WELCOME and ANNOUNCEMENTS
LIGHTING THE PEACE CANDLE Sherry Santana, liturgist
Our strategy should be not only to confront empire, but to lay siege to it. To deprive it of oxygen. To shame it. To mock it. With our art, our music, our literature, our stubbornness, our joy, our brilliance, our sheer relentlessness – and our ability to tell our own stories. Stories that are different from the ones we’re being brainwashed to believe.
The corporate revolution will collapse if we refuse to buy what they are selling – their ideas, their version of history, their wars, their weapons, their notion of inevitability.
Remember this: We be many and they be few. They need us more than we need them.
Another world is not only possible, she is on her way. On a quiet day, I can hear her breathing.
Arundhati Roy, writer and activist, b. 1959
PRELUDE In Dream from “Lord of the Rings” Shore & Walsh
*OPENING READING Dawna Markova, b. 1942
I will not die an unlived life,
I will not live in fear
of falling or catching fire.
I choose to inhabit my days,
to allow my living to open me,
to make me less afraid,
more accessible,
to loosen my heart
until it becomes a wing,
a torch, a promise. . .
*HYMN God’s Eye Is on the Sparrow 475
SCRIPTURE LESSON
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.
Acts 16:16-40
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.
*HYMN In All Our Living 499
SERMON Let Freedom Ring Rev. Kim P. Wells
RESPONSIVE READING Rev. Allan Boesak, b. 1945
The God of the Bible is the God of liberation
rather than oppression;
a God of justice
rather than injustice;
a God of freedom and humanity
rather than enslavement and subservience;
a God of love, righteousness and community
rather than hatred, self-interest and exploitation.
MUSIC O Day of Peace That Dimly Shines [ Jerusalem] Parry
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. 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. If you would like assistance, please turn to someone seated near you.
Offertory Nimrod from “Enigma Variations” Elgar
*Time of Dedication Maya Angelou, 1928-2014
I have found that among its other benefits, giving liberates the soul of the giver. Amen.
*PREPARATION FOR PRAYER Over My Head 514
MORNING PRAYERS- SAVIOR’S PRAYER
Eternal Spirit, Earth Maker, Pain-bearer, Life-giver,
Source of all that is and that ever shall be,
Father and Mother of all people, Loving God in whom is heaven:
The hallowing of your name echo through the universe!
The way of your justice be followed by all peoples of the world!
Your heavenly will be done by all created beings!
Your commonwealth of peace and freedom sustain our hope
and come on earth!
With the bread that we need for today, feed us.
In the hurts we absorb from one another, forgive us.
In times of temptation and testing, strengthen us.
From trials too great to endure, spare us.
From the grip of all that is evil, free us.
For you reign in the glory of the power that is love, now and
forever. Amen.
*HYMN We are Often Tossed and Driven 444
*BENEDICTION
*SUNG RESPONSE (please form a circle)
Weave, weave, weave us together;
Weave us together in unity and love.
Weave, weave, weave us together,
Weave us together, together in love.
*POSTLUDE Let There Be Peace on Earth Jackson Miller
For the safety and comfort of all, please wear a mask. Thank you!
Circle of Concern: Joyce Lee, Christopher and Dana, Ann Quinn who is under Hospice Care, William Owen-Cowan, Jen Degroot, Carolyn Moore, 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.
Announcements
Facebook Live The 10:30 a.m. service is being streamed on Facebook Live.
Water Petitions Petitions are available to sign to get the Right to Clean and Healthy Waters on the ballot as a proposed amendment to the Florida Constitution. Please put petitions in the envelope on the bulletin board.
New Time for Weekly Labyrinth Walk For June and July, the weekly guided labyrinth walk will be on Fridays at 9:00 a.m. instead of Wednesdays. All are welcome!
Sunflowers If you would like to bring sunflowers for the altar, please inform Rev. Wells or the Church Office.
Special Offering If you would like to make a gift to the special offering to fund the purchase of anti racism books for children and youth for the South Branch Library please indicate ‘books’ or use one of the envelopes provided.
New Member to be Received On Pentecost, June 4, new members will be received into the Lakewood Church family. If you are interested in joining the church, please speak with Rev. Wells.
LUCC Creation Justice Property Cleanup On Saturday, June 25 from 9:00 – 11:00am join us for a few hours to “declutter” and cleanup our beautiful Lakewood United Church of Christ grounds and to commune with nature and your fellow church members and friends! Wear work clothes, gloves, and a hat and apply sunscreen! Fluids and snacks will be provided to sustain us!
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 