The Bridge Teen Center April 2026 Mission of the Month
For the month of April, we will be collecting donations for the Bridge Teen Center in Orland Park.
Their mission is to provide free programs during after-school and unsupervised hours where students can develop mentally, physically, emotionally, and spiritually in a safe environment. The vision of The Bridge Teen Center is to provide teens with a place to find hope, purpose, and direction. The program is open to children in 7th through 12th grade. They rely entirely on the volunteer and financial support of the community to keep their programs free for students. Currently, their funding comes from The Bridge Thrift Store (31% plus in-kind supplies), foundations (26%), businesses/entities (25%), :and individual donors (18%).
To learn more about The Bridge Teen Center visit their website
For the whole month of October, we will be collecting donations for Lutherans for Life. You can either drop off your donation while at church, mail your donation to the church, or use our giving page and select the mission of the month.
Lutherans For Life exists to equip Lutherans and their neighbors to be Gospel-motivated voices For Life. We do this through our quarterly journal, “LifeDate,” countless resources produced for local congregations, Life Sunday materials, speaking and preaching, online Chats 4Life, Frontline conference calls, Life Teams, Life Chapters, and Life Advocates, as well as national and regional conferences.
Here We Stand to declare and defend the precious value of every human being.
Here We Stand to celebrate the many blessings of abundant and everlasting life.
Here We Stand for every human life, at each stage, in any state—no matter what she’s done, no matter what he can’t do.
Here We Stand from the invisible miracle of conception to the moment of natural death—because of God’s purpose, not our own plans.
Here We Stand behind Jesus Christ’s passion, not our own pride.
Here We Stand bearing His Holy Spirit’s presence, not our own capacities.
Our June Mission of the Month is Lutheran Church Charities. Below you will see the different ministries LCC provides all around the United States. You can give any time this month while at church, mailing a check to the church, or using our giving page and selecting Mission of the Month.
LCC’s Mission
Share the Mercy, Compassion, Presence and Proclamation of Jesus Christ to those who are suffering and in need.
Originally headquartered in Addison, Illinois, and currently in Northbrook, Illinois, Lutheran Church Charities (LCC) was founded in 1947 as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit ministry to help support Christian human care ministries of the Church. LCC works throughout the United States and Internationally in bringing the Mercy, Compassion, Presence and Proclamation of Jesus Christ to those Suffering and in Need. LCC works with and in partnership with our churches. LCC is an RSO (Recognized Service Organization) of the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod. We operate with a Dollar In – Dollar Out funding process where EVERY dollar given for a cause goes directly to that cause or need, with LCC acknowledging the gift and overseeing that the money is used as intended.
LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry®
Launched in August 2008, the Lutheran Church Charities K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry is a national human-care ministry embracing the unique, calming nature and skills of purebred Golden Retrievers. The LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs are a bridge for compassionate ministry, opening doors for conversation about faith and creating opportunities to share the mercy, compassion, presence and proclamation of Jesus Christ.
The LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs serve every day in the community in which they are placed and are dispatched in times of disaster and crisis to bring comfort to all those affected, including first responders and the volunteers who serve them. LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs were in New York and New Jersey visiting victims of Superstorm Sandy, and in Connecticut after the tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School. Lutheran Church Charities currently has over 130 LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs serving in more than 27 states. LCC operates training facilities in Illinois and Nebraska.
LCC Kare 9 Military Ministry®
The LCC Kare 9 Military Ministry® is a ministry by veterans for veterans. They strive to serve our military, veterans and their families. The Kare 9 Military Ministry dogs and their trained veteran handlers visit many places, including VFWs, VA hospitals, Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Care Centers, homes of veterans that are home bound, Expos, Vet Clinics, Yellow Ribbon Ceremonies and various other activities to help spread the mercy and compassion of Christ Jesus.
LCC K-9 Police Ministry®
The LCC K-9 Police Ministry handlers are law enforcement officers (current and former) who understand the unique challenges facing the law enforcement community. They bring Mercy, Compassion, Presence, and Proclamation of Jesus Christ to those who protect and serve, as well as their families.
Crisis Response – Serving law enforcement and family members in their time of need, by providing comfort following injuries, deaths, or major incidents.
Ongoing Support – K-9 visits (headquarters, substations, dispatch centers), assistance with department missions (Christmas shopping with children, summer camps, public events), comforting crime victims (prior to interviews, counseling, or courtroom testimony), and general support for department members and their families.
LCC Disaster Response Ministries coordinates the deployment of trained volunteers for Disaster Response. When disasters strike; lives, homes, businesses, churches and more are affected. LCC L.E.R.T. volunteers respond quickly to serve people affected by a disaster. LCC teams are trained to work through local churches to serve their communities. LCC Disaster Responseprovides on-site and online Lutheran Early Response Team (L.E.R.T.) basic training. Additional training includes expertise in the area of chainsaw, heavy equipment, debris removal, flood recovery, and emotional and spiritual care.
LCC Human Care Ministries work with pastors and congregations to pass through donor financial assistance, in-kind donations, volunteer people resources, emotional or spiritual support.
Hearts of Mercy & Compassion (HMC), Crosses for Losses provides a physical and spiritual symbol through the giving of hearts and crosses to families and friends who have suffered a loss or are experiencing the illness of a loved one. An HMC can also be given to celebrate a victory, honor service, as an expression of love, or to be an encouragement in the face of adversity. Given as a gift, each HMC provides the love and hope of Jesus through presence and prayer. Upon request, Lutheran Church Charities, working through churches, can provide an HMC at no charge.
Other LCC ministries include international and domestic ministries, church worker support, WORD Bible Studies, Congregational Preparedness, and support for pass-through needs and causes.
Voice of Care is our February Mission of the Month. You can donate all month long either in person at church, online using our giving page and selecting Mission of the Month, or mail in your donation to church.
Mission
Voice of Care’s mission is to equip the local church to embrace, empower and engage people who experience disabilities and their families in their discipleship walk with Christ.
MINISTRY BY AND WITH PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES
Voice of Care works with congregations to develop disability awareness and foster inclusive practices throughout the life and work of the church.
Voice of Care consults on making facilities and activities accessible and welcoming to people with disabilities, developing models for full inclusion in Christian Education, and implementing outreach opportunities, such as respite care events or interactive programs.
Voice of Care provides training and resources for professional church workers and lay people to teach, counsel and serve ably and joyfully among children and adults with developmental disabilities and their families ‐ demonstrating the love of Christ.
Voice of Care works with schools to present Disability Awareness Days. These interactive learning opportunities include an introduction to common disabilities and will emphasize that despite physical or cognitive differences we are children of God. The key teaching surrounds the fact that we are each loved by Jesus and of great value because He made us. A Disability Awareness Day presents children with experiences that mimic those of a person with disabilities: using sign language or braille, navigating a white cane obstacle course while blindfolded, participating in a wheelchair “rodeo,” dealing with dyslexia or having one’s manual dexterity compromised. Videos and learning activities can also be presented as a chapel service or school assembly, with songs and stories that underscore the fact that all God’s children are special.
For October we will be collecting orders for Nothing Bundt Cakes to raise money for our Preschool. All month long you can collect orders and then turn in the order forms and money or checks made out to Nothing Bundt Cake by November 6th. Orders will be at church on Monday, November 18th. You can pick up order forms at church or click on the link below the picture to print them out.
Our Mission of the Month for September is Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch. We will be hosting a Honey Sunday on September 29th.There will be forms to fill out or you can call the church to set up your order. The honey will be mailed directly to your home.
Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch is a Christ-centered residential treatment and educational center for children and their families. The Ranch gives children a safe place to live, learn, and heal. We provide exceptional and innovative trauma-informed care to kids and their families through Residential Treatment Facilities, Outpatient Psychiatric and Psychological services, and Spiritual Life activities. In addition, Dakota Memorial School provides personalized education for kids who have psychiatric, behavioral, and trauma issues.
At the Ranch, we create dynamic treatment and education plans for children, specific to the needs of each child and their family. Individualized interventions target each child’s specific issues and builds on their strengths. Each child’s treatment team includes experienced professionals in psychiatry, therapy, nursing, occupational therapy, education, wellness, and spiritual life. We also involve family and community supports whenever possible.
For decades, congregations across the United States have held Honey Sundays. We invite you to join them — and bring God’s love to a child by organizing a Honey Sunday fundraiser this fall.
When you hold a Honey Sunday, we provide bulletin insert order forms, a poster, and a sample bottle of honey. We suggest a gift of $10 per bottle of honey (you send 70% of the proceeds to the Ranch and keep 30% for your local ministry needs.) We ship the honey to people’s homes 2-3 weeks after receiving the completed order forms.
Our August Mission of the Month is Phil’s Friends. You can drop off your donation at church, mail a check, or use our giving page and select Mission of the Month.
Phil’s Friends provides Christ-centered practical, emotional, and spiritual support and hope to people affected by cancer. This is done by distributing hand-assembled care packages that are shipped to people’s homes and personally delivered to people in hospitals they are partnered with throughout the Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana area. After receiving a care package, people receive monthly encouragement through the Cards of Hope program and those with cancer, as well as their loved ones, can access virtual supportive visits through the Hope on Call™ program. Volunteers and staff at Phil’s Friends are also committed to praying for each person who receives a care package.
Over 33,000 people have received support since Phil’s Friends was founded in 2006 and in 2020 almost 4,000 people received a care package and started receiving this support for the first time. You can help share God’s love and support with people going through cancer by donating needed care package items, volunteering, and donating financially. A gift of $75 allows Phil’s Friends to support one person for an entire year. To learn more about how you can get involved, please visit philsfriends.org.
Our June Mission of the Month is Lutheran Church Charities. Below you will see the different ministries LCC provides all around the United States. You can give any time this month while at church, mailing a check to the church, or using our giving page and selecting Mission of the Month.
LCC’s Mission
Share the Mercy, Compassion, Presence and Proclamation of Jesus Christ to those who are suffering and in need.
Originally headquartered in Addison, Illinois, and currently in Northbrook, Illinois, Lutheran Church Charities (LCC) was founded in 1947 as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit ministry to help support Christian human care ministries of the Church. LCC works throughout the United States and Internationally in bringing the Mercy, Compassion, Presence and Proclamation of Jesus Christ to those Suffering and in Need. LCC works with and in partnership with our churches. LCC is an RSO (Recognized Service Organization) of the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod. We operate with a Dollar In – Dollar Out funding process where EVERY dollar given for a cause goes directly to that cause or need, with LCC acknowledging the gift and overseeing that the money is used as intended.
LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry®
Launched in August 2008, the Lutheran Church Charities K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry is a national human-care ministry embracing the unique, calming nature and skills of purebred Golden Retrievers. The LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs are a bridge for compassionate ministry, opening doors for conversation about faith and creating opportunities to share the mercy, compassion, presence and proclamation of Jesus Christ.
The LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs serve every day in the community in which they are placed and are dispatched in times of disaster and crisis to bring comfort to all those affected, including first responders and the volunteers who serve them. LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs were in New York and New Jersey visiting victims of Superstorm Sandy, and in Connecticut after the tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School. Lutheran Church Charities currently has over 130 LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs serving in more than 27 states. LCC operates training facilities in Illinois and Nebraska.
LCC Kare 9 Military Ministry®
The LCC Kare 9 Military Ministry® is a ministry by veterans for veterans. They strive to serve our military, veterans and their families. The Kare 9 Military Ministry dogs and their trained veteran handlers visit many places, including VFWs, VA hospitals, Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Care Centers, homes of veterans that are home bound, Expos, Vet Clinics, Yellow Ribbon Ceremonies and various other activities to help spread the mercy and compassion of Christ Jesus.
LCC K-9 Police Ministry®
The LCC K-9 Police Ministry handlers are law enforcement officers (current and former) who understand the unique challenges facing the law enforcement community. They bring Mercy, Compassion, Presence, and Proclamation of Jesus Christ to those who protect and serve, as well as their families.
Crisis Response – Serving law enforcement and family members in their time of need, by providing comfort following injuries, deaths, or major incidents.
Ongoing Support – K-9 visits (headquarters, substations, dispatch centers), assistance with department missions (Christmas shopping with children, summer camps, public events), comforting crime victims (prior to interviews, counseling, or courtroom testimony), and general support for department members and their families.
LCC Disaster Response Ministries coordinates the deployment of trained volunteers for Disaster Response. When disasters strike; lives, homes, businesses, churches and more are affected. LCC L.E.R.T. volunteers respond quickly to serve people affected by a disaster. LCC teams are trained to work through local churches to serve their communities. LCC Disaster Responseprovides on-site and online Lutheran Early Response Team (L.E.R.T.) basic training. Additional training includes expertise in the area of chainsaw, heavy equipment, debris removal, flood recovery, and emotional and spiritual care.
LCC Human Care Ministries work with pastors and congregations to pass through donor financial assistance, in-kind donations, volunteer people resources, emotional or spiritual support.
Hearts of Mercy & Compassion (HMC), Crosses for Losses provides a physical and spiritual symbol through the giving of hearts and crosses to families and friends who have suffered a loss or are experiencing the illness of a loved one. An HMC can also be given to celebrate a victory, honor service, as an expression of love, or to be an encouragement in the face of adversity. Given as a gift, each HMC provides the love and hope of Jesus through presence and prayer. Upon request, Lutheran Church Charities, working through churches, can provide an HMC at no charge.
Other LCC ministries include international and domestic ministries, church worker support, WORD Bible Studies, Congregational Preparedness, and support for pass-through needs and causes.
Our May Mission of the Month is PASS in Tinley Park. We will be collecting monetary donations as well as any baby items they are in need of such as diapers, wipes, bibs, and clothes. We will have a guest speaker on Sunday, May 12th as well.
STATEMENT OF PRINCIPLE
PASS network for life is an outreach ministry of Jesus Christ through his church. Commensurate with this purpose, those who labor as PASS staff, board members, advisers, directors, contract employees and volunteers are expected to have personal relationship with Christ as Lord and Savior. Therefore, those ministering at PASS, are trained to present the Gospel of our Lord to those experiencing a crisis pregnancy in word and deed.
PASS network for life recognizes the provision of God’s people and the community at large, as being vital for extending hope to our clients.
PASS network for life is committed to integrity, to building Godly relationships, and earning the clients trust by providing accurate and useful information regarding abortion, adoption, parenting, abstinence, marriage and the Gospel.
PASS network for life denounces any form of deception in its corporate advertising or individual conversations with clients. Client information is held in confidence and only disclosed as required by law.
PASS network for life is committed to the sanctity of life, from conception to natural death, encouraging women to choose the option to carry their baby to term.
PASS network for life is committed to restoration of the family unit by providing emotional support, education and practical assistance to both the father and mother.
PASS network for life does not discriminate in providing services for its clients because of race, color, creed, religion, ancestry, age, national origin, sex, marital status or disability.
PASS network for life does not recommend, provide, or refer for abortions or abortifacients.
PASS network for life offers crisis pregnancy assistance free of charge.
PASS network for life is committed to creating awareness within the local community that abortion is not a viable solution to an unwanted pregnancy.
PASS network for life does not recommend, provide, or refer clients for contraceptives. PASS clients are encouraged to honor sexual integrity. Married woman seeking contraceptive information are advised to seek counsel along with their husbands, from their pastor and physician.
PASS network for life recognizes the validity of adoption as an alternative to abortion. PASS operates independent of any adoption agencies, relating to them in the same manner as to other referral sources. PASS neither initiates nor facilitates independent adoptions, though we may refer for independent adoptions in states where legal. PASS does not enter into contractual relationship, does not share combined office space or receive payment of any kind from any adoption agency.
WHAT WE DO
IMPACT offers engaging, interactive and age appropriate presentations about sex, love, and relationships for preteens,teens and parents.
Pregnancy Centers
A trained PASS volunteer Advocate walks along side each client as they face the uncertainty of their unique situation, building a relationship where truth can be spoken, and the love of Jesus shared. We discuss all their legal options, and educate them on the facts of each option.
Our Free Services Include:
● Pregnancy test
● 1st trimester limited OB ultrasound
● Understanding Pregnancy, Pre-Birth Planning and full-day Childbirth Express Class
PASS believes every child deserves to know both their mother and father. The ultrasound is a life-changing window into the womb, confirming God’s plan. It begins the bonding of two individuals who are now parents of a pre-born baby.
The Abundant Life Program seeks to encourage, inspire and equip parents to embrace the abundant life that Jesus promises for their family. Babies do not come with instructions, and parents need to know their value and be equipped to build a foundation for life.
Hope & Healing is a 12-week pathway to understanding freedom and healing.
Our April Mission of the Month is GOD’S WORD for Peace Officers. You can make donations this month while at church, using our giving page and select Mission of the Month, or mail a check to church and in the memo write Mission of the Month.
‘God’s Word for Peace Officers’ Law Enforcement Bible Project is to publish and place into officers’ hands special edition Bibles with a 96-page forward explaining how God’s Word provides spiritual “backup” for them in their life and work.”
Samples from the almost 40,000 copies of “GOD’S WORD for Peace Officers” distributed over the years to grateful law enforcement officers. Please pray that through God’s faithful people He will soon provide the funds for an updated reprint of this much needed, much appreciated Bible edition!
