Corona Sabbath 8 Mother’s Day

These weeks when we cannot gather in person for Sunday worship, Lakewood United Church of Christ is providing brief weekly sabbath programs for you to listen to on your own or with those you live with. They will be posted on Friday so that you can schedule your sabbath time to suit your schedule and your spiritual inclinations. We hope these programs are of spiritual support to you in these difficult times.

There is a scripture reading and a brief meditation by Pastor Kim Wells followed by music offered by Music Director Hilton Kean Jones. This week, in honor of Mother’s Day there is a music video featuring pictures of mothers and mother figures that were contributed by the LUCC family.

Find a quiet place, inside or outside. Light a candle. Perhaps have something present that reminds you of your mother or someone important to you who offered you mothering love. Breathe. Be present.

You may begin by offering these words from the original Mother’s Day Proclamation of Julia Ward Howe in 1870. Though written in the aftermath of the Civil War, the words still offer inspiration to us today.

Arise, then, women of this day! Arise, all women who have hearts, whether your baptism be that of water or tears!

Say firmly: “We will not have great questions decided by irrelevant agencies. Our husbands shall not come to us, reeking with carnage, for caresses and applause. Our sons shall not be taken from us to unlearn all that we have taught them of charity, mercy and patience. We, women of one country, will be too tender of those of another to allow our sons to be trained to injure theirs.”

From the bosom of a devastated Earth, a voice goes up with our own. It says, “Disarm, Disarm! The sword of murder is not the balance of justice.”

When you are ready, start the video below.

(For written text of video click HERE.)

As you listen to the music video below prepared by Hilton using the pictures of mothers contributed by the church family, you are invited to notice the thoughts and feelings and that arise for you around Mother’s Day. The music video begins in silence.

After viewing the video, you are invited to offer the following closing –

“The world is round and the place which may seem like the end may also be the beginning.”
— Ivy Baker Priest, 20th century

Breathe. Extinguish your candle and engage whatever may come with a sense of peace and a desire to serve.

LAKEWOOD UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST

• A Just Peace Church
  An Open and Affirming Church
  A Creation Justice Church
• 2601 54th Avenue South, St Petersburg, FL 33712-4700
  (727) 867-7961‎
  see the Contact page for
  map, personnel, and email addresses

The mission of Lakewood United Church of Christ, as part of the Church Universal, is to:

• Celebrate the presence and power of God in our lives and in our world;
• Offer the hospitality and inclusive love of Christ to all people;
• Work for God’s peace and justice throughout creation.

QUICK LINKS TO OUR RECENT POSTS DURING THE CORONA CRISIS:
Sermon videos: https://lakewooducc.org/category/online-devotional/
Sermon texts: https://lakewooducc.org/category/posts/sermon-texts/
Posts containing music: https://lakewooducc.org/category/posts/music/
For all links, please note “Older Posts” button near bottom of page.