WELCOME and ANNOUNCEMENTS
LIGHTING THE PEACE CANDLE Michelle Cloutier, liturgist
The aftermath of violence is always bitterness; the aftermath of nonviolence is the creation of the beloved community so that when the battle is over, it’s over, and a new love and a new understanding and a new relationship comes into being between the oppressed and the oppressor.
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. 1929-1968
PRELUDE Soufiane (from Mekta’ in the Art og Kita’ Book 2)
Halim El-Dabh (Egypt b.1921)†
OPENING READING Hasidic Prayer
May my prayer
Be pure and unstained
So this holy breath
That pours from my lips
Can join with the breath of Heaven
That is always flowing
Into me from above
So the spark of God within me
Is reunited with the Fire.
MUSIC Piano Piece No. 2, Call and Response
Robert Mawuena Kwami (Ghana 1954-2004)†
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 17:5-10 and Luke 6:12-26
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.
MUSIC God’s Eye Is On the Sparrow
Charles H. Gabriel (USA © 1905) ‡
CONTEMPORARY READING Ali Kasum, Macedonia
SERMON Connected Rev. Kim P. Wells
CONTEMPORARY RESPONSIVE READING Philippines, adapted
God, we come to you in our need.
Create in us an awareness of the massive forces
that threaten our world today.
Give us a sense of urgency
to activate the forces of goodness, of justice, of love and of peace.
Where there is armed conflict,
let us stretch our arms to our brothers and sisters.
Where there is abundance,
let there be simple lifestyle and sharing.
Where there is poverty,
let there be dignified living and constant striving for just structures.
Where there are wounds of division,
let there be unity and wholeness.
Help us to be committed to the building of your kindom.
Not seeking to be cared for,
but to care.
Not expecting to be served,
but to place ourselves in the service of others.
Not aspiring to be materially secure,
but to place our security in your love.
Teach us your spirit.
Only in loving imitation of you
can we discover the healing springs of life
that will bring new birth to our world.
MUSIC The Monk (from Portraits in Jazz) Valarie Capers (USA b.1935)†
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 Off-Beat Shorty (from Faces of Jazz) Hale Smith (USA b.1925)†
Words of Dedication C.S. Song
Jesus and the crowds! This is where God’s secret for the world is revealed. But it is not the size of the crowd that inspired Jesus. . . . It was their sorrow and hunger that moved him. Amen.
PREPARATION FOR PRAYER Precious Memories
Roberta Martin & Mrs. Georgia Jones (© 1939) ‡
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 PRAYERS – 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 Annie Besant, adapted
O Hidden Life, vibrant in every atom,
O Hidden Light, shining in every creature,
O Hidden Love, embracing all in Oneness,
May we who feel as one with Thee
Know we are therefore one with every other. Amen.
*POSTLUDE Easy Winners Joplin (USA)
† from the Oxford Press collection: Piano Music of Africa and the African Diaspora
‡ from The African American Heritage Hymnal
Circle of Concern: Earl Waters, Ron Huff, Christopher and Dana, Ann Quinn who is under Hospice Care, 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.
Congregational Meeting Ahead There will be a congregational meeting after church on Sunday Feb. 20th to take action on the budget for 2022. Everyone from the church family is encouraged to participate!
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.
Hymnals LUCC has been given 60 used New Century Hymnals. If you would like a hymnal for home use, they are available on the bookshelf in the main hallway. Please help yourself!
Guided Labyrinth Walks The guided walk is held weekly on Wednesdays at 9:00 a.m. This provides an opportunity to be aware and deepen your spiritual journey. If it is raining, the walk is held on Thursday at 9:00 a.m.
New Church Directories are available. Please take one with you to help you keep in touch with your LUCC family.
Date Change for Monthly Book Talk This month Book Talk will be held on Wednesday February 23 at 6:30 p.m. on Zoom. This is a wonderful time of sharing about books. Everyone is welcome to listen in and to share about what you have been reading. It’s a very inspiring time! Join in! Here’s the link: Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/2700683648 Meeting ID: 270 068 3648
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 