LAKEWOOD UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST
A Just Peace Church
An Open and Affirming Church
A Creation Justice Church
April 30, 2023
10:30 a.m.
WELCOME and ANNOUNCEMENTS
LIGHTING THE PEACE CANDLE Sally Purvis, liturgist
I think over again my small adventures,
My fears,
Those small ones that seemed so big,
For all the vital things
I had to get and to reach.
And yet there is only one great thing,
The only thing,
To live to see the great day that dawns
And the light that fills the world.
A prayer of the Inuit People of the Arctic region
PRELUDE Summer Evening Ireland
* OPENING READING Celtic poem
There is no music so gentle,
No sound so sweet,
No praise so pleasant
As the praise, sound, and music
Of that simple word “Love.”
The word itself is like a song,
It conjures images of all that is good.
On the lips it’s like a soothing drink.
Let’s dance, sing, and play
The symphony of Love.
* HYMN Love Divine, All Loves Excelling 43
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.
Acts 8:26-40 and 1 John 4:7-21
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 – Remembering Harry Belafonte Maren Tirabassi
* HYMN They’ll Know We Are Christians by Our Love see insert
SERMON Afraid to Love? Rev. Kim P. Wells
UNISON READING Alice Walkerb. 1944
Do you ever wonder,
old lover of mine,
where so much love comes from?
I wonder this often,
because no matter how distressing the world is,
wherever I am,
there never seems to be a shortage of love.
Is this true, as well, for you?
ANTHEM Behold, a Sower Early American/arr. Thoburn
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 Songs Without Words Op.67 no.1 in E flat Major Mendelssohn
* Time of Dedication Donal Neary, adapted
I am the river, you are the water,
I am the mountain, you are the soil,
I am the love, you are the touch,
I am the mother, you are the child.
I am the fragrance, you are the rose;
we belong with God, and in God.
* PREPARATION FOR PRAYER The Gospel in One Word
Love, love, love, love,
The Gospel in one word is love.
Love your neighbor as yourself.
Love, love, love.
MORNING PRAYER – SAVIOR’S PRAYER
Our Father-Mother, who is in the heavens, may your name be made holy. May your dominion come, may your will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven. Give us today, the bread we need; and forgive us our debts, as we have forgiven our debtors; and do not put us to the test, but rescue us from evil. For yours is the dominion, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen.
* HYMN God of Change and Glory 177
* BENEDICTION Bertrand Russell1872-1970
The good life is one inspired by
love and guided by knowledge. Amen.
* CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSE (please form a circle) Rosemary Crow
Weave, weave, weave us together; Weave, weave, weave us together,
Weave us together in unity and love. Weave us together, together in love.
Teje, tejenos juntos, Teje, tejenos juntos,
Tejenos juntos en unidad y amor. Tejenos juntos, juntos en el amor.
* POSTLUDE Easy Winners Joplin
Church Staff
Rev. Kim P. Wells Pastor
Hilton K. Jones Music Director
Claudia Rodriguez Childcare
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
ANNOUNCEMENTS 4.30.23
Advisors Meet Today
The advisors will be meeting after church this morning. If there is something you would like discussed, please speak with an advisor: Dyanne Edds, Barbara Donohue, Christy Martin, Malcolm Wells. All are welcome at the meeting after church in the Fellowship Hall.
Pastor Away
Rev. Wells will be away from May 4-9. If pastoral care is needed please contact Patti Cooksey (727-798-9321 or cooksepa@eckerd.edu)
One Great Hour of Sharing Offering to be Received
The One Great Hour of Sharing Offering is a special offering received by the United Church of Christ which is used to empower people around the world. The projects funded extend Christian love by honoring the right of every person to live with dignity and to make a contribution to the wider community. Here is a link to former LUCC member, Karen Georgia Thompson and nominee for General Minister and President of the UCC, talking a about the importance of One Great Hour of Sharing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b0KCYPJTfhg
In honor of mothers who seek to provide for their families and create a world where all children can flourish, this special offering will be received on Mother’s Day. The theme for One Great Hour this year is “It’s Time to Share!”
AHEAD –
LUCC will be participating in the UCC Climate Cards initiative letting legislators know that we support efforts to eliminate global warming. Look for more information soon!
For Pentecost, please plan on bringing a candle to church to be used in worship.
Circle of Concern
Jeff Wells and family over the death of brother, Frank Wells
Erik Johnson – Ann Quinn is under Hospice care – Janet Hall – Ron Spivack
Schools: Students, families, teachers, and staff
ANNOUNCEMENTS 4.30.23
Advisors Meet Today
The advisors will be meeting after church this morning. If there is something you would like discussed, please speak with an advisor: Dyanne Edds, Barbara Donohue, Christy Martin, Malcolm Wells. All are welcome at the meeting after church in the Fellowship Hall.
Pastor Away
Rev. Wells will be away from May 4-9. If pastoral care is needed please contact Patti Cooksey (727-798-9321 or cooksepa@eckerd.edu)
One Great Hour of Sharing Offering to be Received
The One Great Hour of Sharing Offering is a special offering received by the United Church of Christ which is used to empower people around the world. The projects funded extend Christian love by honoring the right of every person to live with dignity and to make a contribution to the wider community. Here is a link to former LUCC member, Karen Georgia Thompson and nominee for General Minister and President of the UCC, talking a about the importance of One Great Hour of Sharing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b0KCYPJTfhg
In honor of mothers who seek to provide for their families and create a world where all children can flourish, this special offering will be received on Mother’s Day. The theme for One Great Hour this year is “It’s Time to Share!”
AHEAD –
LUCC will be participating in the UCC Climate Cards initiative letting legislators know that we support efforts to eliminate global warming. Look for more information soon!
For Pentecost, please plan on bringing a candle to church to be used in worship.
Circle of Concern
Jeff Wells and family over the death of brother, Frank Wells
Erik Johnson – Ann Quinn is under Hospice care – Janet Hall – Ron Spivack
Schools: Students, families, teachers, and staff
Lakewood United Church of Christ 