LAKEWOOD UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST
A Just Peace Church
An Open and Affirming Church
A Creation Justice Church
10:30 am
January 22, 2023
WELCOME and ANNOUNCEMENTS
LIGHTING THE PEACE CANDLE Michelle Cloutier, Liturgist
Let us know peace.
For as long as the moon shall rise,
For as long as the rivers shall flow,
For as long as the sun shall shine,
For as long as the grass shall grow,
Let us know peace.
Native American Indian Prayer for Peace
PRELUDE Fairest Lord Jesus with “Moonlight Sonata”
Arranged by Marilyn Reimer
*OPENING PRAYER Miriam Therese Winter. 1938-
Light of the world,
we bow before You
in awe and adoration.
Bless us
and our simple faith
seeking understanding.
Epiphany means
manifestation,
lifting the veil,
revelation.
Reveal to us then
what we need to know
to love You,
and serve You,
and keep Your word
with fidelity and truth,
courage and hope,
this day and always.
Amen.
* HYMN I Sing the Praise of Love Almighty 50
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.
Matthew 4:12-23
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 You Have Come down to the Lakeshore 173
SERMON Rev. Kim P. Wells
RESPONSIVE READING Rev. Jim Cotter, 1942-2014
In the celebration that embraces the exile and outcast,
In the joy that sings of freedom at last,
we worship the God of justice and peace,
we praise the God of freedom and joy,
we adore the God of love and new life,
we bless the God of reconciliation and healing,
we glorify the God of harmony and bliss.
We add our voice to the music of God,
we fall silent in the presence of Mystery,
in wonder and awe and love,
the Mystery that is the Source of our being
and the God of our belonging,
beautiful, utterly holy, glorious light,
unbounded love. Alleluia! Alleluia!
*HYMN From All That Dwell Below the Skies 27
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.
AFFIRMATION OF LEADERS 1 Corinthian 12:4-7, 26-27, adapted
There are different kinds of spiritual gifts, but the same Spirit gives them.
There are different ways of serving, but the same God is served.
There are different abilities to perform service, but the same God gives ability to each of us for our own particular service.
The Spirit’s presence is shown in some ways to each person for the good of all.
Christ is like a single body, which has many parts.
It is still one body even though it is made up of different parts.
If one part of the body suffers, all the other parts suffer with it; if one part is praised, all the other parts are praised.
All of us are Christ’s body, and each one is a part of it.
Vows
*Congregational Affirmation
We stand in celebration of the joy that is ours to be partners with you in the service of Jesus Christ. We promise to love you and honor your leadership, that together we may be a faithful church of Jesus Christ.
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 Mary, Did You Know? Arranged by Dan Coates
* Prayer of Dedication William Countryman, 1941-
Hearing the good news is a beginning. The rest of our life forms our response.
MUSICAL OFFERING Precious Lord, Take My Hand Dorsey
Barbara Donohue, soprano
MORNING PRAYER – SAVIOR’S PRAYER
Holy One, our only Home, hallowed be Your name.
May your day dawn, your will be done,
Here, as in heaven. Feed us today, and forgive us
As we forgive each other. Do not forsake us at the test,
But deliver us from evil. For the glory, the power,
And the mercy are yours, now and forever. Amen.
* HYMN Christ Is the Mountain of Horeb 45
* BENEDICTION
*CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSE (please form a circle)
Lead Us From Death to Life 581
Lead us from death to life, from falsehood to truth,
from despair to hope, from fear to trust.
Lead us from hate to love, from war to peace;
let peace fill our hearts, let peace fill our world,
let peace fill our universe.
*POSTLUDE Go, Tell It on the Mountain Evans
Circle of Concern:
Lakewood High School Girls and Boys Basketball Teams, Jane and George Diven and Family, Sherry Santana, Erik Johnson, Katherine Conover, Yoko Nogami & Family, Ann Quinn is under Hospice care, Maggie Brizendine, Janet Hall. All those suffering from COVID-19 and all healthcare workers, Schools: Students, families, teachers, and staff
Announcements
GRATITUDE! Thanks are expressed to Joyce Lee and to Barbara Donohue
for offering the ministry of music this morning while Music Director Hilton
Jones is away.
Advisors
Many thanks to those who will serve as Advisors for the coming year:
Christy Martin, Barbara Donohue, Malcolm Wells, and Dyanne Edds.
Another advisor is welcome. If you are interested in considering this
opportunity to serve, please come to the meeting after the service today or
speak with Rev. Wells.
Book Talk
This monthly Zoom gathering will be held on Thursday Jan. 26 at 6:30. Link for Zoom is below Each month, LUCC folks gather to discuss what they have been reading. Join in the fun! All are welcome!
Zoom Link: http://us02web.zoom.us/j/2700683648 Meeting Id: 270 068 3648
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 