February 16, 2011 In This Issue
Help Bring the Word of God to Christians in the Phillipines Free Daily Devotions Help Provide Clean Drinking Water for All Our Lutheran Schools in Haiti All We Want for Christmas is a Toilet! 1 By Youth Haiti Spring Break Mission Trips LCC Conducts Congregational Preparedness and LERT Training in Kentucky LERT Training Sessions in 2011 Your Donations at Work Making A Differenc Items Available to a Ministry Items Free for the Asking People and Ministries in Need Comfort Dog Update Travel Announcement CHRISTKINDL MARKETS Nurses Needed for March Mission Trip to Haiti Help us Feed People in Need Help Bring See Through the Scriptures to Haiti and the Dominican Republic Help Equip Haitian Women and Youth Leaders Spread the Gospel Mission Trip to Haiti Leaving February 22 Vehicle Donations Needed for Families in Need Congregational Preparedness Training LCC Emergency
Help Bring the Word of God to Christians in the Philippines and Make A Difference to Thousands of Lives Tim Hetzner - President of Lutheran Church Charities comments: This training can literally impact thousands of lives with the saving message of salvation in Jesus Christ. This is a very important country to support the Christian Church by helping them Get the Story Straight - and Get the Story Out. Crossways International's Bible study materials have been used in the Philippines for many years. A layman, Vic Pabellon (based in Zamboanga in the island province of Mindanao) has taught its materials to hundreds of clergy and thousands of lay-people. Although Vic is a members of the Christian and Missionary Alliance Church, he works with all denominations. Crossways International also works in partnership with Archbishop Valiant Dayagbil, who teaches CI's courses at his denomination's seminary (with 30 students) - the denomination being the Filipino Independent Church (IPP). The IPP has about 200,000 members, 24 bishops, 80 priests, and 20 deacons. The denomination plans to conduct a four-day training event (March 14-17) in Padre Burgos to equip its leaders to understand and teach CI's materials across the Philippines. However, because of the financial downturn around the world, Archbishop Valiant has been unable to raise any funding for the event from international partners (because of the world-wide economic downturn) and is asking us to supply him with $6,000 to enable it to happen. Dr. Harry Wendt has known and worked with Archbishop Valiant for many years; he has a Th. D. Degree from a US seminary. Dr. Wendt has also visited with him in his home; it consists of one large room with little alcoves where family members sleep. Its walls and roof are made of thatched bamboo. Please, can you help this remarkable man equip his denomination's leaders to touch the lives of thousands of fellowFilipinos? Consider helping the Christian Church in the Philippines with this important need. Click here to donate
Assistance Fund Looking for Ways to Share the Mercy and Compassion of Christ to Those in Your Church and Community? Bible Study Classes Tim's Pick of the Week Upcoming Events How To Support LCC
Prayer Wall Post a prayer, or pray for others!
LCC Daily Devotions - Receive Them Free by Email Tomorrow starts an eight-part series on "The Beatitudes" by Tim Hetzner, so why not sign up to receive them for free. Click here to sign up for our free online devotions
Help Provide Clean Drinking Water for All Our Lutheran Schools in Haiti LCC, in partnership with LCMS World Relief and Human Care, is raising money to put a Hydraid® BioSand water filter in each of the 82 Lutheran Schools in Haiti. The cost of each filter is $185.00 and will provide clean drinking water for all the students in the school. Hydraid® BioSand water filters are a simple filter with no moving parts. The filter combats the leading causes of death and disease in the developing world by reducing parasites, bacteria and viruses found in contaminated water.
LCC's Prayer Wall
"Part of our plan is to place larger HydrAid filters in each of the schools, therefore providing fresh water for the students. Using the Lutheran Schools as a setting, parents of students will be invited to attend a water sanitation class which includes the opportunity to obtain one of the family-sized filters." Glenn Merritt, LCMS WR-HC. Help Make A Difference for an entire school. LCC connects needs with resources, working with more than 400 congregations to help Christians "Make a Difference in People's Lives and in God's Kingdom" To meet our staff, click here
Click here to donate
UPDATE: Haiti: All We Want for Christmas is a Toilet!
Request from Susan Gross, Haitian Lutheran Mission Project LCC received the following update from Sue Gross:
For more information about LCC and its human care ministry, please contact LCC staff at: LCC@LutheranChurch Charities.org
First Toilet Built Because of Your Support! Thank you for Making A Difference Toilets are being built in Jeremie, Haiti to prevent the spread of Cholera and other diseases. The first of several was built at the Dame Marie Lutheran School. There are 34 schools in Pastor Isaac's district and he hopes, eventually, to have a toilet built at each location. Thank you so much for the donations he has received so far.
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Ministry Quicklinks Newsletter Archive / Printable Format Bible Classes Daily Devotions
Sue Gross The Haitian Lutheran Mission Project These children are asking for a TOILET for Christmas. Yes, that must sound strange to most of us but it is true. Cholera is invading the country of Haiti. Clean water and toilets are needed to prevent thousands of deaths. Click here to read Pastor Isaac's letter Click here to donate
Prayer Requests To Donate Ministries We Support Join Our Mailing List!
Help 1 By Youth Make a Difference
As promised, here are some further details on the 1 By Youth day of service scheduled for Saturday, May 7. Join This massive event is designed to rally 1,000 or more Christian youth and their adult leaders for a single day of transformational service in a single To Unsubscribe: neighborhood. To make this happen Enter your e-mail we'll need approximately 100 volunteers to work 'behind the scenes' in preparation for and address above, and you during the event.
will be sent instructions. By the end of this week we hope to have Thank you.
"Send a Spoken Prayer"
LCC's "Send a Spoken Prayer" e-Card site is available. To learn more, Click Here
selected the neighborhood where the work will take place. If you have a city neighborhood you would like to nominate, please contact Tim Kurth with details. Once the neighborhood is selected we'll need to identify as many as 100 work projects that could be completed in a single day by unskilled volunteer labor. Any projects that will transform the neighborhood qualify (cleaning parks, painting playground equipment, mulching trails, planting gardens, cleaning up schools, painting houses, light construction, etc.). Additionally, we need to raise almost all the funds through gifts-in-kind or cash donations to cover the necessary materials for all the projects. So...here's the wish list that we need in order to make 1 By Youth Chicago a smashing success: · Volunteer leaders to prepare for the event (contact Tim Kurth for specific roles to be filled) · A neighborhood that can benefit from a flood of volunteers · Donations of supplies, materials and/or cash to provide for the work to be done · A donation or or favorable price for souvenir t-shirts for every participant (designs are already complete) · A lunch meal for every participant (a restaurant donation or churches making sack lunches are two options) · A worship band interested in leading songs at the opening at the event Group Cares, our partner for this event, is providing some funding for the day. It will be sufficient for lunches or t-shirts but not enough to cover materials and supplies. They also take care of recruiting and registering the 1,000 participants. This is a community engagement strategy to energize a neighborhood in need. As such, it is designed to involve businesses in or near the area where the work will be done. Home repair stores, contractors, restaurants, Wal-Mart, Walgreens, and others have participated in 1 By Youth events in other cities. Finally, any creative ideas, encouragement or support you can think of that is not listed here would be greatly appreciated. Please email Tim Kurth at TimKurth@LutheranChurchCharities.org and let him know how you'd like to help or call him at the office 866-455-6466. Together we can make a big difference in Chicago this May!
College Students Needed in Haiti! Our Making A Difference 2011 Spring Break Mission Trips LCMS World Relief and Human Care and Lutheran Church Charities are partnering to offer five different Spring Break Mission Trips to Haiti! Cost is ONLY your expenses to get to Port-au-Prince and back plus a $150 registration fee. Costs for transportation, food, lodging, and materials are being covered by donors. Are you a College Student wanting to touch lives with the Mercy and Compassion of Christ this Spring Break? Consider Making A Difference by Building Homes and Hope for Haiti's 1.5 million people who are still living in tents from the earthquake a year ago!
The following dates are currently scheduled: Arrive in Haiti
Depart Haiti
Trip A February 27
March 5
Trip B
March 6
March 12
Trip C
March 13
March 19
Trip D
March 20
March 26
Trip E
March 28
April 2
For more information or to register for a trip - click here To donate to help offset the costs to put up the college students Click here to donate through LCMS.org Click here to donate through Lutheran Church Charities To view pictures of the site where you will be working - click here For a poster to pass out to your college friends - click here. For more information contact Lutheran Church Charities at 866-455-6466 or email SpringBreak2011@LutheranChurchCharities.org
LCC Conducts Congregational Preparedness and LERT Training in Louisville Kentucky On Saturday, February 12th, Lutheran Church Charities conducted Congregational Preparedness (Preparing to Meet the Challenge) and LERT (Lutheran Early Response Team) training for Disaster Response. This training was attended by individuals living in Indiana and Kentucky. Pete Imlah, LCC's Director of Mission and Outreach, led both the trainings. Twenty-three individuals attended the morning session of "Preparing to Meet the Challenge" which is a faith-based training program that is designed to provide the guidance and tools necessary for LCMS congregations and individuals to respond to disasters in their communities, with emphasis on Christian care. In the afternoon, twenty-five individuals were trained and certified in LERT. They will join the other 335 people trained and certified with Lutheran Church Charities and LCMS World Relief and Human Care. By being an LCC LERT volunteer, you are able to share the Mercy and Compassion of Jesus Christ with people when they are hit with a disaster, and Make A Difference in their lives! If you are interested in hosting a "Congregational Preparedness" or "LERT" training session, please contact Lutheran Church Charities at 866-455-6466 or email LCC@LutheranChurchCharities.org . Click here to donate towards helping support the work of LCC in disaster response.
LERT Training Session Next Week Tuesday, February 22nd - Fellowship of Faith, McHenry, IL Registration is $20 and helps cover the cost of the training materials, meal, and the LERT T-shirt, which is required to be worn in a disaster response situation. Registration can be paid by credit card online at time of registration or by cash or check at the door. To register click here. In order to better manage volunteers and resources, FEMA is finalizing 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 training for Lutheran Early Response Teams (LERT) throughout our district. 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 team members for credentialing and will focus on the safety, work, and ministry of Lutherans as Early Responders. Click here to register. For more information, call Dianna Bonfield at 866-455-6466.
Tim Hetzner Speaks at The Brothers of John the Steadfast Conference The conference was a two-day opportunity for study, rich liturgical worship, and fellowship all topped off by Bethany Lutheran's renowned hospitality. This year's conference was held on Friday and Saturday, February 11-12 at Bethany Lutheran Church in Naperville, Illinois.
Rev Walt Otten, Rev Matt Harrison President of the LCMS, Tim Hetzner, and K-9 Comfort Dog Tillie
Tim Hetzner, Rich Martin, Rev Timothy Rossow of Bethany Naperville, and K-9 Comfort Dog Tillie Click here to read Reconciliation with Tilly the Comfort Dog, by Pastor Rossow
LCC President, Tim Hetzner, speaking on Mercy K-9 Comfort Dog Tillie visits with the at the The Brothers of John the Steadfast wife and children of a conference Conference attendee. To find out more information about the EXCELLENT ministry and resources of The Brothers of John the Steadfast, click here.
Tim Hetzner at Hope Lutheran, Countryside On Sunday, Feburary 13th, Tim Hetzner was out at Hope Lutheran Church Countryside, Illinois. He spoke on LCC and our Parish Comfort Dog Ministry. There was a potluck meal afterwards Lutherans Do Food WELL!!! Thank you to all the members of Hope Lutheran!
Your Donations at Work in Making A Difference
Rev. William Duey dropped off a donation of computers, monitors and printers at the LCC offices in Addison
Diana Knight from Chicagoland Lutheran Educational Foundation dropped by the LCC offices to pick up a donated washer/dryer combination unit
Shoes continue to be distributed in the tent cities in Haiti.
Progress is being made on building the guest houses in Jacmel that will house volunteers for Building Homes and Hope in Haiti.
For those of you that have donated to purchase water filters for the families in Haiti, 300 filters have been delivered to Pastor Isaac in Jeremie to go out to families. Another 200 will shortly be on their way. Thank you for Making A Difference!
Thanks to Your Generous Support, We Were Able to Provide Assistance to the following: Housing Assistance Fund - St. Paul, Thornton Ethiopian Boy Assistance Fund - St. Peter, Schaumburg Christ the King, Chicago Fund Prison Ministry Fund Widow with three children fund - Salem Lutheran Church, Orange, CA
Items Available to a Ministry 2833 Yamaha Stereo Receiver 2832 Denon Stereo Receiver 2831 Panasonic DVD/VCR player/recorder 2830 Sony DVD/VCR combo 2829 Magnavox DVD player 2828 (4) wireless microphone systems (700hz), (2) Lavalier microphones, (4) wireless handheld mics ALL TO BE USED OUT OF THE UNITED STATES 2827 (3) Compaq, Pentium III, Small Form Factors; Gateway Pentium IV tower (for parts), (3) CRT monitors, (2) Deskjet printers (952C) & (5550) 2822 several hundred 90-minute audio tapes 2821 Sony Master tape duplicator w/two slave units that allows duplicating of 11 tapes at one time For More items, click here to view the latest updates on our DONATE Web Page...
Items Free for the Asking LCC works THROUGH churches and is not a Direct Service Ministry. To request an item on our "Free for the Asking" list please contact your Church and ask that they call us (866-455-6466) requesting an item. Arrangements will then be made to connect the item with you. If you are not a member of a Christian Church then please call LCC to place you in contact with one of our LCMS churches who can assist you. 2833 Yamaha Stereo Receiver 2832 Denon Stereo Receiver 2831 Panasonic DVD/VCR player/recorder 2830 Sony DVD/VCR combo 2829 Magnavox DVD player 2828 (4) wireless microphone systems (700hz), (2) Lavalier microphones, (4) wireless handheld mics ALL TO BE USED OUT OF THE UNITED STATES 2827 (3) Compaq, Pentium III, Small Form Factors; Gateway Pentium IV tower (for parts), (3) CRT monitors, (2) Deskjet printers (952C) & (5550) For More Items Available, click here to view the list on our DONATE page... To OFFER an item for this section, or to get a Receipt for an item you have donated, CLICK HERE for the NON-MONETARY DONATION FORM
People and Ministries in Need Help Make A Difference
Help a Congregation Located in a Prime Mission Field in Los Angeles
Request from Pastor ST Williams, St. Paul Lutheran Church, Los Angeles, California In March 2011, St. Paul will celebrate its 86th year of Word and Sacrament Ministry in the City of Los Angeles (South-Central). The Celebration is entitled "we have come this far by faith" Romans 3:21-24. We are seeking partners and fellow laborers of the Gospel who have a desire to come along side an urban/inner city congregation and assist with the financial deficits the church is facing under this present economic downturn. This will help sustain the future of the mission and ministry as he along with the members work under the guidance of the Holy Spirit to bring fulfill the Great Commission in the City of Los Angeles and the world. Click here to read more from Pastor Williams Click here to donate
Urban Children's Choir Looking for Volunteers Pastor Kenety Gee, founder of The Chicago Urban Missions, is looking for a music director and/or assistant to begin the process of forming an Urban Children's Choir. Volunteers with a strong musical knowledge and the ability to work with children will be asked to donate their time and energy for the first few months. After reviewing the progress of the choir and the vision of the volunteer, a paid position will be offered to the most qualified people. Pastor Gee's vision is to bring together the energy and talents of children from all over the city of Chicago. Through this choir, relationships will be built with church, families and community working together, bringing more people into the Lord's Kingdom. Work has begun on an after school program bringing interest in the choir to children in various communities. Some of the children are already participating in their own church choirs and have the desire to develop their talents further with hard work and dedication. Pastor's goal is to make this choir self supporting through church and public concerts. For more information, contact Sue Gross via email at suelynn144@aol.com
Single Man in Need of reliable Transportation for Work
Request from Pastor Rick Schauer, Trinity Lutheran Church, Tinley Park, Illinois We have a member who is in need of reliable transportation. As a result of some financial struggles his credit rating is low so he is unable to borrow money to purchase a car. He is able to insure and maintain a car. He works as a courier so reliable transportation is absolutely necessary for him to continue to work. If someone had a car to donate to him that would be a tremendous blessing. Please contact LCC at 866-455-6466 or email LCC@LutheranChurchCharities.org if you have a vehicle to donate.
Car Needed for Pastor in Florida Dear LCC, I'm Pastor Paul Hayes II and I live in Florida. My father passed away in Moultrie, Georgia in 2007 and I took over his lifelong work for the Lord, two small country Pentecostal Churches (Holy Temple in Moultrie and St. Paul's in Coolidge), with no place to live there, and no salary or strings attached. I have been making the 5 hour drive twice a week since 2007 in order to work 2 part time jobs. I am now in need of a vehicle, which I cannot afford to buy. I was led to write to you and ask you to be a blessing. God Bless You for your Help! If you have a car in Florida or Georgia to donate to Pastor Hayes please call LCC at 866455-6466 or email LCC@LutheranChurchCharities.org
Housing and Car Repairs Needed for Single Woman and Her Mother
Requested by Pastor Gerald Menk, Faith Lutheran Church, Lake Forest, Illinois Request for Help - car repairs and housing needs! Homeless mother and adult daughter need your help! - To pay for alternator and battery repairs on their car - their car stores all their possessions and is a place of shelter at times. - To find affordable housing for the 41-year-old daughter; she can pay something and is willing to clean/or cook to help with the rest. While the social security check will help with some of these expenses it is not sufficient to pay for everything so any assistance with car repairs and housing leads would truly be a great help. The ladies wish to thank God and your readers that recently a reader has offered the mother a place to stay - an answer to prayer! Click here to donate
Single Man Facing Eviction-Financial Assistance Needed
Request from Pastor Harold Wahl, St. Paul Lutheran Church, Thornton, Illinois There is a single man in our congregation who is in financial need. He has been unemployed for two years and all of his resources have run out. He is actively looking for work in construction but is unable to find employment. He had been living with his parents but his father passed away and his mother has cancer and had to sell the house and move in with her daughter. So he doesn't have family members who are able to help him. He is $2,000 behind in his rent and is in the process of being evicted. We at St Paul have helped him with food and financial aid, and will continue to support him as we can, but his need is greater than we can handle alone. If anyone is able to help us minister to his financial needs it would be a tremendous blessing. Click here to donate
Single Man in Need of Reliable Transportation
Request from Pastor Dan Hawkins, New Song Church, Aurora, Illinois I have a special request for a vehicle. The request is for a single man in his 40's who is a member of our congregation. He has been out of work with no car for some time. Although he is actively searching for employment, nothing has opened up yet. In the meantime, he has been dedicating a great deal of time toward our ministry at New Song and would like to do more. He is very passionate about serving the Savior and is hopeful that his work situation will turn the corner in the near future. A reliable means of transportation would be a great help in his desire to find employment and dedicate more time to the work of the Lord at New Song church. LCC has been a powerful resource in the past for helping people in need of transportation. Your assistance for a vehicle for this member would be greatly appreciated. If you have a car to donate please contact LCC at 866-455-6466 or email LCC@LutheranChurchCharities.org
Ebenezer, Chicago in Need of Boiler Repair
Pastor Richard Gizynski, Ebenezer Lutheran Church, Chicago LCC received the following request from Pastor Gizynski: Some things change. Some things do not. It is true that Ebenezer has listed its property for sale. This is a big change, but a positive one. The buildings are aging and inefficient. Daily upkeep, let alone mounting repair costs, are straining and stretching the resources of the congregation nearly to the breaking point. Click here to read the rest of the story Click here to donate
Nine-Year-Old Ethiopian Boy Needs Surgery in the United States Request from Pastor David Hudak, St Peter Lutheran Church, Schaumburg, Illinois
Pastor Tadesse Kasse, who serves the Ethiopian Mekane Yesus group here at St. Peter, has a nine-year-old grandson who lives in Ethiopia with his parents. He was recently diagnosed with a seizure disorder. He had an MRI taken which showed a cystic mass in the left lobe of his brain. The usual treatment involves surgery to remove the mass and a biopsy to diagnose the nature of the mass. The treatment needs to be done in a timely manner to prevent any kind of permanent damage to the brain. There is no pediatric neurosurgery hospital in Ethiopia that can do this procedure. Depending on the result of the biopsy, he may need chemotherapy. He needs to come to the United States for the surgery. It is estimated that the cost of the surgery may be around $30,000. The congregation at St. Peter is committed to helping to get Nahom Moges to the United States for this surgery. We will be sponsoring fundraisers but additional assistance is needed and will be much appreciated. Pastor Tadesse Kasse and his wife Zerfe are members of St. Peter. Click here to donate
Washer and Dryer Needed
Request from Pastor Jeremy Heilman, Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Chicago I have a couple who are in desperate need of a washer and electric dryer. They have the hook-ups but can not afford to buy the appliances. If anyone has a set they can donate it would be a tremendous blessing for this family. If you have a washer or dryer to donate please contact LCC at 866-455-6466 or email LCC@LutheranChurchCharities.org
Nikki Berg and Her Twin Daughters, Ella and Lina Request from NID President Rev. Dan Gilbert
With the sudden death of her husband, Rev Darrel Berg, a special fund has been set up with Lutheran Church Charities to help Nikki and her two-year-old twin daughters, Ella and Lina, with living expenses. Any financial assistance would be greatly appreciated to help them at this difficult time. Help show the Mercy and Compassion of Christ to the Berg family. To contribute please click here or send your gift to LCC at 333 W Lake St, Addison IL 60101 and mark you check Berg Fund, or call LCC at 866-455-6466 and talk with Tim Hetzner.
Comfort Dog Update Hope and Tillie at Immanuel Hillside On Wednesday, February 9th, LCC K-9 Parish Comfort Dogs Tillie and Hope visited the students and staff at Immanuel Lutheran School in Hillside, Illinois. During the K-9 Chapel Talk Pete Imlah encouraged the student to remember their baptism and being wrapped with the righteousness of God. After visiting the classrooms and allowing the students to ask questions Hope and Tillie played baseball in the gym with the 3rd and 4th graders. Click here to schedule a K-9 Comfort Dog visit
Donate to the K-9 Parish Comfort Dog Ministry
Now Available: Join Tim Hetzner this fall as he leads a CHRISTKINDL MARKETS trip to the Czech Republic, Germany and Austria, November 27 to December 5, 2011 December is the time for the Christkindl Markets (Advent Markets) in the Czech Republic, Germany and Austria, a tradition that dates back hundreds of years. Literally translated, the street fairs are Christ-child markets. They happen in nearly every city and village, large and small. They are always cause for celebration and for shopping, for some roasted sausage, music on the streets and the insides of centuries-old churches, and, of course, some hot, spiced wine. Let this be an invitation to focus on Advent and the Coming of Christ in bringing in the Christmas Season. Tim Hetzner President, Lutheran Church Charities Click here for more information on this trip
Join LCC Staff Member Tim Kurth on a Mission Trip to Kenya As the newest member of the Lutheran Church Charities staff I am pleased to invite you to join me on a short-term mission trip to Kenya this coming August. Together we will serve the neediest children in that country bringing them help and hope in the name of Jesus. Working with Kenyan folks I've known for over a dozen years means the projects will be meaningful and well-prepared. This is a combination medical/construction trip so we are looking specifically for doctors and nurses to join us. If you are not able to join the team please consider sponsoring someone from your church and encourage others to become sponsors, as well. Click here for more details...
Calling all Local Volunteers - Project LARRI Needs Your Help It's been 22 months since the tri-county area of NW Indiana flooded and 22,000 families were impacted as the result of flooding from the remnants of Hurricane Ike. A tremendous amount of recovery work has been completed but there are still 800 families waiting for assistance. Project LARRI (Lakeshore Area Regional Recovery of Indiana) is seeking volunteers to help with the rebuilding efforts.
Will you help to repair or rebuild a home? Our work continues through the winter and this spring. We are scheduling volunteers into June of 2011 at the current time. If you have volunteered with us in the past, THANK YOU, and we hope you will join us again. If you have not yet volunteered with us, we will be happy to train you on everything you will need to know! To learn more about volunteering locally with LARRI, please contact Kasie Tenbarge at ktenbarge@larri.info, or 219-836-1325 x 112.
Nurses and Medical Personnel Needed for March Mission Trip to Haiti Sue Gross from Christ Lutheran in Orland Park stopped by the LCC offices to pick up your donations of prescription eye glasses. The glasses will be taken to Haiti as part of the Haiti Mission Trip planned for March 3-12, 2011. Nurses are still needed for the Mission Trip. We will be training local Haitians to administer basic health care to school children and the elderly as well as teaching hygiene to children and prenatal care to expectant mothers. The cost of the trip is $2,000.00. We must know before the end of December if you are coming. For more information email Sue Gross at suelynn144@aol.com .
Help us Feed People in Need
In Disaster Response and Outreach Events Because Christians do food well - and food is always needed in a Disaster Response situation and other outreach events, LCC is looking for a FOOD WAGON that we can cook and serve food from. Needs to be portable - can be a pull trailer or mobile unit. If you know of anyone who has one they would like to donate, or if your group would like to help purchase one that would be shared with our NID congregations and beyond, please contact Tim Hetzner at LCC at 866-455-6466.
Help Bring See Through the Scriptures to Haiti and the Dominican Republic Crossways International's See Through the Scriptures (STS) has been translated into French and Spanish, and has been used in Haiti and the Dominican Republic for a number of years taught mainly by a Lutheran pastor who has conducted numerous training events for clergy and teachers. As you can well imagine, the people who live in these two countries have little or no money - more so than ever before as a result of the 2010 earthquake. Crossways International does not have access to the funding needed to provide the required materials. However, copies of the STS materials can be produced in the Dominican Republic for $2 each. We would love to be able to provide Christians in these two nations with one (better, two) thousand copies of STS. Please, can you help us do this? A personal note from Dr. Harry Wendt, President, Crossways International Chloris and I would love to be able to write out a check to fund the above projects. However, we live on a limited income, and give about 25% of it each year to CI's mission and other charitable causes. Sad to say, CI has been badly hurt by the present economic downturn. Can you come to our aid, or make suggestions regarding possible sources of funding? To date, CI's ministry has helped about 3,000,000 people around the world-and requests for access to our written/graphic materials continue to come in. Rest assured that our goal remains: "To reach the most people with the Best Message for the least cost." Click here to donate
Help Equip Haitian Women and Youth Leaders to Spread the Gospel On February 22nd, Lord of Life Lutheran Church in LaFox, Illinois, will be leaving for Port Au Prince,Haiti to equip and train women and youth leaders to evangelize. Currently 50 people have signed up for this training. The goal is to provide each participant with a French Bible and Creole French Bible tracks to prepare them to go out and spread the Gospel. Please prayerfully consider a gift. A ten dollar gift would be enough to provide the material for one participant. As with most successful ministries, women and youth are on the front line in their communities. Click here to donate
Mission Trip to Haiti Leaving February 22 Lord of Life Church in LaFox, Illinois in parternship with First Lutheran Church in Texarkana, Texas, will be sponsoring a mission trip to Haiti February 22- March 1. We will be conducting VBS for our sponsored orphanage in Port Au Prince. In addition, Dr. Susan Busse will be providing medical care in two rural villages that rarely see any medical attention. Also, Dr. Barry Kolb will be conducting a "Walk Through the Bible" training seminar using the Crossways materials to equip lay leadership, both men and women. This multifaceted team welcomes your prayer and financial support. A year after the earthquake, people in Haiti are still recovering physically, emotionally and spiritually. What a joy to be the hands and feet of Jesus. Click here to financially support this Mission Trip
LCC Meets with Ghana Pastor on Malaria Treatment LCC staff met with Pastor William Boateng from Ghana to talk about LCC's continual Malaria Research and treatment in Ghana. Pictured are: (seated) Rev Walt Otten, Rev. William Boateng; (standing) John Peterson, Dr. Susan Busse, Tim Hetzner and Pete Imlah from LCC. Pastor Boateng was treated and cured of Malaria - and is requesting more treatment be brought back to Ghana to be used through our Lutheran Congregations there. To help finance Malaria treatment, click here
Vehicle Donations Needed for Families in Need LCC has received numerous requests from churches for vehicles for families in need of reliable transportation. The need for cars and vans to provide a means for getting to work, school and medical appointments has never been higher. If you have a working car or van please consider donating it to LCC for one of these families. All vehicles that are donated to LCC go directly out to families or individuals through our congregations. NO vehicles are sold. If you have a vehicle to donate please contact LCC at 866-455-6466 or email LCC@LutheranChurchCharities.org
Disasters Can Hit Anytime Anywhere, Therefore LCC Will Continue To Offer Congregational Preparedness Training LCMS Human Care and World relief has put together the training and tools needed for a congregation to develop a plan for being prepared if a disaster hits. Not only that LCC and the District Disaster Response Team are trained and willing to take your congregation through the plan. This takes about 3 hours with key leaders of your church. Members of LCC and the District Disaster Response team will continue to consult with your congregation, helping you through each of the various aspects to have a plan in place. Congregational Preparedness Training (CPT) addresses questions like "Do we have a contingency plan in the event that the pastor becomes a victim of a disaster?" or "In the event that a tornado is bearing down on our church on Sunday morning during worship service who should be the person to say we need to evacuate the sanctuary and where is the safest place for all these people to go?" Having recognized that God often uses disaster to open doors for his Church to do ministry, participants address questions like "What are some ways that our congregation can offer Christ's comfort to the community after a disaster?" or "What happens to the church budget - can designated funds be used in times of crises?" If you are interested in scheduling a CPT session, Click here to fill out the CPT interest form or contact Dianna Bonfield at 866-455-6466 or email Dianna@LutheranChurchCharities.org
Thrivent Choice - Help Support Making A Difference Through Lutheran Church Charities Thrivent Choice is the new charitable grant program through which Thrivent Financial for Lutherans members are able to direct Thrivent charitable funds. Eligible members are designated Choice Dollars, based on insurance premiums, contract values, and Thrivent Financial volunteer leadership which are directed by the member to Lutheran organizations.
LCC Emergency Assistance Fund LCC gets requests daily concerning people who need assistance, and it is increasing because of the current economic times we are living in. LCC works through our churches to provide assistance by making the need known - and dollar per dollar we give the money to a church to help the family or individual. However, we receive some requests that are emergencies, and money is needed that day or the next day and we can't always get the need out in our weekly email newsletter first. Would you consider making a gift to our LCC Emergency Assistance fund so that when these emergency needs occur we can help (through our churches) quicker? This is an important way for the Body of Christ to share the Mercy and Compassion and Proclamation of Christ. To contribute please click here Thank you for continuing to Make A Difference! Tim Hetzner
For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Ephesians 6:12
The Gospel is Still the Best Way to Counter Terrorism!
Help Support our Lutheran Outreach Efforts in Lebanon Lebanon is one of the few countries in the Middle East that still has a Christian population. It is a strategic country to reach Muslims in the Middle East. The Lutheran Church has been actively involved in Gospel outreach in Lebanon since the 1950's. Because of Mission cutbacks, support is desperately needed to continue bringing the Gospel to those of the Islamic faith. Tim Hetzner, President of Lutheran Church Charities, will be traveling to Lebanon to meet with our Lutheran Missionaries there to help share the story of the work that is going and can be done! They are desperately in need of our support and prayers during this time of unrest in the Middle East. If we want to effectively fight terrorism, we need to use the only weapon that will make a difference - the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Please help our fellow Christians in Lebanon continue to proclaim the Gospel and serve those in need with the Mercy and Compassion of Christ.
To help, send your support to: Lutheran Church Charities, 333 W Lake St, Addison IL 60101 or call LCC at 866-455-6466 or click here for online donations. Dr. Rev. Bernie Lutz shares a brief history of Middle East Lutheran Ministry (pdf) LCMS Pastor Hicham Chehab shares why he asked LCC to Get Involved (video - 1:50) LCMS Pastor Hicham Chehab describes the need in Lebanon, with introduction by Pete Imlah, LCC's Director of Mission and Outreach (video 4:22)
Click here to view more videos from Pastor Hicham Chehab's interview Click here to donate
Malaria Initiative Update: LCC received the following email from a Pastor in Ghana who received treatment for Malaria from Dr. Busse during her recently medical mission trip to Ghana. The results have been wonderful! Below is now another testimony on the value this treatment can bring to the Christian Church - at pennies a dose. This is all being done to provide the Christian Church another tool to touch lives with mercy and compassion and healing - in the name of Christ. I am very very happy to write to inform you that your malaria treatment I received in Kumasi when you came to Ghana works well and it is better than any other treatment I have ever received for malaria. Malaria kills many many children in Ghana as well as adults. I will be very happy if you can come to Bawku to help us. We are hoping and praying to see you. Ever since I received the treatment I never experience malaria again at all. COME AND HELP US TO BE FREE FROM MALARIA! Pastor Celtus Alale Bawku Lutheran Mission West Africa, Ghana For more on the Malaria Initiative, click here Visit their web site: www.malaria01.org or E-mail: malaria01@yahoo.com Click here to view a video about this project Click here to donate
How to Conduct a Successful Mission Fair LCC's Newest Resource FREE for Congregations! Has your church considered hosting a Mission Fair for your congregation? For your Community? Tim Hetzner and staff of LCC have put together an online resource that can help you do this. It is a step by step guide on how to plan a successful Mission Fair - along with sample letters and everything you will need. In fact, if you are planning a Mission Fair, LCC will help you promote it - all free of charge. Request your copy of HOW TO CONDUCT A SUCCESSFUL MISSION FAIR here or call Lutheran Church Charities at 866-455-6466
Looking for Ways to Share the Mercy and Compassion of Christ to Those in Your Church and Community?
Free seminar or one-hour lecture by Tim Hetzner We are in hard economic times. "Times are terrible" many say. But just think what a blessing God has given us to share the Mercy and Compassion of Christ! The door is wide open for the Church to be the Church. Jesus showed us by his life that we are to be
the church that "Does Feet" (John 13). People say that they would "do" Mercy and Compassion Ministry, they would reach out to people in need, but their church simply does not have the money right now to do it, things are tight! Dear Christian brothers and sisters, it doesn't take money to touch those in need and pain - it takes you and your willingness to follow Jesus' example. If you would like Tim Hetzner, President of Lutheran Church Charities, to come out and share ways for you and your church to reach your members and community with the Mercy and Compassion of Christ - without money - contact us at 866-455-6466 or email LCC@LutheranChurchCharities.org. We would be more than happy to come and work with you! By the way, we can even bring our K-9 Parish Comfort Dogs with us. This also will NOT cost you!
Looking to be in a Bible Study? Does Your Church Want to Host a Study? Your Small Group? Indicate Your Interest Here
Register Online - Click Here Looking to Host a Bible Study? WORD AMONG US Bible Studies
Lutheran Church Charities In-Depth Bible Studies - WORD AMONG US - May be your Solution!
Free for Congregations! If you would like to be a host site click here If you would like to join an existing class - click here If you would like to take a course by Internet - click here
Short-Format Courses James: 5-week course Philippians: 5-week course Jude: 1-week course Jonah::3-week course Proverbs: 10-week course Know that God Exists: 1-week course Esther: 5-week course
Long-Format Courses Cover To Cover: A Journey Through The Bible 60-week course The Gospel of John 31-week course Apocalypsis Jesu Christus: The Book of Revelation 30-week course
For more information and registration, Click Here... To find out more information contact Tim Hetzner at 866-455-6466 or email at WAU@LutheranChurchCharities.org
Tim's Pick of the Week Comfort Olive Wood Cross, Small Comfort cross, crafted by hand of real wood, is from the Holy Land. 2" long, with softly rounded edges, this comes in a cloth drawstring bag for storage. Useful for prayer time, and devotional quiet time. Packaged with explanatory story card. Personal size is ideal for travel.
LCC Staff and Comfort Dogs Available for Church Functions and School Chapels! For more information on scheduling LCC and the K-9 Parish Comfort Dogs for an event or chapel at your church, contact LCC at 866455-6466 or email LCC@LutheranChurchCharities.org To help support the growing Ministry of the Comfort Dogs click here... To find out information on how your congregation can get one of the LCC K-9 Parish Comfort Dogs Click here Click here for some Photo Albums showing some of the many places the dogs have brought comfort.... And click here for the Dog Blog, featuring "Tara's Twitter"
Other Stories Still Seeking Support Request from Rev Abraham Mengesha, EECMY-CES President of the Lutheran Church in Ethiopia Help Lutheran Hour Ministries Build Wells in Ghana - Each Well Costs $3,300 Church Secretary with Serious Eye Condition in Need of Assistance New Boiler Needed at St. Paul Lutheran School - Dorchester
Vehicles Needed to Help Individuals and Ministries All vehicles that are donated to LCC go directly out to families or individuals through our congregations. NO vehicles are sold.
Photo: Jennifer's daughter had medical needs that required a vehicle with a lift. This donated van helped to meet that need. Here are some of the most recent requests, but we have others that are still waiting for some word... Car Needed for Nigerian Immigrant Van Needed for Faith, Stickney Truck Needed for Sexton at First Saint Paul's, Chicago
Cars Needed for Immigrant Families Click here for the complete page listing the needs
If you have a vehicle to donate, please contact LCC@LutheranChurchCharities.org or call 866-455-6466
COME LORD JESUS, BE OUR GUEST ... You recognize this prayer written by Martin Luther ...
Come Lord Jesus, be our guest And let thy gifts to us be blessed. Amen If we really mean this prayer and want Jesus to be our Guest - wouldn't we feed him also? Consider becoming a part of LCC's individual challenge and FEED THE INVISIBLE GUEST AND MAKE HIM VISIBLE program to help feed the hungry. Click here for more details | Click here to donate now Click here for a Bulletin Insert
Job Seekers and Employers - Connect Online! Christians contact us frequently who are looking for employment - either because the company they are with has downsized, closed or has had layoffs. If you are looking for people to hire and would like to consider a fellow Christian for a position, please check here www.servantatheart.org. Job seekers can post their resumes, and employers can post job openings. Access to Expanded Job Listings through National Labor Exchange...
Servant at Heart
Lutheran Church Charities' Online Christian Business Directory Looking for a Christian business? Lutheran Church Charities has an online Christian Business Directory called Servant@Heart. This online directory allows: Christians businesses to advertise their services without cost. Others to seek out Christian businesses. Each member of the directory has their church and pastor identified in their listing. Search at ServantAtHeart.org to find Christian businesses or to have your business listed. You can also go to www.LutheranChurchCharities.org or call (866) 455-6466. It is the people of God working together that fully allows God to build for His Kingdom!
February is Black History Month Celebrate with us at Zion Lutheran Church Each Sunday in February 2011 Zion Lutheran Church 9901 S Winston Ave Chicago, IL 60643 Tel: (773) 306-9001 email: Kalonjist@aol.com Sunday Worship Service: 10:00 am - 11:30 am Refreshments and fellowship immediately after worship Presentations: 12:30 pm - 1:30 pm Sunday, February 6th Speaker #1: Gloria Mojike, B.A., Teacher - Chicago Public Schools (a native of Nigeria) Topic: "A woman's struggle for liberation in a male-dominated society" Speaker #2: Espoir Habimana, High School Junior, CPS (a native of Congo DRC) Topic: "A Young African Man's Journey from Refugee Camps to Freedom." Sunday, February 13th Speakers: Andrew and Terri Lyke, nationally acclaimed speakers on marriage and relationships in the African-American community, founders of Arusi Network, Inc. Topic: "Building Healthy Marriages and Relationships in the African-American Community." Sunday, February 20th Speaker: Areta Taylor-Mathis, Thrivent Financial for Lutherans Topic: "Helping our members, churches and communities - yesterday, today and tomorrow." Sunday, February 27th Preacher: Rev. StĂƒÂŠphane M. Kalonji, M.A.P.S., M.Div., M.A. (Pastor, Zion Lutheran Church) Sermon topic: "God's presence in the stories of our history."
Movie Event at Trinity Lisle Sunday, February 20, 2011, 5:30 pm Trinity Lutheran Church Trinity Green Trails at the Green Trails Shopping Center 2701 Maple Ave Lisle, IL 60532 We are showing the movie "To Save A Life" on February 20th, Sunday evening for FREE. Our doors will open at 5:30 pm. We will show the movie at 6:30 pm. Light snacks and drinks will be available before the movie. Our goal is to reach high school youth in our suburban high school area who need to hear that God loves them and has answers for their struggles in life. You can view a movie trailer at www.tosavealifemovie.com or on YouTube by searching for the "To Save A Life" trailer. We are in the process of making flyers for the event and will send them to interested youth groups. Our location is Trinity Green Trails at the Green Trails Shopping Center, located on the corner of Maple Ave and Steeple Run in Lisle. The official address is 2701 Maple Ave, Lisle, IL 60532 For more information, please call/text Craig Larsen at 630-854-7977 or email clarson36@yahoo.com.
International Concert Pianist Huntley Brown Performs in Itasca Sunday, February 20, 2011, 7:00 pm Lutheran Church of St. Luke 410 S. Rush St. Itasca, IL Huntley Brown, internationally renowned concert pianist, will present a concert Sunday, February 20, 2011, at 7:00 pm, at the Lutheran Church of St. Luke in Itasca. Huntley's music has been described as inspired, anointed, powerful, and explosive. He has recorded many CD's that cover a wide range of musical styles. People are not only impressed with his incredible technique; they are touched by his deep love for Jesus. As one friend has said, "Huntley plays as if God is whispering in his ears." Huntley's ministry extends from churches, to auditoriums, to colleges, to opera houses, to gang-infested urban high schools. Huntley Brown's electrifying playing earned him the Top Caribbean Gospel Instrumentalist Award for 2005 and 2006. In 2009 he was appointed musical ambassador for CTS TV Station in Seoul Korea and in 2010 he was inducted into the Fox Valley Arts Hall Of Fame. The youngest person to be inducted into the hall of fame. Tickets for the concert are $8 for adults and $4 for children, and are available in the Saint Luke Parish Office and at the door the evening of the concert. A complimentary dessert reception will follow the concert. The church is located at 410 S. Rush Street in Itasca. For more information, please call the church at 630-773-0396 or visit our website at www.saintlukeitasca.org For more information on Huntley Brown, please visit www.HuntleyBrown.org.
Fashionable Support A Fashion Show and Luncheon for Haitian Relief Saturday, February 26, 2011, 12:00 pm Christ Lutheran Church 14700 94th Ave Orland Park, IL Top local boutiques will be on hand to display the year's trendiest fashions. Proceeds from the show go directly to the support of our Haitian Missions. Tickets: $20 for adults, $7 for children (3 to 12) For reservations call Jan Johnson at 708-361-9757 Deadline for reservations is February 15th
Love and Logic Returns to St. John's Algonquin St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church 300 Jefferson St. Algonquin, IL Love and Logic returns to St. John's with the following: February 26th - Love and Logic for the Single Parent March 12th - Parenting Teens with Love and Logic April 5th - May 10th - Becoming a Love and Logic Parent Please call the church office to get more information and pre-register @ 847-658-9300.
Battle of the Praise Bands! Sunday, February 27, 2011 4:00 pm Walther Lutheran High School 900 Chicago Ave Melrose Park, IL Looking for an afternoon of fun and music? Want to hear great Christian music but not spend a lot of money? Need an event for the whole family? Join us at the Battle of the Praise Bands II at Walther Lutheran High School, 900 Chicago Avenue, Melrose Park, Sunday, February 27 at 4:00 p.m. Local church praise bands will be competing for your votes as they vie for the title of "Best Praise Band" and help Grace Christian Academy raise funds for its Scholarship Program. Every ticket holder will receive 15 ballots for voting with additional ballots only $1 each. Tickets are $10 in advance, $15 at the door. Children under 12 are FREE. Send an email to battle_of_the_band_tickets@yahoo.com or call 708/594-7924 to place your order. Come join us for an uplifting afternoon of fun, food and fellowship! Grace Christian Academy is a Lutheran Elementary school serving children age 3 - grade 8 in the Little Village/South Pilsen neighborhood of Chicago. A mission school, Grace has no home congregation for financial support. More information about the school can be found at www.graceonkarlov.org.
Spirit of Life Chorus Series SPIRIT OF LIFE CHORUS is a 100+ member ecumenical Christian concert chorus performing in church sanctuaries and auditoriums throughout the northern Illinois area. Formed in the fall of 1989 with 17 charter members, today, SPIRIT has grown to over 100 singers and musicians. Our solid, musical reputation of dynamic concerts with strong emotional appeal is performed from the heart of each member. "SPIRIT" style music is presented with a joyous dedication to bringing the love and forgiveness of Jesus Christ to all who listen. The members of THE SPIRIT OF LIFE CHORUS cordially invite you to "Open Arms Are Inviting You" as we present a wide variety of spiritually uplifting music as we conclude our twenty-first year of proclaiming His glory. Come join us this spring and enjoy the diversity of our program as we stand in His presence and sing His praises. See you at the concert! Arlington Heights Saturday, February 26th Lutheran Home 800 W Oakton St, 60004 Concert time: 6:30 p.m. Click here for the full schedule
Roselle Sunday, March 6th Trinity Lutheran Church 405 S Rush St, 60172 Concert time: 4:00 p.m.
Lombard Sunday, March 13th Christ the King Catholic Church 1501 Main St, 60148 Concert time: 4:30 p.m.
Ready to get wild about VBS? Join us for Group's VBS U Training Event Saturday, March 26, 2011, 9:00 am - 12:00 pm Immanuel Lutheran Church 200 North Plum Grove Rd Palatine, IL Contact: Deaconess Brenna Nunes or Diana Broj at 847-359-1549 or youthdeaconess@ilcp.org At PandaMania VBS U you'll learn the tricks of the trade from Group's VBS veterans. This totally hands-on training gives volunteers pointers on everything PandaMania VBS. Bring all your key leaders! From fundraising, recruiting, decorating to clean-up, pack-up and follow-up...you'll learn to plan, coordinate and pull off your church's best VBS ever! Come network with other VBS leaders and earn your degree in everything PandaMania! Bonus: · Exclusive giveaway for participants · Raffles for FREE Group products Advance Registration: Group publishing offers a discounted rate of $18 per person if you register in advance. Hurry, the late registration fee is $25 per person and applies one week prior to the event. Register Online: Visit Group's VBS website www.groupvbsu.com
Upcoming Events - Click Here for a complete listing of Upcoming Events How To Support Lutheran Church Charities All contributions go dollar per dollar to the causes listed in this newsletter. If you would like more information on how to help or if you have items to share please contact TimHetzner@LutheranChurchCharities.org or send contributions to LCC, 333 West Lake Street, Addison, IL 60101 or contribute at our web site at http://www.LutheranChurchCharities.org or call us for credit card donations at LCC's office at (866) 455- 6466