Lutheran Church of the Covenant
April 2018 Newsletter

Welcome to the April monthly news highlighting what God is up to at LCOC! 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. Also bring others to come and be a part of these various ministry opportunities!

GATHER    GROW    GIVE    GO
Pastor Darcy
 
BLESSED BY NEW CONNECTIONS
 
The overarching theme for LCOC this year is "Making new connections as we Gather...Grow...Give...and Go." Throughout Lent we have been connecting with the Biblical stories through the dramas on Wednesday evenings and Maundy Thursday. We have also been connecting with Jesus' journey through Holy Week during the Sunday morning adult education time and our worship services.
 
As I reflect on this season and prepare for the Easter celebration and season, I keep thinking of how blessed we are that God so loved the world that he sent his Son. We are blessed by Jesus' life, death, and resurrection. We are blessed because God does not give up on us when we deny, betray or abandon Jesus in our daily lives.
 
Instead, God blesses us with the message that the tomb is empty....that Jesus is risen and we are to go and to tell others this good news!
 
Who has blessed you with the good news that Christ is Risen? Was it a Sunday school teacher? A parent, a grandparent? Was it a friend in high school or college that invited you to come to a fellowship group?
 
Who has blessed you with God's love? A random person paying for your food at a restaurant? Someone extending a hand to help you fix something at your house? Or perhaps, someone listening to your story - the joys, sorrows and challenges?
 
As we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus, I encourage you to remember and thank God for the Easter people in your life who have blessed you with the good news of God's love for the world. I would also challenge us as individuals and as a community to live into our calling to be Easter people, people who bring the good news of God's love to a world deeply in need of healing and hope.

Please read through this newsletter to learn more about new connections as we are  BLESSED to be a BLESSING.

An Easter message from Presiding Bishop Eaton


Council President

Sharing in God's Mission 
at Lutheran Church of the Covenant
Dear brothers-and -sisters-in-Christ ~
          It is often said that Christians are an "Easter People". We walk in the sure and certain hope that just as Jesus rose from the dead to sit at the Father's right hand, we too have Jesus' Promise that all who believe in Him will have everlasting life. Our response to this promise - this gift - is to worship God with praise and thanks for what God has already done for us through Christ Jesus. But there is more to it than that. As an "Easter People", our response to the gift of forgiveness and eternal life compels us to try to live lives that reflect our new status. We are a people forgiven, healed and renewed by Jesus' Body and Blood, and we are called to share that Good News with the whole world. Let us strive to become an "Easter People" who know and reflect God's love through our love for one another as equals - equally beloved Children of God.
Please know that I will continue to pray for all of you, and I ask that you pray daily for all your brothers and sisters here at LCOC and that we are carrying out God's will for us in this place, in the community, and in the world. I ask that if you have any questions, concerns, suggestions, comments, etc. that you feel free to talk to me (in person, by phone (703-670-8365), or through email roger.jo@verizon.net ). But more than anything, I ask that we all remember never to limit what God can do through us in carrying out our mutual missions!
May God continue to bless you all as we live out our lives as "Easter People".
Happy Easter!
Love,
Jo Ann Rudy

GATHER
to worship God and fellowship with the community
Worship
Easter Season Sermon and education Series
"Becoming an Easter People by Being a BLESSing"

April 15 Intro to Series: Being an Easter People by blessing others

April 22           Bridge with Boldness 
The Apostle Philip Bridges Boldly -  Acts 8:26-40

April 29            Listen with Openness
Peter Learns to ListenActs 10:1-33

May 6
              Eat with Friendliness
Eating with the First Christians  Acts 2:43-47

May 13            Serve with Compassion Deacons 
Sent to ServeActs 6:1-7

May 20              Share with Conviction
With the Power of the SpiritActs 2:1-21


At the 11:00 am service, we will experiment with projecting the service on the front walls as well as using a bulletin.


Fellowship
Join your LCOC friends and family for an Easter Brunch after the 8:30 a.m. service on Sunday, April 1, 2018 in the upstairs fellowship hall.
This is our biggest Lutheran potluck of the year! Don't miss the fabulous food and fellowship. There is a sign-up sheet on the Bulletin Board in the Entrance Hall or you can use this QR Code or email office@lcocdalecity.org

Please bring your friends and neighbors! 


Prayer Breakfast
Men's Prayer Breakfast   

 
Our next meeting is April 14th
at 7:30 am  in the DFH. 

LCOC Prayer Garden
Community Prayer Group
The LCOC community prayer group meets the second Saturday of each month from 7:30 am to 9 am in the Work Room. We share prayers of concern and numerous praises along with a strong cup of coffee. We offer this time to the community and congregation to join us for prayer, openly or privately. We will meet again on April 14th at 7:30 am.

Matt. 21:13 - my house will be called a house of prayer,.....


GROW
in our relationship with God through prayer, Bible Study, and service

Adult Education

Easter Season education Series
Becoming an Easter People by 
Being a  BLESS ing
You are invited to an intergenerational and interactive series.
We are especially excited to have the youth lead some of these sessions.

 April 15        Intro to Series                  What does the Bible say about Blessing? 

April 22        Bridge with Boldness     An interactive session led by the youth

   April 29       
Listen with Openness 
   An interactive session led by the youth

   May 6         
Eat with Friendliness  
  Join us for a potluck and storytelling

   May 13        
Serve with Compassion 
We will make cards for local hospitals

   May 20        
Share with Conviction   
 
Learn to share a 100 word faith story
 
Join us on Sunday mornings for our BLESS education series!
_________________________________________________________________

Wednesday Bible Study - 10:00 am:


Romans 

Not able to attend in person?  
You can now "dial in" and join the conversation.  
641.715.3580 code 333-631

Story Time VBS 2017
Education
The High School and Confirmation classes are continuing a series of periodic Sunday afternoon meetings with the Pastor in preparation for the summer 2018 Youth Gathering in Houston in June for the former, and for Shekinah March 16th-18th leading up to Confirmation on June 3d for the latter. On Sunday mornings High School will soon complete the Animate Bible curriculum paralleling the adult class, and then move on to a specially developed series on Christian leadership. Confirmation has covered the Gospels and Acts in the Co-laborate series and is moving into Paul and the Epistles, while the Younger Childrens' class has been discussing generosity since Lent is a period of giving up and giving back.

Confirmation



Click to read about 
Prayer Opportunities

              Prayer List Ministry                 

Prayer Chain Ministry: 
Please send an email to prayerchain@lcocdalecity.org 
or call the Prayer Chain Lead at 571-210-1979      
Free Ceaseless Prayer App:   

Youth Group

GIVE
of our resources, time, and talents in response to 
God's extravagant generosity towards us

Stewardship   
               

Amazon Smile:  Click on the link below and pick Lutheran Church of the Covenant as your favorite organization and start shopping!   smile.amazon.com

Good shop:  Support Lutheran Church of the Covenant when you search the Web at goodsearch.com or shop online with Goodshop.com.    GoodShop

Thank you also for your generosity in your financial commitment and consider using the Vanco option which can be accessed online at:   VANCO Giving Link    

Please consider becoming a Thrivent member as well and if you already are a member and use Thrivent products, make use of the Action Team funds that are available to help fund LCOC's ministry projects. This seed money really makes a difference and helps us increase the scope of our service projects. 

GO
forth to serve others and share the story of God's love for all
Breakfast with the Easter Bunny
Evangelism

Breakfast With The Easter Bunny
And Egg Hunt
 
          Thanks to everyone who brought in candy, gifts, and other items for the children who will be attending the Easter Bunny Breakfast and Egg Hunt. You all are the most generous and thoughtful people I know, and I thank and praise God for you. A report on the breakfast, activities, and egg hunt will be in May's newsletter as the event is March 31st!! 
Lovingly,
Jo Ann
 
The BLESS team meetings are going well, Have all hands on board for the services, education, and other events. The planning team includes Brianna, Patti, Phil, Kristi, Venus, Daniel, Pastor and myself.
Yours in Christ, Darla

BLESS Series events outside of Sunday Morning:


 

Collect 5000 pounds of Food

April 21st - Project Mend-a-house

May 15th - Carrabba's Dinner at LCOC 



Coming Soon: Series Being an Easter People: How to Bless Others


Treasurers Report
This month at a glance
Happy Birthday to you!
APRIL

              10    Jackson M.
              20    Denise W.
              23    Rachel R.
              23    Alexa W.
              26    Patti B.
Happy Anniversary
Coy & Gudrun A.
April 18, 1962

Mark& Heather G.
April 6,1991

Toi & Betsy L.
April 30, 1966

Mark & Kathy L.
April 21, 1979

Jim & Kathy O.
April 1, 1989

Jared & Stacey R.
April 26, 1997
Baptism Anniversaries
Ethan D.
Victoria G.
Nathaniel O.
Willem S.
Hunter W.
David W.
PHOTOS



Homebound Members
Ruth J.
Jean J.
Mary S.
Virginia S.
Members in the Military
Tyler R.
Tom M.
Ryan L.
Samuel B.

Please remember to keep our service members and their families in your prayers as they serve our country. If you have someone to add to this list, please contact the office.

Flower Calendar
The altar flowers for this month are given to the glory of God and contributed by:

April 1
Roger & JoAnn R. in memory of 
Roger's brother, Doug R.

Roger & Sonya W. to the Glory of God

April 8
Mark & Heather G. in celebration of 
their 27th anniversary

open

April 15
Mark & Kathy L. in celebration of 
their 39th anniversary

open

April 22
Roger & JoAnn R. in memory of Joan W.

Roger & JoAnn R. in honor of Sue C.

April 29
Fred & Georgiann T. in celebration of 
Amanda & Matt's wedding 
(two arrangements)


Kids Page

OPPORTUNITIES TO USE OUR GIFTS
AT LCOC AND BEYOND
We are fortunate to be able to use our gifts that God has provided us through a variety of ways.   When we choose to give our time, energy and talents to serve others, we are taking part in God's work to share the love of Christ and give God glory.  With God working in us and through us, we can make a difference!


OTLWB Book Club


April 9th at 12:30 pm:

The Good Daughter 
by Karen Slaughter
________________________

Next Month:
The Nazi Officer's Wife
by Edith Hahn Beer
May 14,2018

If you would like more information, 
please see Sandy S. or Diane D.
News & Notes


Mend-A-House  
Project Mend-A-House  






Mark your calendar:
April 21st - LCOC PMAH event - be a part of this opportunity to "serve with compassion"!



Would you like to participate in the next project? 
contact Ralph M.

In Nature at LCOC


Contact Us
Take a look at our web site
Office Hours:
Monday - Friday 
9:00 am - 1:30 pm
Ministry Quick Links
Metro DC Synod
DC Young Adults
Metro DC Youth