May 2020 Newsletter
Greetings!
Welcome to the monthly news. There are many ways for you to connect with God and with our neighbors at LCOC and beyond. You are invited to share this news with new neighbors and others who may be interested in hearing what God is doing through the people and ministry of LCOC.
GATHER  GROW  GIVE  GO
MESSAGE FROM PASTOR DARCY
It is hard to believe that it has been almost two months since we were able to gather in person. As challenging and different as this time has been, I celebrate the ways that LCOC has been able to pivot to continue to gather through online means. PEOPLE OF LCOC – YOU ARE AWESOME!

At this point, we do not know when or what it will mean to gather in person. What do we know?
·      God is with us in all seasons of our lives
·      LCOC continues to BE the church as we worship, pray, study, serve and care for each other and our neighbors
·      The LCOC council is developing a plan for future in-person and online gatherings

How can YOU support and be a part of the ongoing ministry?
·      Pray
·      Invite others
·      Participate in LCOC gatherings
·      Give of your resources as you are able
·      Use your gifts to experiment with new ministry ideas
·      Check in with friends, family and neighbors (including the LCOC family)
·      Reach out if you need additional support or resources

Dear People of God, we are on this journey together and with God. This time is filled with so many emotions. There will be moments of joy and peace and then moments of worry, fear, and anxiety. It may feel messy and unclear at times. Yet, I offer this scripture as a word of comfort and hope in these days:

6-7  Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It’s wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life. (Philippians 4:6-7, The Message)

Pastor Darcy
Council News
In April, Randy Beattie resigned as the Council President. We are grateful for his time and gifts that he shared with LCOC in this role. We continue to pray or Randy and Patti. Thank you, Randy!

At our April Meeting, Denise Wilder was appointed as the interim President.
Message from the Council President
At our April Council meeting, I was officially appointed as the Council President. When I volunteered to be Vice President at our annual meeting last November, I certainly didn’t foresee such a development, but MANY circumstances that have played out in recent months have arrived as big surprises and opportunities. Worshipping online has actually been a big boon to those individuals who have challenges in traveling to church on Sundays, as well as long-time members who have moved far away.

We’re all learning as we go, requiring us to stretch and grow out of our comfort zone. Given that church services will not be in person for the near future, whether by governor’s decree or because of health concerns, wouldn’t it be nice to do something LCOC has traditionally done, something we consider normal?

We ARE! May is here, and what has become our tradition in the last 3 years? That’s right! Our 5000 Pounds of Food Drive!  Roger and Jo Ann Rudy would never let that fall by the wayside, and neither can the rest of us. In past years, we’ve been able to rely on the generosity of strangers who helped fill Roger’s truck at Shoppers grocery store, but this year we’re going to have to depend more on ourselves. This does present more of a challenge, I admit. But you know we can do it! See the outreach box below for more details on how we can do this!

Please allow me to present you with a challenge.  You all recognize we are still BEING the Church. Pastor is still connecting with ELCA’s DC Synod, planning services, providing pastoral support, conducting funerals, learning about technology through various people connections and support, leading numerous meetings with different LCOC groups, and taking little off.  LCOC members are checking in with each other, learning about and implementing the use of technology for worship, caring for the ground, connecting through the online ministry options and more. 

So the challenge is this: If and when you happen to receive extra money (like a stimulus check, hint, hint), give 10% to LCOC’s general fund and 10% to our 5000 Pounds of Food Drive.

We CAN do this. “Because He lives we can face tomorrow!”  WE ARE EASTER PEOPLE!

In Faith,
Denise Wilder
HOW TO REACH THE OFFICE...
The office email and phone continues to be monitored during this time.

To reach Pastor Darcy, call or text 703.283.9531 or email Pastor Darcy
OPPORTUNITIES TO CONNECT ONLINE
NOTE: currently all of our events use the same information.



TUESDAY MORNING BIBLE STUDY - 10:00 AM

WEDNESDAY EVENING PRAYER - 7:00 PM

SUNDAY WORSHIP - 10:00 AM
May 7th - 11:30 am - 12:30 am
via zoom
EXPLORING CREATION'S BEAUTY
with Brian Smith
Seven years ago I went on my first organized bird walk. It proved to be a life-changing experience, for I then discovered that the world of nature offers more diversity and beauty than I had ever imagined. Documenting and sharing this beauty in photographs has been my passion ever since. Please join me on May 7th, and together we'll experience insights into the grandeur of creation right here in our part of Northern Virginia.

May 9th at 9:00 am via zoom
WAYS TO SUPPORT GOD'S WORK
THROUGH LCOC
Ways to give:
       15008 Cloverdale Road
      Dale City, VA 22193



LCOC is a beacon of light in this community.
Your financial support will equip LCOC to BE the church so that we can offer care, hope, and peace in these uncertain times - Thank you!
CARING AND OUTREACH OPPORTUNITIES
The 2020 annual food drive for ACTS

During the month of May you are invited to help provide 5000 pounds of food for ACTS. Here are three options to make this happen are:
1.         Grocery shop for food items on your own, bag them up, arrange for pickup by a church volunteer, and place them on your front porch for pickup at a designated time. OR
2.        Contribute a dollar amount by check or Vanco or bill pay through your own bank and designate it for the 5000 Pounds of Food Drive.
3.        Invite your friends, neighbors, and family members know about this opportunity – many people are looking for a way to help others during this time.

Clearly, the more practical (and safe) way to contribute is monetarily. Recognizing that millions of people are filing for unemployment every week in this wildly fluctuating economy, we certainly want to insure that people have enough to eat, the most basic of necessities. 
Thank you, Emily and Diane, for delivering 268 pounds pounds of food (purchased from the Thrivent Action Team gift card and some donations from our members) to ACTS this week. ACTS was very grateful and shared how the churches in our county have really stepped up and have been very generous with donations - way to be the church LCOC!

ACTS is now partnering with the Prince William Community Foundation to provide food to school children on Fridays. Not only is ACTS seeing greater need from families, but they are also trying to help out the school children in our county. Thanks in part to the donations of churches like ours, they've been able to take on this role.
IN NATURE AT LCOC
 
         If you have the opportunity to spend time in the outdoor sanctuary this spring at LCOC, you will undoubtedly enjoy all of the gardens that continue to put on a spectacular show with their glorious colors. Equally amazing to witness are the awesome wildlife that live on or visit the property. Early on this particular morning, we encountered a pair of Mallard Ducks who frequent the pond and, perhaps are looking for a special place to lay their eggs and start their family. Up from the pond, near one of the meditation gardens, we spotted a male bluebird bringing a worm to his mate who is sitting on their eggs (soon to be bluebird babies) in the box which houses their nest. We have at least two other bluebird families on the property, as well as, a variety of birds that live in the woods and the surrounding area. Grey and black squirrels are fun-to-see residents as well. We thank God for this spectacular property that we love and appreciate!  
IN MAY WE CELEBRATE
(take a moment to make a call or send a note)
BIRTHDAYS
3 Wilbur S
4 Jessica R
17 Amy M
19 Joshua M
24 Nina K
ANNIVERSARIES
3 Katie and Joey B
5 Wilbur and Gretchen S
30 Mickie K and Mike R
BAPTISM BIRTHDAYS
1 Hunter S
2 Brielle W
3 Elliot O
6 Meredith L
9 Stacey R
16 Eileen Eicher
21 Kathy P
21 Rachel R
SERVING IN THE MILITARY
Tyler R.
Tom M.
Ryan L.
Samuel B.
Xavier D.