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Weekly Update 3/18

This Sunday, March 20 is the third Sunday of Lent this season of re-turning our lives to God.  The gospel for the day invites us to learn from the fig tree.  Get ready to bear fruit!  See Luke 13:1-9. 

Each Sunday as the war in Ukraine continues, there will be sunflowers, the national flower of Ukraine, on the altar as a sign of solidarity with the Ukrainians. Last week the flowers were brought by Bill Parsons and Kay Rencken.If you would like to bring flowers this week, please let Rev. Wells or the Church Office know

The service will be in the sanctuary with the doors and windows open.

Join in the celebration on Sunday in person or on Facebook Live.  

Lent – The Wildness of Mercy

The season of Lent begins next Wednesday.  Please see the details about the Ash Wednesday service.  Lent is a 40 day period of spiritual preparation for the celebration of Easter.  The time echoes Jesus’ 40 days in the wilderness in preparation for his ministry.  The season of Lent is a time to re-turn your life to God/Divine Love/Spirit – however you conceive of what is of ultimate importance in shaping your reality.  

Traditionally, people give something up for Lent.  This is a spiritual discipline that functions on many levels.  It reminds us of all that we have.  It invites us to exert discipline.  By foregoing something we care about, it is all the more precious when we enjoy it once again.  It sets the season apart and keeps us mindful.  In recent years, people have begun taking something on for Lent.  Maybe a volunteer activity or service of some kind.  Again, this functions to set the season apart, to revisit the concept of sacrifice, to follow in the way of Jesus.  Are you giving some thought to what you will take on or give up for Lent?  We’ll ask about that in church the next couple of Sundays.

At LUCC for Lent, the theme for services and other reflections and activities will be ‘The Wildness of Mercy.’  There is a well-known hymn, “There’s a Wideness in God’s Mercy.”  With a typo, that easily becomes ‘There’s a Wildness in God’s Mercy.’  And sometimes mercy does seem pretty wild!  Themes involving nature will remind us of the wildness of Divine mercy and how blessed we are to be recipients of that mercy.  

In addition to Sunday morning worship and the weekly Labyrinth walks, there will be daily devotions posted to support you on your Lenten journey.  There will also be a couple of outings in nature to invite reflection and renewal.  Stay tuned for more details about those.  

In spite of covid and the many losses and changes we are experiencing, Lent is a wonderful season to remember that there is a wildness in God’s mercy!

Advisors Request Congregation’s Views on Masking

Please let the church know your preferences.  Which option indicates your views?  You can respond to this email.  Hit reply  and say ‘Option 1’ or ‘Option 2’ or ‘Option 3’.

Option 1

Keep masks mandatory and sing hymns again.

Option 2

Make masks optional and have no singing.  

Option 3

I will not feel safe coming to church in person if masks are optional.

Book Talk Re-Scheduled for March

The monthly Book Talk for March has been rescheduled to Thursday March 24 at 6:30 p.m.  You are encouraged to participate.  It is virtual.  Here is the Zoom link:  

Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/2700683648
Meeting ID: 270 068 3648

Mouse Needed

A computer has been donated to the church.  But a mouse is needed.  A plug in mouse that is compatible with a PC, not Apple.  If you have an extra one at home, please let the church know.  You can bring it on Sunday or leave it in the outside mailbox at the church.  Many thanks!

ONE GREAT HOUR OF SHARING OFFERING AHEAD

The United Church of Christ joins forces each year to receive the One Great Hour of Sharing offering.  This special offering helps with needs around the world.  When you read about a terrible weather event, flooding, drought, or other devastating situations, you can know that your dollars are at work through local religious communities to offer assistance.  Here’s a link to more information from the national UCC: https://www.ucc.org/love-remains-long-term-and-worldwide-through-one-great-hour-of-sharing/?inf_contact_key=0cfd65371d22f479bfede083a268824fcc0558ed5d4c28cbfab114022b1ec50d

Lakewood will be collecting this special offering on Palm Sunday April 10.  There are envelopes at church that can be used or indicate on your check or online donation OGHS.  This is an important way to love our neighbors and our enemies next door and around the world.  

New Opportunities for Immigration Justice

The Biden administration endorsed Temporary Protected Status for Ukrainians currently in the US. So that effort was successful.

Here are two additional initiatives being supported by the  Pinellas Coalition for Immigration Justice.  LUCC is a member of this coalition.  

Legislators will be voting on SB 1808/HB 1355 which looks to harm local governments by dictating their municipal contracts and forcing law enforcement agencies to waste taxpayer dollars to enter into federal immigration agreements. This bill will also reduce travel into the State of Florida, further harming our economy, and harm immigrant children by preventing them from reuniting with family residing in Florida.

Also, it Redefines “sanctuary policy” by broadening the definition to include local policies that limit a law enforcement agency from providing information to a state entity regarding the immigration status of someone in the custody of law enforcement.

We ask that you please join in taking action against these bad bills. Make sure to share with your congregation, leaders, and friends.

TAKE ACTION HERE

The second initiative encourages the Biden administration to support humanitarian aid to Ukrainians within Ukraine as well as refugees.  Here is additional information and a way to take action:  https://www.votervoice.net/LIRS/campaigns/92369/respond?mc_cid=0291e8ce30&mc_eid=5b2d782ff9

How to Help Ukraine

The local Ukrainian Catholic Church is sponsoring humanitarian aid.  There are more details at their website: https://www.epiphanyukrch.com

The national United Church of Christ is also offering ways to support the Ukrainian people.  Here’s a link:  https://p2a.co/nGEvYVL?inf_contact_key=ad8269e3f149ec1ef1efd03de1e233aacc0558ed5d4c28cbfab114022b1ec50d

Bill Parsons’ Talk about Ukraine

At the request of several people in the congregation, the presentation about Ukraine given by Bill Parsons after church last Sunday was recorded.  You can view it here:  https://lakewooducc.org/2022/03/08/bill-parsons-ukraine-discussion/

Young Adult Service Opportunity

Coral Gables United Church of Christ in conjunction with the national United Church of Christ, is sponsoring a year long paid service-learning internship for young adults ages 21-35.  Interns are matched with a local social service organization, provided housing, and connected with a local congregation for faith formation and leadership development.  For more information, contact Rev. Aaron Lauer: AaronL@gablesucc.org

Pardon Our Dust. . .

When you come to church, you may notice that the entry hallway is being redecorated.  Many thanks to those embarking on this project:  Sally Purvis, Colleen Coughenour, Patti Cooksey, Claire Stiles, and Bert Lee.  We are grateful for their efforts to make the space more serviceable and more appealing! 

Toiletries for Celebrate Outreach

Celebrate Outreach is a local ministry with people who are living without shelter in St. Petersburg.  An average of 135 people are served each week.   LUCC was asked to collect toiletries to be distributed to the community at the meals that are provided on Saturday and Sundays each week.  This collection will be ongoing in addition to the food being collected for Operation Attack.  All are invited to donate the following items: toothbrushes, toothpaste, disposable razors, bar soap, wash cloths, deodorant, feminine hygiene items, travel size creams, shampoo, body wash, individual packets of Kleenex, hand wipes, toilet tissue, and paper towels.

Many thanks to Janet Blair and Jim Andrews for taking the donations to Celebrate Outreach.  

Inkjet Recycling

The church is continuing to collect used inkjet cartridges.  They are sent to a recycler and the church receives payment for the cartridges provided.  So, don’t throw out your cartridges.  Bring them to church.  Not only do they get recycled but they provide income for the ministry of the church.

Guided Labyrinth Walks

NOTE CHANGE OF DAY:  The guided labyrinth walk next week will be held on Thursday March 24 at 9:00 a.m. 

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.

Operation Attack Update

News from Operation Attack:  Making a Difference

OA needs donations of cereal/oatmeal, mac and cheese, pasta sauce, peanut butter, canned meat, fruit, soup, and vegetables. Donations may be placed on the shelf in the hallway at church.

Being Covid Safe and In-Person Worship

Please stay home if you are not feeling well.

Please wear a mask while in the church building.  While most people have been vaccinated, this helps visitors to feel safe.  

Additional masks will be available at church to use as needed.

Two hand sanitizing stations are available for use by worshippers.

There is well-ventilated, physically distanced indoor seating in the sanctuary.

Please know that your safety is of primary consideration! 

Safe childcare is provided.

Sundays

Look for the bulletin posted on the church website on Friday: https://lakewooducc.org/category/bulletins/

Watch the service on Facebook Live Sundays at 10:30. https://www.facebook.com/LakewoodUCC

Or on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/LakewoodUCC/videos

Instructions for how to access Facebook Live: For additional assistance, please contact the church office.

Here are some instructions to watch our Sunday services live through Facebook:

Use the following link to visit our homepage: https://www.facebook.com/LakewoodUCC/

On Sunday mornings at 10:30 a.m. please use the link above to visit our homepage. There, after using the link, you will see a section labeled “Happening Now”. This is our Livestream of the Sunday Service.

To watch the live stream, locate and click the “watch video” button in the lower right corner of the screen.

If the link above is not working, there is also a link to our Facebook page on our website. Please try that link located on the Home page of our website.

PLEASE NOTE:  

With the cooler temperatures, we will resume opening the doors and windows for morning worship as we continue efforts to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.

Sunday services are being held at 10:30 a.m. Masks are required. There is physical distancing. Childcare is provided.

You can also join in on Facebook Live at 10:30. Please see the instructions below. 

USEFUL LAKEWOOD LINKS:

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

You can stream Hilton’s music and videos for free at hiltonkeanjones.com/look-listen/ as well as purchase his CDs and digital albums there.

March Birthdays: Carol Shores 3/1, Claudia Rodriguez 3/3, Yvonne Riesen 3/13, Ron Huff 3/19, Earl Waters 3/25, Someone missing? Contact the church office with birthday information.

Circle of Concern: 

Christopher and Dana

William Owen-Cowan

Jen Degroot

Carolyn Moore

Ann Quinn is now under Hospice care

Maggie Brizendine

Janet Hall

All those suffering from COVID-19 and all healthcare workers

Schools: Students, families, teachers, and staff

Recent Posts:

Weekly Update: If you are involved with an activity or event that you would like to share with the LUCC family, please send the information to the Church Office by Tuesday since the Update usually is sent out on Wednesday.

On land originally inhabited by the Tocabaga

Lenten Devotion 3/18/2022

Devotion Seventeen
March 18, 2022

An invocation. Recently I was asked to give an invocation at a webinar offering resources and support for people working on the opiate addiction pandemic. I was grateful to be given the opportunity to participate and to serve.

So, as requested, I gave the invocation, at the end of the meeting. The end? That is when the organizers scheduled it. So, usually an invocation is at the beginning of something, an event, a gathering, a service. It is a recognition of ‘invoking’ the presence of God. Since we don’t control God, however we may conceive of God, I think of an invocation as recognizing the sacred/spiritual as part of the event or gathering. Setting a context that affirms the wider spiritual forces at work in the the people and effort at hand.

But I was asked to do the invocation at the end of this presentation. Well, I did not quibble about the terminology – at the end is usually a benediction. I was just glad that they wanted to include a spiritual/religious element to what was being done. Maybe the planners are not church goers or part of a faith community. Maybe they don’t really have any history or experience with an invocation in another kind of setting. Again, the issue at hand is eliminating the devastation of the opioid crisis not what you call the closing prayer.

In preparing for this invocation I thought about those who might be part of the webinar. Social service personnel working with people with addictions. Medical workers serving opioid addicts. Others in law enforcement and other social service fields who regularly interact with people that have become victims of drug addiction. People working in mental, behavioral, and physical healthcare. Often in very demanding jobs with little support for low salaries. It is easy to become discouraged by the lack of societal support for addiction education and treatment. And there is the heartbreak of having clients and patients that regularly overdose and die. It’s a difficult area to work in yet so important; so needed. It can be hard to maintain hope in the face of ravaged lives, relationships, and families. It is demoralizing to think about the greed that leaves such devastation in its wake.

An invocation at the end of the meeting. As I thought about it, I decided that is exactly what was needed. Those people needed an affirmation of spiritual support as they left the lunch time webinar to go back to work. They needed to be assured of the presence of Divine Love/God/Spirit supporting them as they went on with their day actually working with the people who are in the throes of addiction and its many consequences. They needed to know they were not alone in their efforts to create a society that provides the many kinds of support needed to confront the opioid crisis, addiction, and mental health issues, and healthcare in general.

Yes, an invocation at the end was what was needed. Invoking God to be present in the work that lay ahead. So, I gave a prayer, offering spiritual support to these brave souls providing resources, relationships, and societal support to those enmeshed in addiction.

Prayer
What challenges are you facing? Is there something in the day ahead that will be difficult for you? Is there an important relationship in your life that is under strain right now? Does grief dog your days? Are there challenges related to parenting or employment or finances or aging or addiction that weigh upon you? Try an invocation to get you through. Acknowledge the presence and power of Divine Love that is with you. Affirm the Divine image at your core and in the lives of those around you. Breathe into that reality. And trust love. Amen.

Sermon 3/13/2022

Date: March 13, 2022
Sermon: Out-Foxing Fear
Scripture Lesson: Luke 13:31-35
Pastor: Rev. Kim P. Wells

One of my favorite songs as a child was “The Fox Went Out on a Chilly Night.” It has been recorded by many artists as recently as 2019. We had the recording by Harry Belafonte. And we sang it over and over and over whenever we went somewhere in the car that was more than about 10 minutes away. The song tells the story of a fox invading a farm yard pen and leaving with a goose and a duck to take home for dinner. The dinner scene is captured in the last verse:

“The fox and his wife without any strife
Cut up the goose with a carving knife
They never had such a supper in their life
And the little ones chewed on the bones-o.”

The song perpetuates the classic view of the fox as fast, cunning, sly, clever, and devious. And the human effort at protection against the wiles of the fox as ineffectual. The fox outfoxes the humans. Again. And leaves them cowed and bereft. Pretty standard.

This concept of the fox is nothing new. As we heard this morning, it was a common image in the Palestine of the first century of the common era. So it is a classic metaphor that goes beyond modern times and western culture. Probably because there is some truth in it.

In the story we heard today, we are told of Jesus drawing on this image of the fox. Jesus is told by the religious authorities that Herod wants to kill him. We don’t know if this is true. It is possible. Herod has killed John the Baptizer. Herod is ruthless. Or do the authorities tell this to Jesus in hopes of closing him down; driving him into hiding? Getting him to stop his flamboyant acts of healing and confronting evil that are attracting followers with their great power? Are these leaders trying to be foxlike by deceiving Jesus? We don’t know.

But Jesus names Herod as a fox. Normally potential prey runs and hides when threatened by the fox. Instead, Jesus magnifies the threat against him. Jesus names Herod the fox in the story, maybe hurling the slam at the religious leaders as well. Then he elaborates upon the threat to his life. It’s worse than the religious leaders imply: “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem! You kill the prophets and stone those who are sent to you!” Jesus knows what he is facing and it goes far beyond the wiles of Herod. He is facing a blatant pattern of behavior that has gone on for centuries and that will continue. It’s not just the threat of this one despotic ruler.

So, Jesus magnifies the threat, giving the threat power far beyond Herod. This obliquely disempowers Herod. And in a way it lays responsibility at the feet of the religious leaders because Jesus implies they are the ones responsible for the killing of the prophets. The religious leaders are trying put responsibility for the threat to Jesus’ life on Herod but Jesus is hurling it back at them: “You kill the prophets and stone those who are sent to you!”

Having magnified the threat that he is facing, we get an unexpected turn in the story. Instead of cowering in the face of the threat against him, Jesus makes it known that he will not run or hide. He will not seek shelter or protection. He will not be driven into submission by fear. In fact, quite the opposite. In response to the clear and present danger he knows he is facing, Jesus announces that he has work to do. And he is going to do it. In spite of the threat to his life. “‘Today and tomorrow, I’ll be casting out devils and healing people, and on the third day I’ll reach my goal.’ Even with all that, I’ll need to continue on my journey today, tomorrow and the day after that. . .” Jesus has a job to do. He has a mission. He has things that he needs to attend to as the Chosen One of God. He will not be driven into submission by fear. In fact, the idea that his life is threatened means he will redouble his efforts for his time may be short.

Jesus will not seek safety and protection for himself but he will seek to give it to others. The story tells us: “How often have I wanted to gather your children together as a mother bird [in many translations, ‘hen’] collects her babies under her wings — yet you refuse me!” Jesus will continue to seek to offer health, well-being, and life to all under the protection of the reality of God. He must spend his days exhibiting the flagrant, profligate love and mercy of God especially to those who have been neglected, forgotten, or worse, cast out. Jesus will name evil and will respond extravagantly. His behavior is driven by love and not fear.

Jesus images himself as a hen. He turns the image of passive prey for the fox into something positive and active and effectual. It’s not a weak, cowering, scared image, but an image with power to do good, to help others, to serve, to make safe and secure from the predatory community around them. Sometimes that predatory threat is even from the religious community. Jesus emphasizes that the love of God is like a hen actively protecting her chicks. And Jesus intends to spend his days demonstrating that love with power and passion. He has work to do. And neither Herod nor the religious leaders are going to keep him from his work.

There is a children’s book that I love that involves a hen and a fox. It is called Rosie’s Walk. Intricate illustrations of the farm cover the pages in autumn colors with lots of black detailing. My copy is on loan to my grandsons or I would show it to you! In the book, the hen, Rosie, goes about her business taking a walk through the farm yard. She goes across the yard. She goes around the pond. She goes past the haystack and the mill. She goes through the fence and under the beehives. And on the last page she is strutting into the chicken coop in time for dinner. There is a sentence on each page describing what Rosie is passing on her walk. That is the extent of the sparse narration. But on every page, not only does the picture show Rosie and the farm and the other farm residents, but there is a fox that follows Rosie on her walk, creeping along behind her, seemingly seeking just the right opportunity to pounce. But in each picture, the fox encounters some kind of hardship or peril or hazard. Something falls on the fox. The fox trips. The bees attack the fox. One thing after another happens to the fox in the pictures. And Rosie is completely oblivious to the fox and goes about her business. [See Rosie’s Walk by Pat Hutchins.]

This makes me think of this story of Jesus that we heard today. He is being pursued by Herod, the fox, but he goes about his business. Though Jesus is aware of the threat, he still behaves without fear which is all the more impressive. Instead of wasting his efforts protecting himself, or using his power and ability to undo his enemies directly, he chooses to focus his power, his efforts, his work, on doing good. Not staying safe. And not defending himself. And not in self protection. And not in schemes to take down those who want to stop him. Instead he confronts evil, and danger, and threat, with the power of love, by doing good, by furthering the realm of God and living in the reality of God and inviting others to join him. He does not let himself be undermined, sidetracked, distracted or enticed by the threats around him. He will go about doing his work. Healing. Helping. Saving. Feeding. Forgiving. Gathering in. Creating beloved community.


The message here is that the way of love prevails. God is going to do what God is going to do. And there’s nothing you can do about it. That is what we hear from Jesus in this story. You can’t stop Divine Love. You can’t stop God’s care and compassion. Kill the prophets. And God persists. Kill Jesus. And Love still triumphs. We are testimony to that, here today, in the church, the body of Christ. Love prevails. And there is no violence or evil or threat that can stop it.

So in this story we see that we, too, as followers of Jesus, are to stay focussed on our work of demonstrating Divine Love in the world. There are forces that would seek to deter us, to threaten us, and to distract us. Society is busy trying to instill fear in us at every turn. Worry about crime. Get an alarm system. Worry about your retirement. Open an investment account to help someone else make money. Worry about your health. Buy this supplement. Worry about your job. Stop illegal immigration. And on it goes. The threats and dangers. Seeking to suck up our energies, our money, our dreams, and our votes. And all of that lures us away from spending our energies, our lives, on love, compassion, caring for others and the earth, and creating beloved community, on Earth as it is in Heaven.

In a reflection in The Christian Century magazine on this passage, the writer talks about being interested in chickens. She tells us:

“I don’t remember when exactly I decided that I wanted chickens. I suppose there’s always been part of me — part hippie, part farm girl wannabe, full-time reader of Mother Earth News — that has romanticized the notion of raising poultry . . . In this phase of my life, I acknowledge that I (probably) won’t become a suburban chicken farmer. But knowing that doesn’t stop me from cooing over them longingly whenever I encounter them in the spring at certain supply stores. It doesn’t stop me from reading books and websites about them, keeping an Amazon wish list of chicken coops, and learning which varieties produce different colored eggs.” [Jennifer Moland-Kovash, in The Christian Century, 2/23/22, p. 19.]

Of course there is no harm in fantasizing about raising chickens but sometimes I think we are tempted to fantasize about following Jesus. About being true Christians. We read the Bible. We read devotionals. We pray. We go to church. Maybe we watch videos about faith topics. Or listen to theological podcasts. Maybe we follow and even like organizations that are doing wonderful justice work or humanitarian work. But we are sitting at home. On our devices. Or in an arm chair. But not actually doing the work. Forgiving. Confronting the structures of society that cause poverty and threaten life. Offering practical, material help. Addressing the needs that fill our screens. We hear the echo of Jesus’ words, “Go tell that fox, ‘Today and tomorrow, I’ll be casting out devils and healing people, and on the third day I’ll reach my goal.’” Jesus was doing it. Not just talking about it. Or thinking about it. Or reading about it.

I recently drove past a bench at a bus stop. And on the bench was a brown paper grocery bag. And the bag was full. And there was a note written in large letters on white paper attached to the bag. It said: ‘FREE FOOD’ with a smiley face. Whoever put that bag on the bench was not sitting at home on a device. Thinking about doing something for others.

When people say that Christianity is under attack in this country they are right, but the attack is mainly from the fear campaign around us that seeks to shut down God’s dream of justice and compassion for all people. But as we heard today, Jesus won’t be shut down. He won’t let the fear mongers shut him down. Despite the fox, he will be the hen offering solace and protection and care. Because Jesus knows that you can’t take life from someone who is giving it away. That is what we see in Jesus. Herod will not take his life. The religious leaders will not take his life. The Romans will not take his life. He will give his life away. In love. And nothing can stop that love.

In closing we listen to an Arabian fable. It offers a different role for the fox, mixing our metaphors a bit, but the message meshes with the story that we heard from Luke:

“One day, a man wandered through a forest, and came across an injured fox. The poor creature had been pursued by hunters and had broken its legs in its efforts to escape. Now it lay in the undergrowth, helpless to find food.

“The man’s heart went out to the fox, but as he watched, a grizzly bear loomed up out of the trees, dragging the carcass of an animal it had killed. The bear appeared to ignore the presence of the wounded fox, but when it shuffled off again after its meal, it left the remains of the carcass close to where the fox was hiding. The fox devoured the meat hungrily.

“The next day, the man walked through the forest again. And again, the bear left a tasty morsel behind for the hungry fox. And on the third day, the same thing happened.

“The man pondered hard over what he had seen. ‘If God cares so much for a wounded fox,’ he thought, ‘how much more will God care for me. My faith is far too feeble. I must learn to trust in God as this fox trusts.’

“So the man went into a quiet corner of the forest and prayed, ‘Loving God, this injured fox has shown me what it means to trust you. Now I too commit myself entirely to your care. I trust that you will care for me just as you care for the fox.’ And with this, he lay down and waited for God to act.

“A day passed, and nothing happened. The man was getting hungry. A second day passed and still nothing happened. The man was deeply puzzled. A third day passed, and the man was angry. ‘Heavenly God,’ he cried, ‘you love that little fox more than you love me! Why won’t you care for me when I trust you so much? Why don’t you feed me?’

“At last, hunger forced the man back into the town. There on the streets he came upon a starving child. He railed on God in his rage. ‘Why don’t you do something?!’

“‘I have done something,’ God said. ‘I have created you. But you choose to behave like the fox when you could model yourself on the bear.’” [“The Fox and the Bear,” retelling of an Arabian fable, in One Hundred Wisdom Stories from Around the World, Margaret Silf, p. 128, adapted.]

In the wildness of mercy, we are to be driven by love and love alone. To see to our own well-being, to take care of ourselves, we must be about God’s dream taking care of others and the world. There are chicks to protect. Amen.

A reasonable effort has been made to appropriately cite materials referenced in this sermon. For additional information, please contact Lakewood United Church of Christ.