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.
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MESSAGE FROM PASTOR DARCY
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This beautiful of view came before me as I turned a corner on an early morning bike ride. I took a moment to pause my ride and to be embraced by God’s amazing creation. I breathed in the freshness of the morning air, and I felt wrapped in the blanket of God’s creativity and love. This view filled me with:
peace
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the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:7)
and
hope
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May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. (Romans 15:13)
In this uncertain time, peace and hope are gifts that center us in our relationship with God and with each other. As I reflect on what God is doing through LCOC, I am filled with peace and hope for where God is leading us. Yes, we are in a time of learning new ways to be connected and to be part of God’s mission. Yes, there may be some methods that may need to shift for LCOC to thrive in mission. Yes, at times this will feel messy. Yet the good news is that the message that we are called to proclaim in our words and deeds never changes -
“For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life (John 3:16)
As you read through this newsletter, may you see the Holy Spirit at work through the stories of worship, learning, serving, caring, and giving! May you be filled with God’s peace and hope through the power of the Holy Spirit!
Pastor Darcy
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Message from the Council President
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Summer has arrived in all its heat and splendor! How thrilling to see so many signs of life abundant in the birds, flowers, trees, green grass, and squealing children’s voices as they play outside in sprinklers and backyard swimming pools. Fourth of July is next weekend, but the fireworks have already begun. I even saw some over the highway returning from church this past Thursday when we had all gathered for our Jessica and Emily “Salute”! Fireworks in the middle of a thunderstorm, no less. Impressive. We want to thank God that He held off the storm long enough for our wonderful gathering to take place, the first in-person gathering in four months! Whew!
As we in Virginia move forward into Phase 3 of the reopening of our state, we must also be grateful to be among the states whose coronavirus positivity curve has stayed below 5%. Thumbs up to everyone for staying safe at home and/or following social distancing guidelines and wearing masks when appropriate. We at LCOC have remained connected through our zoom gatherings when we were unable to physically attend church.
At our Special Congregational Meeting June 28
th
, we voted to purchase and expand our technology to be able to provide BOTH in-person and virtual gatherings. Technically, we
could
begin worshipping in person at church according to Phase 3 guidelines, but given that we have a substantial number of members who are considered “vulnerable”, we prefer to postpone such gatherings until our new audio/visual system is installed.
Psalm 91 says “1 Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. 2 I will say of the LORD, ‘He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.’
We trust that we are heading in the direction God would choose for us. Currently, we are discussing the possibility of more outdoor gatherings that would allow everyone’s attendance. God WILL get us through this challenging time.
Matthew 6:34 says “So do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring worries of its own. Today's trouble is enough for today.”
In Christ,
Denise Wilder, Council President
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METRO D.C. SYNOD/ELCA NEWS
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HOW TO REACH THE OFFICE...
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The office email and phone continues to be monitored during this time.
NOTE:
Pastor's is off on Friday, yet is available for emergencies.
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OPPORTUNITIES TO CONNECT ONLINE
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NOTE: currently all of our events use the same information.
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WORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
WEDNESDAY EVENING PRAYER - 7:00 PM
SUNDAY WORSHIP - 10:00 AM
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NOTE: the TUESDAY MORNING study will NOT meet over the summer. Instead please join us on Wednesday evenings!
*****NEW study*****
6 Weeks - beginning on June 24
WEDNESDAY EVENING - 6:00 PM
ACTS: Catching up with the Spirit
(note: it is not required to purchase the book)
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July 11 at 8:00 am
via free conference call
712.770.5505 code 333631#
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The Metro D.C. Synod Racial Equity Team is providing an opportunity for people of all ethnicities, especially white allies, to attend a new Racial Equity series of listening sessions over the next six weeks.
THURSDAY JULY 2 @ 7:00 PM
at 7:00 PM
Malformed Genealogies: Race and Religious Identity
Led by Rev. Dr. Stephen G. Ray, Jr
Please also save these dates for the next sessions:
- July 16 - Christ, Color and Covid, with Dr. Ulysses Burley III
- July 30 - Justice-Centered Embodied Leadership, with Rozella H. White
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TIME FOR FUN AND FELLOWSHIP
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TRIVIA NIGHT
JULY 18 @ 7:00 PM
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Be a part of the fun as LCOC gathers for a trivia via
zoom
.
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On June 25th, LCOC gathered outdoors to celebrate Jessica and Emily on their high school graduation and to wrap them in love and prayers with the beautiful senior quilts made by Harriet and Mickie!
Congratulations!
Dear LCOC,
Thank you for the beautiful quilt and special ceremony to celebrate my graduation. I am so thankful for all the love and support you have given me over the years.
Love,
Emily
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WAYS TO SUPPORT GOD'S WORK
THROUGH 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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CARING AND OUTREACH OPPORTUNITIES
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Feeding the Homeless
On August 16 and 17
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LCOC will be feeding the residents of the Hilda Barg Homeless Shelter.
Due to COVID, we will not be entering the building. Meals will be left at the front door. This means that everything will have to be prepared in my home and the Gimmi's home.We may be asking for help making and delivering sandwiches and desserts.
Thank you for your continued support.
Blessings,
Sandy Strychowski and the Gimmi Family.
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Thank you, LCOC, for your generosity!! You made a difference!
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40% of food is wasted ?
1 in 6 people is food insecure ?
$14,512,000 was the annual cost to feed the hungry in Prince William County- and that was before the pandemic...?
46.5% of students in the Prince William region qualify for free/reduced lunches ?
Unused produce creates methane gas as it decomposes ?
20% of the weight in our landfills is produce ?
There is only 1 compost facility in our region ?
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“A Bright Spot in the Community”
Since late March, the LCOC Stihl Cadets have found peace, tranquility, comfort, and the Lord’s presence as we worked to take care of the outer sanctuary of our church on a daily basis. We also tasked ourselves with monitoring the inner sanctuary everyday as it has remained vacant for more than three months.
Being present on such a consistent basis has provided us the opportunity to interact (at a safe distance) with many of our Cloverdale neighbors. Some wave as they walk around the parking lot in the early morning; many exchange greetings with us as they stroll by on their way to the 7-11; young people even acknowledge us as they dribble their basketballs when meandering through the parking area on the way to or from a fun game; perhaps we’ll encounter someone on the bench in the upper Meditation Garden where we smile at one another and wave; or another person reading in a different seating area that pauses to say thank you. No matter, most of them comment on the beautiful flowers, the pristine landscape ~ thanking us for the joy they derive from us making their/our community “a bright spot”. We’ve been asked to pray about racism and prejudice; for successful surgeries and rehabilitations; for the health and well-being of our nation; and much more.
While the world is experiencing riots, murders, injustice, and a catastrophic pandemic, the LCOC Stihl Cadets have chosen to spend their days taking care of our Lord’s House and Property, smiling at, waving to, or chatting with our neighbors.
We have lots of fun together and are very excited about our new Cub Cadet Tractor that one of our Stihl Cadets purchased for us to use. It is not only a thrill to drive, it helps make our jobs much easier.
The Stihl Cadets spend time praying on our knees while weeding; when we are mowing; trimming shrubs; or sitting down on the patio for lunch together. During this difficult and challenging time, we remained thankful for this special place where we have been better able to get to know and love our Cloverdale neighbors.
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BIRTHDAYS
2 Steve W
3 Susie R
6 Kathryn B
8 Tricia S
14 Georgiann T
14 Sonya W
15 Harriet R
16 Linda S
16 Fay Y
17 Jennifer R
17 Doug S
17 Sandy S
17 Brielle W
24 David W
26 Wyatt O
29 Mark G
29 Gene W
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ANNIVERSARIES
1 Jo Ann and Roger R
23 Brian and Marlies S
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BAPTISM BIRTHDAYS
19 Sarah G
23 Monica W
26 Kathy P
27 Shannon R
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SERVING IN THE MILITARY
Tyler R.
Tom M.
Ryan L.
Samuel B.
Xavier D.
Kevin B.
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