Author: lakewooducc

                                                         LAKEWOOD UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST

A Just Peace Church

An Open and Affirming Church

A Creation Justice Church

10:30 a.m.

June 19, 2022

WELCOME and ANNOUNCEMENTS

LIGHTING THE PEACE CANDLE                                               Sherry Santana, liturgist

           I give amity to all, and enmity to none.

            Know that violence is the root-cause of all

                miseries in the world.

            Violence, in fact, is the knot of bondage.

            “Do not injure any living being.”

            This is the eternal, perennial, and unalterable

                way of spiritual life.

            A weapon, however powerful it may be,

               can always be superseded by a superior weapon;

               however no weapon can

               be superior to non-violence and love.

                                                                          Jain prayer, India

PRELUDE                              Lotus Born                                                                HKJ

*OPENING READING  

Iona Community, based on words attributed to St. Columba

 Christ draw near to us,

little people, trembling and most wretched,

rowing through the infinite storm of this age;

and bring us safely to the most beautiful haven of life.

*HYMN              Christ Is the Mountain of Horeb (Spanish or English)    45                               

NAMING OF FATHERS

One:  On this Father’s Day, let us lift up the names of men in our lives

who have fathered us and made manifest to us the power of Divine Love.

                              Naming of Fathers

    All:  May daughters prophesy justice and sons dream peace.

*HYMN                                      God Made from One Blood                                 427

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.

                                Luke 8: 26-39

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.

CONTEMPORARY READING             Listening                                       Brian Wren   

*HYMN                                       There Is a Balm is Gilead                                      553

SERMON                                             Go and Tell                            Rev. Kim P. Wells

RESPONSIVE READING                                                                   Iona Community

Leader:            Out of love comes celebration

People:                And God’s realm is among us:    

Left:                  Where peace is the means of making us one,

Right:               Where truth does not stumble and justice is done.

Leader:           Out of change comes possibility

People:                And God’s new creation is begun;

Left:                 Promise of splendour and signal of worth,

Right:               Source of all goodness, renewing the earth.

Leader:             Out of freedom comes responsibility

People:                And God calls us to discipleship;  

Left:                 In our compassion, making love known,

Right:                In our conviction, God’s power shown.

* HYMN                                            I’m So Glad, Jesus Lifted Me                         474

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. 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. If you would like assistance, please turn to someone seated near you.

                 Offertory                                         Let it Be                                       Beatles                

                *Time of Dedication                           David B. Noss  and John B. Noss

Goodness in any form has an all-conquering power to call forth a response of  the same kind. Amen.

*PREPARATION FOR PRAYER                  I Must Tell Jesus                                486

MORNING PRAYERS- SAVIOR’S PRAYER

    Fathering and Mothering God, lover of us all, most holy one.
    Help us to respond to you
    To create what you want for us here on earth.
    Give us today enough for our needs.
    Forgive our weak and deliberate offenses,
    Help us to resist evil and to do what is good.
    For we are yours, endowed with your power to make the world whole. Amen.

* HYMN                                      On River Jordan’s Banks I Stand                            598

* BENEDICTION                                                                         The Gospel of Thomas    

            Let her who seeks

                  Never cease striving

                  Until she finds

                  And when she finds

            She will be troubled

                  And when she has been troubled

                  She will be amazed

                  And she will reign over all.           

*SUNG RESPONSE (please form a circle)                                       Rosemary Crow

Weave, weave, weave us together;

Weave us together in unity and love.

Weave, weave, weave us together,

Weave us together, together in love.         

*POSTLUDE                                       Gate, Gate, Paragate                                          Trad

For the safety and comfort of all, please wear a mask. Thank you!

Announcements

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

New Time for Weekly Labyrinth Walk For June and July, the weekly-guided labyrinth walk will be on Fridays at 9:00 a.m. instead of Wednesdays. All are welcome!

LUCC Creation Justice Property Cleanup: On Saturday, June 25 from 9:00 – 11:00am join us for a few hours to “de-clutter” and cleanup our beautiful Lakewood United Church of Christ grounds and to commune with nature and your fellow church members and friends! Wear work clothes, gloves, and a hat and apply sunscreen!  Fluids and snacks will be provided to sustain us!

Operation Attack:  OA needs donations or cereal/oatmeal, mac and cheese, pasta sauce, noodles, peanut butter, canned meat, fruit, soup and vegetables. Donations may be places on the shelf in the hallway at church.

Celebrate Outreach: Celebrate outreach has an ongoing need for men’s and women’s underwear. (Men’s Size’s 30,32,34 and Women’s size’s 5,6,7,8) Also in high demand socks of all kinds/ size’s both men and women. Other needed items are deodorant and disposable razors.

Circle Of Concern:  Christopher and Dana, Danielle Hintz, Ann Quinn who is under Hospice Care, William Owen-Cowan, Jen Degroot, Carolyn Moore, Maggie Brizendine, Janet Hall, Sue Sherwood, Tony Larson, Mary Stokes Mims, George & Jane Diven, Yoko Nogami walking the Appalachian Trail.

All those suffering from COVID-19 and all healthcare workers, Schools: Students, families, teachers and staff.

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

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

On land originally inhabited by the Tocabaga

This Sunday: While we may see evidence of what we would call evil around us, we are no longer inclined toward attributing evil to demons. But a gospel story of exorcism challenges our sensibilities about healing. Do we want to be healed? Do we want the world around us to be more compassionate and just? Take a look at Luke 8:26-39.

Childcare is provided at all Sunday services.

The service will be streamed live on Facebook and then posted on the church’s YouTube channel.

Masks are required at in-person worship.

Book Talk Ahead

Join in this month’s Book Talk on Thursday June 16 at 6:30 p.m. to discuss what you have been reading and to hear what others have been reading. It’s an informal gathering on Zoom. A very enriching conversation. All are welcome! No book banning here! Everything is open for discussion!

Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/2700683648
Meeting ID: 270 068 3648

From The Advisors

At the Advisors meeting on June 12 after church, we covered a number of topics. Here are a few highlights:

– Ron Huff attended the meeting as an interested member of the congregation. Thank you, Ron!
– We discussed the transition in office staff.
– Our donation toward anti-racist books for the South Community Library branch has been accepted. The books will be purchased after the donation is processed at the main office.
– We have received an inquiry about a new startup church renting the sanctuary (in addition to the church already renting it).
– As some have noticed, the outdoor cross broke recently and has been removed. This brought up a discussion of how we might use the space on the lawn on that side of the church.
– We are interested to find out if our younger members and friends of LUCC would attend worship if it were offered at a different time and/or day.
– We started making plans for people to speak during worship while Kim and Jeff are away hiking the Camino de Santiago in Spain approximately mid-August to mid-October. Volunteers welcome!

For more information, please contact an advisor: Barbara Donohue, Lucille Ruga, Christy Martin, Malcolm Wells.

Bon Voyage

Traveling mercies to LUCC church administrator, Gabi Paxton, as she travels to Italy on an educational tour. She will be gone from June 4-20.

Later in the summer, Gabi will be moving to Gainesville. So the church is in the process of a staff transition in the office.

LUCC Creation Justice Property Cleanup

On Saturday, June 25 from 9:00 – 11:00am join us for a few hours to “declutter” and cleanup our beautiful Lakewood United Church of Christ grounds and to commune with nature and your fellow church members and friends!

Wear work clothes, gloves, and a hat and apply sunscreen! Fluids and snacks will be provided to sustain us!

So hoping you can gather with us to enjoy our lovely church property and each other!

Will You Help With Facebook Live?

Yes, LUCC has intentionally been “high touch, low tech.” But given the reality of the pandemic, the ministry of the church has expanded to offering the Sunday worship service live on FaceBook. This has been very meaningful to those who are not able or do not feel comfortable coming to church in person.

This ministry has been provided by Patti Cooksey, Barbara Donohue, Bert Lee, and Michelle Cloutier. Bert and Michelle are away for the next few months. With two new recruits, each one could serve one Sunday a month.

Barbara and Patti want you to know that it is very easy! There are clear instructions. A tutorial will be provided. Please contact the Church Office to express your willingness to help with this important outreach ministry. THANK YOU!

Lawn Cross Comes Down

The white cross in the center of the lawn at the church had one arm fall off last week. After closer examination, it was determined that the wood inside the plaster had rotted and the cross was no longer stable. It was taken down after church on Sunday June 5. Stay tuned for what will come next! If you have ideas and suggestions, please speak with an advisor. Barbara Donohue, Lucille Ruga, Christy Martin, Malcolm Wells.

For Pictures follow the link below: https://lakewooducc.org/2022/06/10/%ef%bf%bcthe-cross-on-the-lawn-is-removed/

Guided Labyrinth Walks Time Change

For June and July, the weekly guided labyrinth walk will be on Fridays at 9:00 a.m. instead of Wednesdays. All are welcome!

Also, the readings and prayers used each week at the guided walk are put in the mailbox by the labyrinth 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.

UCC Southern Regional Women’s Retreat

The United Church of Christ is sponsoring a retreat for women from the conferences of the Southern Region. Florida is the host conference and the retreat will be held at Camp Weed and Cerveny Conference Center in Live Oak, FL. The theme is God of Mystery – Spirit of Hope. Dyanne Edds of LUCC is on the planning committee. And the Rev. Karen Georgia Thompson, a former LUCC member, is the keynote speaker. The retreat is Oct. 14-16, 2022. For more information, speak to Dyanne.

How to Help Ukraine

The local Ukrainian Catholic Church is sponsoring humanitarian aid. There are more details at their website: https://www.epiphanyukrch.com

The national United Church of Christ is also offering ways to support the Ukrainian people. Here’s a link: https://p2a.co/nGEvYVL?inf_contact_key=ad8269e3f149ec1ef1efd03de1e233aacc0558ed5d4c28cbfab114022b1ec50d

Toiletries for Celebrate Outreach

Celebrate Outreach is a local ministry with people who are living without shelter in St. Petersburg. An average of 135 people are served each week. LUCC was asked to collect toiletries to be distributed to the community at the meals that are provided on Saturday and Sundays each week. This collection will be ongoing in addition to the food being collected for Operation Attack. All are invited to donate the following items:

Celebration Outreach has an ongoing need for men’s and women’s underwear.
Men sizes 30, 32,34
Women’s sizes 5,6, 7,8.
Also in high demand are socks of all kinds /sizes for both men & women.
Other needed items are Deodorant & disposable razors.

Toothbrushes, toothpaste, disposable razors, bar soap, wash cloths, deodorant, feminine hygiene items, travel size creams, shampoo, body wash, individual packets of Kleenex, hand wipes, toilet tissue, and paper towels are always needed as well.

Many thanks to Janet Blair and Jim Andrews for taking the donations to Celebrate Outreach.

Inkjet Recycling

The church is continuing to collect used inkjet cartridges. They are sent to a recycler and the church receives payment for the cartridges provided. So, don’t throw out your cartridges. Bring them to church. Not only do they get recycled but they provide income for the ministry of the church.

Operation Attack Update

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

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.

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.

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.

USEFUL LAKEWOOD LINKS:

• Sermon and Reflection Texts
• Lakewood UCC YouTube Channel
• Lakewood UCC on Twitter
• Lakewood on Facebook
• Lakewood on Instagram

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

You can stream Hilton’s music and videos for free at hiltonkeanjones.com/look-listen/ as well as purchase his CDs and digital albums there.

June Birthdays: Genie Terrell 6/10, Tony Rogers 6/21, Michelle Cloutier 6/21.Someone missing? Contact the church office with birthday information.

Circle of Concern:

Christopher and Dana

Danielle Hintz

William Owen-Cowan

Jen Degroot

Carolyn Moore

Ann Quinn is now under Hospice care

Maggie Brizendine

Janet Hall

Tony Larson

Sue Sherwood

George & Jane Divin as they head to New Hampshire for the summer

Mary Stokes Mims who is grieving the death of her Husband, Jerry.

Yoko Nogami walking the Appalachian Trail

All those suffering from COVID-19 and all healthcare workers

Schools: Students, families, teachers, and staff.

Weekly Update: If you are involved with an activity or event that you would like to share with the LUCC family, please send the information to the Church Office by Wednesday. Please provide the information in paragraph form with pertinent details and links. THANK YOU!

RECENT POSTS

• The Dream of Love That’s ComeJune 14, 2022
• The Cross on the Lawn is RemovedJune 10, 2022
• Sermon 6/5/22 PentecostJune 10, 2022
• Weekly Update 6/12/22June 10, 2022
• Bulletin 6/12/22June 10, 2022
• Bulletin 6/5/2022June 3, 2022
• Weekly Update 6/3June 3, 2022

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It was a shock when we came to church to find one of the arms of the large white cross on the lawn had fallen off of its own accord and was lying on the ground. The original cross was wood and it was covered with plaster to prevent the rotting of the wood, but evidently, the wood rotted eventually anyway. The piece that fell off was very heavy – maybe about 100 pounds.

Upon further examination, it became clear that the wood of the rest of cross was also rotting and that the cross was no longer stable. After church on Sunday June 5, 2022 it was pulled down with a rope to prevent any damage or injury.

In the weeks to come, the church will consider new ideas and plans for the lawn area. If you have any suggestions, please speak with an Advisor or Rev. Wells.

Our faith tradition is filled with images of light.  The beginning of the gospel of John tells us that Jesus is the light of the world, the light shines in the deepest darkness, and the darkness has not put it out.  The gospel tells us of Jesus teaching, You are the light of the world.  And cautioning his followers not to hide their light under a bushel.  There is the image of the woman who has lost a coin lighting a lamp and using that light to seek out what is lost.  There is the story of the bridesmaids and their lamps.  Five are prepared with oil.  And 5 are not.  In 2 Timothy we are told to rekindle the flame of love and faith within us.  And in the story we heard today, the story of the Holy Spirit being bestowed upon the dispirited followers of Jesus after his crucifixion, what looks like a flame appears on the head of each believer.  And they are empowered to speak in a myriad of languages to be certain that the message of the love and mercy of Jesus is heard and understood by all, everyone, no exceptions. 

Light is powerful.  It is a powerful image and it is actually very powerful.  I remember seeing a movie many, many years ago in which a character who was blind faces intruders in her apartment at night.  She eliminates all of the light sources so that in total darkness she will have the advantage.  They cannot function in the dark but she always does.  But she forgets one source of light in the apartment.  The light in the refrigerator.  And they find it.  And they find her.  Light is very powerful.

Think about the special blackout curtains that have been used in situations of war to prevent night time bombing.  The pilots couldn’t see the targets if there was no light.  So curtains and shades were kept pulled to prevent disclosure of potential targets.  This saved many towns and cities in Europe during World War 2. 

Light is powerful.  That is why it is an image used in association with Jesus.  Jesus, the light of the world, because Jesus is powerful.  His love is powerful.  His message of the value of each and every person, his message of compassion, care, and community to those who have been demeaned by society, it’s powerful.  His teachings about material simplicity and financial generosity – they are powerful.  His message about forgiveness and reconciliation – it’s powerful.  His light is bright.  It is a beacon of hope.  And it exposes selfishness, greed, lust for power, and abuse.  It exposes pain and prejudice.  And from one flame, one candle, you can light thousands of candles and the flame is not diminished.  The light of Jesus is very powerful. 

And what we are told in the Pentecost story is that the light associated with Jesus has been given to his followers.  That power has been bestowed upon them.  And we have inherited that power as Jesus’ followers today.  Those flames now dance above our heads.  We carry the light. 

Now I want everyone to light a match –

Do these flames light up the sanctuary?  No.  Not at all.  It’s daylight.  We have the lights on.  But also, this is a place a light.  A community of love.  We are a group of caring, compassionate people.  So the light of love is not going to stand out here.  This is a space that is always filled with the brightness of shining love. 

Where the flame of love shines most brightly is in the darkness.  And beloved friends, there are dark places in this world right now among them the halls of Congress, and the state house in Tallahassee.  It’s dark in schools and stores and theaters and clubs and homes.  There are places where it is very dark.  These are dark times.  We are beset with war, violence, hatred, economic abuse, greed, prejudice, and climate change.  The future of our planet and of our democracy are in peril.  The world is beset with despair and pain and fear.  And that is why we are needed.  Our light needs to be seen in these dark times.  It is in this darkness that we are needed to shine the light of love, and hope, and justice.   Our light is needed to help expose reality, the truth, and to help to create new patterns of living together in community, in peace, one human family inhabiting one beloved Earth.  Our light is needed to help our community and the society around us to become healthy and grow.

There is an image from Uvalde, Texas that haunts me.  It is a picture of a group of law enforcement personnel standing outside the school building in the shade of an oak tree, several of the officers are drinking bottled water.  This is the view outside the school while the children are being terrorized and killed inside the school. 

Here is why that image haunts me.  I think to many people, this is how they see the church.  Off to the side, safe and comfortable, secure in the belief that that they are saved and going to heaven, while the world is spiraling into ever deeper darkness and pain.  I don’t think most people see any light coming from the church.  If anything, they may think the church is making the world darker. 

And here we are celebrating Pentecost, where the light of Jesus is given to the church to light up the world with love. 

Yesterday we went to Naples to see our grandchildren.  When we walked in the door, three year old Soren, with a multi-colored balloon in hand, immediately shepherded us into the bathroom and closed the door and left the light out.  That is so we could see that there was a light inside the balloon illuminating all the colors.  It was a nice balloon in the daylight, but in the dark, it was really impressive!

Friends, that is what we are celebrating today.  We have been given this amazing light of love to stun the world with beauty and joy and compassion and peace.  Times are dark.  And this light is desperately needed.  And it has been entrusted to us.  May we be aflame!  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.