Lutheran Church of the Covenant
March 2018 Newsletter

Welcome to the March 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
 

The overarching theme for this year is "New Connections as we Gather...Grow...Give...Go". You are invited to connect with God, with others in the congregation and with the local community and beyond through the various ministry opportunities at LCOC. Some examples for March are:

* March 10th - Rise Against Hunger - connect with LCOC, Woodbridge Rotary and others in the community to pack 30,000 meals! Your extravagant generosity has made this incredible goal possible!
* March 16-18 - the confirmation class and 2 adults will connect with God and other youth from around the synod at Shekinah!
* March 7, 14, and 21st - 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 shows Pontius Pilate seeking to learn the identity of the mysterious figure who has been brought to him for judgment.
* March 31- connect the local community as we reach out to and welcome our neighbors to the Breakfast with the Easter Bunny
* Holy Week - our worship services will connect more fully to the story of Jesus' life, death, and resurrection
        o March 25 - Palm Sunday - the passion story as told through the Gospel of  Mark
        o March 29 - Maundy Thursday - The Last Supper Live Dramatization of the  disciples' question, "Is it I, Lord?"
        o March 30 - Good Friday - Tenebrae Service
        o April 1 - Easter Sunday worship services and brunch

Please read through this newsletter for more details and then come and connect with God and the community. My prayer is that you will be strengthened and renewed in God's love throughout this season.


Council President

Sharing in God's Mission 
at Lutheran Church of the Covenant

Dear brothers-and -sisters-in-Christ ~
We are now in the season of Lent. Lent lasts for 40 days, not counting Sundays, which began on Ash Wednesday and ends on Holy Saturday. Lent comes from the Anglo Saxon word lencten which means "spring". The forty days represent the time Jesus spent in the wilderness, enduring the temptation of Satan, and engaging in ministry.
Lent is a time of repentance, fasting, and preparation for the coming of Easter. It is a time of self-examination and reflection. In the early church, Lent was a time to prepare new converts for baptism. Today, Christians focus on their relationship with God, often choosing to give up something or to volunteer and give of themselves for others.
Sundays in Lent are not counted in the forty days because each Sunday represents a mini-Easter and the reverent spirit of Lent is tempered with joyful anticipation of the Resurrection.
Please join us at LCOC for the Lenten Soup Suppers each Wednesday evening at 6:00 p.m. followed by the Holden Evening Prayer and Drama Series at 7:00 p.m. Each week you'll encounter Pontius Pilate as he struggles to find out who Jesus really is and what to do as a result. Come, see and experience fellowship, food, prayer, and meaningful portrayals of the men and women who encountered Jesus and ultimately made decisions that affected their lives and ours!
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 bless you all as you are a blessing to me and many others.
Love,
Jo Ann Rudy

GATHER
to worship God and fellowship with the community
Worship

Mid Week Lenten Worship continues:



March 7 -  Pilate & Procula, His Wife ( Themes: spiritual emptiness, faith, truth; Scriptural Basis:  Matthew 27:11 - 23 )

March 14 - Pilate & Judas, the Betrayer ( Themes: greed, betrayal, conspiracy; Scriptural Basis:  John 12:4 - 6 13:21 - 30 )

March 21 - Pilate & Peter, the Weak Disciple ( Themes: denial, remorse, belief; Scriptural Basis:  Luke 22:54 - 62 )
 
 The following are are Lenten devotional ideas:
Family focus:
Each devotional includes a Bible verse, ideas for family activities, and conversation-starters. We know families are busy, so the devotionals are created to fit easily into your family's weekly routine. 
You'll receive them in your inbox from Ash Wednesday through Easter Sunday.


AND/OR

Looking for a devotion for Lent?  Augsburg Fortress has published 
"You are the Way".  This can be purchased through Augsburg or on Amazon. 


        Holy Week Worship Schedule

                
                 March 25 - Palm Sunday 8:30 and 11:00 am
                 March 29  - Maundy Thursday 7:00 pm
                 March 30  - Good Friday 7:00 pm
                 April 1       - Easter 8:30 and 11:00 am

Join your LCOC friends and family  for an Easter Brunch at 9:45 am on Sunday, April 1, 2018 in the upstairs fellowship hall.  Don't miss the fabulous food and fellowship. Sign Up sheet posted soon.  Please share this with your friends and neighbors. All are welcome!
Soup Supper
Fellowship

Lenten Soup Suppers:
Lenten Soup Suppers  will began on Wednesday, February 21 from 6:00- 6.45 pm  prior to worship service at 7:00 pm . This year we are serving only soup and bread to focus on simple living, prayer, and fasting in order to grow closer to God. Various groups are hosting these suppers. All are welcome to enjoy this Lenten fellowship and bring your friends and neighbors as well!
  Sign-up sheets are posted on the bulletin board.
  • March 7 - Men's Prayer Breakfast
  • March 14 - Adult Education
  • March 21 - Children's Education/Confirmation/Youth

Prayer Breakfast
Men's Prayer Breakfast   

 
Our next meeting is March 10th
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 March 10th 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






March 4
Hosanna: A Spiritual Journey Through Holy Week
From Paul's Perspective
March 11
Hosanna: A Spiritual Journey Through Holy Week
Holy Week Begins
March 18
Hosanna: A Spiritual Journey Through Holy Week
Thursday Night
March 25
Hosanna: A Spiritual Journey Through Holy Week
Friday
April 1
EASTER BRUNCH
April 8
Hosanna: A Spiritual Journey Through Holy Week
From Death to New Life
_________________________________________________________________

Wednesday Bible Study :


Beginning March 14: 
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.

Lent is a time for reflecting, giving up, and giving back. So Bailey and Ms.Stacey are discussing generosity during Lent. 

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




The Italian dinner was a HUGE SUCCESS! Thank you to everyone who came out and supported the YOUTH!! We raised over $1300 and we are well on our way to our goal of getting to Houston this summer!
SPRING CLEANING!!!     Start Cleaning out your closets, storage units, and houses! We are having a YARD SALE on 14 April!! Time is still TBD; however, you can start bringing in your donations to the classroom downstairs across the hall from the High School Room!
Thanks!
Kristi
 



Property

Happy February,
 
This month was mired down in Appliance replacement. Both the refrigerator and the Garbage disposal, in the LFH, needed to be replaced. As we look to warmer temperatures of March, I would like to remind all of the Church-wide clean-up on March 24th. Look for the Sign-up sheets available in the Narthex soon.
 
But all things should be done decently and in order.

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

Stewardship   
               
 Click to read


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
 
                The Easter Bunny will be visiting LCOC once again on Saturday, March 31, 2018, from 9:00 until noon. We will be inviting children from LCOC, our community, and beyond. Breakfast will be served, craft activities provided, and, of course, an Egg Hunt. If you'd like to be part of this exciting event, please sign up on the poster in the entryway, or call/email Jo Ann Rudy at 703-670-8365; roger.jo@verizon.net.



Gifts for Valentine's Day
 
                Valentine's Day packages were sent to our LCOC college students and our military. The beautifully designed boxes were filled with homemade cookies, candies and other treats. Each recipient received a Valentine card signed by church members. Cards, flowers, and candy were delivered to our homebound seniors as well. We sent special gifts to church family members, the Boivins also. Beautifully decorated bags (with special Valentine hearts) were filled with candies and other treats and delivered to the students at Neabsco Elementary School. Thanks to all the Action Team Members and our wonderful LCOC family for living generously. Once more, special thanks to Thrivent Financial for the seed money which made this all possible and for helping us to make a difference to so many people.

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


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

                   Meredith L.
                5     Lilo S.
              13    Dick Z.
               14    Carla K.
              14    Patrick R.
              17    Kelly C.
              17    Emily D.
              18    Debbie H.
              20    Darcy T.
              20    Betty J.
              21    Stacey R.
              21    Brian S.
              26    Shannon R.
              27    Brian M.
              29    Susan P.
              30    Shannon M.
Happy Anniversary
Mel & DeLoris B.
March 21, 1959
Baptism Anniversaries
Julie Anne H.
Brayden J.
Joseph M.
Amber R.
Cooper S.
Kyle S.
Walter T.
Erika Z.
PHOTOS
Happy Birthday Tilli!
Valentines for College Students
Valentines for Neabsco
Valentines for home bound members

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:

March 4
Doug S. in celebration of Lilo's birthday

Susie R. in celebration of her great grandchild Brody's birthday

March 11
Warren R in memory of Cathi

Roger & JoAnn R. in memory of 
JoAnn's dad, Roy S.

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

March 18
Mel & DeLoris B. in celebration of 
their 59th anniversary

Roger & JoAnn R. in honor of Carolyn F.

March 25
Susanna R. and family in celebration 
of Shannon's birthday

Roger & JoAnn R. in honor of Keenan D.
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


March 12th at 12:30 pm:

Before We Were Yours 
by Lisa Wingate
________________________
Next month:
The Good Daughter  by Karen Slaughter
April 9th

If you would like more information, 
please see Sandy S. or Diane D.
News & Notes
Thank you - not just once or twice but
"Thanks a bunch" for being so nice! 

Thank you for the cards and the box of treats.
      
                    Elizabeth Thompson


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