LAKEWOOD UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST
A Just Peace Church
An Open and Affirming Church
A Creation Justice Church
10:30 am
January 29, 2023
WELCOME and ANNOUNCEMENTS
LIGHTING THE PEACE CANDLE Colleen Coughenour, Liturgist
I observe countless mercies, kindnesses and much cooperation in nature, and I maintain that it is these that typify nature rather than the violence and competitions. My studies have gradually led me to the conclusion that it is the cooperative rather than the competitive that survives. The meek do inherit the earth.
Euell Gibbons, 1911-1975
PRELUDE Prelude Ravel
*OPENING READING Lawrence Freeman, B. 1951
To see God is not to see anything extraordinary but to see ordinary things as they really are.
* HYMN God of Grace and God of Glory 436
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.
Micah 6:6-8 and Matthew 4:17-23
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!
CONTEMPORARY READING Peter Selby, b. 1941
*HYMN Jesus Calls Us. o’er the Tumult 172
SERMON Fishing, Part 2 Rev. Kim P. Wells
UNISON READING The Shakertown Pledge, 1973
Recognizing that the earth and the fullness thereof is a gift from our gracious God, and that we are called to cherish, nurture, and provide loving stewardship for the Earth’s resources, and recognizing that life itself is a gift, and a call to responsibility, joy, and celebration, I make the following declarations:
1. I declare myself to be a world citizen.
2. I commit myself to lead an ecologically sound life.
3. I commit myself to lead a life of creative simplicity and to share my personal wealth with the world’s poor.
4. I commit myself to join with others in the reshaping of institutions in order to bring about a more just global society in which each person has full access to the needed resources for their physical, emotional, intellectual, and spiritual growth.
5. I commit myself to occupational accountability, and in so doing I will seek to avoid the creation of products which cause harm to others.
6. I affirm the gift of my body, and commit myself to its proper nourishment and physical well-being.
7. I commit myself to examine continually my relations with others, and to attempt to relate honestly, morally, and lovingly to those around me.
8. I commit myself to personal renewal through prayer, meditation, and study.
9. I commit myself to responsible participation in a community of faith.
Signature _______________________________
ANTHEM Wendeyaho Native American/arr. HKJ
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 Come Sunday Ellington
* Prayer of Dedication McNeil, Morrison, and Nouwen, Compassion
God’s compassion is total, absolute, unconditional, without reservation. It is the compassion of the one who keeps going to the most forgotten corners of the world, and who cannot rest as long as there are still human beings with tears in their eyes.
* PREPARATION FOR PRAYER For the Fruit of All Creation 425
MORNING PRAYER – 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 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 Called as Partners in Christ’s Service 495
* BENEDICTION associated with Peter Claver, 1580-1654
May our eyes be open to see that the fruit of life comes when we plant seeds of hope among those whom the world rejects. Amen!
*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 Jig Fugue Buxtehude
Announcements
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.
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.
LUNCH this Sunday- All who would like to are invited to have lunch together at Chattaway Restaurant, which offers outdoor seating and vegan menu items along with delicious burgers and other delights! Come and enjoy your LUCC community over a casual lunch. Funds are available to assist with paying for lunch if needed. Please speak with Rev. Wells.
Lakewood United Church of Christ 