Weekly Update: If you are involved with an activity or event that you would like to share with the LUCC family, please send the information to the Church Office by Wednesday. Please provide the information in paragraph form with pertinent details and links. THANK YOU!
This Sunday: This Sunday is Mother’s Day. There will be a time in worship to remember those who have shared mothering love in our lives.
There will also be a celebration of the mothering love of Jesus. Take a look at Acts 9:36-43.
This Sunday a new hymn by Music Director Hilton Jones will be used in the service. It reflects the theme of Mother’s Day. You can listen to the hymn in preparation for Sunday. Follow this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FyFJTNi4BXI.
Childcare is provided at all Sunday services.
If you would like to provide sunflowers for Sunday worship, please contact the Church Office. 727-867-7961 or lakewooducc@gmail.com
The service will be streamed live on Facebook and then posted on the church’s YouTube channel.
Masks are required at in-person worship.
PLEASE NOTE: Given the warming temperatures, the windows and doors of the sanctuary will be closed and the air conditioning will be on. Masks are still mandatory and there will be singing.
If you do not feel comfortable in those circumstances, please join in worship on Facebook live. There are instructions below.
Amendment Protecting the Right to Clean and Healthy Waters
There is an initiative to have an amendment on the Florida ballot which would protect the right to safe water in Florida. It is called “The Right to Clean and Healthy Waters.” For this initiative to appear on the ballot, petitions are needed. There are copies at the church. You may sign the petition and leave it at church to be sent in. Better yet, sign it, leave it, and take a stack with you. Get others to sign. Then bring them back to church to be sent in. For the full text of the proposed amendment, see https://initiativepetitions.elections.myflorida.com/InitiativeForms/Fulltext/Fulltext_2202_EN.pdf. As a Creation Justice church, LUCC is committed to advocacy for the environment.
Advisors Meeting Ahead
The advisors will meet after church this Sunday in the Fellowship Hall. All are welcome to attend. If there is something you would like the advisors to discuss, please contact Malcolm Wells, Lucille Ruga, Barbara Donohue, or Christy Martin.
May Book Talk – A Week Early
Join in a casual conversation about what people are reading at this monthly Zoom gathering. You are guaranteed to get some great ideas about what to read next! The discussions are informal. Everyone is welcome. No pressure to be an ‘expert.’ No preparation expected. Just an hour to an hour and a half of stimulating discussion! Book Talk usually happens the third Thursday, this month it is the second Thursday, May 12, at 6:30 p.m. It’s the usual church Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/2700683648
Meeting ID: 270 068 3648
Sundays Ahead
This Sunday is Mother’s Day.
May 15 will be a celebration of Earth Sunday
May 22 will be an examination of the concept, “The Lord Is My _________.” Fill in the blank! The psalmist says shepherd. What would you say?
May 29 there will be “Food for Thought.” Take a look at Acts 11:1-18.
June 5 is Pentecost, the Festival of the Holy Spirit. Don’t forget to wear red!
Congratulations, Graduate!
LUCC student, Zachary Blair-Andrews is graduating summa cum laude from the Judy Genshaft Honors College at USF this Saturday, May 7, with a degree in political science and public administration. Congratulations to Zach! There’s an exciting future ahead!
LUCC Earth Day Cleanup
On Saturday morning, April 23, Bill Parsons, Ruth Pettis, and Claire Stiles worked together to “tidy up” our Labyrinth and property while enjoying our time outdoors with Mother Earth. Celebrating Earth Day was a blessing and we are grateful for all efforts to care for Mother Earth and all the species who depend upon her health and well-being! As a Creation Justice church we want to continue to do our part to live up to our covenant and be good stewards of creation.
please use the following link to view pictures on our website: https://lakewooducc.org/2022/04/27/lucc-earth-day-cleanup/
USF St. Pete Program: Preventing Dementia
The church has been contacted by USF about a research study called “Preventing Alzheimer’s with Cognitive Training (PACT)”. They are currently enrolling older adult participants at the USF St. Petersburg campus to participate in the program. They are looking for adults 65 years and older to participate in this important study. For more information, click here. https://lakewooducc.org/2022/03/25/usf-st-pete-program-preventing-dementia/
How to Help Ukraine
The local Ukrainian Catholic Church is sponsoring humanitarian aid. There are more details at their website: https://www.epiphanyukrch.com
The national United Church of Christ is also offering ways to support the Ukrainian people. Here’s a link: https://p2a.co/nGEvYVL?inf_contact_key=ad8269e3f149ec1ef1efd03de1e233aacc0558ed5d4c28cbfab114022b1ec50d
Toiletries for Celebrate Outreach
Celebrate Outreach is a local ministry with people who are living without shelter in St. Petersburg. An average of 135 people are served each week. LUCC was asked to collect toiletries to be distributed to the community at the meals that are provided on Saturday and Sundays each week. This collection will be ongoing in addition to the food being collected for Operation Attack. All are invited to donate the following items:
Celebration Outreach has an ongoing need for men’s and women’s underwear.
Men sizes 30, 32,34
Women’s sizes 5,6, 7,8.
Also in high demand are socks of all kinds /sizes for both men & women.
Other needed items are Deodorant & disposable razors.
Toothbrushes, toothpaste, disposable razors, bar soap, wash cloths, deodorant, feminine hygiene items, travel size creams, shampoo, body wash, individual packets of Kleenex, hand wipes, toilet tissue, and paper towels are always needed as well.
Many thanks to Janet Blair and Jim Andrews for taking the donations to Celebrate Outreach.
Inkjet Recycling
The church is continuing to collect used inkjet cartridges. They are sent to a recycler and the church receives payment for the cartridges provided. So, don’t throw out your cartridges. Bring them to church. Not only do they get recycled but they provide income for the ministry of the church.
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.
Also, the readings and prayers used on Wednesdays at the guided walk are put in the mailbox by the labyrinth each week for use during the week.
The labyrinth is on the church grounds near the southwest corner of the church property. It is available for use at all times.
Operation Attack Update
OA needs donations of cereal/oatmeal, mac and cheese, pasta sauce, peanut butter, canned meat, fruit, soup, and vegetables. Donations may be placed on the shelf in the hallway at church.
Being Covid Safe and In-Person Worship
Please stay home if you are not feeling well.
Please wear a mask while in the church building. While most people have been vaccinated, this helps visitors to feel safe.
Additional masks will be available at church to use as needed.
Two hand sanitizing stations are available for use by worshippers.
There is well-ventilated, physically distanced indoor seating in the sanctuary.
Please know that your safety is of primary consideration!
Safe childcare is provided.
Sundays
Look for the bulletin posted on the church website on Friday: https://lakewooducc.org/category/bulletins/
Watch the service on Facebook Live Sundays at 10:30. https://www.facebook.com/LakewoodUCC
Or on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/LakewoodUCC/videos
Instructions for how to access Facebook Live: For additional assistance, please contact the church office.
Here are some instructions to watch our Sunday services live through Facebook:
Use the following link to visit our homepage: https://www.facebook.com/LakewoodUCC/
On Sunday mornings at 10:30 a.m. please use the link above to visit our homepage. There, after using the link, you will see a section labeled “Happening Now”. This is our Livestream of the Sunday Service.
To watch the live stream, locate and click the “watch video” button in the lower right corner of the screen.
If the link above is not working, there is also a link to our Facebook page on our website. Please try that link located on the Home page of our website.
USEFUL LAKEWOOD LINKS:
- Sermon and Reflection Texts
- Lakewood UCC YouTube Channel
- Lakewood UCC on Twitter
- Lakewood on Facebook
- Lakewood on Instagram
For the above church website links, please note the “Older Posts” button near the bottom of each page.
You can stream Hilton’s music and videos for free at hiltonkeanjones.com/look-listen/ as well as purchase his CDs and digital albums there.
May Birthdays: Mark Gibson 5/2, Nina Moore 5/2, Angela Wells-Bean 5/7, Emily Gibson 5/8, Julian Michael Ricciardi 5/9, Colleen Coughenour 5/11, Jen DeGroot 5/12, Christy Martin 5/15, Bill Parsons 5/16, Deanna Moore 5/19, Danielle Hintz 5/25 Someone missing? Contact the church office with birthday information..
Circle of Concern:
Michelle Cloutier
Joyce Lee
Christopher and Dana
William Owen-Cowan
Jen Degroot
Carolyn Moore
Ann Quinn is now under Hospice care
Maggie Brizendine
Janet Hall
Yoko Nogami walking the Appalachian Trail
All those suffering from COVID-19 and all healthcare workers
Schools: Students, families, teachers, and staff
Recent Posts:
- Mother’s Day HymnMay 2, 2022
- Sermon 5/1/2022May 2, 2022
- Bulletin 5/1/2022April 29, 2022
- Easter FlowersApril 27, 2022
- Weekly Update 4/27April 27, 2022
- LUCC Earth Day CleanupApril 27, 2022
- Mov. 4 The Geography of Dreams: “Revelry in the City of Dreams:April 24, 2022
- Mov. 6 The Geography of Dreams: “Dawn (awakening)”April 23, 2022
- Bulletin 4/24/2022April 22, 2022
- One City Chorus Benefit ConcertApril 22, 2022
On land originally inhabited by the Tocabaga
Lakewood United Church of Christ 