WELCOME and ANNOUNCEMENTS
LIGHTING THE PEACE CANDLE Sherry Santana, liturgist
Where people are praying for peace the cause of peace is being strengthened by their very act of prayer, for they are themselves becoming immersed in the spirit of peace.
George MacLeod, 1895-1991
Founder of the Iona Community in Scotland
PRELUDE
CALL TO WORSHIP Judith Jessop, contemporary
We await the Christ,
the one who will reveal God to us.
He comes to us as sparkling light:
Twinkling with joy and playfulness.
He comes to us as everyday light:
Brightening the ordinary world around us.
He comes to us as softened light:
Creating a gentle, healing space in the shadows.
He comes to us as a focused spotlight:
Bringing truth and justice into stark relief.
This is the Light of the world —
Jesus Christ, coming to shine among us.
MUSICAL REFLECTION
LIGHTING THE ADVENT CANDLE- Peace
Unison Prayer
We give thanks for the many ways that peace is made manifest in
our lives and in our world. We need the gift of peace to sustain
us on life’s journey. May we look for signs of peace in the
darkening days of this Advent season. May we be signs of
peace for the world. Amen.
Musical response
SCRIPTURE READINGS
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.
Malachi 3:1-4 and Luke 3:1-6
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.
RESPONSIVE READING Hugh of St. Victor, 1096-1141
Brothers and sisters, it is now the season of the Lord’s’ coming,
and we must use the time to prepare ourselves by some spiritual
devotion.
We must strive to enter the house of our hearts,
open the windows,
and notice what is seemly and what is unseemly in that house.
We must brush away the cobwebs,
sweep the floors,
clean out the dust and dirt,
strew the clean floors with freshly gathered rushes,
fragrant herbs, and sweet-smelling flowers.
SERMON Receive the Gift: Repent! Rev. Kim P. Wells
RESPONSIVE READING- If You Came Thom M Shuman
If you came
with a fistful of anger,
who could endure?
But you come
with open hands,
eager to grasp our own in love.
If you came
with the fire of judgement,
who could endure?
But you come
with the light of grace
to show us the way.
If you came
hardened against our sin,
who could endure?
But you come
holding us in your heart,
that we might have life.
If you came
bearing bad news
we might be able to handle it.
But can we endure
the gift of good news?
Even so,
come, Lord Jesus,
come. Amen
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 and COMMUNION OFFERING
Morning offerings may be brought forward and placed in the plates on the altar.
Offertory
Prayer of Dedication Maria I. Tirabassi, contemporary
There are many ways we can offer our thanks for the gifts we receive. We choose to show our gratitude, for when we are lost, God returns us to the fold, and when we have given up all hope, we are redeemed. Amen.
PREPARATION FOR COMMUNION
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.
CELEBRATION OF HOLY COMMUNION
Invitation
Communion 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.
Blessing the Bread and Cup
Sharing the Meal
*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: Carol Shores, 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
Communion This is a Communion Sunday. We are using the prepackaged individualcommunion servings. Please know that everyone iswelcome to participate in communion. Young people are invited toparticipate at the discretion of the adult(s) who have brought them.The Communion Offering will be received. This offering is used to help people in the church and the community with basic needs such as rent and utility assistance, bus passes, prescriptions, etc. There has been heavy need for these funds. Please consider how you can help the community through this offering.
The Gift of Music LUCC Music Director Hilton Jones has recorded 2 CDs for the LUCC family. One is Christmas Piano featuring favorite songs of this season. The second is Simply Hymns featuring favorite hymn tunes. Both CDs are available at the church. The music is a gift to the congregation. If you would like to make a donation to offset the production costs, you may. See the display in the sanctuary. Enjoy the gift of music from Hilton not just on Sundays but every day!
Advisors Needed for 2022 Each year 3-5 wonderful people meet monthly to support the life and ministry of the church especially attending to matters involving finance, administration, personnel, and property. This past year, the church was ably served by Patti Cooksey, Lucille Ruga, Jane Diven, and Malcolm Wells. Some new advisors are needed for 2022. Is this something you might like to be involved in? Or can you think of someone in the church that you would like to see serve in this role? There are forms to fill out at church or speak to one of the current advisors or to Rev. Wells. This is a wonderful way to deepen your ties with the church and to make a difference!
New Century Hymnals Available LUCC has been given 60 used New Century Hymnals from a church that no longer needs them. If you would like a hymnal for home use, you are welcome to have one. They are available at church on the book shelf in the main hallway. Please help yourself!
Celebrating Our Gifts Stewardship 2022 Thank you to all who have participated generously by returning your commitments of giving to assure the financial future of Lakewood UCC! As of this week, the total pledged is $52,500. We’ll begin the work of setting a budget for 2022 very soon. If you have not yet let us know how you can help financially support the work of our church, or if you would like to increase your giving, we invite you to contact us. You may send a note or an email to the office to the attention of the Finance Committee, or directly contact Lucille Ruga.
Christmas Eve Readers Readers are needed for the outdoor Christmas Eve service. If you would be willing to do a reading, please speak with Rev. Wells. This is a beautiful way to share the spirit of Christmas with your LUCC family.
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 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.
Facebook Live The 10:30 a.m. service is being streamed on Facebook Live.
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 