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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HOW TO REACH THE OFFICE... |
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MESSAGE FROM PASTOR DARCY |
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Come on Home
Advent is here and we have entered a new church year. This time is an opportunity to look back on the previous year and to look forward in anticipation and hope for the ways we can Come on Home to walk closely with God in our homes, our workplaces, our communities, and our church. The theme for this season is Close to Home with the Sunday and Christmas Eve themes being Homesick, Laying the Foundation, A Home for All, Seeking Sanctuary, and Invited Home.
As we dwell in these themes, I invite you to pause and reflect on your relationship with God. The following are some reflection prompts:
For what are you most grateful? Where have you experienced God’s presence and love in this past year? When have you felt far away from God? What helped you to grow in God’s love? How did you share God’s love with others and who shared God’s love with you?
While Advent and a new year invite us to look back, they also encourage us to look forward. The season of Advent is an invitation to be Close to Home in our walk and relationship with God. The following are some reflection prompts:
What are you hoping for in this next year? What does it or how would it feel like to be Close to Home with God? With whom can you share the story of God’s love? Who will you invite to come home to walk with God?
I give thanks that with God, we can always come home – to be comforted, encouraged, loved, forgiven, and then sent forth to share these gifts with others who are wandering far from home. I offer this poem/prayer as an invitation for you and others to Come on Home:
We all know the feeling—
the shaky ground,
sinking sand,
water-is-rising,
sun-is-fading feeling
that makes steady breathing
an entire miracle,
and holding back tears a marvel in and of itself.
And when those days come,
I call my parents.
And I call my church,
and I call my friends,
and they say in unison what God has said from the very beginning,
which is, “Come on home.”
Is there anything more healing
than an open door?
If you’re seeking sanctuary,
if the waters are rising— listen.
It may be hard to hear,
but God is always saying, “Come on home.”
Prayer by Rev. Sarah (Are) Speed | A Sanctified Art LLC | sanctifiedart.org
Pastor Darcy
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ANNUAL MEETING - DECEMBER 5, 2021 |
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This Sunday, December 5th, we will gather in-person and via Zoom immediately after the worship service for our Annual Meeting. During this time we will pray together, celebrate the 2021 ministry, outline plans for 2022, and approve the 2022 ministry and New Connections spending plans and other items to support the LCOC ministry opportunities.
To prepare for the meeting, please read through the annual report and the information about the proposed Air Purification System. Please bring your copy of the annual report to the meeting.
Thank you and see you on Sunday!
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IMPROVING AIR QUALITY AT LCOC |
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Information to LCOC Congregation About Air Quality Improvement
We are experiencing the worst pandemic of our lives. More than 700,000 Americans have lost their lives to COVID, and our normal routines have been turned topsy-turvy. Yet, with God’s help and lots of prayer, we endure and carry on. LCOC has established protective guidelines for folks entering our campus and using our facilities to help prevent the spread of COVID. While we see the terrible numbers of the Delta-related surge finally coming down, this pandemic is not ending, and we must keep our guard up as we continue through this situation.
The COVID-19 virus is transmitted primarily through aerosols in the air from breathing, singing or other normal activities. There are methods available to improve the quality of air within buildings that would reduce substantially the amount of harmful airborne viruses such as COVID-19. Methods researched included Ultraviolet Air Purifiers using UV-C lamps; The AirPHX Gas Phase Hydrogen Peroxide Disinfectant system; Austin portable HEPA Air Filtration for rooms; and the Phenomenal Aire Cold Air Plasma system using needlepoint bipolar ionization.
The system we are recommending for LCOC is the cold plasma generation technology used by Phenomenal Aire, which is available from our HVAC contractor Pope Air. This system uses a technique called needlepoint bipolar ionization to produce billions of ions as the air conditioning system forces air past the Phenomenal Aire equipment. These ions continue to move through the air conditioning ducts into the occupied spaces and interact with the airborne viruses, allergens (dust, pollen, dander), mold, odor, bacteria, fungi, smoke, and static electricity. This was the only system studied that produced a purifying effect not only at the point where the equipment is in the ducts, but also in the occupied spaces beyond the ducts.
On Tuesday, 28 September 2021, Brian Richard, Jon Schilder, Ralph Morse, Roger Wichelt and Pastor Darcy met with Mr. Terry Dillard, the Phenomenal Aire technician at Pope Air. We discussed the merits of the Phenomenal Aire system and compared it with the other systems considered. Mr. Dillard answered all our questions to our satisfaction.
Once installed, the only maintenance required is the routine inspection and cleaning of the needlepoints at each of the installed systems. Mr. Dillard said there would be no additional cost to our normal maintenance contract to service the Phenomenal Aire units. To provide adequate coverage for our spaces, three Phenomenal Aire systems will be installed in the HVAC system serving the sanctuary and office spaces and two systems will be installed in the HVAC system serving the original building containing the upper and lower fellowship halls. The total cost for the equipment and installation by Pope Air is $8,475.00. Several donors have offered funds to cover this expense.
The following is the process for the approval of this system:
· The recommendation to install the Phenomenal Aire system was presented to and approved by the LCOC Church Council on Saturday, 2 October 2021.
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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
SUNDAY
FELLOWSHIP - 9:30 AM
WORSHIP - 10:00 AM
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SPECIAL ADVENT CELEBRATIONS |
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Dear LCOC Family,
As always, Advent season is a wonderful time to join together and celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Though we have been challenged since the beginning of Covid, we plan to kick off the Advent season celebrating that God sent his Son for the World. To do this we will decorate the table and tree in the entrance hallway with ornaments and decorations from around the world.
To begin celebrating, we will have the tree in the Narthex ready with Chrismons, our own traditional decor. This year we would like to see some of your own ornaments displayed as well. Please bring to share and display.
December 5 - We will begin by celebrating the German and Scandinavian cultures. Please bring, share, and display what you are able. You can take those valuable one’s home with you if you so choose.
December 12 and 19th – Please add other ornaments and decorations to celebrate all other traditions and cultures that you would like to share.
December 3 - We will be decorating the church beginning at 9:30. Come and be part of the fun…the more the merrier.
Youth Gathering Support - opportunities will be available to purchase for a wonderful German basket. The proceeds will support the youth going to the 2022 Gathering in Minneapolis.
What an amazing season to join together and celebrate God's love in our lives and sharing our love for one another.
Fay
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POINSETTIAS FOR CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICE
Friday, December 24, 2021, at 7:00 PM
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If you would like to donate a poinsettia plant(s) for our Christmas Eve service, please sign up here. Deliver to the church your plant(s) on Wednesday, December 22 or Thursday, December 23 between 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM. Please place your plant(s) near the communion rail. You may take home your plant(s) after the Christmas Eve service. Thank you.
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Yes, you too, can be a part of the LCOC Broadcast Team!
Have you played music for someone else on your computer?
Have you ever used Power Point to present a briefing or slideshow?
Are you the family “videographer” taking videos at family events?
Then you are a candidate for the LCOC Broadcast Team!!
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Please consider this LCOC outreach mission. Volunteer to use your gifts as part of our Broadcast Team so that LCOC can make an impact around the world.
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ADVENT 2021 - CLOSE TO HOME
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Sunday Themes for Advent
November 28 - Homesick
December 5 - Laying the Foundation
December 12 - A Home for All
December 19 - Seeking Sanctuary
Christmas Eve - Invited Home
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“Wherever You Are” | Song written & produced by Barnaby Bright (Nathan & Becky Bliss) | barnabybright.com
Featuring cello by Sascha Groschang | Mixed by Bryan Cook | Mastered by Jett Galindo at “The Bakery”
Featuring visual art by Lisle Gwynn Garrity, Lauren Wright Pittman, & Hannah Garrity | Video by Lisle Gwynn Garrity | A Sanctified Art LLC | sanctifiedart.org
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Special services during Advent/Christmas |
Wednesday, Dec 8
Advent Service of Hope - 7 pm
Friday, December 24
Christmas Eve - 7 pm
Sunday, Dec 26
Lessons and Carols - 10 am
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The next Worship Committee meeting will be on Thursday, December 9, at 1:30 pm. |
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STORYTELLING: CELEBRATING GOD'S GIFTS |
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The Metro D.C. Synod Stewardship and Mission Support Table has created this Advent devotional of stories from the people and congregations of the Synod. Kathy Panther and Pastor Darcy are contributors to this devotional. |
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LEARNING AND PRAYER OPPORTUNITIES |
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December 11 at 9:00 am
Lower Fellowship Hall
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TUESDAY MORNING BIBLE STUDY |
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TUESDAY MORNING BIBLE
10:00 AM
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Youth Gathering
July 24-28, 2022
Dates: July 24-28, 2022 - For rising 9th graders through high school graduates in 2022
What is the cost?: The cost for each participant is the $150 non-refundable deposit + spending money. The travel, housing, and registration fees will be covered by designated youth funds at LCOC.
Here are some short videos to give you some more details:
What is the gathering: Click here
Why the gathering: Click here
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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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Thanks to the extravagant generosity of our church family, twenty children in our community will experience the joy of discovering the gifts from their wish list under their tree. LCOC once again showing the true spirit of Christian generosity during the Christmas Season.
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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:
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NEW DATE:
Rise Against Hunger. JANUARY 22, 2022!
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HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO ACTS AND NEABSCO |
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Dear LCOC Family and Friends ~
Because of your amazing generosity, we were able to deliver 918 POUNDS OF FOOD to ACTS this morning, along with 28 - $25.00 GIFT CARDS ($700.00 worth)! In a little while, Roger and I will deliver 52 - $25.00 GIFT CARDS and 1 - $50.00 GIFT CARD ($1,350.00 worth) to NEABSCO!
Thanks again for all the wonderful donations of food and gift cards. - Special Thanks to Diane DeGroodt for doing SO MUCH SHOPPING for this project, to Roger Rudy for organizing all of the food, and for Diane and Mark DeGroodt and a special friend for helping with the delivery to ACTS. May God bless you all as you have been a tremendous blessing to our community members and Neabsco Families. You never cease to amaze me with your thoughtfulness and generosity!!
Happy Thanksgiving~~
Jo Ann
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These are some photos of the food delivered to ACTS! |
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Thank you card from Neabsco Elementary School! |
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Are you ready to change the world but don’t know where to start? Do you have a loved one who doesn’t need or want any more “stuff” but whom you’d like to recognize with a gift in their honor?
Consider Giving a Gift of Hope.
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MAR-LU-RIDGE SUMMER CAMP 2022 |
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Please email Noris, with any additional birthdays, baptismal birthdays, or wedding anniversaries. We want to celebrate YOU!
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BIRTHDAYS
5 Cooper S
6 Ethan D
6 Lorelei D
7 Mickie K
7 Sydney R
7 Kassidy R
13 Eileen E
16 Heather G
18 JoAnn E
18 Madelyn M
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ANNIVERSARIES
17 Roger and Sonya W
19 Nate and JoAnn E
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BAPTISM BIRTHDAYS
1 Tyler R
8 Diane D
20 John E
24 Sherry C
24 Wes C
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SERVING IN THE MILITARY
Tyler R.
Tom M.
Ryan L.
Samuel B.
Xavier D.
Kevin B.
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