Midweek Announcements for September 23, 2020

A New Bible Study on Selected Passages from Matthew via Zoom

A small group of persons has expressed interest in engaging selected passages from the Gospel of Matthew, with special attention to the Sermon on the Mount. Beginning on Monday evening, October 5 at 6:30 this group will convene for the first time via Zoom, led by Pastor Linman, to delve into the Sermon on the Mount in studied and devotional ways. This core group also wants to extend an invitation to other members of the congregation and friends to join in this study. Each session will last about an hour. If you are interested in participating, please contact Pastor Linman at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to express your intent to join in this new Bible Study during the remaining months of this liturgical year’s focus on Matthew’s Gospel.

RELC Door Access

Please be advised that the alarm system issues have been resolved. Immediately, you may begin to use your key cards to enter the building. We send out a very special thank you to the Property Committee and all those who assisted with this concern. Thank you also to our RELC members and patrons, for the patience that you offered while we solved this matter.

Blessing of Pets on St. Francis Day

St. Francis Day happens to fall on a Sunday this year. In keeping with Resurrection tradition, we will offer blessings for your pets on this day, Sunday, October 4, in ways in keeping with our pandemic-related routines – outdoors in physically distanced ways. Pastor Linman will be available to bless your pets during the time of the collection of food items for AFAC, 11:00 am to 1:00. So, along with your food donations, bring your pets (or photos of your beloved animals for prayer if it’s not convenient to take them outdoors). The Fellowship Committee will provide pet treats.

The best ways to contact Pastor Linman

Here are the best and most direct ways to contact Pastor Linman. The email address given for his professional and pastoral use is: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Pastor Linman’s direct dial phone number in the church office is: 703-972-2076. Please leave a message there if Pastor does not answer. He monitors and responds to his messages throughout the day even when he's not in the office. Thank you. I look forward to hearing from you.

Other Announcements?

Should you have announcements that you wish to communicate in this weekly message as committee chairs or those responsible for other ministry initiatives at Resurrection, please contact Monika at the office (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) by late Monday mornings for inclusion in the message for the coming Wednesday. Thanks!

Children’s Ministry

ZOOM time with Ms. Angie and the kids will take a break through the end of September. An email will be coming shortly so we can plan the best time for our continued ZOOM's, that will fit everyone's schedule, now that school is in session. Our Wine and Whine event for parents continues every other Friday, beginning at 7:30, September 25, October 9 and 23. If you do not receive emails from me and are interested in any of the above, please reach out to Angie Brookeat: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. OR call 703 972-2086.

Youth Ministry

Provided is a Home Faith Formation Calendar, updated each week with the following week’s recorded content. For those who couldn’t tune in live, see those resources available to you now. Check out too suggestive home activities, lectionary readings, and resources for racial justice for all ages.

ELCA Metro D.C. Synod News

National Hispanic Heritage Month

National Hispanic Heritage month has begun and will continue through October 15th. Hispanic Heritage Month recognizes and celebrates the contributions Americans tracing their roots to Spain, Mexico, Central America, South American and the Spanish-speaking nations of the Caribbean have made to American society and culture.

In the spirit of this month, Rev. Franklin Morales shares his story of faith, calling into the Lutheran Church and immigration to the United States. Click here to read the article.

Give now for wildfire relief

Imagine you’re home and you hear a knock at the door. An official tells you to pack your essentials and evacuate, as a wildfire is speeding toward you. This is the situation many of our neighbors in the western part of the country are facing right now. Fueled by a heat wave and unfavorable winds, devastating wildfires are raging across California, Oregon, Washington and other western states. At least 20 people have died, hundreds of thousands of people are under evacuation orders and more than 3.5 million acres have burned across the three states. Some evacuees face the difficult decision of whether to stay in a shelter during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Lutheran Disaster Response is engaging with at least three Lutheran social services agencies and five synods to assess the situation and determine the best ways to respond. We expect immediate needs may include food and other necessities, as well as emotional and spiritual care for those who have been traumatized.

Your gifts will support wildfire survivors. Gifts to "U.S. wildfires" will be used in full (100%) to assist those affected by wildfires until the response is complete. Click here to donate to LDR.

$624,000 in Humanitarian Aid Destroyed in Beirut Explosion

Lutheran World Relief recently learned that three 40-foot shipping containers filled with thousands of handmade mission quilts and school, personal and baby care kits were destroyed in the devastating August 4 explosions at the port of Beirut, Lebanon.

The shipment was destined for refugees living in Lebanon, principally from Syria and the Palestinian territories. The containers were part of a shipment to be distributed by Anera, an NGO and longtime Lutheran World Relief partner that serves refugees and other vulnerable communities in the Middle East. The total value of the lost shipments was approximately $624,000.

The loss of more than 47,000 quilts, sewn by individuals and members of Lutheran congregations across the U.S., could mean a more bitter winter for thousands of refugees. Help replace the kits and quilts by learning more here. To donate, visit https://lwr.org/beirut

Season of Creation Devotions for September 1 - October 4

Bishop Elizabeth A. Eaton and leaders from The Episcopal Church, the Anglican Church of Canada and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada have prepared a series of devotions to observe the Season of Creation 2020, Sept. 1–Oct. 4.

In the opening devotion, the leaders stress the significance of a collective responsibility in caring for creation. "Waking up to matters of climate justice and environmental stewardship are among the most important callings people have today. Over many years, through many voices, our churches have come to a growing conviction that loving our neighbor includes loving Mother Earth as a neighbor."

Please click here to access devotions.

Support Mar-Lu-Ridge
Walkathon on September 27, Virtual Option Available

The annual Walkathon to raise gifts for the year-round ministry of Mar-Lu-Ridge will take place in person, Sunday, September 27. Face masks and distancing are encouraged. No pets, please. Come home to MLR for a day of fellowship, exercise, and worship!

1:00 p.m. – registration begins at the pavilion

1:30 p.m. – walk begins (walk the camp road or hike on the trails)

3:30 p.m. – a grab-and-go supper will be available

4:00 p.m. – outdoor worship

AFAC Food Collection
When: October 4th and 18th, from 11:00am – 1:00pm
Where: Washington Blvd. Entrance

RELC will continue collecting food donations for AFAC every two weeks. Our next collection will be Sunday, October 4th, from 11:00am to 1:00pm at the Washington Blvd entrance. Due to the pandemic, the need for food is increasing daily. AFAC needs canned vegetables , cereal (low sugar), canned tuna, canned tomato products (stewed, diced, paste), and peanut butter (in plastic jars). Members of the Social Ministry Committee will be there to assist you with your donation. Monetary contributions, which enable AFAC to purchase more perishable items are accepted and welcomed. All donations will be delivered to AFAC Monday morning. We will also collect for Doorways and A-SPAN. Doorways and A-SPAN especially need protein bars, cereal bars and household items including cleaning sprays, paper towels, trash bags, masks, gloves, hand sanitizer, and full-size toiletries. Monetary contributions, (checks made payable to AFAC, Doorways or A-SPAN) are welcomed. RELC offerings will also be accepted. Any questions? Contact Edd Nolen , This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 703-533-2953.

Financial Update

September Financial Update. The below chart is a summary of RELC’s finances for the year to date as of August 31, 2020. The columns titled “(a) YTD Giving,” “(b) YTD Expenses” and “(c) Giving minus Expenses” provide key data for our three primary financial funds. This data shows that our giving is below our actual expenses for the YTD and well below our giving levels for this time last year. We continue to see the negative impact of the cancellation of Sunday services on our giving and slowed giving common during the summer months. Please continue to send in your weekly contributions which can be made through Simply Giving, by using the “Donate Now” button on RELC’s website or by sending your contribution check to the church office in the US Mail.

Please prayerfully consider what this information means to you as we work together to support RELC’s ministries. 

  (a) YTD Giving(b) YTD Expenses(c) Giving-Expenses(d) Giving as %
of Budget
(e) Change from
2019 Giving
General Fund 231,420 254,285 (22,865) 66% (19,525)
Benevolence 41,366 32,114 9,252 63% (2,209)
Renovation 14,240 831 13,409 106% (1,930)
TOTAL 287,026 287,230 (204) 67% (23,664)


RELC Offerings

Our community is facing a challenging time as it continues to deal with the coronavirus pandemic and the economic damage resulting from business closures, now compounded by the suffering of racial injustice. Despite our separation, it’s important for us to maintain our financial support for the church and its ministries in the community – and, if possible, to considering increasing that support to address our neighbors’ immediate needs. As our church determines how it can best serve the community, please ensure that it has the resources needed to provide that help. You can make your offering by using the “Donate Now” button on the RELC website or by mailing your offering to our office at 6201 Washington Blvd., Arlington, VA, 22205.

Care Takers For RELC’s Plot Against Hunger Garden

Our Plot Against Hunger garden is in full swing! We are looking for a few more people to help us water, weed, and harvest during the summer. Please sign up on this link to volunteer for a week of watering the RELC garden: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/9040a4babad2cabff2-help. If you have any questions, please contact Kristen Wine (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) or Monica Hirschberg (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.). We appreciate your help!