Author: lakewooducc

Weekly Update 9/23

NEW SERVICE TIME!!!

Sunday services are now being held at 10:30 a.m. Masks are required.  There is physical distancing.  Childcare is provided.

You can also join in on Facebook Live at 10:30.  Please see the instructions below.  

This Sunday is American Indian Ministries Sunday in the United Church of Christ.  This is a time to reflect with appreciation on the cultural heritage that preceded the Europeans on the land that we inhabit.  The scriptures for the week are James 5:13-20 and Mark 9:38-50.  

Sundays

Look for the bulletin posted on the church website on Friday: https://lakewooducc.org/category/bulletins/

Watch the service on Facebook Live Sundays at 10:30. https://www.facebook.com/LakewoodUCC

Or on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/LakewoodUCC/videos

Instructions for how to access Facebook Live: For additional assistance, please contact the church office.

Here are some instructions to watch our Sunday services live through Facebook:

Use the following link to visit our homepage: https://www.facebook.com/LakewoodUCC/

On Sunday mornings at 10:30 a.m. please use the link above to visit our homepage. There, after using the link, you will see a section labeled “Happening Now”. This is our Livestream of the Sunday Service.

To watch the live stream, locate and click the “watch video” button in the lower right corner of the screen.

If the link above is not working, there is also a link to our Facebook page on our website. Please try that link located on the Home page of our website.

Ways to Help Afghan Refugees from LUCC Member Janet Blair

Janet works for the state of Florida in refugee resettlement.  She recommends the following ways to help Afghan refugees.

Show support for legislation to help with the resettlement of Afghan refugees.  Here’s the link: https://act.rescue.org/I94Y95d

Janet tells us: We haven’t had many Afghan arrivals yet in Tampa Bay, but there are about 10 individuals that Gulf Coast Jewish Family & Community Services is working with. Local and volunteer/donation opportunities with their agency can be found at: https://gulfcoastjewishfamilyandcommunityservices.org/

Also, Pinellas County Libraries is doing their annual project for National Welcoming Week which they expanded to a month-long donation drive to put together baskets of needed items for refugee families in Pinellas County.  Although not all baskets will go directly to Afghan families, they will go to families in need who come as refugees from other countries that are not as often in the media spotlight such as refugees from Ethiopia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Haiti.

Information can be found online at  largopubliclibrary.org/welcomingweek

Thank you to Janet for helping LUCC to extend hospitality and welcome to those in need!

Cathedral on Fire – a Church Handbook for the Climate Crisis

LUCC Book Discussion

Books are on order for the 12 people interested in this Creation Justice sponsored online book discussion.  The order is expected to arrive in the last week of September. The group will meet via Zoom online at 5:00pm on Thursday late afternoons October 7, 21, and 28 from 5:00 – 6:00pm.  A few extra books will be available for anyone else interested in reading or joining the discussion!  Check with Claire Stiles at stilesca@eckerd.edu for any further details.

Birthday Gratitude from Rev. Kim Wells

Many thanks to the congregation and to the Care Team for the wonderful birthday wishes shared with me on Sunday.  Your heartfelt expression of love is very much appreciated!

Rev. Wells Away

From Wednesday until Saturday, Rev. Wells will be away.  If pastoral care is needed, please contact Patti Cooksey at cooksepa@eckerd.edu.

Join Third Act at https://thirdact.org/ for Climate Justice

Those of us who are over 60 years old can now sign up to be part of a new initiative seeking to leave a fair and stable planet for our kids, grandkids and all future generations. Earlier this month, Bill McKibben launched Third Act – a movement of Baby Boomers and the Silent Generation who want to use their skills, power and influence to embrace the urgent changes our civilization must undertake to assure a livable planet for our children.

Please consider joining this nonviolent public witness for climate justice, racial justice and economic justice. Instead of leaving the world a worse place than we found it, we can embrace a Third Act that will make the coming months and years a redemptive turning point.

Adapted from UCC online News published on Sep 9, 2021 featuring this piece by the Rev. Jim Antal, former Massachusetts Conference minister, special advisor on climate justice to the UCC General Minister and President.

Anti Racism Demonstrations to Resume Oct. 3

The church will resume its witness against racism with weekly demonstrations along the sidewalk of 54th Ave. S. Make your own sign or use one of the signs at the church.
Demonstrations will be held Sundays from 5:30-6 beginning Sunday, October 3. In case of rain, the demonstration will not be held that week.

Know justice, know peace! This is an important way to inspire hope in the community and to work to create an anti-racist society.

Guided Labyrinth Walks

The guided walk is held weekly on Wednesdays at 9:00 a.m. This provides an opportunity to be aware and deepen your spiritual journey. If it is raining, the walk is held on Thursday at 9:00 a.m.

Also, the readings and prayers used on Wednesdays at the guided walk are put in the mailbox by the labyrinth each week for use during the week.

The labyrinth is on the church grounds near the southwest corner of the church property. It is available for use at all times.

Being Covid Safe and In-Person Worship

Please stay home if you are not feeling well.

Please wear a mask while in the church building.  While most people have been vaccinated, this helps visitors to feel safe.  

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is recommending double masking.  Please consider wearing two masks to church.  Additional masks will be available at church to use as needed.

Two hand sanitizing stations are available for use by worshippers.

There is well-ventilated, physically distanced indoor seating in the sanctuary.

Please know that your safety is of primary consideration! 

Safe childcare is provided.

Immigration Action Item: THOUSANDS of Dreamers at risk of deportation! 

Severe processing delays are keeping THOUSANDS of DACA immigrants at risk of deportation and unemployment! As of March 31, USCIS had a backlog of more than 55,000 pending first-time DACA applications, in addition to over 44,000 renewal requests. United We Dream – an organization led by Dreamers – is calling on President Biden to clear the backlog NOW. 

Please sign the United We Dream’s petition calling on Biden and USCIS to clear the DACA backlog and process applications and renewals in a timely manner.
Click here:  https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/end-the-daca-backlog/

Operation Attack Update

OA needs donations of cereal, peanut butter, canned meat, fruit, vegetables and soup, dried beans, and mac/cheese. Donations may be placed on the shelf in the hallway at church.

Spiritual Direction Offered by LUCC Clergy Member.

In these troubled times, it is important to find ways to tend to our spiritual lives. In the Christian tradition, Spiritual Direction is one of the ways of paying attention to the spirit in our lives. A Spiritual Director is someone to talk with about what is going on in our spiritual life and in our relationship with God however we may conceive of God.

Rev. Sally Purvis, Ph.D., a member of LUCC, is a retired clergy person with training and experience in Spiritual Direction. She is offering her services as a Spiritual Director to the community. The sessions would be held on Zoom and there is no fee to be paid. Church leaders are pleased to have the ministry of the church expand in this way.

Spiritual Direction with Sally is open to anyone, not just the congregation. And it is offered to everyone whatever their spiritual or religious background or affiliation or lack thereof. Sessions are generally held once every three weeks. Spiritual Direction is not a mode of therapy. It is a process for understanding and deepening your relationship with God/Spirit in ways that are authentic and life-giving.

Sally was trained by Henri Nouwen, a noted spiritual guide of the 20th century, and did Spiritual Direction as part of her professional ministry before retiring in 2015.

If you would like to explore Spiritual Direction with Sally, please contact her at
sallybpurvis@icloud.com or contact the church (867-7961 or lakewooducc@gmail.com ).

The church is very grateful to Sally for offering this avenue of support to the congregation and the community.

USEFUL LAKEWOOD LINKS:

For the above church website links, please note the “Older Posts” button near the bottom of each page.

September Birthdays: Kim Wells 9/19, Donald Ritchie 9/27, and Carolyn Moore 9/30. Someone missing? Contact the church office with birthday information.

Circle of Concern: 

Amaiya Washington

Dana Cosper and family

Dave Radens

William Owen-Cowan

Jen Degroot

Carolyn Moore

Ann Quinn

Maggie Brizendine

Janet Hall

All those suffering from COVID-19 and all healthcare workers

Schools: Students, families, teachers, and staff

Church Office Hours:  Tuesday 9:30-noon Thursday-Friday 9:30-noon. 

Recent Posts:

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 Tuesday since the Update usually is sent out on Wednesday.





Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lakewooduccstpete/?hl=en

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LakewoodUCC

Twitter: https://twitter.com/lakewooducc?lang=en

Bulletin 9/19/2021

GATHERING MUSIC            

WELCOME and ANNOUNCEMENTS

LIGHTING THE PEACE CANDLE                            Sally Purvis, liturgist

When it gets down to having to use violence, then you are playing the system’s game. The establishment will irritate you: pull your beard, flick your face to make you fight. Because once they’ve got you violent, then they know how to handle you.

The only thing they don’t know how to handle is non-violence and humor.

John Lennon, 1940-1980

PRELUDE                        Sweet, Sweet Spirit                        Doris Akers

CALL TO WORSHIP                                                 Nan Merrill, Psalm 1

Blessed are those who walk hand in hand with goodness,

who stand beside virtue, who sit in the seat of truth;

For their delight is in the Spirit of Love,

and in Love’s heart they dwell day and night.

They are like trees planted by streams of water,

that yield fruit in due season,

and their leaves flourish;

And in all they do, they give life.

MUSICAL REFLECTION    I Went Down in the River to Pray

African-American Spiritual

SCRIPTURE READING

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.

Psalm 1

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.

MODERN READING             Annie Dillard, from Pilgrim at Tinker’s Creek                                 

SERMON                         Well Watered              Rev. Kim P. Wells

UNISON READING                                         Mahatma Gandhi

For true love is inexhaustible;

the more you give,

the more you have.

And if you go to draw at the true fountainhead,

the more water you draw,

the more abundant its flow.

MUSICAL INTERLUDE          Peace Like a River     African-American Spiritual

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.

Offertory           Shall We Gather at the River           Robert Lowry

Prayer of Dedication              Leslie Brandt, Psalm 1, adapted

Those who choose to live a significant life

are not going to take cues

from the religiously indifferent.

Nor will they conform to the crowd

nor mouth prejudices,

nor dote on the failures of others.

Their ultimate concern is the will of God.

They make their daily decisions in respect to such.

They can be compared to a sturdy tree

planted in rich and moist soil.

As the tree yields fruit,

so their lives manifest blessing for others.

May we choose to live significant lives. Amen.

PREPARATION FOR PRAYER           Deep River          Harry T. Burleigh

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.  Please observe physical distancing.

MORNING PRAYER-SAVIOR’S PRAYER                       

Our Creator, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory for ever. Amen.

* BENEDICTION                                                               Celtic Prayer

Deep peace of the running wave to you,

of water flowing, rising and falling,

sometimes advancing, sometimes receding. . .

Deep peace of the running wave to you.                         

*POSTLUDE               Down by the Riverside       African-American spiritual

Circle of Concern:  Bill Parsons, Dave Radens, Dana Cosper and family, Carol Shores, Sherry Santana, William Owen-Cowan, Jen Degroot, Carolyn Moore, Ann Quinn, Maggie Brizendine, Janet Hall, family and friends of Rev. Dr. Jim Prickett.

Announcements

Facebook Live The 10:30 a.m. service is being streamed on Facebook Live.

Operation Attack OA also still needs donations of cereal, peanut butter, canned meat, fruit, vegetables and soup, dried beans, and mac/cheese. Donations may be placed on the shelf in the hallway at church.

LUCC Book Discussion Books are on order for the 12 people interested in this Creation Justice sponsored online book discussion.  The order is expected to arrive in the last week of September. The group will meet via Zoom online at 5:00pm on Thursday late afternoons October 7, 21, and 28 from 5:00 – 6:00pm.  A few extra books will be available for anyone else interested in reading or joining the discussion!  Check with Claire Stiles at stilesca@eckerd.edu for any further details.

Anti Racism Demonstrations to Resume The church will resume its witness against racism with weekly demonstrations along the sidewalk of 54th Ave. S.  Make your own sign or use one of the signs at the church. Demonstrations will be held Sundays from 5:30-6 beginning Sunday October 3. In case of rain, the demonstration will not be held that week.  Know justice, know peace! This is an important way to inspire hope in the community and to work to create an anti-racist society.  

Gathering to Honor International Day of Peace and the Fall Equinox Join with your LUCC community in this time of transition.  Sept. 21 is United Nations International Day of Peace.  Sept. 22 is the fall equinox.  The LUCC community will gather on the patio of the church on Tuesday Sept. 21 at 7:00 p.m. for an evening celebrating peace and what we need to shed to create more peace in our lives and in the world.  You may bring a reading to share about peace or about the fall and the changing of the seasons.  This will be an outdoor event with physical distancing.  

Lakewood United Church of Christ 2601 54th Ave. S. St. Petersburg, FL 33712

727-867-7961 lakewooducc@gmail.com Lakewooducc.org

Weekly Update 9/15

NEW SERVICE TIME!!!

Sunday services are now being held at 10:30 a.m. Masks are required.  There is physical distancing.  Childcare is provided.

You can also join in on Facebook Live at 10:30.  Please see the instructions below.  

This Sunday is Charter Sunday.  It is a time to reflect on the founding of Lakewood United Church of Christ and it’s ministry.  There is much to remember and much to look forward to!  The service will feature music of the ’60’s since the church was founded in 1967.  Quite a time to be establishing a church!  Or maybe just the right time to founding a faith community!  Take a look at Psalm 1 for inspiration. 

Sundays

Look for the bulletin posted on the church website on Friday: https://lakewooducc.org/category/bulletins/

Watch the service on Facebook Live Sundays at 10:30. https://www.facebook.com/LakewoodUCC

Or on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/LakewoodUCC/videos

Instructions for how to access Facebook Live: For additional assistance, please contact the church office.

Here are some instructions to watch our Sunday services live through Facebook:

Use the following link to visit our homepage: https://www.facebook.com/LakewoodUCC/

On Sunday mornings at 10:30 a.m. please use the link above to visit our homepage. There, after using the link, you will see a section labeled “Happening Now”. This is our Livestream of the Sunday Service.

To watch the live stream, locate and click the “watch video” button in the lower right corner of the screen.

If the link above is not working, there is also a link to our Facebook page on our website. Please try that link located on the Home page of our website.

Cathedral on Fire – a Church Handbook for the Climate Crisis

LUCC Book Discussion

Books are on order for the 12 people interested in this Creation Justice sponsored online book discussion.  The order is expected to arrive in the last week of September. The group will meet via Zoom online at 5:00pm on Thursday late afternoons October 7, 21, and 28 from 5:00 – 6:00pm.  A few extra books will be available for anyone else interested in reading or joining the discussion!  Check with Claire Stiles at stilesca@eckerd.edu for any further details.

Join Third Act at https://thirdact.org/ for Climate Justice

Those of us who are over 60 years old can now sign up to be part of a new initiative seeking to leave a fair and stable planet for our kids, grandkids and all future generations. Earlier this month, Bill McKibben launched Third Act – a movement of Baby Boomers and the Silent Generation who want to use their skills, power and influence to embrace the urgent changes our civilization must undertake to assure a livable planet for our children.

Please consider joining this nonviolent public witness for climate justice, racial justice and economic justice. Instead of leaving the world a worse place than we found it, we can embrace a Third Act that will make the coming months and years a redemptive turning point.

Adapted from UCC online News published on Sep 9, 2021 featuring this piece by the Rev. Jim Antal, former Massachusetts Conference minister, special advisor on climate justice to the UCC General Minister and President.

Book Talk Schedule

Book Talk is a monthly opportunity to enjoy discussing books! Participants hear about what others are reading and share what they have been reading. It’s very interesting and a chance to get to know people better, even people you already know well!

The next Book Talk will be Tomorrow, Thursday, Sept. 16 at 6:30 on Zoom. Here’s the link:  https://us02web.zoom.us/j/2700683648

Gathering to Honor International Day of Peace and the Fall Equinox

Join with your LUCC community in this time of transition.  Sept. 21 is United Nations International Day of Peace.  Sept. 22 is the fall equinox.  The LUCC community will gather on the patio of the church on Tuesday Sept. 21 at 7:00 p.m. for an evening celebrating peace and what we need to shed to create more peace in our lives and in the world.  You may bring a reading to share about peace or about the fall and the changing of the seasons.  This will be an outdoor event with physical distancing.  

Anti Racism Demonstrations to Resume

The church will resume its witness against racism with weekly demonstrations along the sidewalk of 54th Ave. S.  Make your own sign or use one of the signs at the church.  
Demonstrations will be held Sundays from 5:30-6 beginning Sunday October 3. In case of rain, the demonstration will not be held that week. 

Know justice, know peace! This is an important way to inspire hope in the community and to work to create an anti-racist society.  

In Memoriam

The Rev. Dr. Jim Prickett, former pastor of Lakewood United Church of Christ, died at home on Sept. 1 in Indiana. Jim helped to found Habitat for Humanity International in 1976.

Hurricane Ida Response

Hurricane Ida caused severe damage in the South Central Conference of the United Church of Christ.  You are encouraged to donate funds for emergency relief and long-term recovery through the United Church of Christ Disaster Relief Ministries.  Here is the link to make your donation:  https://www.ucc.org/appeal-severe-storms-2021/

Guided Labyrinth Walks

The guided walk is held weekly on Wednesdays at 9:00 a.m. This provides an opportunity to be aware and deepen your spiritual journey. If it is raining, the walk is held on Thursday at 9:00 a.m.

Also, the readings and prayers used on Wednesdays at the guided walk are put in the mailbox by the labyrinth each week for use during the week.

The labyrinth is on the church grounds near the southwest corner of the church property. It is available for use at all times.

Being Covid Safe and In-Person Worship

Please stay home if you are not feeling well.

Please wear a mask while in the church building.  While most people have been vaccinated, this helps visitors to feel safe.  

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is recommending double masking.  Please consider wearing two masks to church.  Additional masks will be available at church to use as needed.

Two hand sanitizing stations are available for use by worshippers.

There is well-ventilated, physically distanced indoor seating in the sanctuary.

Please know that your safety is of primary consideration! 

Safe childcare is provided.

Immigration Action Item: THOUSANDS of Dreamers at risk of deportation! 

Severe processing delays are keeping THOUSANDS of DACA immigrants at risk of deportation and unemployment! As of March 31, USCIS had a backlog of more than 55,000 pending first-time DACA applications, in addition to over 44,000 renewal requests. United We Dream – an organization led by Dreamers – is calling on President Biden to clear the backlog NOW. 

Please sign the United We Dream’s petition calling on Biden and USCIS to clear the DACA backlog and process applications and renewals in a timely manner.
Click here:  https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/end-the-daca-backlog/

Operation Attack Update

Many thanks to Ian Blair-Catala who has been connecting the church with Operation Attack for the last 4 years.  Ian is now moving on to attend USF in Tampa.  Ian’s brother, Owen, will be taking over as the church’s Operation Attack coordinator.  Owen will be sharing what food items are needed as well as opportunities to volunteer.  Operation Attack is an ecumenical food pantry that has been serving the area since the 1960s.  It is located at Lakeview Presbyterian Church in St. Petersburg.  With gratitude to Ian, the church welcomes Owen to this important role serving those in need in the community.  

OA also still needs donations of cereal, peanut butter, canned meat, fruit, vegetables and soup, dried beans, and mac/cheese. Donations may be placed on the shelf in the hallway at church.

Spiritual Direction Offered by LUCC Clergy Member.

In these troubled times, it is important to find ways to tend to our spiritual lives. In the Christian tradition, Spiritual Direction is one of the ways of paying attention to the spirit in our lives. A Spiritual Director is someone to talk with about what is going on in our spiritual life and in our relationship with God however we may conceive of God.

Rev. Sally Purvis, Ph.D., a member of LUCC, is a retired clergy person with training and experience in Spiritual Direction. She is offering her services as a Spiritual Director to the community. The sessions would be held on Zoom and there is no fee to be paid. Church leaders are pleased to have the ministry of the church expand in this way.

Spiritual Direction with Sally is open to anyone, not just the congregation. And it is offered to everyone whatever their spiritual or religious background or affiliation or lack thereof. Sessions are generally held once every three weeks. Spiritual Direction is not a mode of therapy. It is a process for understanding and deepening your relationship with God/Spirit in ways that are authentic and life-giving.

Sally was trained by Henri Nouwen, a noted spiritual guide of the 20th century, and did Spiritual Direction as part of her professional ministry before retiring in 2015.

If you would like to explore Spiritual Direction with Sally, please contact her at
sallybpurvis@icloud.com or contact the church (867-7961 or lakewooducc@gmail.com ).

The church is very grateful to Sally for offering this avenue of support to the congregation and the community.

USEFUL LAKEWOOD LINKS:

For the above church website links, please note the “Older Posts” button near the bottom of each page.

September Birthdays: Kim Wells 9/19, Donald Ritchie 9/27, and Carolyn Moore 9/30. Someone missing? Contact the church office with birthday information.

Circle of Concern: 

Dana Cosper and family

Dave Radens

Condolences to Bill Parsons over the death of his sister

William Owen-Cowan

Jen Degroot

Carolyn Moore

Ann Quinn

Maggie Brizendine

Janet Hall

All those suffering from COVID-19 and all healthcare workers

Schools: Students, families, teachers, and staff

Church Office Hours:  Tuesday 9:30-noon Thursday-Friday 9:30-noon. 

Recent Posts:

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 Tuesday since the Update usually is sent out on Wednesday.





Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lakewooduccstpete/?hl=en

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LakewoodUCC

Twitter: https://twitter.com/lakewooducc?lang=en

Sermon 9/5/21

Date:  Sept. 5, 2021

Scripture Lessons: James 2:1-17  and  Mark 7:31-37

Sermon: Opened Up

Pastor:  Rev. Kim P. Wells

This week I went to make a purchase at a local store and when the clerk looked up my rewards points, she gasped and said, ‘You have six hundred and sixty six points.  Six. Six.  Six.  Would you like to use them.”  I said, “Yes.”  She said again, “Wow, 666.”  “Well,” I said, “with the weather issues and the pandemic, it kind of feels like 666.”  She considered, and then agreed. 

It’s pretty clear we are living in momentous times, some kind of shift, turning point.  Believe it or not, people felt that way in the first century, too.  When the writer of the story that we heard today remarks about Jesus, “He has done everything well;  he even makes the deaf to hear and the mute to speak,” it is a direct reference to the prophecy of Isaiah.  In Isaiah, we are told,

“Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened,

         and the ears of the deaf unstopped;

then the lame shall leap like a deer,

         and the tongue of the speechless sing for joy.  [35:5-6]. 

This indicates the coming of the redemption of God manifested in a special leader, a messiah.  Attributing these activities to Jesus is a way of telling readers that he is the messiah.  This is the beginning of the messianic age.  A turning point.  A new reality is breaking in.  God is doing a new thing.  So in this healing story, we are being given a clue to the greater workings of God in the cosmos.  This wasn’t just about one person being able to hear and speak, this was about a drastic new divine social/historic era emerging.  The hearers in the first century would not limit this story to literalism, a trend of the 19th century and surprisingly continuing today.  The people of Bible times were not literalists.  They knew that stories were meant to have multiple meanings and function in various ways for the benefit of the community. 

So we heard a story about one person being made able to hear and to speak clearly.  Surely a wonderful blessing in his life.  But this story shows us so much more.  In family therapy, there is often one person that is healthier than the others in a dysfunctional family.  And if that person can stay steady and grounded, they can help to restore health in the whole family system.  One strong, steady manifestation of health can effect a system.  We can think of Jesus as that one.  Strong, steady, bringing the love, grace, and power of God to people.  And then we see their lives transformed, and they become an agent of further transformation, and the whole social system can begin to shift.

In the story we heard today, we are told of the ears being opened, unstopped.  Being made to hear.  Open.  Hearing.  Aware.  Conscious.  We are being told of the person becoming open to the love and power of God.  Of becoming aware of another reality.  The kindom of God.  But the person does not just become open to the awareness.  We are also told that the person also becomes able to speak.  To proclaim.  To share.  To tell.  To witness.  So this story tells us about becoming aware of the truth of the presence of the reign of Divine Love and speaking out about that reality. 

To be aware, to view experience with the consciousness of Love, as Jesus did, means understanding the many, maybe I should say, pervasive, deceptions and lies that are perpetuated in the society around us and even in church.  If we truly hear, if we truly see, if we are really open, we become aware of the lies around us.  And there are many.  And I hesitate to even begin to name them because where do you start and where do you stop?  But I will make a few comments about this –

On a recent road trip, we saw a billboard that said “Genuine Christians obey Jesus’ teachings.”  Well, I like that, I thought.  Then further down the road was another billboard:  “Pro God Pro Life Pro Gun.”  Well, there seems to be a bit of a problem between the first and the second billboards.  Obey Jesus’ teachings, like Love your neighbor and Love your enemy, doesn’t quite compute with Pro gun.  Maybe you can convince yourself to be so literalistic that you believe that nothing Jesus said has to do with guns because there were no guns in Jesus day, so you can’t disobey anything he said about guns because they didn’t exist.  Talk about mental gymnastics!  [Billboards on I 75 south of Punta Gorda, FL]

What other lies and fallacies can we name that are perpetrated today?  There are those who deny the validity of critical race theory and don’t want the teaching of systemic racism incorporated into the school curriculum.  That is like saying you are going to teach science without ever mentioning the force of gravity or the existence of the atom.  Or like teaching math without reference to multiplication.  You can’t teach what is accurate and factual about the history of the United States without reference to race and racism.  And it’s continuing impact on society this very minute.  You can’t.  William Carlos Williams speaking of America and the conquest of the Gulf of Mexico says it straight:  “History begins for us with murder and enslavement, not with discovery.”  [Cited by Jack E. Davis in The Gulf: the Making of an American Sea, p. 73-74]. What does it mean to be a country that is founded not only on genocide and slavery but on lies about that very foundation?  It’s not a stable structure by any means.  And it is not honest or free.  The truth is what sets us free, not lies and coverups and manipulations.

How about telling the truth about the new abortion law in Texas.  Here’s what I know.  I  have never had an abortion.  But if I lived in Texas, I would feel that I was being denied my human rights.  I would feel that the law assumes that I am not capable of making the healthcare decisions that are right for me.  I would feel that my freedom was being taken away and that I was being judged not only incompetent but as a morally inferior semi-person.  If a woman does not want to have an abortion, she does not have to have one.  It is her choice.  Do we get to say, as women, that we are sick and tired of men telling us what to do with our bodies?  No legislature, no law, no authoritative body would dare in a millions years to treat a male human being in that way.  Ever.  Period.  It is demeaning and insulting.  It is an attack on the image of God in each and every woman.  That is my reality.  That is my truth.  That is what Jesus shows me.  Can we imagine Jesus telling the woman who had her period for 12 years, no, this should not be healed; you do not know what is best for you.  Of course not.  Jesus respects women.  He would not approve of this recent attack on women.   Can we say this in love?  Love of self?  Love of other women?  Love of men who are defiling the image of God within them?  If we have been healed and freed by Jesus, I think we can.

What can we say about poverty?  People are lazy and don’t want to work.  Really?  I know people who would love to work and can’t find jobs.  I know people who work, one job, two jobs, sometimes three jobs, and can’t make the rent.   As we see in James, poverty is not only a social problem, it is not only an economic problem, it is a spiritual problem  because those who have taken the label Christian have an obligation to serve the poor and to transform the systems that create poverty.  Poverty is a manifestation of the spiritual sins of greed and self centeredness.  And Christians, church-going people who believe in Jesus, have not demanded laws and an economic system that meets the needs of all people especially those most vulnerable, including children.  It’s shameful.  It’s sinful. 

Can we say something about covid and the ridiculous notion that it doesn’t exist, that masks don’t make a difference, that it isn’t straining the healthcare system, that the self interested decisions of politicians are not responsible for people dying making them essentially murders?  The former president bragged that he could shoot someone in cold blood in the middle of 5th Avenue in New York and nothing would happen to him.  Well, he can be seen as responsible for hundreds of thousands of covid deaths, and he was right.  Nothing has happened to him.  No accountability or punishment.  He maintains his popularity.

I read an article this week examining the supposedly Christian aversion to the wearing of masks.  Apparently, the parents say that the wearing of masks hides part of the face, of the person made in the image of God, so it is obscuring God.  That is why the mask cannot be worn.  The commentator Guthrie Graves-Fitzsimmons of NBC News Think offers this rebuff: 

“Are mask mandates a form of Christian persecution?  That’s the argument a California man is making after his two teens were sent home for violating their high school’s mask policy.

“‘The Bible says we’re made in the image of God and Satan tries to cover that up. A mask is a sign of oppression,’ Gary Nelson told NBC News. And then it gets worse. He claimed that Muslims and Jews would have been accommodated but that the school administrators ‘feel safe’ persecuting Christians.

“These claims are laughable. Nothing in the Bible says you can’t wear masks. And you don’t see anti-masker Christians arguing against wearing clothing or hats or sunglasses.  When these conservative Christians start mandating nudity, then they might have a claim about not covering up what God has created.”  [Guthrie Graves-Fitzsimmons, fellow, Faith and Progressive Policy Initiative, Center for American Progress | NBC NEWS THINK]

There are MANY more things that could be mentioned that show the gap between the teachings of Jesus and our behavior as a society as well as individuals. 

Oh, how we love our self deception!  Our excuses.  Our mental and spiritual gyrations and rationalizations.  Jesus is bringing on a new age.  But we seem to like the one we’re in just fine, thank you very much.  666 and all.  Global warming and all.  The pandemic and all.  We don’t really seem to want to change. 

So, is there hope?  In the story we heard today, the person who is brought to Jesus is not just made to hear.  He is made to speak.  And I think that is where we find the hope in this story.  It is not just about seeing clearly, understanding, having your heart opened to Divine reality, knowing what truly is.  That is important, but the man is also made able to speak.  Clearly.  Speak.  Tell the truth about what he sees.  It is not enough to see.  The hope is in the speaking.  The telling.  The sharing of the stories and the naming of the fallacies and the dysfunctions and lies.  The pointing out of the self deception.  That is where there is transformative power in this story to me. 

Now we have a two year old grandson who is just learning to talk.  It’s a precious stage of development.  We were just visiting the children for their baptism, and what with covid, we haven’t seen each other for a long time.  So, Soren became reacquainted with his uncles.  Uncle Malcolm.  And Uncle Sterling.  One day, he came into the kitchen the there were Sterling and Malcolm, but Soren was looking for his favorite – Baba.  Grandpa Jeff.  Soren took one look at the two guys at the kitchen table and declared,  “No uncles.  No uncles.”  He kept repeating it.  He wanted Baba, not the uncles.  A few days later, Malcolm left.  There was only one uncle.  Uncle Sterling.  Again, Soren was looking for Baba.  And he saw Sterling.  And he declared, “No uncle.  No uncle.”  Now, this was very telling about his speech capabilities.  First of all, he knew that Sterling and Malcolm were both Uncles.  And when he addressed them both, he used the plural.  But when there was only one, he used the singular.  So he is really advancing in his language skills.  We can tell in these small steps and statements.

And I think that is how it might go as we advance in our ability to speak the truth in love.  To tell the truth.  To not only see and hear and understand, but to proclaim the truth of what we see.  We learn in steps.  In increments.  We practice.  We learn more.  And we get better at it.    We see more.  We say more.  And we learn from watching each other.  And listening to each other.  And encouraging each other.  Holding each other accountable.  Remembering that one person, one, can initiate change in an entire system.  And we are many people, not just one. 

For these harrowing days of covid and climate change to be a time of the birthing of a new reality, of a new awareness, of a new system of justice and peace, we need to be like Jesus, practicing what we preach, with no separation between our beliefs and our ethical commitments and our behavior.  We need to be like the healed person in the story not only aware, but vocal about it.  About our becoming aware.  Not judging of other people, but sharing about our transformation.  How we have been changed.  How we are seeing the world differently because of the gospel. 

While we were in Massachusetts recently, there was a story in the local small town paper about River Dave whose cabin was burned down in the New Hampshire woods.  The next week, we saw an article about Dave in the Tampa Bay Times.  Several things struck me about the story.  Yes, the one thing he wanted from the ruins of his dwelling was his Bible, saying, “The main thing I wanted out of the whole thing was my Bible.  Hopefully, Canterbury police took it home. . . I had the keys to camp and the camp’s just ashes.  So I have the keys to God’s heart, and that’s all I got.”  It’s also heartening to note that a nearby Quaker congregation is talking about providing River Dave with a place to live on their property.  Heartening to see a church acting like a church.  But what I found most interesting was the attitude of River Dave about the destruction of his camp.  In the articles I read, he did not express any anger about what happened.  He was not determined to rebuild his home where it was, despite outstanding legal issues.  After being a hermit for 27 years, and estranged from his family, River Dave is thinking that maybe it is time for him to lead a different kind of life.  He reflects, “Maybe the things I’ve been trying to avoid are the things that I really need in life,” says David Lidstone, 81.  He goes on:  “I grew up never being hugged or kissed, or any close contact. 

“I had somebody ask me once, about my wife:  ‘Did you really love her?’  And the question kind of shocked me for a second.  I. . . I’ve never loved anybody in my life.  And I shocked myself because I hadn’t realized that.  And that’s why I was a hermit.  Now I can see love being expressed that I never had before.”  He is referring to all the people who have expressed a willingness to help him.  To me, this story is a beautiful expression of being opened, of coming to a new understanding, of being in a new reality.  The experience of the fire instead of ruining River Dave’s life seems to be giving him a new life, and he is open to it.  Seeing it.  And speaking about it.  Honestly.  [Quotes taken from “‘River Dave’ grateful for help after fire ravaged his home,” by Kathy McCormack, Associated Press in Daily Times Chronicle, 8.9.21, B6, and “Former hermit in N.H. ponders his next move,” by Kathy McCormack, Associated Press in Tampa Bay Times, 8.22.21, 24A]

I find great hope in that story.  And I hope that as we navigate the challenges that we are facing, the changes in our lives – sought, and unwanted, alike – that we may be open to learning, to understanding, to seeing in new ways.  Allowing a new reality to open before us and that we might open our mouths to speak about that new reality.  So may we be part of ushering in a new age of justice and peace for all.  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.

Weekly Update 9/8

NEW SERVICE TIME!!!

Sunday services are now being held at 10:30 a.m. Masks are required.  There is physical distancing.  Childcare is provided.

You can also join in on Facebook Live at 10:30.  Please see the instructions below.  

This Sunday the assigned scriptures invite reflection on what it means to follow Jesus.  Maybe what we think we want really is not what is best for us.  Take a look at James 3:1-12, and Mark 8:27-38.

Also, you may have the opportunity to see Angela Wells-Bean and family this Sunday in church.

Sundays

Look for the bulletin posted on the church website on Friday: https://lakewooducc.org/category/bulletins/

Watch the service on Facebook Live Sundays at 9:30. https://www.facebook.com/LakewoodUCC

Or on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/LakewoodUCC/videos

Instructions for how to access Facebook Live: For additional assistance, please contact the church office.

Here are some instructions to watch our Sunday services live through Facebook:

Use the following link to visit our homepage: https://www.facebook.com/LakewoodUCC/

On Sunday mornings at 9:30 a.m. please use the link above to visit our homepage. There, after using the link, you will see a section labeled “Happening Now”. This is our Livestream of the Sunday Service.

To watch the live stream, locate and click the “watch video” button in the lower right corner of the screen.

If the link above is not working, there is also a link to our Facebook page on our website. Please try that link located on the Home page of our website.

LUCC Creation Justice Book Discussion

Online Zoom for Fall 2021 Sign up now!

The Creation Justice Task Force will lead an online zoom discussion this coming Fall of the book, Cathedral on Fire – A Church Handbook for the Climate Crisis, a short 54 page read divided into 7 short chapters with Discussion Questions.

To reconnect us all in faith and community and in our common concern for Mother Earth, Claire Stiles along with Pastor Kim will lead us in a series of lively, interactive group discussions of this inspiring and upbeat approach to the protection of our planet and its inhabitants. From a Christian perspective, the author, the UCC Environmental Ministry Director Brooks Berndt, helps us understand our role as stewards of the earth and what we can do to safeguard nature and all those unjustly harmed by the current and future climate changes.

The Time and Date for the scheduled zoom meetings will be determined based on the schedules of participants interested in joining us. Books will be purchased and distributed to everyone who signs up to be a part of this lively group!

Please email Claire at stilesca@eckerd.edu or call her at 727-422-4787 if you want to be a part of this group and we will put you on the list! Please sign up by September 12th!

Book Talk Schedule

Book Talk is a monthly opportunity to enjoy discussing books! Participants hear about what others are reading and share what they have been reading. It’s very interesting and a chance to get to know people better, even people you already know well!

The next Book Talk will be Thursday, Sept. 16 at 6:30 on Zoom. Look for the link the week before.

In Memoriam

The Rev. Dr. Jim Prickett, former pastor of Lakewood United Church of Christ, died at home on Sept. 1 in Indiana. Jim helped to found Habitat for Humanity International in 1976.

Advisors to Meet 

The Advisors will meet Sunday, Sept. 12 at 9:00 a.m. in person before the worship service.

Hurricane Ida Response

Hurricane Ida caused severe damage in the South Central Conference of the United Church of Christ.  You are encouraged to donate funds for emergency relief and long-term recovery through the United Church of Christ Disaster Relief Ministries.  Here is the link to make your donation:  https://www.ucc.org/appeal-severe-storms-2021/

Guided Labyrinth Walks

The guided walk is held weekly on Wednesdays at 9:00 a.m. This provides an opportunity to be aware and deepen your spiritual journey. If it is raining, the walk is held on Thursday at 9:00 a.m.

Also, the readings and prayers used on Wednesdays at the guided walk are put in the mailbox by the labyrinth each week for use during the week.

The labyrinth is on the church grounds near the southwest corner of the church property. It is available for use at all times.

Being Covid Safe and In-Person Worship

Please stay home if you are not feeling well.

Please wear a mask while in the church building.  While most people have been vaccinated, this helps visitors to feel safe.  

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is recommending double masking.  Please consider wearing two masks to church.  Additional masks will be available at church to use as needed.

Two hand sanitizing stations are available for use by worshippers.

There is well-ventilated, physically distanced indoor seating in the sanctuary.

Please know that your safety is of primary consideration! 

Safe childcare is provided.

Immigration Action Item: THOUSANDS of Dreamers at risk of deportation! 

Severe processing delays are keeping THOUSANDS of DACA immigrants at risk of deportation and unemployment! As of March 31, USCIS had a backlog of more than 55,000 pending first-time DACA applications, in addition to over 44,000 renewal requests. United We Dream – an organization led by Dreamers – is calling on President Biden to clear the backlog NOW. 

Please sign the United We Dream’s petition calling on Biden and USCIS to clear the DACA backlog and process applications and renewals in a timely manner.
Click here:  https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/end-the-daca-backlog/

Operation Attack Update

Many thanks to Ian Blair-Catala who has been connecting the church with Operation Attack for the last 4 years.  Ian is now moving on to attend USF in Tampa.  Ian’s brother, Owen, will be taking over as the church’s Operation Attack coordinator.  Owen will be sharing what food items are needed as well as opportunities to volunteer.  Operation Attack is an ecumenical food pantry that has been serving the area since the 1960s.  It is located at Lakeview Presbyterian Church in St. Petersburg.  With gratitude to Ian, the church welcomes Owen to this important role serving those in need in the community.  

OA also still needs donations of cereal, peanut butter, canned meat, fruit, vegetables and soup, dried beans, and mac/cheese. Donations may be placed on the shelf in the hallway at church.

Spiritual Direction Offered by LUCC Clergy Member.

In these troubled times, it is important to find ways to tend to our spiritual lives. In the Christian tradition, Spiritual Direction is one of the ways of paying attention to the spirit in our lives. A Spiritual Director is someone to talk with about what is going on in our spiritual life and in our relationship with God however we may conceive of God.

Rev. Sally Purvis, Ph.D., a member of LUCC, is a retired clergy person with training and experience in Spiritual Direction. She is offering her services as a Spiritual Director to the community. The sessions would be held on Zoom and there is no fee to be paid. Church leaders are pleased to have the ministry of the church expand in this way.

Spiritual Direction with Sally is open to anyone, not just the congregation. And it is offered to everyone whatever their spiritual or religious background or affiliation or lack thereof. Sessions are generally held once every three weeks. Spiritual Direction is not a mode of therapy. It is a process for understanding and deepening your relationship with God/Spirit in ways that are authentic and life-giving.

Sally was trained by Henri Nouwen, a noted spiritual guide of the 20th century, and did Spiritual Direction as part of her professional ministry before retiring in 2015.

If you would like to explore Spiritual Direction with Sally, please contact her at
sallybpurvis@icloud.com or contact the church (867-7961 or lakewooducc@gmail.com ).

The church is very grateful to Sally for offering this avenue of support to the congregation and the community.

USEFUL LAKEWOOD LINKS:

For the above church website links, please note the “Older Posts” button near the bottom of each page.

September Birthdays: Kim Wells 9/19, Donald Ritchie 9/27, and Carolyn Moore 9/30. Someone missing? Contact the church office with birthday information.

Circle of Concern: 

Claudia Rodriguez

Dana Cosper and family

Dave Radens

Condolences to Bill Parsons over the death of his sister

William Owen-Cowan

Jen Degroot

Carolyn Moore

Ann Quinn

Maggie Brizendine

Janet Hall

Those impacted by Hurricane Ida

The situation in Afghanistan

All those suffering from COVID-19.

Students, families, teachers, and staff as school begins

Church Office Hours:  Tuesday 9:30-noon Thursday-Friday 9:30-noon. 

Recent Posts:

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 Tuesday since the Update usually is sent out on Wednesday.





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