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.

"I think this is what the Lord is calling His Church to do today – to serve the people.” Pastor Sergey Bevz

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!

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.

"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.

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.

Approximately one month ago, 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, and follow-up treatment is still being decided. 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. Also, family members have already chosen to lose employment income in order to provide care of various kinds. The congregations and members of the SELCU have provided some support; however, the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine limits that support.
 
The pastor does not want any attention, nor does he want humanitarian relief to be diverted away from other Ukrainian needs and directed instead to himself and his family. Likewise, Lutheran Church Charities does not wish to divert monies from its humanitarian relief efforts through the other SELCU pastors in the country.
 
On the other hand, Lutheran Church Charities wishes to be of assistance. When one member of the Body of Christ suffers, all suffer together. ( 1 Corinthians 12:26) Therefore, 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 in order to finance ongoing medical treatments and to provide support for the family. The distribution of the funds will be monitored by one of the other SELCU pastors in Odessa.
 
This pastor has provided leadership to the SELCU for many years and has been doing so since the beginning of the Russian invasion. He even provided ministry to those in the hospital with him. Now is the opportunity for Christian brothers and sisters from other nations and churches to render assistance.

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.

Sergiu Trifa (son of Rev. Sorin-Horia Trifa, Romania)

With the assistance of Sergiu Trifa, a Romanian Lutheran, the SELCU pastors in Odessa last week received a large shipment of food supplies. The driver and shipment had to wait for four days at the Romania-Ukraine border before being admitted into the country. Pastor Oleg Schewtschenko and the laity unloaded the supplies at the SELCU seminary outside Odessa. The humanitarian supplies have already been delivered throughout the Odessa region.

Sergey Bevz (SELCU pastor)
 
"Food parcels and bread were delivered from Valera Verba to three villages in the frontline zone. As always, thanks to everyone involved!"

“We are helping different kinds of people. Not all of this assistance was purchased with the money of Lutheran Church Charities, however, all of the costs to transport the food are covered only by LCC donations. During this time when diesel costs somewhere 2.0-2.5 USD, it is very important to have money for fueling.
 
A lot of people in villages still cannot afford to acquire the necessary goods and medicine. And this fund makes some of this need possible.
 
People are very thankful to have help from the Church, but their dream is back to peacetime.
As a pastor, I can see that this help is not only covering of material needs today. It is also an investment in making stony hearts of people into hearts of flesh.
 
Thank you for continuing to care and help for Ukrainians. In God, we are strong. Blessings to you!”

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!

LCC received a request from Pastor Doug Warmann of Trinity Lutheran Church in Roselle, Illinois, for a full-size bed for two sisters who came in from Ukraine in April. The sisters have jobs and permanent housing and are in the process of getting the immigration paperwork started through their sponsor.
 
The only need they have left is to find a full-size bed with a mattress, box spring, and linens to make this once empty apartment their new home.
 
If you have a bed you would like to make available, please call John at Lutheran Church Charities at 224-373-0083.

SELCU Pastors Serving Ukrainians
 
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.

Now we also see that some refugees have started attending Sunday services. Now we have seven refugees with whom we have started the confirmation class.
 
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!”

Also, my church elders Gennady and Vladimir deliver and distribute drinking water to people who live near our church. Every second day a long line of people with bottles and buckets wait for water near church gates. Such humanitarian work of the church brings a great benefit to the Gospel. Last Sunday I had only eight church members at church (many of our church members were evacuated to Poland and Germany), but I had twenty-one new visitors at church! They listen to the sermon very carefully and learned how to sing our hymns. They are funny and clumsy like newborn children; remember them in your prayers.
 
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.”

“I have received the first shipment of the groceries from Romania about 160 kg of rice, lots of spaghetti, and some canned meat. I think and am sure some more will come soon. Thank you for being part of it.
 
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!

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!

SELCU Pastors Serving Ukrainians
 
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!”

Oleksiy Navrotskyy (SELCU pastor)

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.

Valera Verba (SELCU pastor)

SELCU Pastor Valera Verba assists fellow pastors in delivering humanitarian relief in the Savran area outside Odessa.

Pastors Smokvin and Kostyuk (SELCU pastors)

SELCU Pastors Smokvin and Kostyuk lead an outdoor worship service in the Savran area outside Odessa.

Bishop Alexander Yurchenko (SELCU)

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.

SELCU Van Fire

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.

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!

SELCU Pastors Serving Ukrainians
 
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.

Christoph, who was born in Germany and celebrated his 40th birthday on May 8, reported that it was the best birthday he could remember. Service above self, for the sake of Christ, is indeed motivational and uplifting.

The family is being sponsored by SELK Pastor Christian Utpatel and St. Peter Lutheran Church in Homberg, Germany. The SELK (Selbststädige Evangelisch-Lutherische Kirche) is the German partner church of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod.

Sergiu Marius Trifa, son of the Rev. Sorin-Horia Trifa of the Confessional Lutheran Church of Romania, continues to purchase and ship medical supplies on behalf of the pastors of the Synod of Evangelical Lutheran Churches in Ukraine (SELCU).
 
“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.”

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!

SELCU Pastors Serving Ukrainians

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.

Most difficult thing is that we live like on a powder keg. You never know when it will explode. But every day, Ukraine loses more and more territories, and we (pastors) have more and more mothers who lost their sons, wives who lost their husbands, and children who lost their fathers. This situation [is] destroying me from the inside sometimes. Thanks [be to] Jesus! He always helps me to recover.
 
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.”

“This person [147 attempts] set the record for calling to make an appointment for a food parcel.
 
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.

The situation itself is as follows: Many people no longer have the money to buy groceries. Therefore, they are ready to stand in line all day to get some groceries. In our city, many volunteer centers and churches that help with food are forced to cut the content of the food package. They see the number of people and their limitations, so they make this unpleasant decision.
 
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.”

Ukrainian Church – Palatine, Illinois
 
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.

On Friday, April 29, LCC staff member John Pejchl and LCC Volunteers Jim Dunne and Dr. Peter Lazzari met Archpriest Kuzman at the Ukrainian Church in Palatine. They delivered another check of your donations as well as a shipment of medical supplies.
 
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.

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!

SELCU Pastors Serving Ukrainians

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:

Sergiu Trifa (son of Rev. Sorin-Horia Trifa, Romania)
 
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.

SELCU Pastor Oleg Schewtschenko helps unload the first shipment sent by bus of much-needed items from LCC’s coordinator, Sergiu Trifa, in Romania. The main bridge to Odessa has been blocked and bombed so that was a difficult morning, but they crossed over, and everything moved forward.

Oleg Schewtschenko (SELCU pastor)

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.

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!

LCC Volunteers Share Time Abroad Serving Ukrainians

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.

SELCU Pastors Serving Ukrainians

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.

This week, we received detailed updates from SELCU pastors sharing how your donations are critical to helping them serve the physical and spiritual needs of those they serve.
 
Click on the video below to watch a powerful message from SELCU Pastor Oleksiy Navrotskyy called “On Humanitarian Mission in Ukraine”

Sergey Bevz (SELCU pastor in Dnipro)

“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.

Valera Verba (SELCU pastor in Nova Kakhovka, near Kherson)

"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.

Ukrainian Church – Palatine, Illinois
 
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.

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!