Pastor Darcy
Recently, I went on a day retreat to the Benedictine Pastoral Center in Bristow with some local clergy to prepare for the season of Lent. This was a sacred time as we explored the texts for Lent and prayed for each other and our congregations. One image that surfaced for me was how to declutter our hearts and the idea of clearing the way to Easter Joy.
The book,
The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo and her Netflix series are inviting people to the practice of decluttering. She invites people to declutter in order to experience more joy. In an interview with Stephen Colbert, he asks Marie Kondo, "Why do Americans love your philosophy and your cleaning up so much?" She responds, "Of course we all have problems tidying our homes, but we all have clutter in our hearts and that's what needs tidying"
Perhaps that is what David desires in Psalm 51:1-3 in the Message as he prays, "
Generous in love-God, give grace! Huge in mercy-wipe out my bad record. Scrub away my guilt, soak out my sins in your laundry. I know how bad I've been; my sins are staring me down."
What is your prayer this Lent? What would you like God to "declutter" in your heart this season? How can you more fully experience the joy that God wants for you?
You are invited to the many opportunities this season to "Clear the Way to Easter Joy"!
"Lent is the season in which we ought to be surprised by joy. Our self-sacrifices serve no purpose unless, by laying aside this or that desire, we are able to focus on our heart's deepest longing: unity with Christ. In him-- in his suffering and death, his resurrection and triumph, we find our truest joy."
(from devotional
Bread and Wine: Readings for Lent and Easter)
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Council News:
The Council has appointed Randy Beattie to Serve as the Council President until our November annual meeting.
Plans are in process for an Hispanic Church to begin meeting at LCOC on Thursday evenings in April (not including Maundy Thursday). Stay tuned for more details.
Meets on the 2nd Saturday of each month at 9 am.
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Winter is almost over, and my favorite time of the year is coming. Spring! It has always signified a new beginning. The trees are getting new leaves, flowers are blooming.
Just as in nature, in life there is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens (Ecclesiastes 3) which beautifully describes the contrasts in life. The scripture goes on to describe our toil here on earth, but gives us purpose and reassurance in these words: "I know there is nothing better for people than to be happy and to do good while they live."
So just as a new season in the natural world begins, let us also start a new season of helping one another, loving one another, and praying for one another.
Here at LCOC new things are always starting up, which along with the more familiar offer us new challenges and new blessings. So, with the approach of spring and moving forward, get involved, feel good, make new friends, renew old friendships, and help your neighbors, and community all to the glory of God.
In Christ,
Randy Beattie
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GATHER
to worship God and fellowship with the community
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Prayer Breakfast
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Men's Prayer Breakfast
Striving each week to look to the past, present and future watching and waiting for the return of our savior.
The next Prayer breakfast is scheduled for February 9th.
Please join us.
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LCOC Prayer Garden
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Community Prayer Group
The LCOC community prayer group meets the seco
nd
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 September 8th at 7:30 am.
Matt. 21:13 - my house will be called a house of prayer,.....
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GROW
in our relationship with God through prayer, Bible Study, and service
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ADULT EDUCATION
CHRISTIANITY AND WORLD RELIGIONS
In this study Adam Hamilton helps us to address the questions that many of us have about Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam, and Judaism and compares the beliefs of each of these religions with Christianity. These sessions will help us to build bridges with others, seek peace in the world, love our neighbors and find positive ways to share the gospel.
LCOC visited the Hindu - Durga Temple on February 24th!
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March 3
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Christianity and other Religions: Judaism
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March 10
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Christianity and other Religions: Judaism
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March 17
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Christianity and other Religions: Islam
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March 24
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Christianity and other Religions: Islam
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March 31
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Christianity and other Religions: Christianity
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April 7
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Christianity and other Religions: Christianity
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April 14
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Summary of World Religions
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6:15: Meet at LCOC
7:00 - 8:30: Worship
8:30 - 9:00: Visit with members of Congregation Ner Shalom and see the Torah
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Take a look at our web site
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BIBLE STUDY
TUESDAYS AT 10:00 AM
NEW STUDY BEGINS - FEBRUARY 5TH
THE GOSPEL OF LUKE
God's Good News of Radical Grace
This year most of the Gospel readings on Sundays will be from the Gospel of Luke.
All are welcome to come and explore
the Gospel of Luke!
No previous experience required!
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You are invited to come and grow in faith
through the Sunday learning opportunities
for all ages at 9:45 am!
Bring your friends and neighbors!
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Youth Group
Mark your calendars for the
Shrove Tuesday Pancake Super
March 5th at 6 pm
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GIVE
of our resources, time, and talents in response to
God's extravagant generosity towards us
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Stewardship
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Amazon Smile:
Click on the link below and pick Lutheran Church of the Covenant as your favorite organization and start shopping!
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.
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GO
forth to serve others and share the story of God's love for all
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Evangelism
At LCOC we have accepted the charge to Gather...Grow...Give...and Go which sounds wonderful, but what does it mean? To me it means the following:
GATHER
...Invite others to come to LCOC to connect with us as we worship, fellowship, and build each other up in the love of the Holy Spirit. In addition to worship services, there are many opportunities to gather from fellowships to service projects such as Rise Against Hunger, Breakfast with the Easter Bunny just to name a few. Right now, we have a need for greeters at each service to welcome members and newcomers alike-all that's needed is a smile, a handshake, and a kind word-no previous experience necessary!
GROW
...Just as all living things need air, food, water, and shelter to grow and thrive, Christians need God's Word, time in prayer, the benefits that come through service, and time spent experiencing the joy of fellowship. Is personal Bible study and prayer part of your daily life? Are you enriching your life by taking advantage of regular worship services, Tuesday morning Bible study, Men's Prayer Breakfasts, community prayer group time, and education time between services?
GIVE
...God has given to us abundantly-a beautiful creation to enjoy, our daily needs supplied, family, friends, and most importantly grace and salvation through His Son Jesus Christ. He asks us to give as we have received-abundantly. In addition to tithes and offerings, we have many opportunities to give each and every day-not just of our time and talents to a variety of service ministries at LCOC and beyond, but in a multitude of small ways each day. Give someone a smile or word of encouragement, pay it forward at a restaurant or coffee shop....the list goes on, but most of all GIVE God the glory.
GO.
.. While most of us may not be called or able to go across the globe, we can go out into our own neighborhoods and community sharing our stories, God's love, and serving whenever possible. We can love our neighbors (all our neighbors) as ourselves. Pitch in to help deliver New Neighbor totes to those who have moved into the community, join in Cloverdale Road Clean-up Days, go on the July mission trip to North Carolina or support that effort from right here at home, or take part in the I Walk for ACTS.
I challenge you to revisit what Gather...Grow...Give...and Go means to you. In what ways can you make these words a way of living?
With love in service,
Patti Beattie
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Save the date:
Mission trip to North Carolina
for Hurricane Florence Relief
July 7-13, 2019
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Note!
FOTH Fundraiser
Saturday, Noon to 4 pm
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March 13, 20, 27, April 3, 10 at 6:00 pm. - Connect with the LCOC community and the friends and neighbors that you bring, for the delicious soup suppers and then connect with God during the Holden Evening Prayer where the drama series will focus on the power of Lent: blessings, redemption, faith, involvement and sacrifice
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Office Hours:
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Monday - Friday
9:00 am - 2:00 pm
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Mark your calendar for 2019
LCOC 50th anniversary celebrations
June 2nd - Worship Celebration/lunch - Bishop Graham guest preacher
Nov 24th - Moving forward in Mission Celebration Brunch
The initial planning team includes: Roger and Jo Ann Rudy, Mel Bellinger, Diane DeGroodt, Patti Beattie, Pastor Darcy
Stay tuned for more details and for ways to be involved in the planning for this special year!
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Birthdays
4 Meredith L
5 Lilo S
13 Richard Z
14 Carla K
14 Patrick R
17 Kelly C
17 Emily D
18 Deborah H
20 Betty J
20 Darcy T
21 Stacey R
21 Brian S
26 Shannon R
27 Brian M
29 Susan P
30 Shannon M
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Anniversaries
21 Mel & DeLoris B
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Baptism Anniversaries
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10 Cooper S
11 Julie Anne H
12 Joseph M
15 Erika Z
25 Brayden J
26 Amber R
26 Walter T
29 Kyle S
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Homebound Members
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Ruth J.
Jean J.
Mary S.
Virginia S.
Linda S.
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Members in the Military
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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.
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Flower Calendar
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The altar flowers for this month are given to the glory of God and contributed by:
March 3
The Rudy family in memory of JoAnn's dad Roy Smith and
Roger's brother Doug Rudy.
March 10
Susie Rush in celebration of Brody's birthday.
Georgiann Thompson in memory of her dad Ted Smith.
March 17
The DeGroot family in celebration of Emily's birthday.
The Bellinger family in celebration of their 60th anniversary.
March 24
The Rudy family in honor of Carolyn Funk and Keenan Dunn
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March 31
The Rosenquist family in memory of Don W. Muddiman Sr
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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!
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Thank you, LCOC!
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Thank you notes from Neabsco Elementary.
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Project Mend-A House
Congratulations Ralph and Bob for being recognized as Volunteers of the Year! Thank you for the time and talents you share to build up the community!
Would you like to participate in the next project?
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OTLWB Book Club
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The next book club meeting is March 12th at 12:30 pm
If you would like more information,
please see Sandy S. or Diane D.
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Prayer Opportunities
Prayer Chain Ministry:
or call the Prayer Chain Lead at 571-210-1979
Free Ceaseless Prayer App:
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