City
Job Openings
K-9 Comfort Dogs
K-9 Court System - Ezra
K-9 Police Ministry
K-9 Travel Expenses
Kansas
Kare 9 Military Ministry
Kentucky
Kind Words For HMC
Kind Words For K9s
Kind Words For LCC
Kind Words For LCC Disaster Response
Las Vegas
LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs
LERT
LERT Mercy In Action
Linwood
Madison
Maryland Great Falls
Military-ministry
Milwaukee
Ministries In Need
Ministry Resources
Mississippi
Missouri
Molson Coors
Myanmar Scholarship
Nebraska Flooding
NE Flooding
Ohio
Parkland
Prospect Heights Fire
Recommended Reading
Santa Fe
Scrub Buckets
Special Appeals
STEM School
Sudan
Sutherland Springs
Taylorville
Texas
Thank You From LCC
Thousand Oaks
Tornadoes In Tennessee
Ukraine
Uvalde
Watseka
WI Flooding
Wisconsin
Your Donations Make A Difference
Archives
June 2022
May 2022
April 2022
March 2022
February 2022
January 2022
December 2021
November 2021
October 2021
September 2021
August 2021
July 2021
June 2021
May 2021
April 2021
March 2021
February 2021
January 2021
December 2020
November 2020
October 2020
September 2020
August 2020
July 2020
June 2020
May 2020
April 2020
March 2020
February 2020
January 2020
December 2019
November 2019
October 2019
September 2019
August 2019
July 2019
June 2019
May 2019
April 2019
March 2019
February 2019
January 2019
December 2018
November 2018
October 2018
September 2018
August 2018
July 2018
June 2018
May 2018
April 2018
March 2018
February 2018
January 2018
December 2017
November 2017
October 2017
September 2017
August 2017