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April 13, 2011
In This Issue
Tornado Devastates Merrill, Wisconsin
Featured Stories Families in Need Ministry Needs International Ministry K-9 Parish Comfort Dogs LCC Ministry Resources Tim's Pick of the Week Upcoming Events How To Support LCC
LCC Northern Illinois District LERT (Lutheran Early Response Team) Supporting the Northern Wisconin District LERT Violent weather over the weekend spawned tornadoes in Iowa and Wisconsin. Merrill, Wisconsin was particularly hard hit and affected Lutheran families there. On a conference call Tuesday afternoon the latest report from Lee Belmas, LCMS Northern Wisconsin District Disaster Response Coordinator, is that over 60 homes have been completely destroyed with at least five of those belonging to members of LCMS churches. At this time Lee is activating his LERT-trained volunteers and has asked that we put our volunteers here in Northern Illinois on standby.
Tim's Pick of the Week
There is an immediate need for volunteers certified in Tarp & Patch and Chainsaw to go to Merrill and assist the Northern Wisconsin District team. If you are certified in these specialties and available, please click here to register. If you have any questions, please contact Pete Imlah at LCC immediately at 866-455-6466 or LCC@LutheranChurchCharities.org. Pete is coordinating our assistance efforts and will see that volunteers are properly deployed. Lee and his team has also requested, if possible, the use of the NID disaster response trailer. We are seeking a volunteer to drive the trailer to Merrill for the team there to use, click here to volunteer. Again, please contact Pete Imlah if you have any question.
Please consider a financial gift to assist our LCMS churches in bringing the Mercy and Compassion of Jesus Christ to their members affected by this tragedy, as well as their larger community. LCC continues to work with the leadership of the Northern Wisconsin District to bring help and hope, and will keep you updated through our website at www.LutheranChurchCharities.org. Thank you for your prayers and financial support and for Making A Difference. Click here to donate to Wisconsin Tornado Relief Click here if you are able to volunteer to assist in Merrill, WI
LCC has many resources available to congregations, businesses, and individuals. Click here to visit our website and learn more
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 For more information about LCC and its human care ministry, please contact LCC staff at: LCC@LutheranChurch Charities.org More...
LCC Trains 16 More LERT Volunteers This past Saturday, April 9th, LCC conducted the Basic course of LERT training at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Freeport, Illinois. There will be 16 new team members added to Immanuel's existing LERT team. A total of 367 LERT members are now trained and available to respond to disasters, sharing the love and compassion of Christ to those in need. The next LERT training is Thursday evening, April 28th, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Tinley Park. Registration and a light supper will begin at 5:30 PM. Click here to register
Ministry Quicklinks Newsletter Archive / 1 Printable Format
Bible Classes
Daily Devotions
Prayer Requests
Our massive day of service that will transform neighborhoods on the west side of Chicago is coming just three weeks from this Saturday! On that day over 1000 volunteers are expected to participate in 1 By Youth from churches all over Chicagoland and beyond. We need your help as we enter our final weeks of preparation. Please consider donating for the following: Portable Toilets - we have a very generous offer from www.portablejohn.com to provide portable toilets at just $100 apiece for the day. Sponsor a toilet for $100. Our goal is to have fifteen toilets available the day of the event. Paint - We'll be working on over 100 projects. Some of these will include paint. For $20 you can supply a gallon of paint. We expect to use between 80 and 100 gallons of paint and stain. Food - the day concludes with a celebratory block party and we hope to serve hot dogs and drinks for everyone. A package of 8 hot dogs and 8 buns is about $4 and we're hoping to have 2500 hot dogs available (313 packages). General expenses - There are other miscellaneous expenses for the day that will need to be covered. Consider a donation of any size to support the success of 1 By Youth.
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By Youth - Day of Service Coming Soon!
LCC is working with Group Cares of Loveland, Colorado to organize this event. Locally 1 By Youth is supported by 37th Ward Alderman Emma Mitts and 28th Ward Alderman Jason Ervin. They are working to see that workers are secure, projects are selected and residents are engaged in the event. Contact Tim Kurth at 866-455-6466 and let him know how you can help or click here and donate. Click here to donate Click here for more details about 1 By Youth
Lutheran Church Charities Teams up with Prince of Peace Palatine LCC's "Send a Spoken Prayer" e-Card site is available. To learn more, Click Here
Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Palatine is on fire about their upcoming mission trips to Haiti. They have two teams going over June 24 through July 2. One team will be working in Les Cayes and one in Jacmel. Dona Martin from LCC has been working with Lisa Johanson, Mission Team Leader at Prince of Peace, to plan and coordinate the trip to Jacmel. For the last three Sundays, LCC was invited to speak between services about Haiti and share different ongoing projects that the congregation can become involved in. One of the Sundays was shared with Nora Leon from Caribbean Children's Foundation who works closely with The "Children of Israel" Orphanage in Les Caynes. Visit their website at www.caribbeanchildrensfoundation.org
LCC is heavily involved in ministries across Haiti and is eager to support churches interested in scheduling their own mission trips to help in the ongoing recovery there. Contact Lutheran Church Charities at 866-455-6466 or email LCC@LutheranChurchCharities.org to learn more about planning a trip to Haiti for your church. Pictured are Lisa Johanson POP Mission Team Leader and Dona Martin LCC Volunteer Coordinator for Haiti
Parish Nurse from Bethlehem to Visit St. Paul, Rochelle
Raida Mansour (pictured), parish nurse at Christmas Lutheran Church and Dar-al-Kalima in Bethlehem (Palestine) will be the guest of the NID Parish Nurse Network May 28 - June 6. The majority of time she will be participating in parish nurse meetings and the Concordia Conference for Parish Nurses at Concordia University Wisconsin. On Sunday, June 5th, St. Paul Lutheran Church (Rochelle) will give thanks to God for the five years of blessings for the parish nurse ministry in Bethlehem. The coffee hour (immediately after the 9am worship service), and a presentation during the Bible class time that follows, will provide an opportunity to visit with Raida and learn more about parish nursing in Bethlehem. Marcia Schnorr (CLM-Parish Nurse at St. Paul and Coordinator, Parish Nursing, LCMS) was part of the initial task force (2005) through Bright Stars of Bethlehem and agreed to provide the leadership in providing parish nurse education if a nurse was identified. God provided the nurse (Raida Mansour) and a distance learning course was developed with an internship spent at St. Paul (Rochelle) and within the NID. Parish nursing in Bethlehem began with Raida serving fourteen older adults at Christmas Lutheran Church then quickly expanded to well over 100 Palestinian Christians in the Bethlehem area. Soon they added regular visits to elderly (including Muslims) in the nearby villages. They have now served over 250 elderly as they have added outreach to Nablus and Taybeh. The NID Parish Nurse Network provides the support for Raida to return to the USA bi-annually. Click here if you would like to donate to this ministry outreach.
Lutheran Church Charities Staff Speaks at Circuit Pastors Meeting On Thursday, April 7th, LCC staff members Pete Imlah and Dona Marin (pictured) shared at the Circuit N6 and N7 pastor's monthly meeting. The meeting was held at Trinity Lutheran Church in Huntley and was attended by the pastors from McHenry County, which has 16 LCMS churches. Pete Imlah shared about the mission and ministry of LCC and Dona Martin shared about LCC's ongoing ministry in Haiti. Dona also encouraged the pastors to prayerfully consider different ways for their congregations to become involved in LCC's Shoes and Water projects in Haiti.
Volunteers Needed THIS Saturday for The Clinic at Trinity, Lisle
Trinity Lutheran Church, 1101 Kimberly Way in Lisle (on Route 53, south of Maple Avenue) will be holding its annual free Clinic on Saturday, April 16, from 9 AM to 2 PM. Services provided include medical, dental and vision screening free clothes, and a hot lunch, with the opportunity to have a family photo taken. Volunteers are needed to serve as interpreters in certain areas of the Clinic. We especially need volunteers who speak Farsi, Polish, Russian, Arabic, and Spanish. Depending on the number of volunteers, Spanish speakers in particular may be asked to serve as an Advocate, matched up with a family for the day. If you would like to volunteer as an interpreter, please contact Deniece Zinnecker at cdzinnecker@prodigy.net (630-251-0124) or Stephanie Sevilla at stephaniegpotter@hotmail.com (630-729-4499). If you would like to serve as an advocate, but do not feel comfortable speaking another language, please contact Julie Skuthorpe at 630-732-7100. To learn more about The Clinic visit Trinity's website http://www.trinitylisle.org/clinic
Does Your Church Have An Older Adult Ministry? Would You Like To Network And Share With Others Who Do? Marie Payes and Tim Hetzner attended a networking meeting last week hosted by Wheat Ridge Ministries (www.wheatridge.org) to help coordinate and link Older Adult Ministries. It was organized by ALOA (Adult Lutherans Organized for Action) at www.aloaserves.org. LCC is helping to gather and connect individuals and churches with Older Adult Ministries. If you would like to share and receive resources and information about the wonderful things happening by older adults in our churches, please click here to receive more information.
Your Donations Make A Difference Mr. Bob Anderson a member and volunteer from Living Christ Lutheran Church in Arlington Heights, Illinois stopped by the LCC offices this past week to pick up four boxes of glasses for their Mission Trip /Eye Glass Clinic in Haiti. The mission team from Living Christ will be going to Haiti the week of May 20 to the 28.
Thanks to Your Generous Support, We Were Able to Provide Assistance to the following: Waleed Living Expenses - CLMMA Ethiopia Church Fire Fund
Families in Need Help Make A Difference Van Needed for Family of Nine
Request from Pastor Alex Duff, St. Luke Lutheran Church, Itasca A family of nine is in desperate need of a van or money for repair. The mother has recently lost her job and the family van has broken down. It is in need of over $2000 of repair. The dad is working but cannot afford to pay for the repair on their vehicle. A van would be best, but any means of transportation would be greatly appreciated. If you have a vehicle to donate please contact LCC at 866-455-6466 or email LCC@LutheranChurchCharities.org Click here to donate toward the repair of the van.
Urgent Need for Medical Assistance
Request by Rev. Hicham Chehab, Pastor, Salam Christian Fellowship & Missionary for Chicagoland Lutheran Muslim Mission Association (CLMMA) We are working with a Christian family in Iraq. The father (pictured in middle) has bone cancer and they need help with the cost of his treatment. He needs an injection every three weeks. Each injection costs $700.00. They have applied for public assistance but it will take 4 to 6 weeks to process. They are in need of $1,400 to cover two injections while they wait for public aid. Click here to donate
Single Mom of Two in Need of Financial Assistance Request from Pastor Brian Truog, Cross Lutheran Church, Yorkville Update: Vivian Scheibe from Cross Lutheran Church delivers a check of your donations to the mother being served by the congregation. Your generous donations have helped this young family, thank you for Making a Difference! A single mom of two grade school age children is struggling to pay bills - especially rent. She is unable to work because of chronic health problems. Her two children also have health problems, especially the 10-year-old son who has ulcerative colitis. Due to lack of child support and mounting medical bills, she struggles to pay the basic bills of rent, phone, etc. Any assistance would be such a blessing to this young family. Click here to donate
College Students Launch Appeal for One of LCC's Own in Haiti Students from Carthage College and University of Illinois at Chicago just returned from Haiti with a new mission. Sophie Paulin, LCC's Assistant Volunteer Coordinator in Haiti for LCMS World Relief and Human Care's Building Homes and Hope for Haiti, recently underwent surgery incurring crushing medical debt. With no health care coverage in the country, these expenses have placed an incredible burden on her entire family. Deeply moved by Sophie's story Katie, Kristi, and Erica have launched an appeal to help repay Sophie's medical expenses that came in at over $4,200. Each student has made a personal contribution to the fund and hope that other faithful Christians will join them in the effort. Every dollar donated to LCC for this fund goes 100% to repair the financial condition of Sophie and her family. We praise God for the successful surgery and Sophie's full recovery. See their video interview with Sophie here Click here to donate
Newborn Needs Bassinette or Crib
Request by Rev. Hicham Chehab, Pastor, Salam Christian Fellowship & Missionary for Chicagoland Lutheran Muslim Mission Association (CLMMA) Your donations helped the Afrazie family move into an apartment in January. Thank you to all who donated for Making a Difference! Farshid is still looking for employment so he can better support his family. If you know of an employment opening for this young man please contact LCC at LCC@LutheranChurchCharities.org Any day now Yasamine is due to deliver a new baby. This past Saturday we were able to find a donated car seat/carrier and a matching stroller. They still need a bassinette or crib. Within the last few years the safety regulations on cribs have changed and most of the thrift stores or places that receive donations no longer have cribs. If you have a crib that meets the new safety regulations and would like to donate it please contact LCC at 866-455-6466 or email LCC@LutheranChurchCharities.org Click here to make a monetary donation for the crib
Other Stories Still Seeking Support Help Support our Lutheran Outreach Efforts in Lebanon Help a Congregation Located in a Prime Mission Field in Los Angeles Ebenezer, Chicago in Need of Boiler Repair Urban Children's Choir Looking for Volunteers Housing and Car Repairs Needed for Single Woman and Her Mother Nine-Year-Old Ethiopian Boy Needs Surgery in the United States Washer and Electric Dryer Needed 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
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. 2854 Two 1950s or 60s end tables (dark brown wood) 2853 Twin mattress & box spring with metal frame and Mattress pad 2852 Mitsubishi 35" TV and stand 2851 Toshiba 35" Color Television (CF35D50) 2850 Tunturi Stationary Exercise Bike with digital pulse monitor / ear clip and excellent fly wheel, from about 25 years ago, still works very well 2847 Approximately 119 Canvas Laptop bags with business logo on the side. (SBP Strategic Business Partners) 2846 Mauve colored Wardrobe with 2 doors on left side to close off closet for hanging clothes and one door on right to close off 4 shelves for storing clothing 2845 Light pine corner wardrobe with 4 open shelves on each side 2844 White 2 drawer night stand 2843 maple sewing cabinet ( no sewing machine) 2842 Small oak writing desk Has 7 drawers ( two of which are file drawers) and two leather & oak chairs and a desk lamp Click here for the full list of Items Free for the Asking 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
Ministry Needs Help Make A Difference Help Support Former Iraqi Muslim Attend Seminary
Request by Rev. Hicham Chehab, Pastor, Salam Christian Fellowship & Missionary for Chicagoland Lutheran Muslim Mission Association (CLMMA)
Update: Dear Friends, we are looking for housing for Waleed Khaled close to Devon Ave or Sheridan. Waleed is helping to establish a sister congregation of Salam Fellowship on the north side of Chicago. A parsonage or basement would be great. If you know of any available housing call Hicham Chehab at 630-627-1101 or email
hicham.chehab@gmail.com Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, Waleed, a former Iraqi Muslim, is planning to pursue ordination from Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, Missouri through the Ethic Immigrant Institute of Theology (EIIT )program. We need your prayers and donations in order to meet the challenges we have in providing for his living expenses here in Chicago as well as his tuition and education fees. This month marks the third anniversary of Salam Arabic Fellowship in Chicagoland. We are planning to expand our ministry by using Waleed to plant a sister church for Salam in the North side of Chicago. Also, we will incorporate more Farsi in our ministry in order to accommodate more Iranians who do not speak Arabic. Click below to read the amazing story of how God called Waleed to faith through Lutheran Hour Ministries. Click here to read Waleed's story Click here to donate to education fees Click here to donate to living expenses
Food and Household Items Needed to Support Bethesda's Outreach Ministries
Request from Pastor Jean Bingue, Bethesda Lutheran Church, Chicago Ten years ago, Bethesda Lutheran Church, on the north side of Chicago, began its French Ministry to French-speaking immigrants and refugees who have come to the Chicago area. Recently, ordained LCMS pastor, Jean Bingue, started as a lay minister at Bethesda sharing Jesus' love and compassion with those he ministered to. Today Bethesda has a group of 40 to 60 French-speaking people who gather in its sanctuary each Sunday to worship. Some come from a far distance to be part of this worship and fellowship. Because of the distance people travel, the scarceness of employment and the poor economy, Bethesda has developed a dinner fellowship following the Sunday services where they prepare a meal to feed the people. Recently, Pastor Bingue contacted LCC requesting food to feed the families on Sundays. In addition to the Sunday meal, there are five Haitian refugee families they are assisting. Three of the families are new to the area and need help. These three families in particular, numbering six adults, five boys, and four girls, need assistance. An elderly couple living in a third floor apartment also face some challenging physical restrictions. A washer and dryer would really alleviate some of their burden. Another family has requested assistance with a stove and refrigerator. LCC is looking for congregations who would be willing to do a food drive and perhaps take a door offering to enable Bethesda to buy meat, fresh greens, and dairy products. Pastor Bingue also requested help with the following: clothing, household items and appliances.
Click here for a full list of items needed If your congregation or small group would like to help with any of the above needs and support the ministry of Bethesda, please contact Dianna Bonfield at 866-455-6466 or email Dianna@LutheranChurchCharities.org. Click here to donate for the purchase of food
Items Available to a Ministry 2849 (100) HS98 Hymnals 2848 (175) Lutheran Worship Hymnals 2837 (50) like-new Lutheran Worship Hymnals. Books are imprinted with church name. 2835 Large 50" Mitsubishi Big Screen Television in light wood cabinet with door closure. Incudes a VHS. (Photos available) Click here for the full list of Items Available to a Ministry 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
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. 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. Here are some of the most recent requests, but we have others that are still waiting for some word... Single Mother of Five Fleeing Abusive Situation Single Man in Need of Transportation for Work Single Man in Need of Reliable Transportation for Work Single Man in Need of Reliable Transportation Car Needed for Pastor in Florida Van Needed for Faith, Stickney 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
Mission Opportunities Help Make A Difference New SUMMER Trips to Haiti for College Students Scheduled! New trip dates are set for college students looking to make a difference in Haiti this summer. For those who weren't able to make our Spring Break trips here's another chance to join us in Haiti to build a guest house that will welcome other workers for years to come The cost for these trips have been underwritten by the LCMS so you pay only the $150 trip registration fee, one hotel night in Florida on the way to Haiti, and secure your own airfare to Port Au Prince, Haiti. All expenses once you arrive in Haiti are covered by the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod. You must be enrolled in college in order to qualify for this trip. That includes graduating high school seniors who will be freshmen in the fall. Don't miss this chance to change lives through our ongoing work in Haiti. Invite friends and put your own group together. Contact Dona Martin at DonaMartin@LutheranChurchCharities.org or 866-455-6466. Choose from these dates and remember to add a travel day to the beginning of the trip as an overnight layover in Florida is required. Click on a date to register: June 18th to 25th July 16th to 23rd July 23rd to 30th Click here to view photos from a 2011 Spring Break trip Click here for a video and hear one of the college students describe how God worked through the Haitian people to change her outlook on life. Click here to watch a short video of college students passing out shoes in a tent city in Jacmel during a recent Spring Break Mission Trip.
Jesendys Hygiene Ministry - Compassionately Providing Essentials Sponsored by Immanuel Lutheran, Downers Grove, IL
Hello Everyone! The time has come for a New Assignment. Jesendys Hygiene Ministry, by GOD'S Grace, will be producing as many as 1500 personal hygiene kits for several organizations; The Walk in Ministry of Hope and Sharing Connection Furniture Bank of Downers Grove IL, LARRI (Lakeshore Area Regional Recovery Of Indiana) for Families who have experienced devastation from Flood Catastrophe, and we will also be sending more kits to Haiti through Lutheran Church Charities. Thank you for your support!
Personal Hygiene Kites are duplicated. There is a need that every individual get the same products in each kit for proper personal care. We are in need of: Toothbrushes & Toothpaste Full Bars of Soap T-Shirts Adult sizes Deodorant Bathroom Tissue.
Donations can be dropped off at: Immanuel Lutheran Church 5211 Carpenter, Downers Grove IL 60515
NOTE: Please call Ms. Darlene Havard-Founder, if you need a pick up at (630) 803-2541, or email: marjesendys@gmail.com
More information can be found on their website http://sites.google.com/site/marjesendyshygieneministry
Accompany Tim Kurth on a Medical/Construction Mission to Kenya - Deadline Extended!!
LCC staff member Tim Kurth is returning to Kenya from August 27 to September 5 and he wants you to join him. The team will be providing basic medical checkups for orphans at Jehovah Jireh Orphanage in Nairobi and blind children at St. Luke's Centre for the Blind in Kitui. Construction projects will include improving bunk beds for the orphans and the chance to build a chicken raising facility on the grounds of the home for the blind. A special incentive has been announced for those wanting to bring friends. Those inviting three or four friends will get a $200 discount on their registration. With five or more the discount is $500 for the person who brings the group. The registration deadline has been extended to Monday, April 11 and the registration deposit is only $200. Total cost of the trip is $2295 not including airfare. The trip includes a fly-in safari after the days of service. Don't miss this chance to make a difference in Africa. Registrations are made through Lifetree Adventures by calling (800) 747-2157. If you're not able to make it to Kenya this time but would like to make a contribution for medicine and/or construction supplies click on the link below.
Click here for more details... Click here to donate
Eye Glasses Needed for Mission Trip to Haiti
Request from Pastor Paul Klopke, Living Christ Lutheran Church, Arlington Heights, Illinois
A team of college students and members from Living Christ Lutheran Church will be going on a mission trip to Haiti - May 20-28. They will be conducting an eye glass and medical clinic for some Lutheran Churches and Schools in surrounding villages in Jeremie Haiti. 1800 prescription eyeglasses and 1000 eye wash/eye drops bottles are needed- the medical supplies that are needed are: Band-aids, disinfectant ointments, vitamins, etc... Any donations will be gratefully received at: Living Christ Lutheran Church 625 East Dundee Road Arlington Heights, IL 847-577-7133
Pastor Paul Klopke
LivingChristLutheran.org OR Lutheran Church Charities 333 West Lake Street Addison, IL 60101 866-455-6466 Please call before dropping off a donation
Fill the Bus for Haiti
Immanuel Lutheran Church - Richton Park, along with their community members, made a commitment to help the children of Jeremie, Haiti, in particular the 30 orphaned children living with Pastor Isaac Jacquet. They have decided to do this by purchasing a preowned school bus that will be used as a shipping container. Filling this bus with the many needed items will involve anyone wishing to participate.
The cost of this project is substantial and will be funded through donations and fundraising events. Tickets are now on sale for a delicious ham dinner to be held at Immanuel Richton Park on April 30th, with two seatings available at 3 pm and 5 pm. Proceeds will be used to "Fill the Bus for Haiti" with much needed medical supplies and other human care needs. Call the church office at 708-748-0558 to order tickets for the ham dinner. You can also contribute to the "Fill the Bus for Haiti" project at the link below. Every dollar of your donation goes directly to "Fill the Bus". 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, or visit their web site: www.malaria01.org or E-mail: malaria01@yahoo.com Click here to view a video about this project or Click here to donate
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
International Ministry Christians Attacked by Muslims in Ethiopia - 59 Churches Burned and Thousands Displaced
New Update: Tim Hetzner, President of LCC and Tim Kurth from LCC and several Northern Illinois District Pastors met with Rev. Abraham Mengesha EECMY-CES, President of the Lutheran Church in Ethiopia, last week. At the meeting Tim gave Rev Mengesha donations that have been received to help the Ethiopian Lutheran Church in their rebuilding and outreach efforts after the recent fires caused by Muslim extremists that have destroyed churches. Their churches (the people) remain intact - and are as committed as ever to continue to Proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ and to continue to touch people with the Mercy and Compassion of Christ. If you want to support their efforts to fight evil actions and religion with the Gospel please consider giving them your support. "Thank you Brothers and Sisters" - from Pastor Abraham.
Click here to donate to the Ethiopia Church Fire Fund Click here to read the original appeal
Haiti - The Good, the Bad, and the Beautiful!
Update from LCC President Tim Hetzner, after just returning from Haiti I have returned from a week in Haiti. I was there with a group of college students from various colleges. What a joy to see the willingness of college students give up their spring break to spend a week serving the people of Haiti. It gives a renewed sense of hope for the Christian Church. It also confirmed to me what younger people are looking for in their walk and relationship with God - they meet God in serving and showing Mercy and Compassion to those in need. Click here to read the rest of the update
Here are Ways to Help Our Ongoing Haiti Relief Efforts Physical Needs Water Filters · School Version - $185 · Home Version - $35 Building Homes and Hope in Haiti Shoes - $5 Motorcycles for Pastors - $1,000 Support College Students Volunteering in Haiti - $150 Goats - $50 each General Disaster Response Donations Spiritual Needs Staff Workers in the Tent Cities - $200 a month Bibles in French - $6 each Luther's Small Catechism in Creole - $5 each See Through the Scriptures manuals in French - $2 each Developing Projects Radio Ministry - click here to learn more Hosting Haitian Christian Music Group for U.S. Tour - click here to learn more
Scholarship a Child in Myanmar Strict regulations in Myanmar (formerly Burma) make it difficult for children to advance to a University education. Without specialized schooling outside of the inadequate public school system most poor children never get the chance for higher education which can lift their family out of poverty. The National Lutheran Church of Myanmar is trying to change this and needs your help to sponsor children in the 11 th grade (the final step prior to University). Click here to read the appeal from Reverend Charles Edwards from the National Lutheran Church of Myanmar. Click here to donate
Staying Connected to Japan as Needs Evolve As Japan continues to search for survivors, organize and execute its relief efforts, our prayers go out to all who suffer and have died in this tragedy. LCC has been following LCMS missionary Jenae Siebarth's journey and daily updates (click here). You can watch a video of her interview via SKYPE with LCC (click here) and follow her updates as she reaches out to people in her church and school in Niigata, witnessing to the Mercy and Compassion of Jesus Christ. Jenae has connected LCC with Rev. Emoto Shinri, VP of the Japan Lutheran Church. LCC reached out to Rev. Shinri last week to let him we: are an RSO (registered service organization) of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod proclaim the Gospel of Christ in all that we do are involved in both local and international disaster relief work through our local Lutheran Churches are dollar in, dollar out, meaning that 100% of all donations go as directed to the need. LCC absorbs all administrative costs. Please continue to pray for the people of Japan and consider a donation to the Japan Disaster Relief fund. Click here to donate Click here to read the original appeal
Christian Education Projects in the Philippines Help the Lutheran Church of the Philippines (LCP) move toward establishing 100 new church and school ministries by the year 2017 to reach more people with the saving gospel of Jesus Christ! Rev. James Cerdenola is the LCP President and Tom Grunow of Portland, Oregon serves as an Educational Consultant. The Lutheran Church in the Philippines (LCP) is one of the oldest partner churches of the LCMS and ELCA. It has 92 churches, many mission stations, 28 ordained pastors and a large number of lay leaders. LCMS World Mission works with the LCP to share the Gospel message through educational seminars for local pastors and expanded church planting efforts. Your support is needed for the LCP to continue to grow and build to its capacity so that it will be able to respond to and engage the mission opportunities before them, and therefore be able to reach its goal of planting 100 new congregations and training hundreds of lay evangelists by the 500th anniversary of the Reformation in 2017. Click here to read about some of the current projects of the LCP Click here to donate
Help Crossways International 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. Click here to read the request Click here to donate
Four Homes of Mercy in Bethany, Israel in Desperate Need
Recently, I was in contact with Four Homes of Mercy in Bethany, Israel. Because of the current situation in the Middle East, and in Israel and Palestine in particular, they are in desperate need of support to be able to continue their ministry of serving those children and adults with physical and emotional disabilities. Their staff has not been paid in months and yet they continue to serve those that are "the least of these".
Bethany is where Jesus always stayed when he was in the area of Jerusalem, and his reason was it was the poorest of the poor that lived there (Simon the Leper). Can you consider helping this Christian Mission that I have been connected with for well over 20 years. To donate click here and God Bless you!
Tim Hetzner President, Lutheran Church Charities
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
LCC K-9 Parish Comfort Dogs Comfort Dog Update
Hope, Shami and Star at Zion ECC On Monday, April 4th, LCC Comfort Dogs Hope, Shami and Star visited with the children of Zion Lutheran Early Childhood Center in Hinsdale. Lynn Buhrke (LCC volunteer K-9 handler and retired LCMS school teacher) shared with the students about how the dogs are trained and used by churches and schools to share the mercy and compassion of Jesus Christ. Each of the student got a chance to ask questions about the dogs and to pet them.
K-9 Parish Comfort Dogs Visit St Peter Arlington Heights On Wednesday, April 6 seven of the LCC K-9 Parish Comfort Dogs visited the classrooms at St Peter Lutheran School in Arlington Heights. During their weekly chapel Pete Imlah shared with the students from 1 Peter 2:9, "But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light." reminding them of the great privilege that they have to share the Good News of Jesus Christ. After chapel, LCC Comfort Dogs Butter, Hope, JoJo, Star, Tara, Tillie and Olympia spent time visiting the students bringing a sense of joy and comfort. We thank our K-9 handlers who volunteer their time to join LCC on our weekly K9 Chapel Talks. Lynn Buhrke, Liz Fischer, Dona Martin, Tranetta McComb, Marie Payes, and Becky Staehlin. St Peter has designated the LCC K-9 Parish Comfort Dogs as the recipients of their Grandparents Day Chapel offerings which will be toward the end of April.
Hope, Tara and Tillie at Our Savior, Joliet On Friday, April 8, LCC Comfort Dogs Hope, Tara, and Tillie joined the students of Our Savior Lutheran Preschool & Kindergarten in Joliet. Director Tori Hicks requested the Lutheran Church Charities K-9 Parish Comfort Dogs to visit with her students and for them to hear how the dogs are used to reach out to individuals with the mercy and compassion of Jesus Christ. The students were also shown how to take care of dogs, the commands dogs are taught and how to safely approach and pet a dog. Click here to schedule a K-9 Comfort Dog visit
Donate to the K-9 Parish Comfort Dog Ministry
LCC Staff and Comfort Dogs Available for Church Functions and School Chapels! Click here to learn more!
LCC Ministry Resources Ministry Resources Available to Congregations Looking for Ways to Share the Mercy and Compassion of Christ to Those in Your Church and Community? How to Conduct a Successful Mission Fair
Click here to learn more about these and other Ministry Resources available from LCC
Looking to be in a Bible Study? Does Your Church Want to Host a Study? Your Small Group? opportunities. Click here to learn more
LCC offers many Bible Study
Servant at Heart - Online Christian Business Directory Looking for a Christian business? Lutheran Church Charities has an online Christian Business Directory, Servant@Heart. This online directory allows: - Christians businesses to advertise their services without cost. - Christians looking for employment a place to post their resume - Christians with job openings a place to post those opening - Others to seek out Christian businesses and employees
Click here to learn more
New Disaster Response Training Scheduled For April
Trinity Lutheran Church in Tinley Park will host LERT Training on Thursday, April 28th. Registration and a light supper will begin at 5:30 pm with class from 6 pm to 9 pm.
Click here to register for LERT Training
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. 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 LERT training. For more information, call Dianna Bonfield at 866455-6466 or email LCC@LutheranChurchCharities.org.
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
Tim's Pick of the Week
Mia Koehne is a singer/songwriter and former member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Melrose Park. She currently resides in Arizona. Her life is a compelling story of sin, surrender, sanctification and song. As a singer/songwriter, her soulful music reflects the painful beauty of human struggles and a passion to worship the God who saves. Her new CD "...Already in Progress" is available through her publisher and will be released nationally June 7 to iTunes and online distributors. You can purchase "...Already in Progress" at http://www.tatepublishing.com/bookstore/book.php?w=812517017781 and visit her website at www.aboutmidnight.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.
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
Three Days and Three Nights: How Can That Be?
Presentation by Tim Hetzner at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Palatine, IL Tuesday, April 19, 2011 Immanuel Lutheran Church 200 N. Plum Grove Rd. Palatine, IL 60067 If Jesus was crucified on Friday and the tomb was empty on Sunday morning, where do we get three days and three nights? Join Tim Hetzner, President of Lutheran Church Charities, at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Palatine, as he answers this puzzling question. Tim also looks at the "apparent" contradictions in the Gospels surrounding the Passion Narrative of Jesus and shows how when understanding the historical background the "apparent" contradictions disappear! For more information and to register to attend please call the Church Office at 847-359-1549
Spirit of Life Chorus Series - Final Performance 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! Wood Dale Sunday, May 1st Holy Ghost Catholic Church 254 Wood Dale Rd Concert time: 4:30 p.m. Click here for the full schedule
Little Lambs to Host Art Show and Dinner 2011
Saturday, April 16, 2011 from 4-7 pm Concordia Lutheran Church 3144 South Home Ave Berwin, IL While the Sistine Chapel in Rome has a permanent exhibit of art by Michelangelo, Raphael, DaVinci, and Botticelli, Berwyn's Concordia Little Lambs Preschool will host a special one night showing of their creative endeavors. The school's Art Fair and Dinner 2011 is scheduled for Saturday, April 16th from 4:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. at their church facility located at 3144 South Home Avenue. A meal of spaghetti, salad, rolls, and dessert will be served. The cost of tickets for the event
will be $10 for adults and $5.00 for children ages 3 to 12. Children 2 and under eat for free. A family pass can be purchased for $25.00. A raffle will also be held. All proceeds will go to benefit the Preschool Program and Scholarship Fund. Little Lambs Preschool has a long-standing reputation of quality Christ-centered preschool education in Berwyn and its surrounding communities. It is licensed by the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS). Tuition assistance and multiple-child discounts are available. Call 708-795-7963 to arrange for a school tour, to secure more information, or to enroll. Click here for event flyer
Ham Dinner Fundraiser for "Fill the Bus for Haiti
Saturday, April 30, 2011 Immanuel Lutheran Church 4800 Sauk Trail Richton Park, IL
Tickets are now on sale for a delicious ham dinner to be held at Immanuel Richton Park on April 30th, with two seatings available at 3 pm and 5 pm. Proceeds will be used to "Fill the Bus for Haiti" with much needed medical supplies and other human care needs. Call the church office at 708-748-0558 to order tickets for the ham dinner. You can also contribute to the "Fill the Bus for Haiti" project at the link below. Every dollar of your donation goes directly to "Fill the Bus". Click here to donate
First Bethlehem Chicago's 140th Anniversary Celebration
Sunday, May 22, 2011 First Bethlehem Lutheran Church 1649 W. LeMoyne St. Chicago, IL 60622 and White Eagle 6839 N. Milwaukee Ave. Niles, IL
First Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Chicago will celebrate its 140th anniversary on Sunday, May 22, at its 10:45 a.m. Sunday morning worship service. Pastor Elton Heimsoth, an alumnus of the congregation and school (and the son of a former pastor of First Bethlehem), will preach. Pastor James Kellerman will lead the liturgy. The motto for the anniversary will be "The Gospel Advances" and is based upon Philippians 1:12, where Paul speaks of how the gospel had advanced from Jerusalem to the very halls of power in Rome. The verse reminds us that Paul chose urban areas (such as our neighborhood in Chicago's East Wicker Park) to get the gospel message out into a whole region. After the worship service a banquet will be held at the White Eagle, 6839 N. Milwaukee Avenue in Niles. Doors will open at 1:30 p.m. and the meal will be served at 2 p.m. A program will follow, which will include a presentation of pictures of First Bethlehem Lutheran Church from way back in the day. Banquet tickets cost $30 each and can be ordered from the church: 1649 W. Le Moyne St., Chicago IL 60622. All ticket orders must be received by May 10. If there are any questions, you may call the church office at 773.276.2338.
Afternoons in the Arts - A Fine Arts Camp
June 27 - July 1st from 9 am - 12:30 pm St. John's Lutheran Church and School 505 S. Park Rd. LaGrange, IL A creative program that encourages and challenges kids' artistic expression through music, movement, drama and visual arts while nurturing their relationship with Jesus. Experienced, professional teachers provide a positive and caring environment. Early registration by June 1st: $125 ($100 each additional child per family) After June 1st: $150 ($125 each additional child per family) Register online at www.SJLaGrange.com/arts
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