WELCOME and ANNOUNCEMENTS
LIGHTING THE PEACE CANDLE Sally Purvis, liturgist
When your mother shouts at you,
Please don’t be angry
Because she is very tired.
When your teacher criticizes you,
Please don’t be angry.
You may have made some mistake.
When your boyfriend doesn’t love you,
Please don’t hate him.
Maybe love goes away.
If you can do that,
You will be happy.
Please enjoy your life.
Qiang Wei (Alice), China
PRELUDE
OPENING READING- First Coming Madeleine L’Engle
God did not wait till the world was ready,
till . . . nations were at peace.
God came when the Heavens were unsteady,
and prisoners cried out for release.
God did not wait for the perfect time.
God came when the need was deep and great.
God dined with sinners in all their grime,
turned water into wine. God did not wait
till hearts were pure. In joy God came
to a tarnished world of sin and doubt.
To a world like ours, of anguished shame
God came, and God’s light would not go out.
God came to a world which did not mesh,
to heal its tangles, shield its scorn.
In the mystery of the Word made Flesh
the Maker of the stars was born.
We cannot wait till the world is sane
to raise our songs with joyful voice,
for to share our grief, to touch our pain,
God came with Love: Rejoice! Rejoice!
MUSICAL REFLECTION
LIGHTING THE ADVENT CANDLE- Hope
Unison Prayer
We give thanks for the many ways that hope is made manifest in our lives and in our world. We need the gift of hope to sustain us on life’s journey. May we look for signs of hope in the darkening days of this Advent season. May we be signs of hope for the world. Amen.
Musical response
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.
Jeremiah 33:14-16 and Luke 21:25-36
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- From Mysticism Evelyn Underhill, 1875-1941
SERMON Receive the Gift: On the Look Out Rev. Kim P. Wells
UNISON READING- The Bright Field R. S. Thomas,1913-2000
I have seen the sun break through
to illuminate a small field
for a while, and gone my way
and forgotten it. But that was the pearl
of great price, the one field that had
treasure in it. I realize now
that I must give all that I have
to possess it. Life is not hurrying
on to a receding future, nor hankering after
an imagined past. It is the turning
aside like Moses to the miracle
of the lit bush, to a brightness
that seemed as transitory as your youth
once, but is the eternity that awaits you.
MUSICAL INTERLUDE
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. If you would like assistance, please turn to someone seated near you.
Offertory
Prayer of Dedication Emmanuel Levinas, 1902-1995
To know God means to know what has to be done. Amen.
PREPARATION FOR PRAYER
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
Fathering and Mothering God, lover of us all, most holy one.
Help us to respond to you
To create what you want for us here on earth.
Give us today enough for our needs.
Forgive our weak and deliberate offenses,
Just as we must forgive others when they hurt us.
Help us to resist evil and to do what is good.
For we are yours, endowed with your power to make the world whole.
Amen.
*BENEDICTION Angeles Arrien, adapted
Gratitude before us,
gratitude behind us,
gratitude to the left of us,
gratitude to the right of us,
gratitude above us,
gratitude below us,
gratitude within us,
gratitude all around us. Amen.
*POSTLUDE
Circle of Concern: Deanna Moore, Ann Quinn who is under Hospice Care, Dave Radens, William Owen-Cowan, Jen Degroot, Carolyn Moore, 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 – New Time The church offers a 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 are held Sundays from 4:30-5. In case of rain, the demonstration will not be held that week.
Decorating the Sanctuary for the Advent Season All who are available are invited to assist in decorating the church sanctuary for the holiday season. This will happen under the direction of Colleen Coughenour on Wednesday Dec. 1 at 11:00 a.m. Many thanks to all who will be part of this endeavor. The festive decor does much to lift the spirit!
For the safety and comfort of all, please wear a mask. Thank you!
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 