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
Skip to content
Lakewood United Church of Christ 