Congregational Meeting Ahead There will be a Congregational Meeting held on Sunday Feb. 22 following worship to take action on the church budget for 2026. All church members and friends are encouraged to attend. |
| THIS SUNDAY: This Sunday is the first Sunday of Lent. This is a season of 40 days not including Sundays of preparation for the celebration of Easter. Lent is a penitential season of re-turning our lives to God. It is a season to step back and reflect on our life in Christ. Like a seed below the soil preparing to germinate and grow, Lent is a time for Christians to pray and examine how we are growing and bearing fruit in the world. Worship begins at 10:30. Childcare is provided. |
| New Church Directories Available New church directories are available at church. You are welcome to pick one up on Sunday. If you would like one mailed to you, please contact the Church Office at lakewooducc@gmail.com |
| Collection of Antiperspirant Our featured donation bin for February will be for Lakewood High School. They need antiperspirant/deodorant for their student pantry. Different types (spray, stick) of different scents, including unscented, are needed for students of all genders. Donations can be placed in the bin inside the sanctuary. |
| Press Conference. . . On Thursday Feb. 5, LUCC hosted a press conference introducing the For Whom the Bells Toll campaign to raise awareness about the death penalty. Here is a link to the Lakewood event:https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/02/05/florida-death-penalty-executions-bell-campaign?fbclid=IwY2xjawP4PPJleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAwzNTA2ODU1MzE3MjgAAR6ia-wjAyM4P51hY9MpK-IQ2tKgHgGdYMDArQLxtnJhRzjkXALi4hdLO2tpjw_aem_WCXblkGC2ZxT2IMKNu4QCw There was another execution last week in Florida. |
| Bible Study Ahead Come join a group for reflection and discussion on lesser known women of the Bible. The next gathering will be Tuesday Feb. 24 at 6:30 p.m. at the church. The topic: Deborah and Jael. See Judges chapters 4 and 5. We see that the women of ancient Israel were not confined to the house doing dishes. |
| Book Talk Ahead The monthly LUCC Book Talk will gather on Zoom on Thursday Feb. 19 at 6:30 p.m. Here is the Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/2551937851?omn=87959227305 This is a wonderful time to share what you have been reading and to hear what others have been reading as well. |
| Malcolm and Samantha are Getting Married! The wedding ceremony is Saturday March 7 at 1:00 p.m. at St. Paul’s Catholic Church in St. Petersburg (1800 12th St. N.). Samantha and Malcolm would love to share their joy with the Lakewood Church family. All are invited to the ceremony. |
| Preparing for Solar In preparation for the installation of solar panels at the church, two trees were removed that were in close proximity to the building. Many thanks to Ron Huff for overseeing all of the arrangements.   |
| “Visions of Nature/Voices of Nature” Environmental Film Festival For many years, the Lakewood Congregation has been involved in viewing and discussing the films included in the annual Environmental Film Festival at Eckerd College (put in street address). Lakewood has always had a close relationship with Eckerd thanks to the professors and staff who have been part of the church family. This year, the college has a fantastic lineup of films to share that address environmental issues and so much more. Kim and Jeff Wells and Claire Stiles are regular attenders and can provide more information. You are encouraged to see as many of the films as you can. Admission is FREE and open to the public. To view the dates and times of the showings, please click here. |
One City Chorus  |
| Celebrate Black History Month with U.S. Representative Kathy Castor Join us as we honor the contributions and leadership of leaders across the Tampa Bay Area. U.S. Representative Kathy Castor will help recognize local leaders whose impact continues to shape our community. This will be held at the President Barack Obama Main Library, 3745 9th Ave N, St. Petersburg, FL 33713 on February 20th at 10:30 am. |
Cutting through the ICE |
| Immigration Vigil Continued Be with us as we stand together in prayer, solidarity, and witness against the inhumane and unconstitutional treatment of our immigrant community. All are welcome at this peaceful, prayerful vigil. Sunday, February 22, 2026 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM ET Pinellas County Justice Center, 14450 49th St N, Clearwater, FL 33762 |
| WEEKLY LABYRINTH UPDATE |
| Guided labyrinth walks are held weekly on Wednesday’s at 10 am. All are welcome! The focus is on the scripture reading from the previous Sunday. For those who do not feel comfortable walking, a finger labyrinth is available. Please bring your own chair if you can. The labyrinth is on the southwest corner of the church property, beyond the bike rack. You are welcome to walk it any time. |
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| Care Closet Good Samaritan Food Pantry The food pantry has requested pet food and breakfast cereal. Donations may be placed in The Caring Closet here at the church. Plastic Bags for Missio Dei Missio Dei is in need of plastic grocery bags for the homeless and needy. Please place bags in The Caring Closet 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. Here is a list of donations needed: towlettes travel size, socks and underwear. Please leave your donation in The Caring Closet at church. |
| USEFUL LAKEWOOD LINKS PostsLakewood UCC YouTube ChannelLakewood UCC Bluesky accountYou can listen to Hilton’s music and videos for free at https://hiltonkeanjones.com/. |
| View |
 February Birthdays! 3 – Karen Denehy 5 – Curt Bergstrand 6 – Jim Andrews 7 – Dan Craft 12 – Howard Feldman 15 – Jeff Wells 20 – Nancy Spencer 28 – Joyce Lee |
 Circle of Concern Cathy Giesey Ann Cloutier, Michelle’s mother JoAnne ReidChristy Martin, who is recovering at homeSusan Gilbert Linda Reuscher, friend of Hilton Paula and Tony Pelletier Barbara Walburn Yvonne Riesen Denise Williams Vita Uth Cate Colgan & Marty Seyler’s dog, TrinityThe Denehy Family All school students, families & staff Caregivers The 280 women and men on Florida’s Death Row |
Lakewood United Church of Christ 