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Weekly Update 3/12

Don’t forget to change your clocks Saturday night!

This Sunday, March 13 is the second Sunday of Lent.  Now that Jesus has been prepared for his ministry we hear a story of confrontation with the religious leaders.  It is the story of the fox and the hen.  With an unexpected ending.  See Luke 13:31-35.

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 Mark Gibson and Colleen Coughenour.  This week they will be provided by Kay Rencken and Bill Parsons.  If you would like to bring flowers, please let Rev. Wells or the Church Office know which Sunday you would like to do so.

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!

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

Advisors Meet this Sunday

The advisors will be meeting this Sunday following worship.  One thing on the agenda will be a discussion of the mask policy for the church.  If you have thoughts or concerns about this, please speak with an advisor:  Lucille Ruga, Malcolm Wells, Barbara Donohue, and Christy Martin.

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 Community

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.

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

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

Dyanne Edds

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 3/11/2022

Devotion 10
3.11.22

This past week as I was driving I found myself randomly listening to ‘Jazz Night in America’ with Christian McBride. And it was an interview the musician Rene Marie. I don’t know much about jazz and I had never heard of this artist. But the interview was very interesting. It went well beyond music.

At one point, we learned that Marie was divorced from her husband of 25 years. And she started her music career. She also became involved in a relationship with a married man. She said that this is not a period of her life that she is proud of. She explained how the situation resolved:

“I know that it is something that so many people experience. This push and pull, you know. You want to do the right thing morally but your emotions are so tied up in this person that there’s another part of you that says, ‘I don’t care. I want them at any cost. I just want them in my life.’

“I ended up coming to the right healthy conclusion about things when I realized I was telling myself I love him. It occurred to me if you love someone that means you want the best for them and if they’re already married how can being with them be the best for them? It’s time to let go. You can still love them from afar. This is painful for them and you are the cause of it. You know I was the cause of it and there was no getting around it. That was a huge thing for me.”

From this experience came the song ‘Go Home.’ Here’s the link to Rene Marie singing it: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=wrm4eTbt47s

To me this is an incredible witness to the wildness of mercy. Marie was able to see what was best for someone she loved. And at great cost to herself, she made that happen. And through that process, she was able to regain her self respect and feel good about herself again. So there ended up being a benefit to her, as well. The way she was able to be merciful to everyone involved in the situation ended up being good for everyone. Not easy, but good. That’s something to remember about mercy. It may not always be easy, but it is always good.

Prayer: Think of a time that you have offered mercy at a cost; a time that you have done something difficult that was good and right. A time that the wildness of mercy coursed through your life. And think of a time that you have received mercy; mercy that came at a cost to someone else. A time when someone made a sacrifice for you. Mercy can be wild. Demanding and overwhelming. But always good. May we be grateful. Amen.

Lenten Devotion 3/10/2022

Devotion 9
3.10.22

In these Lenten days when we are thinking about wildness and wilderness, hear these words of Meister Eckhart [c. 1260- c. 1328]:

If I were alone in a desert
and feeling afraid,
I would want a child to be with me.
For then my fear would disappear
and I would be made strong.
This is what life in itself can do
because it is so noble, so full of pleasure
and so powerful.

A child. In the desert. When you are feeling scared, and maybe lost, and maybe hungry and thirsty. A child. Wouldn’t that make things worse?

Yet, with a child in hand, one must be careful not to appear afraid or worried, lest the child become concerned. With a child, the child must be kept occupied, keeping one’s mind off of the circumstances of fear. With a child, perhaps, there is exploring to be done, that leads to water or some kind of food. With a child, words of assurance may be spoken that impact not only the child, but the speaker. With a child.

In a situation where having a child present seems like a burden, a risk, making the situation even more fraught, Eckhart tells us that instead the fear is diffused, allayed. A child makes the situation easier to bear.

This is a beautiful expression of the wildness of mercy. Something that we might expect to add to a problem instead resolves it. Someone we would least expect to be helpful, comes to our rescue. Comfort and assurance provided by an unlikely source. You really do never know.

So, whatever we are going through, whatever is causing fear, dis- ease, worry, in our lives, well, maybe we need to look to someone more vulnerable than we are for the assurance and strength that we need. Because there is a wildness in mercy. And it may come from the last place we would expect.

Prayer: There are situations in life that are disturbing, that make us afraid, that cause stress and worry. Try to think about facing such a situation with a child. Maybe you have a child. Or a grandchild. What might you say? Imagine that you are a child and God, Divine Love, is offering you comfort and assurance. May we know the wildness of Divine mercy dispelling our fears and leading us to joy. Amen.