Schedule for the Coming Week at Resurrection Church
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.
Holiday Worship Service Schedule
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 Theme This Advent Is, “How Does A Weary World Rejoice?”
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!
Music at Resurrection
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 Began on October 10
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.
Collection of Food Items for AFAC on Sunday, December 17
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.
RELC Chrismon Ornament Restoration/Replacement Project
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.
RELC’s Social Ministry Collection for the Offender Aid and Restoration (OAR) “Winter Cheer Project”
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!
Gifts of Hope
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..
Help Decorate the Church for Christmas
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.
Holiday Lights Recycling
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!
Please Update Member Information
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!
Including a Name in Sunday Prayers
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.
COVID Update for the Fall/Winter
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.
Can't make it to church? Watch us Live! Now Livestreaming Worship
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.
Other Announcements?
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!