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| This Sunday This Sunday is the fourth Sunday of Lent, a season of 40 days of preparation for the festival of Easter. Lent is a time to be intentional about having Love at the center of our lives. This Sunday the focus is on sight and seeing. We listen to the story of David being chosen to be the king and about the healing of a man born blind. How does faith encourage us to see in different ways? Take a look at I Samuel 16:1-13 and John 9: 1-41. This Sunday Attendance Pads will be available again for use by the congregation. The information provided each week is helpful to the functioning of the Church Office. There are also forms for ordering Easter flowers. This year the flowers will be cut flowers in vases. After the Easter service, the flowers will be delivered to those in the LUCC family that are homebound. Childcare is provided at all Sunday services. |
 Holy Week Schedule April 2 – Palm Sunday Service begins with the blessing of the palms outside. Please being a palm branch if you can. April 6 – The Maundy Thursday service will be held at 6:30 around the table over dinner, a remembrance of the last supper. April 7 – On Good Friday the sanctuary will be open for reflection and prayer from noon until 3 p.m There will be readings and prayers provided for your use. April 9 – Easter Sunday there will be one service at 10:30 a.m. in the church sanctuary. |
| Some Highlights from the Last Advisors Meeting The year is off to a phenomenal start! The giving for January and February have been phenomenal, something we should all be proud of and grateful for. The advisors will update the congregation on the financial standing of the church once the pledge forms have been returned. This will likely happen at the end of March. The advisors have decided that LUCC will participate in One Great Hour of Sharing and that the offering will be collected on Mothers’ Day. The advisors have also decided to “pack the house” and have a single Easter service at the usual time of 10:30. Bring your friends! In addition, the Maundy Thursday service will be slightly earlier and will include a meal as part of the service, and on Good Friday the church sanctuary will be open from 12:00-3:00 for quiet contemplation – all are welcome. – Submitted by Malcolm Wells |
| Financial Update… Our congregation is blessed by many people who give generously to the mission of our church. At our congregational meeting in February, we decided to adopt a six-month budget. After much thoughtful discussion, many members made a commitment to increase their giving of financial resources. The advisors have also implemented cost-saving measures such eliminating the administrative assistant position and providing for payroll without using a payroll service. Our members have not only increased their financial giving, but also have increased the giving of their time and talent. For example, the above cuts to our budget are only possible because members are stepping in to complete these tasks. We also have members that help with office duties and property and grounds issues. Indeed, we have many members of our congregation that give freely of their treasure, time, and talent. For this reason, the church budget currently looks good. As we begin 2023, we are receiving enough support to maintain the mission of our church. As we approach the spring and summer, our financial support sometimes drops. We look forward to this year being different and the advisors and financial team will continue to keep you informed. The church’s monthly financial reports are readily available should you like more information. And of course, the advisors and financial team are always willing to discuss any concerns you may have. We are especially interested in any ideas you have that will help us grow together as a church community. -Submitted with gratitude for our wonderful congregation by Mark Gibson, Treasurer. |
| IFTAR Dinner Ahead The church received this invitation to the annual IFTAR dinner. Please contact the Church Office if you would like to attend. The church can provide transportation. Please indicate that you would like a ride: lakewooducc@gmail.com Dear Beloved Community Members, We invite you, family, and friends to join us at our 5th Annual Iftar Dinner. Each year we host a free community Iftar dinner at the St. Petersburg Coliseum for over 800 fellow community members from various faiths with an interest in human life, in order to break down barriers. Please join us, and let’s “break bread together with peace, love, and compassion for all humanity.” When: Tuesday, April 4th. Doors open at 5:30 with the program beginning promptly at 6:30. Dinner will be served at sunset with the breaking of the fast (approximately 7:40 PM).Where: St. Petersburg Coliseum: 535 4th Avenue NorthHow: Please RSVP to the Church Office at lakewooducc@gmail.com or 727-867-7961. Abdu K. AliTampa Bay Area Muslim Association, Inc.IFTAR, Chair |
| North Side Parking Cleared The parking area on the north side of the church has been cleared of brush. All of the parking spaces are now available for use. The church is grateful to the neighbors who took care of this clean up!  |
| Stewardship Materials Available A letter, pledge form and additional materials are available offering the opportunity to make a commitment of financial support to the church for the year 2023. If you have not gotten a packet and would like one, please contact the Church Office. The packet includes a collection of quotes from several people in the congregation commenting on what LUCC means to them. This piece is very inspiring! Don’t miss it! |
 Guided Labyrinth Walks Wednesday Mornings at 9:00 a.m.Each week there is a guided labyrinth walk on the outdoor labyrinth at the church. It is a time of prayerful faith sharing, and a time to listen more deeply to our spiritual lives. In case of rain, the walks are held on Thursday morning. Also, the readings and prayers used each week at the guided walk are put in the mailbox by the labyrinth 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. |
| Family Promise Needs Family Promise, a local ministry to houseless families with children, is in need of the following items: Women’s underwear sizes S/M/LWomen’s socksWash clothsBath towelsPull Ups sizes 2T-3T, 3T-4T, 4T-5THair conditioner (no shampoo)Women’s deodorantCerealCups, forks, platesSnacks to go (not granola bars)Please bring items to church and place them on the shelves behind the curtain in the hallway.  |
 Toiletries for Celebrate OutreachCelebrate 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. |
| 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 UpdateOA 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. Many thanks to Owen Blair-Catala for seeing that the donations are received by Operation Attack. |
| USEFUL LAKEWOOD LINKS Sermon and Reflection TextsLakewood UCC YouTube ChannelLakewood UCC on TwitterLakewood on FacebookLakewood 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 http://hiltonkeanjones.com/look-listen/ as well as purchase his CDs and digital albums there. |
| March Birthdays! March 1 Carol ShoresMarch 3 Claudia RodriguezMarch 13 Yvonne RiesenMarch 19 Ron Huff Are any church family birthdays missing? Please contact the Church Office!  |
 Circle of ConcernSamantha Wassmer and familyTony and Jim LarsonErik JohnsonEmily BellAnn Quinn is under Hospice careMaggie BrizendineJanet Hall |
| All those suffering from COVID-19 and all healthcare workers, Schools: Students, families, teachers, and staff |
| 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! |
| RECENT WEBSITE POSTS Update March 2, 20March 3, 2023BULLETIN 3.5.23March 2, 2023Rev Dr Karen Georgia Thompson next UCC leaderMarch 2, 2023Pinellas Remembers Community Remembrance Project CoalitionMarch 2, 2023Lakewood UCC Supports New College RallyMarch 2, 2023Bulletin2.24.23February 25, 2023Bulletin 02.19.23February 17, 2023ANNOUNCEMENTS – 2.19.23February 17, 2023Sermon text 2-5-23February 16, 2023Sermon text 2-12-23February 15, 2023UCC appeal for Turkey and SyriaFebruary 14, 2023Vigil to Mark the Anniversary of the Lynching of John EvansFebruary 14, 2023Demonstration Against Upcoming Execution 2/23February 14, 2023Bulletin 02.12.23February 10, 2023ANNOUNCEMENTS – 2.12.23February 10, 2023 |
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| Credits: Images of stack of “thank you,” birthday cake, and printer from Freepik.com |
 Copyright (C) 2023 Lakewood United Church of Christ. All rights reserved. |
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