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 the story of a jail break in Acts helps us think about gun violence in America. Take a look at Acts 16:16-40. This is Memorial Day Sunday. Do you hear freedom ringing?
Last Sunday a special offering was received for the anti-racism book project. So far, an additional $375 has been given. Additional gifts are welcome. Please use the envelopes marked ‘Books’ or note ‘books’ on a check.
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.
Next Sunday is Pentecost
This is the celebration of the Holy Spirit being given to the community of believers. It’s the Sunday to wear RED!
New Members 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!
So hoping you can gather with us to enjoy our lovely church property and each other!
LUCC Creation Justice 2021 Annual Review and update to May 2022
A Creation Justice Church in the Environmental Ministries Program of the United Church of Christ as of February 12, 2019, LUCC has pledged to review our progress annually. Due to the unprecedented cancellation of many LUCC church programs and initiatives due to Covid-19 restrictions, 2021 was a year of limited Creation Justice activities and engagement at our church. However, some progress on previous initiatives and an ongoing effort to keep our Creation Justice commitment alive were made. Please use the following link to view the whole report: https://lakewooducc.org/2022/05/26/lucc-creation-justice-2021-annual-review/
Guided Labyrinth Walks Time Change
For June and July, the weekly guided labyrinth walk will be on Fridays at 9:00 a.m. instead of Wednesdays. All are welcome!
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.
UCC Southern Regional Women’s Retreat
The United Church of Christ is sponsoring a retreat for women from the conferences of the Southern Region. Florida is the host conference and the retreat will be held at Camp Weed and Cerveny Conference Center in Live Oak, FL. The theme is God of Mystery – Spirit of Hope. Dyanne Edds of LUCC is on the planning committee. And the Rev. Karen Georgia Thompson, a former LUCC member, is the keynote speaker. The retreat is Oct. 14-16, 2022. For more information, speak to Dyanne.
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.
Sabbatical Speakers
Rev. Kim Wells and spouse, Jeff, will be gone for several months this year walking the Camino de Santiago in Spain. This is an opportunity for much needed renewal and reflection. While Kim is away, the advisors would like to have people from the congregation speak in worship each week. As the Wells’ journey through Spain, this is an opportunity for people in the congregation to share a portion of their faith journey. Those who may be interested in sharing in this way are asked to speak with Kim. There will be training offered to help in preparation for those who are willing to speak. Please give serious consideration to sharing with your church family in this way.
To all the members of LUCC from Operation Attack
We send a most sincere thank you both from the volunteers at Operation Attack, but also the many needy people who will benefit from the books, clothes, and food you kindly donated.
Please know how much we all appreciate your donations.
Thank you again for thinking of Operation Attack.
LUCC Constitution and Bylaws
There is a task force working on a revision of the church’s bylaws. There are a variety of changes that need to be made to reflect current realities in the church and to lean into a strong future. There will be wider conversation and experimentation as part of the process. Many thanks to Patti Cooksey and Sally Purvis for working on this.
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.
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:
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:
- LUCC Creation Justice 2021 Annual ReviewMay 26, 2022
- Sermon 5/22/2022May 26, 2022
- Bulletin 5/22/2022May 20, 2022
- Sermon 5/15/2022May 20, 2022
- Weekly Update 5/19May 19, 2022
- Earth SundayMay 15, 2022
- Bulletin 5/15/2022May 13, 2022
- Weekly Update 5/11May 12, 2022
On land originally inhabited by the Tocabaga
Lakewood United Church of Christ 