May 2021 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
HOW TO REACH THE OFFICE...
MESSAGE FROM PASTOR DARCY
The disciples’ eyes were blinded with tears, their hearts felt heavy with grief and confusion, and their bodies were exhausted from the fear as they watched Jesus die on the cross and perhaps from their own fear wondering if they were safe and wondering what the future would bring – what is next? Perhaps like the disciples, we too, are experiencing moments of grief, confusion, and fear as we grieve our losses and as we prepare our hearts for where God is leading us.

During these past few months, LCOC has experienced several losses. Dear friends have moved out of the area, beloved companions in the journey of faith are now resting in God’s everlasting arms, and the “ways we have always done things” are shifting. We are being invited to let go and to be open and to trust God’s leading and guidance as we move towards the post-pandemic season. 

In our losses, tears, grief, confusion, and exhaustion, the Easter story offers us peace, comfort, hope, and joy that because, in the words of the song, “Because he lives” by Bill and Gloria Gaither, we are reminded and reassured that:
Because he lives
I can face tomorrow
Because he lives
All fear is gone
Because I know he holds the future
And life is worth the living
Just because he lives

So, what is next? We are praying for and planning ways to safely gather in person. We expect and understand that some will be able to worship in person and that some will not be able to worship in person for various reasons. Our goal is to offer hybrid services-meaning both in-person and at the same time online. 

We ask for your patience, understanding, flexibility and help as we experiment with new ways to gather. These experiences may look, feel, sound, and smell differently from pre-COVID times. While this may feel scary and uncomfortable at times, this is an exciting opportunity to grow and expand the mission that God has entrusted to us to Gather…Grow…Give…and Go.

Praying for and looking forward to the opportunities that are before us!

Pastor Darcy
ELCA GRANT OPPORTUNITY
Let's make new connections!
The ELCA is offering grants to support making new connections:

NEW OPPORTUNITY TO CONNECT
May 26th at 7:00 pm at LCOC

You are invited to be a part of the ongoing dialogue, prayer, and learning as we explore racial inequality and the impact on our relationships, community, and world. To start the dialogue, we will watch a TedTalk with journalist and documentary podcaster John Biewen as he asks the questions:


When did racism start, and why? Who invented the very notion of being “white,” or “black,” and why did they do so?
He argues that the answers to these questions could transform our approach to solving racial injustice.

Please contact Pastor Darcy or Denise Wilder with any questions. 

Additional Resource: Click here for the ELCA social statement on Race-Ethnicity and Culture.
OPPORTUNITIES TO CONNECT ONLINE


NOTE: currently all of our events use the same information.




WORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
WORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
SUNDAY
FELLOWSHIP - 9:30 AM
WORSHIP - 10:00 AM
The next Worship Committee meeting will be on Monday, May 17, at 9:30 AM.
LEARNING AND PRAYER OPPORTUNITIES
TUESDAY MORNING BIBLE
10:00 AM
VIA ZOOM
April 6th - May 25
Come and explore 1, 2, and 3 John and Jude 
All are welcome and no previous experience required!




May 8 at 9:00 am
Lower Fellowship Hall

SPECIAL OUTDOOR EVENTS
All events 7pm and BYOC (Bring your own chair)
May 12 - Outdoor Prayer and Communion Service 

June 2 (rain date June 9) - Outdoor Senior Quilt Ice Cream Social 

June 16 - Outdoor Prayer and Communion Service

June 30 - Outdoor Prayer and Communion service

SPECIAL SERVICE - Pentecost/Confirmation Service - 10:00 am 
indoor (with limited number of people) AND via zoom/YouTube Live
Pentecost/Confirmation Service - 10:00 am 
JOIN THE LCOC NETWORK
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
5000 Pounds of Food For ACTS

Dear LCOC Family Members,

We will be having our Annual Food Drive for ACTS during the month of May. Please consider donating food for the pantry at ACTS as this has been an extremely difficult and challenging year for so many of our neighbors in Eastern Prince William County. You can contribute by:
  • Shopping for and bringing in food items to the church Monday through Friday;
  • Sending a check made out to LCOC and marked for ACTS Food Drive;
  • Specifying your VANCO or other online contribution as ACTS Food Drive.
We will be sending out a shopping list of the most needed items after we contact the folks at ACTS. Thanks for always living and giving so generously.

Sincerely,

Roger and Jo Ann Rudy

Project Mend-a-House has done a few small projects during this time of COVID-19. Thank you, Ralph, for keeping us connected! Email Ralph for more information!
THANK YOU NOTES FOR LCOC FAMILY
The LCOC family has done it again!

Christmas candies and cookies, gingerbread cookies and chocolates on Valentine's and now Easter eggs and treats for Easter. The feeling of isolation is difficult, but the loving care given to us from the Church is Wonderful. Our Lord commands us to love us another and LCOC does this beautifully.

Thank you! Lloyd and Colette Lyngdal
Dear Brothers and Sisters-in-Christ ~
Thanks to all of you who donated food, drinks, etc., to Liela's family. It was greatly appreciated! Your generosity and loving-kindness never ceases to amaze us as you always want to help others at all times. May God bless you all as you were (and are) a blessing to so many, especially the Onorato Family. Please continue to pray for them.

Thanks again.

Eileen Eicher
SEE WHAT IS HAPPENING AT LCOC
Our technology team on Liela's Onorato funeral service.
Interested in technology?
We are excited about these new tools that will enhance both our in person and online worship experiences. To explore how your gifts can be used as part of the LCOC Tech team,
PLANT SALE
DALE CITY CIVIC ASSOCIATION
GOD SIGHTINGS
LCOC garden!
I saw a beautiful little Parula on my walk this week and Brian was able to take this picture. Then on my way home the Tiger Swallowtail followed me, hopping from Dandelion to Dandelion. 
Marlies
CELEBRATING OUR GRADUATES
Our College Graduates....
Victoria Gontarz - Bridgewater College - May 2019
BS - double major in biology and psychology and a minor in neuroscience
University of Virginia - December 2021
Masters - Public Health with a concentration in clinical research
Working for the COVID exposure center for UVA’s Student health system and working on her first scientific publication.
Brynn Lembke - James Madison University - May 2021
BS - Psychology with a minor in Criminal Justice. She has a job offer (which is still being negotiated) to be part of the security team at Thomson Reuters Special Services.
1. Thomas William Canfield - Virginia Tech - May 2021
BS - Materials Science and Engineering
Chemical Engineer for Honeywell in Kansas City, MO

2. Elizabeth Thompson - Old Dominion University - May 2021
BS - Interdisciplinary Studies
Elementary School Teacher

3. Ryan Sutton - University of North Florida - April 2021
BA - graphic design
Graphic designer for the University of North Florida.

4. Kyle Smith - College of William & Mary - May 2021

5. Cody Kidwell - George Mason University - December 2021
Masters - Computer Science with a focus on machine learning & artificial intelligence.
Subcontractor as a Software Engineer for the DOJ.
Our High School Graduates...
Sarah Gimmi - Forest Park HS
Jacksonville University, Jacksonville, Florida
Major: Nursing
1. Sarah Sutton - Forest Park HS
Drake University, Des Moines, Iowa
Major: politics, law and society
Women's rowing team

2. Seth Sutton - Forest Park HS
Roger Williams University, Bristol, Rhode Island Major: Accounting
Men's swim team

Please email any information about graduates that we have inadvertently missed. thank you!
IN MAY WE CELEBRATE
Please email Noris, with any additional birthdays, baptismal birthdays, or wedding anniversaries. We want to celebrate YOU!
BIRTHDAYS
3 Wilbur S
4 Jessica R
19 Joshua M



ANNIVERSARIES
3 Joey and Katie B
10 Wilbur and Gretchen S
30 Mike R and Mickie K

BAPTISM BIRTHDAYS
2 Brielle W
3 Elliot O
6 Meredith L
9 Stacey R
11 Kathy P
16 Eileen E
21 Rachel R
21 Katie P
26 Alelia O
SERVING IN THE MILITARY
Tyler R.
Tom M.
Ryan L.
Samuel B.
Xavier D.
Kevin B.