Please join Pastor Susanne after church on Sunday for a time to get to know one another. She will tell you a little about her background and will have lots of questions for you about your faith journey. Beginning next week she will lead a series on a study guide called "Freed to Ask Difficult Questions." As you enter into this time of discerning a call to a new pastor, asking questions and seeing the answers that come up will be an important part of the search process. Sundays at 10:45 following church.

As we progress through this season of Lent which began on Ash Wednesday, February 22^nd, we look forward to the very busy road ahead. Pastor Susanne Blume conducted the Ash Wednesday service, and will officially join us as our Interim Pastor on March 1^st. Here is a brief bio:

Pastor Susanne most recently served as Interim Pastor at Faith Lutheran in Arlington, VA, and at Hope Lutheran Church in Clinton Md. Prior to that she served a call as the Executive Director of Lifeline Partnership. Based at First Trinity Lutheran Church in downtown Washington, DC, Lifeline provides spiritual and social programs for teens and adults with developmental disabilities. Before serving Lifeline, Pastor Susanne was the Associate Pastor for Spiritual Formation and Congregational Care at Luther Place in Washington, DC. Pastor Susanne is a graduate of Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary. She holds an undergraduate

degree from the University of Southern California and a law degree from Antioch School of Law. Before becoming a pastor, she served as an attorney in DC for over 20 years in a variety of settings and was a very active lay leader at Luther Place.

As anxious as we are to find our new Pastor, we know that Pastor Susanne will be a huge asset to us and will have many suggestions for our path forward. She has been a pastor for 13 years, having been ordained in 2010. We look forward to taking advantage of her wisdom and experience. Let’s all make her feel welcome.

We need church members to serve on the Call Committee for a new Pastor. The Church Council should NOT be on the Call Committee. Please contact Diane DeGroodt or me to serve on this essential committee.

Yours in Christ,

Denise Wilder, Council President

Please join us on Wednesday throughout Lent for midweek service at 7:00 p.m. in person or on Zoom. We look forward to gathering together during this sacred season.

Experience the joy of being God's hands in ministry

and serving with others!

Click here for more pictures

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

Dear Church family,

Thank you for your donations for the Hilda Barg Homeless Shelter.

The Gimmis and I prepared meals for nine adults and nineteen children.

I've been doing this service for over thirty years, and I've never seen this many children as I have in the past three years.

Your continued support for this community outreach is greatly appreciated.

Blessings and Love,

Sandy Strychowski.

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

March 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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