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.
|
|
|
HOW TO REACH THE OFFICE... |
|
MESSAGE FROM PASTOR DARCY |
|
The month of November marks the end of one church year and the beginning of a new church year. While this is not a surprise as it is the cycle of the seasons of the church year, this year invites more awareness of the transitions of our lives – the endings, the in-between, and the new beginnings.
We are currently living in the in-between time. Many of the pre-pandemic ways of operating no longer work and yet we have not yet fully arrived in the post-pandemic world. We are cautiously saying goodbye to some of the COVID restrictions while at the same time being attentive to the need for health safety measures. We are grateful for more opportunities to gather in person and at the same time recognize that this is not possible for everyone for a variety of reasons. We are trying to figure out what is next which takes a lot more time and energy and at times it feels exhausting.
In all these both/ands, I feel so grateful for the ways that LCOC continues to BE the church as we focus on growing in faith, building community, and connecting through outreach. I feel grateful that we have a God who is faithful and whose steadfast love sustains, comforts, and guides us. I feel grateful for YOU and for those who are not yet a part of LCOC and the possibilities and opportunities for us to live in and to share God’s love for the world.
As this year ends, and as we start the new church year, I invite you to:
· Pray for the ministry of LCOC.
· Give thanks to God for….
· Consider being a part of the LCOC council, a ministry team, and participating in and planning for LCOC ministry opportunities.
· Be patient and compassionate with each other as we follow Jesus into this new time.
· Know that you are loved, valued, and a gift to God and this community.
· Invite others to be a part of what God is up to at LCOC.
Pastor Darcy
|
|
MESSAGE FROM
DENISE WILDER, COUNCIL PRESIDENT
|
|
So many exciting things are happening here at LCOC! Having in-person services EVERY Sunday are certainly something to be thankful for! Helping our community, our neighbors, and our new Afghan friends is keeping our volunteers very busy. We’re continuing our tradition of providing Thanksgiving meals for Neabsco Elementary School and ACTS. In addition, this year we have the privilege of helping Lutheran Social Services distribute the tremendous amount of basic necessities for setting up new homes for our Afghan friends which is very much like a mission in my mind. And we are so lucky to have Kathy Panther at the helm of this huge undertaking. Did you know Kathy was in the Peace Corps? So helping others is totally her calling and gift. Thank you, Kathy and all the others who have stepped up to keep this mission humming along smoothly.
The Council has been busy trying to get back to having as many people as possible physically attending church in the sanctuary. To that end, Brian Richard and Tom Pennington have explored air purifying technology that can protect us from airborne germs. So very much time and effort has gone into their research, and at our October Council meeting we chose what we believe to be the best option for LCOC.
PLEASE READ BRIAN’S AIR QUALITY IMPROVEMENT MESSAGE AND BE PREPARED TO ATTEND AND ASK QUESTIONS AT OUR SPECIAL INFORMATIONAL MEETING ON NOVEMBER 21st AFTER OUR REGULAR SERVICE. IF EVERYONE AGREES TO APPROVE THIS SYSTEM AND VOTES FOR IT AT OUR ANNUAL MEETING ON DECEMBER 5th, WE HOPE TO HAVE THE SYSTEM INSTALLED BEFORE CHRISTMAS.
Thank you so much for your attention and consideration.
Sincerely,
Denise Wilder
|
|
IMPROVING AIR QUALITY AT LCOC |
|
Information to LCOC Congregation About Air Quality Improvement
We are experiencing the worst pandemic of our lives. More than 700,000 Americans have lost their lives to COVID, and our normal routines have been turned topsy-turvy. Yet, with God’s help and lots of prayer, we endure and carry on. LCOC has established protective guidelines for folks entering our campus and using our facilities to help prevent the spread of COVID. While we see the terrible numbers of the Delta-related surge finally coming down, this pandemic is not ending, and we must keep our guard up as we continue through this situation.
The COVID-19 virus is transmitted primarily through aerosols in the air from breathing, singing or other normal activities. There are methods available to improve the quality of air within buildings that would reduce substantially the amount of harmful airborne viruses such as COVID-19. Methods researched included Ultraviolet Air Purifiers using UV-C lamps; The AirPHX Gas Phase Hydrogen Peroxide Disinfectant system; Austin portable HEPA Air Filtration for rooms; and the Phenomenal Aire Cold Air Plasma system using needlepoint bipolar ionization.
The system we are recommending for LCOC is the cold plasma generation technology used by Phenomenal Aire, which is available from our HVAC contractor Pope Air. This system uses a technique called needlepoint bipolar ionization to produce billions of ions as the air conditioning system forces air past the Phenomenal Aire equipment. These ions continue to move through the air conditioning ducts into the occupied spaces and interact with the airborne viruses, allergens (dust, pollen, dander), mold, odor, bacteria, fungi, smoke, and static electricity. This was the only system studied that produced a purifying effect not only at the point where the equipment is in the ducts, but also in the occupied spaces beyond the ducts.
On Tuesday, 28 September 2021, Brian Richard, Jon Schilder, Ralph Morse, Roger Wichelt and Pastor Darcy met with Mr. Terry Dillard, the Phenomenal Aire technician at Pope Air. We discussed the merits of the Phenomenal Aire system and compared it with the other systems considered. Mr. Dillard answered all our questions to our satisfaction.
Once installed, the only maintenance required is the routine inspection and cleaning of the needlepoints at each of the installed systems. Mr. Dillard said there would be no additional cost to our normal maintenance contract to service the Phenomenal Aire units. To provide adequate coverage for our spaces, three Phenomenal Aire systems will be installed in the HVAC system serving the sanctuary and office spaces and two systems will be installed in the HVAC system serving the original building containing the upper and lower fellowship halls. The total cost for the equipment and installation by Pope Air is $8,475.00. Several donors have offered funds to cover this expense.
The following is the process for the approval of this system:
· The recommendation to install the Phenomenal Aire system was presented to and approved by the LCOC Church Council on Saturday, 2 October 2021.
Next steps for you:
· Read information about the Phenomenal Aire system
Click here for information about this proposed system.
· Ask your questions and learn more at the special informational session on November 21 following the worship service.
Please attend this session so that we can answer your questions and avoid a long congregational meeting on December 5th.
· Attend the annual meeting on Sunday, the 5th of December after the morning service. During the annual meeting the congregation will be asked to vote to approve the purchase and installation of the Phenomenal Aire system.
|
|
|
|
Q&A to prepare for annual meeting
Sunday, November 21 - after the service
|
Annual Congregational Meeting
Sunday, December 5 - after the morning service.
|
|
HOW CAN LCOC SUPPORT THE RESETTLEMENT OF THE AFGHAN ALLIES? |
|
LCOC’s partnership with Lutheran Social Services National Capital Area (LSSNCA) to settle the thousands of Afghan refugees in our area continues to grow and evolve. The generosity of the American people towards our new Afghan neighbors has been heartwarming as the donations have flowed into our church building and other LSSNCA donation sites across the DMV (District, Maryland, Virginia). LSSNCA is now only focusing on receiving specific much needed items currently in short supply such as gift cards, track phones, SIM cards, laptops and a few household items through their Amazon Wish List. Please refer to the LSSNCA website for specifics on the still- needed supply list. Click here
Our LCOC family, along with volunteers from other area churches, family and friends, is focusing on keeping the distribution center stocked and organized for the growing volume of Afghan families who are moving into their homes and coming in to LCOC pick up their necessary household items. We are completing the restocking and re-organization of the distribution center at LCOC on Saturdays from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm. Consider joining our group of fun and dedicated volunteers for an hour or two (or four!) on Saturday mornings. Bring along family and friends. Please sign up on the Sign-up Genius at the link below.
|
|
OPPORTUNITIES TO CONNECT ONLINE |
|
|
|
NOTE: currently all of our events use the same information.
|
|
|
|
WORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
SUNDAY
FELLOWSHIP - 9:30 AM
WORSHIP - 10:00 AM
|
|
|
LUTHER ROSE
The symbolism of the Luther Rose goes back to the 1520's. Luther explained that the red heart with the black cross at the center should remind us that the righteous live by faith in Christ the Crucified. The heart rests on a white rose that faith gives joy, comfort. and peace. The rose is white, not red, because white is the color of heavenly spirits and angels. The white rose stands in a field of blue, the color of heaven, to show that joy in the spirit and in faith in this life is the beginning of heavenly joy. Surrounding the sky-blue field is a gold ring to show that happiness and joy in heaven has no end, but lasts forever just as gold is the highest, most noble and most precious metal.
|
|
The Worship Team is planning this year to have a multi-cultural experience during Advent as we have had in the past at our Sunday teas. We would like to invite all of you to share in the decorating of our tree in the narthex with ornaments and perhaps items to be displayed on a table that depict your heritage and traditions. We've expanded beyond the previous nationalities (Scandanavian, German, Italian), to Korean, African, Filipino, Hispanic, and of course, Melting Pot, as well as more I may have neglected to mention.
Please consider taking part in this event and learning about other people's cultures as you share your own. More information will be available as we move forward to Christmas. We hope to see many different cultures represented.
OH COME, ALL YE FAITHFUL!
Hope this works for you. Thanks
Fay Yentsch
|
|
Yes, you too, can be a part of the LCOC Broadcast Team!
Have you played music for someone else on your computer?
Have you ever used Power Point to present a briefing or slideshow?
Are you the family “videographer” taking videos at family events?
Then you are a candidate for the LCOC Broadcast Team!!
|
|
Please consider this LCOC outreach mission. Volunteer to use your gifts as part of our Broadcast Team so that LCOC can make an impact around the world.
|
|
Thank you to all the families that participate in our in-person pet blessing worship service on October 3rd.
|
|
|
|
Please send photos and names of your loved ones or friends who have died in since last November 1 - this will be used for All Saints, Sunday on Nov 7th.
Please send the photos and names of your loved ones before November 3rd. Thank you!
|
|
ADVENT 2021 - CLOSE TO HOME
|
Sunday Themes for Advent
November 28 - Homesick
December 5 - Laying the Foundation
December 12 - A Home for All
December 19 - Seeking Sanctuary
Christmas Eve - Invited Home
|
|
Wednesday, January 26 @7:00PM
In-Person, via zoom and via YouTube live service!
Masks are required for the in-person service!
|
|
|
The next Worship Committee meeting will be on Thursday, November 18, at 9:30 AM. |
|
STORYTELLING: CELEBRATING GOD'S GIFTS |
|
The Metro D.C. Synod Stewardship and Mission Support Table invites you to contribute a story of a gift of God's love that has been shared with you and/or your congregation. The table is compiling these short stories into an Advent Devotional to be shared throughout the synod both in a pdf format and in daily posts. Some suggested prompts are provided on the form, or come up with your own. All submissions are due by Friday, November 12th.
Submit your story and a picture that connects to the story through the link below.
|
|
SYNOD REFORMATION SERVICE |
|
Sunday, October 31st at 4:00pm, the Montgomery Conference is hosting the Synod Reformation Service. The service will be streamed on Facebook and Youtube with live interaction on the Facebook page. A bilingual copy of the worship booklet is now available. See all the links below:
|
|
LEARNING AND PRAYER OPPORTUNITIES |
|
|
|
November 13 at 9:00 am
Lower Fellowship Hall
|
|
TUESDAY MORNING BIBLE STUDY |
|
TUESDAY MORNING BIBLE
10:00 AM
|
|
|
Youth Gathering
July 24-28, 2022
Plans are underway for the 2022 Youth Gathering in Minneapolis and once again, we are looking forward to a group from LCOC attending this gathering.
Dates: July 24-28, 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
There will be several "prep" gatherings with our group to learn more about the theme and what to expect in Minneapolis.
For those who have not attended previously, there are other youth and parents who can share more details about the experience.
Please send your $150 deposit and the completed participant forms to LCOC by November 7th.
|
|
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 |
|
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 to the walkers and all who have donated to support ACTS in their mission to care for our neighbors in crisis. You make a difference.
There is still time to make a donation to support this fundraising effort.
Click here to make a donation.
|
|
|
|
NEW DATE:
Rise Against Hunger. JANUARY 22, 2022!
|
|
HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO ACTS AND NEABSCO |
|
Dear LCOC Family and Friends ~
God is providing us two opportunities to help our neighbors have a HAPPY THANKSGIVING this year. First, we have the chance to provide the ACTS Hunger Prevention Center with the normal staples for a wonderful meal and maybe some leftovers for our neighbors in Eastern PWC. The requested items include:
- Instant Mashed Potatoes
- Gravy (Canned or Dry Packet)
- Stuffing Mix
- Broth (Canned 15 oz.)
- Vegetables (Canned 15 oz.)
- Yams or Sweet Potatoes (Canned)
- Cornbread or Biscuit Mix
- Pumpkin or Fruit Pie Filling
- Piecrust Mix
- Evaporated Milk
- Cranberry Sauce (Canned).
They also need gift cards ($25.00) from local grocery stores so that folks can buy a turkey or other meat for their holiday meal.
|
|
Second, Neabsco Elementary has also requested our support this year for the families of their students so they too can have a special Thanksgiving. They are requesting gift cards in the amount of $25.00 from local grocery stores also (Giant, Safeway, Aldi, Walmart) as they are not able to receive any food items at this time.
Please bring the ACTS items, gift cards, and the Neabsco gift cards to LCOC by Friday, November 5th so that we can deliver everything by Friday, November 12th.
Thanks for always being so willing to "Live Generously and Love Our Neighbors"!
Any questions, please let me know.
Thankfully and lovingly,
|
|
|
|
Are you ready to change the world but don’t know where to start? Do you have a loved one who doesn’t need or want any more “stuff” but whom you’d like to recognize with a gift in their honor?
Consider Giving a Gift of Hope.
|
|
Reformation Sunday decoration! |
|
Please email Noris, with any additional birthdays, baptismal birthdays, or wedding anniversaries. We want to celebrate YOU!
|
|
 |
BIRTHDAYS
3 Karen B
3 Tom M
4 Kendra S
8 Mike R
11 Joseph M
16 Caroline B
16 Haley B
|
|
|
|
ANNIVERSARIES
9 Patricia and Jon S
|
|
|
|
|
BAPTISM BIRTHDAYS
1 Gudrun A
23 Joey B
|
|
|
|
SERVING IN THE MILITARY
Tyler R.
Tom M.
Ryan L.
Samuel B.
Xavier D.
Kevin B.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
