lakewooducc

Sunday Service 5.23.2021

GATHERING MUSIC

WELCOME and ANNOUNCEMENTS

LIGHTING THE PEACE CANDLE Barbara Donohue, liturgist
O Lord, open my eyes that I may see the needs of others
Open my ears that I may hear their cries;
Open my heart so that they need not be without succor;
Let me not be afraid to defend the weak because of the anger of
the strong,
Nor afraid to defend the poor because of the anger of the rich.
Show me where love and hope and faith are needed,
And use me to bring them to those places.
And so open my eyes and my ears
That I may this coming day be able to do some work of peace for
thee.

Alan Paton, South Africa, United Methodist Hymnal #456

PRELUDE Promenade Mussorgsky

CALL TO WORSHIP
Come like fire and kindle love in our hearts
Come like wind and breathe life into our frames
Come like water and flow through our souls
Come like the earth: sustain and nourish our being.
MUSICAL REFLECTION Come, O Spirit, with Your Sound

Union Harmony , 1836

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.

SERMON Pentecost: A Superspreader Event Rev. Kim P. Wells

Who knew about a superspreader event until the covid pandemic? But now we know. We know of those events where that covert, unseen, unsmelled, undetected covid virus snuck in, through respiratory passages, and infected one person after another. And this happened repeatedly at church events like choir practice. Most of a church choir struck down. An elderly member of the choir dying. And at large, mega church services, with hundreds of people worshiping, singing, praying, and spreading the virus. It happened at weddings and funerals.

People came together for spiritual nourishment and instead found themselves not healed or cured but infected.

And then there were other superspreader events, like press conferences, and political rallies, and sports events.

This little virus, now we know, airborne, unseen, extremely powerful, attacking life after life after life. Filling hospitals and clinics. Devastating families and nations. Creating vast political, economic, and social disruption. Spreading. Multiplying. Virtually ubiquitous.

In its own way, Pentecost is a kind of superspreader event. Something unseen emerges and erupts to great consequence. But the outcome is to the good. It is healing and hopeful.

The story starts in Jerusalem where Jesus was crucified. The followers of Jesus have been told to go to Jerusalem and wait for the gift of the Holy Spirit. So, there they are, a small group, hidden away upstairs, on lock down, waiting. Afraid. Feeling endangered by the same forces that killed Jesus.

Now it is 50 days after Passover, after the crucifixion. Fifty days that must have seemed like
eternity for the small, scared band of hicks waiting in the big city. Would the Holy Spirit ever come? The time has arrived for the Festival of Pentecost, a Jewish harvest festival 50 days after Passover, celebrating the first harvest of the season. Jews from around the world came to this celebration of abundance and thanksgiving. But the Jesus followers are still sheltering in place. Still afraid of the threat outside.

And then we have this wonderful story of how they suddenly heard a sound like the rush of a mighty wind. We know that sound, we Floridians, familiar as we are with hurricanes. And then they see something that looks like a tongue of fire on the head of each person. No one was left out. And we are told that they were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages. Finally, the day they had been waiting for!

In the multicultural crowd, everyone hears in their own language from what one commentator describes as these “unlearned Galilean laborers mistaken for colorful inebriates. . .” [Benjamin J. Dueholm, The Christian Century, 5.5.21, p. 21]

Here are these followers of Jesus, the crucified, who were scared and sheltering in place in an upstairs room, now out on the streets speaking forthrightly in many languages, making a scene, making what John Lewis would call, ‘good trouble.’ Empowered by the Spirit, they come out of hiding preaching a message of reconciliation and forgiveness and hope
to a crowd that surely included people who only weeks before had been among those shouting, ‘Crucify!’ Here are Jesus’ beloved friends declaring a message of love, compassion, and understanding. We don’t hold this against you. We offer you God’s eternal love, mercy, and grace.

These disciples who had been scared and embittered and angry because their leader was killed could have come out swinging. Hostile. Accusatory. Vindictive. But these followers of Jesus are transformed. And as it turns out this Spirit-filled group isn’t just laughed off as a crazy spectacle. At the end of the day, the story tells us, over 3,000 people have been baptized. It has been a superspreader event of love, good will, acceptance, new life, hope,
transformation, and reconciliation.

And the superspreading did not stop there. It spread from that ragtag band in a backwater rural colony from country to country and people to people resulting in Christianity becoming largest religion in the world. We are here today because of those superspreaders who came before us.

Pentecost, with the flames and wind, reminds us that we, too, have been gifted with the Holy Spirit. It’s not a matter of choice. It’s not something earned or deserved. It’s simply something that’s given. In the Acts story, the wind and the flames touch everyone. There is no singling out. And it is not something that can be controlled. The message is clear: The Holy Spirit is at work in us. It is empowering us to be witnesses to the Divine Love that we see in Jesus. And this witness is desperately needed today. We are needed to be superspreaders of love, of goodness, and of justice. Our world needs this kind of impact and energy from a positive source.

Now in the Pentecost story, the pouring out of the Spirit indicated the coming of the last days with better days ahead. As superpreaders, we are needed to herald the last days of racism, of an extractive economy, of addiction to fossil fuels. We are needed to declare the last days of legally sanctioned obscene greed. We are needed to proclaim the last days of the death penalty, and threats to Jews and apartheid for Palestinians. We are needed to announce the last days of sexism, white privilege, industrial pollution, homophobia, and compulsive consumerism.

The world is desperate to hear this message. We are needed to be superspreaders of universal love, the sacredness of all life, and reverence for the natural world that will hail a new tomorrow.

The world is aching for this message. To hear this declaration. To be transformed by hope in a different kind of future for the planet.

Last week I participated in a secular webinar about claiming your power and removing the obstacles that block you from exercising your full power to love and to make a difference in the world. It was interesting to see how many people are searching for this kind of direction. And to hear their stories. What I found interesting is that they seem to have no idea that the church exists as a community of spiritual support and formation and discernment to help tune the ear to the call of Divine Love and how you can be a superspreader of Good News for all of creation. There was no mention of religion or church in this presentation even though the leader calls his home base a ‘temple.’ It was very interesting. I felt like here are these hungry people. And we in the church have food. And they don’t know that it is here for them. There’s a big disconnect. And last week, Claire Stiles and I met with a Florida friendly landscape designer about the church grounds. She told us that she is in a Facebook group of young parents in St. Pete and at least once a week someone asks if anyone can recommend a church to go to where their kids will get the basic values of love, peace, sharing, helping others, etc. without all the ‘garbage’ like hell and condemnation of gay people and creationism. Claire and I raised our hands. We know a church like that. Then the landscaper asked, “Are you willing to have new people come to your church?”

The point is, people are actually looking for this. Looking for what we have to offer in the church. Looking for the message of hope and transformation and reconciliation that has been entrusted to us.

We are needed to be superspreaders. Outloud like the disciples in the Pentecost story. Or covertly like that nasty little virus. But we are needed to spread the message of universal love and grace. We are needed to display reckless abandon in our witness to Jesus who never condemned homosexuality or weighed in on abortion, but did command love of enemy and an end to violence.

We are needed to speak out. Infected by Divine Love, we are needed to spread it! Offering words of hope, love, connection, and reconciliation – superspreading in all of our different forums like Twitter, Facebook, What’sApp, Instagram, Facetime, Zoom. Speaking out in person, on the phone, with a megaphone, through a mask, in an email, on paper. We have all of these different modalities to use to declare the powerful message of love which can create a new future for us and for those who will come after us.

And we can start right now. I’m going to ask you to do something that we don’t usually do in church. I’m going to ask you to get your phone out if you have one with you. Yes, your phone. And I want you to send a message of hope, love, encouragement, or comfort. You can make a Facebook post or send a Tweet. You can think of someone you know who is having a rough time and send a personal message. But right here, right now, we can be superspreaders.

Sharing love and compassion and hope. . . Would anyone like to share the message that they sent? Several people responded.

Friends, this is not the time to be timid or shy. It is a time for boldness. Courage. Speaking out. Lifting up. Challenging. Inviting. Affirming. There is a world hungry, aching, desperate for this Good News. Looking for a way forward; an on-ramp to community and connection to one another and to the natural world.

The flames of the wildfires will rage again in a few months. The winds of the storms and hurricanesahead will howl calling to us to step up. Have an impact. Act boldly.

Here in this sacred sanctuary this morning, we hear the whispers of the wind, we see the flickering of the flames, the red of the Holy Spirit captures our attention, and we know that grace, mercy, and justice are our lifeline. Love is our protection. So let us be superspreaders of the Good News of the gospel of Divine Love.

Amen.

UNISON READING Jan Berry, adapted
Infectious Spirit of God,
bursting with brightness of flame
into the coldness of our lives
to warm us with a passion for justice and beauty
we praise you.

Infectious Spirit of God,
sweeping us out of the dusty corners of our apathy
to breathe vitality into our struggles for change,
we praise you.

Infectious Spirit of God,
speaking words that leap over barriers of mistrust
to convey messages of truth and new understanding,
we praise you.

Infectious Spirit of God,
flame
wind
speech,
burn, breathe, speak in us;
fill your world with justice and with joy.

MUSICAL INTERLUDE Fire of Justice, Fire of Love HKJ

Lakewood UCC Choir Virtual Performance

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 Renew Your Church White
Prayer of Dedication Jean Vanier
How can we live and love as Jesus did, except through the
mysterious gift and power which he gives through his Spirit,
so that we become his face, his hands, his heart and body?

PREPARATION FOR PRAYER Nocturne #21 In C Minor (posthumous)

Chopin

COMMUNITY PRAYERS- SAVIOR’S PRAYER
Holy One, our only Home, hallowed be Your name.
May your day dawn, your will be done,
Here, as in heaven. Feed us today, and forgive us
As we forgive each other. Do not forsake us at the test,
But deliver us from evil. For the glory, the power,
And the mercy are yours, now and forever. Amen.

*BENEDICTION After a prayer of St. John of Damascus
To we who are but black cold charcoal
grant, O Lord,
that by the fire of Pentecost,
We may be set ablaze.

*POSTLUDE Jig Fugue Buxtehude

Weekly Update 5/19

New Service Time for the Month of May

After considering the thoughts and views of the congregation, the Advisors have decided that for the month of May, services will continue to be held with the doors and windows open. The services will begin at 9:30 when it is slightly cooler. There will be a new plan in June when, hopefully, most of the congregation will be vaccinated.

Sundays

The service is at 9:30 in person, covid safe.

Childcare provided.

This Sunday is Pentecost. It is a celebration of the giving of the Holy Spirit to the disciples after the resurrection leading to the emergence of the church.

The liturgical color for the Holy Spirit is red, so you are invited to wear red to church this Sunday.

Yes, we will have the wind makers out on Sunday!

The theme for the service is Pentecost: A Super Spreader Event!

Come to covid safe worship in person at 9:30 or attend on Facebook Live at 9:30.

Services are also posted on the church’s YouTube channel. https://www.youtube.com/user/LakewoodUCC/videos

The bulletin and text of the Sunday sermon will be posted at the website the following week and there will be regular posts of music and music videos from Hilton Jones.

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

For covid safety measures, see below

Book Talk

People in the congregation are often mentioning good books that they have read. To share these riches more widely, the church will be sponsoring a monthly Book Talk on Zoom. It will be a chance to share what you are reading. You can mention the book title, something about the author, what the book was about, and why you found it interesting. Just the kind of things you might mention about a book in a conversation with someone. And if you haven’t read anything compelling lately, join in Book Talk and you’ll get some good reading ideas!

Book Talk will start this month on the third Thursday of the month, May 20, at 6:30. All welcome!

Here’s the Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/2700683648

Back in Business

Many thanks to Bert Lee for fixing the tire on the church wheel barrow. Bert is still working on the lock for the women’s restroom in the breezeway.

Advisors to Meet

The advisors are meeting Wednesday May 19 at 7 p.m. at the church. All are welcome!

LUCC Earth Day Celebration Campfire

Several weeks ago there was a beautiful celebration of Earth Day at the church around a camp fire. Participants shared poems and readings that honor the earth. Then there was time to write a love letter to the earth. These letters were shared and then tossed into the fire as an offering of gratitude to the earth.

One of the things celebrated about the earth is how it provides food. Kim Wells had locally grown organic bananas from Jubilee Farms where Malcolm works to share with everyone. Then, it was on to roasted marshmallows!

It was a poignant evening of deep sharing that created a stronger bond among those who were there and between those who were there and the earth.

Here is a link to the post: https://lakewooducc.org/2021/05/14/lucc-earth-day-celebration-campfire-2/

Transitions: Naming and Claiming the Changes in Our Lives

For the month of June, each Sunday morning gathering will offer the opportunity to explore the changes and transitions that we have been going through especially during the pandemic. It will be a time to seek spiritual support and meaning as we reflect on what we have been through and what we are going through.

Each Sunday the design will focus on a different element – water, wind, earth, and fire. These themes accompanied by scripture, readings, and ritual will be used to facilitate exploration of our lives and our losses as we make our way forward in faith!

Adult Day Care Open!

A dream has come true. From seeds planted by LUCC member Rev. Bob Frey back in the 1990’s, a new ministry has emerged. The church is finally using its facilities to host an adult daycare sponsored by Neighborly Services. It is a blessing for the church to use its assets to serve the needs of the community in this way.

The Adult Day Care will have an Open House on Tuesday May 25th from 3:30-6:00 p.m. Stop by and see the wonderful program and facilities and staff.

Being Covid Safe and In Person Worship

The church has contacted the St. Petersburg Health Department for guidance. Here are the take aways that are being implemented for everyone’s safety.

Please stay home if you are not feeling well.

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 will be available for use by worshippers.

Signs will be posted to encourage physical distancing.

The pulpit and altar will be moved into the chancel to provide more room for the congregation to physical distance.

Prayer request sheets will be provided so that worshippers may write their prayer requests and place them in a basket on the altar. This eliminates the need for the worship leader to come within 6 feet of the worshippers.

People who would like to converse after the service are encouraged to do so outside, not in the hallway or the library or other confined spaces.

The breezeway restrooms will be open and available to prevent people from congregating in the library while waiting to use the office restroom.

The chairs in the sanctuary will be cleaned with sanitizer each week. You are welcome to bring your own chair if you prefer.

There is well-ventilated, physically distanced indoor seating as well as outdoor seating on the sidewalk adjacent to the sanctuary. Masks are worn by all. Please know that your safety is of primary consideration! Childcare provided.

Facebook Live Continues

The broadcast of the service is very meaningful to the people from the church family that watch. It is a significant ministry to those who cannot be present in the church building.

Many thanks to Barbara Donohue, Bert Lee, and Jeff Wells for this ministry. Patti Cooksey is planning to join the team. Others are welcome! All you need is a phone/laptop/tablet and a Facebook account.

Immigration Justice Update 5/4/2021:

If you want to check President Biden’s progress on immigration reform in his first 100 days in office, you can check out this “scorecard.” It’s also a great summary of all immigration issues: https://immigrationforum.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/National-Immigration-Forum-Score-Card-on-President-Bidens-First-100-Days-1.pdf or at this shortened linked: https://bit.ly/3b4Xl3A

UCC advocates celebrate new 62,500 goal for U.S. refugee admissions in 2021: https://bit.ly/3eh71dc

Operation Attack Update

The two most recent OA drive thru events were a success! Thank you for Lakewood continuous donations during this trying time. OA is having 4 drive thru dates in the coming months. Those being May 22, June 26, July 31, and September 11. Please get these dates out to members of our congregation if they wish to help volunteer. In addition to those dates, OA is also still needing

Donations of cereal, peanut butter, canned meat, fruit, vegetables and soup, dried beans, and mac/cheese. Remember we still aren’t accepting clothing donations at the moment. Finally, pray for the people in our community who are continuing to be challenged during this difficult time and the volunteers who are trying to ease their burdens. I’m hoping to find a time to stop by Lakewood to pick up any donations.

Thank You,Ian Blair-Catala

Please note that OA is not accepting clothing donations.

Anti Racism Demonstration Moves to a New Time

Yes, it is still going on every week. Because racism is still going on every week, every day, every moment in this country. We can imagine a different future. And we are making a small effort at creating that new reality at the demonstrations each Sunday.

Signs are available at church or bring your own.

The new time beginning May 16 is 5:30. Come every week. Come for a season. Come once. Come once in a while. Everyone is ALWAYS welcome!

Weekly Labyrinth Walks Continue

Each Wednesday at 9:00 a.m. a small group gathers at the outdoor labyrinth for a time of devotion, discussion, and meditative walking of the labyrinth. The theme for the week is taken from the Sunday before, so it is an opportunity to go deeper in the spiritual exploration of that theme for your life. This devotional gathering is outside and physical distancing is maintained. All are welcome!

If there is rain on Wednesday morning, the gathering will be held on Thursday morning at 9:00.

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 DURING THE CORONA CRISIS:

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

May Birthdays: Mark Gibson 5/2, Nina Moore 5/2, Angela Wells-Bean 5/7, Emily Gibson 5/8, Julian Michael Ricciardi 5/9, Colleen Coughenour 5/11, Jen DeGroot 5/12, Christy Martin 5/15, Bill Parsons 5/16, Deanna Moore 5/19, Danielle Hintz 5/25 Someone missing? Contact the church office with birthday information.

Circle of Concern:

Edward Jones

William Owen-Cowan

Jen Degroot

Carolyn Moore

Ann Quinn

Maggie Brizendine

Janet Hall

Teachers, students, and school personnel, and all healthcare workers and essential workers. All those suffering from COVID-19.

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

Recent Posts:

Sunday Service 5.9.2021 May 12, 2021
Save the Date, Community Workshops May 11, 2021
Pescador de Hombres May 11, 2021
Weekly Update 5/5 May 5, 2021
Many thanks to those who assisted with Garage Cleaning May 5, 2021
World Cafe-St Pete: Mon, May 24, 7-9 PM ZOOM May 5, 2021
My Faith, It Is an Oaken Staff May 5, 2021
Let the Lower Lights Be Burning May 3, 2021
Amazing Grace April 30, 2021

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.

LUCC Earth Day Celebration Campfire

Claire Stiles, Barbara Donohue, Bert Lee, Kay Rencken, Bill Parsons, and Kim Wells.

Last Friday evening there was a beautiful celebration of Earth Day at the church around a camp fire. Participants shared poems and readings that honor the earth. Then there was time to write a love letter to the earth. These letters were shared and then tossed into the fire as an offering of gratitude to the earth.

It was a poignant evening of deep sharing created a stronger bond among those who were there and between those who were there and the earth.

Dear Mother Earth,

Today is Earth Day and once again I am at Pass-a-Grille Beach awaiting the sunset and the bell to ring, reminding me of another beautiful day you provided. As you know, last year the bell did not ring; there were few people in sight. A deadly airborne virus was roaring across the world, as was fear. But there was something else sweeping across the land, the waters, the air, the sky. At the silent sunset, I thought of the beauty, fresh air to fill our lungs. The rising and setting sun to bring hope each day. I have been no stranger to these blessings and events you provide each day. But today, Earth Day 2021, I realize that the isolation and fear of the past year has helped me see more clearly the wondrous joys and blessings you provide. The human touch and full human face had gone from my life, but you were there to touch me with gentle breezes and powerful winds, falling rain, radiant sunshine, and the ripple of the waters. These unmasked gifts calmed my fears and opened my heart to the loving, nurturing earth. What I want to say is, “Thank you. Thank you for the air and light that has brought me through.” The bell is ringing now, and I am sending my love up to you in a prayer. Patti

April 30, 2021
Dear Mother Earth,

How grateful am I for all the beauty and abundance you provide to me and all
“earthlings” to sustain and uplift our lives. The warmth of sunshine, the green of
plants and trees, the color of flowers, the expanses of great waters, the arising of
mountains high, the cooling of breezes, and the songs of birds delight and inspire
me daily. It is only in falling in love with you that we will have the passion and
desire to protect and honor you. For you are LIFE and you CREATE and NURTURE
all life!

May I remember the relationship that Native American people of all tribes and
nations have with you Mother Earth. And like the ancient people of all times, love
and appreciate you in all your mystery and magnificence.
Please forgive me and all others who have taken you for granted and have
harmed and degraded the earth. I weep at our abuse and neglect, at the pollution
and climate change, at the ugliness and destruction we have brought upon the
earth. May we work together to heal you and ourselves and to insure sustainable
life for all creatures in all generations to come. Help us to mend our self-
centered, anthropocentric ways and to open our hearts to embrace all of creation
as equal and as of value.
So Be it.

A Grateful Daughter of the Earth,
Claire Ann Stiles

Dear Earth,

Thank you for grounding me daily – giving me the lessons of the birds and animals and plants that go about their growth and do just as they need to without thought, without coercion.

Thank you for the beauty and stormy variety of the clouds here in Florida- I have felt as if I never had paid attention to the sky before. Thank you for your benevolence in the face of our cruel insults to your ways. Forgive us and may we mend OUR ways sooner rather than later.

Love, Barbara

Thank you earth for the food from the ground, and especially all the delicious fruits produced on the lands.

Dear Mother Earth,

I think that I shall never see a letter as lovely as a tree.

25 years ago we planted the tree we are sitting under. This year we have planted a 10-foot live oak tree in our front yard to replace an old slashed pine tree that was dying and was in danger of falling over. In part this may be apart of the circle of life, but it also represents a small effort to replenish your abundance. By the time it reaches maturity, I‘m sure I’ll no longer be “middle-aged” but hopefully it will bring shade and shelter to future generations of bird and squirrels and others living on Narvarez Way S.

Letters are written by fools like me,

But only God can make a tree-

Grow on Narvarez Way S.

Dear Mother,

Through my life – in good and bad, happy and sad times, you have nurtured me. Sometimes, I have been more attentive to you. And sometimes you saved me. There are so many parts of you that lift me or surprise me…

The clouds,

The light and shadow on the Catalina’s

The water lapping at the ocean,

The cacti blooming,

The moon shimmering on the water, shining on the mountins, and smiling on me.

Planting a tree

The art of a sculpture of a dead tree-

arms outstretched to the heavens.

Snow on the desert

The hawk sitting quietly with us.

Gardens blooming,

A cool scented breeze,

Smells, sight, and sounds of a fire.

Birds,

The rosy fingers of dawn,

Thankfulness, Gratefulness

I go to greet the day early when all is quiet. A coolness is about no matter the season.

I sit and soak it in for a few moments. I light a fire and think, plot, dream, and smile.

Beloved Earth

You reveal to me

You show me

You teach me

All I need to know

About myself

others

life

growth

destruction

release

transition

relationships

cycles

seasons

\. power

fear

beauty

And LOVE.

You make the human construct ‘God’ real. Alive.

In you I am grounded.

In you I float.

In you I am home.

Weekly Update 5/13

New Service Time for the Month of May

Sundays

The service is at 9:30 in person, covid safe.

Childcare provided.

This Sunday marks the end of the season of Easter. We’ll revisit the Easter story at the end of the gospel of Mark. What does it mean to embrace a new reality? Not just to be resuscitated to more of the same but to be resurrected into a new kind of life? We’ll talk about that Sunday.

Come to covid safe worship in person at 9:30 or attend on Facebook Live at 9:30.

Services are also posted on the church’s YouTube channel. https://www.youtube.com/user/LakewoodUCC/videos

The bulletin and text of the Sunday sermon will be posted at the website the following week and there will be regular posts of music and music videos from Hilton Jones.

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

For covid safety measures, see below

LUCC Earth Day Celebration Campfire

It was a poignant evening of deep sharing that created a stronger bond among those who were there and between those who were there and the earth.

Look for a post on the website with the content of the letters that were written and a few pictures later this week.

THANK YOUS

A big THANK YOU to Earl Waters and William Owen-Cowan for trimming the trees that were overhanging the church drive way impeding high clearance vehicles.

Thank you to Bert Lee for the locks on the bathroom doors and for oiling the doors to the sanctuary building. Now you can sneak into church unheard!

Thank you to Sally Purvis for endless organizing of files, especially historic files.

Thank you to Claire Stiles, Patti Cooksey, and Colleen Coughenour for proceeding beyond the library to the closets and cupboards and drawers of the office and sanctuary and from there on to the garage!

The efforts of all are much appreciated!

Transitions: Naming and Claiming the Changes in Our Lives

Rev. Angela Wells-Bean to join the staff of Naples UCC

Rev. Angela Wells-Bean has been called to be the Minister of Congregational Care at the Naples United Church of Christ in Naples, Florida. Angela is currently serving as pastor of the Burlington, Massachusetts United Church of Christ, Congregational.

Angela will begin her ministry in Naples in September.

Adult Day Care Open!

The Adult Day Care will have an Open House on Tuesday May 25th from 3:30-6:00 p.m. Stop by and see the wonderful program and facilities and staff.

Being Covid Safe and In Person Worship

The church has contacted the St. Petersburg Health Department for guidance. Here are the take aways that are being implemented for everyone’s safety.

Please stay home if you are not feeling well.

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 will be available for use by worshippers.

Signs will be posted to encourage physical distancing.

The pulpit and altar will be moved into the chancel to provide more room for the congregation to physical distance.

People who would like to converse after the service are encouraged to do so outside, not in the hallway or the library or other confined spaces.

The breezeway restrooms will be open and available to prevent people from congregating in the library while waiting to use the office restroom.

The chairs in the sanctuary will be cleaned with sanitizer each week. You are welcome to bring your own chair if you prefer.

Facebook Live Continues

The broadcast of the service is very meaningful to the people from the church family that watch. It is a significant ministry to those who cannot be present in the church building.

Book Talk

Book Talk will start this month on the third Thursday of the month, May 20, at 6:30. All welcome!

Here’s the Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/2700683648

Immigration Justice Update 5/4/2021:

UCC advocates celebrate new 62,500 goal for U.S. refugee admissions in 2021: https://bit.ly/3eh71dc

Operation Attack Update

Thank You,Ian Blair-Catala

Please note that OA is not accepting clothing donations.

Anti Racism Demonstration Moves to a New Time

Signs are available at church or bring your own.

The new time beginning May 16 is 5:30. Come every week. Come for a season. Come once. Come once in a while. Everyone is ALWAYS welcome!

Weekly Labyrinth Walks Continue

If there is rain on Wednesday morning, the gathering will be held on Thursday morning at 9:00.

Spiritual Direction Offered by LUCC Clergy Member.

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 DURING THE CORONA CRISIS:

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

Circle of Concern:

Edward Jones

William Owen-Cowan

Jen Degroot

Carolyn Moore

Ann Quinn

Maggie Brizendine

Janet Hall

Teachers, students, and school personnel, and all healthcare workers and essential workers. All those suffering from COVID-19.

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

Recent Posts:

Sunday Service 5.9.2021 May 12, 2021
Save the Date, Community Workshops May 11, 2021
Pescador de Hombres May 11, 2021
Weekly Update 5/5 May 5, 2021
Many thanks to those who assisted with Garage Cleaning May 5, 2021
World Cafe-St Pete: Mon, May 24, 7-9 PM ZOOM May 5, 2021
My Faith, It Is an Oaken Staff May 5, 2021
Let the Lower Lights Be Burning May 3, 2021
Amazing Grace April 30, 2021

Sunday Service 5.9.2021

GATHERING MUSIC

WELCOME and ANNOUNCEMENTS

LIGHTING THE PEACE CANDLE Earl Waters, liturgist

Arise, then, women of this day! Arise, all women who have hearts, whether your baptism be that of water or tears!

Say firmly: “We will not have great questions decided by irrelevant agencies. Our husbands shall not come to us, reeking with carnage, for caresses and applause. Our sons shall not be taken from us to unlearn all that we have taught them of charity, mercy and patience. We, women of one country, will be too tender of those of another to allow our sons to be trained to injure theirs.”

From the bosom of a devastated Earth, a voice goes up with our own. It says, “Disarm, Disarm! The sword of murder is not the balance of justice.”

Mother’s Day Proclamation of Julia Ward Howe, 1870

PRELUDE Träumerei Schumann

CALL TO WORSHIP

The Spirit brooded over the waters,

And land emerged.

Lush with plant life.

Flush with animals.

A sacred garden.

The birthing of our world. Home.

MUSICAL REFLECTION Salve Regina HKJ

SCRIPTURE LESSONS

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.

Luke 1:46-55, 2:1-20

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.

SERMON Mother Mary Rev. Kim P. Wells

Mary did you know? This question is posed in a well-known Christmas song. I think our Lakewood choir has sung the anthem. ‘Mary did you know.’

As a Christmas piece, the anthem imagines Mary pondering her new born child. Did she know he would walk on water? Did she know he would give a blind man sight? Did she know he would calm the storm? Did she know he would be the head of all creation and rule the nations? Did she know? As she pondered the birth of her child, did she know?

I imagine that Mary did a lot of pondering in her life as every mother does. Pondering how to raise a happy and healthy child. How to shepherd the child along through life’s challenges. How to encourage the child to use their gifts. How to inculcate positive values and morals in the child. How to raise a child with an inclination to serve and do good for others.

How to help a child find meaning in relationships and treat others with respect and dignity. How to instill a sense of compassion and empathy in a child. How to encourage spiritual sensibilities in a child. Like every mother we can imagine Mary pondering all of these things and more as she raised Jesus.

And clearly, we conclude that Mary was a good mother; that she raised Jesus right. After all, she raised someone good, giving, compassionate, concerned about others, devout, respectful of all people and all life. While there is no specific metric to use, surely we think of Mary as a good mother. In some traditions she is revered as the model for all mothers. The best mother.

But when I think of the Christmas song, “Mary, did you know,” I feel there is a glaring omission. There is no mention of Jesus’ death. How about a verse, Mary did you know – that your son would be convicted of a capital crime? Mary, did you know that your son would be tortured and hung on a cross to die? Mary, did you know that your beautiful wonderful, precious child would meet a humiliating end as a criminal? Oh, Mary. Did you know?

Of course, Mary did not know. And she certainly had much more to ponder after Jesus’ death.

So when we think of the death of Jesus, do we associate his ignominious end with Mary and her mothering? Was it her fault because she didn’t bring him up right? Did she go back to work when he was too young? Did she remarry and he never adjusted to the new husband? Did she move when he was a teen ager and he never adjusted to his new home and school? All the crazy things we think about today to account for young lives gone awry. If Mary had been a better mother, could Jesus have avoided that awful end? No, of course not. We don’t blame Mary.

The crucifixion of Jesus was not Mary’s doing. It was the result of cruel, self interested forces in the society in which they lived. It was social forces, institutional concerns, protecting of power from perceived threat; it was these things that contributed to the killing of Jesus. Mary was a good mother but she could not protect her child from the social forces around him. She had no influence, as a woman, and a poor woman at that, over the societal dynamics that led to the death of her beloved child.

And here, we can relate. Today is Mother’s Day, and we will give flowers and candy to mom and maybe take her out for brunch. We will thank mom for all she has done. And we should.

But despite the efforts each and every day of the millions upon millions of wonderful mothers in the world today, kids are still at risk. Kids will still be killed in random shootings. Kids will still die from gang violence. They will still be lost to the drug culture around us. In 2001 we were told to be worried about the threat from brown men from across the ocean. In 2021, we know the threat is more likely to come from white men across town – who will kill our children at work, at the store, or at school. No matter how good a mother is, if her child is a person of color they are still at risk from police. No matter what a mother does, her kids are still dying from air pollution and water pollution right here in these United States not just in those remote primitive countries abroad. Kids here are still getting sick because of lead in the paint. Kids are dying right here because of lack of access to healthcare related to money, scheduling, and location issues. Kids are dying in the foster care system which is supposed to protect them. Kids are suffering from hunger and malnutrition because mom can’t get a job with a living wage because someone wants to be a billionaire. Kids are suffering bullying and harassment on social media. What can a mom do in the face of all of these dangers and threats?

Give mom the flowers and the candy and the new necklace. She is doing a great job. But still her kids are not thriving, they are at risk, they are scared, they are under threat. And just like Mary could not prevent Jesus’ crucifixion, mothers today cannot control or prevent the harm that is being done to their children each and every day.

The forces of society undermine the health of children and prevent children from flourishing. They contribute to the deaths of children and youth. While mothers are doing all that they can to raise healthy children, they are being undermined by the societal forces around them.

There was only so much that Mary could do raising Jesus and she did it. Like so many mothers today, she could not protect her child from the social forces that led to his death.

But in the Magnificat, we are shown Mary’s lifeline. She believed in a God committed to the transformation of the society that killed her son. She celebrated a God who lifted up the lowly; who supported the inversion of current power dynamics and economic arrangements. She glorified a God bent on a hunger-free society. She praised a God who was busy turning the tables on systems and institutions that killed innocent, beloved children.

Mary did you know? Mary knew. She knew what she was up against as a mother though she could not have known the specific outcome. She knew the threats and the dangers of the society around her. And she praised a God who was committed to transforming those conditions. May we also worship and glorify that God on this Mother’s Day and every day. Amen.

NAMING OF MOTHERS

One: On this Mother’s Day, let us lift up the names of women in our own lives who have mothered us and made manifest to us the power of Divine Love.

Naming of Mothers

ALL: May daughters prophesy justice and sons dream peace!

MUSICAL INTERLUDE Jasmine 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.

Offertory Solfeggietto C.P.E. Bach

Prayer of Dedication

This Mother’s Day may we commit ourselves to birthing a

world supportive of all mothers, children, and all life

forms; one holy, glorious, flourishing reality. Amen.

PREPARATION FOR PRAYER Pescador De Hombres Gabaráin

COMMUNITY PRAYERS- SAVIOR’S PRAYER

Our Mother,

who is in heaven and within us,

we call upon your names.

Your wisdom come.

Your will be done,

in all the spaces in which you dwell.

Give us each day sustenance and perseverance.

Remind us of our limits as

we give grace to the limits of others.

Separate us from the temptation of empire,

and deliver us into community.

For you are the dwelling place within us,

the empowerment around us,

and the celebration among us, now and forever. Amen.

Rev. Yolanda Norton Womanist Lord’s Prayer used at Grace Cathedral in San Francisco at the “Beyonce Mass”

*BENEDICTION

*POSTLUDE Toccata Walond