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.
The first Sunday in October is designated as World Communion Sunday. It may be some time before we are able to meet together in person and share a crust of bread and a sip of juice. But we needn’t wait a moment to more fully engage love of self and love of neighbor which brings us into fuller communion with the world.
The post this week focuses on the call to love self and neighbor. It includes a reflection from Rev. Kim Wells and a musical offering from Hilton Jones. We hope this post helps to feed your spirit in these conflicted times.
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 with this reading:
If you love the justice of Jesus Christ more than you fear human judgment then you will seek to do compassion. Compassion means that if I see my friend and my enemy in equal need, I shall help them both equally. Justice demands that we seek and find the stranger, the broken, the prisoner and comfort them and offer them our help. Here lies the holy compassion of God that causes the devils much distress.
–Mechthild of Magdeburg 1207-1282
When you are ready, click the link immediately below for Rev. Kim’s Reflection.
(For written text of the above video click HERE.)
As you watch and listen to the music video which follows, you are invited to notice the thoughts and feelings that arise for you.
After viewing the music video, you are invited to offer the following closing –
Love your fellow beings—
for they are all
tabernacles of God.–Mechthild of Magdeburg 1207-1282
Breathe. Breathe again. Be filled. With the desire to love. 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.
USEFUL LAKEWOOD LINKS DURING THE CORONA CRISIS:
- Corona Sabbath Posts
- Sermon and Reflection Texts
- Music at Lakewood
- Lakewood UCC YouTube Channel
- Lakewood UCC on Twitter
- Lakewood on Facebook
- Lakewood on Instagram
Lakewood United Church of Christ 