Author: lakewooducc

Sermon 12/20 Rekindle Love

Date: Dec. 20, 2020 Fourth Sunday of Advent In-person worship, outdoors
Scripture Lesson: Luke 1:26-38 and 46b-55
Sermon: Rekindle Love
Pastor: Rev. Kim P. Wells

In the novel, Tolstoy Lied: A Love Story, Rachel Kadish has this to say:

“Love is an ecstatic compulsion to madness.”

I think that might be my favorite definition of love. An ecstatic compulsion to
madness. Think of the things we do because of love – entangle our lives with
others, spend our fortunes, move across the country, get up in the middle of the
night repeatedly, take on overwhelming responsibility, make stunning sacrifices,
spend untold time, money, and energy. For love. Of partners. Children. Parents.
Friends. Humanity. The Earth. Pets. Activities. Projects. Family. Strangers.
People do crazy things for love.

Last week was the 21st anniversary of Julia Butterfly Hill coming down from the
1500 year old redwood tree in California after having lived in the tree for 738 days
to prevent the logging of ancient old growth redwoods. That sounds like an
ecstatic compulsion to madness. It had to be done out of love.

What are some other examples you can think of that are crazy things that people
have done out of love? Maybe even something you have done out of love that is
crazy –
Congregational examples

Love. An ecstatic compulsion to madness.

Well, that’s what we heard about this morning. We hear of a love so compelling
that is leads to a wild plan to rescue those who are beloved. We hear about a God
so in love with humanity that this God comes up with a ludicrous plan for helping
these woebegone people. A love so desperate, it will go to any ends. Even the
insanity we heard about this morning. A story of an angel visiting a random
teenage girl from a small rural community and inviting her to be the mother of a
special child that will save humanity. That’s pretty crazy. What kind of a plan is
that? It’s madness. And she says yes. That is crazy, too! How can it be anything
but love?

In today’s context the main narrative associated with Christmas is about Santa and
elves and 8 flying reindeer that drop gifts down the chimney. It’s not really that
far-fetched when you think about the stories associated with of the birth of Jesus.
Zechariah being struck dumb, Elizabeth having a child in her old age, the angel
Gabriel visiting Mary, a donkey, a barn, shepherds, angels, a star, wisemen. The
stories of the birth of Jesus are crazy because they are about Divine Love in the
flesh. An ecstatic compulsion to madness.

And then today we heard the response that is attributed to Mary once she has
validation of her circumstances, the magnificat. The song of Mary, the magnificat,
is also kind of a celebration of an ecstatic compulsion to madness. It
acknowledges that this Divine plan is absurd. God choosing an obscure young
woman for something so significant. And then it goes on from there. This love
being birthed into the world through this unlikely mother is not a one off. The
magnificat goes on to extol the elevation of all of those who are considered of
lower rank. And the demotion of all those considered respectable and powerful.
This is a love that turns the world upside down and works the transformation
through, well, the least of these. Like Mary.

In a prophecy from Isaiah [61:1-4] that is often read in Advent, we are told:

“The Spirit of Exalted Yahweh is upon me,

for Yahweh has anointed me:

God has sent me to bring good news to those who are poor;
to heal broken hearts;
to proclaim release to those held captive
and liberation to those in prison;
to announce a year of favor from Yahweh,
and the day of God’s vindication;
to comfort all who mourn,
to provide for those who grieve in Zion –
to give them a wreath of flowers instead of ashes,
the oil of gladness instead of tears,
a cloak of praise instead of despair.
They will be known as trees of integrity,
planted by Yahweh to display God’s glory.”

And then, what does this bound up, rag tag group do? They are the ones who build
a new future. The prophet goes on:

“They will restore the ancient ruins,
and rebuild sites long devastated;
they will repair the ruined cities,
neglected for generations.”

The most unlikely people will be responsible for the restoration of the community
and the fulfillment of God’s dreams for God’s beloved people. That must be love
for it is completely ludicrous. And yet, that is God. Crazy dreams. Crazy plans.
It can only be love!

I recently read Colm Tobin’s book, The Testament of Mary. It is a novel about the
life of Mary after the crucifixion of Jesus. And it involves her looking back on
Jesus’ life. And one thing is clear in the novel. Mary has only contempt for Jesus’
followers. She sees them as the dregs of the community, people who are not stable,

people who are needy. In the book, she describes them as “unshaven brutes and
twitchers” [p. 80]. She tells us: “He gathered around him, I said, a group of
misfits, who were only children like himself, or men without fathers, or men who
could not look a woman in the eye. Men who were seen smiling to themselves, or
who had grown old when they were still young. Not one of you was normal, I
said. . . Yes misfits, I said. My son gathered misfits. . .” [p.6] Several times in
the course of the short book she says these things. The Mary of this extremely
interesting fictional account has no faith in the capabilities of those who were
attracted to Jesus and his message.

And yes, as we know, it is those very people who somehow, someway, continue to
live out the love and reconciliation and justice and sacredness that they
experienced with Jesus. Their witness is so compelling that others are drawn to it.
And the movement grows. People are attracted by this new reality of equality and
generosity and wholeness. And from this tenuous, bizarre beginning, the largest
religion in the world has evolved and we are here today worshipping on a Sunday
morning in St. Petersburg because of these misfits.

These examples harmonize with the magnificat and the story of Mary that we
heard this morning. The lowly, the meek, the disadvantaged, are empowered to
bring to fruition the hopes and dreams of God for the wellbeing of all of Creation.
That is Divine Love. And it sure sounds like an ecstatic compulsion to madness.
This can only be a love story. A story of the love of God for humanity. Driving
this God to do crazy things. Manifesting a love, so compelling, that people are
want to resist it. And we are here today because we have been drawn into this love
story. We find ourselves compelled by this love which the world around us must
consider insane. We find ourselves among those drawn to the manger. To gaze at
the starlight. And hear the angel song. Smell the hay and feel the warm breath of
the cows and sheep. A crazy story. Yet one that draws us in. Because we know
that there is a place for us at the manger. There is room for us in stable. We are
welcomed into the community of outcasts and misfits and dreamers. Who are entrusted with the hopes and visions of God. For the healing and wholeness of
creation.

On this fourth Sunday of Advent, when the theme for the advent candle is love and
we remember the story of Gabriel visiting Mary, let us remember that we have
been drawn into a love story by a God of love. And as we find our way, our part,
in the unfolding drama, we find our life, our healing, and our wholeness. And, yes,
the whole thing is an ecstatic compulsion to madness.

We close with a love poem, a prayer really, from a prominent 20th century
German theologian, Dorothy Soelle, who lived through the holocaust and its
aftermath:

He needs you
That’s all there is to it
Without you he’s left hanging
Goes up in dachau’s smoke
Is sugar and spice in the baker’s hands
gets revalued in the next stock market crash
he’s consumed and blown away
used up
without you

Help him
that’s what faith is
he can’t bring it about
his kingdom
couldn’t then couldn’t later can’t now
not at any rate without you
and that is his irresistible appeal
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.

Corona Sabbath 40 Fourth Sunday of Advent LOVE

These weeks when we cannot gather in person for Sunday worship, Lakewood United Church of Christ is providing brief weekly sabbath programs for you to listen to on your own or with others in your social isolation group.  They will be posted on Friday so that you can schedule your sabbath time to suit your schedule and your spiritual inclinations.  We hope these programs are of spiritual support to you in these difficult times.

The post this week focuses on the theme for the fourth Sunday of Advent – Love. 

This post includes a scripture reading from Jim Andrews, a reflection from Rev. Kim Wells and a music video by Hilton Jones.    We hope this post helps to feed your spirit in these difficult times as we prepare to celebrate the birth of Jesus.

You are invited to find a quiet space, inside or outside.  Light a candle.  Take a look around you.   Breathe.  Life-giving breath.   Be present. 

You may begin with this reading, Virgin of the Sign:

She looks upon you
 She looks beyond you
 She looks through
        your soul
     and into the 
       Eternity
   behind your soul.
  
 Suddenly she is a Mirror
               of
           Eternity
           Dwelling
               in 
 Your own fragile flesh.
  
--Suzanne Guthrie

When you are ready, start the video below

(For written text of the above video click HERE.)

As you listen to the music that follows, you are invited to notice the thoughts and feelings that arise for you. 

In closing, you are invited to offer the following closing reading:

“We are all meant to be mothers of God. What good is it to me if this eternal birth of the divine Son takes place unceasingly but does not take place within myself? And, what good is it to me if Mary is full of grace if I am not also full of grace? What good is it to me for the Creator to give birth to his Son if I do not also give birth to him in my time and my culture?”

Meister Eckhart, 14th century

Breathe.  Breathe again.  Be filled.  With love.   Extinguish your candle and engage whatever may come with a sense of peace and a desire to serve.

LAKEWOOD UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST

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 and in our world;
  • Offer the hospitality and inclusive love of Christ to all people;
  • Work for God’s peace and justice throughout creation.

USEFUL LAKEWOOD LINKS DURING THE CORONA CRISIS:

Advent Candle Lighting Liturgy and Daily Devotions for Week 4

This Advent season of 2020 the focus is on rekindling the gift of God. We certainly need our spiritual grounding and the gifts of faith to sustain us during these difficult times.

There is a ritual for lighting the Advent wreath each Sunday. Then there is a reading for each day of the week based on the theme of the week’s candle.

May we rekindle the gifts of hope, peace, joy, and love this Advent season!

Rekindle the Gift of Love

Lighting the Fourth Advent Candle – LOVE

In our homes we gather around wreaths to pray our lost hopes, broken peace, limited joys, and love so hard to find and share in this season of coronavirus.   We affirm that our candles mean we claim the power to call this season Advent, when God’s light comes into the world and nothing can overcome it.

Light three candles.

We light the candles of hope, peace, and joy.

Light the fourth candle.

We now light the candle of love even when many things dim our flame of love.

name places, issues, concerns, and people that need the healing power of unconditional love

God’s love illuminates hatred with a compassionate heart and lights the wick of love in our lives so that we may shine on the world with the flame of unconditional love.  Amen

Monday Dec. 21  LOVE

‘Whoever does not love does not know God, for God is love.’ 

                                                                                         1 John 4:8

This is a fundamental understanding of the Christian faith.  God is love.  We see that love in Jesus.  And he reminds us that we, too, are created to love. 

While this season may involve giving lots of gifts, and this year, that might involve sending lots of packages, here we pause.   And we ask, How am I sharing love in the world?  We are here to love, to be love, to give love.  So how are we embodying that love to others?  It may very well be in a wrapped gift, sent through the mail.  But there is so much more than that.

And while we are thinking of the love we have to give and share, we need to think about how we are loving ourselves.  How are we tending the flame of love within us? 

Prayer

As we prepare to celebrate the birth of Jesus, the birth of love, may we feel the love within us rekindled.  And may we, too, birth love into the world.  Amen.

Tuesday Dec. 22   LOVE

‘Take your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains that I shall show you.’

Genesis 22:2

The verse above is the first time in the Bible that the word ‘love’ is used.  And what a story!  Abraham is told to take his only child, Isaac, into the wilderness as a sacrifice.  Once at the site, a ram appears caught in the thicket and Abraham is told to sacrifice the ram and not his son.  This brutal story is echoed in the story of God giving up Jesus as a sacrifice.  Love is not all hearts and rainbows.  Real love is messy.  It involves sacrifice.  It causes pain.  To live a life of love does not mean a life that is pain-free.  So while we celebrate love this season, we are aware that love involves pain and grief. 

This year we especially remember families who have lost loved ones to covid and as well as other causes.  We remember those who cannot be with loved ones.  Much love.  Much sadness.

Prayer

Love is our primary purpose as human beings.  We pray that we might give ourselves over to love, receive the gift, give the gift, even knowing it will involve pain and grief.  To avoid pain we may deny our deepest humanity and the humanity of others. And that causes a different kind of suffering.  May we remember that there is also healing and meaning and purpose and joy in love.  Amen.

Wednesday Dec. 23   LOVE

‘This is my commandment that you love one another as I have loved you.’

John 15:12

In Jesus, we see a love that crosses boundaries, builds bridges, and overcomes divisions and labels assigned by society.  How we need that kind of love in our world and in our country now! 

As we await the celebration of Christmas, these last few days of anticipation, may we remember that Christmas really is for everyone.  Love is for everyone or it isn’t really love. 

Prayer

May we open ourselves to the love that is being given to the world at Christmas.  May we remember that love is for everyone.  No one is left out or forgotten.  Amen. 

Thursday Dec. 24   LOVE

‘And now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; and the greatest of these is love.’

                                                                        1 Corinthians 13:13

It’s Christmas Eve.  Maybe a happy time for you.  Maybe a sad time.  Maybe a festive time.  Maybe more subdued.  Maybe there is disappointment.  Maybe gratitude.  Maybe your feelings are mixed.  Whatever you are feeling this Christmas Eve, look for the love.  Maybe you have to dig a little.  Maybe it’s covered or hidden.  Maybe it’s not where you expected to find it.  But search it out.  Love is the heart of Christmas and it is most certainly present!

Prayer

Whatever may please or disappoint this Christmas, may we look for the love.  It is there.  Everywhere.  And it is the only thing that really matters.  Amen.

Friday Dec. 25  CHRISTMAS DAY!

Celebrate the gifts of hope, peace, joy, and love that you are being given this Christmas!

List all the ways you are receiving these gifts today!

Weekly Update 12/16

Christmas Eve Zoom and Christmas Eve Live

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In these difficult and challenging days, celebrating the birth of Jesus is more important than ever.  Jesus, too, was born in difficult times.  His birth reminds us that God is with us, in joy and in sorrow, in times of fear and challenge as well as times of awe and wonder.  

You are invited to celebrate the birth of Jesus with the LUCC church family.  The same service will be offered two ways on Christmas Eve.  

At 5:00 p.m. there will be a Zoom/FaceBook live service.  Go to the church FaceBook page and click on the lower left.  Here’s the link for Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/2700683648

At 7:00 p.m. there will be an in person version of the same service on the church grounds.  Masks and physical distancing will be maintained.  There will be no singing.  Bring a chair and a flashlight so you can read the bulletin.  In case of rain, the service will be held on the covered patio adjacent to the playground.  

Rekindle the Gifts of God:  Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love

Advent Season!

The theme for this Advent season at LUCC is Rekindle the Gift from a verse from 2 Timothy.  This is certainly a season to ‘rekindle’ after all that we have been through!  Each week, the Corona Sabbath and daily devotions will focus on the traditional themes for the candles of the Advent Wreath.  Rekindle Hope.  Rekindle Peace.  Rekindle Joy.  And Rekindle Love.

Please see the details below for the Advent season.  May you find needed hope, peace, joy, and love this season!

Advent Devotions – Posted at the Website

A booklet of devotions has been prepared for the Advent season with a reading for each day and liturgy for the lighting of Advent candles at home each Sunday.  These devotions are also posted weekly at the church website.  May these devotions help to rekindle hope, peace, joy, and love this holy season. 

Please use the link below to read the fourth weeks readings and liturgy: https://lakewooducc.org/2020/12/17/advent-candle-lighting-liturgy-and-daily-devotions-for-week-4/

Poinsettias

In the uncharted territory we are facing this year, the church will be trying something new.  The church family is invited to bring poinsettias to church on the Sundays in December before Christmas.  They will beautify our worship space and they will be taken to those who are homebound and in need of special care in the congregation.  So, if you would like to, please bring a poinsettia or poinsettias to church.  Many thanks!

Music

Hilton is posting all the Thanksgiving, Chanukah, and Christmas music he’s done for Lakewood UCC during the holidays at https://soundcloud.com/hilton-kean-jones/sets/traditional-holiday-music.

The LUCC Care Team is on the road for the holidays!

The Care Team made a Christmas drive by to Westminster Suncoast Sunday, December 13th.  Their sleigh (Emily’s car) was filled with poinsettias for the LUCC residents, and their hearts were filled with joy.  The day was beautiful, a sunny day perfect for enjoying some Christmas carols and a little dance by Claire. Patti and Claire then delivered a poinsettia for Marg and Dave Radens and had a lovely visit with Marg on her front porch!  It was a splendid day for sharing love, joy, peace, and hope—the themes of Advent, the mission of the LUCC Care Teams.

please use the link to see pictures on the church website: https://lakewooducc.org/2020/12/15/the-lucc-care-team-is-on-the-road-for-the-holidays/

Celebrating Joy the Third Sunday of Advent

Another beautiful Sunday morning for worship out on the lawn of the church.  There will be another Sunday morning outdoor service Dec. 20 at 10:30.  There will also be an outdoor service on Christmas Eve at 7:00 p.m.  Bring your own chair if you can.  Masks and distancing required.  All welcome!

use the link to see pictures: https://lakewooducc.org/2020/12/15/celebrating-joy-the-third-sunday-of-advent/

In-Person Events! 

The church is experimenting with a ‘soft’ re-opening. There will be in- person gatherings and services outside, with masks, and physical distancing. There will be no singing. Participants are encouraged to bring their own chairs.  Some will also be available at the church. Most events will be on the church lawn.  If the weather bad, events will be held on the church patio adjacent to the playground.  

Here’s what’s coming:

In addition, the weekly guided labyrinth walks will continue on Wednesday mornings at 9:00 a.m. All are welcome.  

For those who want to remain engaged with the church ‘remotely’, the church will continue to post a weekly Corona Sabbath with a scripture reading, reflection from Rev. Wells, and music from Hilton Jones.  Paper copies of the Corona Sabbath and the Update will continue to be sent to those who do not use the internet.  

After this period of experimentation, there will be a discussion about how to proceed into the New Year.

Winter Solstice Celebration

This gathering will be a celebration of darkness and light. The shortest day of the year focuses attention on the meaning of light and its importance.  The gathering will take place around a fire.  Bring a reading or a quote or a poem or a reflection about darkness and light.  Maybe we will even witness the converging of the stars!  

Toys Delivered at Maximo

What an amazing, inspiring day Monday was at Maximo Elementary! The toys that were collected by the Education Ministry Team were delivered to the school. What began as a request by the Family and Community Liaison, Ms. Jones, for gifts for thirty children experiencing homelessness grew and grew and grew. Partnership with the Social Justice Team at Westminster Suncoast and then St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church flourished. Generosity grew wings. When the toys were delivered there were four cars overflowing with more than one hundred fifty gifts.

Ms. Jones, along with the Principal and staff, greeted us with smiles and great appreciation. Pictures were taken and friendships made. We left Maximo having received more than we had given. Our hearts were bursting with joy.

Thanks to everyone who joined in this undertaking to spread Christmas joy to children and their parents during this very stressful time. May the pictures bring you Hope, Peace, Joy and Love as you imagine the surprise and excitement of a precious child receiving your gift.

Use the following link to see pictures: https://lakewooducc.org/2020/12/09/toys-delivered-at-maximo/

Work Under Way for Adult Day Care

Finally after a year and a half of planning, the renovations of the Fellowship Hall are underway to prepare for the Adult Day Care program sponsored by Neighborly Services!  So far, a railing has been installed to the back entrance of the Fellowship Hall and the demolition is underway to prepare for the three accessible restrooms that are being installed.  The patio has been pressure washed.

It is very exciting to finally see movement toward the goal of offering needed services to the seniors in our area!

For more pictures please use the following link: https://lakewooducc.org/2020/12/16/work-under-way-for-adult-day-care/

Corona Sabbath Ahead

The Corona Sabbath post this week follows the theme for the Advent candles. This week the focus is Love.

This week Jim Andrews is reading the scripture, there is a reflection from Rev. Wells, and music from Hilton Jones.

If you missed last week’s Corona Sabbath here’s the link:  

https://lakewooducc.org/2020/12/11/corona-sabbath-39-joy/

Anti-Racism Demonstrations Taking a Break

Weekly demonstrations to end racism will resume Sunday January 10 at 4:30 p.m..  Many thanks to all who are participating.  While there is a break in the demonstrations, we know that there is no break in the systemic racism that is harmful to everyone.  As the New Year begins, add your presence to this weekly demonstration making a witness to your commitment to anti racism.

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 Corona Sabbath of the week 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.

December Birthdays: Becky Palmer 12/16, Amaiya Washington 12/18, George Diven 12/27, Melanie Moore 12/27, Someone missing? Contact the church office with birthday information.

Circle of Concern: JoAnn Reid, William Owen, Wilbur Reid, Jen Degroot, Carolyn Moore, Ann Quinn, Maggie Brizendine, Dave Radens, Bert and Joyce Lee, Jeff Wells, teachers, students, and school personnel, and all healthcare workers and essential workers. All those suffering from COVID-19.

Please keep LUCC member, Olivia Gibson, in your prayers. She is a nurse in a COVID-19 unit in a local hospital. We are grateful for her ministry!

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

 Please note that the church office will be closed the week of Dec. 28.

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.