November 4, 2009

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In This IssueLCC Bag Mat ProjectWidow Medical Need

Homeless Mother and DaughterWoman Facing EvictionHaiti Missions Update

Congregational PreparednessTraining offered free

LERT TrainingComfort Dog Ministry UpdateSilent Auction Items Needed

Your Donations Make ADifference

Thrivent GivingOutreach Opportunities

Warehouse Space NeededBilingual Bibles

New Bible Study ClassesComfort Dogs Available for

Church FunctionsThanksgiving Baskets for

Mobile AlabamaEthiopia Seminary

Cars Needed for ImmigrantFamilies

Ethiopia MissionsStories Still Seeking Support...Items Available to a Ministry

Items NEEDED for a Ministry...Items Free for the AskingVehicles Needed to Help

Individuals

LCC Bag Mat Project - Sleeping Mats forHomelessImmanuel Lutheran, Palatine

The new sleeping mat ministry at ImmanuelLutheran Church in Palatine, Illinois, providesanother option to dispose of all those unwantedplastic bags and at the same time reach intothe community with a loving act in Christ'sname. Each Friday, women from Immanuel's50s Plus group gather to transform plasticshopping bags into sleeping mats for thehomeless. Click here for the rest of the storyClick here to view instructional video ABC-7 Chicago (Channel 7) recently visited Immanuel Palatine to do astory on their involvement with the Bag Mat Project for their specialsegment "Live Green with ABC-7". The story is set to air on Friday,November 6th during the 5PM news broadcast and will re-air duringtheir Saturday morning broadcast on November 7th. Check the LCCwebsite for a link to the broadcast after it airs.

Your Donations Make A Difference

Thank You to everyone whose donations have helped our Ethnic Ministries. You areMaking a Difference in People's Lives and God's Kingdom! LCC received the followingemail from Rev Jean Bingue, Haitian Ministry at Bethesda, Chicago:

Dear Deaconess Bonfield,

From the bottom of my heart, I would like to thank youand the staff of Lutheran Church Charities for everythingyou have done for my community especially during thismonth. The members of my congregation were so happySunday during our celebration. My prayers go out to all ofyou and thank you so much again.

God will be with you. Reverend Bingue

On Friday October 30th LCC picked up a corporate donation of furniture,electronics, office supplies and books from Deodandum Marketing GraceServices. The following ministries benefited from this generous donation:

Van RepairsFeed the Invisible Guest

ProgramTim's Pick of the Week

Job Seekers and EmployersServant at Heart Business

DirectorySpirit of Life Chorus

Performance Schedule120th Anniversary

Phils Friends BanquetUpcoming Events

How To Support LCC

Prayer WallPost a prayer, or pray

for others!

LCC's Prayer Wall

LCC connects needs withresources, working with more than

400 congregations to helpChristians "Make a Difference in

People's Lives and in God'sKingdom"

To meet our staff, click here

For more information about LCCand its human care ministry, please

contact LCC staff at:LCC@LutheranChurch

Charities.org

More...

Ministry Quicklinks

Newsletter Archive /

Printable Format

Bible Classes

Daily Devotions

Our Savior Lutheran Church, ChicagoProject LARRI, Indiana Lutheran Child and Family Services/Adoptions Apple of His Eye Ministries, Woodstock, Illinois St. Matthew Lutheran Church, Chicago UKANDU, Minnesota

A special thank you to LCC volunteers GaryKessler, Jason Weber, Jay Alborn, HelmutMueller and Sue Kessler (not pictured) who gaveof their time to load and move the donation.

On Thursday October 29th Ben Gerace picked up adonation of clothing, and toys to benefit families beingserved in the La Salle community.

Widow Needs Assistance withMedical InsuranceRequest from Pastor SteveLockman, Emanuel Lutheran Church,Flint, Michigan

Partial Need Met - Thank you to those whohave donated to this ongoing need. Pastor Lockman pictured (right) receiving check fromLCC

I have a member who is need of assistance. Herhusband was called Home last month. She was just informed by his former employerthat in order to maintain her health insurance she will need to pay a $442 per monthpremium. Before her husband died the insurance premium was $119 per month. She isnot able to pay both her mortgage payment and her health insurance. Her doctor hastold her that due to her own health she will need to apply for Social Security anddisability.

Our congregation does not have the resources to help her with ongoing expenses. Anyassistance would be a blessing to her.

In His service,Pastor Steve Lockman

To Donate, click here

Homeless Mother and Daughter inNeed of $1,000 for HousingRequest from Pastor David Barber andThomas Amato, Chairman Board of Elders,Immanuel Lutheran Church, Glenview,Illinois UPDATED AS OF 11/1/2009:

Prayer Requests

To Donate

Ministries We Support

Join Our Mailing List!

To Unsubscribe: Enteryour e-mail address above,

and you will be sentinstructions. Thank you.

LCC Announces

"Send a Spoken Prayer"

LCC's "Send a Spoken Prayer"e-Card site is available.

To learn more, Click Here

Tina and Carla (names intentionally changed) want to thankeach of the donors for contributions received so far by ImmanuelLutheran Church, on their behalf. (pictured Thomas Amatoreceiving check from LCC)

These funds combined with the major portion of Carla'sNovember social security check, will be used to get thelong needed brake job done on their car this week. Oncethe brakes have been repaired, they will needapproximately $800 to replace the tires on their car.

Though Tina and Carla were in housing for the last threeweeks, thanks to a gift from Immanuel Lutheran Church,they will again be in their car tonight. About three weeksago, with the funds provided by Immanuel LutheranChurch, we were able to get Tina and her mom into ahouse-sharing arrangement in a northern suburb afterhaving lived in their car for about a year. Thisarrangement appeared to be working out fine, until lastweek, when the owner notified Tina that he had decided to move back into his parents'home and rent out his entire house. So Tina and Carla will be back living in their caragain unless we find them another home. If anyone in the north or northwest suburbs ofChicago has housing available that they wish to share with Tina, her mom and her smalldog, he/she can contact Tom Amato at Immanuel Lutheran Church (847.724-1034).

Again, any assistance for Tina and Carla would be a tremendous blessing to them asthey put their lives back together, especially as the colder weather is upon us. Click to donate to this fund...

Woman Facing Eviction- ImmediateNeed for $1,169Request from Pastor Dave Hudak, St. PeterLutheran Church, Schaumburg, Illinois

Yolanda lives in the Schaumburg area in a rented apartment. Shewas working two jobs in order to make ends meet, but recently losther part time job. As a result of this uncertainty, her son is now livingwith his father in Florida. She recently received information that shewould be evicted from her apartment if she could not come up with $1,169 in back rent.While Yolanda is not a member of St. Peter, she does have roots in the Lutheran Churchback in Puerto Rico. We are also assisting her with food from our food pantry at thistime. I would appreciate any help that could be offered to Yolanda at this time.

Click here to donate

Thanksgiving Greetingsfrom the Haitian LutheranMission Project, ChristLutheran Church, OrlandPark

LCC received the followingupdate from Sue Gross, Haitian

Lutheran Mission Project, ChristLutheran Church, Orland Park

Although in this economy we may feel we are having to do without some of the thingswe consider necessities, Thanksgiving might be a good time for us to re-evaluate what isreally important and what we might be able to give up permanently to give glory to GOD.I am not asking any of you to starve your families so that you can support Pastor Isaac'sMinistry but there might be a little luxury in your life you can do without so that someoneelse can feed his child more than 5 kernels of corn a day.

Does your family go out for dinner occasionally? Instead of taking them out for pizzaonce a month have pizza at home and sponsor an orphan for $25.00 a month with themoney you save by eating at home. Let the children know that they are feeding a childthat has nothing by giving up their night out.

To read the entire article, click here.

Click here to contribute to the Food For Haiti Fund

Click here to contribute to the Haiti Schools Fund

Click here to contribute to Isaac's Orphanage, Haiti

Churches Partner With LCC To ProvideCongregational Preparedness Training

The last of the fall CongregationalPreparedness Training sessions was hosted bySt Mark Lutheran Church in St Charles onMonday, November 2nd. Thirty eight peoplerepresenting St Mark and 10 other churchesfrom the surrounding communities gatheredtogether to look at how to help theircongregations prepare for upcoming disasters.After the first of the year more workshops onCongregational Preparedness will be scheduledwhen requested. If your congregation would like

to host such an event please contact LCC staff member Dianna Bonfield at 866-455-6466.

Nine Year Old Girl with CerebralPalsy Needs Stem Cell TreatmentRequest from Pastor Dan Dierks, PeaceLutheran Church Schererville, Indiana

Kara is a nine year old girl with Cerebral Palsy. She lives in Dyer,Indiana and is a member of Peace Lutheran Church. She suffersfrom Cerebral Palsy because of a stroke that occurred prior to herbirth. She is unable to walk on her own and has limited use of herleft arm. She also suffers from seizure disorder, for which shetakes medication daily.

Kara participates in therapies in school and at a pediatric clinic, and though muchprogress has been made, it is slow. Surgery was offered as the only option to help Karawith her physical and orthopedic impairments, and continued therapy the best option to

help her become more independent.

Because of the unavailability of other treatment programs in the United States, Kara'sfamily has decided to take her to China for stem cell treatment. In this five-weekprogram, Kara would receive stem cell injections, paired with a rigorous therapy program.The treatment will be given at The Wu Stem Cells Medical Center in Beijing, China(www.unistemcells.com) beginning December 14, 2009 and continuing into January2010. Our anticipated hope is to see global improvement in Kara's abilities, physicallyand mentally, and the treating doctor feels very confident we will see these results.

Kara is covered under insurance; however, her insurance will not cover any portion of thetreatment in China (or anywhere out of the country, for that matter). Because of this,Kara's family will have to pay out-of-pocket for the treatment and all associated costs,equaling approximately $30,000. Any help financially or, even more, with prayer, wouldbe most appreciated. Click here to donate

Third Group Completes LERT TrainingTwenty three new individuals completed theLERT training course hosted by St. PeterLutheran Church, Schaumburg Illinois onThursday, October 29th. These 23 participants,along with the 82 who completed earlier trainingsessions, will be certified by LCMS World Reliefand Human Care Services and will be allowedto respond in the event of a state or federallydeclared emergency.

Comfort Dog Ministry UpdateComfort Dogs attend Chapel and Visit School

LCC Comfort Dogs Star, Butter, Tilly andOlympia attended the Chapel Service at GoodShepherd Lutheran Church and School onWednesday, October 28th. Pete Imlah gave thechapel talk and then the Comfort Dogs visitedwith the students and teachers.

Donate to the K-9 ParishComfort Dog Ministry

Silent Auction ItemsNeeded for Fundraiser

The Bakery House, a ministry for homelessmen in Gary, Indiana is in need of items for aSilent Auction. The Auction and Fund RaiserDinner will be held on Sunday, December 6,2009 at Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church inCrown Point, Indiana.

Rebuilding the Breach Ministries, which ownsand operates the Bakery House, is an ad hoc ministry of Lutheran Churches in theNorthwest Indiana area. The facility currently houses 32 men, and teaches them basicLutheran beliefs, and lifestyle and employment skills. For information Email Dennis

Hodges at wdh.2016@att.net, or call (219) 887-1351.

Visit their website

Your Donations Make A DifferenceThanks to Your Generous Support, We Were Able to ProvideAssistance to the following:

Trinity, Bloomington - Kenya Mission Trip FundPeace Lutheran Church, Schererville, IN - Kara Stem CellTreatment FundPOBLO Ministries - Iranian Denture FundPeace Lutheran Church, Plainfield - L. Sanchez FundEmanuel Lutheran Church, Flint, MI - Widow Medical Fund

Thrivent Giving Plus being Phased Out!

Immediate Response Needed to take advantage of thisMatching Program

Thrivent Financial for Lutherans has a GIVING PLUS program that LCC has benefitedfrom in the past where they will match your gift to LCC $1 for every $2 donation, up to$300. Thrivent is phasing out the program and their pot of money will be gone beforethe end of the year. For those Thrivent Members who have used GIVING PLUS forLutheran Church Charities 12/31 "Remember Us Last" year end appeal, in order to getThrivent funds, those gifts will have to be made soon while there is still matching dollarsavailable. You can do this by downloading a Thrivent Giving Plus Form and sending itin to LCC, 333 W Lake Street, Addison IL 60101 or by calling our office at 866-455-6466

Reaching Out to Your Community with the Mercyand Compassion of Christ in Ways that Don't CostMoney!We are in hard economic times. "Times areterrible" many say. But just think what ablessing God has given us! The door is wideopen for the Church to be the Church. Jesusshowed us by his life that we are to be thechurch that "Does Feet" (John 13).

People say that they would "do" evangelism,they would reach out to people in need, buttheir church simply does not have the moneyright now to do it, things are tight! DearChristian brothers and sisters, it doesn't take money to touch those in need and pain - ittakes you and your willingness to follow Jesus' example.

If you would like a staff member of LCC to come out and share ways for you and yourchurch to reach your members and community - without money - contact us at 866-455-6466 or email LCC@LutheranChurchCharities.org We would be more than happy tocome and work with you! By the way, we can even bring our K-9 Parish Comfort Dogswith us. This also will NOT cost you!

ClassesForming

Now!Cover to Cover -Year 1St. Matthew, HawthornWoodsSt. John, Country ClubHills

Can You Help LCC Find Free Warehouse StorageFor Our Ongoing Ministry?In order to be able to respond to disastersswiftly, it is imperative that we operate in a stateof preparedness. To be able to do that, it isimportant that we have our vehicles andequipment stored in a location and environmentthat will enable us to move quickly.

For the other parts of our ministry, we need:

Work space for our volunteers that is aclimate controlled environmentHas short term storage space for donations till they can be picked up in a fewdays.A space large enough where we can drive in and store our Disaster responseRV and trailers for immediate DEPLOYMENT.A cargo bay allowing us the ability to load semi-trailers would also be nice anduseful feature.

If you know of someone who owns or has available warehouse space that isn't beingcurrently used, please contact Tim Hetzner at Lutheran Church Charities. We understandthat use of the warehouse would not be permanent and that the owner would have thefull rights to regain their facility if it was to be rented or sold. LCC would carry theinsurance on the space we are using. Please contact Tim Hetzner, President of LCC at(866) 455-6466 if you know of someone. This would be a tremendous Help in meetingthe increased demands LCC faces. Help us to continue to - by the Grace ofGod - Make A Difference in People's Lives and in God's Kingdom!

Continuing Need for Bi-Lingual Bibles for Outreachto Muslim College StudentsRequest from POBLO MissionaryHicham Chehab

Dear Friends,College years are times of transformation. So weneed to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with thelost at such a pivotal stage in the lives of People.

POBLO-Chicago's student ministry is reaching out to Muslims at Community Colleges.More Bibles and Evangelism material are needed.

Please consider donating to this cause so that we can answer the call for the Mission ofGod.

In God's PeaceHicham

Click Here to Donate Now

Looking to be in a Bible Study?This Fall, Does Your Church Wantto Host a Study? Your Small Group? Indicate YourInterest Here

St. Paul, MattesonCover to Cover -Year 2Trinity, LansingThe Gospel of JohnSt. Paul, ThorntonPhilippiansLord of Life, LaFoxSt. Paul, WinfieldJamesTrinity, HuntleyPueblo, ColoradoJonahShepherd of the Hills,Onalaska, WisconsinProverbsSt. Luke, Itasca

Register Online - Click Here

Looking to Host a Bible Study?

WORD AMONG US BibleStudiesLutheran Church Charities In-

Depth Bible Studies - WORD AMONG US - Maybe your Solution!

Free for Congregations!If you wouldlike to be ahost site clickhere IF you wouldlike to join anexisting class -click here If you wouldlike to take a course by internet - Click here Short-Format Courses

James: 5-week coursePhilippians: 5-weekcourseJude: 1-week courseJonah::3-week courseProverbs: 10-weekcourseKnow that GodExists: 1-week courseEsther: 5-week course

Long-Format Courses

Cover To Cover: A JourneyThrough The Bible60-week courseThe Gospel of John31-week courseApocalypsis Jesu Christus: The Book of Revelation30-week course

For more information and registration, Click Here... To Find out more information contact Tim Hetzner at 866-455-6466 or email atWAU@LutheranChurchCharities.org

LCC Staff and Comfort Dogsavailable for Church Functions andSchool Chapels!

For more information on scheduling LCC and the K-9 ParishComfort Dogs for an event or chapel at your church, contact LCCat 866-455-6466 or email LCC@LutheranChurchCharities.org

To help support the growing Ministry of theComfort Dogs click here...

To find out information on how yourcongregation can get one of the LCC K-9Parish Comfort Dogs Click here Click here for some Photo Albums showingsome of the many places the dogs havebrought comfort.... And click here for the DogBlog, featuring "Tara's Twitter"

Thanksgiving Baskets for MobileAlabamaRequest from Pastor Tillahun Menedo, FaithLutheran Church, Mobile, Alabama

Again this year the Evangelism Committee at Faith Lutheran Church,Mobile is attempting to serve the needs within our own congregationand the local community, especially at this time of the year and atthis critical time in our economy. We are so thankful for your pastsupport for this project and give all the Glory and Praise to God. Weare in the process of soliciting funding for our annual Thanksgiving Baskets for the needy

and are seeking your help. We are planningto construct 6 baskets and anticipate thecost of each basket to be about $40.00.To God be the Glory that this project will bea success again this year and will blesseach recipient of these baskets with a mealfor Thanksgiving that they otherwise maynot have had. We do all of this in the nameof Our Lord and savior Jesus Christ.

We thank God for any considerations thatyou may give to this request and may Godcontinue to bless you and your effort to

provide assistance to all of the needed.

Click here to donate to the Mobile Alabama Baskets Fund

Help train a Pastor in the rapidly growingLutheran Church in EthiopiaInterview with Bruk Ayele - Dean, Lutheran Seminary inEthiopia

With over 5.5 Million members, keeping up with trainedpastors is a challenge. Consider supporting a seminarystudent for $1500 a year.

Watch the interview Tim Hetzner did with Pastor BrukAyele in Ethiopia.

Help Make A Difference in a open missionfield!

Donate now!

Cars Needed for Immigrant FamiliesRequest from POBLO Missionary, Hicham Chehab

Dear Friends, We have several Iraqi refugee families that we areworking with who need reliable transportation. One is afamily of four, also a family of six and a single mother.They have arrived here with very little and needtransportation in order to work. The donation of a carwould be a tremendous blessing and witness to thesefamilies. Please contact LCC at 866-455-6466 or email LCC@LutheranChurchCharities.org ifyou have a vehicle to donate

LCMS Pastor starts Orphanage in EthiopiaRev. Tilahun Mendedo and his family have started a Lutheranorphanage in Ethiopia - where he was born. Pastor Mendedois currently serving at Faith Lutheran Church (LCMS) inMobile, Alabama.

To find out how you can help theorphanage grow in helping many of thestreet children in Ethiopia, please watchthe video here.

To support a child for one month the cost is only $25 whichprovides food, clothing, and education for the child ($300 for ayear)

Donate to the orphanage through LCC.

Download the Master Builders Center Newsletter

Download the Master Builders Center Flyer

Other Stories Still Seeking Support

Family in Need of Car and Short Term Rent AssistanceEthiopian Child Needs Specialized Medical OperationVoice of Care Handicapped MinistriesPOBLO - Jeremiah BaechlerMission to Haiti - Eyeglasses Needed Shipping Costs for Ghana SuppliesOpen Doors in Haiti - Bible Study materials Needed

Items Available to a MinistryLutheran Books of Worship (copyright 1978)10 bin sorter with stapler Collator series 300/400 with corner stapler2532 - 1 Cassette Player, 1 remote foot switch & head phones2531 - 2 cassette tape erasers2530 - 343 blank cassette tapes2529 - 20 choir robes (blue with gold sashes)

For More items, click here to view the latest updates on our DONATE Web Page...

Items NEEDED for a Ministry

A larger lawn tractor or ATV with a plow blade or snow blower equipment inworking or repairable conditionA heavy duty pickup truck with or with out plow equipment, in working orrepairable condition

If you have items to donate contact LCC at 866-455-6466 or emailLCC@LutheranChurchCharities.org

New Items Free for the AskingLCC works THROUGH churches and is not a Direct Service Ministry. To requestan item on our "Free for the Asking" list please contact your Church and ask thatthey call us (866-455-6466) requesting an item. Arrangements will then be madeto connect the item with you. If you are not a member of a Christian Church thenplease call LCC to place you in contact with one of our LCMS churches who canassist you.

2557 - Baldwin Model Electronic Organ Model 3ET, 2 manuals, 35 notekeyboards, 25 note foot pedal kayboard Amplification 130 watts total2553 - Brother MFC 7150C or MFC7160C Multi-Function Fax Machine, ColorPrinter, Scanner2551 - Window air conditioner2550 - Olympic weight set with bench

For More Items Available, click here to view the list on our DONATEpage...

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 andMinistriesAll vehicles that are donated to LCC godirectly out to families or individualsthrough our congregations. NOvehicles are sold.

Photo: Jennifer's daughter had medical needs thatrequired 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 are are still waiting forsome word...

Family of Four in Need of a Vehicle in ItascaMinivan needed for Hispanic Ministry in CaliforniaSingle Mother Needs Car for WorkEgyptian Refugee Family in need of Transportation

Click here for the complete page listing the needs

If you have a vehicle to donate, please contactLCC@LutheranChurchCharities.org or call 866-455-6466

LCC uses only Donated Vehicles to do our pickups and deliveries of food, clothing and otheritems. Consequently, they have a tendency tobreak down more often.

Would you consider helping us get theneeded repairs to our vehicles? If so -

please click here to make a donation.

STOP is not a word LCC uses often...But sometimes we have to COME to a STOP!

Thank you for helping us so that Together with You,We Can Continue Making A Difference!

COME LORD JESUS, BE OUR GUEST ...You recognize this prayer written by MartinLuther ...

Come Lord Jesus, be our guestAnd let thy gifts to us be blessed. Amen

If we really mean this prayer and want Jesusto be our Guest - wouldn't we feed him also?

Consider becoming a part of LCC's individualchallenge 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

Tim's Pick of the Week

Bible Tabs

Bible Tabs make learning easy and enhance yourstudy time. Tabs are precut, self-adhesive, permanentand are printed on both sides.

LCC's bookstore has a wide range of styles to choosefrom!

Job Seekers and Employers - Connect Online!Christians contact us frequently who are looking foremployment - either because the company they are withhas downsized, closed or has had layoffs. If you arelooking for people to hire and would like to consider afellow Christian for a position, please check herewww.servantatheart.org. Job seekers can post their resumes, and employers canpost job openings. Access to Expanded Job Listingsthrough National Labor Exchange...

Servant at HeartLutheran Church Charities' On-Line Christian BusinessDirectoryLooking for a Christian business? Lutheran Church Charities has an on-line ChristianBusiness Directory called Servant@Heart. This on-line 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 businesslisted. 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!

Crossroads ChurchPresents:"I Don't Have EnoughFAITH to Be anATHEIST" Seminar withDr. Frank Turek November 6 & 7, 2009Crossroads Church1350 State Route 137Grayslake, Illinois 60030

Dr. Frank Turek, President of CrossExamined.org and co-author of the book "I Don'tHave Enough FAITH to Be an ATHEIST", will hold a public forum, present argumentsand conduct teaching at two venues on November 6th and 7th, 2009. These events aresponsored by Crossroads Church and are free of charge. Lunch and refreshments will beprovided at a nominal cost. Click here for more details

Support Voice of Hope -Behind the Wallat Raise the Bar -A Holiday Bazaar &Vendor ShowFundraiserSaturday, November 7, 2009St. John's Lutheran Church505 S. Park Road

LaGrange, Illinois 60525

A day to celebrate and support Voice of Hope - Behind the Wall, the correctional ministryof Deaconess Lori Wilbert in Northern Illinois, will take place on Saturday, November 7at St. John's Lutheran Church, 505 S. Park Road, LaGrange. Raise the Bar - A HolidayBazaar & Vendor Show Fundraiser from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. will offer one-stop holidayshopping with 25-plus vendors, door prizes & giveaways. Admission and parking arefree. The day will also include a Meet & Greet Reception with Lori from 2:00 - 3:00 p.m.,followed by a Service of Thanksgiving at 3:15 to celebrate her 25th Anniversary ofDeaconess Ministry in the Northern Illinois District. Voice of Hope is a RecognizedService Organization of The Lutheran Church -- Missouri Synod, is the only Lutheranministry of its kind in the NID, and relies solely on donations and fundraising for itsfinancial support. For further information: 630-901-7031.

Benefit Concert toAssist the Familiesof Our Armed ForcesConcert to be held Saturday,November 7, 2009 at 7:00 PMImmanuel Lutheran Church200 N. Plum Grove RoadPalatine, Illinois 60067

A benefit concert is being given to raise funds to support the families of the military onSaturday, November 7 at 7:00 pm at Immanuel Lutheran Church, 200 N. Plum Grove, inPalatine. The RejoiceSingers will present the musical "Our Flag Was Still There" - amultimedia presentation along with a children's choir and Immanuel's adult choir. Achaplain, recently returned from service in Iraq, will be participating as well. This powerful program is open to the public. For information contact: Lutheran ChurchCharities or Immanuel Lutheran Church, Palatine (847) 359-0139.

Spirit of Life Chorus Performance Schedule

The Spirit of Life Chorus is a 100+member ecumenical Christian concertchorus performing in churchsanctories and auditoriumsthroughout the northern Illinois area.

Our concert series this fall is entitled"A Baby Changes Everything". Imagine Mary and Joseph as theirbaby was born. Do you think theirson changed their lives? History tellsus the answer, and what a change He has made....in all our lives. With music and thespoken word, our concert this year is filled with the wonderful and glorious sounds ofChristmas!

We hope to see you at one or more of our 2009 Fall Concert Series. The schedule islisted below:

HUNTLEY - Sunday, November 8thSt. Mary Catholic Church10307 Dundee Road; 60142Concert time: 3:30 p.m.

DES PLAINES - Sunday, November 15thChrist Church1492 Henry Avenue; 60016Concert time: 4:00 p.m.

WOOD DALE - Sunday, November 22nd

Holy Ghost Catholic Church254 Wood Dale Road Concert time: 4:00 p.m.

CAROL STREAM - Sunday, November 29thLutheran Church of the Master580 North Kuhn Road ; 60188Concert time: 4:30 p.m.

ROSELLE - Sunday, December 6thSt. Walter Catholic Church201 West Maple Avenue ; 60172Concert time: 4:30 p.m.

120th AnniversaryConcertSunday, November 15, 20093:00 PMFirst Bethlehem Lutheran Church1649 W. LeMoyne, Chicago

In celebration of the 120th anniversary of itsbuilding and the 138th anniversary of thecongregation, First Bethlehem Lutheran Churchin Chicago will hold a special concert and hymnsing on Sunday, November 15, 2009, at 3 p.m.Michael Waal, organist at Redeemer LutheranChurch in Elmhurst, will be the organist andLaura Schmuldt, director of music at Holy CrossLutheran Church in Cary, will be the vocalist.The theme will be "Through the Church Year," and will feature works from every seasonof the church year, including works by Bach, Buxtehude, Bender, and Bunjes. A free willoffering will be collected. Proceeds from the concert will go towards capitalimprovements. First Bethlehem Lutheran Church is located at 1649 W. Le Moyne, the corner of LeMoyne and Paulina Streets, in the East Wicker Park neighborhood of Chicago. It islocated approximately five blocks from the North Avenue exit of the KennedyExpressway. Please note that the posters sent out to many of the Chicagoland congregationsincorrectly give the date as November 13; it should read November 15.

Phil's Friends 2nd AnnualCelebration of HopeDinnerNovember 20, 20096:30 PM Reception7:15 DinnerDrury Lane, Oakbrook Terrace

www.PhilsFriends.org

ENOUGH Why the World's Poorest Starve inan Age of Plenty - Community Forum

Sunday, November 22, 2009 at 3:00 PMFaith Lutheran Church680 W. DeerpathLake Forest, Illinois 60045

For more than forty years, humankind has hadthe knowledge, tools, and resources to endchronic hunger worldwide. Yet at the start of thetwenty-first century, 25,000 people a day - andnearly six million children a year - die of hunger,malnutrition, and related diseases. Malnutritionkills more Africans than AIDS and malariacombined. Hear the story of world hunger from Roger Thurow. Hear what wecould do to address this issue, join us and participate in a communityforum. Click here for more information or call (847)234-1868.

A German Christmas"Liederfest" (Hymnfest)Sunday, December 6, 2009 at 7:00 PMSt. John Lutheran Church4939 E. MontroseChicago, Illinois 60641

St John Lutheran Church, 4939 W Montrose in Chicago,will be conducting an all German Christmas "Liederfest" (Hymnfest) December 6, at 7:00p.m. The program will begin with familiar Christmas folk music and then move into theChristmas celebration with readings and hymns to celebrate our Savior's birth.

St John is conveniently located on the northside, in the heart of Chicago, three blockswest of highway 90/94 and has good parking facilities. Everyone is welcome, butespecially people of German descent who wish to revive a rich, old tradition with theirfamily. Refreshments will be served after the program.

For additional information, call 773-736-1112

Upcoming Events - Click Here for a complete listing of Upcoming Events

"I Don't Have Enough FAITH to Be an ATHIEST" November 6 & 7, 2009 Crossroads Church, GrayslakeFundraiser: Voice of Hope - Behind the Wall November 7, 2009 St. John's, LaGrangeBenefit Concert: Families of Armed Forces November 7 - 7 pm Immanuel, PalatineFundraiser: Hope for Tina November 8 -2 pm Merionette Park - ChicagoSpirit of Life Chorus Various dates,

Nov 8 through Dec 6See Schedule

120th Anniversary Concert November 15, 2009 First Immanuel, ChicagoPhil's Friends Dinner November 20, 2009 Drury Lane, Oakbrook TerraceENOUGH Why the World's Poorest Starve in an Age of Plenty - Community Forum

November 22 - 3 pm Faith Lutheran, Lake Forest

A German Christmas "Liederfest" (Hymnfest) December 6, 2009 St. John, Chicago

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 contactTimHetzner@LutheranChurchCharities.orgor send contributions to LCC, 333 West Lake Street, Addison, IL 60101or contribute at our web site at http://LCC.LutheranChurchCharities.orgor call us for credit card donations at LCC's office at (866) 455- 6466