Volunteers at St. Matthew, Barrington, Illinois Paint and Assemble Hearts and Crosses

On Saturday, March 7, Rich Martin, Director, Hearts of Mercy & Compassion, Crosses for Losses and Tim Laabs, Coordinator, Hearts of Mercy & Compassion, Crosses for Losses enjoyed overseeing the first painting and assembly of hearts and crosses by volunteers at St. Matthew Lutheran Church in Barrington, Illinois. St. Matthew is one of several and growing amount of churches who have committed to prepare wooden hearts with fish overlay and crosses to be delivered by caring Christians with presence and prayer to those hurting or suffering a loss. Other participating churches, to name a few, are St. Paul Lutheran in Skokie and Immanuel Lutheran in Belvidere, both in Illinois, however, our participant churches are spreading nationwide.

These fine-crafted and beautiful remembrances have already had positive impacts on many recipients. St. Matthew point man, Dan Fuhs, arranged to have over 30 church member volunteers ranging from youth to retirees to prepare and assemble 50 hearts of two sizes and to paint 24 crosses in their gymnasium. Specific steps included sanding, priming, painting and gluing. Pastor Mike Brown of St. Matthew’s opened the session with prayer and in keeping with a fine Lutheran tradition, plenty of breakfast treats and drinks were enjoyed by all. LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs Emma and Ruthie (LCC Staff) were also present to thank the volunteers.

Is your church interested in becoming a Mission Partner to help build this wonderful new ministry that positively effects so many lives?

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