LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry was requested to be there for the students and staff at Slinger Middle School in Slinger, Wisconsin, on Monday after the loss of Evan, an 8th-grade student. The school family at Slinger Middle School is mourning Evan’s sudden loss and needs the support of the LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs and their handlers. LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs Charity (Brookfield - Brookfield, Wisconsin), Hagar (Faith Lutheran - Appleton, Wisconsin), Mary (St. Paul's - Janesville, Wisconsin), Rhoda (Prince of Peace - Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin), and Samaria (Shepherd of the Hills - Greenville, Wisconsin) were there, offering comfort and warm cuddles to the students and staff as the handlers listened with love and compassion. The LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry team walked alongside them in their grief. Near the end of the visit, a small group of kids from the special education class spent time with the Comfort Dogs and handlers. One young man was in a state of pure joy with LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Samaria! His speech was impaired, yet he tried to say “Samaria” as it meant so much to him to say her name. He got close as he struggled with the pronunciation; it was a beautiful moment! Another boy from the class came by twice and got so close but then just couldn’t touch Samaria. His teacher said he has never been able to touch a dog. The third time he came around to see her, he could touch Samaria on the head. The team loved how both these boys worked so hard to face their own challenges, and with love, patience, and support, they did! Those two boys made a memorable and emotional impact on Samaria’s team. “For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.” (2 Timothy 1:7) Last weekend was busy as new handlers spent long days training and learning more about the LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry. Each handler worked with either their affiliate’s dog or an LCC K-9 Comfort Dog in training. LCC was blessed to have affiliates from Las Vegas, Nevada; Mequon, Wisconsin; Toledo, Ohio; Williamsburg, Virginia; and Oviedo, Florida, represented at the Replacement Handler training last weekend. LCC is happy to welcome these outstanding individuals who have been called to go out and serve their home communities to share the mercy, compassion, presence, and proclamation of Jesus Christ to those in need. LCC welcomes the following new handlers to the LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry: Heidi Albrecht - King of Glory, Williamsburg, Virginia, with LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Solomon Cheri Baker - Good Shepherd, Las Vegas, Nevada, with LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Lois Abigail Bekx - Concordia University, Mequon, Wisconsin, with LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Sage Charles Fahncke - Trinity Toledo, Ohio, with LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Lazarus Chandra Lillemoen - St. Luke's, Oviedo, Florida, with LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Moriah Andrew Santibanez - Faith Community, Las Vegas, Nevada, with LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Salome Lutheran Church Charities is honored to welcome United States Navy veteran Chuck Fahncke and United States Air Force veteran Heidi Albrecht to the LCC Kare-9 Military Ministry.
Thank You to All Our Volunteers for Being the Heart and Soul of LCC's Hearts of Mercy & Compassion4/16/2024
April is National Volunteer Month. LCC Hearts of Mercy & Compassion staff work alongside volunteers daily. We’d like to recognize and thank those exceptional people who act in Christ’s name for this ministry. Volunteers are involved in many steps while crafting our Hearts and Crosses. For the hearts, a manufacturing volunteer utilizes a CNC water jet machine to cut the hearts to precise specifications. Then, many more volunteers sand and paint the hearts. For the crosses, the boards are painted, then cut, then painted again before the hardware is added to complete the construction. Because of our volunteers, we can keep our costs low and our production high so that we can respond to more events nationwide to bring God’s love to all. Jesus said, “My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.” (John 15:12) Each heart and cross shows the love of a community that is present in times of need and the love of Jesus, which is eternal. Our affiliate churches are also always working to be ready to respond nationwide with crosses. Pictured are volunteers at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Janesville, Wisconsin, who recently built 13 crosses to be prepared for a national deployment! These five volunteers worked as a team to finish the crosses this past weekend. Their enthusiasm is evident in their commitment to this ministry. Thank you, St. Paul's! We are looking for churches who want to take part in this extraordinary outreach opportunity by partnering with LCC as an HMC affiliate. Your church is invited to become an affiliate today and see the impact LCC's Hearts of Mercy & Compassion Ministry can make in your community! At LCC, we believe in spreading the love and hope of Jesus through our Hearts of Mercy & Compassion (HMC) Ministry. HMCs can be given to celebrate a victory, honor service, or simply as an expression of love or encouragement. Last year, 730 Hearts of Mercy & Compassion were gifted by LCC staff and our affiliate churches. These hearts were given for a variety of reasons – celebration, gratitude, encouragement, and comfort. As an affiliate of LCC's HMC Ministry, you would be able to bring hope and love to your community. Whether you're looking to provide comfort to those in need or simply spread the message of Jesus through a tangible gift, our HMC Ministry is the perfect way to make a difference. Join us in spreading the love and hope of Jesus through the Hearts of Mercy & Compassion Ministry. Become an affiliate today and see the impact it can make in your community.
Lutheran Church Charities now has 17 Hearts of Mercy & Compassion affiliates in 14 states. Click here to see the map. For more information about HMC, visit www.heartsmc.org. LCC received a request from Pastor Jay Reed of Light of the Valley Church, Elk Grove, California (pictured with his wife, Shannon), for financial support for an Air Force veteran and teacher. An Air Force veteran and classroom teacher who is suffering from the effects of acute long COVID-19 has not been able to return to teaching due to respiratory problems and fatigue. The VA is representing her for disability with social security, but that has become a lengthy process. She needs funds to help her with car payments and some other basic expenses. Her shortfall is roughly $600 per month. Light of the Valley Church is coming alongside with some financial help as well as trying to help her get connected to more resources in our community. Thank you for your consideration! Pastor Jay Reed Light of the Valley Church Elk Grove, California Please prayerfully consider donating to help. Any contributions would be greatly appreciated and would go a long way in easing the burden. Let's come together to support this veteran and teacher, who has given so much to others.
Lutheran Church Charities is always recruiting new volunteers to help train these amazing animals. If you are interested in joining us on this mission, please contact LCC at k9trainers@LutheranChurchCharities.org or click here for further information.
We are incredibly grateful to Naperville Running Company for their generous donation of 58 pairs of shoes, which will make a significant impact on foot care for homeless individuals. Proper footwear is crucial for those with health issues like diabetes, providing protection from injuries and reducing the risk of infections. These essential shoes will be distributed at the free foot clinic located at First St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Chicago, Illinois, ensuring that those in need receive the care and support they deserve. Earlier this year, Sharon contacted LCC asking for assistance finding a set of bunk beds and kitchen stools that she needed for her apartment as she prepared to become a foster parent to teenagers aging out of foster care. Working through Immanuel Lutheran Church in Palatine, Illinois, and many gracious donors, LCC met Sharon's needs. This past week, Sharon received word that she has been approved as a foster parent and can expect a teen in the near future. Foster parenting is a very rewarding and fulfilling calling but it can be challenging and stressful. Being a single parent is always difficult. Being a single foster parent comes with some extra challenges. In faith, we know that our loving Lord always equips those He calls to do His work. Please keep Sharon and other single parents in your prayers. Pray that God surrounds them with people who encourage and support them in their calling. Pray that He guides and strengthens them, filling each new day with hope. Listen to what God says about children Psalm 68:5, Deuteronomy 10:18, Deuteronomy 10:14, James 1:27. As you consider how God may be calling you and your Church to care for orphaned children, take heart. "He who calls "you is faithful; he will surely do it." (1 Thessalonians 5:24) Click here to read Sharon's full story. |
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