Ministries in Need
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REDEEMING LIFE OUTREACH MINISTRIES NEEDS HELP FINDING A MATERNITY HOME FOR THEIR MINISTRY IN CHICAGOLAND
Redeeming Life Outreach Ministries, a Recognized Service Organization of the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod, is expanding its MATERNITY HOME ministry into Chicagoland!
“We have a dream of operating a maternity home in every District,” explained Sheryl DeWitt, Executive Director of Redeeming Life. “The enthusiasm and vision of our brothers and sisters in the Northern Illinois District make the Chicago area ideal for expansion. We look forward to partnering with the many churches and individuals who long to provide the residential and program services that many single, pregnant women need. Our mission is to save the lives of babies and their mothers by providing an alternative for women who see abortion as their only choice because of homelessness, abuse, or abandonment.” Through this Christ-centered, loving ministry you can offer hope, grace and love to women who are hopeless, rejected, and unloved. How can you help? We are looking for a home! The ideal maternity home would have five or six bedrooms, three to four bathrooms, a large family room, and a roomy kitchen. With faith, family and education as the foundation for all we do, the home would be situated adjacent to an LCMS congregation that desires to serve as the “church family” for our residents. Also, easy access to public transportation and a community college would best serve the needs of our mothers. For more information about how you might bless this vital ministry and the mothers and babies we serve, visit the Redeeming Life Outreach Ministries website at rlom.org or call 407-790-9745, ext.6. FINANCIAL SUPPORT NEEDED TO HELP VIDA Y FE FURTHER THEIR MINISTRY TO HISPANIC COMMUNITIES
Vida y Fe, a newly chartered yet growing Hispanic congregation in the heart of Elgin, Illinois, has been impacted in the midst of their growth by the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic. Trying their best to continue to reach out to their members, their local community, and even those in other countries such as Columbia and Guatemala, Pastor Mazariegos has been live-streaming worship and Bible Study using only his cellphone. This, obviously, presents challenges due to poor video and audio quality.
Pastor Mazariegos and Vida y Fe are requesting financial support of $3000 to bring their audio and visual needs up to a standard that can reach the masses more effectively. This equipment includes a new camera, tripod, cables, a video switch, and cases to house the equipment safely. Accessing this equipment will help further Vida y Fe’s ministry to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the Hispanic communities in the far west suburbs of Chicago and to individuals thirsting for the message of Christ in their own native tongue throughout the world. This is truly seeking to embody Acts 1:8, to be Christ’s witness in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and even to the ends of the earth. Please prayerfully consider donating to support this growing, Christ-centered ministry as they continue to share the Gospel to a hurting world desperate, now more than ever, to hear the hope of Christ. 
CHRIST THE KING REQUESTS YOUR DONATIONS FOR LEAKING ROOF REPAIRS
The extensive storms passing through Chicago for over a week has caused the parsonage roof at Christ the King Lutheran Church, Chicago, Illinois to sustain damage and leak in several places. Pastor John Brazeal and his wife Geri anticipate needing several repairs and are securing estimates. Christ the King provides continued support to its community during COVID-19 pandemic. Pastor John is seeing connections being made with people who have never set foot inside the building, and those relationships are growing stronger through this crisis. Please prayerfully consider donating to help Christ the King cover their deductible and any other costs that will not be covered. Your donations are greatly appreciated and will enable Pastor John to continue to serve his community in these challenging times. FOOD DONATIONS AND FINANCIAL SUPPORT NEEDED FOR FAMILY IN FAITH FOOD PANTRY THAT CONTINUES TO SERVE THE COMMUNITY
Family in Faith Neighborhood Food Pantry in Glendale Heights, Illinois is a local food pantry that continues to operate following the necessary guidelines due to COVID-19. The pantry serves anyone living in DuPage County and is open one day a week providing essentials, non-perishable food items, and pet food. The pantry is open on the following days in May: Saturday, May 23; 9:00 am – 12:00 noon Wednesday, May 27; 3:00 – 6:00 pm The coronavirus has brought a greater need for food because of the loss of income for families. Family in Faith asks and is grateful for food donations or financial support to continue to serve the community in the current times of greater need. If you wish to donate food, there are some specific instructions to follow. Please contact the pantry at 630-903-8173 for instructions and to arrange delivery times. CLICK HERE for a list of needed items. KITCHEN ITEMS NEEDED FOR ST. PAUL AUSTIN, CHICAGO, ILLINOIS TO EQUIP NEW SOUP KITCHEN
Lutheran Church Charities (LCC) received a request from Pastor Steve Warren, St. Paul Austin, Chicago, Illinois for items to equip a new soup kitchen slated to open in 2020.
St. Paul would like to serve the neighborhood both spiritually and physically by starting a soup kitchen that will serve meals to those less fortunate and will allow them another opportunity to share God’s word with the community. They have the space and kitchen to serve hot meals to the homeless and poor but need restaurant size pots and pans and other equipment to cook meals for larger groups. Items needed: · Pots and pans · Cooking and serving utensils · Serving bowls · Disposable serving gloves · Small appliances · Ice machine · Any other items to start up the soup kitchen If you know of a church, school or restaurant that has or is closing and would be willing to donate any of the kitchen equipment to help St. Paul open the soup kitchen, please contact LCC Staff member Dianna Bonfield by phone 847-287-6624 or email at Dianna@LutheranChurchCharities.org. 
HYGIENE KITS NEEDED FOR CHRIST THE KING, CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, TO SERVE COMMUNITY
Lutheran Church Charities received a request for hygiene kits from Pastor John Brazeal, Christ the King Lutheran Church in Chicago, Illinois, to serve those in need in his community.
Some of the items contained in the personal hygiene kits (but not limited to) are: 1 toothpaste, 1 toothbrush, 1 toothbrush cover, 1 deodorant, 1 shampoo body wash, 10 cotton tip applicators, 1 comb, 1 facial tissue pack, 4 bandages, 2 first aid burn cream, 1 dental floss, 6 pre-moistened clean wipes, 3 lip guard packets, 3 disposable washcloths. For more information on how to donate hygiene kits, please contact Dianna Bonfield dianna@lutheranchurchcharities.org or Sue Olson at solson@lutheranchurchcharities.org. 
HICKORY GROVE LUTHERAN CHURCH NEEDS FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR NEW WELL INSTALLATION
LCC received the following note from Rev. Mark C. Kufahl at Hickory Grove Lutheran Church in Boscobel, Wisconsin.
"As Pastor, I am writing to you on behalf of Hickory Grove Lutheran Church in Boscobel, Wisconsin. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources recently condemned our well. The original installation was apparently not up to code and was determined to be irreparable. This was discovered after several tests concluded that the well was contaminated. Thus, it is necessary for us to drill a new well and install a new water system for our worship facility. The total estimate for all the work is roughly $30,000. We are in need of raising $15,000 to complete the total funds needed for this purpose. We are requesting your assistance in making our water system at our worship facility safe for all who come to worship. Our congregation is a small rural congregation of about 20 families so this expense is a stretch for our meager budget. At this time, we are forced to rely on bottled water for cooking and consumption, and using a portable out-house for bathroom facilities." In Christ's Service, Rev. Mark C. Kufahl 
Salam Christian Fellowship Needs Financial Assistance for Ministry vehicle repairs
Dear Friends, We need repairs for one of Salam's vehicles that would cost $1500. Salam is one of the unique and most difficult ministries in the Lutheran Church where immigrants are both acculturated and evangelized, and to help with their transportation and basic needs are very important means of sharing the Gospel and Christ's love for them. Please prayerfully consider donating for these needed auto repairs. In Christ, Rev Hesham Shehab Salam Christian Fellowship Phil’s Friends Needs Items for Care Package
Phil’s Friends care package requests increased 43% this year. They need help collecting fulfillment items. These are their top 3 most needed items: Travel-Sized Lotion. Fleece Blankets. Puzzle Books. (Click highlighted text for AmazonSmile link & ship directly to either Hope Center.)
Salam Christian Fellowship Needs Financial Assistance for Ministry Administrative Assistant
Dear Brothers and Sisters, Thanks for your partnership in the mission. Today, we took a step of faith and hired an administrative assistant. The ministry is growing, and needs an assistant who would take care of details and logistics, and speaks Arabic. The Salam board found in Amir Chehab, 35, a very much needed and promising worker. Amir is a computer wiz who is fluent in both Arabic and English, drives, and could help Pastor Hesham with social services, like moving furniture to needy immigrant families and translation Arabic/ English. Amir went to college in Livonia, Michigan, and Hibbing, Minnesota. The funds needed for this year are $13,000. We hope that Salam would be able, in the future, to hire Amir full-time. Please prayerfully consider donating to this part-time position in order that we could focus more on sharing the Gospel with more Muslims and properly administer the sacraments. In Christ, Rev Hesham Shehab Salam Christian Fellowship St. Matthew’s Comedor San Mateo Soup Kitchen Needs Supplies
Pastor Cesar Sifuentes of “Comedor San Mateo” Soup Kitchen at St Matthew Lutheran Church in Chicago, Illinois, requests your assistance with the following resources that are consumed in large quantities on a weekly basis:
Please help St. Matthew’s to be the hands of feet of Jesus reaching out and feeding the hungry and homeless of their community. Voice of Hope Prison Ministry
LCC received the following request on Friday, October 12, from Rev. Matthew Troester of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Matteson, Illinois:
Greetings, Lori Wilbert, the Deaconess for Voice of Hope Prison Ministry, continues to serve at Stateville Prison in Joliet, Illinois. She raises 100% of her support for this work and is out often telling about her work and encouraging the support of that work in the prisons. Attached is an article titled “Why Go To Prison,” written by Deaconess Lori. St. Paul's has supported Lori for many years now, and she is such a blessing to us as she shares her ministry with us, and encourages us to get involved, as we should. Please consider donating to help Deaconess Lori continue this important ministry. Peace, Rev. Matthew Troester St. Paul Lutheran Church Matteson, Illinois CLICK HERE to read the article titled “Why Go To Prison" Christian Friends of New Americans Needs Church Pews
The following request was received from Rev. Dr. Steven Schave, LCMS Director of Urban & Inner City Mission & Director of Church Planting: Rev. Al Buckman with Christian Friends of New Americans in St Louis, Missouri, is doing wonderful work with immigrants and refugees. This has led to an outstanding outreach to the Nepalese who are being welcomed by Rev. Matt Clark to Ascension Lutheran Church for sacraments. With an increase in worship service attendance, the church is now in need of three 6 ft. pews. Having started with 20 to 25 Nepalese members, they now number over 70. Their expectation is to exceed 100 members within the next year or so and to be sure, Ascension has been a wonderful home for them. Please email Rev. Dr. Steven Schave at Steven.Schave@lcms.org if you have pews to donate. Salam Christian Fellowship Needs Financial Assistance to Help a Candidate at Concordia Seminary
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, Salam Christian Fellowship is a Word and Sacrament ministry that shares the love of Jesus Christ with people from the Middle East in Chicagoland. Salam is in need of an additional ordained LCMS minister who knows the people to help in administering the sacraments when I’m unavailable. Christopher Kolupa, 47, has been an LCMS member all his life, and has been helping Salam with social services for more than one year. Chris is a talented musician and holds two degrees from Elmhurst College in Elmhurst, Illinois. After meeting with President Gilbert of Northern Illinois District, Pastor Gilbert agreed to send Christopher Kolupa to the Specific Ministry Program (SMP) at Concordia Seminary. The district president has the final word for a candidate for joining the program, but it needs two years of study for ordination, and costs $20,000. One member of an LCMS church who is impressed by Chris's service and dedication offered to donate $11,000 to the SMP if someone could match her gift. Hopefully, from now until September 2018, we can find gifts to match 1 to 1, or 2 to 1, in smaller gift giving totals that can surpass that. Please prayerfully consider donating generously to help Salam raise a total of $20,000 for seminary for the first two years. In Christ, Rev. Hesham Shehab Salam Christian Fellowship Help St. MattheW's Soup Kitchen Serve
HOt meals to homeless, unemployed, seniors and Poor families 
For more than 27 years, St. Matthew Lutheran Church (LCMS) located at 2108 West 21st Street, Chicago, Illinois, has developed a unique ministry in the Pilsen Community to reach the growing number of homeless and unemployed people. St. Matthew is the only Lutheran church in the community with a Gospel-oriented mission to all the homeless and unemployed. The Comedor San Mateo Soup Kitchen provides hot meals to feed the hungry and shares devotions to feed their souls. At the same time, it provides services in English and Spanish in a poverty stricken community of mostly Latino families. During frigid winter temperatures, the soup kitchen's volunteers continue to cook and serve hot meals to the homeless, unemployed, seniors and poor families. The soup kitchen serves 200+ meals twice a week even though donations are down. Please consider supporting the important work of St. Matthew as they continue to reach out and serve those in need in their community. In the Name of Jesus, Pastor Sifuentes and Pastor Matthew Troester Designate Your Thrivent Choice Dollars Today!
Please consider designating your Choice Dollars to Lutheran Church Charities today! Your Choice Dollars will help us continue to bring the Mercy, Compassion, Presence, and Proclamation of Jesus Christ to those who are suffering and in need. Please follow these steps: 1. Visit www.thrivent.com/thriventchoice. 2. Scroll down and select the "Get Started now" button 3. Log in and enter your user ID and password. Click on "register" if you haven't yet registered. 4. Find the number of Choice Dollars available to direct on the right side of the screen. 5. Find Lutheran Church Charities in the catalog of organizations. 6. Click on "Direct Now" to direct designated Choice Dollars. Thank you for considering directing your Thrivent Choice Dollars to LCC! |