Category: Updates

Weekly Update 11/18

Many Ways to Give Thanks

Yes, there is a pandemic.  Yes, that means for many of us life is restricted.  Yes, some have lost loved ones and had dear ones contract the virus.  Yes, the COVID 19 crisis has had a devastating economic impact on many.  BUT – there are still things to be grateful for.  Cultivating a spirit of gratitude can help us to maintain our spiritual health especially in times of trial.  

Your LUCC faith community is providing many ways to give thanks this season of Thanksgiving:

In Person Worship Sunday Nov. 22 at 10:30 a.m.

There will be an in person worship service, outdoors, with masks, physical distancing and no singing, on the church grounds Sunday Nov. 22 at 10:30 a.m.  You may bring something that  represents what you are thankful for to add to the altar.  All are welcome!  There will be childcare.

As part of the service, there will be a Ritual of Thanksgiving.  You are invited to bring something that represents what you are thankful for and place it on the altar during the service. 

Virtual Worship Thanksgiving Sunday Nov. 22 at Noon

The church will offer the same service that is being held in person virtually via Zoom/Facebook Live on Sunday Nov. 22 at noon.  Participants will be able to watch the live streaming service taking place in the sanctuary and comment to each other in the chat space provided.  Hopefully this will help to meet the needs of those who are not able or do not feel safe participating in person. Go to the church Facebook page and click on the ‘live’ button on the lower left.  Or use this Zoom link:  https://us02web.zoom.us/j/2700683648. 

Offerings for Thanksgiving

Show your gratitude by extending generosity to others.  Giving helps you to be aware of your abundance.

 In addition to regular church offerings, this Thanksgiving there will be a special collection for the Special Needs Fund of the church which helps people in the church and in the community with basic needs such as rent, utilities, and prescriptions.  The pandemic has increased the needs of our neighbors.  Make your gift in person at the service or send it to the church marked Special Needs, or use PayPal at the church website.  
There will also be a special food collection for Operation Attack.  Cereal, peanut butter, pasta, pasta sauce, and canned meat are needed.  Bring donations to church and place them in the grocery cart at church.

 OUT OF REGARD FOR HEALTH AND SAFETY THIS EVENT IS BEING CANCELLED 

Sharing a Meal

What is Thanksgiving without food?  And yet many will not be joining family and friends this year because of the health and safety issues involved.  The LUCC Care Team is sponsoring a get together for people from the church to eat together on Thanksgiving.  This gathering will be outdoors with masks and physical distancing.  Participants may bring their own food or have food provided.  Each will bring their own plates, utensils, and drinks.  Those who would like to participate are asked to contact Patti Cooksey so that adequate arrangements can be made for the number of people who will be attending.  More details will be forthcoming.  You can reach Patti at cooksepa@eckerd.edu

Thanksgiving Corona Sabbath

For those who have built the Corona Sabbath posts into their devotional routine, there will be a weekly Corona Sabbath post featuring the Thanksgiving music video with the pictures submitted by the congregation.  This will be posted on Friday Nov. 20th. 

In Person Services and Gatherings Ahead! 

In the next two months, the church is going to experiment with a ‘soft’ re-opening.   There will be in person gatherings and services outside, with masks, and physical distancing.  There will be no singing.  Participants are encouraged to bring their own chairs.  Some will also be available at the church.  

Here’s what’s coming:

In addition, the weekly guided labyrinth walks will continue on Wednesday mornings at 9:00 a.m. and weekly anti-racism demonstrations will continue on Sunday evenings at 5:00 p.m.  All are welcome.  

For those who want to remain engaged with the church ‘remotely’, the church will continue to post a weekly Corona Sabbath with a scripture reading, reflection from Rev. Wells, and music from Hilton Jones.  Paper copies of the Corona Sabbath and the Update will continue to be sent to those who do not use the internet.  

After this period of experimentation, there will be a discussion about how to proceed into the New Year.

Leadership Selection Process

Each year the congregation is invited to offer names of people that they would like to serve as advisors for the church for the coming year.  Church members are also welcome to volunteer to serve.

 Advisors are charged with seeing that the life and ministry of LUCC is an embodiment of the mission statement of the church.  In addition, the Advisors function in an administrative capacity regarding budget and finance, property, program, and personnel.  They serve as the pastoral relations committee fostering a positive relationship between the congregation and the pastor.  

The advisors have been meeting at least once a month, sometimes in person and sometimes virtually.  This depends on the will of the group.

Please suggest names of those you think would serve well as Advisors for the coming year.  You may email lakewooducc@gmail.com

Corona Sabbath Ahead

The theme for this week’s Corona Sabbath post is Thanksgiving.  This post includes the music video featuring pictures submitted by the LUCC church family.  

If you missed last week’s Corona Sabbath here’s the link:  

https://lakewooducc.org/2020/11/13/corona-sabbath-35-investment-advice/

Anti-Racism Demonstrations Continue on Sundays

Weekly demonstrations to end racism continue in front of the church each Sunday at 5:00 p.m.  Bring a sign or use one of the signs provided.  Regardless of the outcome of the election, this witness is an important demonstration of Christian values and moral values.  All are welcome to join in!  

And use the following link to see pictures from the last demonstration.

https://lakewooducc.org/2020/11/16/anti-racism-demonstration-11-15/

In case of rain, the demonstration will not be held that week. Know justice, know peace!

Weekly Labyrinth Walks Continue

Each Wednesday at 9:00 a.m. a small group gathers at the outdoor labyrinth for a time of devotion, discussion, and meditative walking of the labyrinth.  The theme for the week is taken from the Corona Sabbath of the week before, so it is an opportunity to go deeper in the spiritual exploration of that theme for your life.  This devotional gathering is outside and physical distancing is maintained. All are welcome!

If there is rain on Wednesday morning, the gathering will be held on Thursday morning at 9:00.

Spiritual Direction Offered by LUCC Clergy Member.

In these troubled times, it is important to find ways to tend to our spiritual lives. In the Christian tradition, Spiritual Direction is one of the ways of paying attention to the spirit in our lives. A Spiritual Director is someone to talk with about what is going on in our spiritual life and in our relationship with God however we may conceive of God.

Rev. Sally Purvis, Ph.D., a member of LUCC, is a retired clergy person with training and experience in Spiritual Direction. She is offering her services as a Spiritual Director to the community. The sessions would be held on Zoom and there is no fee to be paid. Church leaders are pleased to have the ministry of the church expand in this way.

Spiritual Direction with Sally is open to anyone, not just the congregation. And it is offered to everyone whatever their spiritual or religious background or affiliation or lack thereof. Sessions are generally held once every three weeks. Spiritual Direction is not a mode of therapy. It is a process for understanding and deepening your relationship with God/Spirit in ways that are authentic and life-giving.

Sally was trained by Henri Nouwen, a noted spiritual guide of the 20th century, and did Spiritual Direction as part of her professional ministry before retiring in 2015.

If you would like to explore Spiritual Direction with Sally, please contact her at
sallybpurvis@icloud.com or contact the church (867-7961 or lakewooducc@gmail.com ).

The church is very grateful to Sally for offering this avenue of support to the congregation and the community.

USEFUL LAKEWOOD LINKS DURING THE CORONA CRISIS:

For the above church website links, please note the “Older Posts” button near the bottom of each page.

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 .

November Birthdays: Lucille Ruga 11/9, 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: JoAnn Reid, William Owen, Wilbur Reid, Jen Degroot, Carolyn Moore, Ann Quinn, Maggie Brizendine, Dave Radens, teachers, students, and school personnel, and 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 in a COVID-19 unit in a local hospital. We are grateful for her ministry!

Church Office Hours:  Tuesday-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.

Weekly Update 9/23

WHAT IS GOING ON AT CHURCH –

Corona Sabbath 28

In case you haven’t noticed, it’s election season! Jesus has something to say about how we vote. Take a look at Matthew 22:23-32. Listen to this week’s Corona Sabbath. And, don’t forget to VOTE!

If you missed last week’s Corona Sabbath, the theme was remembering the founding of Lakewood UCC . Here’s the link: https://lakewooducc.org/2020/09/18/corona-sabbath-27-remembering-the-founding-of-lakewood-ucc/

Make a Difference:  Mentor a Child

LUCC made a  big difference last school year  in the lives of Maximo Elementary’s children and families.  As we know Covid 19 has changed how we do most everything.  What has not changed is the need for mentors at Maximo Elementary.  As Ms. Jones, the Family and Community Liaison, has said “Our students need you now more than ever.”   All mentors will meet virtually with their assigned student for 30 minutes once a week.   Mentors are required to register to be a volunteer and to attend a virtual workshop.   Are you available to make a difference in a child’s life?  You are needed now more than ever~ pcsb.org/volunteerregistration

www.lunchpals.org  (register for virtual workshop)       

Make a Difference:  Provide Needed Supplies
Supplies Needed:  uniforms, child masks (all masks have be store bought), hand sanitizers, Lysol spray, disposable gloves, disinfecting wipes

Supplies can be dropped off at the church on Wednesdays, 9:00am-10am and. Sundays, 7:00 pm-7:30 pm. The outside door will be open for supplies  to be placed in the cart  in the church hallway.  If you would like to make a financial contribution for supplies please send a check to the church marked “Maximo.”

Uniforms:  

Boys- shorts, pants, shirts 5T, 8,10,12  Girls- shorts, pants, dress, skirts, shirts 5T, 6T, 8, 10, 12

Undies: Boys and Girls 5T, 6T, 8,10,12

Uniform colors:  blue, khaki  (girls and boys) pants, shorts, dresses, skirt
                               Light blue, dark blue, white  All shirts boys and girls

Your LUCC Education Ministry team thanks you for all you do  and will do to help  make a difference in the lives  of children and families connected with Maximo Elementary.  

️If you have questions please do not hesitate to contact. Emily Bell (727) 692-2368                Ms. Jones (727) 893-2191  ext. 2305

Ink Cartridges

The church is collecting and recycling ink cartridges! Please save up any empty ink cartridges and recycle them at the church, there is a box in the sanctuary for recycling. The last batch we recycled we received $49.90!

Gratitude from Rev. Wells

Kim would like to thank everyone for their good wishes and prayers related to her heel surgery. The recovery process has become prolonged due to an infection.

Also, many thanks to all who participated in Kim’s birthday Zoom as well as sending cards, texts, and emails.  All the good wishes were most welcome especially in these trying times!

Adult Day Care Update

The adult day care is moving forward with mitigating the asbestos in the ceiling of the Fellowship Hall building.  To facilitate this process, some of their furnishings and equipment are now being stored in the sanctuary.  The program will open as soon as the facilities are ready.  The church is grateful to be in partnership with Neighborly Services in meeting this need in the community.  

Register to Vote

Ok.  You are probably registered to vote.  But can you check with others?  Set a goal for yourself like 2 people a day.  And ask two people a day if they are registered to vote.  Yes, with COVID, many are on restricted activities, but ask the receptionist when you call the doctor, ask the server when you pick up take out food, ask the clerk at the grocery store, ask the delivery person who brings you your medications.  Ask in an email to someone you do business with.  Ask a family member, near or far.  Try setting a goal and fulfilling it.  Or exceeding it!  It is very important to our faith and our values that we encourage EVERYONE to vote!  

The deadline to register is October 5!

Church School?

The Education Ministry Team met last week and has made some plans for the Fall.  They are reaching out to teachers and students as the school year begins.  After Labor Day, a new initiative will begin that will include all of the children and youth of the church family that would like to participate.  Grown ups, this will be for you, too!  You’ll hear more about it soon!

Zooms Ahead

All church Zoom gatherings will resume when Rev. Wells is “on her feet” again – literally!  If the church can be of help in any way, please contact the church office or Kim Wells directly.  

 Have you completed the Census?

Great!  So maybe now you can encourage others to complete the Census as well. If you would like assistance in submitting your Census information, please contact the church and someone will help you.

Sunday Evening Demonstration for Racial Justice Grows!   

The Black Lives Matter and Peace and Justice Demonstration continues on 54th Ave South each Sunday evening. This is an important way to inspire hope in the community and to work to create an anti-racist society.  

All are welcome Sunday evenings. Please note that in September the new time is 7:00 – 7:30 p.m. at the church. In case of rain, the demonstration will not be held that week. Know justice, know peace!

 Click here to see pictures of the most recent witness.  https://lakewooducc.org/2020/09/23/anti-racism-demonstration-9-20/

This Sunday

The church will not be open from 10:30 to 11:30.  The sanctuary will be open again on Sundays when Rev. Wells has recovered from surgery.  

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. 

Weekly Labyrinth Walks Continue

Each Wednesday at 9:00 a.m. a small group gathers at the outdoor labyrinth for a time of devotion, discussion, and meditative walking of the labyrinth.  The theme for the week is taken from the Corona Sabbath of the week before, so it is an opportunity to go deeper in the spiritual exploration of that theme for your life.  This devotional gathering is outside and physical distancing is maintained. All are welcome!

If there is rain on Wednesday morning, the gathering will be held on Thursday morning at 9:00.

https://lakewooducc.org/2020/06/23/labyrinth-has-been-refurbished

Spiritual Direction Offered by LUCC Clergy Member.

In these troubled times, it is important to find ways to tend to our spiritual lives. In the Christian tradition, Spiritual Direction is one of the ways of paying attention to the spirit in our lives. A Spiritual Director is someone to talk with about what is going on in our spiritual life and in our relationship with God however we may conceive of God.

Rev. Sally Purvis, Ph.D., a member of LUCC, is a retired clergy person with training and experience in Spiritual Direction. She is offering her services as a Spiritual Director to the community. The sessions would be held on Zoom and there is no fee to be paid. Church leaders are pleased to have the ministry of the church expand in this way.

Spiritual Direction with Sally is open to anyone, not just the congregation. And it is offered to everyone whatever their spiritual or religious background or affiliation or lack thereof. Sessions are generally held once every three weeks. Spiritual Direction is not a mode of therapy. It is a process for understanding and deepening your relationship with God/Spirit in ways that are authentic and life-giving.

Sally was trained by Henri Nouwen, a noted spiritual guide of the 20th century, and did Spiritual Direction as part of her professional ministry before retiring in 2015.

If you would like to explore Spiritual Direction with Sally, please contact her at
sallybpurvis@icloud.com or contact the church (867-7961 or lakewooducc@gmail.com ).

The church is very grateful to Sally for offering this avenue of support to the congregation and the community.

USEFUL LAKEWOOD LINKS DURING THE CORONA CRISIS:

For the above church website links, please note the “Older Posts” button near bottom of each page.

Daily Corona Prayer

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

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 .

September Birthdays: Kim Wells 9/19, Joanne Reid 9/22, Wilbur Reid 9/22, Donald Ritchie 9/27, and Carolyn Moore 9/30. Someone missing? Contact the church office with birthday information.

Circle of Concern: Carol Shores and family, JoAnn Reid, William Owen, Wilbur Reid, Martha Lamar, Jen Degroot, Carolyn Moore, Ann Quinn, Maggie Brizendine, Dave Radens,Kim Wells, Elinor Ross, Yvonne Riesen, teachers, students, and school personnel, Vern McKinney, and all healthcare workers and essential workers. All those suffering from COVID-19.

Ed Kaspar took a fall and broke his arm.  Please remember him in your thoughts and prayers.

Claudia Rodriguez is recovering from a shoulder injury.

Please keep LUCC member, Olivia Gibson, in your prayers. She is a nurse in 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 9/17

WHAT IS GOING ON AT CHURCH –

Corona Sabbath 27

The post this week focuses on the founding of Lakewood United Church of Christ in September of 1967.  When we look back from the vantage point of today, it might seem like a strange time to be founding a church.  And yet here we are.  And it is another VERY strange time.  The Bible lessons for this week help us to see why the church was important then, and why it is VERY important now! In the post, Jim Andrews will read Exodus 16:1-15 and Matthew 20:1-16.  There will be a reflection from Rev. Wells and music from Hilton Jones.  

If you missed last week’s Corona Sabbath, the theme was Freedom . Here’s the link: https://lakewooducc.org/2020/09/10/corona-sabbath-26/

Gratitude from Rev. Wells

Kim would like to thank everyone for their good wishes and prayers related to her heel surgery. The recovery process has become prolonged due to an infection.

Adult Day Care Update

The adult day care is moving forward with mitigating the asbestos in the ceiling of the Fellowship Hall building.  To facilitate this process, some of their furnishings and equipment are now being stored in the sanctuary.  The program will open as soon as the facilities are ready.  The church is grateful to be in partnership with Neighborly Services in meeting this need in the community.  

Register to Vote

Ok.  You are probably registered to vote.  But can you check with others?  Set a goal for yourself like 2 people a day.  And ask two people a day if they are registered to vote.  Yes, with COVID, many are on restricted activities, but ask the receptionist when you call the doctor, ask the server when you pick up take out food, ask the clerk at the grocery store, ask the delivery person who brings you your medications.  Ask in an email to someone you do business with.  Ask a family member, near or far.  Try setting a goal and fulfilling it.  Or exceeding it!  It is very important to our faith and our values that we encourage EVERYONE to vote!  

Church School?

The Education Ministry Team met last week and has made some plans for the Fall.  They are reaching out to teachers and students as the school year begins.  After Labor Day, a new initiative will begin that will include all of the children and youth of the church family that would like to participate.  Grown ups, this will be for you, too!  You’ll hear more about it soon!

Zooms Ahead

All church Zoom gatherings will resume when Rev. Wells is “on her feet” again – literally!  If the church can be of help in any way, please contact the church office or Kim Wells directly.  

 Have you completed the Census?

Great!  So maybe now you can encourage others to complete the Census as well. If you would like assistance in submitting your Census information, please contact the church and someone will help you.

Sunday Evening Demonstration for Racial Justice Grows!   

The Black Lives Matter and Peace and Justice Demonstration continues on 54th Ave South each Sunday evening. This is an important way to inspire hope in the community and to work to create an anti-racist society.  

All are welcome Sunday evenings. Please note that in September the new time is 7:00 – 7:30 p.m. at the church. In case of rain, the demonstration will not be held that week. Know justice, know peace!

 Click here to see pictures of the most recent witness.  https://lakewooducc.org/2020/08/26/weekly-anti-racism-demonstration-8-23/

This Sunday

The church will not be open from 10:30 to 11:30.  The sanctuary will be open again on Sundays when Rev. Wells has recovered from surgery.  

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. 

Weekly Labyrinth Walks Continue

Each Wednesday at 9:00 a.m. a small group gathers at the outdoor labyrinth for a time of devotion, discussion, and meditative walking of the labyrinth.  The theme for the week is taken from the Corona Sabbath of the week before, so it is an opportunity to go deeper in the spiritual exploration of that theme for your life.  This devotional gathering is outside and physical distancing is maintained. All are welcome!

If there is rain on Wednesday morning, the gathering will be held on Thursday morning at 9:00.

https://lakewooducc.org/2020/06/23/labyrinth-has-been-refurbished

Spiritual Direction Offered by LUCC Clergy Member.

In these troubled times, it is important to find ways to tend to our spiritual lives. In the Christian tradition, Spiritual Direction is one of the ways of paying attention to the spirit in our lives. A Spiritual Director is someone to talk with about what is going on in our spiritual life and in our relationship with God however we may conceive of God.

Rev. Sally Purvis, Ph.D., a member of LUCC, is a retired clergy person with training and experience in Spiritual Direction. She is offering her services as a Spiritual Director to the community. The sessions would be held on Zoom and there is no fee to be paid. Church leaders are pleased to have the ministry of the church expand in this way.

Spiritual Direction with Sally is open to anyone, not just the congregation. And it is offered to everyone whatever their spiritual or religious background or affiliation or lack thereof. Sessions are generally held once every three weeks. Spiritual Direction is not a mode of therapy. It is a process for understanding and deepening your relationship with God/Spirit in ways that are authentic and life-giving.

Sally was trained by Henri Nouwen, a noted spiritual guide of the 20th century, and did Spiritual Direction as part of her professional ministry before retiring in 2015.

If you would like to explore Spiritual Direction with Sally, please contact her at
sallybpurvis@icloud.com or contact the church (867-7961 or lakewooducc@gmail.com ).

The church is very grateful to Sally for offering this avenue of support to the congregation and the community.

USEFUL LAKEWOOD LINKS DURING THE CORONA CRISIS:

For the above church website links, please note the “Older Posts” button near bottom of each page.

Daily Corona Prayer

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

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 .

September Birthdays: Kim Wells 9/19, Joanne Reid 9/22, Wilbur Reid 9/22, Donald Ritchie 9/27, and Carolyn Moore 9/30. Someone missing? Contact the church office with birthday information.

Circle of Concern: Carol Shores and family, JoAnn Reid, William Owen, Wilbur Reid, Martha Lamar, Jen Degroot, Carolyn Moore, Ann Quinn, Maggie Brizendine, Dave Radens,Kim Wells, Elinor Ross, Yvonne Riesen, teachers, students, and school personnel, Barbara Donohue, Dana Cosper’s cousin, Vern McKinney, and 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 in 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.

Weekly Update 4.1.2020

WHAT IS GOING ON AT CHURCH –

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 Palm Sunday.

Please use the link below to view last week’s Corona Sabbath Post –

https://lakewooducc.org/2020/03/27/corona-sabbath-2/

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.

Easter:  In Celebration of New Life and the Creative Spirit

The coronavirus situation has spawned an enormous outpouring of creativity that is taking many forms.  Biology and Marine Science Professor Athena Rycyk of New College reminds us, “Whenever you have limits, it also inspires creativity.”

We would like to celebrate that creativity within the LUCC church family by preparing a special post for Easter that features the ways that you have been creative during this time of safer-at-home shelter-in-place.  

Creativity takes many forms!   Pictures of nature you have taken.  Pictures of a drawing or a sculpture or a craft project you have created during this time.   A poem or short story or reflection you have written during this time.  A picture of something you have baked!  Explanation of a creative idea that has arisen for you.  Something you have planted or built in these corona days.  Hilton will create a composite post of all the submissions for Easter Sunday!

Some guidelines:  No video or sound because that complicates the posting side of things. Please send your submissions to the church office by Wednesday April 8.  lakewooducc@gmail.com

Daily Corona Prayer

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

Labyrinth Walks are being held as scheduled on Wednesday mornings at 9:00 through Lent. The last date is April 8th. There will also be guided labyrinth walks on Good Friday at noon and Easter Sunday at 7:00 a.m. 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 if you wish.

Adult Day Care

Plans for LUCC to host an adult day care program offered by Neighborly Services continue to develop. Neighborly Services is now storing furniture and supplies at the church. A lease is being negotiated. The COVID-19 situation will determine when the adult daycare can open.

EV Charging Station

A new electrical vehicle charging station has been installed on the north side of the church building. This project was done in partnership with Duke Energy. Several people from the congregation were directly involved in assisting with the installation. Many thanks to Claire Stiles, Earl Waters, Bert Lee, and Jeff Wells.

The Church Helping the Homeless

The church has received several requests for help from homeless neighbors. One used the hose to bathe. Another used the church computer to apply for unemployment since the library computers are no longer available. The corona virus restrictions are having a particularly negative impact on the underclass and homeless.

Financial Update from Bill Parsons

We are beginning a new month in new times, but we need to remember that we need to support each other, and we need to support Lakewood UCC and our mission. We hope that those who contribute monthly by check will remember to send in a check, even if you aren’t able to bring it to church. And if you are accustomed to bringing a weekly offering, perhaps now is a time to consider sending a monthly donation. And let’s not forget to include something for our special needs fund which is usually collected on the first Sunday of each month, or maybe you will want to consider a special Easter offering (in place of our normal offering for flowers). We would like our counters to continue their essential function in these troubled times.

If you have a bill-pay program through your bank or credit union that you use for paying other bills, this could be a good time to add the church to this system. It is convenient and there is no fee associated for you or the church. Another option is to pay online through PayPal. We realize that some may need to take care of other priorities first, but we hope that those who are able will remember the church at this difficult time.

Church 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.

Reaching Out

While we are to maintain our physical distance, you are encouraged to reach out to someone from the church family at least once a week – a phone call, an email, a handwritten note – whatever works best for you. Please be in contact with one another.

In addition, please be in contact with people beyond the church family – friends, neighbors, public officials, health care workers – offering a word of gratitude or support or encouragement. These are hard times for many people. And many feel extremely isolated. So, reach out, but don’t touch!

A New Church Directory

To facilitate our efforts to be in contact, an updated church directory has been mailed to church members. If you would like a copy and do not receive one in the next week or so, please contact the Church Office.

Sundays. . .

On Sundays, Rev. Wells will be at church from 10:30-11:30. The peace candle will be lit and prayers will be offered. You are welcome to stop by to pray or meditate. The labyrinth is also available. This is a symbolic witness that the church is still here, is still serving, is still active, is still shining light – even in these drastically changed circumstances.

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.

New Cleaning Routines

The church custodian, Tony Rogers, is being sure to thoroughly sanitize the building including door handles, faucets, etc. We are grateful for this increased effort.

WHAT IS NOT GOING ON AT CHURCH –

AA

Sunday Afternoon rental church

Regular Sunday Services

Choir Rehearsal

Church School

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.

Operation Attack: Operation Attack is very much in need of clothes for men, boys, and girls as well as diapers and peanut butter and canned fruit. Donations may be placed in the shopping cart in the entryway to the sanctuary. Volunteer dates are April 13 and May 11. They also need people to help on the first three Tuesdays of the month from 9:30-noon.

Operation Attack is an ecumenical effort serving families with children located at Lakeview Presbyterian Church, 1310 22nd. Ave. S., St. Petersburg. LUCC was a founding member of Operation Attack in the 1960’s!

April Birthdays: Zachery Blair-Andrews 4/16, Mary Beth Lewis 4/29, Someone missing? Contact the church office with birthday information.

Circle of Concern: Olivia Gibson, William Owen, Wilbur Reid, Martha Lamar, Jen Degroot, Carolyn Moore, Ann Quinn, Maggie Brizendine, and Ann Rogers.

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.