Corona Sabbath 14 Father’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 others in your social isolation group. 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 as well as music offered by Music Director Hilton Kean Jones. This week for Father’s Day, there is a special music video featuring the pictures of father figures contributed by the church family and music by a father and son and daughter-in-law from the congregation.

During these summer weeks, the theme being used in “Grounded.” Some of us feel that shelter-in-place feels like being grounded. Some would normally have travel plans and feel grounded. With the many challenges facing our society, it is important to feel grounded. So these Summer Sundays will focus on key concepts in Christianity that provide grounding. So, welcome to “Grounded.” This post focuses on grace.

You are invited to find a quiet space, inside or outside. Light a candle. Take a look around you. Breathe. Life-giving breath. Be present.

You may begin by offering this reading:

Oh, to grace how great a debtor daily I’m constrained to be!
Let this goodness like a fetter, bind my wandering heart to thee!

–From the hymn, Come, O Fount of Every Blessing, words by Robert Robinson based on Psalm 36:7-9

When you are ready, start the video below.

(For written text of the above video click HERE.)

On this Father’s Day, we give thanks for those who have had a fathering role in our lives. We give thanks for those who are fathers and have been fathers, offering themselves to the care and nurture of others.

You are invited to watch the video which follows featuring pictures of fathers contributed by the church family and accompanied by music from a father, son, and spouse trio.

Let us pray:

We give thanks for those who have shown us fathering love. We are grateful for those who have nurtured and provided for us. Those who have comforted us and helped us to grow. Those who have taken joy and delight in watching the circle of life continue!

We are mindful that so many who want to be fathers and share their fathering love are not able to do so. We think of those who are separated from their children, those who are in prison, and we remember the many fatherless children in our land and in our world.

We pray for those children who have had their father’s taken from them through violence or death.

We give thanks for neighbors, teachers, uncles, pastors, friends, who share their fathering love with children.

May we help to nurture into being a society that values all fathers and father figures and their importance in the lives of the others. May all children and young people know the support and nurture of fathering love. Amen.

As you listen to the music from Hilton which follows, you are invited to notice the thoughts and feelings and that arise for you.

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

Through many dangers, toils, and snares
I have already come.
’Tis grace hath brought me safe thus far,
And grace will lead me home.

–John Newton, Amazing Grace. Newton was a slave trader who became a Christian and joined the abolitionist movement.

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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.

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QUICK LINKS TO OUR RECENT POSTS DURING THE CORONA CRISIS:
Online Devotionals: https://lakewooducc.org/category/online-devotional/
Sermon Texts: https://lakewooducc.org/category/posts/sermon-texts/
For above links, please note “Older Posts” button near bottom of page.
Music: https://soundcloud.com/hilton-kean-jones/sets/music-at-lakewood