Pastor Darcy
BLESSED BY NEW CONNECTIONS
Our sermon and education series - "Becoming an Easter People: Blessed to be a Blessing" continues through May 20th when we celebrate the festival of Pentecost! During April, an LCOC team BLESSed a local member of the community as they cleaned a local woman's house and yard so that more work can be done to make it safe. The youth BLESSed the congregation as they shared meaningful stories as to how LCOC has helped them to "Bridge Boldly". They also led two of the education sessions where we had fun building creations together and experienced opportunities to share stories.
We are just getting warmed up to BLESS others! May offers several opportunities to be BLESSed as we eat together - May 6th there will be a potluck between the two services and on May 15th Carrabba's will prepare a meal at LCOC! The proceeds from the Carrabba's dinner will help to feed the hungry through our next Rise Against Hunger Event. Bring your friends and neighbors!
We will serve with compassion as we create cards of encouragement and care for those who are in the hospital. Through May we will collect 5000 pounds of food for ACTS. The opportunities to BLESS continue as each person will receive a "Pay it forward" card. Pass this card on when you pay for someone's coffee, meal, or other creative way to unexpectedly BLESS someone!
And did I mention opportunities for stories? Jesus used stories to teach. Your stories encourage and teach others about the love of God. Check out the story wall in the Narthex. Each week you are invited to write on a post-it an experience you had being BLESSed or being a BLESSing. We will learn how to share a 100-word faith story. The LCOC council did this at our council retreat and the stories were amazing!
You are invited to join in the fun of BLESSing others and in turn you will be BLESSed more than you can imagine!
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Council President
Sharing in God's Mission
at Lutheran Church of the Covenant
Dear brothers-and -sisters-in-Christ ~
When getting ready for church on Sunday mornings, I listen to Charles Stanley. Recently, his sermon, based on Hebrews 10:23-25, really caught my attention and I want to share some of it with you. He spoke on "Why go to Church?" Pastor Stanley shares that "God wants us to regularly meet with other believers. He wants His people in church! Many believers don't take this admonition seriously because they don't know the reason behind it. They say "I can worship God at home. I don't need to go to church." Many believers think the sole reason we meet together is to worship - and understandably so. After all, we call it a worship service. If worship were the only reason we are commanded to meet, then those who claim they can worship at home would have a strong argument. But worship is not the sole reason. Nor is it so that we can be taught God's truth. We can turn on our radios and televisions and hear good Bible teaching. On the surface, it seems that anything we can do at church we can do just as well at home. So why are we commanded to meet? The writer of Hebrews says it is to safeguard against drifting. We are the body of Christ, and when we are with other believers, we are doing what comes naturally and what we will do for eternity - being together in His presence. We make up the church, and together we provide strength for one another through prayer, fellowship, and encouragement. Enemy forces are always at work around us, seeking to blow us off course. Sheer individual commitment is really not enough to keep us in line. We need the presence and accountability of other believers who love us and are willing to laugh, cry, and check on us. At times, when we feel as if our faith makes no difference - or we see no fruit in our lives and we don't think our testimonies make a difference - it does. When we surrender our lives to Christ, He uses us in countless ways, ways we many never know".
This is just a part of what Dr. Stanley had to say about "Why go to Church". Next month, I will finish up his thoughts on this topic - so please stay tuned.
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 [email protected]). 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 us all as we share how important being a part of a Christian community is to our daily walk with Jesus and with one another.
Love,
Jo Ann Rudy
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GATHER
to worship God and fellowship with the community
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Worship
Easter Season Sermon and education Series
"Becoming an Easter People by Being a BLESSing"
May 6
Eat with Friendliness
Eating with the First Christians
-
Acts 2:43-47
May 13
Serve with Compassion
Deacons
Sent to Serve
-
Acts 6:1-7
May 20
Share with Conviction
With the Power of the Spirit -
Acts 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.
****MAY 27 - SUMMER SCHEDULE BEGINS - WORSHIP AT 10:00 AM
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Prayer Breakfast
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Our next meeting is May 12th
at 7:30 am
in the DFH.
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LCOC Prayer Garden
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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 May 12th 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
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.
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
May 27 No education -
Memorial Day Weekend
Join us on Sunday mornings for our BLESS education series!
_________________________________________________________________
Wednesday Bible Study - 10:00 am:
Not able to attend in person?
You can now "dial in" and join the conversation.
641.715.3580 code 333-631
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Story Time VBS 2017
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Education
After studying and discussing Christian leadership, the High School class has taken the lead in the first two intergenerational BLESS sessions with the Adult class, and continues to prepare for the Houston Youth Gathering in June.
The Confirmation class completed the New Testament module of the Sparkhouse Co-laborate series and is now going through lessons in Lutheran Living in preparation for their public affirmation baptism on June 3d at 10AM in the LCOC sanctuary.
High School, Confirmation and Younger Childrens' classes at LCOC will pause for the summer beginning May 27th. We continue to seek new teachers and youth education leaders for the Fall of 2018.
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Confirmation
The confirmands' project for this year is an interview with a prophet! Learn more about the life of a prophet and ask the youth if they would like to be one!
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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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 Youth Group
The Youth are Going to Houston!!!
Thanks to everyone's efforts we have raised enough money to cover all costs! Please keep the Youth, Pastor and Mike Riley in your prayers as they head down to Texas next month and do great things.
We will be having a fall thrift sale, so keep on cleaning out your closets and storage units. Any donations can be made during church hours or on Sundays in the classroom that is right across from the High School classroom.
Kristi
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GIVE
of our resources, time, and talents in response to
God's extravagant generosity towards us
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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!
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.
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GO
forth to serve others and share the story of God's love for all
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| Breakfast with the Easter Bunny |
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Evangelism
BLESS Series events outside of Sunday Morning:
Collect 5000 pounds of Food May 15th - Carrabba's Dinner at LCOC
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Happy Birthday to you!
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MAY
3
Wilbur S.
4 Jessica R.
11
Scarlett C.
17 Amy M.
19 Joshua M.
21 Kathy L.
22 Alexandra M.
22 Becky S.
24 Nina K.
27 Walter T.
30 Kevin S.
31 Brian W.
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Happy Anniversary
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Katie & Joey B.
May 3, 2014
Betty & Dave J.
May 29, 1989
Mickie K. & Mike R.
May 30, 1992
Ryan & Michelle L.
May 11, 2011
Wilbur & Gretchen S.
May 10, 1977
Becky & Ken S.
May 14, 1994
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Baptism Anniversaries
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Marie E.
William H.-B.
Meredith L.
Elliot O.
Kathleen P.
Rachel R.
Stacey R.
Jennifer S.
Jonathan S.
Hunter S.
Brielle W.
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Homebound Members
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Ruth J.
Jean J.
Mary S.
Virginia 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:
May 6
Susanna R. & family in honor of
military service members
Roger & JoAnn R. in memory of
John & Charles R.
May 13
Roger & JoAnn R. in memory of Lee S.
Diane D. in honor of grandmother
Nellie H.'s 100th birthday!
May 20
Les & Karen B. in memory of their fathers
Henry B. & Peter C.
Brian & Harriet R. in celebration of
Becky's birthday
May 27
Dave & Jean Z. in memory of
Dave's Mom & Jean's Dad
OPEN
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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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| Mend-A-House |
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Project Mend-A-House
Thank you to all the members who camre out to help us with the April 21st clean up.
Would you like to participate in the next project?
contact Ralph M.
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OTLWB Book Club
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May 14th at 12:30 pm:
The Nazi Officer's Wife
by Edith Hahn Beer
If you would like more information,
please see Sandy S. or Diane D.
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News & Notes
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Pastor Thord Einarsen, brother of Joan Einarsen Ward, passed away peacefully Sunday evening April 22 at his home in Williamsburg, Va. Since early February he has been in the hospital and rehab facility suffering from kidney failure and congestive heart failure. He discontinued Dialysis and came home with Hospice care on April 14. His family and friends have been with him constantly. We ask for prayers for his wife Karen and son, Christopher. His service was Wednesday April 25 at
St Steven Lutheran Church, 612 Jamestown Rd., Williamsburg, Va.
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Take a look at our web site
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Office Hours:
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Monday - Friday
9:00 am - 1:30 pm
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