February 2021 Newsletter
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.
GATHER  GROW  GIVE  GO
HOW TO REACH THE OFFICE...
MESSAGE FROM PASTOR DARCY
In January, I started a physical and spiritual journey to walk the 480-mile Camino de Santiago virtually. My bucket list includes actually walking the El Camino, yet with the pandemic, as we have learned and experienced, we sometimes need to do things differently.

The physical part of the journey includes walking in various weather conditions, in hilly areas, and being motivated to get outside to walk even when I may feel too tired or that there is not enough time. The spiritual part of the journey is being present to God, nature, people, and being open to the experience and not simply accomplishing a goal so I can cross it off my to do list.
One of the gifts of this experience is being connected with a community of people from around the world, of all ages, and with various physical abilities. This community cheers each other on in the journey towards health and well-being. They encourage each other in the disappointments and challenges and celebrate the accomplishments and joys that are experienced along the way.

The season of Lent begins in February and is an opportunity to be intentional about and to focus on our walk with Jesus.  Lent is an invitation to return to God and to be opened more fully to God’s love, forgiveness, mercy, and joy. Because we cannot yet gather in person, it may feel like this is a journey that we are doing alone. Yet, like the Camino experience, our walk in faith is both an individual and communal journey of becoming. Like the Camino, we are part of a diverse community at LCOC and beyond who cheers us on and encourages us during disappointments and challenges. This diverse community also celebrates the milestones of faith and the moments when we understand more fully that indeed each one of us is a beloved child of God.
Let us encourage and celebrate each other this Lent through prayers, notes, stories shared, and our listening hearts and ears. Please send Noris any pictures and stories of “God sightings” to include in our weekly and monthly newsletters as another way to encourage and celebrate each other.

 You are in my prayers as you “walk” with Jesus.  


Pastor Darcy
MESSAGE FROM
DENISE WILDER, COUNCIL PRESIDENT

February is finally upon us. I hope anyone who missed the Taize service Wednesday night will take the opportunity to watch it on Facebook or YouTube Live. The short phrases or chants have become my new activity while driving. They are very reassuring and certainly beat news radio.
We have two ecumenical seasons to celebrate in February – the conclusion of Epiphany and the beginning of Lent. During Epiphany we focus on growth and blooming. Given the progress that medicine is making toward ending the pandemic with multiple vaccines on the world stage, we are able to finally celebrate the coming New Day.
 
When Lent begins on February 17th, we’ll be contemplating all Jesus accomplished and suffered before his miraculous Easter resurrection. A tradition we’ve moved away from is fasting or giving up something dear to us during Lent. We now endeavor to practice going out of our way to help others. Thus, ELCA is launching an End World Hunger Campaign during Lent.

Along that vein, we are trying to schedule a Rise Against Hunger event in the relatively near future. We are optimistically shooting for a date in May when Covid is hopefully more under control. We can work toward that goal by starting or increasing our donations to Rise Against Hunger by check or Vanco giving. So many economies around the world are suffering, and that undoubtedly greatly affects the most vulnerable. Please open your hearts to nourish others.

Blessings to all,

Denise Wilder, Council President
OPPORTUNITIES TO CONNECT ONLINE
NOTE: currently all of our events use the same information.




WORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
WORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
SUNDAY
FELLOWSHIP - 9:30 AM
WORSHIP - 10:00 AM
Thank you from Sheila Kober, Worship Chair: As the new Chair of the Worship Committee (Worship Team “WT”), I am thankful for the help and guidance from all of the WT members, especially Pastor Darcy. I am grateful for René Milam and the beautiful music she provides.  Thank you to all of our Assisting Ministers and Readers on Sunday mornings and Special Services. Also, many thanks to Sherman Basinger and Tom Pennington for their technical skills.  
ASH WEDNESDAY WORSHIP FEBRUARY 17 AT 7:30 PM
VIA ZOOM AND YOUTUBE LIVE

More details and a sign-up link for communion and imposition of ashes will be available soon.





MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR OUR LENT MIDWEEK SERVICES
FEBRUARY 24, MARCH 3, 10, 17, AND 24TH
Next Meeting: 
February 6 at 9:00 am via Zoom
The Worship Team is looking for ways of making the upcoming Lent season more meaningful for you. Please share your ideas with the Worship Team – Fay, Gudrun, Harriet, René, Sonya, Sheila, or Pastor Darcy. You are invited to the Worship Team Meeting on February 6th.
LEARNING AND PRAYER OPPORTUNITIES
TUESDAY MORNING BIBLE
10:00 AM
VIA ZOOM
We will explore Gospel reading for the upcoming Sunday




Feb 13 at 9:00 am
Lower Fellowship Hall

In our Baptismal covenants we are asked, “Do you promise…to hear the word of God?” (ELW p. 236)

During Epiphany, YOU are invite to participate in these three Opportunities to engage in God’s Word through the Gospel of Mark:

1.       Write out the Gospel of Mark using the Journible through the 17:18 Series
Why the 17:18 series? video explanation of the 17:18 series
In Deuteronomy 17, Moses is leaving final instructions concerning the future of Israel. As a prophet of God, Moses foretells of when Israel will place a king over the nation (v. 14). In verse 18, the king is commanded to not simply acquire a copy of the law (the entire book of Deuteronomy) from the “scroll publishing house,” but to hand write his own copy of the law. Thirty-four hundred years later, educators are “discovering” that students that physically write out their notes by hand have a much greater retention rate than simply hearing or visually reading the information. Apparently, God knew this to be true of the kings of Israel also. From such understanding came the conception of this series of books.
Order here: 

2.      Listen to or Read through the Gospel of Mark
Resources: Purchase a CD of the Bible
Apps for phones and computers: Youversion Bible App
Next steps for engaging in the Gospel of Mark:
Questions to consider as you read, write or listen to the Gospel of Mark:

  • What are you learning about God? about Jesus? about the disciples?
  • What images, words, or phrases are coming into focus for you?
  • What questions are emerging for you?
  • How is God speaking to you through these texts?

Mark your calendars for February 3 at 6:30 when we will gather to share what we are discovering through this Gospel.

Suggested Reading/Writing Plan for the Gospel of Mark:
January 6 – 13 – Chapter 1 through Chapter 3:19
January 14 – 20 – Chapter 3:19 – Chapter 5
January 21 – 27 – Chapter 6 through 8:21
January 28 – Feb 3 – Chapter 8:22 – Chapter 10
Feb 4 – Feb 10 – Chapter 11 through Chapter 13:23
Feb 11 – Feb 17 – Chapter 13:24 – Chapter 16***

*** note there is an extra chapter for this last week to finish up by Ash Wednesday. However, there is grace in this time of Bible reading – go at your own pace. 
JOIN THE LCOC NETWORK
WAYS TO SUPPORT GOD'S WORK
THROUGH LCOC
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!
CARING AND OUTREACH OPPORTUNITIES
Getting Valentine Packages ready to be delivered to our college students and military...

We want to offer you all the opportunity to help cheer up the recipients of these packages by purchasing Valentine Candy to be included in the boxes. Please purchase bags of individually wrapped candies and drop them off at the church by February 1, 2021. If you would like to contribute to the postage, wrapping paper, etc. we would greatly appreciate that as well. We will be mailing to 25 individuals!!!

    If you have any questions, please contact Stacey Rosenquist, Diane DeGroodt, JoAnn Eberle and/or me. Thanks for always "Living Generously". May God bless you with His awesome peace and loving presence throughout this New Year.

Love to all,

Jo Ann Rudy


LCOC will be feeding the homeless at the Hilda Barg Shelter on February 14th and 15th.We will not be able to enter the shelter due to CDC guidelines. 
We would appreciate any assistance you could give us with a small donation, or if you would be able to drop off cold cuts, milk, or juice to the shelter.
For more information please call Sandy Strychowski at 703-791-3965 or email.
Project Mend-a-House has done a few small projects during this time of COVID-19. Thank you, Ralph, for keeping us connected! Email Ralph for more information!
COMMUNITY OPPORTUNITY
Premieres
Sun, Jan 31, 4pm (ET)

Last August over 31,000 people saw this online presentation of FPA’s hit play in just four days of streaming. Don’t miss this Final Encore Presentation of Martin Luther on Trial. It’s free and available thru Feb 3 Only!
 
 

GOD SIGHTINGS
CONGRATULATIONS....
Are you celebrating a special milestone/anniversary/accomplishment?
IN FEBRUARY WE CELEBRATE
BIRTHDAYS
3 Britt P
4 Michael A
5 Coy A
7 Nate E
14 Tilli S
15 Arianna R
17 Erika Z
22 DeLoris B
22 Brian R
28 Mel B
ANNIVERSARIES
14 David and Denise W


BAPTISM BIRTHDAYS
1 Michael E
4 Kassidy R
4 Sydney R
5 Angela Z
12 Sarah S
15 Amy M
16 Jim O
24 Kaley P
27 Tilli S
SERVING IN THE MILITARY
Tyler R.
Tom M.
Ryan L.
Samuel B.
Xavier D.
Kevin B.