Pastor Darcy
In 2018 everything that we are planning is about making connections - with God, with each other, and with people beyond the walls for LCOC. Why is this so important?
1. Jesus in Mark 12:29-31, teaches us that the two greatest commandments are to:
Jesus said, "The first in importance is, 'Listen, Israel: The Lord your God is one; so love the Lord God with all your passion and prayer and intelligence and energy.' And here is the second: 'Love others as well as you love yourself.' There is no other commandment that ranks with these."
2. We want to grow stronger and healthier as a community of faith. In Acts 2:41-42 we learn about the priorities of the early Christians:
That day about three thousand took him at his word, were baptized and were signed up. They committed themselves to the teaching of the apostles, the life together, the common meal, and the prayers.
3. The great commission in Matthew 28, reminds us that we are called to also make "new" connections beyond our current relationships and to share the story of God's love with all people:
Go out and train everyone you meet, far and near, in this way of life, marking them by baptism in the threefold name: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Then instruct them in the practice of all I have commanded you. I'll be with you as you do this, day after day after day, right up to the end of the age."
How are you planning to do this? Through opportunities to worship, pray, explore the Bible, build relationships, experience joy through generosity and through serving others.
Let us pray for one another in these new connections as we grow in knowing, living, and telling the story of God's covenant relationship with us.
Note: These Bible verses are from
"The Message"
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Council President
Sharing in God's Mission
at Lutheran Church of the Covenant
Dear brothers-and -sisters-in-Christ ~
"All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord's Supper) and to prayer!" (Acts. 2:42) Nobody had to come to the disciples and other new believers on the day of Pentecost and say, "You need to practice fellowship". The Holy Spirit had come upon these people and formed an inner unity, and their nature inclination was to exercise it outwardly. Fellowship is synonymous with contribution, sharing, and participation. Action is always included in fellowship. Fellowship, you see, is not just being together, it is doing together. At LCOC, we have lots of opportunities to fellowship with one another and others in the coming weeks and months. Please join us for the Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper, the Lenten Soup Suppers followed by worship service, the Italian Dinner, the Rise Against Hunger Event, Breakfast with the Easter Bunny, our Easter Brunch and so much more! It is in our partnership with one another and with Christ that we are fulfilling God's work.
Please know that I will continue to pray for all of you, and I ask that you pray daily for all your brothers and sisters here at LCOC and that we are carrying out God's will for us in this place, in the community, and in the world. I ask that if you have any questions, concerns, suggestions, comments, etc. that you feel free to talk to me (in person, by phone (703-670-8365), or through email
[email protected]
). But more than anything, I ask that we all remember never to limit what God can do through us in carrying out our mutual missions!
May God bless you all as you are a blessing to me and many others.
Love,
Jo Ann Rudy
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GATHER
to worship God and fellowship with the community
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Worship
Wednesdays in Lent - Engaging in the Biblical story
February 14 at 7:00 pm - Ash Wednesday
Join us on Wednesdays at 7:00 pm in Lent for Holden Evening Prayer and for
the drama series,
Pilate's Investigation.
Each week, Pontius Pilate seeks to learn the identity of the mysterious figure who has been brought to him for judgment.
February 21 - Pilate & Caiaphas, the High Priest (
Themes: authority, paranoia, tyranny; Scriptural Basis:
Mark 14:53 - 65
)
February 28- Pilate & Herod Antipas, Ruler of Galilee (Themes: obedience, power, identity; Scriptural Basis:
Luke 22:24 - 27)
March 7 - Pilate & Procula, His Wife (
Themes: spiritual emptiness, faith, truth; Scriptural Basis:
Matthew 27:11 - 23
)
March 14 - Pilate & Judas, the Betrayer (
Themes: greed, betrayal, conspiracy; Scriptural Basis:
John 12:4 - 6
,
13:21 - 30
)
March 21 - Pilate & Peter, the Weak Disciple (
Themes: denial, remorse, belief; Scriptural Basis:
Luke 22:54 - 62
)
The following are are Lenten devotional ideas:
Family focus:
Each devotional includes a Bible verse, ideas for family activities, and conversation-starters. We know families are busy, so the devotionals are created to fit easily into your family's weekly routine.
You'll receive them in your inbox from Ash Wednesday through Easter Sunday.
AND/OR
Looking for a devotion for Lent? Augsburg Fortress has published
"You are the Way". This can be purchased through Augsburg or on Amazon.
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Shrove Tuesday
Pancake Supper
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Fellowship
Please join us for
Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper
Tues., February 13th at 6:00 pm
All proceeds to help our
Confirmation Class attend Shekinah
March 16-18, 2018
Lenten Soup Suppers:
Lenten Soup Suppers
will began on Wednesday, February 21 from 6:00- 6.45 pm
prior to worship service at 7:00 pm . This year we are serving only soup and bread to focus on simple living, prayer, and fasting in order to grow closer to God. Various groups are hosting these suppers. All are welcome to enjoy this Lenten fellowship and bring your friends and neighbors as well!
Sign-up sheets are posted on the bulletin board.
- February 21- Church Council
- February 28 - Church Choir
- March 7 - Men's Prayer Breakfast
- March 14 - Adult Education
- March 21 - Children's Education/Confirmation/Youth
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Prayer Breakfast
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Our next meeting is February 10th
at 7:30 am
in the DFH.
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LCOC Prayer Garden
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Community Prayer Group
The LCOC community prayer group meets the second Saturday of each month from 7:30 am to 9 am in the Work Room. We share prayers of concern and numerous praises along with a strong cup of coffee. We offer this time to the community and congregation to join us for prayer, openly or privately. We will meet again on February 10th at 7:30 am.
Matt. 21:13 - my house will be called a house of prayer,.....
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GROW
in our relationship with God through prayer, Bible Study, and service
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Adult Education
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Feb 4
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Gospels | Unexpected Good News | Nadia Bolz-Weber
We know the four Gospels tell the story of Jesus. But why do they tell different stories? Why does Matthew say one thing and John something else? What does it mean to say that the Gospels are "good news"? Nadia Bolz-Weber peels away our assumptions about the Gospels and reminds us that Jesus didn't come to make us feel comfortable, but rather to upend our ideas about what "good news" really looks like.
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Feb 11
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Genre | Rhythm of the Text | Jose Morales
Poetry, history, songs, letters, prophecies, even dreams-this is the stuff the Bible is made of. So why do we struggle to make sense of the various genres of biblical literature. Jose Morales suggests there's more to understanding genre than just knowing the difference between a psalm and an epistle. We have to know how to dance with all the rhythms we find in this sacred nightclub.
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Feb 18
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Interpretation | Scripture Reads Us | Will Willimon
There are the words on the page and then there are the words behind the words-the history, the context, the intention of the author. So is it easy to understand the Bible or not? Will Willimon gives us the tools to move beyond just reading the Bible to finding ways to make sense of what we find there. For Will, this is how we move from just knowing what the Bible says to allowing it to grab us, take hold in our hearts, and truly interpret us.
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Feb 25
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Grace| Love is the Bottom Line | Jay Bakker
How do you love a book that's caused you nothing but pain? Jay Bakker takes us through his journey from hard-line fundamentalist kid to faithless rebel young man to grace-filled pastor. Jay offers a new vision of the Bible for all those who have been hurt by well-meaning Christians, who have suffered at the hands of those who use the Bible to wound, who have doubted that there's anything worth reading in a book that has brought about so much struggle.
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_________________________________________________________________
Wednesday Bible Study :
Looking Ahead - beginning March 7:
Romans
Not able to attend in person?
You can now "dial in" and join the conversation.
641.715.3580 code 333-631
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Story Time VBS 2017
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Education
The High School and Confirmation classes have embarked on a series of periodic Sunday afternoon meetings with the Pastor in preparation for the summer 2018 Youth Gathering in Houston for the former, and Shekinah in March leading up to Confirmation on June 3d. On Sunday mornings High School continues to follow the Animate Bible curriculum Pastor uses with adults, Confirmation continues with the New Testament module of the Co-laborate series, and the Younger Childrens' class has been studying strong women of the Bible. The offering at the annual Shrove Tuesday pancake supper at 6 PM on February 13th will defray the costs of Shekinah, while proceeds from the Italian Dinner in February and the Thrift Sale in April will be used for the Youth Gathering.
VBS
The kick-off planning meeting for Vacation Bible School at LCOC year will be held on Sunday, February 4th after the late service in the council meeting room. A family-style Chinese takeout lunch will be provided for anyone who signs up on the bulletin board outside of the work room before 11 AM that morning. LCOC Vacation Bible School will be held from Monday June 18th to Friday June 22nd on the church grounds. While we are still in the initial stages of planning for the program, we will need about 20 adult and teenage volunteers as teachers, crafters, game leaders, food preparers and other support staff.
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Prayer Opportunities
Prayer Chain Ministry:
or call the Prayer Chain Lead at 571-210-1979
Free Ceaseless Prayer App:
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 Youth Group
Youth Report February 2018
The Youth who are attending the Youth Gathering in Houston this summer will be meeting with Pastor Darcy during the upcoming months to prepare for the gathering.
We will be doing a "Italian Dinner" on February 18th from 6-8pm. Tickets are 15$ for adults and 10$ for children ages 8 and under.
Spring Cleaning!! Thrift sale will be April 14th time TBD
to raise money for the Gathering.
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Thank you to Sherman and Roger for the hard work of clearing out the woods next to the church. It's looking really great!
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GIVE
of our resources, time, and talents in response to
God's extravagant generosity towards us
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| Stop Hunger Now 2017 |
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Amazon Smile:
Amazon members can help support LCOC while you shop! Click on the link below and pick Lutheran Church of the Covenant as your favorite organization and start shopping! We will receive a percentage of the sale.
smile.amazon.com
Good shop:
Support Lutheran Church of the Covenant when you search the Web at goodsearch.com or shop online with Goodshop.com.
GoodShop
Thank you also for your generosity in your financial commitment and consider using the Vanco option which can be accessed online at:
VANCO Giving Link
Please consider becoming a Thrivent member as well and if you already are a member and use Thrivent products, make use of the Action Team funds that are available to help fund LCOC's ministry projects. This seed money really makes a difference and helps us increase the scope of our service projects.
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GO
forth to serve others and share the story of God's love for all
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| Breakfast with Santa |
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Evangelism
Valentines Packages:
We want to make Valentine's Day extra special for our LCOC College Students, Home-bound Seniors, and our Military. Please bring in home-baked cookies and candy by February 3rd so that we can package up these goodies and get them to the recipients by Valentine's Day. You can also contribute money for the mailing of these gifts as well. Please bring in some food for Neabsco Elementary students also. Thanks for LIVING GENEROUSLY. Any questions, please see Stacey Rosenquist or Jo Ann Rudy.
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Happy Birthday to you!
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February
3
Britt P.
4
Michael A.
5
Coy A.
7
Nathan E.
8
Julie H.
12
John K.
13
Jennifer S.
13
Jonathan S.
14 Tilli S.
14 Winston W.
15 Arianna R.
17 Kathleen P.
17 Erika Z.
22 DeLoris B.
22 Brian R.
23 Michael S.
24 James B.
28 Mel B.
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Happy Anniversary
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Dave & Denise W.
February 14, 1981
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Baptism Anniversaries
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Clara C.
Michael E.
Amy M.
James O.
Kaley P.
Kassidy R.
Sydney R.
Tilli S.
Sarah S.
Nicole S.
Angela Z.
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LCOC will be feeding the homeless at the Hilda Barg Homeless Shelter on February 4,5,& 6.
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Hilda Barg Shelter |
Our committee will purchase the food and prepare the meals for the residents.
Please consider a monetary donation to go toward the purchase of the food.
A menu and sign-up sheet will be posted in January. Envelopes will be provided for your donations.
Blessings,
Sandy Strychowski, The Gimmis, and Carla Kreppein.
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PHOTOS
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Breakfast with Santa
Annual Chili Cook Off
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Homebound Members
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Ruth J.
Jean J.
Mary S.
Virginia S. |
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Members in the Military
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Tyler R.
Tom M.
Ryan L.
Samuel B.
Please remember to keep our service members and their families in your prayers as they serve our country. If you have someone to add to this list, please contact the office.
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Flower Calendar
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The altar flowers for this month are given to the glory of God and contributed by:
February 4
Sonya & Roger W. to the glory of God.
Colette & Lloyd L. in honor of their father's birthdays.
February 11
Susanna R. and family in celebration of Arianna's birthday.
open
February 18
Diane D. in memory of Charlotte H.
Jon & Tricia S. in celebration of
Cooper & Zihan's wedding.
February 25
Mel & DeLoris B. in celebration of their birthdays.
open
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OPPORTUNITIES TO USE OUR GIFTS
AT LCOC AND BEYOND
We are fortunate to be able to use our gifts that God has provided us through a variety of ways.
When we choose to give our time, energy and talents to serve others, we are taking part in God's work to share the love of Christ and give God glory. With God working in us and through us, we can make a difference!
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OTLWB Book Club
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February 12th at 12:30 pm:
Glass Houses
by
Louise Penny
___________________________
March 12th
Before We Were Yours
by Lisa Wingate
If you would like more information,
please see Sandy S. or Diane D.
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| Mend-A-House |
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Project Mend-A-House
Click to read:
Would you like to participate in the next project?
contact Ralph M.
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"I prefer winter and fall, when you feel the bone structure in the landscape ~ the loneliness of it ~ the dead feeling of winter. Something waits beneath it ~ the whole story doesn't show."
Andrew Wyeth
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Take a look at our web site
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Office Hours:
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Monday - Friday
9:00 am - 1:30 pm
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