Category: Bulletins

GATHERING MUSIC            

WELCOME and ANNOUNCEMENTS

LIGHTING THE PEACE CANDLE                            Kay Rencken, liturgist

If there is a divine spark
that is in me,
let it flame;
that I might be
consumed
for peace.                             

Erice Fairbrother, Aotearoa/New Zealand

PRELUDE                    I Sing a Song of the Saints of God      John H. Hopkins

CALL TO WORSHIP                                       The Iona Community, adapted

With the whole church
We affirm that we are made in God’s image,
befriended by Christ, and empowered by the Spirit.
With people everywhere
We affirm the goodness at the heart of humanity,
planted more deeply than all that is wrong.
With all creation
We celebrate the miracle and wonder of life;
the unfolding purposes of God,
forever at work in ourselves and the world.

MUSICAL REFLECTION               Some Glad Morning          Albert E. Brumley

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.

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 and Matthew 5:14-16

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.

MODERN READING — Lineage           Margaret Walker, 1915-1988, poet

LITANY OF REFLECTION

Let us reflect on the pilgrimage of life; on how we all come from the earth
and all return to its womb.
In death as in life, we are all one family.
Let us acknowledge that we share this experience with all living creatures
through the unity of nature.
In death as in life, we are all one family.
Let us give thanks for those who have gone before us, and for all the
memories that their lives brings to mind.
In death as in life, we are all one family.
In the strength of God’s love, let us determine to keep alive in ourselves
those qualities which we admire in our ancestors, for
In death as in life, we are all one family.

WORD OF REMEBERENCE                                                  The Congregation

PRAYER OF REMEMBRANCE                                                   Jewish Prayer

In the rising of the sun and in its going down,
we remember them.
In the glowing of the wind and in the chill of winter,
we remember them.
In the opening of buds and in the rebirth of spring,
we remember them.
In the blueness of the sky and in the warmth of summer,
we remember them.
In the rustling of leaves and in the beauty of autumn,
we remember them.
In the beginning of the year and when it ends,
we remember them.
When we are weary and in need of strength,
we remember them.
When we are lost and sick at heart,
we remember them.
When we have joys we yearn to share,
we remember them.
So long as we live, they too shall live,
for they are now a part of us, as
we remember them.

MUSICAL INTERLUDE            Shall We Gather at the River       Robert Lowry

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.

Offertory                     This Little Light of Mine        Harry Dixon Loes

Prayer of Dedication                                                  Caeser Chavez

When we are honest with ourselves,
we must admit that our lives are all that really belong to us.
So it is how we use our lives that determines
what kind of people we are. Amen.

PREPARATION FOR PRAYER     Sonata in A Major, Mov. II     Franz Schubert

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 PRAYER-SAVIOR’S PRAYER

Our Creator in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power and the glory are yours now and forever. Amen.

* BENEDICTION                                       The Iona Community, adapted

God of the past, who has fathered and mothered us,
We thank you.
God of the future, who is always ahead of us,
We trust you.
God of the present, here in our midst,
We praise you.
God of life beyond us, within us,
We rejoice in your glorious love.

*POSTLUDE                                 Sine Nominee            

Ralph Vaughn Williams/descants HKJ   

For the safety and comfort of all, please wear a mask. Thank you!

Circle of Concern: Claire Stiles, Ann Quinn who is under Hospice Care, Jeff Wells, Dave Radens, William Owen-Cowan, Jen Degroot, Carolyn Moore, Ann Quinn, 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.

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.

Anti Racism Demonstrations 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 5:30-6 beginning Sunday October 3. In case of rain, the demonstration will not be held that week. 

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.  The next workshop is Wednesday, Nov 03: Update from Immokalee

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

GATHERING MUSIC            

WELCOME and ANNOUNCEMENTS

LIGHTING THE PEACE CANDLE                                 Sally Purvis, liturgist

To fling my arms wide

In some place of the sun,

To whirl and to dance

Till the white day is done.

Then rest at cool evening

Beneath a tall tree

While night comes on gently,

Dark like me —

That is my dream!

To fling my arms wide

In the face of the sun,

Dance! Whirl! Whirl!

Till the quick day is done.

Rest at pale evening . . .

A tall, slim tree . . .

Night coming tenderly

Black like me.

Dream Variation by Langston Hughes, 1901-1967

PRELUDE                         How Can I Keep from Singing             Robert Lowry

CALL TO WORSHIP

Amazing grace!

How deep the love,

That saves and sets us free!

We may feel lost,

But in God, we are found,

As we are, God’s grace to see.

MUSICAL REFLECTION             How Frim a Foundation     American folk

SCRIPTURE READING

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.

Hebrews 4:12-16

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.

MODERN READING – Greenless Child                 Ann Weems, 1934- 2016

SERMON                                       Laid Bare                  Rev. Kim P. Wells

UNISON READING                                            Ram Dass, 1931- 2019

When you go out into the woods and you look at trees, you see all these different trees. And some of them are bent, and some of them are straight, and some of them are evergreens, and some of them are whatever. And you look at the tree and you allow it. You see why it is the way it is. You sort of understand that it didn’t get enough light, and so it turned that way. And you don’t get all emotional about it. You just allow it. You appreciate the tree. The minute you get near humans, you lose all that. And you are constantly saying, ‘You’re too this, or I’m too this.’ That judging mind comes in. And so I practice turning people into trees. Which means appreciating them just the way they are.

MUSICAL INTERLUDE       New Britain (Amazing Grace)       anon./arr. HKJ

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.

Offertory                     Sheep May Safely Graze               J.S. Bach  

Prayer of Dedication              from the United Kingdom, adapted

God, use our gifts:

to lighten the darkness of those living in shadows,

to restore dignity to those robbed of their humanity,

to lift the humble and to fill the hungry with good things,

until your kindom is built with love and justice

and all your people are free. Amen.

PREPARATION FOR PRAYER  Precious Lord, Take My Hand  Thomas A. Dorsey

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 PRAYER-SAVIOR’S PRAYER

Fathering and Mothering God, lover of us all, most holy one.

Help us to respond to you

To create what you want for us here on earth.

Give us today enough for our needs.

Forgive our weak and deliberate offenses,

Just as we must forgive others when they hurt us.

Help us to resist evil and to do what is good.

For we are yours, endowed with your power to make the world

whole. Amen.

* BENEDICTION                             Modern prayer from Berlin, Germany

Light comes through a gap in the curtains:

the promise of morning.

Light comes through the flaws of our lives:

the promise of love.

*POSTLUDE                             Jig Fugue                Dieterich Buxtehude

Circle of Concern:  Jeff Wells and family, Bill Parsons, Dave Radens, William Owen-Cowan, Jen Degroot, Carolyn Moore, Ann Quinn, 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.

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.

Anti Racism Demonstrations 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 5:30-6 beginning Sunday October 3. In case of rain, the demonstration will not be held that week. 

Electronics Recycling The church is collecting a load of electronics to be taken to an electronics recycling company in Clearwater.  The electronics are dismantled and usable components, parts, and substances are recycled.  Given the current problems getting the materials to produce electronic equipment, this recycling service has become even more important.  If you have anything you would like recycled, please bring it to the church and put it on the built-in desk in the Church Office.  These are some of the items that are accepted for recycling:  computers, amps, batteries, cables and connectors, cd players, cassette players, cell phones, televisions, etc.

Sherry’s Play Sherry Santana will be in the musical parody, Dracula: The Vampire Strikes Back. Its last show will be this afternoon at St. Petersburg City Theatre at 2:00 p.m.

Looking Ahead to Sunday Oct. 31 – Day of the Dead On the last Sunday in October, the service will involve celebrating those who have died who have been significant in our lives.  You are invited to give some thought to someone who has been particularly influential in your life.  Perhaps it is a family member or someone you knew in the past.  Or maybe it is an historic figure from the past.  Whose legacy lives on in you?  Who inspires you?  During the service, you will be invited to tell the congregation about who you would like to honor and why they are important to you.  Can’t be in church that Sunday?   Write something brief and it will be read in the service.  

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

GATHERING MUSIC                    Pues si vivimos                       Marty Haugen

WELCOME and ANNOUNCEMENTS

LIGHTING THE PEACE CANDLE                                      Claire Stiles, liturgist

I believe in the equality of all,

rich and poor.

I believe in liberty.

I believe in humanity and that through it

we can create unity.

I believe in the love within each of us,

and in the home, happy and healthy.

I believe in the forgiveness of our sins.

I believe that with divine help

we will have the strength to establish

equality in society.

I believe in unity, the only way to achieve peace,

and I believe that together we can obtain justice. Amen.

Ayacucho youth group, Peru

PRELUDE                 Danza de la Rosa (Escenas Poeticas)      Enrique Granados

CALL TO WORSHIP                                           

Ernesto Cardenal, 1925-202 poet, priest, politician, Nicaragua

Lord, you beat in our hearts and are present

in every cell of our bodies,

all that we are leaps for delight,

wherever we go, we know we shall find you there.

MUSICAL REFLECTION      Rumores de la Caleta (Malagueña)       Isaac Albéniz

SCRIPTURE READING

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.

Job 1:1-3, 2:1-13

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.

MODERN READING- Deacon Samuel Francisco Rodriguez Cabrera, Cuba

SERMON                                                                                 Rev. Kim P. Wells

RESPONSIVE READING                                        Elena Huegel, Chile, adapted

I commit, God, to searching for;

The healing of my relationship with you.

The healing of my relationship with myself.

The healing of my relationship with others.

The healing of my relationship with all your creation.

SHALOM!

MUSICAL INTERLUDE   Danzas Españolas (Playera Op. 5, #5)   Enrique Granados

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 and COMMUNION OFFERING

Morning offerings may be brought forward and placed in the plates on the altar.

Offertory         Danzas Españolas (Playera Op. 5, #1)   Enrique Granados

Prayer of Dedication                              Diocese of Juigalpa, Nicaragua

I give you thanks, Lord,

for my perfect arms

when so many have suffered mutilation.

For my perfect eyes

when so many cannot see.

For my voice that sings

when so many are reduced to silence.

For my hands that work

when so many beg.

O wondrous Lord,

to have a home, to return to it,

when there are so many brothers and sisters

who have nowhere to go.

To smile, to dream, to love,

when so many cry,

and so many hate each other.

Above all,

to have little to ask you for

and so much to thank you for. Amen!

PREPARATION FOR COMMUNION    Pescador de Hombres   Cesáreo Gabaráin

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.

CELEBRATION OF HOLY COMMUNION

Invitation

Communion Prayer- Savior’s Prayer

Eternal Spirit, Earth Maker, Pain-bearer, Life-giver,

Source of all that is and that ever shall be,

Father and Mother of all people, Loving God in whom is heaven:

The hallowing of your name echo through the universe!

The way of your justice be followed by all peoples of the world!

Your heavenly will be done by all created beings!

Your commonwealth of peace and freedom sustain our hope and

come on earth!

With the bread that we need for today, feed us.

In the hurts we absorb from one another, forgive us.

In times of temptation and testing, strengthen us.

From trials too great to endure, spare us.

From the grip of all that is evil, free us.

For you reign in the glory of the power that is love, now and forever.

Amen.

Blessing the Bread and Cup

Sharing the Meal

Giving Thanks

* BENEDICTION               Gerardo Oberman, Argentina, adapted

May the God of Life

be our guide on the road every day,

be our refuge in times of uncertainty,

and be our rest in times of fatigue.

May the God of Life

strengthen us when we feel weak,

comfort us when we feel sad,

and hug us when we feel alone.

May the God of Life,

who loves us and knows us,

cover us with the tenderness of a Mother.

Forever. Amen.

*POSTLUDE   Danza Española (Seis Danzas Españolas)  Isaac Albéniz

For the safety and comfort of all, please wear a mask. Thank you!

Circle of Concern:  Bill Parsons, Amayia Washignton, Dave Radens, Dana Cosper and family, William Owen-Cowan, Jen Degroot, Carolyn Moore, Ann Quinn, Maggie Brizendine, Janet Hall, family and friends of Rev. Dr. Jim Prickett.

Announcements

Communion This is a Communion Sunday. We are using the prepackaged individualcommunion servings. Please know that everyone iswelcome to participate in communion. Young people are invited toparticipate at the discretion of the adult(s) who have brought them.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. Please consider how you can help the community through this offering.

Facebook Live The 10:30 a.m. service is being streamed on Facebook Live.

Operation Attack OA also still needs donations of cereal, peanut butter, canned meat, fruit, vegetables and soup, dried beans, and mac/cheese.

Anti Racism Demonstrations to Resume 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 5:30-6 beginning Sunday October 3. 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

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

GATHERING MUSIC            

WELCOME and ANNOUNCEMENTS

LIGHTING THE PEACE CANDLE                 Kay Rencken, liturgist

Because I am poor,

I pray for every living creature.

Kiowa, translated by James Mooney

PRELUDE                  The Old Man’s Love Song         

Native American/harm. Arthur Farwell (1901)

The Native American melodies (of primarily the Omaha tribe) harmonized by Arthur Farwell were drawn from the late 19th Century 20 year research of Alice C. Fletcher, holder of the Thaw Fellowship, Peabody Museum, Harvard University.

CALL TO WORSHIP          Osage, translated by Francis La Flesche , adapted

I am home, I am home, I am home,

I have now come to the land that is home.

I have now come to the border of the village.

I have now come to the foot-worn soil of the village.

I have now come to the rear of the sacred house.

I have now come to the end of the sacred house.

I have now come to the door of the sacred house.

I have now come inside of the sacred house.

I have now come to the kettle pole of the sacred house.

I have now come to the fireplace of the sacred house.

I have now come to the middle of the sacred house.

I have now come to the smoke vent of the sacred house.

I have now come into the midst of the light of day.

I am home, I am home, I am home.

MUSICAL REFLECTION      Song of the Deathless Voice

Native American/harm. Arthur Farwell (1901)

SCRIPTURE READINGS

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.

James 5:13-20 and Mark 9:38-50

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.

MODERN READING                 from Black Elk 1863-1950, Oglala Lakota

SERMON                                                                   Rev. Kim P. Wells

UNISON READING                         Chippewa, translated by Frances Densmore

Toward calm and shady places

We are walking

on the earth.

MUSICAL INTERLUDE         Wendeyaho                

Native American/harm. & arr. HKJ

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.

Offertory                      The Mother’s Vow         

Native American/harm. Arthur Farwell (1901)

Prayer of Dedication           Tewa, translated by Herbert Joseph Spinden

O our Mother the Earth, O our Father the Sky,

Your children are we, and with tired backs

We bring you the gifts that you love.

Then weave for us a garment of brightness:

May the warp be the white light of morning,

May the weft be the red light of evening,

May the fringes be the falling rain,

May the border be the standing rainbow.

Thus weave for us a garment of brightness,

That we may walk fittingly where birds sing,

That we may walk fittingly where grass is green,

O our Mother the Earth, O our Father the sky.

PREPARATION FOR PRAYER           

Wakantanka Taku Nitawa (Many and Great, O God, Are Your works)

Native American melody (Dakota)

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 PRAYER-SAVIOR’S PRAYER               Hattie C. Enos, Nez Perce

O Great Spirit, You are our Shepherd Chief in the most high place.

Whose home is everywhere, even beyond the stars and the moon.

Whatever You want done, let it also be done everywhere.

Give us Your gift of bread day by day.

Forgive us our wrongs as we forgive those who wrong us.

Take us away from wrong doings. Free us from all evil.

For everything belongs to You.

Let Your power and glory shine forever. Amen.

* BENEDICTION                                                  Juanita Helphrey, UCC

God is

a cloud forming,

an eagle soaring,

a voice from the wilderness

echoing through your ear.

Whispering, encouraging —

keep going, seek My glory,

don’t worry, I’ll keep

your fears.

*POSTLUDE               Inketunga’s Thunder Song          

Native American/harm. Arthur Farwell (1901)

For the safety and comfort of all, please wear a mask. Thank you!

Circle of Concern:  Amayia Washignton, Dave Radens, Dana Cosper and family, William Owen-Cowan, Jen Degroot, Carolyn Moore, Ann Quinn, Maggie Brizendine, Janet Hall, family and friends of Rev. Dr. Jim Prickett.

Announcements

Facebook Live The 10:30 a.m. service is being streamed on Facebook Live.

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.

LUCC Book Discussion Books are on order for the 12 people interested in this Creation Justice sponsored online book discussion.  The order is expected to arrive in the last week of September. The group will meet via Zoom online at 5:00pm on Thursday late afternoons October 7, 21, and 28 from 5:00 – 6:00pm.  A few extra books will be available for anyone else interested in reading or joining the discussion!  Check with Claire Stiles at stilesca@eckerd.edu for any further details.

Anti Racism Demonstrations to Resume 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 5:30-6 beginning Sunday October 3. 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.

Afghan Refugee Assistance For information about helping Afghan Refugees, please see the Weekly Update 9/23 at the church website.

Lakewood United Church of Christ 2601 54th Ave. S. St. Petersburg, FL 33712

727-867-7961 lakewooducc@gmail.com Lakewooducc.org