Ministries in Need
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LUTHERAN CHURCH CHARITIES IS PARTNERING WITH REDEEMING LIFE OUTREACH MINISTRIES, IMMANUEL LUTHERAN EAST DUNDEE, ILLINOIS, LCEF, AND THE NORTHERN ILLINOIS DISTRICT OF THE LCMS
Opening a home for UNWED MOTHERS in Carpentersville, Illinois Faith Lutheran Church in Carpentersville, Illinois, is a small congregation with a huge heart for mothers and babies. God has blessed Faith Lutheran with a parsonage in a gorgeous setting contiguous to the church. With four bedrooms and three baths, this house will make a beautiful maternity home after some remodeling and updating. Redeeming Life Outreach Ministries working with Faith on the terms of a purchase contract for this property. Meet the Host Church Family The official host congregation for the Carpentersville location will be Immanuel Lutheran Church in East Dundee, Illinois. Led by Pastor Bill Yonker, Immanuel is a thriving congregation with many opportunities for our residents to learn about Jesus and serve Him. We believe Immanuel will make a lovely and welcoming church family. Immanuel’s role is to provide spiritual support through worship, Bible study, and instruction classes and to simply love and accept the residents as dearly loved children of God. (The host congregation has no operational role in the home.) The home will be managed by local, full-time Redeeming Life staff under the supervision of Sheryl DeWitt, Executive Director. Financial support will come from the congregations and individuals who have a heart for preserving life through Redeeming Life’s maternity home programs. Why it matters! Stephen Williamson, one of the newest residents in Sanford, born on Christmas Eve. On the same day, Stephen was baptized, his mom was confirmed in the Christian faith. Now this precious family lives in the daily assurance of God's love. His mom is grateful for the support she receives from faithful servants like you through the ministry of Redeeming Life! For more information, contact Lutheran Church Charities and speak with Tim Hetzner, President/CEO. To make a donation, select Redeeming Life Outreach Ministries Carpentersville LCC operates with a Dollar In – Dollar Out funding process where EVERY dollar given for a cause goes directly to that cause or need, with LCC acknowledging the gift and overseeing that the money is used as intended. 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. YOUR CONTINUED GIFTS ARE MAKING A DIFFERENCE AT CHRIST THE KING, CHICAGO
On Monday, December 21, LCC Ministry Director Nikki Deacon, and LCC staff member Jamie Miller visited Christ the King, Chicago, Illinois. Pastor John and Principal Geri Brazeal were presented with your generous donations to be used in support of their staff and community.
Pastor John and Geri are preparing food bags for their community. Continuing their efforts to serve the homeless of Chicago, they will be preparing and delivering hot Christmas dinner to people living in tent cities, who typically only receive canned goods. Your support makes it possible for Christ the King to continue to answer the call, and serve all people in need. CLICK HERE to watch a video. 
FUNDS NEEDED TO UPGRADE RV EQUIPMENT FOR SHEPHERD'S HEART MINISTRY
Shepherd’s Heart Ministry, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) and a Recognized Service Organization (RSO) of the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. The Executive Director, Rev. Ed Brashier is also the LCMS Southern District Disaster Response Coordinator who has been active in disaster response since Hurricane Katrina and has deployed long-term 25 times all across the Eastern USA. Lutheran Church Charities Disaster Response has served with Rev. Ed Brashier and his Shepherd’s Heart Ministry following many hurricanes and tornadoes in the Southern District. Since 2016, the Ministry’s 2011 Keystone Cougar 30 ft. bunkhouse RV has been used on eight long-term deployments to house Rev. Ed Brashier and other volunteers. It is showing its age and is in need of replacement. The RV needs to be capable of sleeping four adult men. Most bunkhouse RVs have adult and children-sized beds, so a replacement may need to be customized.The Keystone Cougar RV is currently being used in Fairhope, Alabama where Shepherd’s Heart Ministry has been responding to Hurricane Sally for the last two months. Rev. Ed Brashier is asking Lutheran Church Charities for any assistance it could provide towards upgrading their RV and a diesel truck for hauling equipment. FUNDS NEEDED TO PROVIDE SCHOLARSHIPS FOR PARISH NURSES
LCC received the following request from Marcy Schnorr, Northern Illinois District (NID) Parish Nurse Network:
The NID Parish Nurse Network has been active in encouraging, supporting, and equipping parish nurses within the borders of the district for over thirty years. The parish nurse must have an active RN license. The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (LCMS) recommends that the parish nurse obtain their education from a source associated with the LCMS. The NID Parish Nurse Network provides partial scholarships to as many people as their funds allow. The potential opportunities are many, but the resources are decreasing. Rising costs for continuing education and decreased on-site gatherings due to COVID-19 threaten the solvency of the scholarship fund. Any assistance that can be provided will be greatly appreciated. CLICK HERE to learn more about the NID Parish Nurse Network. 
JoEllen Rogers (second from left) was the most recent recipient of a scholarship from the NID Parish Nurse Network. JoEllen serves at Christ the Rock Lutheran Church in Rockford, Illinois. This photo shows her hosting a conference for the NID Parish Nurse Network shortly after completing the course.
FUNDS NEEDED TO COVER TRAVEL COST TO THE UNITED STATES FOR THE ONLY PARISH NURSE IN HOLY LAND
LCC received the following request from Marcy Schnorr, Northern Illinois District (NID) Parish Nurse Network:
The NID Parish Nurse Network had the pleasure and privilege of “adopting” Raeda Mansour, parish nurse at Christmas Lutheran Church in Bethlehem (Palestine) and the only parish nurse in all the Holy Land. Marcia Schnorr, parish nurse at St. Paul in Rochelle, Illinois, was serving as Coordinator, LCMS Parish Nursing. Marcia developed a distance learning course that allowed her and Raeda to work together to equip Raeda to become the first parish nurse in the Middle East. There were no role models so Raeda was brought to the USA and completed an internship at St. Paul. The NID Parish Nurse Network has continued to fund a biannual trip for Raeda to come to the USA to attend the annual Parish Nurse Conference at Concordia University Wisconsin and/or a conference hosted by the NID Parish Nurse Network. The travel cost for the biannual trip is approximately $2000-$2500. This cost is paid for by funds remaining in the NID Parish Nurse treasury after all other scheduled NID Parish Nurse Network Education event expenses are paid each year. However, winter storms and COVID-19 made it necessary to provide some of the gatherings by Zoom instead of on-site. The decrease in attendance and related fees, and the increase in continuing education application costs has created a deficit, and funds are short. Any assistance that can be provided to fund Raeda's trip to the United States to continue her education will be greatly appreciated. CLICK HERE to learn more about Raeda Mansour, Parish Nurse in Holy Land. 
Raeda Mansour and Marcy Schnorr speaking with the annual parish nurse team and the Ajyal (seniors group) in Bethlehem
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. 
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. 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. 
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. 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! |