LAKEWOOD UNITED CHURCH of CHRIST
2601 54th Avenue South, St Petersburg, FL 33712-4700
(727) 867-7961 ~ lakewooducc.org
COMING LAKEWOOD UCC EVENTS
| SUN, FEB 4 | THIS SUNDAY: This Sunday the service focuses on one of the healing stories in the first chapter of Mark. How can faith be healing today? See Mark 1:29-39. |
| SUN, FEB 4 | COMMUNION: All are welcome to participate in communion at Lakewood UCC, children at the discretion of the adults who brought them. The communion offering goes to the Special Needs Fund which is used to help people in our community and the congregation with basic necessities such as food, rent, utilities, and prescription medication costs. Please be generous as you are able. |
| SUN, FEB 4 | CONGREGATIONAL MEETING: There will be a congregational meeting following worship on Sunday February 4th. All are encouraged to participate! Here is the tentative agenda:
Call to Order
Other comments, suggestions, etc. |
| WED, FEB 14 | ASH WEDNESDAY: There will be a beautiful outdoor service on Wednesday, February 14th from 7-8pm around a fire next to the lake at Chip and Dana Coper’s home. It is a service of reflection on the season of Lent as a time of repentance and renewal. The service will include communion and the imposition of ashes. Bring an outdoor chair if you can. And a stick. If transportation is needed, please contact the church office by phone (727.867.7961) or email. |
| SAT, MAR 3 | MEMORIAL SERVICE: Gertrude (Gertie) Pirazzini died on Wednesday January 17th, she was 89 years old. Condolences go to her family and friends, especially Kim and Jeff Wells, her daughter and son-in-law. A service to celebrate her life will be held on Saturday, March 3rd here in Lakewood’s Sanctuary at 11am with luncheon to follow in Fellowship Hall. |
| SAT, MAR 24 | GREENFEST: Wally is considering having a booth once again at IRB Greenfest representing LUCC. If you are interested in volunteering for 2 or 3 hours on the day of the event or assisting with preparations beforehand please email Wally. The 11th Annual Indian Rocks Beach Greenfest will be March 24th from 10am to 5pm on the block of 24th Avenue & 1st Street in Indian Rocks Beach. |
| SUN, FEB 28 | MANY THANKS: Wally LeBlanc dedicated a painting entitled “Beyond the Rainbow” at Lakewood UCC last Sunday. See photos here. |
COMMUNITY EVENTS
| SAT, FEB 3 | STORYTELLING WORKSHOP: First Congregational United Church of Christ in Sarasota and the Florida Conference will sponsor a workshop by acclaimed storyteller Valerie Tutson Saturday, 3 February from 10am to 3pm at First Congregational UCC (1031 S. Euclid Ave. in Sarasota). During the workshop, “Storytelling as a Spiritual Practice,” Valerie will invite participants to explore and experience the wonder of stories — our own and others. Admission is free, and lunch will be served. However, registration is required, and the registration deadline is 31 January. A free will offering will take place at the end of the workshop to defray costs. For more information, you may call the church at (941) 953-7044. Visit uccfla to register. |
| SAT, FEB 10 | PRAYER BREAKFAST: Celebrate Black History by attending the Legacy Prayer Breakfast on Saturday, 10 February at 10am at Maximo Presbyterian Church (3200 58th Ave S). Aramis Ayala, the State Attorney for for Orange and Seminole Counties, will be speaking. Admission is $15 per person. |
| TUE, FEB 13 | GUN VIOLENCE EVENT: Gun violence has touched a broad cross section of our city and our country, and remains a persistent public safety issue. The League of Women Voters of the St. Petersburg Area invites you to hear local community leaders share their personal stories and professional insights and then join in exploring how we can take personal and collective action. A primary focus will be the impact on families, children and adolescents. LUCC is a community partner for Preventing Gun Violence: A Community Conversation. It will be held Tuesday, 13 February from 7-8:30pm at Allendale United Methodist Church sanctuary (3803 Haines Rd). |
| FRI, FEB 16 | CONCERT: One City Chorus Concert featuring the One City Chorus and the Urban Gypsies will be Friday, 16 February at 7:30pm at the Palladium (253 5th Ave N). Music is themed around justice and civil rights. Jeff Wells from LUCC and Leslie Ethredge from the UCC Florida Conference staff sing with the One City Chorus. The Chorus also rehearses occasionally at LUCC when the Carter Woodson Museum is not available. |
| FEB 16-24 | FILM FESTIVAL:The 2018 “Visions of Nature/Voices of Nature,” Environmental Film Festival will be held February 16-24. For 20 years, the Environmental Film Festival has brought compelling and important films to the Tampa Bay area to raise awareness and promote discussion of matters relating to nature, place and the environment. Film scholars and filmmakers from around the world engage the audience in a lively dialogue about the environmental perspectives contained in documentary, animated, experimental and feature films. Free and open to the public. Visit environmentalfilmfest.com to see the schedule. |
| SAT, MAR 3 | UCC WOMEN’S LUNCH: The Central West Coast Annual Regional Meeting & Luncheon for UCC Women will be March 3rd from 10:00am to 1:30pm at Pilgrim UCC (6315 Central Ave). The theme will be: “Untold Stories: The Unconquered Seminoles” Presented by Barb Coons, State Treasurer. 9:15am Registration in Fellowship Hall. Program begins at 10:00 a.m. Lunch will be served, Cost is $8.00 per person. Please bring nonperishable food items for the Good Samaritan UCC food pantry in Pinellas Park. To ensure there is enough lunch for everyone, please submit your registration with Payment by February 24th. Registration forms are on the bulletin board in the narthex. If you don’t get it mailed in time and plan on attending, please contact Eleanor Rouse by phone (727.215.4752) or email. |
CONTINUING LAKEWOOD UCC EVENTS
| AA: In the Fellowship Hall Thursdays at 7:45 p.m. |
 ANNOUNCEMENTS WELCOME: To have an announcement put in the bulletin or weekly update, please turn it into the church office by Wednesday at noon. Email, or voicemail, as well as written material is welcome. The church is glad to share activities and news from members and friends. |
| THERE IS HOPE – COMMUNITY: Wally LeBlanc has cards and paintings featuring his artwork for sale. The proceeds will be donated to the roof fund and other community ministries. Thank you, Wally! |
| THE BIBLE ON REFUGEES AND IMMIGRANTS: As Christians, we are called to love our neighbors. The Bible is unambiguous in calling us to welcome aliens and strangers in our land, and to love them as we love ourselves. In these times, let us listen to the voice of the still-speaking God. Visit ucc.org for a list of biblical references to immigrants and refugees. |
| CONTACTING YOUR REPRESENTATIVES IN WASHINGTON: If you are interested in calling, emailing or writing your representatives in congress, here is some contact information:
Senator Bill Nelson Senator Marco Rubio Dist. 14: Rep. Kathy Castor District 13: Rep. Charlie Crist If you are living outside Florida or local districts, you may phone your Member of Congress by calling the U.S. Capitol Switchboard (202) 224-3121. Visit americantrails.org for additional contact information. |
 ELECTRONIC GIVING: The church offers several options for electronic giving. There are information sheets and sign up forms available in the sanctuary and the church office. For additional information, please contact Bill Parsons or Adrien Helm. |
| NEW MEMBERS: Lakewood UCC is always ready to welcome new members into the church family. Joining the church involves attending an orientation session and being part of a Reception of New Members ritual during Sunday morning worship. |
| FREE BOOKS: Did you know that there are not only books to borrow in the church library but books being given away for free. Take a peek at the great selection. Many new titles have been added including a selection of books for children. |
| FREE ECO-THEOLOGY COURSE: Yale is offering three free courses centering on eco-theologian Thomas Berry and the application of his work and writing to understanding the gift of God’s creation and our relationship to it. This is an excellent opportunity for individuals or small groups in churches to participate in the course. Learn more about this exciting opportunity at coursera.org. |
| GUN VIOLENCE INFORMATION PAMPHLET: Copies of a Gun Violence information pamphlet are available. This resource was created by Grace Lewis of the LUCC congregation to educate the public about gun violence. They are located at the back of the sanctuary, or you can download one here. Please take them and share them. |
 NEW EZ PODCASTS!!! No downloading! Just click and play! Try it! Just click on the little orange circle with the white arrow in it. Only one click and it plays! Every week, a new podcast is posted on the church website. All our streamable podcasts are at https://soundcloud.com/luccpodcasts – please tell your friends who might enjoy listening! Keep checking back, more and more will be added each week. |
 RECYCLE: Recycle your print cartridges, cell phones, and all paper. At this time we CANNOT recycle toner cartridges, only inkjet cartridges. Keep it coming in! Many thanks to all who contribute to the church recycling. This income stream helps the ministry of the church. |
| USHERS NEEDED: Please see or email Wally LeBlanc if you would like to volunteer to usher for services. |
| WEBSITE — lakewooducc.org: Everything you always wanted to know about the church. Go ahead and ask. The information is probably at the church website. You can subscribe and have updates and comments automatically sent to your email address. See the homepage for details. You can also keep connected with on Facebook and on Twitter. |
 YOUNG PEOPLE AT LAKEWOOD: Children and young people are a vital part of the LUCC family. Middle School age children and younger are invited to participate in Church School with Grace Lewis. Preschool children are welcome in the Nursery under the able care of Claudia Rodriguez. All children return to the sanctuary during the offering so they can participate at the end of the worship service. Children and young people are an integral part of this church family and the intergenerational relationships that form in this small congregation are truly a blessing! |
CIRCLE OF CONCERN
Betty Harris, Ruth Halderman, Ruth Harrington, Ron Huff, Carolyn Moore, Willy Zessoules, Genevieve Jackle, Gertie Pirazzini’s family and friends, Ann Quinn, Earl Waters
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