 Donations Requested to Share the Hope of Jesus Christ  Lutheran Church Charities does not charge those we serve for the Hearts of Mercy and Compassion, Crosses for Losses (HMC) Ministry. We provide hearts and crosses to families and friends who have suffered loss or serious illness of a loved one. We rely solely on donations to cover the cost of materials and mailing to get them where they are needed the most. The Living Visitation of Greg Zanis Lutheran Church Charities President & CEO Tim Hetzner was joined by LCC Staff Rich Martin and Tim Laabs as they attended the living visitation of Greg Zanis on Friday, May 1. Hearts of Mercy & Compassion, Crosses for Losses lined the long driveway as 400 vehicles proceeded in front of the Zanis home in Aurora, Illinois. As visitors passed by his porch, they saw Greg in a wheelchair with his wife Susan and children nearby. People came from near and far to pay tribute and lift up their prayers for Greg. Families from as far as Las Vegas, Nevada, came as well as other Chicago area families who lost loved ones. Greg made a tremendous impact on thousands of people, each sharing the story of the day he came into their lives.
Greg was called home to his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Monday, May 4. He will forever be remembered as “the cross man.” He felt it was his calling to be there in times of tragedy, making and delivering over 27,000 crosses in 23 years.
Since January 1, 2020, when Greg turned over Crosses for Losses to LCC – the Hearts of Mercy & Compassion, Crosses for Losses Ministry continues to serve others every day. Here are some of the ways we are present when people need us the most: A Heart for Hospice On Friday morning, May 1, a mercy heart was delivered to Fran and Dick Tatina in Countryside, Illinois. Fran provided the heart to her sister’s family in Chicago, Illinois, where her sister Geri was in home hospice. Fran tells us that her husband Dick has been of great spiritual support to her sister with daily calls and prayers. Geri passed away the morning of Tuesday, May 2, and that the family was greatly moved when they received the mercy heart. We lift up in prayer Geri and the Wasik family in their time of need. Remembering Officer Katie Thyne Killed in the Line of Duty Earlier this year, Officer Katie Thyne, Newport News Police Department in Newport News, Virginia, was killed in the line of duty in the process of conducting a traffic stop in January. Sgt. Alison Funaiock requested a heart and cross in her honor for her family and friend Brittany Cummings, who is currently training a K-9 for the Newport News Police Department. On Saturday, May 2, LCC K-9 Police Ministry law enforcement handlers, Officers Gary and Beth Cummings, with Police Ministry Dog Amos of Our Savior’s Way – Ashburn, Virginia, presented a Thin Blue Line mercy heart and cross to Sgt. Funaiock and Brittany. Brittany will be bringing the heart and cross to Officer Thyne’s family who lives out-of-state.
Melrose Park Police Officer Joseph Capello LCC volunteer Alan Stoeckel, retired Palatine Police Chief, presented a Thin Blue Line mercy heart to the teammates of Officer Joseph Capello of the Melrose Park Police Department who passed from COVID-19. Over 100 squad cars from all over lined the street for Officer Capello’s procession. LCC lifts up Officer Capello’s family and teammates in this most difficult time, and all of our first responders who serve and protect their community every day.
CLICK HERE to read all the ways the Hearts of Mercy & Compassion, Crosses for Losses Ministry has served this year. Your Donations Make a Difference in Sharing the Hope of Jesus Christ Our hearts are made of the highest quality wood and produced with caring Christian hands. Material production and shipping costs for hearts are approximately $30 each. We need your help in sharing the mercy, compassion, presence, and proclamation of Jesus Christ to those who are suffering and in need. Help Us Reach Out with Hearts of Mercy & Compassion Are you interested in having LCC provide a Heart of Mercy & Compassion for a loved one? There is no charge for the hearts. The hearts are made by caring Christian hands and provided with presence and prayer. Is your church interested in becoming a mission partner? CLICK HERE to request information.
Click HERE to learn more about the Hearts of Mercy & Compassion, Crosses for Losses Ministry. Comments are closed.
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