An Open and Affirming Church
A Creation Justice Church
May 28, 2023
10:30 a.m.
PENTECOST!
GATHERING MUSIC I Love You Son Lux
[from the movie, “Everything Everywhere All At Once”]
WELCOME and ANNOUNCEMENTS
LIGHTING THE PEACE CANDLE Barbara Donohue, liturgist
You don’t have to have fought in a war to love peace.
Geraldine Ferraro 1935-2011
PRELUDE Chariots of Fire Vangelis
* OPENING PRAYER Jan Berry b. 1953
Exuberant Spirit of God,
bursting with the brightness of flame
into the coldness of our lives
to warm us with a passion for justice and beauty,
we praise you.
Exuberant Spirit of God,
sweeping us out of the dusty corners of our apathy
to breathe vitality into our struggles for change,
we praise you.
Exuberant Spirit of God,
speaking words that leap over barriers of mistrust
to convey messages of truth and new understanding,
we praise you.
Exuberant Spirit of God
flame
wind
speech,
burn, breathe, speak in us;
fill your world with justice and with joy.
* HYMN Come, O Spirit, with Your Sound 265
MYSTIC READING Hildegard of Bingen 1098-1179
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.
Acts 2:1-21
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 On Pentecost They Gathered 272
SERMON Powered Up! Rev. Kim P. Wells
UNISON READING — Blessed are you who bear the light Jan Richardson b. 1967
Blessed are you
who bear the light
in unbearable times,
who testify
to its endurance
amid the unendurable,
who bear witness
to its persistence
when everything seems
in shadow
and grief.
Blessed are you
in whom
the light lives,
in whom
the brightness blazes—
your heart
a chapel,
an altar where
in the deepest night
can be seen
the fire that
shines forth in you
in unaccountable faith,
in stubborn hope,
in love that illumines
every broken thing
it finds.
ANTHEM Fire of Justice, Fire of 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 Clair de Lune Debussy
[from the movie, “Everything Everywhere All At Once”]
* Time of Dedication Christine Valters Paintner, b. 1970, adapted
Fiery Spirit, Source of all creative power,
Kindle your Holy Spark within us,
Breathe into us your Sacred Passion,
Fill us with your Flame until we have become fire,
Offering warmth and light to the world. Amen.
* PREPARATION FOR PRAYER Loose the Spirit Porter
MORNING PRAYERS – SAVIOR’S PRAYER
O Birther! Father-Mother of the Cosmos, focus your light within us—make it useful. Create your reign of unity now; Your one desire acts with ours, as in all light, so in all forms. Grant what we need each day in bread and insight. Loose the cords of mistakes binding us, as we release the strand we hold of others’ guilt. Don’t let surface things delude us, but free us from what holds us back. From you is born all ruling will, the power and the life to do, the song that beautifies all; from age to age it renews. Amen.
(Peshita Syriac-Aramaic translation)
* HYMN Like the Murmur of the Dove’s Wing 270
* BENEDICTION Digby Hannah, Australia
The wind and flame of Pentecost is surely here
stirring in our hearts
glowing in the faces of those we love
in the still, small voice
of compassion for those on the margins
of passion for justice
many candles and flames quietly and resolutely burning
in distant places
in our own neighborhood
within our small community of faith
Who will shout, “look here it is” or “there it is”?
There is no need
because Pentecost is within us.
* 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 Ring of Fire Cash
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Pilgrim, Trinity, Lakewood Cooperative Ministry
Pilgrim, Trinity, and Lakewood UCC churches in St. Petersburg have begun having discussions about how we can cooperate and support each other’sministries. At the first meeting, a list was generated of things that we might work on together. At the next meeting, the group will pick several things to focus on.
In preparation for that meeting, LUCC leaders would like input from the LUCC congregation about what projects and initiatives are of most interest to our congregation. There are three opportunities for you to be involved in this conversation.
There will be an in person conversation about prioritizing the list of potential projects after worship TODAY in the church sanctuary.
There will be a Zoom conversation about the list of possible projects on Tuesday June 6 at 6:30 p.m. Here is the Zoom link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/2700683648.
And there will be another in person conversation about the ministry possibilities at the next Advisors meeting, Sunday June 11 following worship in the Fellowship Hall.
Please know that your input is needed as we explore working with our neighboring UCC churches.
Operation Attack Update
Operation Attack is an ecumenical food pantry located at Lakeview Presbyterian Church. LUCC was a founding partner in this ministry in the 1960’s. Volunteers are needed to serve on Thursdays. Help is needed putting food away, serving clients, and doing clean up and re-stocking. Pick a time that suits you: 9:30-12:30, 1-4, 4:30-6:30. Help is needed during each of those time segments.
Please consider volunteering for this important ministry serving those most in need in our community.
Donations of non perishable food is always welcome.
Summer Sundays Ahead
For the Sunday services this summer, Rev. Wells would like to hear from you!
What would you like to hear a sermon about? Is there a theme or a topic or a scripture lesson or an issue or a story that is of interest to you? Kim would love to hear from you and she will plan the summer services around your requests.
Congregational Meeting Ahead
There will be a congregational meeting following morning worship on Sunday June 25. This is a special called meeting to discuss a financial plan for the church for the second half of 2023.
Guided Labyrinth Walks
The weekly guided labyrinth walk is now scheduled for Wednesdays at 7:00 p.m. There are several factors that have led to this change including the construction on the property next to the church. All are welcome!
Climate Card Initiative Ahead
LUCC will be participating in the UCC Climate Card initiative letting legislators know that we support efforts to eliminate global warming. Look for more information soon!
Choir Ministry Concludes
This is the last Sunday that the choir will sing for this season. The choir has brought much meaning and beauty to the worship services this year. MANY THANKS to the choir members and especially to Music Director Hilton Jones!
Exhibition Closing June 8
The exhibit “Civil Rights in the Sunshine State” at the St. Petersburg Museum of History will be closing June 8. You are encouraged to see this important, extensive exhibit about the Civil Rights movement in Florida. We all know the image of the marchers crossing the Pettus Bridge in Selma, AL but there were many significant Civil Rights demonstrations and actions in Florida. This important exhibit at the Museum of History shares those stories, which, sadly, may no longer be taught in schools. The exhibit will be on display through June 8.
Circle of Concern
Yvonne Riesen recovering from a fall
Barbara Donohue’s friend, Kelsey
Lucille Ruga
Sherry Santana
Tony Rogers, church custodian
Erik Johnson
Ann Quinn is under Hospice care
Janet Hall
Caregivers
Schools: Students, families, teachers, and staff.
Church Staff
Rev. Kim P. Wells Pastor
Hilton K. Jones Music Director
Claudia Rodriguez Childcare
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
A Just Peace Church
Month: May 2023
Sermon 5.21.23
LAKEWOOD UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST
2601 54th Avenue South St. Petersburg, FL 33712
On land originally inhabited by the Tocabaga
727-867-7961
lakewooducc.org
lakewooducc@gmail.com
Date: May 21, 2023
Scripture Lesson: 1 Peter 4:12-16, 5:6-11
Sermon: Cast Your Cares Upon God
Pastor: Rev. Kim P. Wells
This past week I spoke with someone I have known for years about his childhood. I had assumed that he had a typical upbringing in the 50’s and 60’s — until our recent conversation. I found out the this person’s father died when he was 5 or 6 years old. And then his mother died when he was in what was then called junior high. And his brother, 7 years older, was his guardian.
The two brothers lived together in the familial home. Then when he was in high school, the brother was drafted – this was during the Vietnam War. So, the brother went off to the service. And my friend continued to live in the family home by himself and to finish high school. He got a check for about $84 a month from Social Security and that is what he used to pay the utilities, etc. The house was paid for. As he told me about all of this, he did not seem sad or burdened. This was simply his story. His ‘normal.’
I must have looked appalled or aghast as I listened because my friend added, “Things were different then.” Yes, they were. But still. A high schooler left to raise himself? I asked him, how was it being by yourself? Were you lonely? No, not really. He had lots of friends and their parents helped to look out for him. One parent of a friend saw to it that he was not drafted. And he had lots of extended family in the area and they were looking out for him. He had a community of support and he was able to move on with his life, get an education, work productively in his chosen career, and not really be significantly negatively impacted by his situation.
This morning, we heard from First Peter, verses addressed to a people living under duress; in adverse circumstances. One thing they are told is not to bring more suffering upon themselves by doing evil like “being a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or a destroyer of another’s rights.” Note that – destroyer of another’s rights. We can relate to that! Some of our supposed Christian elected officials need to be reading their Bibles.
In addition to not doing evil themselves, the people who are suffering are told to cast their cares on God. In another translation, ‘cares’ is translated ‘anxiety.’ “Cast all your anxiety on God.” Well, we, too, know about cares and anxiety in spite of the fact that we live in a time of access to amazing material comforts and medical care. Still, who does not have anxiety – about death, health issues, finances, the future, global warming, our children and grandchildren, our society, those who are being left out and left behind, the rights that are being taken away from people, gun violence, and so much more. No matter how much money we have or how comfortable and stable our life may seem, being a human being involves worry and anxiety. And despite all of our accomplishments and progress as a species the experiencing of anxiety is on the rise on our context. Maybe this is influenced by the internet which makes us aware of so much more pain in the world and in the lives of others. And with more information sometimes it seems there is more to be afraid of. No more ‘ignorance is bliss.’ Anxiety is on the rise. And medical science has shown that the stress of anxiety has negative effects upon our physical health which gives us even more to worry about! Articles abound about how to calm your anxieties through breathing, therapy, processing, relaxation exercises, etc. First Peter invites us to add cast your cares, your anxieties, upon God as another tool in our kit to decrease our worries and our fears.
So I am interested in this advice, cast your cares upon God. We can be sure that this includes prayer. Offering our worries, our fears, our anxiety, our grief, to God, how ever we may understand God, in prayerful devotion. That is very important and can be extremely effective. We are invited to unburden ourselves to God. Through prayer, meditation, journaling, walking the labyrinth, and other spiritual disciplines. I also think this casting your cares upon God is something that can happen when we gather as a faith community and share our concerns.
The advisors are the governing board of our church. They meet regularly to discuss things like personnel issues, property concerns, finances. Always finances! But at the beginning of each meeting, we begin with ‘check in.’ Each person is invited to share what is going on with them. And then we extend that to the people of the church community for whom we are concerned. We are at the meeting to be the church. And yes, that involves administration, but I would hate to think that someone came to an advisors meeting heavily burdened and all we did was discuss the bank balance and the plumbing problem. We are here to incarnate the love of Christ to one another, to share each other’s burdens and joys. That’s why we bother with the budget.
Cast your cares upon God. To me, that is what we are here as a congregation to do. And yes, we pray, but we also share our burdens, our anxieties, our cares, in community, in relationship with one another, and receive needed support and sympathy. How did my friend make it through his stressful childhood? With the support of a community of family and friends. We are here to be that community for each other.
I remember one year, in stewardship season, I think, we had people in the congregation talk about what the church means to them and why they come to church. One person mentioned, that she comes to church in part because “somebody may need me.” Cast your cares. We come with our needs and cares and anxieties but we also come knowing someone else may come needing us – to listen, to offer spiritual support, to care. Yes, at church on Sunday there is singing and praying and praising and teaching, but there is also what appears to be casual conversation that may very well be an opportunity for us to share cares and worries and anxieties and know that they are received with love and concern. In these exchanges we incarnate the love and care of God to one another.
So I would like to invite you to take a few moments to think about what cares, worries, or anxieties are weighing on your heart this morning. What is keeping you up at night? Maybe something in your own life. Maybe something in the life of someone you care about. Maybe something in our society involving concern for others negatively impacted by societal forces. So you are invited to just reflect for a few moments on the cares and anxieties that you are carrying within you at this moment.
PAUSE
Now I would like to invite you to turn to someone else who is here this morning and have a brief conversation about your cares and concerns. You can talk with someone you know or someone who is new to you. I encourage you to consider talking with someone that you don’t typically engage with. You can get up and move. You can adjust the chairs to suit your conversation. So, take 5 minutes or so to share something that is weighing on your heart with someone who is here this morning and to listen to the cares of another.
SMALL GROUP CONVERSATION
Is there anyone who would like to comment on this experience before we wrap up?
Cast your cares upon God. That is one of the things we do at church each week. Yes, it can be a private, prayerful, experience, but it can also be a social experience done in community as we have done here today. We are incarnating the love of God to one another as Jesus did. We are sharing the cares and burdens we bring. We are offering solace and spiritual support by listening and caring. We are embodying Divine Love to one another. And if you did not come with concerns that you need to unburden, you can be uplifted knowing that you helped to ease the burden of someone else by hearing their cares.
We close with a prayer from contemporary mystic Andrew Harvey:
Mother,
Make of my heart
A vast bed of peace
Where you can lay down your heart
And rest from the agony that harrows it
From all we are and continue to do.
As you comfort me, so may I comfort you.
[Andrew Harvey, contemporary mystic]
Amen.
A reasonable effort has been made to appropriately cite materials referenced in this sermon. For additional information, please contact Lakewood United Church of Christ.
Resignation
This arrangement of mine is a musical reflections on the hymn tune, Resignation, a melody of anonymous authorship from William Walker’s “Southern Harmony, and Musical Companion” (1835).
The second “verse” of the arrangement is a minor key treatment of the melody. It returns to a more upbeat character on the “third” verse, and an even more positive statement on the “fourth” verse.
The sheet music is available at https://www.sheetmusicplus.com/title/resignation-for-solo-piano-digital-sheet-music/22511247 and https://www.sheetmusicdirect.com/en-US/se/ID_No/1330431/Product.aspx.
I don’t have videos of me playing a lot of these solo piano arrangements. I recorded them before I got into the practice of making videos. When there’s no video, I’m using a score synchronized with my audio recording.
Bulletin 5.21.23
Bulletin 5.21.23
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
LIGHTING THE PEACE CANDLE Colleen Coughenour, liturgist
I will not be involved with the dreams of angry men.
Hmong Villager, Laos
PRELUDE As Time Goes By Hupfeld
* OPENING READING — Lady in Waiting Hebe Welbourne
Waiting — for what?
For your child to wake,
To need you, to leave you?
For the coming of Christ?
For social security, justice, aid?
For a lucky chance?
For the passage of time?
Enduring the pain
Which can only be borne
Enfolded in the space
Between times.
Lady, let me join you
In the space between,
Where all joys and sorrows are
Meeting.
* HYMN What a Covenant 471
SCRIPTURE LESSON – 1 Peter 4:12-16, 5:6-11
Don’t be surprised, my dear friends, that a trial by fire is occurring in your midst. It is a test for you, but it shouldn’t catch you off guard. Rejoice, instead, insofar as you share the Savior’s sufferings, so that when the glory of Christ is revealed, you will rejoice exceedingly. Happy are you when you are insulted for the sake of Christ, for then God’s Spirit in her glory has come to rest on you.
See to it, however, that none of you suffers for being a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or a destroyer of another’s rights. If anyone suffers for being a follower of Christ, however, that one ought not be ashamed, but rather should glorify God in virtue of that Name.
Therefore, humble yourselves before God’s mighty power, that you may be exalted by God on the appointed day.
Cast all your cares on God, who cares for you. Be sober. Be watchful. For your adversary the Devil roams about like a roaring lion seeking someone to devour. Stand up to the devil as one strong in faith, fortified with the knowledge that your sisters and brothers throughout the world share the same afflictions.
But the God of all grace, who called you to eternal glory through Jesus Christ, will fulfill, restore, strengthen and establish you after you have suffered a little while. To God be glory and dominion forever and ever! Amen.
* HYMN Be Not Dismayed 460
SERMON Rev. Kim P. Wells
UNISON READING — Give Me Someone
Author once known, Japan, adapted
When I am famished,
Give me someone who needs food;
When I am thirsty,
Send me someone who needs water;
When I am cold,
Send me someone to warm;
When I am hurting,
Send me someone to console; . . . .
When I am poor,
Lead someone needy to me;
When I have no time,
Give me someone to help for a moment;
When I am criticized,
Give me someone to praise;
When I am discouraged,
Send me someone to encourage;
When I need another’s understanding,
Give me someone who needs mine;
When I need somebody to take care of me,
Send me someone to care for;
When I think too much of myself,
Turn my thoughts toward someone else.
ANTHEM Come by the Hills Irish, trad.
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
Bring forward. . .If you would like assistance, please turn to someone seated near you.
Offertory Syncopated Clock Anderson
* Time of Dedication Celtic Blessing
When Jesus came to earth as a baby,
He depended entirely on human love —
That of Mary, Joseph, and the shepherds.
When Jesus preached and healed,
He depended entirely on human love —
The alms given by those who heard him.
I too depend on human love.
The kindness of others sustains my soul.
The gifts of others sustain my body.
Every person depends on others’ love.
Let no one be ashamed of their needs.
To depend on others is to imitate Christ.
* PREPARATION FOR PRAYER
Won’t You Let Me Be Your Servant 539
MORNING PRAYERS – SAVIOR’S PRAYER
Fathering and Mothering God, lover of us all, most holy one.
Help us to respond to you
To create what you want for us here on earth.
Give us today enough for our needs.
Forgive our weak and deliberate offenses,
Just as we must forgive others when they hurt us.
Help us to resist evil and to do what is good.
For we are yours, endowed with your power to make the world whole. Amen.
* HYMN Send Me, Lord 360
* BENEDICTION Catholic Bishops of Appalachia
They sing of a life
free and simple,
with time for one another,
and for people’s needs,
based on the dignity of the human person,
at one with nature’s beauty. . .
* CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSE (please form a circle)
Teje, tejenos juntos, Teje, tejenos juntos,
Tejenos juntos en unidad y amor. Tejenos juntos, juntos en el amor.
* POSTLUDE I’m Bidin’ My Time Gershwin
ANNOUNCEMENTS
AHEAD –
LUCC will be participating in the UCC Climate Card initiative letting legislators know that we support efforts to eliminate global warming. Look for more information soon!
For Pentecost, please plan on bringing a candle to church to be used in worship.
Circle of Concern
Jeff Wells and family over the death of his brother, Frank Wells
Erik Johnson
Ann Quinn is under Hospice care
Ron Spivack
Janet Hall
Family and Loved Ones of Dave Radens, husband of Marg Radens
Schools: Students, families, teachers, and staff
Congregational Meeting
Lakewood United Church of Christ 