Ministries in Need
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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
immanuel lutheran church-hillside, illinois, nEEDS a reach-in freezer to store food donations for put your hands together food outreach
LCC received a request from Jayne Siou, Program Director, Put Your Hands Together Food Outreach, Immanuel-Hillside Food Pantry, for a reach-in freezer to store a large amount of food donations.
The freezer will help Immanuel to provide greater assistance especially to churches who don’t have refrigeration and need to pick up food on a weekly basis and give it out immediately. As the program director of Immanuel Lutheran Church-Put Your Hands Together Food Outreach I have a request that will positively affect our ministry and every other food ministry in the Northern Illinois District. We have been blessed with overwhelming amounts of food donations from the major airlines in Chicago, mostly which is frozen that we re-distribute to ministries and food relief agencies. In order to store this food even for one night requires a large walk in 10x10 freezer, freezer kit, 49 cuft., upright 2-door or portable freezer pod rental. We ask that if any used models for sale or donation become available please keep us in mind for any freezers or refrigerators, even if we need to install several smaller ones. Pictured is the most reasonable and readily available model, under $3,000 brand new that would immediately serve our needs. Thank you for considering our request and spreading the word and the Word! Jayne Siou, Put Your Hands Together Food Outreach Immanuel-Hillside Food Pantry Alternatively, if you have a freezer to donate, contact Dianna Bonfield at (224) 257-4371 or email her at Dianna@LutheranChurchCharities.org. 
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. 
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! |