GATHERING MUSIC
WELCOME and ANNOUNCEMENTS
LIGHTING THE PEACE CANDLE Kay Rencken, liturgist
If there is a divine spark
that is in me,
let it flame;
that I might be
consumed
for peace.
Erice Fairbrother, Aotearoa/New Zealand
PRELUDE I Sing a Song of the Saints of God John H. Hopkins
CALL TO WORSHIP The Iona Community, adapted
With the whole church
We affirm that we are made in God’s image,
befriended by Christ, and empowered by the Spirit.
With people everywhere
We affirm the goodness at the heart of humanity,
planted more deeply than all that is wrong.
With all creation
We celebrate the miracle and wonder of life;
the unfolding purposes of God,
forever at work in ourselves and the world.
MUSICAL REFLECTION Some Glad Morning Albert E. Brumley
SCRIPTURE LESSONS
Let us prepare ourselves for the word of God as it comes to us in the reading of Holy Scripture. Our hearts and minds are open.
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 and Matthew 5:14-16
For the word of God in scripture, for the word of God among us, for the word of God within us. Thanks be to God.
MODERN READING — Lineage Margaret Walker, 1915-1988, poet
LITANY OF REFLECTION
Let us reflect on the pilgrimage of life; on how we all come from the earth
and all return to its womb.
In death as in life, we are all one family.
Let us acknowledge that we share this experience with all living creatures
through the unity of nature.
In death as in life, we are all one family.
Let us give thanks for those who have gone before us, and for all the
memories that their lives brings to mind.
In death as in life, we are all one family.
In the strength of God’s love, let us determine to keep alive in ourselves
those qualities which we admire in our ancestors, for
In death as in life, we are all one family.
WORD OF REMEBERENCE The Congregation
PRAYER OF REMEMBRANCE Jewish Prayer
In the rising of the sun and in its going down,
we remember them.
In the glowing of the wind and in the chill of winter,
we remember them.
In the opening of buds and in the rebirth of spring,
we remember them.
In the blueness of the sky and in the warmth of summer,
we remember them.
In the rustling of leaves and in the beauty of autumn,
we remember them.
In the beginning of the year and when it ends,
we remember them.
When we are weary and in need of strength,
we remember them.
When we are lost and sick at heart,
we remember them.
When we have joys we yearn to share,
we remember them.
So long as we live, they too shall live,
for they are now a part of us, as
we remember them.
MUSICAL INTERLUDE Shall We Gather at the River Robert Lowry
MISSION STATEMENT
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 & in our world.
- Offer the hospitality and inclusive love of Christ to all people.
- Work for God’s peace and justice throughout creation.
MORNING OFFERING
Morning offerings may be brought forward and placed in the plates on the altar.
Offertory This Little Light of Mine Harry Dixon Loes
Prayer of Dedication Caeser Chavez
When we are honest with ourselves,
we must admit that our lives are all that really belong to us.
So it is how we use our lives that determines
what kind of people we are. Amen.
PREPARATION FOR PRAYER Sonata in A Major, Mov. II Franz Schubert
You are invited to write your prayer requests on the sheets provided in the bulletin and bring them forward and place them in the basket on the altar. Please observe physical distancing.
MORNING PRAYER-SAVIOR’S PRAYER
Our Creator in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power and the glory are yours now and forever. Amen.
* BENEDICTION The Iona Community, adapted
God of the past, who has fathered and mothered us,
We thank you.
God of the future, who is always ahead of us,
We trust you.
God of the present, here in our midst,
We praise you.
God of life beyond us, within us,
We rejoice in your glorious love.
*POSTLUDE Sine Nominee
Ralph Vaughn Williams/descants HKJ
For the safety and comfort of all, please wear a mask. Thank you!
Circle of Concern: Claire Stiles, Ann Quinn who is under Hospice Care, Jeff Wells, Dave Radens, William Owen-Cowan, Jen Degroot, Carolyn Moore, Ann Quinn, Maggie Brizendine, Janet Hall, All those suffering from COVID-19 and all healthcare workers, Schools: Students, families, teachers, and staff
Announcements
Facebook Live The 10:30 a.m. service is being streamed on Facebook Live.
Operation Attack OA needs donations of cereal, peanut butter, canned meat, fruit, vegetables and soup, dried beans, and mac/cheese. Donations may be placed on the shelf in the hallway at church.
Anti Racism Demonstrations The church will resume its witness against racism with weekly demonstrations along the sidewalk of 54th Ave. S. Make your own sign or use one of the signs at the church. Demonstrations will be held Sundays from 5:30-6 beginning Sunday October 3. In case of rain, the demonstration will not be held that week.
Wednesday Workshops Ahead! The Florida Conference of the United Church of Christ is offering a series of Wednesday Workshops on Zoom at 7 p.m. These events are intended for people from all churches of the Florida Conference. Everyone is welcome and encouraged to participate. Here are the topics for the weeks ahead and information about how to tune in. The next workshop is Wednesday, Nov 03: Update from Immokalee
Lakewood United Church of Christ 2601 54th Ave. S. St. Petersburg, FL 33712
727-867-7961 lakewooducc@gmail.com Lakewooducc.org
On land originally inhabited by the Tocabaga
Lakewood United Church of Christ 