Pastor Darcy
Making New Connections as we
Gather...Grow...Give...and Go...
The Great Commission calls us to "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age." (Matthew 28:19-20) What does this mean for you? How do you understand this command for you and your life?
For me, this command is both exciting and challenging. I feel energized and excited to be a part of a bigger mission - God's mission to share God's love, hope, forgiveness, and mercy for all! I am in awe at what is possible as we partner with God to care for others.
On the other hand, God calls us beyond our comfort zones and what we think is possible. Connecting with others whom we do not yet know or who have different traditions, experiences, languages, political and religious views can be scary and challenging. Yet that is what God calls us to do AND what God equips us to do!
A lot of focus this year has been on practicing how to make new connections through the BLESS series. These practical applications - bridge with boldness, listen with openness, eat with friendliness, serve with compassion, and share with conviction were illustrated through various Biblical stories and other current day stories. We practiced by sharing and writing stories, listening to others stories, providing almost 6000 pounds of food for ACTS, sharing random acts of kindness, eating together and more.
Another practice that will help us connect with God and with our neighbors is prayer. You are invited to be a part of the 40 day prayer challenge that will begin at the end of August. Please see the article later in this newsletter for more details and be involved in this opportunity.
You are in my prayers as you connect with God and with others through your summer adventures!
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Council President
Sharing in God's Mission
at Lutheran Church of the Covenant
Dear brothers-and -sisters-in-Christ ~
"We have not ceased praying for you and asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of God's will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that you may lead lives worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to Him, as you bear fruit in every good work and as you grow in the knowledge of God." Colossians 1:9-10
As a gardener, I understand that our outer gardens need water to grow and thrive; as a Christian, I understand that our inner gardens need prayer to grow and thrive in wisdom, understanding, and knowledge of God. Our prayers for ourselves are not enough to produce spiritual growth. One kind of flower growing in my garden may be beautiful, but several complementary floral varieties make my garden even more pleasing to the eye.
So it is with prayer and spiritual growth. We need a fellowship of prayer, other Christians committed to praying for our spiritual growth. We grow in the beauty of the Lord because we are rooted in a garden of prayer. Prayer is not a private experience - it is a communal experience. When we are lifted on the fragrance of another's prayers, our spirits are fed, watered, and nourished by the light of God in answer to the prayers offered in love and compassion by believers.
Likewise, when we offer up prayers for spiritual growth on behalf of another, we discover that we grow spiritually as well. Joining in a fellowship of prayer is part of leading worthy lives pleasing to God. We can't help but grow in spiritual wisdom, understanding, and the knowledge of God when we pray for others.
Please join our LCOC Church Family and hopefully others for 40 Days of Prayer coming soon. What a wonderful opportunity to purposefully pray for one another, ourselves, our church, and the world and to stand back and witness what God will do!
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 continue to bless us all as we share how important being a part of a Christian community is to our daily walk with Jesus and with one another.
Love,
Jo Ann Rudy
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GATHER
to worship God and fellowship with the community
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Worship
This summer, LCOC has continued the experiment of projecting the worship service. Many thanks to Mark Gimmi, Sherman Basinger, Daniel Owusu, Tom Pennington for the continued research and implementation of this technology. Also, many thanks to Tricia Schilder for creating the beautiful powerpoint presentations for the worship services.
This is a new thing and we appreciate your patience, feedback and ideas as we learn more about how to do this and what makes sense for LCOC at this time. Our hope is to offer a variety of worship experiences - some will include projecting the worship service and some will not. At this point, the plan is to project the 11:00 am worship service in the fall.
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September 2, 2018
at 9:30 am before worship
Please share some of your favorite
hymns to sing by
August 15th
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NOTE:
MAY 27 - SEPT 9 - SUMMER SCHEDULE
WORSHIP AT 10:00 AM
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Fellowship
Please join us for a Summer Luncheon on
Tuesday, August 21 at 11:30 a.m.
It will be held in the Upper Fellowship Hall at LCOC.
We look forward to seeing you there.
featuring:
"Tales from the Virginia Woods"
Please bring a salad to share and come join us for food and fun.
Any questions, please see Jo Ann Rudy.
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Prayer Breakfast
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July 14, 2018
Brian Richard provided breakfast
Super special, Fantastic, Bodacious, French Toast
Dick Zinn is providing devotions
Attendees - 6
Lesson - Delve into the book of Revelations
We covered topics wide and varied:
- Heaven - real or realm. Are descriptions of Heaven "literal"?
- Numbers and symbolism used in describing events
- 144,000 and the great crowd . Two separate books of life. Who deserves to go to heaven.
- Author of the book and circumstances around his writings.
- The afterlife
- Luther on Revelation: "I feel an aversion to it, and to me this is sufficient reason for rejecting it.
Mark Gimmi
Our next meeting is August 11th
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 August 11th 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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Aug 5
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Galatians: Is there one, and only one, Gospel (good message)? (Galatians 2:1-21)
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Aug 12
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Galatians: So . . . what about God's rules now? (Galatians 3:6-29; 5:18)
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Aug 19
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Special Guest: Jennifer Brooks
Come and hear news from Neabsco Elementary
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Aug 26
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Special Guest: Beth Seidler
Come and learn more about how to be a part of the IWalk for ACTS and the difference this makes in people's lives
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Sep 2
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Labor Day - NO EDUCATION
Come at 9:30 and join the singing of favorite hymns
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NEW Tuesday morning Bible study begins
AUGUST 28TH AT 10:00 AM
with the
THE LCOC 40 DAY PRAYER CHALLENGE
Do you pray as often and as boldly as you want to?
There is a way to experience a deeper, more passionate, persistent,
and intimate prayer life. Be a part of this opportunity to grow deeper
in your prayer life. There will be 5 sessions which will include a video,
discussion (there is also a workbook) and time in prayer.
The Prayer challenge will also meet on Wednesday evenings from 6:00 - 7:30 pm.
Books and study guides available at LCOC for $12.50.
Questions? See Pastor Darcy, Jo Ann Rudy or Lorelei Ditton
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| Draw the Circle - 40 Day Prayer Challenge with Mark Batterson - Session 1 Preview |
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MARK YOUR CALENDARS AND INVITE YOUR FRIENDS - LCOC Youth Education will begin again at 9:00 AM on Sunday, September 9th in the downstairs classrooms, and then continue at 9:45 AM starting on Sunday, September 16th for the remainder of the year.
So far the dynamic teaching team includes:
- High School (our largest) led by Mike Riley and Kristi Stoller.
- Grade School led by Stacey Rosenquist and Diane Degroodt.
- Substitute teachers will include Patti Beattie, Jennifer Rice, Ray Sutton, Jon Schilder, and Wilbur Snyder.
- Confirmation and pre-school - TBD depending on numbers of children/youth in that age group
ALL, please sign up TODAY (even if you were part of Sunday school this past year). Also, please let us know of any prospective students at those levels.
Do you like to encourage children and youth in their faith development? Do you enjoy teaching, crafts or planning other educational opportunities? If so please email : [email protected].
Thanks, Wilbur
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Prayer Opportunities
Prayer Chain Ministry:
or call the Prayer Chain Lead at 571-210-1979
Free Ceaseless Prayer App:
THE LCOC 40 DAY PRAYER CHALLENGE
Do you pray as often and as boldly as you want to?
There is a way to experience a deeper, more passionate, persistent, and intimate prayer life. Be a part of this opportunity to grow deeper in your prayer life. There will be 5 sessions which will include a video, discussion (there is also a workbook) and time in prayer.
Starts: Tuesday, August 28th - 10:00 - 11:30
OR Wednesday, August 29th - 6:00 - 7:30
Cost for book and study guide: $12.50
Questions?
See Pastor Darcy, Jo Ann Rudy or Lorelei Ditton
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 Youth Group
Dear members of LCOC,
Thank you to the congregation for all your help getting us to the Youth Gathering in Houston. We hope you enjoyed the brunch and our stories
about the gathering and what we learned there.
with love,
LCOC Youth Group
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GIVE
of our resources, time, and talents in response to
God's extravagant generosity towards us
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Stewardship
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Amazon Smile:
Click on the link below and pick Lutheran Church of the Covenant as your favorite organization and start shopping!
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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Evangelism
Click the link below for more pictures:
Mark your calendar: OCT. 27th fall festival.
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Hilda Barg Shelter
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Dear LCOC members,
Our church will be serving the Hilda Barg Homeless Shelter on August 19th, 20th, and 21st. Our little group of 4 will be purchasing the food and preparing the meals for those days. A menu will be posted in August. Please prayerfully consider a monetary donation so that we can purchase the food. Blessings, Sandy Strychowski
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Mark your calendar for 2019
LCOC 50th anniversary celebrations
January 20th- Kick off brunch at 9:45
June 2nd - Worship Celebration/lunch - Bishop Graham guest preacher
Nov 24th - Moving forward in Mission Celebration Brunch
The initial planning team includes: Roger and Jo Ann Rudy, Mel Bellinger, Diane DeGroodt, Patti Beattie, Pastor Darcy
Stay tuned for more details and for ways to be involved in the planning for this special year!
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Happy Birthday to you!
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AUGUST
2 JoAnn R.
5 Susanna R.
6 Susan Z.
7 Mark Y.
8 Diane D.
8 Heather H.
8 Richard S.
12 Phil O.
12 Eric W.
13 Tom M.
19 Annmarie B.
19 Sarah S.
19 Seth S.
20 Brett L.
21 Joshua O.
22 Victoria G.
22
Tyler R.
22 Nicole S.
24 Lloyd L.
31 Elliot O.
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Happy Anniversary
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Darla & Brian F.
August 26, 1978
Venus & Daniel O.
August 13, 2016
Eugene & Wendy W.
August 26, 2012
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Baptism Anniversaries
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Joshua C.
Betsy L.
Jillian R.
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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:
August 5
Les & Karen B. in memory of Ann B.'s birthday
and in celebration of Cassandra's birthday
Roger & JoAnn R. in memory of Mia Jo
August 12
Susanna, Arianna & Shannon R. in memory of Oskar S.
Daniel & Venus O. in celebration of their 2nd anniversary
August 19
Mel & DeLoris B. in celebration of Annmarie's 4th birthday
Mark & Heather G. in celebration of Victoria's birthday
August
Rita K. in honor and memory of their wedding anniversary
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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As you walk through the different areas of LCOC, you will see signs that indicate what is expected when you are using our wonderful church. These are not only for non-members who meet in our facility for a lot of reasons, but for all of us who use the space regularly or only occasionally. Please help us keep our church clean and in order for all! Thanks!
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News & Notes
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Dear Lutheran Church of the
Covenant members,
On behalf of all of the members of Bethlehem Lutheran Church, we'd like to thank you for your support and love at this difficult time.
The quilts you provided are visible signs of your love and
we so appreciate them!
love, The BLC Council
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| Mend-A-House |
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Project Mend-A-House
Would you like to participate in the next project?
contact Ralph M.
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OTLWB Book Club
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We'll take the months of July and August off before meeting again in September.
If you would like more information,
please see Sandy S. or Diane D.
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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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