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LCC UKRAINE ASSISTANCE
HOW LONG OH LORD!
100% of Your Donations Will Support Ukrainians in Need
It is hard to watch the devastation taking place in Ukraine – the children, the elderly, those with disabilities! Young and Old. It is hard to see all the displaced people. The destruction.

How Long!

God is still in charge. God will bring good out of evil and God ALWAYS wins over evil. It is humbling to be able to work with Christians from various “tribes” and join together as one in helping people.
“There is one body, one spirit … one Lord, one faith, one baptism” Ephesians 4:4-5
LCC has been and will continue to collect financial donations to be given out “Dollar per Dollar” to help the people of Ukraine to show the Mercy and Compassion of Jesus Christ. We work through Christian Pastors, Priests, Bishops and leaders. If they believe that Salvation is in Jesus Christ and Him alone – we work with them to have them directly distribute the money – within hours or a day or two. Not sitting around in a fund doing nothing.

Because of your support, below are those LCC has been working with this past week. We continue to hand out what comes in to help those suffering as a result of the Ukrainian crisis.
Ukrainian Church – Palatine, Illinois

On Saturday, March 5, LCC President/CEO Tim Hetzner met with Bishop Vededykt Alevsiychuk, Pastor - Archpriest Mykhailo Kuzma, Associate Pastor - Archpriest Yaroslav Mendyuk, and Nadiya Hnatyuk of the Ukrainian Church in Palatine, Illinois, to provide direct and immediate financial assistance to their contacts in Ukraine. Within 12 hours of that meeting, your donations were IN UKRAINE, helping people suffering and in need!
Watch Tim’s interviews with these brothers and sister in Christ to hear how we are all unified through our faith in Christ:

Oleg Ivanets, Ph.D., Assistant Professor at Concordia University
The Ukrainian crisis hits close to home for Oleg Ivanets, Ph.D., assistant professor at Concordia University and chair of the university's quantitative business program.

Oleg was born in Ukraine and lived there until 2013, when he moved to the United States to pursue his doctorate. He is based on the Ann Arbor campus but oversees programs for the Mequon campus as well.

He still has family and friends who live in the Ukraine with whom he is able to communicate. Your donations are helping LCC to bring Oleg’s family from Ukraine to safety in the United States.

Watch Oleg’s interview on Sunday, February 27, with Fox6 news reporter Sam Kraemer:
Pastor Scott Yount, Missionary in Ukraine, Immanuel Lutheran Church – Palatine, Illinois
LCC is providing support for Pastor Scott Yount and his wife Lena (from Ukraine) as they have had to leave Bila Tserkva, Ukraine but are now helping to support refugees from Ukraine. Pastor Scott and Lena are personal friends with Pastor Donald Antor from Immanuel Church in Palatine. Pastor Scott is working with his ministry of Spiritual Orphans Network.

Pastor Scott has been serving as a missionary in Ukraine since 2014 and is the founder of Joy 4 Ukraine, a ministry that brings the joy of the gospel to orphans and youth with disabilities. In 2017, Pastor Scott helped start Church of Hope, a worship service for people with special needs, and in 2021 began serving as the pastor of the Church of the Transfiguration, a local Ukrainian church. His wife, Lena, has a Master’s Degree in Special Needs Education.
Watch Pastor Scott Yount’s powerful message to Ukrainians: “Ukraine, you are not alone – for God is with you. Ukraine, you are not unprotected – for God is your fortress. Ukraine, you are not in darkness – Jesus is your light. Ukraine, you are not defeated – for Christ is your victory!”
Ukrainian Lutheran Church (ULC)

LCC is also working directly with the Ukraine Lutheran Church (ULC) by working through the Lutheran Church here in the United States in fellowship with them!
Your Donations are Immediately Helping Ukrainians in Need!
We have literally handed out thousands of dollars this past week! See how God is at work, through His people, to show, as the Apostle Paul states – One Lord, One Faith, One Body and Spirit!

Thank You for your support in being the hands and feet of Jesus to those suffering!
Tim Hetzner
President/CEO
IN THE NEWS
Column: When it comes to helping Ukraine, our hearts are open but hands mostly tied

Lutheran Church Charities

(Friday, March 4, 2022 – Chicago Tribune Aurora Beacon-News/Denise Crosby)

URGENT HELP NEEDED FOR THE DISPLACED PEOPLE OF BOMA, SOUTH SUDAN AFTER BEING ATTACKED
 
TWELVE KILLED and 4,000 PEOPLE NEED SHELTER AND FOOD
Lutheran Church Charities received a last minute request from Retired Missionary Rev. Dr. Bernie Lutz who works with the Evangelical Lutheran Church of South Sudan/Sudan (ELCSS/S).
Rev. Ogiki, the General Secretary for the ELCSS/S sent an urgent email to Dr. Lutz, who has been serving in South Sudan for twelve years. His email pleaded for urgent immediate help for thousands who are now homeless. He reported that this week strong armed Dinka Herdsmen routed Boma, an area south of Juba, South Sudan. The Dinka have been raising cattle in the northern portions of South Sudan and take their cattle south for water and grass. This has been a well-known trade for centuries. Often the cattle will eat grain and other edible grasses that cause tension between the herdsmen and the local people.

This time, the tension led to a deadly result, leaving hundreds homeless, without food. Houses and churches were torched, and fields up-rooted by these Dinka herdsmen. Twelve people were killed in the Boma area and 4,000 people are in need of immediate support, namely shelter and food.
Dr. Lutz, IRPR for LHF and professor at Concordia Seminary for twelve years states, “This is a severe tragedy and the results call for immediate response! There are many hurting and in need of help NOW! May the Holy Spirit move each of us to respond to the many worldwide needs where so many people are homeless, hungry, and hurting in a big way. God is giving us another opportunity to join hands to help these Acholi Nation people in the Magiwe Area south of Juba, South Sudan. Rev Ogiki is standing in the middle of the photo. The buildings are now charred and only ashes. All this damage by the Dinka herdsmen from the Upper Nile. Truly, the world needs the Peace that only Jesus brings. The people we help are keeping the faith and God will use this tragedy to extend the sweet Gospel. Let us pray for these, and all souls hurting and in urgent need because of worldly sin. All gifts for this project will be channeled through Lutheran Heritage Foundation of Macomb, Michigan. God bless you for your partnership in this urgent concern.”

NOW ALL HOMES ARE ASHES – REV. OGIKI IS STANDING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE TWO BICYCLES.

I spoke with Dr. Lutz and he asked if LCC could help ASAP!
Dr. Lutz was in this mission field and has a heart for the Christians in South Sudan. LCC will send immediate financial assistance through Lutheran Heritage Foundation – Rev. Walt Otten is on the Board of Directors for Lutheran Heritage Foundation and a Spiritual Advisor for LCC.

Thank you for your prayers and support!
Tim Hetzner
President/CEO
DONATIONS ARE STILL NEEDED TO HELP PAY OFF WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE VAN FOR PASTOR MARK WILLIG
OVER HALFWAY THERE – HELP US ELIMINATE THIS BURDEN!
Your Donations Helped to Raise $33,085
$27,915 Still Needed to Pay Off Balance
Lutheran Church Charities is assisting Friends in Christ Lutheran Church in Morris, Illinois, to help raise funds for their pastor, Rev. Mark Willig, who had a stroke in December resulting in hemiplegia paralysis on one side of the body.

Your donations so far have helped with the down payment to purchase the much-needed wheelchair accessible van with a ramp for transportation. The Willigs are financing the balance of $27,915 for 72 months with an interest rate of 1.9%.
On Tuesday, March 1, while at Rush University Medical Center for a follow-up visit, Pastor Willig was admitted due to complications. He has undergone several more procedures and returned home late Monday night.

Your generous donations are needed to help us remove this financial burden so that they can focus on Pastor Willig's recovery. Pastor Willig and Paula are extremely thankful to LCC donors for all of the prayers and generous donations received so far. Together, they trust in God’s healing hand, comfort, and strength during his long road to recovery.

Help LCC pay off the balance of the van for Pastor Willig, who has faithfully served others during his thirty-nine years in ministry. If you are so moved, please donate generously to help LCC and Friends in Christ serve the Willigs during these challenging times. Your prayers and support are greatly appreciated!
YOUR DONATIONS MAKE A DIFFERENCE
Your Donations Help “Comedor San Mateo” Soup Kitchen Feed the Hungry and Minister to the Homeless
LCC presented a check in donations received to Pastor Cesar Sifuentes of “Comedor San Mateo” Soup Kitchen at St. Matthew Lutheran Church in Chicago, Illinois.

The funds will help Pastor Sifuentes to continue to reach out and feed the hungry and homeless in his community. LCC and St. Matthew thank the donors for their generosity.
Your Donations Provide Food and Fellowship for Haitian Youth
LCC received the following update from Jackie Rychel, our Mission Partner with Ministry in Mission:

Thanks to Lutheran Church Charities for supporting the food for a youth gathering to provide many young people an alternative to the Voodoo custom of Carnival. 

Food, fun, and fellowship were had by many by the grace of God and the generous donations through LCC.

Jackie Rychel
Your Donations Serve Residents of "Four Homes of Mercy"
Because of your generous donations, LCC is able to continue sending support to Four Homes of Mercy in Bethany, Israel. We received the following update from Liz Mulford, President, Friends of the Four Homes of Mercy:
Dear Lutheran Church Charities,

You are so generous! On behalf of the Homes, thank you so much for your marvelous gift. What a wonderful and needed surprise!!

With your help, despite the Covid-19 challenges, the doors of the Homes are open, and our guests served. One of our guests, Aida, came to us as a small youngster, perhaps 30 years ago. One of 12 children, her parents despaired of her ever being able to leave her crib.

Now she maneuvers her wheelchair rapidly wherever she wishes to go (if she can’t con someone into giving her a ride!), feeds herself, brushes her teeth, engages in many activities, including art and gardening, makes her wishes known clearly even without speech, and is working on her next goal—walking!
In addition to helping Aida achieve greater control over her life, our physical therapists are working hard to restore a number of our guests to their level of comfort and functioning, which they had achieved before their 18-month hiatus caused by Covid. 

We’re readmitting our former guests too each week and now have increased from 15 at the height of Covid to over 40. Few of the families were able to provide sufficient therapy to keep our guests from declining. Nursing staff, under the direction of our physical and occupational therapist, are also helping with the therapies.

The residents and their families are deeply grateful to be getting all their help at last—and to be able to celebrate each another’s accomplishments—and birthdays—with parties! The laughter in the building now is wonderful to hear.

Again, our deepest thanks for your caring and sharing.

Sincerely,

Liz Mulford
President, Friends of the Four Homes of Mercy
WANT TO HELP PEOPLE IN A DISASTER?

REGISTER NOW FOR LCMS L.E.R.T. BASIC TRAINING
To better manage volunteers and resources, FEMA has developed a guideline on credentialing volunteers for large-scale disasters. The federal guidelines indicate that volunteers responding to a disaster should be trained and certified. LCC is providing LCMS disaster response training for Lutheran Early Response Teams (L.E.R.T.). Should a disaster strike, these teams would be put on call and may be asked to deploy in 72 hours or less to the disaster site. This training will prepare a team member for credentialing and will focus on the safety, work, and ministry of Lutherans as Early Responders.

The registration cost for new L.E.R.T. volunteers is $35.00. As a refresher to update your ID, the cost is only $15.00.
Lutheran Church Charities will provide an LCMS L.E.R.T. (Lutheran Early Response Team) Basic training:

Date: Saturday, March 26

Location: Immanuel Lutheran Church
310 E Main St.
East Dundee, IL 60118

When you submit your online registration and receive your registration confirmation number, you will also be requested to fill out an online Liability & Medical Form for 2022. This form only needs to be completed once a year for adults.

The registration fee can be paid online with a credit card or at the event when you check-in by cash, check, or credit card.

Registration: 8:15 am – 8:45 am 
Training: 8:45 am - 12:30 pm

Snacks and drinks will be provided.
You must also complete the registration process on the LCMS site link after submission.

Walk-in registrations will be accepted the day of the training, but prefer advance registration to assist host church and LCC staff in planning.

Facemasks will be optional. We do ask that if you are sick or have been exposed to someone with COVID-19, not to attend.
ONLINE BASIC L.E.R.T TRAINING
The online LCMS Basic L.E.R.T. training is geared towards responding to a disaster with Lutheran Church Charities in the Northern Illinois District or wherever we are invited to serve nationwide.


For the online training, you will receive a letter with instructions to access the portal to view the Basic L.E.R.T. training sessions.

Upon verification of watching and completing all Basic L.E.R.T. training sessions and quizzes, LCC will then send your DR manual, badge, your personal certificate, and vest.

If your church is interested in hosting a Basic L.E.R.T. Training or if you have any questions, contact the LCC Disaster Response team at DRAdmin@LutheranChurchCharities.org or 866-455-6466.
ATTENTION THRIVENT MEMBERS!
HELP LCC MINISTRIES SERVE IN 2022!
Designate Your Thrivent Choice Dollars by March 31st!

Grant funding from Thrivent Financial through its Thrivent Choice® program can help support organizations you care about - like Lutheran Church Charities. Don't let Choice Dollars expire. Eligible Thrivent Financial members who have available Choice Dollars® have until March 31, 2022, to direct them. Don't miss this opportunity to recommend that Thrivent Financial provide outreach funding to Lutheran Church Charities.

CLICK HERE to learn more or call 800-847-4836 and say "Thrivent Choice" after the prompt.
HELP US MAKE WOOD COME ALIVE!
HEARTS OF MERCY AND COMPASSION – BIBLE VERSES!
We can take wood and make a heart and a fish. But until we put a Bible Verse on it (with a Cricut Maker® or hand calligraphy), it is only wood. The Bible Verse makes the “Wood Come Alive” – because of Jesus.

If you know or want to learn how to “Make wood come alive” with a Bible Verse – PLEASE contact us – so that we can continue to impact hundreds of lives with the Mercy, Compassion, Presence, and Proclamation of Jesus Christ!

If you want to join us, call LCC and speak to John or Dianna at 866-455-6466. You can also reach us by email at crossesforlosses@lutheranchurchcharities.org.
L.E.R.T. MERCY IN ACTION
On Wednesday, March 2, Kathy O'Day, LCC Director of Disaster Response, attended the 10th Anniversary Commemoration of the deadly and destructive Henryville, Indiana, EF-4 tornado.

Kathy had been the case manager supervisor from March 2013 to April 2014 for the extensive community rebuilding process with the long-term recovery group March2Recovery.

It was good to see how the towns have rebuilt homes and businesses, to visit with some of the families who received help and to join with staff served with at that time. It was a blessing to serve those in need and reconnect after many years.
"HARMONY AT HOME"
NEW THREE-PART DEVOTION SERIES
BEGINS MONDAY, MARCH 14th
Start your day with a free devotion from
Tim Hetzner, President/CEO of Lutheran Church Charities.

A new three-part devotional series
"Harmony at Home” begins Monday, March 14th.
LCC K-9 MINISTRIES
K-9 COMFORT DOGS
Click HERE to read all the ways we are staying connected, including through LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry® Virtual Visits, in helping people during the current pandemic.
Schedule an LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry® Virtual Visit
with one of the LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs.

We are available 24/7!
LCC never goes where we are not invited and the LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry NEVER charges those we serve.
Hearts of Mercy & Compassion, Crosses for Losses provides a physical and spiritual symbol through the giving of hearts and crosses to families and friends who have suffered loss or serious illness of a loved one. LCC never charges those we serve.
Click HERE to read all the ways the Hearts of Mercy & Compassion, Crosses for Losses Ministry has served this year.
Help Us Reach Out with Hearts of Mercy & Compassion

Click HERE to learn more about the Hearts of Mercy & Compassion, Crosses for Losses Ministry or how your church can be involved.
INTERNATIONAL MISSIONS
Your Donations Are Saving Lives in Haiti
Haiti is the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere. Lutheran Church Charities sends your donations to Haiti through our Mission Partners, Ministry in Mission and Mission:Haiti. Both have people on the ground, who purchase and distribute desperately needed supplies to help save and improve the lives of the most vulnerable Haitians.

The most urgent need is food, water, hygiene kits, and building supplies, due to the deadly earthquake and flooding that struck Haiti in August.

There's also a need for motorcycles. Because of the terrible condition of the roads, motorcycles are the most efficient means of transportation for pastors who must travel many miles between the different churches they serve. The cost of a durable motorcycle is currently $1,900.

Please donate generously to help the people of Haiti as they once again face a devastating humanitarian crisis.
Haiti Critical Needs
Here are the most critical needs:

  • Haiti Shelter
  • Haiti – School Tuition
  • Food For Haitian Adults & Children
  • Haiti – Medical Support
  • Haiti – Center Of Refuge - Medical Fund
  • Haiti – Goats
  • Haiti – Beds For The Elderly
  • Haiti – Hygiene Supplies
  • Haiti – Shoes
  • Haiti Motorcycle Fund
  • Haiti Radio Station Jacmel
Please prayerfully consider making a monetary donation to enable Lutheran Church Charities to continue to send funds to Haiti.
FAITH RESOURCES
LCC Nationwide Prayer Vigil
Join Us In Prayer For All

Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.
Romans 12:15
We have been rejoicing and mourning with our neighbors, co-workers, friends, and family through the last year. Whether it’s a virtual school, loneliness, under or unemployment, food insecurity, loss, anxiety, depression; we have also grown together as families, changed jobs/careers, established new and maintained friendships via video calls, and packed our belongings for a location change; we are privileged to support one another.

The LCC Nationwide Prayer Vigil provides each of us the opportunity to be in prayer for one another. Please submit all prayer concerns and/or prayers of thanksgiving.
Share answered prayer at prayer@lutheranchurchcharities.org

If you experience difficulty submitting names or signing up to pray, please call 800-524-5464.
FAMILIES
IN NEED
MINISTRIES
IN NEED
VEHICLE
NEEDS
MINISTRY
RESOURCES
VOLUNTEER
OPPORTUNITIES
TRAVEL OPPORTUNITIES
Oberammergau Passion Play 2022

Hungary | The Czech Republic | Germany | Slovakia

Classical Europe

Budapest | Bratislava | Prague | Nurnberg | Rothenburg | Heidelberg | Rhine River Cruise | Neuschwanstein Castle | Oberammergau

11 days | June 28 - July 8, 2022

Hosted by: Tim Hetzner, President/CEO, Lutheran Church Charities
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE MANY
MINISTRIES OF LUTHERAN CHURCH CHARITIES
GOT STUFF? NEED STUFF?
WAYS TO GIVE TO LCC
All gifts designated for ministries outside of LCC are made
dollar for dollar without administrative fees deducted.
TEXT
@LCCgive to 52014 - text gift amount
Follow prompts on phone to
complete one-time registration
PHONE
Toll free number:
(866) 455-6466
AMAZONSMILE
Do you shop on Amazon.com?
You can benefit Lutheran Church Charities automatically, without any extra steps to your purchases. Just create an account on AmazonSmile and select Lutheran Church Charities as the beneficiary. Every time you shop, Amazon will make a donation to LCC! What a difference we can make together!
Do you shop the Amazon app via your mobile device? You can now support Lutheran Church Charities by using AmazonSmile through the app!
THRIVENT CHOICE® PROGRAM
We’re proud to be a Thrivent Choice®-enrolled organization.

Through the Thrivent programs, Lutheran Church Charities is eligible to receive grant dollars, fee-free donations, and support from Thrivent Action Team service projects.

Directing Choice Dollars is easy!

Visit thrivent.com/thriventchoice to learn more OR call 800-847-4836 and say "Thrivent Choice" after the prompt.
THRIVENT ACTION TEAM CARDS
Through the Thrivent programs, you are eligible to receive grant dollars, fee-free donations, and support from Thrivent Action Team service projects.

CLICK HERE to learn more about Thrivent Action Teams.

As always, thank you for all of your generous support - it makes a difference! If you would like to hear more about LCC ministry opportunities, which would benefit from an Action Team Card, please contact Tim Laabs at tlaabs@LutheranChurchCharities.org or (224) 443-4223, or Nikki Deacon at ndeacon@lutheranchurchcharities.org or (224) 500-3248.
CONTACT US!
Phone: 866-455-6466
Address: 3020 Milwaukee Ave
Northbrook, IL 60062