Today is the first day of Spring. It is a day to celebrate the changing of the seasons. It is a time to look for signs of new life. Well, if you live in a temperate climate. Not so much in our semi-tropical climate here in Florida.
Often when people move to Florida they say they miss the changing of the seasons. Having lived in Florida for 32 years, I have come to appreciate the changing of the seasons in different ways. We have the brutal heat and the intense thunderstorms of the summer. We have the season when oak trees drop their pollen, in our case, into the pool so we have to skim a couple of times a day. There are the two planting seasons for the vegetable garden – in the fall and as the new year begins. There is the season when the northerners are in Florida and the traffic is congested! So, there are ways that we can mark the seasons in Florida.
Here we are not going to know it is spring because all the bare branches on the trees begin to bud and those glorious spring green leaves appear. Or because the grass turns green. Or because flowers suddenly begin to emerge from barren dirt. It’s not as dramatic here. The changes are more subtle. So we have to pay more attention.
It can be like that with matters of the spirit. Sometimes there is dramatic unmistakable welcome change. And it is glorious. But often our spiritual growth is more subtle, incremental, and less flashy.
Our subtle seasons here in the semi-tropics invite us to look more closely. To pay more attention. To concentrate our awareness. To be more mindful. Because the world around us is going through its yearly paces and cycles. The plants and the animals are going through their seasons. Our son works on a farm in Bradenton and in the spring the calves are born. Nature stays true to its cycles.
These subtle seasonal changes reminds us of the need to pay attention to our spiritual cycles and seasons. How are we changing? How are we growing? What is surfacing in us? What is emerging? What is dormant and fallow? What comes up each year around the same time? This Lenten season is a time for reflection and examination and introspection. It’s a time to pay attention to what is going on with our spiritual lives. Maybe we haven’t had some kind of dramatic breakthrough, but if we are looking, we may just see that we are growing and learning and becoming more healthy and whole.
In the wildness of mercy, we may find that we are becoming more loving and caring and compassionate toward ourselves, others, and even our enemies. Even if it isn’t flashy and flowery, there may be slow and steady growth.
Prayer Look outside, out a window, or sit on a porch. Notice the signs of life around you. How are things changing? Emerging? Growing? What are the signs of new life? Take some quiet moments to think about your life. Do you see some new attitudes or openings or softenings taking place? Do you see passions forming? Do you see new love emerging? Or maybe forgiveness or acceptance? Give thanks for the signs of life in your spirit. Amen.
We had several huge clumps of lemongrass in our garden plot at the Azalea Community Gardens. These plants were in the plot when we first started renting it about 8 years ago. The previous gardener left them. And the city did not remove them. So there was already lemongrass in our plot when we took it over.
But the lemongrass was too prolific. It did too well. We had to remove it because it had gotten too big. There is a maximum height of 4 feet for plants in the garden. The lemongrass was well over six feet. So, I dug it out and removed it. But there was so much of it. And I liked making lemongrass tea. So, I took the plants home and read up on how to grow lemongrass. I decided to cut back the stalks to six inches and then to put the plants in the ground in our yard at home and see what would happen. So, I cut all the stalks down and soaked the roots. I dug the holes and put in the clumps of stalks at various places in the yard. Then we watered them daily. Within one day, new green shoots started to appear with more appearing each day. And these new shoots were not shy. Within a few days some were six and eight inches tall. And they are continuing to climb. I have never seen anything come back so fast and furious after being severely pruned. I expect to be drinking lemongrass tea again soon. Maybe even by Easter!
During this time of Lent, we often reflect on what is holding us back from re-turning our lives to God. We think about naming the obstacles to our discipleship. We ponder the forces and influences that are distracting us from living fully and freely in the reality of God. This is intended to be a time of honest assessment and awareness. And in that process, we identify what we need to get rid of, cut back, chop down, prune, uproot, so that we might live fully in the joy and community of the kin-dom of God.
There can be a lot to let go of. To turn your back on. To strip away. And it can be a painful process. We may grieve what we must leave behind. We may be sorry for how we have wasted our energies. There may be waves of sadness and regret. But there is the lesson of the lemongrass – new life emerges. Bursts forth. Shoots up. Thrives.
This season, may our sadness or grief at letting go not overshadow the new life and possibility that is emerging. May our eyes and hearts be open to what is coming forth; appearing. Something new is happening. May we notice that as well and take courage and joy from the re-turning of new life. There is a wildness in mercy!
Prayer Think about something you have let go of or moved away from. A habit. A relationship. A perspective. A behavior. A grudge. Notice the absence that is present. Now look for what is new. What is arriving. Relief. Energy. A new relationship or activity that brings joy. A lighter heart. A new purpose. A mended spirit. Give thanks for the wildness of Divine mercy that is with us through our pain all the way to the joy on the other side. Amen.
LIGHTING THE PEACE CANDLE Sherry Santana, liturgist
The greatest danger to our future is apathy.
Jane Goodall b. 1934
PRELUDE The Meeting of the Waters trad.Irish
OPENING RESPONSIVE READING Nan Merrill, based on Ps. 63, adapted
O Love, You are our Beloved, and we long for You, our souls thirst for You; All that is within us thirsts, as in a dry and barren land with no water. So we call out to You in our hearts, sensing your power and glory.
For You have been our salvation, and in the shadow of your wings we sing for joy. Our souls cling to You, your love upholds us.
MUSIC Slevenamon trad. Irish
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.
Isaiah 55 and Luke 13:1-9
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.
SPECIAL MUSIC Dreams Andreyev Bill Parsons, Balalaika
CONTEMPORARY READING Father Theophane Boyd, 1929-2003
SERMON Tyrants, Towers, and Trees Rev. Kim P. Wells
RESPONSIVE READING W. S. Merwin, Hawaii, 1927-2019
Listen with the night falling we are saying thank you we are stopping on the bridges to bow from the railings we are running out of the glass rooms with our mouths full of food to look at the sky and say thank you we are standing by the water looking out in different directions
back from a series of hospitals back from a mugging after funerals we are saying thank you after the news of the dead whether or not we know them we are saying thank you looking up from tables we are saying thank you in a culture up to its chin in shame living in the stench it has chosen we are saying thank you
over telephones we are saying thank you in doorways and in backs of cars and in elevators remembering wars and the police at the back door and the beatings on stairs we are saying thank you in the banks that use us we are saying thank you with crooks in office with the rich and fashionable unchanged we go on saying thank you thank you
with the animals dying around us our lost feelings we are saying thank you with the forests falling faster than the minutes of our lives we are saying thank you with the words going out like cells of a brain with the cities growing over us like the earth we are saying thank you faster and faster
with nobody listening we are saying thank you we are saying thank you and waving dark though it is
MUSIC Carrickfergus trad. Irish
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. If you would like assistance, please turn to someone seated near you.
Offertory Four Jigs trad. Irish
Time of Dedication George Herbert, 1593-1633
Thou that hast given so much to me, Give one thing more, a grateful heart. Not thankful when it pleaseth me, As if thy blessings had spare days; But such a heart, whose pulse may be thy praise. Amen.
PREPARATION FOR PRAYER Raglan Road trad. Irish
You are invited to write your prayer requests on the sheets provided in the bulletin and bring them forward and place them in the basket on the altar. Please observe physical distancing.
MORNING 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 Nan Merrill, based on Ps. 63, adapted
We would radiate your Love as long as we live, and become a blessing to others in gratitude to You. Amen.
*POSTLUDE The Red Haired Boy trad. Irish
Circle of Concern: Christopher and Dana, Ann Quinn who is under Hospice Care, William Owen-Cowan, Jen Degroot, Carolyn Moore, Maggie Brizendine, Janet Hall, All those suffering from COVID-19 and all healthcare workers, Schools: Students, families, teachers, and staff.
Announcements
Facebook Live The 10:30 a.m. service is being streamed on Facebook Live.
Support for Ukraine To find more ways to support Ukraine please visit our website and look at the Weekly update for 3/18/22.
Book Talk Re-Scheduled for March The monthly Book Talk for March has been rescheduled to Thursday March 24 at 6:30 p.m. You are encouraged to participate. It is virtual. Here is the Zoom link: Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/2700683648 Meeting ID: 270 068 3648
Guided Labyrinth Walks NOTE CHANGE OF DAY: The guided labyrinth walk next week will be held on Thursday March 24 at 9:00 a.m.
Toiletries for Celebrate Outreach Celebrate Outreach is a local ministry with people who are living without shelter in St. Petersburg. LUCC was asked to collect toiletries for this ministry. This collection will be ongoing in addition to the food being collected for Operation Attack. All are invited to donate the following items: 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. Many thanks to Janet Blair and Jim Andrews for taking the donations to Celebrate Outreach.
Operation Attack OA needs donations of cereal, peanut butter, canned meat, fruit, vegetables and soup, dried beans, and mac/cheese. Donations may be placed on the shelf in the hallway at church.
For the safety and comfort of all, please wear a mask. Thank you!
Lakewood United Church of Christ 2601 54th Ave. S. St. Petersburg, FL 33712 727-867-7961 lakewooducc@gmail.comLakewooducc.org On land originally inhabited by the Tocabaga
This Sunday, March 20 is the third Sunday of Lent this season of re-turning our lives to God. The gospel for the day invites us to learn from the fig tree. Get ready to bear fruit! See Luke 13:1-9.
Each Sunday as the war in Ukraine continues, there will be sunflowers, the national flower of Ukraine, on the altar as a sign of solidarity with the Ukrainians. Last week the flowers were brought by Bill Parsons and Kay Rencken.If you would like to bring flowers this week, please let Rev. Wells or the Church Office know
The service will be in the sanctuary with the doors and windows open.
Join in the celebration on Sunday in person or on Facebook Live.
Lent – The Wildness of Mercy
The season of Lent begins next Wednesday. Please see the details about the Ash Wednesday service. Lent is a 40 day period of spiritual preparation for the celebration of Easter. The time echoes Jesus’ 40 days in the wilderness in preparation for his ministry. The season of Lent is a time to re-turn your life to God/Divine Love/Spirit – however you conceive of what is of ultimate importance in shaping your reality.
Traditionally, people give something up for Lent. This is a spiritual discipline that functions on many levels. It reminds us of all that we have. It invites us to exert discipline. By foregoing something we care about, it is all the more precious when we enjoy it once again. It sets the season apart and keeps us mindful. In recent years, people have begun taking something on for Lent. Maybe a volunteer activity or service of some kind. Again, this functions to set the season apart, to revisit the concept of sacrifice, to follow in the way of Jesus. Are you giving some thought to what you will take on or give up for Lent? We’ll ask about that in church the next couple of Sundays.
At LUCC for Lent, the theme for services and other reflections and activities will be ‘The Wildness of Mercy.’ There is a well-known hymn, “There’s a Wideness in God’s Mercy.” With a typo, that easily becomes ‘There’s a Wildness in God’s Mercy.’ And sometimes mercy does seem pretty wild! Themes involving nature will remind us of the wildness of Divine mercy and how blessed we are to be recipients of that mercy.
In addition to Sunday morning worship and the weekly Labyrinth walks, there will be daily devotions posted to support you on your Lenten journey. There will also be a couple of outings in nature to invite reflection and renewal. Stay tuned for more details about those.
In spite of covid and the many losses and changes we are experiencing, Lent is a wonderful season to remember that there is a wildness in God’s mercy!
Advisors Request Congregation’s Views on Masking
Please let the church know your preferences. Which option indicates your views? You can respond to this email. Hit reply and say ‘Option 1’ or ‘Option 2’ or ‘Option 3’.
Option 1
Keep masks mandatory and sing hymns again.
Option 2
Make masks optional and have no singing.
Option 3
I will not feel safe coming to church in person if masks are optional.
Book Talk Re-Scheduled for March
The monthly Book Talk for March has been rescheduled to Thursday March 24 at 6:30 p.m. You are encouraged to participate. It is virtual. Here is the Zoom link:
A computer has been donated to the church. But a mouse is needed. A plug in mouse that is compatible with a PC, not Apple. If you have an extra one at home, please let the church know. You can bring it on Sunday or leave it in the outside mailbox at the church. Many thanks!
Lakewood will be collecting this special offering on Palm Sunday April 10. There are envelopes at church that can be used or indicate on your check or online donation OGHS. This is an important way to love our neighbors and our enemies next door and around the world.
New Opportunities for Immigration Justice
The Biden administration endorsed Temporary Protected Status for Ukrainians currently in the US. So that effort was successful.
Here are two additional initiatives being supported by the Pinellas Coalition for Immigration Justice. LUCC is a member of this coalition.
Legislators will be voting on SB 1808/HB 1355 which looks to harm local governments by dictating their municipal contracts and forcing law enforcement agencies to waste taxpayer dollars to enter into federal immigration agreements. This bill will also reduce travel into the State of Florida, further harming our economy, and harm immigrant children by preventing them from reuniting with family residing in Florida.
Also, it Redefines “sanctuary policy” by broadening the definition to include local policies that limit a law enforcement agency from providing information to a state entity regarding the immigration status of someone in the custody of law enforcement.
We ask that you please join in taking action against these bad bills. Make sure to share with your congregation, leaders, and friends.
Coral Gables United Church of Christ in conjunction with the national United Church of Christ, is sponsoring a year long paid service-learning internship for young adults ages 21-35. Interns are matched with a local social service organization, provided housing, and connected with a local congregation for faith formation and leadership development. For more information, contact Rev. Aaron Lauer: AaronL@gablesucc.org
Pardon Our Dust. . .
When you come to church, you may notice that the entry hallway is being redecorated. Many thanks to those embarking on this project: Sally Purvis, Colleen Coughenour, Patti Cooksey, Claire Stiles, and Bert Lee. We are grateful for their efforts to make the space more serviceable and more appealing!
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: 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.
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.
Guided Labyrinth Walks
NOTE CHANGE OF DAY: The guided labyrinth walk next week will be held on Thursday March 24 at 9:00 a.m.
The guided walk is held weekly on Wednesdays at 9:00 a.m. This provides an opportunity to be aware and deepen your spiritual journey. If it is raining, the walk is held on Thursday at 9:00 a.m.
Also, the readings and prayers used on Wednesdays at the guided walk are put in the mailbox by the labyrinth each week for use during the week.
The labyrinth is on the church grounds near the southwest corner of the church property. It is available for use at all times.
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!
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.
PLEASE NOTE:
With the cooler temperatures, we will resume opening the doors and windows for morning worship as we continue efforts to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.
Sunday services are being held at 10:30 a.m. Masks are required. There is physical distancing. Childcare is provided.
You can also join in on Facebook Live at 10:30. Please see the instructions below.
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.
March Birthdays:Carol Shores 3/1, Claudia Rodriguez 3/3, Yvonne Riesen 3/13, Ron Huff 3/19, Earl Waters 3/25, Someone missing? Contact the church office with birthday information.
Circle of Concern:
Christopher and Dana
William Owen-Cowan
Jen Degroot
Carolyn Moore
Ann Quinn is now under Hospice care
Maggie Brizendine
Janet Hall
All those suffering from COVID-19 and all healthcare workers
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.
An invocation. Recently I was asked to give an invocation at a webinar offering resources and support for people working on the opiate addiction pandemic. I was grateful to be given the opportunity to participate and to serve.
So, as requested, I gave the invocation, at the end of the meeting. The end? That is when the organizers scheduled it. So, usually an invocation is at the beginning of something, an event, a gathering, a service. It is a recognition of ‘invoking’ the presence of God. Since we don’t control God, however we may conceive of God, I think of an invocation as recognizing the sacred/spiritual as part of the event or gathering. Setting a context that affirms the wider spiritual forces at work in the the people and effort at hand.
But I was asked to do the invocation at the end of this presentation. Well, I did not quibble about the terminology – at the end is usually a benediction. I was just glad that they wanted to include a spiritual/religious element to what was being done. Maybe the planners are not church goers or part of a faith community. Maybe they don’t really have any history or experience with an invocation in another kind of setting. Again, the issue at hand is eliminating the devastation of the opioid crisis not what you call the closing prayer.
In preparing for this invocation I thought about those who might be part of the webinar. Social service personnel working with people with addictions. Medical workers serving opioid addicts. Others in law enforcement and other social service fields who regularly interact with people that have become victims of drug addiction. People working in mental, behavioral, and physical healthcare. Often in very demanding jobs with little support for low salaries. It is easy to become discouraged by the lack of societal support for addiction education and treatment. And there is the heartbreak of having clients and patients that regularly overdose and die. It’s a difficult area to work in yet so important; so needed. It can be hard to maintain hope in the face of ravaged lives, relationships, and families. It is demoralizing to think about the greed that leaves such devastation in its wake.
An invocation at the end of the meeting. As I thought about it, I decided that is exactly what was needed. Those people needed an affirmation of spiritual support as they left the lunch time webinar to go back to work. They needed to be assured of the presence of Divine Love/God/Spirit supporting them as they went on with their day actually working with the people who are in the throes of addiction and its many consequences. They needed to know they were not alone in their efforts to create a society that provides the many kinds of support needed to confront the opioid crisis, addiction, and mental health issues, and healthcare in general.
Yes, an invocation at the end was what was needed. Invoking God to be present in the work that lay ahead. So, I gave a prayer, offering spiritual support to these brave souls providing resources, relationships, and societal support to those enmeshed in addiction.
Prayer What challenges are you facing? Is there something in the day ahead that will be difficult for you? Is there an important relationship in your life that is under strain right now? Does grief dog your days? Are there challenges related to parenting or employment or finances or aging or addiction that weigh upon you? Try an invocation to get you through. Acknowledge the presence and power of Divine Love that is with you. Affirm the Divine image at your core and in the lives of those around you. Breathe into that reality. And trust love. Amen.
Lakewood United Church of Christ 