WHAT IS GOING ON AT CHURCH –
EV Charging Station
A new electrical vehicle charging station has been installed on the north side of the church building. This project was done in partnership with Duke Energy. Several people from the congregation were directly involved in assisting with the installation. Many thanks to Claire Stiles, Earl Waters, Bert Lee, and Jeff Wells.
Labyrinth Walks are being held as scheduled on Wednesday mornings at 9:00 through Lent. The dates are April 1st, and 8th. There will also be guided labyrinth walks on Good Friday at noon and Easter Sunday at 7:00 a.m. We feel given current information and restrictions that it is safe to hold this activity. It involves less than 10 people, it is outside, and the people can be at least 6 feet apart. Bring your own chair if you wish.
Corona Sabbath Posts
Each Friday, the church will post a devotional with readings, video from Kim, and music from Hilton. You are invited to access these at the website and observe the sabbath according to your schedule over the weekend. There will be a new one posted each week.
Please use the link below to view last week’s Corona Sabbath Post
https://lakewooducc.org/2020/03/19/corona-sabbath-1/
In addition to the weekly Corona Sabbath devotions on the website every Friday, Hilton is also posting music, mainly hymns, on the website daily. These are also posted on the church’s Twitter and Facebook accounts. You may find links to all the music posts on the website at https://lakewooducc.org/category/posts/music/ — note the “Older Posts” button a says down the page.
Corona Prayer
In response to the COVID-19 virus, the congregation is recommending that everyone in the church family pause at 9:00 a.m. each day, light a candle if you can (or put on the light on your cell phone. . .), and offer the prayer which follows. Doing this together in spirit will help us to feel connected and bonded as a congregation. You are encouraged to respond with a comment as part of our connecting as a church family and beyond.
This devotion is based on the mission statement of Lakewood United Church of Christ.
The mission of Lakewood United Church of Christ as part of the Church Universal –
In this time of global pandemic we realize that around the world people are facing the same threat. We are in solidarity as a species with common vulnerability. We are all at risk and we are all needed to cooperate in our response.
May we celebrate the presence and power of God in our lives and in our world –
We see the presence of Infinite Love the world over as people comply with drastic restrictions for the good of family, neighbors, friends, strangers, and even enemies. We give thanks for the sacrifice of so many especially in the medical science and healthcare professions. We are grateful for the generosity of compassion and care that we see around us.
May we offer the hospitality and inclusive love of Christ to all people –
In this time of social distancing, isolation, and quarantine may we reach out in love especially to those who feel lost, alone, and forgotten.
May we be mindful of the hardship this situation creates for children and families as well as elders.
May we extend kindness and compassion to those we encounter and may we convey support to our leaders, healthcare workers, and all those working to sustain society.
May we work for God’s peace and justice throughout Creation –
We realize that the restrictions and limitations forced upon us by this threat hit some people much harder than others. Disparities in access to healthcare, technology, and financial resources magnify the suffering facing humanity at this time. May we be aware and responsive to the needs of others as we are able.
We are also mindful that this time of reduced human activity is providing respite and renewal for the natural world which sustains us.
May this experience of unprecedented global threat strengthen the bonds of the web of life and deepen our connection to Infinite Love. Amen.
Church Website
This would be a good time to subscribe to the church website. As a subscriber, everything that is posted on the website will be sent to your email.
There’s now a new way to subscribe to posts from the church website by email. On any page of the website, look down the page for “Follow Blog via Email.” If you subscribed before, you’ll need to subscribe again with this new button. Notice, it’s right above the Paypal “Donate” button!
If you would like assistance with this, please contact the Church Office.
Reaching Out
While we are to maintain our physical distance, you are encouraged to reach out to someone from the church family at least once a week – a phone call, an email, a handwritten note – whatever works best for you. Please be in contact with one another.
In addition, please be in contact with people beyond the church family – friends, neighbors, public officials, health care workers – offering a word of gratitude or support or encouragement. These are hard times for many people. And many feel extremely isolated. So, reach out, but don’t touch!
A New Church Directory
To facilitate our efforts to be in contact, an updated church directory is being mailed to church members. If you would like a copy and do not receive one in the next week or so, please contact the Church Office.
Increased Spiritual Support
The church will be offering regular emails and posts offered as spiritual support for the congregation and beyond in these difficult days. If there is something you would like the church to share, please send it to the Church Office. Thank you!
Sundays. . .
On Sundays, Rev. Wells will be at church from 10:30-11:30. The peace candle will be lit and prayers will be offered. You are welcome to stop by to pray or meditate. The labyrinth is also available. This is a symbolic witness that the church is still here, is still serving, is still active, is still shining light – even in these drastically changed circumstances.
Help Offered
Several people from the congregation have offered to help others as needed. If you need something from the grocery store or help with an errand or some other kind of assistance, please contact the Church Office. There are those who are ready and willing.
Tithes and Offerings
While the nature of the ministry of the church is adapting to these pandemic circumstances, there are still staff to support and facilities and grounds to be maintained. So, please continue your financial support of the church and please increase that support as you are able. It is unlikely that the adult day care will be opening any time soon, so additional resources are needed to maintain the ministry of the church which is so very much needed in these uncertain times.
You may donate through Pay Pal at the Church website. The Church is also creating a Venmo account to receive any donations. You are welcome to send in checks or arrange electronic payment through your financial institution.
New Cleaning Routines
The church custodian, Tony Rogers, is being sure to thoroughly sanitize the building including door handles, faucets, etc. We are grateful for this increased effort.
WHAT IS NOT GOING ON AT CHURCH –
Green Fest St. Pete
Regular Sunday Services
Choir Rehearsal
Church School
About Hilton’s music. . . If you would enjoy hearing Hilton play more Irish folk songs, you can listen for free at either https://hiltonjones.bandcamp.com/album/irish-tunes or https://soundcloud.com/hilton-kean-jones/sets/irish-tunes.
Operation Attack: Operation Attack is very much in need of clothes for men, boys, and girls as well as diapers and peanut butter and canned fruit. Donations may be placed in the shopping cart in the entryway to the sanctuary. Volunteer dates are April 13 and May 11. They also need people to help on the first three Tuesdays of the month from 9:30-noon.
Operation Attack is an ecumenical effort serving families with children located at Lakeview Presbyterian Church, 1310 22nd. Ave. S., St. Petersburg. LUCC was a founding member of Operation Attack in the 1960’s!
March Birthdays: Claudia Rodriguez 3/3, Grace Lewis 3/13, Yvonne Riesen 3/13, Ron Huff 3/19, Earl Waters 3/25, Charlie Lewis 3/27, Marg Radens 3/31, Someone missing? Contact the church office with birthday information.
Circle of Concern: William Owen, Wilbur Reid, Martha Lamar, Tony Rogers, Dana Cosper, Sherry Santana, Jen Degroot, Carolyn Moore, Ann Quinn, Maggie Brizendine, and Ann Rogers.
New Office Hours: The Church Office will be open Monday – Thursday mornings from 9:30 until noon. The office will no longer be open on Friday mornings. Thank you!
Recent Posts:
- Won’t You Let Me Be Your Servant March 25, 2020
- How Can I Keep from Singing March 24, 2020
- My Faith It Is an Oaken Staff March 23, 2020
- Come, O Fount of Every Blessing March 22, 2020
- Pescador March 21, 2020
- LUCC Corona Daily Prayer March 20, 2020
- Corona Sabbath 1 March 19, 2020
Weekly Update: If you are involved with an activity or event that you would like to share with the LUCC family, please send the information to the Church Office by Tuesday since the Update usually is sent out on Wednesday.
Lakewood United Church of Christ 