Author: lakewooducc

Advent Devotion 9

Why is Christmas scary?

Halloween is supposed to be the scary holiday.  But the Christmas stories in the New Testament mention fear repeatedly.  In the gospel of Luke, when the angel Gabriel approaches the priest Zechariah who will be the father of John the Baptizer, the angel kicks off with Fear not.  Then when the angel Gabriel visits Mary who will be the mother of Jesus, and again he leads off with Fear not.  When the angels visit the shepherds abiding in the fields keeping watch over their flocks by night, the angels declare, Fear not.

In the gospel of Matthew, an angel tells Joseph, Fear not, it is ok to marry Mary even if she is with child.  

It seems like there is a “Fear not” at every turn.  The implication is that the people may react in fear.  Is it because they were living in perilous times?  Is it because visitation by the Divine is always fear/awe inducing?  Is it because the God of their understanding was associated with punishment as well as blessing?  Is it because they might be asked to do something risky and unpopular?  That’s often the case with God’s call.  Look at Jesus.  We aren’t told why the people might be afraid.

As we approach Christmas, this is a time to consider how we might be afraid.  What might we fear about the incarnation of Divine Love coming into the world to bring joy, peace, and hope?  What might be scary about that for us?  Maybe our fears are preventing us from experiencing the full bliss and blessing of Christmas.  Maybe like Zechariah, Mary, Joseph, and the shepherds, we need to be told, Fear not!

Prayer: In these quiet moments we give voice to our fears.  In this advent season, may we let Divine Love drive out our fears.  May we fulfill our part in the drama of redeeming love with no hesitations or reservations.  May we not let our fears hold us back.  Amen.

Advent Devotion 8

Do you believe?

There is a lot of talk this time of year about believing in Santa Claus.  We’re way past ‘Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus.’  Parents are posting on FaceBook about how to deal with Santa.  What to tell their kids.  How long to prolong the pretend.  When to unveil the truth.   This is a major topic on social media and in actual social interactions.  Though I am well past having deal with the Santa topic in my family setting, I have heard from young parents about what an obsession the Santa issue is.  What should you tell your kids about Santa and how to draw the Santa fantasy to a close.  All this talk about how to get your kids to believe in Santa and then how to gently, without significant emotional scarring, get them to give up the belief.

Christmas is about celebrating the birth of Jesus.  So what about believing in Jesus?  What about making sure kids know who he is and what he does?  What about the awe and wonder that we see in Jesus?  What about his guiding light?  Where’s the obsession with teaching kids about that? 

Prayer: In this season may we reflect on all that we are being given through Jesus.  May we look for his light in ourselves, in others, and in the doings of the world around us.  May the universal love we see in Jesus make us merry and bright.  Amen.  

Advent Devotion 7

Hate Revisited

Yesterday I got a political solicitation email that included this paragraph:

The DC Swamp wants impeachment. The Hollywood Elites want impeachment. The Fake News wants impeachment. The Deep State wants impeachment.   Foreign enemies want impeachment. The Establishment wants impeachment.   They all HATE you, Kim, and that’s why they want to steal your vote.  

It’s US against THEM.  Make no mistake this is a war, and a war we must win to save the United States of America.  

There are many implications in this message, but I want to follow up on yesterday’s devotion about hate.  Yesterday we mentioned the Christian imperative to not hate anyone.  The email cited above invites us to think about how we as Christians are to respond when we are hated.  

This email is trying to convince people that they are hated so that they will respond by fighting back in some way.  It is trying to use hate as a tool to motivate a reaction – a hostile reaction.  The theme of hate is being used to stoke a conflict actually referred to as “war.”  And war involves violence and attacking and subduing of enemies.  The email goes on to specifically mention enemies.

 And what does Jesus have to say about those perceived as enemies?  Those who supposedly hate you?  They are to be loved.  Love your enemy.  Pray for those who persecute you.  So the Christian response to hatred is love.  Compassion.  Understanding.  Forgiveness.  But not more hatred or violence.

We saw this approach to hatred beautifully demonstrated in the Civil Rights movement under the leadership of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.  People of African descent who had every reason to hate people of European descent took to the streets in non violent direct action.  No weapons.  No hatred.  No violence.  They were armed with courage and love.

When hatred is directed at us, may we respond as Jesus did:  With the incomparable power of love.

 Prayer: Prayerfully and honestly consider who may have reason to hate you.  How can you show love, compassion, and understanding?  Our prayers may not change the hearts of others but they may change our hearts.  Amen.   

Advent Devotion 6

No room for hate

In this season as we prepare for the birth of Jesus, we reflect on his life and ministry which is, of course, why we celebrate his birth.  Jesus was filled with love.  There was no room in his heart for hate.  No matter who the person was, there was not hate from Jesus.  He expresses compassion and love.  He decries the abuse of power that takes advantage of “the little guy,” but he does not express hatred even toward those who live at other’s expense.  He does not express hatred toward anyone even those responsible for his crucifixion.

We saw a bold witness to that kind of faith in the public sector this past week.  It was not something you expect to see even at this time of year.  But at the end of a press conference,  as she was leaving the podium, a reporter asked House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, “Do you hate the president, Madame Speaker?”  Pelosi returned to the podium and stated unequivocally, “As a Catholic, I resent you using the word ‘hate’ in a sentence that addresses me.  Don’t mess with me when it comes to a word like that.”  

What a beautiful, bold proclamation of the way of Jesus!  It was refreshing to hear!  No hate.  It’s that simple.  

This is a season to examine our hearts in search of hatred.  What hate are we harboring?  What do we need to release?  How do we need to hold ourselves accountable to the way of Jesus?  Not quite sure where you stand?  Think you might be missing something?  Really want to know the truth?  As someone close to you, “Who do you think that I hate?”  “Do you think I have anyone or any group?”  Take their answer seriously.  Don’t jump to defend yourself.  Listen.  Learn.  And remember:  There is no room for hate as we make our way with Jesus.  

Prayer This Advent season may we seriously scour our hearts for hatred. May we evict hate from our lives.  May we make it clear to ourselves and others that because of our faith, we do not hate.   Period.  Amen.  

Weekly Update 12/5

This Sunday: This Sunday is the second Sunday of Advent.  The story of the visit of Mary and Elizabeth invites reflection on how we help each other along life’s journey.  There will be carol singing before the service, lighting the Advent candles in the service, and PLEASE BRING HOMEMADE CHRISTMAS COOKIES TO ENJOY AFTER THE SERVICE.  Leftover cookies will be brought to homebound members of the church family. This is the last Sunday to bring toys and gifts for the Winter Wonderland at Maximo Elementary School. 

Church School: will be led by Janet Blair on Sunday.  She will be talking about the situation of refugees in the world today in connection with the stories of Jesus and his family migrating – to Bethlehem and to Egypt.  There is no Nursery care this morning.  Please enjoy the child friendly area of the sanctuary. 

Advisors meeting: There will be an Advisors meeting following the service this coming Sunday in the Fellowship Hall.  All are welcome to attend. 

Lakewood UCC Choir: Throughout the five Sundays of Decembers, choir rehearsals will begin at 9:40am instead of the usual 9:00am.

Advent/Christmas Season Ahead: “Come Home for the Holidays” season of preparation for the celebration of the birth of Jesus. Please pick up a collection can to use for the Christmas Eve offering which will provide rent, utility, and other assistance to people in the congregation and the community.  This assistance helps people to have a home and to feel connected to others as family.  After all, we are one human family and everyone deserves a home. 

Joy of Singing: Each Sunday of Advent, the congregation is invited to join in singing favorite Christmas songs at 10:15 before morning worship. May the music of Christmas inspire joy this holy season.

Christmas Caroling: Join with others to bring the joy of the season to folks from the LUCC family who are not able to come to church. Everyone is welcome regardless of singing ability! If you aren’t feeling merry, being part of this ministry will bring joy to your heart! Please gather at the church Sunday afternoon Dec. 15 at 3:00p.m. Jim Andrews and Janet Blair will have the arrangements made and carolers will visit the homebound members of the church family.

Daily Devotions: Look for a new devotion each day in your email or at the church website to help inspire your reflection about what it means to “Come home for the holidays.” What does home mean? Where do we find it? How do we create a sense of home with others?

Sundays in Advent: Each Sunday, singing songs of the season at 10:15 and lighting the Advent wreath during worship.

Dec. 8        Fellowship with home made cookies after church. Bring your favorite homemade cookies to share. Packages will be made and delivered to homebound members of the church family. Dec. 15      Christmas Caroling in the afternoon. At 3:00 followed by dinner at the Wells’ home. Dec. 22      A special intergenerational, interactive service that will end with lining the cradle in preparation for the celebration of the birth of Jesus.

Christmas Eve: 6:30      Music of the Season 7:00     Service with candlelight and communion. All ages welcome! Transportation provided. please contact the church office.

Straw Labyrinth: Come home for the holidays. There will be a straw labyrinth installed on the church grounds. This is an opportunity to reflect on what “home for the holidays” means to you through walking meditation. The walking will provide an image for making our way home to God in this holy season. The labyrinth will be open and available for use all the time. Come at your convenience. There will be printed sheets provided to guide your reflection.

During the Advent season there will be two opportunities to be part of a group-guided walk on the labyrinth. These will be held Wednesday Dec. 11th and Wednesday Dec. 18th at 3:00p.m. There will be a time for gathering, reading of scripture, reflection, and walking. All are welcome!

Advisors for 2020: It’s time to think about who will serve as advisors for the church for 2020.  The advisors are responsible for overseeing the life of the church including finances, personnel, property and grounds, and other administrative concerns.  In addition, they help to “advise” about all aspects of church life.  The term is for one year.  Are there people you would like to see serving as advisors next year?  Would you like to serve as an advisor?  There are forms available at church for you to fill out with the names of people you would like to see as advisors including yourself.  Please put the forms in the Leadership Selection envelope on the bulletin board at church.  The names suggested will provide the pool of people to be considered to serve for the next year.  Many thanks for your participation in this important process at LUCC!

Winter Wonderland: Toy snd Gift Collection  for Maximo Children ends THIS Sunday-Dec. 8. LUCC, you may bring your toys/gifts to the church and they will be delivered to the school!  Or put a donation in an envelope marked “ Winter Wonderland.”  The children will be  choosing gifts  for themselves and/or others so small gifts for parents are also needed.  Maximo Elementary serves 16% homeless families and according to the on site social worker 99.5% under privileged families. Thanks everyone!

Immigration News: “Witness at Tornillo,” a new documentary, will be shown at Tampa Theater on Saturday, Dec. 7, at 11:00, followed by a panel discussion and community conversation.  This screening is being presented by the nonprofit FL Institute for Community Studies (FICS) and is FREE and open to the public, but reservations are required.  To register, go to https://tampatheater.org/movie/witness-at-Tornillo/.  For carpooling from LUCC, see Sue Sherwood.

The film follows Josh Rubin, a Brooklyn-born activist who draws attention to the horrors of family separation and child detention on the southern border. The goal of his witnessing – which he calls “the radical act of seeing” – is to shut down the Tornillo camp and free the 2,800 migrant teenagers being held there.  He has also witnessed at Homestead, FL, and will be leading a group to Tornillo in January to bear witness at the border and offer food and support to those waiting for asylum.  The Pinellas Coalition for Immigration Justice will be organizing a group to go as well, which is open to any LUCC folks who are interested in joining this first-hand witness. 

Letter Writing: A letter writing station has been set up at church. Look for opportunities to share your faith perspective on immigration, the environment, and gun safety with elected officials.

 Roy Book Binder Concert: The concert begins at 7:00 p.m. on December 6th. Suggested donation of $20. All proceeds go to the artist. Please feel free to contact the church with any questions! lakewooducc@gmail.com or call at 727-867-7961.

Operation Attack: Operation Attack is very much in need of clothes for men, boys, and girls as well as diapers and peanut butter and canned fruit. Donations may be placed in the shopping cart in the entryway to the sanctuary. LUCC volunteer nights include sorting clothes and bagging food. All are welcome to volunteer! The next opportunity is Dec. 4 from 6:30-7:30 p.m.

Operation Attack is an ecumenical effort serving families with children located at Lakeview Presbyterian Church, 1310 22nd. Ave. S., St. Petersburg. LUCC was a founding member of Operation Attack in the 1960’s!

Hearing Augmentation: Devices are available from the usher in the sanctuary during worship.

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: Tony Rogers, Sherry Santana, Jen DeGroot, Carolyn Moore, Ann Quinn, Maggie Brizendine, Earl Waters, and Ann Rogers.

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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.