July Newsletter

Welcome to the

July 2022 NEWSLETTER

When I paused to drink water on a recent bike ride, I saw this creature of God “walking” slowly and steadily towards me. I was intrigued by its beauty and was curious about where it was going and why. The turtle seemed to be so focused on its “mission.”

During the Easter season, LCOC offered a sermon series and book discussion to begin the process to intentionally explore, clarify, and live into God’s mission for this season of ministry. Some of the questions we are asking include: Where are we going? How are we going to get there? What is our focus and why? How will we have the courage and the trust to live into the Jesus-sized dream? The questions and this time are exciting, scary, and at the same time filled with hope and so many possibilities.

While I cannot tell you exactly where this exploration will take us or all that we will encounter along the way, I can say that we will keep the focus on God - the creator, Son, and Holy Spirit. God will guide us we ask questions, as we experiment with new ministry ideas, and as we grow personally and as a congregation in our faith. The focus of our ministry plans will include prayer, Bible studies, building relationships and connecting, and will also include times to pause and to rest – to honor the sabbath day and to keep it holy.

I am grateful for YOU and this journey that we are on together as we learn how to walk with Jesus in all parts of our lives. May your summer include time for prayer, time in God’s Word, time to connect with friends and family, and time for rest and renewal.

Pastor Darcy

HOW TO REACH THE OFFICE...

Email the office

Email Pastor Darcy

Subscribe to the LCOC YouTube Channel

2022 MINISTRY FOCUS

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

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

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

WAYS TO CONNECT ONLINE

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

CLICK HERE FOR ZOOM INFORMATION

GROWING IN FAITH

WORSHIP

Worship Sundays

10:00 am

in-person and online via Zoom and YouTube Live

July, August and September Worship Servers

July 31, 2022

celebrate the seasons of the church year...

You are invited for a special service that explores the seasons of the church year...

What do the colors mean?

What is the focus of the season?

and more...

The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control

How are you experiencing and living the fruit of the Spirit?

During the worship service on Holy Trinity Sunday (June 12), the congregation was asked to write three words to describe God. These words were then used to create this Word Art.

Altar Flowers for 2022

If you would like to donate flowers in memory of loved ones or in honor of someone’s birthday or anniversary, etc.

please contact Noris in the office (telephone 703-670-4242)

Thank you!

The next Worship Committee meeting will be on Thursday, July 28, at 9:30 AM.

CONNECTING WITH THE SYNOD AND CHURCHWIDE GATHERINGS

METRO DC SYNOD ASSEMBLY MET

JUNE 10 AND 11

Here is a photo of LCOC voting members, Fay Yentsch, Tom Pennington, Pastor Darcy. They gathered for the Metro DC Synod Assembly on June 10 and 11.

Information from the Synod Assembly

Assembly Zoom Playlist

Click here for the Assembly information

LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES:

CHURCHWIDE ASSEMBLY BIBLE STUDY

BIBLE STUDY OPPORTUNITY - ELCA members are encouraged to participate in a series of online Bible studies in advance of the Churchwide Assembly. Each session will explore the meaning of “embodiment” from Luke 24, followed by engagement with the presenter. More information about registering for these Zoom webinars will be available soon at ELCA.org/CWA. The sessions will be held Sunday afternoons in July, from 3 to 3:45 p.m. Central time, and will be presented by Jay Alanis (July 10), Sally Azar (July 17), Man Hei Yip (July 24) and Denise Rector (July 31). This series will also be streamed live at YouTube.com/ELCA."

Ever wanted to know how to pronounce the difficult Bible names, places, and words?

Here are 2 resources to help you!

Click here for the biblical pronunciation app

Also, attached is a guide with a written pronunciation key.

Blessings,

Sonya

Mark your calendar..Fall Tuesday Bible Study

begins September 13

You are invited to

Adam Hamilton's study on Moses

Begins September 13

@ 10:00 am via Zoom

This Fall on Tuesday mornings,

you are invited to explore the

life and ministry of Moses.

Here is the link for the book and study.

Please email Noris to order a book.

Invite a friend or neighbor

to be part of this time of

prayer, fellowship, and learning.

All are welcome.

No prior Biblical knowledge required.

In the meantime, here are links to short videos about Exodus and Deuteronomy and also the posters to give you an overview of these books and the life and ministry of Moses.

Click here for Exodus video

Click here for Deuteronomy video

The Out to Lunch with Books (OTLWB) club will meet on July 11th at 12:00 noon to discuss The Lincoln Highway by Amor Towles. All are welcome to attend. If you would like more information, please contact Sandy Strychowski or Diane DeGroodt.

CONNECT THROUGH PRAYER

July 9 at 9:00 am

Lower Fellowship Hall

BUILDING COMMUNITY

THANK YOU FOR THE QUILT

BEING PART OF A MINISTRY TEAM

Experience the joy of being God's hands in ministry

and serving with others!

Yes, I would like to learn more about being a part of a team

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!

Some ways to serve in worship include:

Assisting Minister
Reader
Usher
acolyte

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)?

We are always learning and growing. Please email the broadcast team with any suggestions or experiences that would help to improve the streaming of our services OR if you would like to share your gifts as part of this team.

Broadcast team email

CONNECTING

THROUGH OUTREACH

NEASBCO ELEMENTARY SCHOOL NEEDS

Neabsco Elementary School is getting a new roof this summer which means that they won't be able to have Summer School for the children. Pastor Darcy, Jo Ann Rudy, Diane DeGroodt, and I met with the school's social worker, Cory Cobern, and Monique Ratliff of the Dale City Civic Association on Monday, June 6, to determine how we might help out the children. We expected to collect food since the kids won't be getting their free meals, but guess what? They will! The families can still go to the school to pick up meals. Therefore, we're collecting FUN ACTIVITIES to keep the kids busy. Please contribute to this worthwhile effort.

If you can contribute food and/or games, toys, coloring books, etc., for Neabsco students and families, please bring them to LCOC by JULY 1st and AUGUST 15th.

Click here for the fun Activities/ Toys for summer list! and here for the food pantry needs. Thank you!

Denise Wilder

We'll be shopping for Backpacks and School Supplies For Neabsco Elementary Students during the month of July and early August. If anyone would like to fill a backpack, please pick up a list attached to the bulletin board at LCOC in the narthex. Thanks so much!"

Thanks.

Jo Ann

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:

FEEDING THE HOMELESS

Dear members of LCOC,

On August 14th and 15th, we will be feeding the homeless at the Hilda Barg Shelter. If you would like to donate to the Shelter account so the Gimmis and I can purchase food, it would be greatly appreciated. You can also donate milk or juice.

Thank you for helping with this community outreach.

In God's Love, Sandy Strychowski.

NEXT STEPS TO HELP RESETTLE THE AFGHAN ALLIES

Email Denise to experience the joy of welcoming ONE family from Afghanistan

Dear Fellow LCOC members,

Our Afghan Family Update

LCOC has been working in conjunction with St. Matthews Lutheran Church to help a special family settle into their new life in Woodbridge. So much has happened in just 3 months! Mr. A. now has his drivers license and has received a donated car. The Asian Spring festival of Nowruz was celebrated with Spring flowers and treats. One of the family members was also given an American style birthday party. The 5-year-old has been able to enjoy preschool, and St. Matthews provides a team of drivers to get him to and from school each day, which is a huge boon to his English language development. He’s become quite the little chatterbox during the drives. He is expecting to start kindergarten in the Fall.

Mrs. A. is learning English online. (They were able to get Internet! Yay!) She also attends an in-person class once a week. The family has even found an Afghan physician practicing in Woodbridge to take care of any medical needs.

Lutheran Social Services (LSS) continues to support the family in their orientation to our culture. As of May, St. Matthew’s takes over from Lutheran Social Services the responsibility for paying the family’s rent, utility, and power bills for the next three months. They will then assist with partial payments for an additional six months.

If you would like to participate in this rewarding ministry, please contact me at thewilders54@gmail.com or phone me at 540-841-4079. Thank you in advance.

Blessings,

Denise Wilder, Council President

SUPPORT LCOC IN MAKING

NEW CONNECTIONS

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 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