Pastor Darcy
When the 50th anniversary team planned for this year, the plans included intentional time to look back and to look forward. The year started with opportunities to celebrate the people, ministry and God's faithfulness over these past 50 years. To help with this, there were memory boards created with pictures to share these stories. In addition, in June we had a wonderful worship service and luncheon to celebrate this special milestone.
The team also planned a special brunch for November 24th where we will gather to celebrate the "New Connections" before us to "move forward" in faith for the next 50 years. So, what does "moving forward" look like? I think of scripture and the story of the Israelites as they moved from a life that they knew in Egypt to a life in the Promised land that they did not know and could not completely envision. What would it look like? How would they get there? Who would be there? What would they do and be in this new place? This in between time was not easy for the Israelites. They struggled with trusting God in this journey and so they wandered in the desert for 40 years before they were able to enter the Promised Land.
At LCOC we are also in an "in between time". We know where we have been for the last 50 years and yet we cannot say exactly what the next 50 years will include. We are asking similar questions as we move into this new chapter in our ministry - what will it look like? How will we get there? Who will be a part of this ministry? How can we do this? All good and helpful questions. I invite and encourage the questions and remind us that with God's help and guidance and our willingness to work, pray, and play together the answers to these questions will be revealed.
What we do know is this: God is faithful...God has called us to a mission through the ministry at LCOC...and that LCOC will continue to be a place for people to be nurtured and encouraged in faith.
What are some of the plans to move forward? Over the next three years, LCOC will focus on making "New Connections" through opportunities to Gather...Grow...Give...and Go. How will you be a part of creating and living the stories and experiences in this next chapter?
Let us pray together...
O God, you have called your servants to ventures of which we cannot see the ending, by paths as yet untrodden, through perils unknown. Give us faith to go out with good courage, not knowing where we go, but only that your hand is leading us and your love supporting us; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen. (From ELW Evening Prayer)
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Cou
n
cil President
November is a beautiful month with cooler temperatures and fall color. It is also a time of increased thoughts of gratitude and thanksgiving-for family, friends, hearth and home. Let us take time to give thanks each and every day as well for God's gifts of creation, our salvation, grace, fellowship with our church, and the opportunities to connect and serve.
Keep all of God's gifts and his commandment to give and serve in your thoughts during this Thanksgiving season as well as during the next three years for our special New Connections Campaign and beyond. To love, to give and to serve is scriptural.
Please take a few moments to consider these verses and incorporate them into your own time of prayer, Bible study, and thoughts of how God wants you to be part of his plan here at LCOC and in our community, country, and beyond:
"Whoever lives in love lives in God and God in them." Ephesians 4:2
"My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you." John 15:12
"And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him." Colossians 3:17
" You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion." 2 Corinthians 9:11
In thanks,
Randy
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GATHER
to worship God and fellowship with the community
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Prayer Breakfast
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Men's Prayer Breakfast
Striving each week to look to the past, present and future watching and waiting for the return of our savior.
The next Prayer breakfast is scheduled for November 9th.
Please join us.
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Community Prayer Group
The LCOC community prayer group meets the seco
nd
Saturday of each month from 7:30 am to 9 am in the Work Room. All are welcome to this time when joys, concerns and hopes are lifted in prayer.
Next gathering: November 9 at 7:30 am.
Matt. 21:13 - My house will be called a house of prayer,.....
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Worship Committee
November 3 - All Saints Sunday. If you have a loved one who passed away since November 4, 2018, please write the name(s) on the sign-up sheet posted on the Narthex bulletin board or email
Wil. During this service these names will be read, a bell will ring and a candle will be lit in honor of these loved ones.
November 17 -
SPECIAL NOTE: There will be just ONE service at 10:00 a.m. Lunch and the LCOC annual meeting will immediately follow the service. Pastor Lamar Bailey, Director for Evangelical Mission and Assistant to the Bishop will preach on this commitment Sunday for the New Connections Campaign!
November 23 - Next worship planning session at 9:00 a.m. in the LCOC work room. Please bring yo
ur
ideas to help create meaningful worship experiences.
November 24 - Christ the King Sunday - all are invited to a special worship celebration of Christ's reign in the seasons of the church year through hymns, scripture, and readings. This is the last Sunday of the church year.
November 29
- We will be decorating our church for Advent and Christmas. You are invited to be a part of this fun event starting at 9:00 a.m.
The search continues for a new choir director. If you know of anyone who may be interested in this position please have them send their resume to resume@lcocdalecity.org.
The next meeting of the Worship Committee is
Saturday, November 23 at 9 am
in the work room.
Please bring your ideas to help create meaningful worship experiences.
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GROW
in our relationship with God through prayer, Bible Study, and service
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The LCOC council has been working to develop several policies to create best practices. We invite everyone to come and learn about these policies that will be voted on at the November 17th annual meeting:
November 3:
LCOC gift policy - Special Guest: ELCA Regional Gift planner, Yvonne Lembo
November 10: Child Protection Policy
Nov 17: New Connections with Pastor Lamar Bailey, Director for Evangelical Mission and Assistant to the Bishop, Metro DC Synod
Nov 24: Moving Forward/Thanksgiving Brunch
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LCOC is blessed to have two very dedicated and enthusiastic confirmation students this year, Brayden Jones and Troy Sweatman. Both boys are planning on being at the annual meeting on November 17th, and will have their Bibles there for the congregation to write messages in (prayers, hopes, kind words, etc.) as well to underline or circle their favorite passages.
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Upcoming Advent Bible Study
Tuesdays at 10:00 am
Nov 26, Dec 3, 10, 17
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We're not that different from Joseph. True, we may not be part of a story that will be remembered for all time, but like Joseph, we encounter circumstances that we'd never choose for ourselves. At times, it can be tempting just to walk away, but Joseph provides us a great example of humbly obeying God even when we don't understand, faithfully moving forward in the strength that God provides. The story of Joseph provide us a great example of humbly obeying God even when we don't understand and faithfully moving forward in the strength that God provides.
All are welcome!
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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
The Lord delights in blessing his children and wants us to share that delight in giving and being a blessing.
Thank you for living generously and being part of God's work here at LCOC and beyond.
Additional Ways to Give:
Vanco online giving:
Thrivent: Benefit Members are eligible for two action teams/year which provides $250 of seed money for various projects. Associate Members are eligible for one action team/year.
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GO
forth to serve others and share the story of God's love for all
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Youth Group
Mark your calendar:
Thrift Sale - November 2nd from 8 am until noon.
December 6-8 - Chrysalis
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Evangelism
As we enter November, the traditional season of thanksgiving, it is only right to list some of the many things that we have to be thankful for and then think about ways in which we can show that thanks and serve a God who has been so gracious. Things that come to mind in our prayers of thanks: God's love and grace, our homes/families, our church family, and the wonderful things that everyone who has been part of LCOC during the last 50 years has been able to experience-the worship, song, prayer, and study time to increase faith development; as well as the opportunities to connect with our community (think ACTS, Breakfast with Santa, backpack drive) and beyond (think mission and youth gathering trips, and Rise Against Hunger).
We are very grateful for all those who have helped with ministries over the past year and to those who have helped to kick off the New Connections Campaign which will be a big part of our focus over the next three years. Our goals include having 50 new people engaged with us and raising $250,000 to enhance our facility, technology, and training for caregiving, leadership, and growth. Let us not forget the purposes behind those campaign goals: sharing God's love, connecting with others near and far, and building faith development for all in order to follow Gods' commandment to love him and to love our neighbors.
In the very near future you will have opportunities to prayerfully consider and become involved by making a generous pledge to the general mission plan for 2020 as well as for the New Connections Campaign; grow your efforts to connect and develop your faith by helping with worship, choir, facility upkeep, and inviting others to join us; and in sharing God's love with opportunities to give such as the Untrim A Tree holiday gift ministry for local children. We will be receiving 20 children's names/wishes around November 16th and encourage you to pitch in yourself and encourage friends, co-workers, etc. to help too so that these children will have a warm, special Christmas-stay tuned for more details.
People matter.... you matter....so let's keep widening the circle by connecting and sharing.
With thanks,
Patti
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Birthdays
3 Karen B
3 Thomas M
11Joseph M
12 Kyle S
13 Hunter W
15 Tyler P
16 Caroline B
16 Haley B
20 Monica W
20 Hunter S
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Baptisms
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16 Joshua O
21 Bailey Z
27 Lucas S
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Homebound Members
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Ruth J.
Jean J.
Mary S.
Virginia S.
Linda S.
Ruth J sends her Greetings to LCOC!
Ruth celebrated her 91st bday in October!
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Members in the Military
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Tyler R
Tom M
Ryan L
Samuel B
Xavier D
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:
November 3
The Rudy family in memory of Fred &
the Burrough's family in celebration of Karen's birthday.
November 10
The Bellinger family in memory of Bill
November 17
The Lyngdal family to thank the Stihl Cadets
&
the Rudy family in honor of Carroll.
November 24
The Burroughs family in celebration of their grandson Austin and great-grandson Oliver's birthdays.
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November 17 -
Annual Meeting
November 24 - Thanksgiving Brunch
December 11 -
Advent Service of Hope
December 21 - Breakfast with Santa & Mrs Claus
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OTLWB Book Club
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The book club will meet on November 18th at 12:30 p.m. for a discussion of
Dear Mrs. Bird by A J Pearce.
If you would like more information,
please see Sandy S. or Diane D.
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Prayer Opportunities
Prayer Chain Ministry:
Please send an email to prayerchain@lcocdalecity.org
or call the Prayer Chain Lead at 571-210-1979
Free Ceaseless Prayer App:
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FELLOWSHIP |
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One way that we connect and have fun at LCOC is through Fellowship opportunities. Dale Gallentine and I are developing a Fellowship team and we invite YOU to come, have fun and meet to plan some upcoming events. Sign up in the Narthex to be a part of this team or email us at
fellowship@lcocdalecity.org
with questions or ideas. We would greatly appreciate your support for this team! We look forward to working together to create new connections through fellowship. Thank you!
Blessings on you,
Darla Ferris
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Learn more about how LCOC is already making connections and the plans to make more connections over the next 3 years...
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November 17
ONE Service and Annual Meeting
9:00 am
Time with Pastor Lamar Bailey,
Director for Evangelical Mission and
Assistant to the Bishop, Metro DC Synod
10:00 am
Worship
11:15 am
Lunch/Annual Meeting
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Office Hours:
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Monday - Friday
9:00 am - 2:00 pm
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