Mercy forever.

Photo: The LCMS Disaster Response Assessment Team visits the home of Anna Marie Decker in Union, N.J. Her family was home at the time the tree fell, but not one was injured. (LCMS/Al Dowbnia)

The LCMS Disaster Response Assessment Team offers their initial report from the field through video interviews and photos available on www.lcms.org/disaster.

New videos:

• Sandy Report: Storm destroys LCMS pastor’s home. The Rev. Glenn F. Merritt, director, LCMS Disaster Response, speaks with Rev. Allan Steinke, pastor of Lutheran Church of Our Savior, Valley Stream, N.Y., about the devastation wrought by Superstorm Sandy. The storm destroyed most of Steinke’s home in Massapequa, N.Y.

• Sandy Report: Homeowner shares her story. Anna Marie Decker recounts when a large tree fell on her Union, N.J. home during Superstorm Sandy to the Rev. Glenn F. Merritt, director of LCMS Disaster Response and the Rev. Carlos Hernandez, director of LCMS Church and Community Development. Decker’s family, including her children and grandchildren, sought shelter inside. “God was with us,” she says.

• Sandy Report: Update on two New Jersey congregations. The Rev. Ron Brand, LCMS New Jersey District Disaster Response Coordinator, shares the latest news of two LCMS churches vulnerable to Superstorm Sandy with the Rev. Glenn F. Merritt, director, LCMS Disaster Response, and the Rev. Bart Day, executive director, LCMS Office of National Mission.

New photos:

• The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod leader met with LCMS district officials along the East Coast to access the needs of local churches and members. Early reports from LCMS congregations and districts show widespread power outages, downed trees and water damage. The Massapequa, N.Y., home of the Rev. Alan Steinke, pastor of Lutheran Church of Our Savior, Valley Stream, N.Y., was severely damaged.

Stay connected for ongoing news updates, videos, photos and more from The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod.