Category: Posts
Sermon video, 5.3.26 “Community of Goods”
Sermon video 4.12.26 “The Healing of Scars”
Weekly Update 4.10.26
THIS SUNDAY:
This Sunday features the story of doubting Thomas. Maybe a bigger problem with faith is fear rather than doubt? Jesus the Christ wants to breathe new life into us. A life of peace. I think we are so ready! Take a look at John 20:19-31.
Worship begins at 10:30. Childcare is provided.
| A glorious celebration of the resurrection. Happy Easter, everyone! |
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Maundy Thursday Service……involving 4 Pinellas United Church of Christ congregations at Pilgrim United Church of Christ in St. Petersburg |
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| Combined choir of singers from all four participating congregations. |
Palm Sunday Festivities |
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Book Talk Ahead |
 All are welcome at this monthly gathering to discuss what you are reading. Share what is of interest to you. Listen and get great ideas for your next read. Come Thursday April 16 at 6:30 p.m. at the church. |
Bible Study Ahead |
 This group continues to meet monthly to delve into stories from scripture that involve women. The next discussion topic will be Miriam. All are welcome Tuesday April 21 at 6:30 p.m. at the church. |
| April Bin of the Month This month we will be collecting food donations for the Hispanic Outreach Center in Clearwater. Due to the presence of ICE and 287 agreements between ICE and local police forces, many people do not feel safe to go out and work or buy groceries. The HOC is providing our local Hispanic population with culturally specific food items: vegetable oil, dried lentils and red beans, rice, corn husks, corn tostadas, masa harina, and canned/jarred jalapeños. Please place items in the bin in the sanctuary. You can also donate money using the QR code on the flyer, donations will be used to buy fresh food items. |
| Immigration Vigil This Sunday A weekly vigil is held near the Pinellas County Justice Center to bring attention to the inhumane and unconstitutional treatment of the immigrant community in our midst. This is an opportunity to voice your values and pray for those who are being traumatized by the current immigration situation. This is a peaceful, prayerful vigil. Sunday, April 12, 2026 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM Pinellas County Justice Center, 14450 49th St N, Clearwater, FL 33762  |
| No Kings Day 3 LUCC demonstrates our value |
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| WEEKLY LABYRINTH UPDATE |
| Guided labyrinth walks are held weekly on Wednesday’s at 10 am. All are welcome! The focus is on the scripture reading from the previous Sunday. For those who do not feel comfortable walking, a finger labyrinth is available. Please bring your own chair if you can. The labyrinth is on the southwest corner of the church property, beyond the bike rack. You are welcome to walk it any time. |
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| Care Closet Good Samaritan Food Pantry The food pantry has requested pet food and breakfast cereal. Donations may be placed in The Caring Closet here at the church. Plastic Bags for Missio Dei Missio Dei is in need of plastic grocery bags for the homeless and needy. Please place bags in The Caring Closet at church. 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. Here is a list of donations needed: towlettes travel size, socks and underwear. Please leave your donation in The Caring Closet at church. |
| USEFUL LAKEWOOD LINKS PostsLakewood UCC YouTube ChannelLakewood UCC Bluesky accountYou can listen to Hilton’s music and videos for free at https://hiltonkeanjones.com/. |
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 April Birthdays!27 Nancy Shrepf |
 Circle of ConcernBarbara DonohueTina Allen Cathy Giesey Ann Cloutier, Michelle’s mother JoAnne ReidChristy Martin, who is recovering at homeSusan Gilbert Linda Reuscher, friend of Hilton Paula and Tony Pelletier Barbara Walburn Yvonne Riesen Denise Williams Vita Uth Cate Colgan & Marty Seyler’s dog, TrinityFamily and Loved Ones of Diane The Denehy Family All school students, families & staff Caregivers The 280 women and men on Florida’s Death Row |
| 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! |
| Subscribe to Church WebsiteYou are invited to subscribe to the Lakewood UCC Church website. When you subscribe, every time something is posted at the website you receive an email about the post. This is a great way to keep up on what is happening with the church community and beyond!Here’s a link to subscribe: Subscribe |
| RECENT WEBSITE POSTSLent Devotion 40: OneApril 4, 2026Lent Devotion 39: HeartApril 3, 2026Lent Devotion 38: Taking LumpsApril 2, 2026Sermon video 3.22.26April 2, 2026Devotion Thirty-Seven, “Stories”April 1, 2026Devotion Thirty-Six, “Space”March 31, 2026Devotion Thirty-Five, “Mother”March 30, 2026Lent Devotion 34 “Nurture”March 28, 2026Lent Devotion 33: “Las Meninas”March 27, 2026Lent Devotion 32: WisdomMarch 26, 2026Lent Devotion 31: Good-byesMarch 25, 2026 |
| Credits: Images of birthday cake and books from Freepik.com |
| Our mailing address is:Lakewood United Church of Christ2601 54th Ave S St Petersburg, FL 33712-4709On land originally inhabited by the Tocabaga on the Gulf of Mexico |
Lent Devotion 40: One
This is the last day of Lent. The day between Good Friday, when Jesus was killed by capital punishment, and Easter Sunday, when we are told that Jesus overcame death.
This is a day for reflection. What is the meaning of Jesus’ ministry and his being killed? What are we to learn from the story of the resurrection? Each year we enter this time of pondering, wondering, repenting, even hoping.
The novel Orbital by Samantha Harvey tells the story of four astronauts and two cosmonauts who find themselves together in a spaceship orbiting Earth. They represent their countries in this endeavor. One is from Italy. One is from Japan. One is from Great Britain. Two are from Russia. And one is from the United States. There are four men and two women. These people did not know each other. They overlap for a time on the spaceship where they carry out scientific research and experiments.
It takes a lot of work and commitment to be chosen to be part of this mission, so maybe what we can say about crew is that they all wanted to go to space. They are all devoted to the space program. Other than that, they are from different countries with different systems of government. They are different genders. They live in different cultures. They hold different religious beliefs and no religious beliefs. They speak different languages. They are very different. But for these months, they are together in a small spaceship orbiting Earth. Their lives depend on each other. Their situation has many potential risks and hazards. They need to know that they can trust each other above all else.
Harvey conveys this when she writes: “And us? We are one. For now at least, we are one. Everything we have up here is only what we reuse and share. We can’t be divided, this is the truth. We won’t be because we can’t be. We drink each other’s recycled urine. We breathe each other’s recycled air.” [p. 94]
As we reflect on the life and ministry of Jesus, I think this is what he was trying to get across to us: We are one. Each and every person interdependent. All living together in one home: Earth. We are in this together. That is the way Creation is designed. Jesus shows us our oneness. As God would have it. And he was killed for it.
Prayer: May we be aware of how we let things not only separate us but turn us into competitors and enemies. Jesus teaches us to love ourselves. Love our neighbors. Love our enemies. Because in the eyes of God, we are but one family. Beloved. Amen.
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Devotion prepared by Rev. Kim P. Wells, pastor of Lakewood United Church of Christ in St. Petersburg, FL.
The devotions this Lenten season will be based on the novel Orbital by Samantha Harvey. Orbital won the Booker Prize in 2024. It is a beautifully written story about the experience of a group of people orbiting the Earth in a spaceship. They see 16 sunrises and sunsets in a 24 hour period. The book is a reflection on the experience of living together and appreciating planet Earth in a new way.
Lakewood United Church of Christ 