| THIS SUNDAY: In this chaotic world, we long for some control. Our faith promises many things. Control may not be one of them. In this Lenten season, a time to give something up, can we think about giving up our desire for control? Take a look at John 3:1-17. This Sunday is a Communion Sunday. The Communion Offering will be received. This offering is used to help people in the congregation and in the community with basic needs such as utility, rent, and prescription assistance. The need has been significant in the congregation and beyond. Every gift makes a difference in someone’s life. Please consider a gift to the Communion Offering. 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 Thanks to all who brought donations for Lakewood High. We were able to collect over 80 sticks of deodorant! The students and staff appreciate your generosity. |
| March Bin of the Month This month we will the Good Samaritan Food Pantry, who always have a bin in our care closet. Need is higher than ever. Good Sam donations should be brand new (unopened) shelf stable items that do not require refrigeration. Items in need include: canned and dry pet food, breakfast cereal, protein (tuna, chicken, beans), rice, instant mashed potatoes, pasta and pasta sauces, boxed mixes (cake, macaroni and cheese, rice a roni), spices and dried herbs, cooking oils, baking staples (flour, sugar), snack items, drink mixes, tea and coffee, canned or dried fruit, canned vegetables and soups. |
| Congregation Meeting Held 2/22/26 At the Congregational Meeting on Sunday February 22, the spending plan for 2026 was unanimously accepted. The documents are posted on the bulletin board at the church. If you would like them emailed to you, please contact the Church Office: lakewooducc@gmail.com In addition, the congregation unanimously approved the amount of the loan from the UCC Cornerstone Fund for the solar installation. The amount was increased due to additional expenses related to a commercial rather than a residential installation. Many thanks to all who attended the meeting and especially to Mark Gibson for providing all of the information and explanations and to Dyanne Edds for moderating the meeting. |
| 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. |
| Death Penalty Vigil The next execution in Florida is scheduled for Tuesday March 3. Billy Kearse will be executed. An execution warrant was also signed for Michael King. He will be executed on March 17. On the day of an execution there is an awareness vigil held here in Pinellas County at the northwest corner of 49th St. North and Ulmerton Road from 5-6 p.m. Signs are available or bring your own. There is plenty of parking. Lakewood is part of the For Whom the Bells Toll initiative to bring attention to the death penalty. A sign will be put out in front of the church on the day of an execution and there will be prayers in Sunday worship for those who are being executed. |
| “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. |
| Daughter of Malcom X to speak at Eckerd College, Feb 27 Attalah Shabazz will speak at Eckerd College’s Fox Hall on February 27, 2026 at 6 pm. It is free admission. |
Annual IFTAR Dinner Ahead March 10 The annual Iftar dinner is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the diversity of the Tampa Bay region. The dinner is a commemoration of the end of fasting for the day during the Muslim season of Ramadan. Lakewood Church has participated in the dinner since its beginning. People from the congregation usually disperse among the other attendees as an opportunity to get to know new people in the community. Make your reservations using the link below. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/8th-annual-st-petersburg-iftar-dinner-brought-to-you-by-tbama-tickets-1976890066405?aff=oddtdtcreator |
| Tickets for the Celebrate Outreach Ghost Tour “Fun” Raiser Peer into the shadows and mysteries of Florida’s Sunshine City and support Celebrate Outreach on a ghost history walking tour of downtown St. Petersburg! Join our costumed professional tour guide for a leisurely, wheelchair-accessible stroll along St. Petersburg’s quaint streets and beautiful waterfront! The tour departs from the large white colonnade at the north end of North Straub Parkacross from The Vinoy Resort at 7:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 21, 2026. Buy your tickets now: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/ghost-history-tour-st-petersburg |
| No Kings Day 3 There will be a nationwide day of protest on March 28. Multiple events are planned for Pinellas County in St. Pete, Gulfport, Largo, and Clearwater. The St. Pete event will be 10:30 AM-12 PM around Tyrone Mall. You are invited to participate by sign holding, driving around honking in support, or taking part in community activities like voter registration. Event Information can be found here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1OYBAf_d6-mWIwuEMmeAVba5urqdOZqbh2VJ8x9TgeuM/edit?usp=drivesdk The four No Kings demonstrations in our area on March 28: NO KINGS St. Petersburg: 10:30am – 12noon, Tyrone area NO KINGS Clearwater/ North Pinellas: 10am – 12pm, Gulf to Bay & Park Place Blvd., Clearwater NO KINGS Gulfport: 12 – 1:30pm, Clymer Park, Gulfport NO KINGS Largo: 10am – 12pm, Seminole Boulevard & East Bay Drive, Largo, FL 33771 Go to nokings.org if you would like to find other event times and locations. |
| 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, March 1, 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 |
| 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! |
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Lakewood United Church of Christ 