“ For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. … If one member suffers, all suffer together…” (I Cor:12:12,26 ESV).
Typhoon Haiyan, which ravaged the Philippines Nov. 8 killing thousands, is one of the strongest storms in recorded history. It is an unbelievable crisis for the people there. In response to a request from our partner church, the Lutheran Church in the Philippines (LCP), the LCMS is providing assistance. Three LCP congregations are located in the hardest-hit area. At least one of those congregations and its parsonage suffered significant damage, as did the homes of its members. Area Lutherans have lost crops, livestock and livelihoods.
We have committed up to $100,000 for immediate aid for those affected and extended a $50,000 challenge grant to our partner churches in the International Lutheran Council for additional gifts. Our disaster-response team will soon be on-site to meet with LCP leaders, assess the situation and determine a long-term plan for walking together with the LCP and helping its congregations to share the mercy and love of God with their neighbors affected by this devastating storm.
You can help support the LCMS relief effort in the Philippines most by contributing to
LCMS Disaster Response over and above your year-end support. You can respond through a gift of help and hope:
- make an online gift at lcms.org/givenow/disaster.
- mail checks payable to “The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod” (with a memo line or note designating “LCMS Disaster Relief”) to The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, P.O. Box 66861, St. Louis, MO 63166-6861.
- call toll-free 888-930-4438 (8:10 a.m. to 4:10 p.m. Central Time, Monday through Friday).
For more information about the Synod’s response to disasters, visit lcms.org/disaster.
Thank you for your prayers and gifts for these brothers and sisters in Christ in their sufferings.
In Christ,
Rev. Dr. Matthew C. Harrison
President, The Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod
(AP Photo/Bullit Marquez)
