View as Webpage

“Jesus called the children to him and said, “Let the little children come to me"

This week will be a week of weeping and remembering the life of little “AJ” Fruend, the five year old from Crystal Lake, Illinois who was killed and buried in a shallow grave not far from his home. Many questions and answers are still to come from officials over this horrific tragedy.

LCC will be bringing mercy and compassion, with the help of its K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry, K-9 Police Ministry, and Kare 9 Military Ministry, to the family, friends, first responders, and community of Crystal Lake, Illinois .

On Tuesday of this week three LCC K-9 Police Ministry Dogs were on hand after a department meeting of the Crystal Lake Police Department. LCC K-9 Police Ministry Dogs Shiloh (Christ Our Savior – Dixon, Illinois), Susie (St. Peter – Arlington Heights, Illinois), and Julia (King of Glory – Elgin, Illinois) and their law enforcement handlers visited with law enforcement and other responders as they continue to work through this tragedy. The Crystal Lake PD along with other law enforcement agencies worked without stopping until AJ was found.

On Friday of this week, LCC K-9 teams are invited by the family to a public visitation that will be held at Davenport Funeral Home in Crystal Lake, Illinois from 1pm-8pm. Over twenty LCC K-9 Teams will be on hand for people to pray with and mourn with.

 

LCC is deeply saddened and prays for God’s comfort for all who mourn.

Lutheran Church Charities received an Emergency Financial Assistance Request from Dr. Rev. Luke Schnake, Senior Pastor, and Tom Grunow, Director of Financial Generosity from Christ Lincoln in Lincoln, Nebraska .

 

As donations are received, LCC will assist Christ Lincoln in helping the elderly couple who lost everything. The wife is recovering from her surgery in a safe, clean home and donations will help the husband purchase the tools he needs to continue to care for the property they manage.

Nebraska Churches Continue to Serve Families During Flood Recovery

Several Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (LCMS) churches in the Nebraska and Iowa West Districts are working together to assist in the flood recovery process.

Christ Lincoln – Lincoln, Nebraska with Dr. Rev. Luke Schnake, Senior Pastor, and Tom Grunow, Director of Financial Generosity and Disaster Coordinator is serving as a disaster relief collection and distribution center for 12 communities in Nebraska and Iowa West. They are also helping to prepare and serve meals in Glenwood, Iowa, on a weekly basis. LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Joanna brought comfort to the children staying and eating at the Glenwood Resource Center.

 

Redeemer – Lincoln, Nebraska (LCMS English District) with Pastor Mark Ebert is partnering with Christ Lincoln to provide meals to Glenwood, Iowa. Their members are also assisting with mucking and gutting of homes and working in the distribution center.

This past weekend, Christ Lincoln and Redeemer Lutheran Churches LERT team and church members went to Pacific Junction, Iowa, to help muck and gut homes for families who were able to finally see their homes last week. The devastation is catastrophic from water and mold. Although these homes are being gutted, it will still need to be determined if they will ever be able to be habitable again.

Christ Lincoln and Redeemer also prepared and served approximately 150 people lunch at the Glenwood Resource Center which has been serving as a shelter for displaced families from Glenwood and Pacific Junction.

Trinity – Fremont, Nebraska with Pastor Anthony Gerber has members mucking and gutting homes, and providing basic needs and rental assistance to families they served while in the shelter at their church. LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Katie continues to bring mercy and compassion to the flood affected community.

Good Shepherd – Fremont, Nebraska with Pastor Ryan Ankersen is preparing for their church to become a long term housing facility for displaced families who are unable to live in their damaged homes or whose homes have been completely destroyed by the floods. They are also coordinating volunteers to work in many communities to help affected residents begin their recovery process.

Please continue to pray for the affected Nebraska communities and the churches who serve them faithfully. Donate generously to help LCC continue supporting the individuals and families through our churches during their long recovery.

The LCC K-9 Ministry team at Trinity – Hicksville, New York , was presented LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Abraham's vest during the weekend of April 27 – 28 as part of the Passing of Vest during worship services by Pastor John Hopkins and LCC representative Joel Wardenburg , Northeast Regional Coordinator. Abraham Comfort Dog's team recently completed their training at LCC in Northbrook, Illinois, and are enthusiastic to share compassionate ministry as the first LCC K-9 Comfort Dog in New York.

Joel presented Top Dog Donna Haines with Abraham Comfort Dog's ministry vest. He also presented an LCC Kare 9 Military Ministry vest to Veteran Ministry Partner, John Haines, and an LCC K-9 Police Ministry vest to Bay Constable and handler, John Plank.  

Donna Haines shared a message about trust during the children’s message at worship. She said, “Humans have to trust God to guide them every day and Abraham has to trust his caregivers and handlers every day. Even when we don’t know where we are going.”

Abraham’s Bible verse is Hebrews 11:8, “By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going.”

 

Joining in the celebration were LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs Addie and Leah (Immanuel - Danbury, Connecticut), Lily (Good Shepard - Old Bridge, New Jersey), Lizzie (Trinity – Savannah, Georgia), Lydia (Messiah – Lynnfield, Massachusetts), Maggie (Christ the King – Newtown, Connecticut), and Obadiah (Christ Lutheran – Scituate, Massachusetts ), and their handlers.

We welcome Abraham Comfort Dog and his team as the first LCC K-9 Ministry located in the state of New York as they share the mercy, compassion, presence, and proclamation of Jesus Christ to those who are suffering and in need.

This past weekend, LCC K-9 affiliates around the country came together for training and education at Spring Regional Gatherings.

Five regions met in five states (Illinois, Wisconsin, Indiana, Nebraska, and New York) to work with LCC trainers and their K-9 teams. Along with fellowship, they participated in discussions on mental health, health maintenance for the dogs, and connecting with veterans. LCC K-9 affiliates meet regularly throughout the year to further the education and training needs of their K-9’s and teams. Five LCC K-9 staff trainers deployed out to the gatherings to review and refresh handler skills.

In New York, in addition to the Northeast Regional Gatherings, teams welcomed into the region our newest addition Abraham Comfort Dog at Trinity Lutheran in Hicksville, New York, during his Passing of the Vest service.

On Wednesday, April 24, LCC President / CEO Tim Hetzner and staff welcomed individuals who came to learn more about the various LCC Ministries and ways they can volunteer their time and talents. Attendees also had an opportunity to visit each ministry area to ask questions and share ideas on ways they can make a difference serving others.

 

It’s Never Too Late!

 

Learn more about the ways in which you can become involved in a ministry with a mission of Mercy, Compassion, Presence and Proclamation of Jesus Christ to those who are suffering and in need.



 

Together We Can Make A Difference in People’s Lives!

 

If you were unable to attend but want more information, contact Dianna Bonfield at Lutheran Church Charities 866-455-6466 or email [email protected]

On Tuesday, April 30, LCC President / CEO Tim Hetzner shared with attendees of the 2019 Lutheran Services in America (LSA) Annual Conference held in Chicago, Illinois , how the LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs bring mercy, compassion, presence and proclamation of Jesus Christ to those suffering and in need. Nine LCC K-9 Ministry teams, along with LCC staff, greeted attendees before and after their lunch break, giving them hands-on experience with the Comfort Dogs.

 

LSA represents over 300 health and human services organizations that reach 6 million people annually; touching the lives of 1 in 50 people in the U.S. each year. They champion Lutheran social ministry by building valuable connections, amplifying their voices, and empowering their members in their mission to answer God’s call to love and serve our neighbor.

LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs in attendance:

Ruthie (LCC Staff)

Emma (LCC Staff)

Jacob (LCC Staff)

Hannah (LCC Staff)

Malachi (St. Matthew – Hawthorne Woods, Illinois)

Tobias (Lord of Glory – Grayslake, Illinois)

Rahab (Comfort Dog in Training)

 

LCC Kare 9 Military Ministry Dogs in attendance:

Kare 9 Brutus (LCC Squad)

Kare 9 Flex (LCC Squad)

 

LCC looks forward to working with these organizations in serving those hurting and in need.

Thank You Immanuel – Palatine, Illinois, Quilting Group

On Thursday, April 25, Betty Franz and Jan Pemoller, members of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Palatine, Illinois , delivered 18 homemade quilts to Lutheran Church Charities to be given out during Disaster Response deployments. A special thank you to Betty, Jan, and all the ladies of the Immanuel Palatine quilting group who put together these quilts that will touch the lives of hurting people in Jesus Name.

LERT Teams Help Prince of Peace – Palatine, Illinois, with Tree Damage from Storms

Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Palatine, Illinois , extends a huge thank you to Lutheran Church Charities and LERT for bringing equipment and helping make their church grounds safe.

On Thursday, April 25, LCC LERT chainsaw team members spent the day working at Prince of Peace removing tree limbs that were damaged from recent storms and hanging dangerously on their property.

LERT Team members present were:

Immanuel- Palatine: Steve MacKay

Prince of Peace – Palatine: Jim & Karen Beckley, Richard Haberger, Julie Wetterman

St. John – Wheaton: Marty Johnson

Register Now for LERT Basic Trainings in 2019!

Lutheran Church Charities has set the following LERT Basic Training dates. If you know someone who would be a good addition to your LERT team encourage them to register and attend.

Time: Registration: 8:00 - 8:30 am | Training: 8:30 am - 1:00 pm 

Cost: $35.00 per person for new LERT volunteers; $10 for LERT team members attending to update your ID

Payments can be made online or during registration. Walk in registrations will also be accepted the day of the training. Please wear your ID and bring your manual with you if you have previously attended. Continental breakfast and snacks will be provided.

Saturday, May 11, 2019

Good Shepherd Lutheran Church

177 Luther Lane

Frankfort, Illinois 60423

Register for 2019 NAMI DuPage 

Speaker Series Presentations Today!

NAMI DuPage knows how important it is to provide information on the best educational and supportive services available for people affected by mental illness and for community organizations and service providers. Through the NAMI DuPage Speaker Series , we invite professionals and peers to the table to speak on their experiences and knowledge as it relates to some of the topics that we receive the most questions about. These presentations are open to anyone: family members, individuals, professionals, or general community members.

This is a Good Boy: ‘Comfort Dog’ Serves Long Island Church, Others in Need

LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Abraham (Trinity – Hicksville, New York)

(Saturday, April 28, 2019 – Newsday / Ellen Yan)

A Bark of Faith – Hicksville Church is First in NY to Receive a Comfort Dog

LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Abraham (Trinity – Hicksville, New York)



(Sunday, April 24-30, 2019 – Hicksville News / Allison Eichler)

Anan Harmon Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution

Special Olympics

15th Annual Senior Fair

Ellie Cuiching Visitation and Funeral

Last Call of Remembrance Ceremony

Wilmette (IL) Police Department

8th Annual Officer Down Memorial Ride

Christkindl Markets   

 

Austria ... Slovenia ... Croatia

11 Days | November 30 - December 10, 2019

 

Hosted by: Tim Hetzner, President / CEO, Lutheran Church Charities

 

Since the Middle Ages, December in Central Europe means Advent Markets, where for centuries local craftsmen have expressed the message of Christmas in traditional handcrafts and decorations. From major cities to small villages, the markets attract locals and visitors alike, coming together to share in the anticipation of Advent. Join me in a trip, which explores the customs and traditions of this most important Christian celebration, where the magic of Christmas comes alive once more against the backdrop of the Alps.

AloaFest at Sea

Western Caribbean Cruise

4 Nights | January 16 – 20, 2020

On this cruise, you will enjoy inspiring worship services, fun parties, socials, group get-togethers, devotions, Bible studies, meditations and much more. Keynote presentation and Meet & Greet with Dr. Rich Bimler.

Hope-Full Living Cruise  

 

Port Canaveral, Florida - CocoCay & Nassau, Bahamas

4 Nights | February 24 - 28, 2020

 

Join us for a fun and relaxing time of Christian fellowship on this retreat at sea for adults of any age. You will enjoy Humorist Dr. Rich Bimler who will use wit and wisdom to share helpful insights on hope-full living and spiritual growth as we celebrate our vision for 2020 !

NEW | Oberammergau Passion Play 2020

 

Berlin ... Potsdam ... Wittenberg ... Eisleben ... Erfurt 

Wartburg Castle ... Nuremberg ... Oberammergau

11 Days - Germany and Lutheran Heritage | May 10 - 20, 2020 

SOLD OUT | Oberammergau Passion Play 2020

 

Hungary ... the Czech Republic ... Germany and Slovakia

 

11 Days - Classical Europe | June 30 - July 10, 2020

Thursday, May 2, 2019 - National Day of Prayer Site

Saturday, May 4, 2019 - NAMI 1st Annual Stomp Out Stigma

Saturday, May 11, 2019 - NAMI DuPage's Annual Shine A Light Gala

Saturday, June 22, 2019 - Old Schoolhouse Community Garden Planting Day

Thursday, August 8 & Friday, August 9, 2019 - Global Leadership Summit

Sunday, October 13, 2019 - Move your Feet for Hope! 

All gifts designated for ministries outside of LCC are made

dollar for dollar without administrative fees deducted.

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!

Your copy should address 3 key questions: Who am I writing for? (Audience) Why should they care? (Benefit) What do I want them to do here? (Call-to-Action)

Create a great offer by adding words like "free" "personalized" "complimentary" or "customized." A sense of urgency often helps readers take an action, so think about inserting phrases like "for a limited time only" or "only 7 remaining!"