I will always give thanks to God for all of you

and mention you in my prayers, constantly remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. 

(paraphrase 1 Thessalonians 1:2-3)

Ten years ago, we said yes to God’s call for us to serve together in ministry. As with any new opportunity, we could not fully imagine what God had in store for us. However, we knew that with we could trust God to lead and guide in the next chapter of the story of LCOC’s ministry.

God has been, God is, and God will continue to be faithful to LCOC. I have been in awe at how God has shown us, repeatedly, what is possible with God’s help and guidance – often in bigger and better ways than we had imagined.

On January 29^th, we will gather to celebrate our 10 years of ministry together. While I am excited for the new opportunity to serve as the Pastor/President of Lord of Life Lutheran Church and Adult and Child Services outside of Buffalo, NY, I feel sadness and grief as our ministry comes to a close. Throughout these emotions, what I feel most is gratitude for you and for the many ways that God called us to Gather…Grow…Give…and Go.

Thank you for:

·        Allowing me to walk with you in the many sacred moments of your lives.

·        Sharing in the adventures and joys of mission trips and youth gatherings.

·        Caring for our neighbors in crisis through ACTS and Project Mend-a-House. 

·        Supporting the families and staff at Neabsco Elementary School. 

·        Feeding those experiencing homelessness through the Hilda Barg Hunger Prevention Center.

·        Building community partnerships as we fed over 160,000 people through our Rise Against Hunger Events.

·        Learning together through our mid-week and Sunday Education times. 

·        Praying together.

·        Experimenting with various ministry ideas that included the use of technology so that we can connect at and beyond LCOC.

·        Laughing and having fun together at our fellowship events.

These are just a few examples of our ministry together. My heart is full of joy and gratitude as I think of you and remember all that we have experienced together, and what God has done in, through, and among us.

Like Moses, my call has been to lead you on one part of your journey to the promised land. Now it is time to pass the ministry on to the next pastoral leader and for you to continue to build each other up as ministry leaders. May you hear the words that the Lord spoke to Joshua as he began his leadership following Moses: “Be strong and courageous; do not be frightened or dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9)

This is a time of transition for all of us as I head to New York and as you begin this next chapter in ministry. While transitions can feel scary and disorienting, they are filled with new opportunities for growth, laughter, and love. I look forward hearing how God’s story continues to unfold through the ministry of LCOC.

With Gratitude and Love,

Pastor Darcy

As I look back on 2022, I’m compelled to thank each of you for your generosity and support of the ministries of LCOC. From the Stihl Cadets, Technology Team, Property Team, Worship Team, Quilters, Communion Preparers, Facilitators for our Outreach to Neabsco, ACTS, and Hilda Barg Homeless Center, Fellowship Luncheon Providers, Sanctuary “Interior Decorators”, to our Council Secretary and our Church Administrator Noris – THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH. We could not have had nearly as successful a year without your dedication.

The Congregation as a whole has been very generous with their time and monetary donations, too. We’ve made substantial progress towards our goals of balancing 2022’s church budget and HVAC system replacement cost. THANK YOU! We’ve even received contributions from non-members, so I must say THANK YOU to them also.

Of course, we could not have accomplished so much without the stellar leadership of our beloved Pastor Darcy Tillman. THANK YOU, Pastor, for all the special gifts you’ve shared with us throughout this past year and the preceding nine years as well. Click here to sign up for Pastor Darcy's farewell luncheon!

We definitely have our work cut out for us in 2023 finding a new path and a new pastor. Please pray for discernment and enlightenment as we open our minds and hearts to new possibilities for LCOC. Stay tuned for new developments that will be shared in our weekly Constant Contact articles.

Sincerely,

Denise Wilder, Council President

Welcome Woodbridge Ghanaian Seventh-Day Adventists Church!



Starting THIS Saturday, LCOC will be the new home for the Ghanaian SDA’s. We are so pleased they chose our facility after the county bought their old space. Theirs is a large congregation of around 200-250 people, and our building fits their needs to a T, like a hand in a glove, just perfectly right. We fully appreciate this is a great way to advance living into our Jesus-sized Dream by serving the community.

The Ghanaian church will be using our entire building including classrooms and both fellowship halls from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.  Seventh-Day Adventists are Christian, but the main difference between us is that they consider Saturday to be the Sabbath. If we have a funeral or wedding reception that conflicts or if we have a Saturday evening fellowship event, they are willing to be flexible.

We will now have 4 different cultures worshipping in our space. So exciting! And the additional donations from the Ghanaians will allow us to pay it forward with future mission fulfillment. Thank you for your support.  God is so good.

Sincerely,

Denise Wilder, Council President

Epiphany Service - January 8 @ 9:30 am

From Generation to Generation: We Keep Seeking

In person, via zoom and via YouTube Live!

"Mask use is encouraged, but not required'

After the hustle and bustle of the Christmas season,

take time for a day of peace and prayer.

As Christians, we seek to build a close relationship with God. One of the most powerful ways we can do so is through prayer. 

Kathy Frick, Director of the Benedictine Pastoral Center, will guide us in exploring some of the many forms of prayer.  There will be time for both communal and personal prayer. 

Experience the joy of being God's hands in ministry

and serving with others!

LCOC loves Neabsco Elementary School. Thankfully, many of you in our congregation have generously donated to the Untrim-a-Tree Program by purchasing gifts for underprivileged children. Additionally, the Mia Jo Rudy Fund has blessed Neabsco this Christmas by providing additional funds for food, gift cards, and teachers’ gifts. Many, many thanks to all! 

For January, we want to continue to bless them by meeting additional needs identified by Cory Cobern, the Social Worker for Neabsco.

           New Sweatpants – sizes 6-14

           New Coats – sizes 6-14

           Visa Gift Cards – any denomination, for emergencies



This year’s Untrim-a-Tree list generally didn’t include clothing, so this is our chance to help fill that gap. We have extra time for this endeavor and are asking that the clothing and cards be brought to LCOC no later than Sunday, January 8^th to allow us to deliver them Monday, January 9^th.  Hopefully, we can outpace the major cold and snow.

Click here for more details

Dear Church Family,

On February 13th and 14th, we will be providing meals for the homeless at the Hilda Barg Homeless Shelter. The Gimmis and I do all the shopping and the meal preparation. I'm asking if you would prayerfully consider a small donation to the church Shelter account. If you would rather provide milk and juice, that, too, would be greatly appreciated. 



You can call me at 703 791-3965 if you have any questions.

Blessings for a Happy New Year.

Sandy

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 2023 LCOC will be able to:

• Make People Connections and create New Ministries
• Redesign our website and refresh our communication tools
• 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

Ways to give:

• Online – www.lcocdalecity.Org
• Mail your check to LCOC:

       15008 Cloverdale Road

      Dale City, VA 22193

January treasurer report

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!

Year end giving options

Qualified Charitable Donations through IRAs

Click here for more info about giving through your IRA



Year round giving options

Did you know that what you purchase via smile.amazon.com, they will donate a percentage to LCOC? Your Christmas impact will provide joy for your friends and family AND support LCOC's mission to encourage and equip people in faith.

click here to learn more and to sign up

Lutheran Church of the Covenant

703.670.4242

office@lcocdalecity.org

lcocdalecity.org

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