Category: Announcements

Weekly Update 5/20

WHAT IS GOING ON AT CHURCH –

This Sunday: The church will be open from 10:30 to 11:30.  The peace candle will be lit.  It will be a time of prayer and reflection as a witness that the church is still open and ministry continues even though we are not able to gather in person for worship.  

Look for a Corona Sabbath post on Friday.  Check for it at the website – lakewooducc.org
Also, please subscribe to the website so that you receive regular updates about church life.

Advisors Held MeetingThe church advisors met last week sitting outside in the shade near the Memorial Garden and the labyrinth.  It was good to feel the spiritual support in that sacred location!
The advisors will be contacting the congregation for input about extending the ministry of the church in new ways in light of the restrictions necessitated by the COVID-19 pandemic.  
The advisors are considering ways of managing building usage for small groups and renters.  They are also considering when and how church activities, especially Sunday morning worship, may resume.  It may not be safe for quite some time.  You will be hearing more in the days to come.  The church is anticipating an expansion of ministry opportunities for connection and community needed to provide spiritual support.

Mobile Care TeamLast Sunday, the Care Team took to the road.  The group, all in individual cars, went to Westminster Suncoast and parked outside and gathered, 6 feet apart with masks, near the old entrance.  Folks from the church that live in the Suncoast community gathered on the other side of the fence.  It was a shady spot.
Warm greetings were shared from the two sides of the fence.  The Care Team had signs and cheers to offer.  After catching up with everyone and glorying in being able to actually see one another, the gathering ended in prayer.  
The Care Team had a wonderful time and was so happy to see the faces of some of our beloved community!
https://lakewooducc.org/2020/05/20/care-team-makes-a-visit/

Money Matters  Many thanks to those who have given their stimulus checks to the church.  This is a blessed offering!
A donate button on Facebook is in the works.  
The ministry of the church is needed now more than ever!  Your continued support makes that ministry possible.  
One last note:  Deposits at church are being made once or twice a month, not weekly, so there may be a delay in the depositing of checks.  This is to reduce risk for those who are involved in doing the banking.

LUCC’s Jim Andrews Featured in Article about Area Chaplains
Jim Andrews, director of Spiritual Care for Suncoast Hospice, was quoted in an article about the challenges facing chaplains as they seek to provide spiritual support in the context of COVID-19.  Here’s the link to the article:  
https://www.tampabay.com/news/community-news/2020/04/27/always-on-the-front-lines-tampa-bay-chaplains-find-new-ways-to-connect/

PINELLAS COALITION FOR IMMIGRATION JUSTICE/Immokalee Workers

Even while sheltering at home, we are still part of a larger Beloved Community that needs our help and support.  Please join your Lakewood family in contacting Gov. Ron DeSantis by phone (850-488-7146) or email (GovernorRon.Desantis@eog.myflorida.com) on behalf of the Immokalee farmworkers, who are putting their lives on the line for us. Ask for (1) a temporary field hospital to isolate/treat workers positive for COVID-19 & live in crowded conditions (2) masks/PPE/sanitizers for workers and (3) free COVID testing for workers.  The Coalition is tallying our impact so please let Sue Sherwood (sherwood.susan@gmail.com) know if you called or emailed the Governor. Thanks to Patti Cooksey and Sally Purvis for helping to launch this campaign!

Want to learn more about life and legislation for those held at the border or in ICE detention facilities?  “Friend” and follow the Coalition for Immigration Justice on Facebook. 

To see the status of legislation to ensure that asylum seekers, refugees, detainees, and children receive just and humane treatment, check out the Action Lanes at the Coalition’s website: bit.ly/PinellasIJ

QUICK LINKS TO OUR RECENT POSTS DURING THE CORONA CRISIS:Sermon videos: https://lakewooducc.org/category/online-devotional/Sermon texts: https://lakewooducc.org/category/posts/sermon-texts/Posts containing music: https://lakewooducc.org/category/posts/music/For all those links, please note the “Older Posts” button near bottom of page.

FOR JUST THE MUSIC: https://soundcloud.com/hilton-kean-jones/sets/music-at-lakewood 

Corona Sabbath Posts

Each Friday, the church will post a devotional with readings, video from Kim, and music from
Hilton. You are invited to access these at the website and observe the sabbath according to
your schedule over the weekend. There will be a new one posted each week. 

Please use the link below to view last week’s Corona Sabbath Post –
https://lakewooducc.org/2020/05/15/corona-sabbath-9/   

In addition to the weekly Corona Sabbath devotions on the website every Friday, Hilton is also posting music, mainly hymns, on the website daily. These are also posted on the church’s Twitter and Facebook accounts. You may find links to all the music posts on the website at https://lakewooducc.org/category/posts/music/ — note the “Older Posts” button down the page.

Daily Corona Prayer

https://lakewooducc.org/2020/03/20/lucc-corona-daily-prayer/

 Labyrinth Walks

Labyrinth Walks are being held as scheduled on Wednesday mornings at 9:00.  We feel given current information and restrictions that it is safe to hold this activity. It involves less than 10 people, it is outside, and the people can be at least 6 feet apart. Bring your own chair and wear a mask if you wish.

Assistance AvailableIf you need help of any kind – something from the store, someone to talk with, support managing during shelter-in-place, parenting concerns – please know that the church is ready and willing to help in any way needed.  This situation is trying for everyone.  You are not alone.  We’ll make it through together.  Please contact the church office (lakewooducc@gmail.com or 867-7961 or Rev. Kim Wells at wells.kim.p@gmail.com).  

Miss someone from church?  Give them a call or send a note.  Personal contact is so important when physical contact is limited.  

Music Ministry

About Hilton’s music. . . If you would enjoy hearing Hilton play more Irish folk songs, you can
listen for free at either https://hiltonjones.bandcamp.com/album/irish-
tunes or https://soundcloud.com/hilton-kean-jones/sets/irish-tunes .

May Birthdays: Mark Gibson 5/2, Angela Wells-Bean 5/7, Emily Gibson 5/8, Julian Micheal Ricciardi 5/9, Colleen Coughenour 5/11, Jen DeGroot 5/12, Christy Martin 5/15, Bill Parsons 5/16, Danielle Hintz 5/25, Someone missing? Contact the church office with birthday information.

Circle of Concern: JoAnn Reid, William Owen, Wilbur Reid, Martha Lamar, Jen Degroot, Carolyn Moore, Ann Quinn, Maggie Brizendine, and Ann Rogers. All healthcare workers and essential workers. All those suffering from COVID-19.

Please keep LUCC member, Olivia Gibson, in your prayers. She is a nurse on a COVID-19 unit in a local hospital. We are grateful for her ministry!

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.

Weekly Update 5/13

WHAT IS GOING ON AT CHURCH –

This Sunday

The church will be open from 10:30 to 11:30.  The peace candle will be lit.  It will be a time of prayer and reflection as a witness that the church is still open and ministry continues even though we are not able to gather in person for worship.  

Look for a Corona Sabbath post on Friday.  Check for it at the website – lakewooducc.org Also, please subscribe to the website so that you receive regular updates about church life.

Money Matters  

The church is working on instituting additional ways to receive financial support.  There is a PayPal donate button on the website.  There is an exploration of receiving donations through FaceBook and YouTube.  

In addition, you can arrange for your financial institution to manage your donations to the church on a regular basis.  A number of people from the church family have their monthly tithes and offerings sent directly to the church through the bill pay services of their credit union or bank.
The church has applied for funds through the small business/payroll protection loan fund offered by the government.  No action has been taken on the application and no funds received to date.  
Please know that your financial support of the church is critical in this time as we seek to be a witnessing community while physically distancing.  Many thanks to all who have been able to contribute to the church financially.  Your generosity is making a difference! It is important for the voice of the church to be heard as society transitions to a new normal that is hopefully more compassionate and just for everyone in the community.    

One last note:  Deposits at church are being made once or twice a month, not weekly, so there may be a delay in the depositing of checks.  This is to reduce risk for those who are involved in doing the banking.

LUCC’s Jim Andrews Featured in Article about Area Chaplains

Jim Andrews, director of Spiritual Care for Suncoast Hospice, was quoted in an article about the challenges facing chaplains as they seek to provide spiritual support in the context of COVID-19.  Here’s the link to the article:  https://www.tampabay.com/news/community-news/2020/04/27/always-on-the-front-lines-tampa-bay-chaplains-find-new-ways-to-connect/

Help Florida Farmworkers

The Pinellas Coalition for Immigration Justice, of which Lakewood UCC is a member, is asking all participating organizations to make direct appeals to Gov. DeSantis to better protect farmworkers in Immokalee during the COVID-19 pandemic.  The United Church of Christ has already signed a national petition requesting Florida’s aid for the Immokalee farmworkers.  However, little has been done.  The Governor has sent some tests to the area but much more is needed to protect the workers and to provide health care, especially at this time.
Just as LUCC has written many post cards and letters to ask our legislators for humane immigration laws and treatment, we are being asked now to take action to support the migrant farmworkers in any or all of 3 ways.  Click here for details:  https://lakewooducc.org/2020/05/12/help-florida-farmworkers-fight-covid-19/ And, LUCC, thank you and be well! Blessings,Sue Sherwood

Father Adrian

During our Christmas celebrations 30 years ago, LUCC had a special guest in our midst from St. Petersburg, Russia.  Father Adrian was the main priest from the Russian Orthodox Church of St. Job, a church that was paired with LUCC in a program that was promoting peace and friendship.  He stayed with members of the church, participated in church activities, became acquainted with life in America, and was interviewed by the local newspapers and TV stations.  He also welcomed groups from St. Petersburg (an Eckerd College student group in 1989; a visit by our pastor, Phil Smith, in 1990; a city delegation in 1991; and a UCC delegation in 1993 headed by Kim Wells) to his Church of St. Job in St. Petersburg, Russia.  He was a man of faith, compassion, and humor, and an excellent example of a cultural ambassador for the Russian Orthodox Church. 

 It is with sadness that I report that Father Adrian passed away on October 8, 2019, at the age of 82.  Kay and I had visited with him in 2016 in St. Petersburg, Russia, and he was already semi-retired because of poor health.  He remembered well his trip to Florida, and recalled meeting many of our LUCC people, both in Florida and in Russia.   Вечная Память!  Eternal Memory!

Bill Parsons

The (NEW IMPROVED) LIST OF FABULOUS LINKS:
Sermon videos: https://lakewooducc.org/category/online-devotional/
Sermon texts: https://lakewooducc.org/category/posts/sermon-texts/
Posts containing music: https://lakewooducc.org/category/posts/music/
For all links, please note “Older Posts” button near bottom of page.    

Corona Sabbath Posts

Each Friday, the church will post a devotional with readings, video from Kim, and music from
Hilton. You are invited to access these at the website and observe the sabbath according to
your schedule over the weekend. There will be a new one posted each week. 

Please use the link below to view last week’s Corona Sabbath Post –
https://lakewooducc.org/2020/05/07/corona-sabbath-8-mothers-day/  

This post includes the Mother’s Day music video featuring the pictures of mothers sent in by the church family.  

In addition to the weekly Corona Sabbath devotions on the website every Friday, Hilton is also posting music, mainly hymns, on the website daily. These are also posted on the church’s Twitter and Facebook accounts. You may find links to all the music posts on the website at https://lakewooducc.org/category/posts/music/ — note the “Older Posts” button down the page.

Daily Corona Prayer

https://lakewooducc.org/2020/03/20/lucc-corona-daily-prayer/

 Labyrinth Walks

Labyrinth Walks are being held as scheduled on Wednesday mornings at 9:00.  We feel given current information and restrictions that it is safe to hold this activity. It involves less than 10 people, it is outside, and the people can be at least 6 feet apart. Bring your own chair and wear a mask if you wish.

Assistance Available

If you need help of any kind – something from the store, someone to talk with, support managing during shelter-in-place, parenting concerns – please know that the church is ready and willing to help in any way needed.  This situation is trying for everyone.  You are not alone.  We’ll make it through together.  Please contact the church office (lakewooducc@gmail.com or 867-7961 or Rev. Kim Wells at wells.kim.p@gmail.com).  
Miss someone from church?  Give them a call or send a note.  Personal contact is so important when physical contact is limited.  

Music Ministry

About Hilton’s music. . . If you would enjoy hearing Hilton play more Irish folk songs, you can
listen for free at either https://hiltonjones.bandcamp.com/album/irish-
tunes or https://soundcloud.com/hilton-kean-jones/sets/irish-tunes .

May Birthdays: Mark Gibson 5/2, Angela Wells-Bean 5/7, Emily Gibson 5/8, Julian Micheal Ricciardi 5/9, Colleen Coughenour 5/11, Jen DeGroot 5/12, Christy Martin 5/15, Bill Parsons 5/16, Danielle Hintz 5/25, Someone missing? Contact the church office with birthday information.

Circle of Concern: JoAnn Reid, William Owen, Wilbur Reid, Martha Lamar, Jen Degroot, Carolyn Moore, Ann Quinn, Maggie Brizendine, and Ann Rogers. All healthcare workers and essential workers. All those suffering from COVID-19.

Please keep LUCC member, Olivia Gibson, in your prayers. She is a nurse on a COVID-19 unit in a local hospital. We are grateful for her ministry!

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.

Help Florida Farmworkers Fight COVID-19

The Pinellas Coalition for Immigration Justice, of which Lakewood UCC is a member, is asking all participating organizations to make direct appeals to Gov. DeSantis to better protect farmworkers in Immokalee during the COVID-19 pandemic.  The United Church of Christ has already signed a national petition requesting Florida’s aid for the Immokalee farmworkers.  However, little has been done.  The Governor has sent some tests to the area but much more is needed to protect the workers and to provide health care, especially at this time.

Just as LUCC has written many post cards and letters to ask our legislators for humane immigration laws and treatment, we are being asked now to take action to support the migrant farmworkers in any or all of 3 ways.  

Please let Sue Sherwood (sherwood.susan@gmail.com) know of whatever action you take so that we can give a tally of Lakewood’s action steps to the Pinellas Coalition.  Thank you for your lived faith! 

And, LUCC, thank you and be well!

Blessings,

Sue Sherwood 

                                                                          ACTION STEPS

1) Sign and share this petition:  bit.ly/floridafarmworkers.  (You may choose the option to share the post on FB or other media.)

2) Call Governor DeSantis at 850-488-7146, using the script below.

3)  If the Governor’s line is busy, you may email him at GovernorRon.Desantis@eog.myflorida.com, using the script.

      Hello, my name is _____.  I live in ______ (city or zip code).  I am calling because I am deeply concerned about the farmworker community in Immokalee, FL.  The combination of crowded living and working conditions for these “essential workers” – with virtually no access to healthcare – is putting the lives of those who feed us at risk.  

      I urge you, Governor, to take immediate action to protect our Florida farmworkers’ health and safety: 

           1) Build a temporary field hospital in Immokalee where people who test positive for COVID-19 can isolate and be treated.

           2) Provide personal protection equipment (PPE) – especially masks – and sanitization materials to farmworkers traveling to and from the fields.  

           3) Provide accessible COVID-19 tests for free in Immokalee, when they become available.

           4) Allocate public funds for economic support for farmworkers.

Governor, please let me know your position on this troubling issue and your plans for providing urgently-needed medical resources for the Immokalee community. Thank you and be well.                     

Weekly Update 5/7

WHAT IS GOING ON AT CHURCH –

This Sunday There will be a church family Zoom in honor of Mother’s Day.  Everyone is invited to participate.  This will be a time to share stories about our mothers or those who have been mothering figures in our lives.  Please give this some thought and participate in the Zoom gathering and share your story.  Please feel welcome to be part of the Zoom and listen to the stories shared.  This is an important time to consider all we have to be grateful for and how we may be inspired on our life’s journey.  So, plan on Zoom this Sunday at 10:30 a.m.  

Money Matters  
The church is working on instituting additional ways to receive financial support.  There is a PayPal donate button on the website.  There is an exploration of receiving donations through FaceBook and YouTube.  

In addition, you can arrange for your financial institution to manage your donations to the church on a regular basis.  A number of people from the church family have their monthly tithes and offerings sent directly to the church through the bill pay services of their credit union or bank.
The church has applied for funds through the small business/payroll protection loan fund offered by the government.  No action has been taken on the application and no funds received to date.  
Please know that your financial support of the church is critical in this time as we seek to be a witnessing community while physically distancing.  It is also important for the voice of the church to be heard as society transitions to a new normal that is hopefully more compassionate and just for everyone in the community.  
One last note:  Deposits at church are being made once or twice a month, not weekly, so there may be a delay in the depositing of checks.  This is to reduce risk for those who are involved in doing the banking.

LUCC’s Jim Andrews Featured in Article about Area ChaplainsJim Andrews, director of Spiritual Care for Suncoast Hospice, was quoted in an article about the challenges facing chaplains as they seek to provide spiritual support in the context of COVID-19.  Here’s the link to the article:  https://www.tampabay.com/news/community-news/2020/04/27/always-on-the-front-lines-tampa-bay-chaplains-find-new-ways-to-connect/

Father Adrian

During our Christmas celebrations 30 years ago, LUCC had a special guest in our midst from St. Petersburg, Russia.  Father Adrian was the main priest from the Russian Orthodox Church of St. Job, a church that was paired with LUCC in a program that was promoting peace and friendship.  He stayed with members of the church, participated in church activities, became acquainted with life in America, and was interviewed by the local newspapers and TV stations.  He also welcomed groups from St. Petersburg (an Eckerd College student group in 1989; a visit by our pastor, Phil Smith, in 1990; a city delegation in 1991; and a UCC delegation in 1993 headed by Kim Wells) to his Church of St. Job in St. Petersburg, Russia.  He was a man of faith, compassion, and humor, and an excellent example of a cultural ambassador for the Russian Orthodox Church. 

 It is with sadness that I report that Father Adrian passed away on October 8, 2019, at the age of 82.  Kay and I had visited with him in 2016 in St. Petersburg, Russia, and he was already semi-retired because of poor health.  He remembered well his trip to Florida, and recalled meeting many of our LUCC people, both in Florida and in Russia.   Вечная Память!  Eternal Memory!

Bill Parsons

The (NEW IMPROVED) LIST OF FABULOUS LINKS:
Sermon videos: https://lakewooducc.org/category/online-devotional/
Sermon texts: https://lakewooducc.org/category/posts/sermon-texts/
Posts containing music: https://lakewooducc.org/category/posts/music/
For all links, please note “Older Posts” button near bottom of page.    

Corona Sabbath Posts

Each Friday, the church will post a devotional with readings, video from Kim, and music from
Hilton. You are invited to access these at the website and observe the sabbath according to
your schedule over the weekend. There will be a new one posted each week. The post this week will include the pictures of mothers and mother figures that were contributed by the church family.  

Please use the link below to view last week’s Corona Sabbath Post –
 https://lakewooducc.org/2020/05/01/corona-sabbath-7/

In addition to the weekly Corona Sabbath devotions on the website every Friday, Hilton is also posting music, mainly hymns, on the website daily. These are also posted on the church’s Twitter and Facebook accounts. You may find links to all the music posts on the website at https://lakewooducc.org/category/posts/music/ — note the “Older Posts” button down the page.

Daily Corona Prayer

https://lakewooducc.org/2020/03/20/lucc-corona-daily-prayer/

 Labyrinth Walks

Labyrinth Walks are being held as scheduled on Wednesday mornings at 9:00.  We feel given current information and restrictions that it is safe to hold this activity. It involves less than 10 people, it is outside, and the people can be at least 6 feet apart. Bring your own chair and wear a mask if you wish.

Assistance AvailableIf you need help of any kind – something from the store, someone to talk with, support managing during shelter-in-place, parenting concerns – please know that the church is ready and willing to help in any way needed.  This situation is trying for everyone.  You are not alone.  We’ll make it through together.  Please contact the church office (lakewooducc@gmail.com or 867-7961 or Rev. Kim Wells at wells.kim.p@gmail.com).  
Miss someone from church?  Give them a call or send a note.  Personal contact is so important when physical contact is limited.  

Music Ministry

About Hilton’s music. . . If you would enjoy hearing Hilton play more Irish folk songs, you can
listen for free at either https://hiltonjones.bandcamp.com/album/irish-
tunes or https://soundcloud.com/hilton-kean-jones/sets/irish-tunes .

May Birthdays: Mark Gibson 5/2, Angela Wells-Bean 5/7, Emily Gibson 5/8, Julian Micheal Ricciardi 5/9, Colleen Coughenour 5/11, Jen DeGroot 5/12, Christy Martin 5/15, Bill Parsons 5/16, Danielle Hintz 5/25, Someone missing? Contact the church office with birthday information.

Circle of Concern: JoAnn Reid, Dee Dee and Lynn Young and family, William Owen, Wilbur Reid, Martha Lamar, Jen Degroot, Carolyn Moore, Ann Quinn, Maggie Brizendine, and Ann Rogers. All healthcare workers and essential workers. All those suffering from COVID-19.

Please keep LUCC member, Olivia Gibson, in your prayers. She is a nurse on a COVID-19 unit in a local hospital. We are grateful for her ministry!

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.

Weekly Update 4/30

WHAT IS GOING ON AT CHURCH –

This Sunday, as every Sunday, Rev. Kim Wells will be at church from 10:30-11:30.  The peace candle is lit, there is quiet music composed and performed and recorded by Music Director Hilton Jones.  Usually 2-4 people are there.  After a time of quiet, concerns are shared and prayers are said.  This Sunday is the first Sunday of the month, so it was requested that communion be available at the church on Sunday morning.  This will be done in the most health conscious way possible given the circumstances.  Please know that you are welcome to drop in and receive communion between 10:30 and 11:30 on Sunday.  Social distancing will be maintained.  Masks encouraged.

Communion Sunday 

The first Sunday of the month is a Communion Sunday.  That means the communion offering will be received.  This offering is used to help people in the church and the community with basic needs such as rent and utility assistance, bus passes, prescriptions, etc.  There has been heavy need for these funds in recent weeks.  Please consider how you can help the community through this offering. Communion will be offered Sunday and this is also an opportunity to make a contribution to the Communion Offering.  These funds are helping people in the congregation and in the community with basic needs in this especially difficult time.  Your donations are making a difference.

Financial Ministry 

This is also a reminder to continue your giving to the church.  While there is no service on Sunday morning, the ministry of the church is continuing and even expanding.  The accessing of materials on the church website and social media has increased during these corona days.  Much of the staff is still in place and finding new ways to serve.  

In addition, the grass still needs to be mowed, the buildings are still being maintained, there is still light usage that requires electricity and water.  Insurance still needs to be paid.  The phone and the internet are still on.  All of this means that there are still bills that need to be paid.  

In conjunction with this situation, the church is not being used by the regular renters at this time, so there is no rental income coming in.  

In addition to regular giving, please consider making an extra offering in this time when the spiritual support, social outreach, and message of hope that are being provided by the church are so important.  One person from the church family has donated a stimulus check.  Many thanks for that inspiration!

One last note:  Deposits at church are being made once or twice a month, not weekly, so there may be a delay in the depositing of checks.  This is to reduce risk for those who are involved in doing the banking.

Pictures of Mothers and More

Music Director Hilton Jones would like to prepare another music video featuring pictures of mothers, grandmothers, great grandmothers, and those who have been mothering figures.  The LUCC family is invited to submit pictures electronically to hilton.kean.jones@gmail.com.  Pictures are needed by Sunday May 3.  Many thanks for your assistance with this project.

Permaculture Training at Church

While the church is basically closed down, this weekend, the permaculture training class will meet in the Fellowship Hall.  There are fewer than 10 people, they will stay 6 feet apart, and they will sanitize and disinfect.  So if you see cars at church, that is the event that is going on this weekend.

Father Adrian 

During our Christmas celebrations 30 years ago, LUCC had a special guest in our midst from St. Petersburg, Russia.  Father Adrian was the main priest from the Russian Orthodox Church of St. Job, a church that was paired with LUCC in a program that was promoting peace and friendship.  He stayed with members of the church, participated in church activities, became acquainted with life in America, and was interviewed by the local newspapers and TV stations.  He also welcomed groups from St. Petersburg (an Eckerd College student group in 1989; a visit by our pastor, Phil Smith, in 1990; a city delegation in 1991; and a UCC delegation in 1993 headed by Kim Wells) to his Church of St. Job in St. Petersburg, Russia.  He was a man of faith, compassion, and humor, and an excellent example of a cultural ambassador for the Russian Orthodox Church.

It is with sadness that I report that Father Adrian passed away on October 8, 2019, at the age of 82.  Kay and I had visited with him in 2016 in St. Petersburg, Russia, and he was already semi-retired because of poor health.  He remembered well his trip to Florida, and recalled meeting many of our LUCC people, both in Florida and in Russia.   Вечная Память!  Eternal Memory!                                    Bill Parsons

The (NEW IMPROVED) LIST OF FABULOUS LINKS:
Sermon videos: https://lakewooducc.org/category/online-devotional/
Sermon texts: https://lakewooducc.org/category/posts/sermon-texts/
Posts containing music: https://lakewooducc.org/category/posts/music/
For all links, please note “Older Posts” button near bottom of page.    

Corona Sabbath Posts

Each Friday, the church will post a devotional with readings, video from Kim, and music from
Hilton. You are invited to access these at the website and observe the sabbath according to
your schedule over the weekend. There will be a new one posted each week. This week’s post will highlight the Earth Day.

Please use the link below to view last week’s Corona Sabbath Post –
https://lakewooducc.org/2020/04/23/corona-sabbath-6-earth-day/

In addition to the weekly Corona Sabbath devotions on the website every Friday, Hilton is also posting music, mainly hymns, on the website daily. These are also posted on the church’s Twitter and Facebook accounts. You may find links to all the music posts on the website at https://lakewooducc.org/category/posts/music/ — note the “Older Posts” button down the page.

Daily Corona Prayer

https://lakewooducc.org/2020/03/20/lucc-corona-daily-prayer/

Connecting

In an effort to stay connected as a congregation, a text version of the Corona Sabbath posts is being sent in the mail to those in the church family that are not regular users of the Internet.  The church is also sending a paper version of the Weekly Update to those who may appreciate keeping in touch that way.   Additional Zoom gatherings are also being planned. 

Labyrinth Walks

Labyrinth Walks are being held as scheduled on Wednesday mornings at 9:00.  We feel given current information and restrictions that it is safe to hold this activity. It involves less than 10 people, it is outside, and the people can be at least 6 feet apart. Bring your own chair and wear a mask if you wish.

Subscribe to Website

This would be a good time to subscribe to the church website. As a subscriber, everything that is posted on the website will be sent to your email.

There’s now a new way to subscribe to posts from the church website by email. On any page of the website, look down the page for “Follow Blog via Email.” If you subscribed before, you’ll need to subscribe again with this new button. Notice, it’s right above the Paypal “Donate” button! 

If you would like assistance with this, please contact the Church Office.

Help Offered

Several people from the congregation have offered to help others as needed. If you need
something from the grocery store or help with an errand or some other kind of assistance,
please contact the Church Office. There are those who are ready and willing.

Music Ministry

About Hilton’s music. . . If you would enjoy hearing Hilton play more Irish folk songs, you can
listen for free at either https://hiltonjones.bandcamp.com/album/irish-
tunes or https://soundcloud.com/hilton-kean-jones/sets/irish-tunes .

May Birthdays: Mark Gibson 5/2, Angela Wells-Bean 5/7, Emily Gibson 5/8, Julian Micheal Ricciardi 5/9, Colleen Coughenour 5/11, Jen DeGroot 5/12, Christy Martin 5/15, Bill Parsons 5/16, Danielle Hintz 5/25, Someone missing? Contact the church office with birthday information.

Circle of Concern: JoAnn Reid, Dee Dee and Lynn Young and family, William Owen, Wilbur Reid, Martha Lamar, Jen Degroot, Carolyn Moore, Ann Quinn, Maggie Brizendine, and Ann Rogers. All healthcare workers and essential workers. All those suffering from COVID-19.

Please keep LUCC member, Olivia Gibson, in your prayers. She is a nurse on a COVID-19 unit in a local hospital. We are grateful for her ministry!

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.