As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, continue to walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.                 

(Colossians 2:6-7)

Ten years ago, God called us to partner together in an adventurous journey to grow deeper in our love for God and wider in our love for our neighbors. Our worship, education opportunities, fellowship, outreach, and more have facilitated growing deeper and wider in our relationships. It is humbling to reflect on the many people and ministry connections that we made these past ten years.

January 29 was a special day with a celebratory service and luncheon that included special music, a little dancing in worship, delicious food, and fun fellowship. My heart is filled with gratitude, joy, and love for you, the ministry of LCOC, and for our community partners.

Thank you for making the farewell celebration so special. I give thanks to the many people who used their time and talents to make this possible with the music, worship, food, video/slideshow, decorating and meal set up, planning all of the details, the conversations, kind words and more. Thank you for your generosity with a beautiful stole, lovely stained glass, and a financial gift. I also appreciate the shovel which may be used a time or two this winter.

I give thanks to God for weaving our stories together and for using the LCOC ministry to be a presence of God’s love and light in this community. I give thanks that we have a God who remains faithful and who will be our guide in this next chapter of ministry. You will be in my prayers as you continue to Gather…Grow…Give…and Go.

Let us pray…

I pray that you may have the power to comprehend, with all the saints, what is the breadth and length and height and depth and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

Now to him who by the power at work within us is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

(Ephesians 3:18-21)



With immense gratitude and love,

Pastor Darcy

On Sunday, January 29^th, we celebrated Pastor Darcy’s final church service with LCOC, followed by her farewell luncheon. We had such a wonderful turnout for her sendoff – almost 100 people were in attendance. What a testimony to how much she meant to the community and beyond! I know all of us will be praying that she flourish in her new role as Pastor of Lord of Life Lutheran Church and President of their non-profit adult/children day care center in Buffalo, New York.

Now our new chapter begins as we search for a new pastor. Pastor Sarah Garrett Krey will be serving us on Sunday, February 5^th, as our supply pastor for our church service. In her role as the Synod Mobility Coordinator, she will be meeting with the Church Council afterwards to explain the steps involved in the call process. We have supply pastors set up for Sundays throughout the month of February. Pastor Garrett Krey is also seeking out an Interim Pastor for us who will hopefully be able to join us beginning in March. The Interim Pastor is NOT a candidate for our new Pastor position. His/her role is strictly to serve us on a temporary basis until we identify a new Pastor after going through the call process. 

We certainly have a challenging road ahead of us. And yet, we have faith that God will lead us (and our new Pastor waiting in the wings) to the perfect match for LCOC going forward. Please pray for patience and discernment for us all. Remember, the call process brought us Pastor Darcy way back in 2012. God will certainly bring us another outstanding Pastor in due time.

Sincerely,

Denise Wilder, Council President

Experience the joy of being God's hands in ministry

and serving with others!

The farewell service and luncheon for Pastor Darcy on Sunday was a wonderful send-off, attended by many current and past congregation members, Pastor Darcy’s family and friends, snd community and county officials honoring her tremendous service during her 10 years at LCOC and in the community. She will be greatly missed! We wish her God-speed as she begins the next chapter of her life.

We would like to thank the people who organized the event, set up the Fellowship Hall, brought all the delicious food, and very importantly, stayed to help with clean up.

Click here for more pictures

Here is a picture of the clothes donated by LCOC family to Neabsco Elementary School, underprivileged children.

Thank you so much LCOC family!

On Monday, January 30^th, we (Diane DeGroodt, Kathy Panther and Jo Ann Rudy) were able to deliver lunch and individual gift bags to the very deserving teachers and staff at Neabsco Elementary. We were honored to visit with them as they came into the cafeteria to pick up their treats. Everyone was so thankful and appreciative. We, in turn, shared with them how grateful we are for all they do for the precious children at Neabsco. THANKS TO ALL WHO SO GENEROUSLY DONATED TO THE GIFT BAGS, TO THOSE WHO HELPED PUT THE ITEMS IN THE BAGS, AND TO THRIVENT FINANCIAL FOR THEIR SUPPORT! May God bless you all as you are a tremendous blessing to our neighbors at Neabsco Elementary!

Click here for more pictures

Dear Church Family,

On February 12th and 13th, 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. Sandy

On March 18th, LCOC and Woodbridge Rotary Club will be hosting the 8th annual Rise Against Hunger packaging event at Neabsco Elementary School. We have changed the location to allow more volunteers to work each shift. As most of you are aware Rise Against Hunger is an international hunger relief non-profit that coordinates the packaging and distribution of food and other aid (including income-generating opportunities) to people in developing nations. This is an intergenerational event; you can be 8 or 88 and make a difference.  

We are expanding our partnerships this year to include Neabsco Elementary School, St. Matthews Lutheran Church, Dale City Civic Association, Volunteers Prince William and others. St. Matthews has already committed $1000 toward the total amount we need to raise to purchase supplies. LCOC has sent a deposit of $2000 to RAH thus far.

Our goal this year is to package 30,000 meals. The cost of ingredients is $4000 per 10,000 meals, so we need to raise $12,000 total. Fundraising has started, and we're on our way there. And, we really need volunteers - 60 people per two 2 1/2 hour shifts. In addition, to help out the local community, we're asking volunteers to bring non-perishable foods that day for the families at Neabsco Elementary. Volunteers can sign up and donate through this link. All who plan to attend our March 18th event should register using this event page:

Thank you for your continued commitment to help others less fortunate in our community and beyond.

Blessings,

Denise Wilder

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

February 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!

Lutheran Church of the Covenant

703.670.4242

office@lcocdalecity.org

lcocdalecity.org

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