LAKEWOOD UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST
A Just Peace Church
An Open and Affirming Church
A Creation Justice Church
March 26, 2023
10:30 a.m.
Lent
WELCOME and ANNOUNCEMENTS
LIGHTING THE PEACE CANDLE Michelle Cloutier, Liturgist
We send up a cry of thanksgiving for people of all races, creeds, classes and colors the world over, and pray that through the instrumentality of our lives the spirit of peace, joy, fellowship and brotherhood shall circle the world.
Mary McLeod Bethune 1875-1955
PRELUDE
Garden of Stars HKJ
*OPENING READING Eric Routley 1917-1982
So, my soul, why such disquiet?
Why such mourning, why such fear?
Day already breaks on darkness;
God has sought you; God is near.
Hope in God, and you shall live,
all delight God waits to give,
peace and power and every blessing
you shall know, this faith possessing.
*HYMN
Sing Praise to God, Our Highest Good 6
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.
Ezekiel 37:1-14 and John 11:1-45
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 – “Can these bones live?” – Improv on Ezekiel 37
Maren C. Tirabassi
* SONG
God beyond all names John L. Bell
SERMON
Out of Control Rev. Kim P. Wells
UNISON READING Zuni Chant
Beseeching the breath of the divine one,
the life-giving breath,
the breath of old age,
the breath of waters,
the breath of seeds,
the breath of riches,
the breath of fecundity,
the breath of power,
the breath of good fortune,
Asking for this breath
And into my warm body drawing this breath,
I add to your breath
That happily you may always live.
ANTHEM
Have This Love 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
The Darkened Valley Ireland
* Time of Dedication Haiti
Hope is there
like a smouldering fire
that cannot be extinguished . . .
some day that purifying furnace
will heat a decent poor person’s stove.
* PREPARATION FOR PRAYER Don’t be afraid Iona Community
MORNING PRAYER – SAVIOR’S PRAYER
Our Father who is throughout the universe,
Let your name be set apart.
Come your counsel.
Let your desire be, as in the universe, also on earth.
Give us bread for our necessities this day
And free us from our offenses,
As also we have freed our offenders.
And do not let us enter our worldliness,
But set us free from error.
For belongs to you the kingdom, power,
And song, from ages to ages.
Sealed in faithfulness. Aramaic translation
* HYMN
Breathe on Me, Breath of God 292
* BENEDICTION Albert Camus 1913-1960
In the depth of winter, I finally learned that within me there lay an invincible summer.
*CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSE (please form a circle) Rosemary Crow
Weave, weave, weave us together; Weave, weave, weave us together,
Weave us together in unity and love. Weave us together, together in love.
Teje, tejenos juntos, Teje, tejenos juntos,
Tejenos juntos en unidad y amor. Tejenos juntos, juntos en el amor.
*POSTLUDE Andante Con Moto J.S. Bach
Circle of Concern
Samantha Wassmer and Family – Tony and Jim Larson – Erik Johnson – Ann Quinn is under Hospice care – Maggie Brizendine – Janet Hall – Lorne Palmer
Schools: Students, families, teachers, and staff
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 