Worship Schedule:
10:00am in the Sanctuary and on YouTube
Due to the pandemic the need for food is increasing daily. In addition, the annual Letter Carriers Food Drive (Stamp Out Hunger) which normally produces more than 50,000 lbs. of donated food has been canceled which makes the need even greater.
AFAC needs canned vegetables, cereal (low sugar), canned tuna, canned tomato products (stewed, diced, paste), and peanut butter (in plastic jars).
Contributions can be dropped off in the Narthex.
Please join us for a live stream of our 10:00am Worship Serivce on Sunday, December 10, 2023, the Second Sunday of Advent. If you missed the service, then please click below for a replay.
Readings for December 10, 2023 (PDF)RELC Worship Bulletin for December 10, 2023 (PDF)Please be aware that there may be moments of silence during the hymns, choral pieces, and organ voluntaries for which we have not been able to secure streaming rights from the music publishers. We apologize for this disruption and thank you for your understanding.
Sunday, December 10
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9:00 a.m. - 9:45 a.m. — Sunday School in the Parish Hall.
10:00 a.m. — Worship: Pastor Harold (Harry) Therwanger. This Sunday during Announcements at the end of divine service we will hear the story of Santa Lucia, a young girl who bravely witnessed her faith in a time of persecution. Her story has been taken up very strongly in the Scandinavian countries though she was actually from Sicily. Our own Lucia and her helpers will procession down the aisle as is done on December 13th in many Scandinavian homes and churches. |
Sunday, December 17
9:00 a.m. - 9:45 a.m. — Sunday School in the Parish Hall.
10:00 a.m. — Worship: Pastor Harold (Harry) Therwanger.
Please join us on Sunday, December 17th after the service for the 1st RELC 30-Minute Decorating Marathon with special Coffee Hour to help decorate and make the church festive for Christmas! Many hands are needed, and all ages are welcome!
Wednesdays, December 13 and 20
Join us online at 7:00 p.m. during the two remaining Wednesdays of Advent – December 13 and 20, to pray and mediate using Luke: Chapter 1 in anticipation and setting the moment for the coming of Savior. Watch your email for a Zoom link.
Christmas Eve, Sunday, December 24
10:00 a.m. Lessons and Carols
6:30 p.m. Musical Offering by RELC Musicians and Singers
7:00 p.m. Candle Lighting Service with Holy Communion
Christmas Day, Monday, December 25
10:00 a.m. — Worship with Holy Communion
New Year's Eve, Sunday, December 31
10:00 a.m. — Worship with Holy Communion and carols
Epiphany, Saturday, January 6
7:00 p.m. — Candle Lighting Service with the story of the Magi and carols
New Church Year Begins with the Season of Advent
On Sunday, December 3rd, we began a new church year with the season of Advent, from the Latin for “arriving.” We use these weeks of Advent to prepare again to celebrate the first coming of our Savior as the “Babe of Bethlehem,” while also preparing our hearts to look forward to meeting him in his second coming at the end of time. It is a season of reflection and anticipation. As a sign and reminder of the season we will be invited to kneel at the rail during the distribution of Holy Communion.
During this Church Year, our gospel readings will be drawn mostly from Mark’s account of the Savior’s earthly life and mission. Since Mark is also the shortest gospel, many texts from John will also be included.
Most scholars believe that Mark is the oldest of the gospel accounts and anticipates a mostly gentile audience, as we will see as we travel through Mark’s sharing of the gospel story.
Our Advent Devotional booklets and Advent Calendars, which will be handed out after service this Sunday, December 3, will respond to this thematic question with the hope and joy offered in Luke 1.
Join us online at 7:00 p.m. during the two remaining Wednesdays of Advent – December 13 and 20, to pray and mediate using Luke: Chapter 1 in anticipation and setting the moment for the coming of Savior. Watch your email for a Zoom link.
Notice the frontal on the altar is part of the artwork of our theme. In the coming of the Christ at Bethlehem, God steps into time and space to heal the whole cosmos. The backdrop reminds us of the cosmic importance of the incarnation and the two figures embracing are to remind us of Mary and Elizabeth embracing with great joy and surprise. In this season of preparation may we embrace joy and be surprised and delighted again at The Word Made Flesh.
Blessed Advent Dear Church!
Due to two of our volunteers leaving us, the Music at Resurrection committee is looking for two or three more people to join our committee. We meet once or twice a year (sometimes just by email) and we (try) to plan one or two concerts a year, normally in the spring and fall (always open for suggestions!). I, most likely, would be the coordinator of these concerts, unless you have a burning desire to do so! We also plan and bring snacks to the receptions after the concert. It is not rocket science, and more hands make less work! If you are interested in joining this committee or have any questions, please contact me, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., or seek me out in the choir before or after the service. Thank you!
Lutheran World Relief Quilt Assembly started on Tuesday, October 10. We will meet on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of every month at 10:00 a.m. in Room 209 to layout, pin and tie quilts. No sewing experience is needed. You can sit to help us. Many hands make light work. Call 703-944-3462 if the Church door is locked. Thanks! Gail Flatness.
We will receive donations of food items for AFAC on Sunday, December 17, in conjunction with our regular worship service. In the coming weeks, December 17 will also be an AFAC Sunday.
Sunday, December 3rd kicked-off a year-long project to restore and/or replace our Chrismon ornaments. More information to follow. We do hope that all of the Resurrection families, no matter what size, will get involved. Please contact Mimi Vanpoole at 703-625-7391 and/or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
We are also collecting gift cards and donations to benefit the children of their incarcerated parents for the Offender Aid and Restoration (OAR) “Winter Cheer Project” through RELC’s Social Ministry group. There will be a basket in the Narthex to collect gift cards and donations until Sunday, December 10. Please donate gift cards preferably in increments of $25. Thank you!
Looking for a gift for the person who already has everything they need? Gifts of Hope could be your answer! A range of gift amounts that support Lutheran and other faith-based social service agencies, many of which serve the local D.C. area. Remember your loved one and support organizations like N Street Village and the Villages at Rockville. A catalog is available in the Narthex and gifts can be purchased online at https://metrodcelca.org/gifts-of-hope/ For more information, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Please join us on Sunday, December 17, after the service to help decorate and make the church festive for Christmas. Many hands are needed, and all ages are welcome!
Due to a busy Advent schedule, we are announcing the 1st RELC 30-Minute Decorating Marathon with special Coffee Hour on Sunday, December 17th. Look for a sign-up sheet starting on Sunday, December 3rd. Questions? Please This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. at 703-625-7391.
If you have holiday lights that are beyond repair, you can bring them to church and deposit them in the designated box in the narthex. The Creation Care Team will take them to eAssets to be recycled. Last year we collected over 50 strands of lights for recycling!
Resurrection is continuing to work on updating its membership directory with the most current, accurate and preferred contact information. Member Information forms are available in the Narthex. Please complete one, even if your information has not changed, and consider including a photo!
To add a name to be included in Sunday Intercessions during worship, please email or phone Pastor Harry by Thursday evening. The name will be included for one week, and if you wish to continue having someone named in the prayers, please update Pastor each week.
With Fall underway and Winter not far behind, the Council approved the RELC Reopening Group (COVID Group) recommendation that the current "Masks Optional" policy is still appropriate (see below) with one change: for communion, ushers must wear masks along with communion assistants and the pastor. Mask wearing for ushers is optional at all other times. The COVID Group will continue monitoring CDC guidelines for COVID and other infectious concerns, and act accordingly.
Congregants are strongly encouraged to adhere to the following guidelines:
Masks are not required, but everyone should feel comfortable wearing a mask at any time, particularly those at high risk for severe illness.
Pastors, communion assistants, and ushers will wear masks for communion.
To the extent possible, congregants should maintain a safe distance in the pews when sharing the Peace of Christ with prayer hands and taking communion. Hand sanitizers will remain available throughout the church.
The wearing of masks in Sunday School will continue to be guided by parents.
The CDC recommends staying up-to-date with COVID vaccines and isolating at home if symptoms do occur, if one receives a positive test or if one is exposed to someone with COVID.
To view our 10:00 a.m. Sunday worship service on YouTube live, click on the live worship link on the RELC home page on Sunday mornings during the worship hour and be redirected to the YouTube live stream. The Live Stream will "go live" at 9:55 a.m. on each Sunday morning. To view the service at a later time, go to our YouTube Channel. Click on the videos tab to browse archives of past services. Click on the Subscribe button and create an account to be notified when Live Streams are started or when other videos are added. For any questions, please contact the pastor.
Alexandra Mattson, the editor of our quarterly “Steeple Light” newsletter, is, at present, also serving as the editor of our Weekly Announcements messages, working closely with Council President Leslie Nolen. If you have any items that you wish to communicate in the Weekly Announcements as committee chairs or those responsible for other ministry initiatives at Resurrection, please send them via email to both This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. by late Wednesday mornings for inclusion in the message for the coming Thursday. Thanks!
Please join us for a live stream of our 10:00am Worship Serivce on Sunday, December 3, 2023, the First Sunday of Advent. If you missed the service, then please click below for a replay.
Readings for December 3, 2023 (PDF)RELC Worship Bulletin for December 3, 2023 (PDF)Please be aware that there may be moments of silence during the hymns, choral pieces, and organ voluntaries for which we have not been able to secure streaming rights from the music publishers. We apologize for this disruption and thank you for your understanding.
Sunday, November 26
9:00 a.m. - 9:45 a.m. — Sunday School in the Parish Hall.
10:00 a.m. — Worship: Pastor Harold (Harry) Therwanger. Our own Nicklaus will share his story of giving gifts because of the gift of Jesus. Please have the children bring a shoe to leave for St. Nick to fill.
Annual Holiday Wreath & Chrismon Ornament Making event following the worship service, in the Parish Hall.
The Village School will be holding a bake sale immediately after the worship service.
Join us online at 7:00 p.m. during the Wednesdays of Advent – December 6, 13 and 20, to pray and mediate using Luke: Chapter 1 in anticipation and setting the moment for the coming of Savior. Watch your email for a Zoom link.
This Sunday, we begin a new church year with the season of Advent, from the Latin for “arriving.” We use these weeks of Advent to prepare again to celebrate the first coming of our Savior as the “Babe of Bethlehem,” while also preparing our hearts to look forward to meeting him in his second coming at the end of time. It is a season of reflection and anticipation. As a sign and reminder of the season we will be invited to kneel at the rail during the distribution of Holy Communion.
During this Church Year, our gospel readings will be drawn mostly from Mark’s account of the Savior’s earthly life and mission. Since Mark is also the shortest gospel, many texts from John will also be included.
Most scholars believe that Mark is the oldest of the gospel accounts and anticipates a mostly gentile audience, as we will see as we travel through Mark’s sharing of the gospel story.
Our Advent Devotional booklets and Advent Calendars, which will be handed out after service this Sunday, December 3, will respond to this thematic question with the hope and joy offered in Luke 1.
Join us online at 7:00 p.m. during the Wednesdays of Advent – December 6, 13 and 20, to pray and mediate using Luke: Chapter 1 in anticipation and setting the moment for the coming of Savior. Watch your email for a Zoom link.
Notice the frontal on the altar is part of the artwork of our theme. In the coming of the Christ at Bethlehem, God steps into time and space to heal the whole cosmos. The backdrop reminds us of the cosmic importance of the incarnation and the two figures embracing are to remind us of Mary and Elizabeth embracing with great joy and surprise. In this season of preparation may we embrace joy and be surprised and delighted again at The Word Made Flesh.
Blessed Advent Dear Church!
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Hear the Story of St. Nicklaus on Sunday, December 3The legend of Santa Claus is rooted in a real person, Nicklaus, Bishop of Myra in Asia Minor in the early 4th century A.D. He also participated in the Council of Nicaea. So, he was a part of the drafting of what we today call the Nicene Creed. Come to hear more of St. Nicklaus' story in church on Sunday, December 3rd. Our own Nicklaus will share his story of giving gifts because of the gift of Jesus. Have the children bring a shoe to leave for St. Nick to fill. |
Due to two of our volunteers leaving us, the Music at Resurrection committee is looking for two or three more people to join our committee. We meet once or twice a year (sometimes just by email) and we (try) to plan one or two concerts a year, normally in the spring and fall (always open for suggestions!). I, most likely, would be the coordinator of these concerts, unless you have a burning desire to do so! We also plan and bring snacks to the receptions after the concert. It is not rocket science, and more hands make less work! If you are interested in joining this committee or have any questions, please contact me, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., or seek me out in the choir before or after the service. Thank you!
Lutheran World Relief Quilt Assembly started on Tuesday, October 10. We will meet on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of every month at 10:00 a.m. in Room 209 to layout, pin and tie quilts. No sewing experience is needed. You can sit to help us. Many hands make light work. Call 703-944-3462 if the Church door is locked. Thanks! Gail Flatness.
We will receive donations of food items for AFAC on Sunday, December 3, in conjunction with our regular worship service. In the coming weeks, December 17 will also be an AFAC Sunday.
Mark your calendars for our Annual Holiday Wreath Making event on Sunday, December 3, following the worship service, in the Parish Hall. We will also be making Chrismon ornaments. Please come help us make these beautiful gold and glittery signs of the season.
Sign-up sheets will be available in the Narthex and in the Parish Hall. The suggested donation for all of the supplies is $10.00, which will benefit our youth attending the ELCA National Youth Gathering in 2024.
This Sunday, December 3rd will be the kick-off to what will be a year-long project to restore and/or replace our Chrismon ornaments. More information to follow. We do hope that all of the Resurrection families, no matter what size, will get involved. Please This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 703-625-7391.
Also on Sunday, December 3, The Village School will be holding a bake sale immediately following the 10:00 a.m. church service. Please come to learn more about the Village School, meet some of their students, and support their annual fundraising campaign. More information about the Village School is available on their website.
We are also collecting gift cards and donations to benefit the children of their incarcerated parents for the Offender Aid and Restoration (OAR) “Winter Cheer Project” through RELC’s Social Ministry group. There will be a basket in the Narthex to collect gift cards and donations until Sunday, December 10. Please donate gift cards preferably in increments of $25. Thank you!
Looking for a gift for the person who already has everything they need? Gifts of Hope could be your answer! A range of gift amounts that support Lutheran and other faith-based social service agencies, many of which serve the local D.C. area. Remember your loved one and support organizations like N Street Village and the Villages at Rockville. A catalog is available in the Narthex and gifts can be purchased online at https://metrodcelca.org/gifts-of-hope/ For more information, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Please join us on Sunday, December 17, after the service to help decorate and make the church festive for Christmas. Many hands are needed, and all ages are welcome!
Due to a busy Advent schedule, we are announcing the 1st RELC 30-Minute Decorating Marathon with special Coffee Hour on Sunday, December 17th. Look for a sign-up sheet starting on Sunday, December 3rd. Questions? Please This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. at 703-625-7391.
If you have holiday lights that are beyond repair, you can bring them to church and deposit them in the designated box in the narthex. The Creation Care Team will take them to eAssets to be recycled. Last year we collected over 50 strands of lights for recycling!
Resurrection is continuing to work on updating its membership directory with the most current, accurate and preferred contact information. Member Information forms are available in the Narthex. Please complete one, even if your information has not changed, and consider including a photo!
To add a name to be included in Sunday Intercessions during worship, please email or phone Pastor Harry by Thursday evening. The name will be included for one week, and if you wish to continue having someone named in the prayers, please update Pastor each week.
With Fall underway and Winter not far behind, the Council approved the RELC Reopening Group (COVID Group) recommendation that the current "Masks Optional" policy is still appropriate (see below) with one change: for communion, ushers must wear masks along with communion assistants and the pastor. Mask wearing for ushers is optional at all other times. The COVID Group will continue monitoring CDC guidelines for COVID and other infectious concerns, and act accordingly.
Congregants are strongly encouraged to adhere to the following guidelines:
Masks are not required, but everyone should feel comfortable wearing a mask at any time, particularly those at high risk for severe illness.
Pastors, communion assistants, and ushers will wear masks for communion.
To the extent possible, congregants should maintain a safe distance in the pews when sharing the Peace of Christ with prayer hands and taking communion. Hand sanitizers will remain available throughout the church.
The wearing of masks in Sunday School will continue to be guided by parents.
The CDC recommends staying up-to-date with COVID vaccines and isolating at home if symptoms do occur, if one receives a positive test or if one is exposed to someone with COVID.
To view our 10:00 a.m. Sunday worship service on YouTube live, click on the live worship link on the RELC home page on Sunday mornings during the worship hour and be redirected to the YouTube live stream. The Live Stream will "go live" at 9:55 a.m. on each Sunday morning. To view the service at a later time, go to our YouTube Channel. Click on the videos tab to browse archives of past services. Click on the Subscribe button and create an account to be notified when Live Streams are started or when other videos are added. For any questions, please contact the pastor.
Alexandra Mattson, the editor of our quarterly “Steeple Light” newsletter, is, at present, also serving as the editor of our Weekly Announcements messages, working closely with Council President Leslie Nolen. If you have any items that you wish to communicate in the Weekly Announcements as committee chairs or those responsible for other ministry initiatives at Resurrection, please send them via email to both This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. by late Wednesday mornings for inclusion in the message for the coming Thursday. Thanks!
Service of Holy Communion will once again be held in the Sanctuary at 10:00am. Everyone is asked to wear a mask, regardless of vaccination status, and to maintain social dinstance out of respect for those who cannot receive or who have chosen not to receive a Covid vaccine. Please bring a small juice glass, so that you may receive wine with Communion.
Dr. Melvin S. Lange, pastor of Resurrection Lutheran Church from 1958 to 1971, prepared the theological material for the artist, Roy Calligan, of the Hunt Stained Glass Studios in Pittsburgh, PA. The meaning of each of the seventeen windows is indicated by a Bible verse. The theme begins with the window to the left of the lectern (when facing the altar) and proceeds around the nave toward the back, and then forward on the opposite side toward the last window to the right of the pulpit.
Stained Glass Windows Information
We are a church that strives to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with our God (Micah 6:8). We do justice by serving our community through our social outreach activities and through contributions of finances and member’s time to local programs, including, for example, Lutheran Social Services. We provide opportunities for a rich Christian education to our members and to the community. Many of our members are active in synod activities and in ecumenical activities with other Christians.
We love kindness in the Christian work we do, often quietly but resolutely, for our members and for the community. Benevolence has always been a priority for our church, and we are a significant donor both in our financial resources and, perhaps more importantly to us, our member’s time. We are active with food assistance programs in the Arlington area and to other social service organizations.
We strive to walk humbly with our God in our worship services. We take liturgy, prayer, and music very seriously in our church as a path through which our parishioners can experience the word and sacrament in their lives. Finally, we are excited about offering the sacrament of communion to our parishioners at every Sunday service and believe it is important that we continue to do so.
