‘Tis A Gift
This is a season to ponder the many gifts that we are being given each and every day. It is a season for gratitude.
This Sunday, November 14 will be Stewardship Sunday. This is an opportunity to celebrate how LUCC is a gift in our lives and to offer our gratitude and support through our time, talent, and treasure. The church enriches our lives in so many ways. This is a time to celebrate that! Please bring your completed pledge form to worship. There will be forms available at church and they are also available on the church website. Don’t miss this heart-full celebration!
November 21 is Thanksgiving Sunday. The service will be outside. Everyone is invited to bring something that represents a gift in your life, something you are grateful for. Together we will construct an altar of gratitude. Please turn in your harvest form by Wednesday, Nov. 17 so that the wonderful list of the many ministries of the congregation can be celebrated! The Harvest form is available at church or on the church website.
November 28 is the first Sunday of Advent. The advent season provides the opportunity to continue to reflect on the gifts that we are receiving through the birth of Jesus and in so many other ways in our lives and in our world.
This covid time has been very stressful for everyone. It continues to present challenges and cause friction and discomfort. With the holidays coming, that friction may increase. There may be tension between what we want to do and what is safe. That makes this an important time to be intentional about considering all the gifts that we are receiving, all we have to be grateful for, what truly is important and what matters in our lives. Even this deadly pandemic may be a blessing in some ways. “God is working all things together for good.” Please know that LUCC is intent on providing spiritual support and connection even during these difficult days, especially during these difficult days.
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.
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.
Book Talk Ahead
Join in a lively discussion of what folks have been reading! All kinds of books are included. If you haven’t been reading anything compelling lately, you may get some good ideas from Book Talk. The Zoom conversation is held monthly on the third Thursday of the month from 6:30-7:30 p.m. This month that will be November 18. All are welcome! Here’s the link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/2700683648
Stewardship Ahead
It is the time of year when we reflect on what has been and look ahead to what we might anticipate. The changing of the seasons. The ending of one year and the beginning of a new year. You are invited to reflect on how LUCC has been a gift to you in your life, and how this precious, faithful church is a gift to the world. In the next few weeks, a beautiful stewardship letter written by Lucille Ruga will be sent out and posted on the church website. There will be an opportunity to pledge time, talent, and treasure, to support the ministry of the church for 2022. The Harvest form will be available which provides a wonderful way to appreciate and celebrate the ministry of the congregation and its impact on the world.
Yes, it is the usual stewardship stuff, done just about every year. But perhaps more significant now as we realize just what an amazing gift LUCC is to us and to the world. This is evident in all of the energy, creativity, connection, and adaptation that has been made to continue to offer the ministry of the church to the congregation and the world in a safe manner during the pandemic. This church matters. Plan to be in church Sunday, Nov. 14 or to participate on Facebook Live to celebrate and support this precious gift!
Wednesday Workshops Ahead!
The Florida Conference of the United Church of Christ is offering a series of Wednesday Workshops on Zoom at 7 p.m. These events are intended for people from all churches of the Florida Conference. Everyone is welcome and encouraged to participate. Here are the topics for the weeks ahead and information about how to tune in.
Wednesday, Nov 10
Workshop Wednesdays: Preaching an Earth-loving Jesus in a Time of Climate Crisis
This workshop will explore the Earth-Loving Jesus and his kin-dom of God for preaching during climate change. We will explore the spiritual ecology of Jesus and kin-dom praxis and message in opposition to empire. Jesus represents a Hebrew Creation-centered spirituality that remained in opposition to empire in the Hebrew scriptures and against Roman colonization of the land. There are strong parallels of Jewish peasant relation to the land indigenous peoples in North America. Both were connected to the land as divine gift and dispossessed of their lands. Rev. Shore-Goss will provide an ecological paradigm of the Spirit-led Jesus and his kin-dom praxis.
Rev. Dr. Bob Shore-Goss is a retired UCC clergy/theologian and serves on the UCC Environmental Justice Council. When he served as the pastor of the North Hollywood MCC United Church of Christ, the church was recognized as the first Creation Justice Church of the denomination. Shore-Goss received a Th.D. from Harvard University in Comparative Religion and Christian Theology and self-identifies as a Buddhist-Christian. He has led numerous workshops for Cannula Gatherings, the Parliament of World Religions (2015) and individual churches of several denominations on creating sustainable spiritualties of faith communities for long-term commitment for eco-justice.
Wednesday, Nov 17
Workshop Wednesdays: Small Church is not Less Church
The Zoom Meeting ID is 361-687-8295, and here’s the link to connect: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/3616878295. And here is a link to a flyer with information on all the upcoming workshops.
https://www.uccfla.org
New Church Directory Available
An updated church directory is available. The directory is a welcome tool to help the congregation remain connected and in contact with each other. Please pick one up when you are at the church. If you would like one sent to you, please contact the Church Office at lakewooducc@gmail.com or call at 727-867-7961. The directory is a welcome tool to help the congregation remain connected and in contact with each other.
Martha Lamar’s information is incomplete. Please contact the church office for the correct information or get a corrected copy of the directory at church. Sorry for the inconvenience!
Demonstration for Voting Rights
There will a demonstration in support of voting rights at City Hall in downtown St. Petersburg (175 5th St. N.) on Saturday, Nov. 13 at noon. The mayor-elect, Ken Welch, will be there. Please bring signs related to voting rights. Lift every voice and VOTE!
Advisors Meeting Sunday
The Advisors will be meeting this coming Sunday. If there is something you would like to have addressed by the advisors, please contact one of them to let them know: Malcolm Wells, Jane Diven, Lucille Ruga, and Patti Cooksey.
Shoes, Anyone?
If you think church is predictable, think again! This past Sunday, during morning worship, someone drove up to the church in a van, and proceeded to ask if the church would accept a donation of 6 boxes of shoes for charity, Operation Attack. Well, Operation Attack isn’t accepting clothes and shoes because of covid. And the impression was 6 pairs of shoes in 6 boxes. Suddenly there were over a dozen large boxes filled with many pairs of shoes piled by the door of the Fellowship Hall. And then more boxes were deposited by the Church Office.
Apparently the person bringing the shoes was part of the closing of a store and wanted to make sure that all of the shoes were donated to charity. After some informal discussion among church members, it was decided that the shoes should be taken to Goodwill because they would have the capacity to deal with over twenty-five boxes overflowing with shoes of every kind!
Technology Grant Received
The church has received a technology grant from the Florida Conference of the United Church of Christ to improve the sound system in the sanctuary and facilitate the streaming of the worship service on Sunday mornings. Gratitude is expressed to the Conference for this generous assistance!
Adult Day Care Available
The Neighborly Services Adult Day Care at the church still has openings available. The center is open Monday through Friday during the day. Clients can come every day or part-time. Health insurance and VA benefits can be used to offset the expenses. If you have a friend or neighbor who could benefit from these services, please suggest the Evergreen Adult Day Care Center. For more information, call 727-954-6484.
Electronics Recycling
Many thanks to all who contributed to the electronics recycling effort. Many devices and cords and equipment were collected to be recycled into new equipment and kept out of the landfill!
Anti Racism Demonstrations-New Time
The church will resume its witness against racism with weekly demonstrations along the sidewalk of 54th Ave. S. Make your own sign or use one of the signs at the church.
Demonstrations will be held Sundays from 4:30-5 beginning Sunday, November 14. In case of rain, the demonstration will not be held that week.
Know justice, know peace! This is an important way to inspire hope in the community and to work to create an anti-racist society.
Guided Labyrinth Walks
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.
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.
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.
USEFUL LAKEWOOD LINKS:
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.
November Birthdays: Lucille Ruga 11/9, Katharine Conover 11/13, Emily Bell 11/15, Rev. Susan Sherwood 11/15, Ed Kaspar 11/21, Lorne Palmer 11/21, Bert Lee 11/22, Bill Lindsay 11/23, Wally LeBlanc 11/23, Kai’Lyn Washington 11/27, and Jane Diven 11/29, Someone missing? Contact the church office with birthday information.
Circle of Concern:
Deanna Moore
Dave Radens
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
Schools: Students, families, teachers, and staff
Church Office Hours: Tuesday 9:30-noon Thursday-Friday 9:30-noon.
Recent Posts:
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.
On land originally inhabited by the Tocabaga
Lakewood United Church of Christ 