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UPDATED: March 3, 2021 254 Texas Counties Impacted 1 Million Texans Still on Boil Water Orders  Lutheran Church Charities continues to work with Lutheran Church Missouri Synod (LCMS), Texas District President Rev. Michael Newman, Julie Tucker, Texas District Disaster Response Coordinator, and Dr. Bill Hinz, Director of School Ministry, Texas District with their recovery efforts from the Texas Winter Storm. Thanks to the generosity of our donors, Lutheran Church Charities was able to send funds for immediate needs to the Texas District to assist the churches, pastors, church workers, lay staff, and congregation members with significant structural damage and loss of belongings due to burst pipes. Texas District President Rev. Michael Newman sent his appreciation to Tim Hetzner, President/CEO, “Thank you so much for navigating obstacles and blessing our relief work in Texas. Lutheran Church Charities is bringing Jesus’ love and hope to many!” Your Donations Helped a Preschool Director One of the affected church worker families is from Memorial Lutheran Church in Katy, Texas, home of LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Damaris. The preschool director’s husband’s small business had a major pipe burst that flooded his office, caved in the ceiling, ruined office computers, equipment, and furniture. This is on top of health and business struggles due to COVID-19.
Senior Pastor John Davis thanks Lutheran Church Charities for providing financial assistance for this family to begin their recovery process. He stated, “Thank you so much for the generosity of LCC and for the larger LCC community. This is such a blessing for this family, as their trials and stresses have been great. To release this financial concern and even more, to give them a larger picture of how much they are loved and supported, is truly a gift from God!”  The family wrote a note of thanks to LCC stating, “The water mitigation specialist from ServPro estimated that the water was pouring into the office from the busted pipes in the ceiling for approximately 4 hours before we arrived. In my shock, I could only think to text our Memorial pastor, who I knew had dealt with flooding before. I was standing in several inches of water, asking Pastor, “What do I do first?” I was hoping for some guidance… and, as He always does, God provided more. Memorial staff and friends showed up to help, relieved some stress, and made it feel more manageable. Then we were blessed to have LCC become part of this team of care and compassion. We are so grateful!” Northern Illinois District to Fill a Truck with Requested Food for Texas Please Let Your Congregations Know About This Opportunity to Send Much Needed Food to Those In Need In Texas   Immanuel Lutheran Church, Hillside, Illinois – Put Your Hands Together Emergency Food Assistance Program is diverting its resources to send a semi-truck of food and supplies to the LCMS Texas District for emergency relief during their hardship of recovering from the devastating winter storm. Their mission is to “Glorify God and Impact the Community,” and they are honored to be able to serve Him on a national level with Lutheran Church Charities. If you are in Northern Illinois and would like to help fill a truck with requested food only for the Texas District, please CLICK HERE to see the specific needs, drop-off dates, and locations. “This winter storm could cost Texas more money than any disaster in state history. All 254 counties will have been impacted in some way by the freeze,” said Lee Loftis, director of government affairs for the Independent Insurance Agents of Texas. One million Texans are still on boil water orders and 30 water systems are still not operational. Damage Repairs in High Demand – Plumbers Needed – Supplies Limited! The most significant need is for plumbers to make repairs and plumbing supplies, which are now almost impossible to acquire in the state. The state has estimated the average cost of repairs to burst pipes in a home is approximately $15,000 or more. Although some of this will be covered by insurance, FEMA, or state grants, the high deductibles will make it challenging to fund repairs. If you are a licensed plumber, have critical plumbing supplies you can bring, and can volunteer to go to Texas to help with recovery efforts, please email DRAdmin@lutheranchurchcharities.org. Texas District President, Rev. Michael Newman, has reached out to LCC to help during this statewide crisis. In addition to financial assistance, they are requesting plumbing materials to help repair homes, schools, and churches. CLICK HERE for a detailed list of needed supplies.
If you wish to donate any of these materials, they can be dropped off at LCC headquarters and we will get them there. Please call 866-455-6466 to make drop-off arrangements. Lutheran Church Charities will be working through our Texas K-9 Ministry affiliate churches and District Disaster Response Coordinators to bring the Mercy, Compassion, Presence, and Proclamation of Jesus Christ to those suffering and in need. Please prayerfully consider a donation to the LCC Texas Disaster Response Fund to help individuals, families, and churches now and during the long recovery process. Posted: February 22, 2021  6 Days with 144 Hours of Freezing Temperatures 69 Deaths – Hundreds Flee Homes Burst Pipes, No Electricity, No Food or Clean Water, Widespread Devastation Over $18 Billion in Damage So Far “For I am the LORD, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.” (Isaiah 41:13) The Texas Winter Storm that had six days of snow, ice, and freezing temperatures, has caused billions of dollars in damage to homes, businesses, churches, schools, and other structures throughout the entire state. The storm happened in an area of the country that is not prepared to handle such widespread winter storm devastation.  Dollar Per Dollar ALL donations for Disaster Response – Texas go directly to helping individuals and families! Lutheran Church Charities has reached out to Lutheran Church Missouri Synod (LCMS), Texas District President Rev. Michael Newman, Julie Tucker, Texas District Disaster Response Coordinator, and Dr. Bill Hinz, Director of School Ministry, Texas District. Julie states many churches, pastors, church workers, lay staff, and congregation members have significant structural damage and loss of belongings due to burst pipes. Many of these families cannot or will not be able to live in their homes for some time. The Texas District is just beginning the assessment process, but it is overwhelming, as the damage is statewide Grocery Shelves are Empty – No Food or Water Available!  Julie Tucker states this storm has greatly affected the food chain supply as the several-day power outages have meant a loss of food for families, stores, and food pantries. The State Department of Homeland Security estimates that it could take 2-3 months for food supplies to be restored throughout the state to return to normal. For vulnerable populations, this is devastating. The water is not drinkable in most of the state without boiling it first due to the water plants also being affected by the freezing and burst pipe issues. Damage Repairs in High Demand – Plumbers Needed – Supplies Limited
If you are a licensed plumber, have critical plumbing supplies you can bring, and can volunteer to go to Texas to help with recovery efforts, please email DRAdmin@lutheranchurchcharities.org. Texas District President, Rev. Michael Newman, has reached out to LCC to help during this statewide crisis. In addition to financial assistance, they are requesting plumbing materials to help repair homes, schools, and churches. CLICK HERE for a detailed list of needed supplies.
If you wish to donate any of these materials, they can be dropped off at LCC headquarters and we will get them there. Please call 866-455-6466 to make drop-off arrangements. Lutheran Church Charities will be working through our Texas K-9 Ministry affiliate churches and District Disaster Response Coordinators to bring the Mercy, Compassion, Presence, and Proclamation of Jesus Christ to those suffering and in need. Please prayerfully consider a donation to the LCC Texas Disaster Response Fund to help individuals, families, and churches now and during the long recovery process. Your prayers, support, and involvement help Make A Difference – in the name of Jesus to those in need. Serving Together, Serving Others in Need, as We Serve Jesus!  Tim Hetzner President/CEO Lutheran Church Charities LCC works in coordination with LCMS Disaster Response national and local districts of the LCMS. Your Donations Needed to Support St. Paul Lutheran Church in Fort Worth, Texas, Outreach Ministry to Ethiopian Refugees  St. Paul Lutheran Church in Fort Worth, Texas, is surrounded by a sea of missional opportunities. Lutheran Church Charities was contacted by Sandi Grupe, Director of Christian Education (DCE), for financial assistance. They share the love of Jesus with a vulnerable group during these challenging times. Near to its place of worship, a community of Ethiopian refugees has become a significant part of the church’s outreach to immigrants from across the globe. This, through a Gospel-focused ministry, has birthed within their apartment complex. Through Bible study, prayer, English class, tutoring, and fellowship, many—including those from Muslim backgrounds—are experiencing the Gospel of Jesus Christ. In a very real sense, this Ethiopian community is serving the spiritual needs of their neighborhood in an ongoing way.  With the recent catastrophic weather events impacting Texas, many need assistance. The cascading effects from an event of this magnitude negatively impact the vulnerable in both visible and invisible ways. From lost pay and jobs to property damage, the challenges become life-altering.
Thank you for partnering with LCC and St. Paul Lutheran Church in meeting the needs of the most vulnerable during this time. Your support directly impacts the ministry of the Gospel by strengthening those who are spiritually serving their community as they strive to recover. Please prayerfully consider donating to help St. Paul’s outreach ministry to Ethiopian refugees. Comments are closed.
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