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Welcome to the SPECIAL 2022 EDITION OF THE LCOC NEWS
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The pandemic is not yet in our rearview mirror as we begin 2022. However, because of the Good News of Jesus Christ, we have the hope and assurance that each day and each year is an opportunity to grow in faith, build and grow as a community, and to connect through outreach. Please read through this special newsletter edition, which outlines the areas of focus and some ways for you to connect with God and with others.
To start 2022, I offer this prayer from Ephesians 3:14-21 using The Message by Eugene Peterson:
My response is to get down on my knees before the Father, this magnificent Father who parcels out all heaven and earth. I ask him to strengthen you by his Spirit—not a brute strength but a glorious inner strength—that Christ will live in you as you open the door and invite him in. And I ask him that with both feet planted firmly on love, you’ll be able to take in with all followers of Jesus the extravagant dimensions of Christ’s love. Reach out and experience the breadth! Test its length! Plumb the depths! Rise to the heights! Live full lives, full in the fullness of God.
God can do anything, you know—far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, his Spirit deeply and gently within us.
Glory to God in the church!
Glory to God in the Messiah, in Jesus!
Glory down all the generations!
Glory through all millennia! Oh, yes!
Looking forward to making many new connections in 2022!
Pastor Darcy
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HOW TO REACH THE OFFICE... |
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GROWING IN FAITH
They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. (Acts 2:42)
Experiment with various spiritual practices so that we can deepen our relationship with God.
Some ideas include:
· Storytelling
· Prayer opportunities
· Worship
· Bible Studies
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BUILDING COMMUNITY
like living stones, let yourselves be built into a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. (1 Peter 2:5)
Develop clarity for how LCOC operates as a community of faith so that we can more fully live together in God’s ways.
Some ideas include:
· Fellowship Opportunities
· Incorporation of LCOC
· Update Constitution
· Ministry Team Development
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CONNECTING THROUGH OUTREACH
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” (Acts 1:8)
Make new connections so that we can widen God’s kingdom through the ministry of LCOC.
Some ideas include:
· Outreach opportunities
· Continued development of technology tools for worship and education
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NOTE: currently all of our events use the same information.
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COVID 19 PANDEMIC PROTECTIONS
@LCOC
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Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the church council at the Lutheran Church of the Covenant (LCOC) has implemented strong measures to protect our members and guests. Initially, we stopped in person services and conducted our services either online or in the parking lot, weather permitting. We began in person services earlier this year with a requirement when two or more folks were present, masks had to be worn. We also upgraded the filters in the HVAC systems to MERVE-13s to be replaced quarterly.
At the LCOC Annual meeting on 5 December 2021, the congregation approved the installation of an air improvement system for our church spaces. On 16 December, a cold plasma, bi-polar ionization air purification system was installed in the heating and air conditioning systems that serve the Sanctuary, Narthex, offices and restrooms in the new building as well as the upper and lower fellowship halls in the original building. This system provides an additional layer of protection from viruses and other airborne items for folks in our spaces.
The church council, in light of the latest OMICRON variant of the pandemic and the expected winter flu season, decided to keep the mask requirement through the month of January 2022. At that time the church council will review the status of the COVID-19 numbers in Prince William County and act accordingly. All these protective measures are designed to protect not only ourselves, but our guests and, specially, the most vulnerable among us.
Brian Richard, Property Ministry
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CONNECT VIA WORSHIP - SUNDAYS @ 10 AM |
NOTE: January 2, 9, 16 will be ONLINE only
The council will reevaluate and determine when we will return to Hybrid services
Meeting ID: 457 074 4899
Password: 727969
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Wednesday, January 26 @7:00PM
via zoom and via YouTube live!
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Receive your 2022
Star word
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Receive a STAR word for you to reflect on, pray about, focus on, and see how it is leading you in 2022!
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Thank you to the worship team, the broadcast team, our musicians, vocalists, and those who contributed the poinsettias. Your time and gifts made our Advent and Christmas Season Special! |
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The next Worship Committee meeting will be on Thursday, January 13, at 9:30 am. |
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LEARNING
TUESDAY MORNINGS @10 am
via Zoom
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January 4 and 11
The Sacrament of Baptism
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What is the story of your baptism?
How is your identity shaped by your baptism?
What are the promises that God makes and that we make in baptism?
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January 18, 25,
February 1, 8, 15, and 22
1 Corinthians
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Searching the Depths of God
A 6 week study to explore the teachings of Paul in 1 Corinthians, touching on Church history, the logic of the cross, and the joys and challenges of living in community.
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January 8 at 9:00 am
Lower Fellowship Hall
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BEING PART OF A MINISTRY TEAM |
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Experience the joy of being God's hands in ministry
and serving with others!
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If you can play music on your computer OR use PowerPoint, OR have been the family videographer, OR you willing to learn, then you, too, can be a part of the Broadcast team! |
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Some ways to serve in worship include:
- Assisting Minister
- Reader
- Usher
- acolyte
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Do you like to have fun or do you like to plan gatherings?
Would you be willing to plan ONE event this year and/or work with several people to plan an event(s)?
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SUPPORT LCOC IN MAKING
NEW CONNECTIONS
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PURPOSE
To equip LCOC to:
grow in faith
share the love of God and LCOC with others
connect people in mission and outreach.
Because of your generosity, LCOC has been able to:
· Make in-person and online worship connections with a new audio and projection system, camera, and other cables for the sanctuary
· Provide a safe sanctuary for children and youth as provide background checks for the adult leaders.
· Brighten the entrance hallway with new LED lights
· Reach out to support God’s work in the Synod to develop church leadership, grow existing congregations, plant new churches, and support growth across the country.
With your generosity, in 2022 LCOC will be able to:
- Make People Connections and create New Ministries
- Redesign our website and refresh our communication tool
- Grow and expand our online options with a broadcast booth, and additional technology needs for the sanctuary/UFH/rooms on upper level
- Create a welcoming space with a new HVAC system and heating and a/c for hallways
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Youth Gathering
July 24-28, 2022
Dates: July 24-28, 2022 - For rising 9th graders through high school graduates in 2022
What is the cost?: The cost for each participant is the $150 non-refundable deposit + spending money. The travel, housing, and registration fees will be covered by designated youth funds at LCOC.
Here are some short videos to give you some more details:
What is the gathering: Click here
Why the gathering: Click here
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WAYS TO FINANCIALLY SUPPORT
GOD'S WORK THROUGH THE
MINISTRY OF LCOC
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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!
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CONNECTING
THROUGH OUTREACH
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CELEBRATING THAT CHRIST WAS BORN FOR THE WORLD |
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For God so loved the world that he sent his Son...
This year, the entrance way and tree were decorated to celebrate the cultures and traditions from around the world. Some highlights include decorations from Germany, Scandinavia, and Korea.
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UN-TRIM A TREE
Thanks to the extravagant generosity of our church family, twenty children in our community will experience the joy of discovering the gifts from their wish list under their tree. LCOC once again showing the true spirit of Christian generosity during the Christmas Season.
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There are the bags with gifts for the children at Neabsco Elementary School! |
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The volunteers for Project-Mend-a-House continue to care for the Prince William Community. Talk to Ralph Morse for more details in how you can participate in this outreach.
Here are some pictures of a recent project:
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NOTE NEW DATE
(moved from January due to COVID)
Rise Against Hunger. APRIL 30, 2022!
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Dear LCOC members,
Heather Gimmi and I will be providing meals for the homeless at the Hilda Barg Shelter on February 13th and 14th. If you would please prayerfully consider making a small donation to the church shelter account, or providing milk and juice to the shelter on those days.
If you have any questions, please call me at 703 791-3965.
In God's love,
Sandy Strychowski
"The generous will themselves be blessed, for they share their food with the poor." Proverbs 22:9
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Advent decorations at LCOC! |
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Dear People of LCOC,
As I reflect on 2021, I give thanks for the ways that God has worked through the people and ministry of LCOC to grow, to build, and to connect as we continue to BE the church in loving God and our neighbors. It is a privilege and joy to serve with you in ministry.
Your generosity, love, and kindness with you Christmas gift, touched my heart. Thank you!
Looking forward to what God has in store for us in 2022!
Pastor Darcy
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Please email Noris, with any additional birthdays, baptismal birthdays, or wedding anniversaries. We want to celebrate YOU!
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BIRTHDAYS
4 John M
6 Mary S
9 Brayden J
13 Daniel O
13 Roger W
24 Sarah G
28 Gwen B
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ANNIVERSARIES
5 Karen and Bob S
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BAPTISM BIRTHDAYS
1 Troy S
25 Annmarie B
28 JoAnn E
28 Joshua M
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SERVING IN THE MILITARY
Tyler R.
Tom M.
Ryan L.
Samuel B.
Xavier D.
Kevin B.
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