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Sermon 12/24/2021

Date: Dec. 24, 2021 Christmas Eve
Reflection: Smuggled In?
Pastor: Rev. Kim P. Wells

Tonight we celebrate God coming into the world through a human being. The word made flesh. Divine Love appearing in human form. Incarnation. Re-creation. A new beginning. And how does this happen? This pivotal moment? It does not involve the centers of power – government or religious. It does not happen in the capital. It does not take place among the powerful. Nor among the wealthy. We’re not told of the angel Gabriel going to the daughter of the high priest or the governor.

Tonight we celebrate a story of poor family forced to make a journey to avoid trouble with the government. Refugees almost. Away from home. A vulnerable pregnant woman and her husband with no place to stay. No room at the inn. Relegated to a barn among the beasts. Well, were they little more than beasts these expendables? And among the cattle, the doves, the donkeys, the sheep, the bats, the rats, and the cats, but probably not among pigs since pork was not on the Jewish menu, in the hay and the straw, the baby is born. Were they alone – Joseph having to serve as midwife? Did others helps? The innkeeper’s wife? Other travelers with no place to stay? We don’t know. We don’t need to know. We are told what we need to know. A humble birth. In a stable rude. In a backwater town. Involving people who said yes to Love’s design. That’s what we need to know.

Though it’s not a story about Christmas per se, I invite you to listen to a story told by Eduardo Galeano about someone in prison in Uruguay:

“The Uruguayan political prisoners may not talk without permission, or whistle, smile, sing, walk fast, or greet other prisoners; nor may they make or receive drawings of pregnant women, couples, butterflies, stars or birds. [No pregnant women, no stars, sounds like no Christmas for them.]

“One Sunday Didasko Perez, a school teacher, tortured and jailed ‘for having ideological ideas,’ is visited by his daughter Milay, aged five. She brings him a drawing of birds. The guards destroy it at the entrance of the jail. [Remember: No birds.]

“On the following Sunday, Milay brings him [her father] a drawing of trees. Trees are not forbidden, and the drawing gets through. Didasko praises her work and asks about the colored circles scattered in the treetops, many small circles half-hidden among the branches: ‘Are they oranges? What fruit is it?’ [her father asks] The child puts her finger to her mouth: ‘Ssssshhh.’

“And she whispers in his ear: ‘Silly. Don’t you see they’re eyes? They’re the eyes of the birds that I’ve smuggled in for you.’”

Tonight, amidst the greed, and hate, and violence, and apathy, and suffering, and strife, and grief, of this world, of our lives, we gather around a story of Divine Love, God, finding a way into our world, to be with us, to love us more fully. Coming as a baby, smuggled in, where no one would think to look. Humble and helpless, dependent, and in that baby, the eternity of Love is birthed into this world. Showing us that in every baby the eternity of Love is birthed into this world. Reminding us, that Love is gonna get in. That no guards, no greed, no unjust systems, no hatred or war, no abuse or neglect, can keep Divine Love from entering our lives and our world. Love is going to find a way, make a way, to infiltrate our reality. There is no limit to the creativity and imagination of God to be present in this world.

So intent is God’s desire, that God comes smuggled in that Babe of Bethlehem. And that was to put us on alert. Watch out! You really never know what God will do. Anything is possible. Everything is possible. Even in this world of hatred, violence, police shootings, insurrections, civil wars, greed, and environmental collapse, Love is going to get in.

So, here, in this small gathering, of a tiny church, dangling at the end of a peninsula, soon to be swamped by the rising seas, in this backwater of a place, and these humble surroundings, don’t be surprised. God is making a way in. Again. Smuggling Love into the world, this time through us. 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.

Weekly Update 1/5

This Sunday, January 9, will be a beautiful celebration of the baptism of Jesus.  The story tells of Jesus baptized in the Jordan by John the Baptizer.  Do you remember your baptism?  Baptism, like the waters of the womb, is about new life and new birth.  This Sunday we’ll remember the call to new life in Christ.  

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

‘Tis A Gift

The Gift of Music

LUCC Music Director Hilton Jones has recorded 2 CDs for the LUCC family.  One is Christmas Piano featuring favorite songs of this season.  The second is Simply Hymns featuring favorite hymn tunes.  Both CDs are available at the church.  The music is a gift to the congregation.  If you would like to make a donation to offset the production costs, you may.  See the display in the sanctuary.  Enjoy the gift of music from Hilton not just on Sundays but every day!

Holiday Cheer to the Homebound

The Care Team had a beautiful time bringing the church to those who are homebound last Sunday.  Check out the joy! 

Christmas Visits

Anti Racism Demonstrations

Weekly demonstrations along the sidewalk of 54th Ave. S. Make your own sign or use one of the signs at the church. Demonstrations are held Sundays from 4:30-5. 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.

Gifts to McCabe Early Childhood Learning Center

Thanks to the generosity of the LUCC congregation, LUCC member Claudia Rodriguez was able to provide Christmas gifts for students in her class at McCabe Early Childhood Learning Center on 26th Ave. S. The children were delighted.  Many thanks to Patti Cooksey and Emily Bell for assisting with this.  Click here to see this wonderful display of generosity! 

LUCC Provides Gifts for Preschool

Playground Clean Up

A friendly neighbor of the church volunteered to clean up the church playground.  The weeds and seedlings are gone.  The space is much more conducive to child’s play.  Many thanks to our wonderful neighbor, Anita!

Zack Blair-Andrews Featured in Tampa Bay Times

College senior Zack Blair Andrews contributed to a very timely article in the Tampa Bay Times last Sunday – ‘The Good, the bad and the ugly of Facebook and Twitter.’  It is posted on the bulletin board at church.  Or check it out on line:  https://www.tampabay.com/opinion/2021/12/16/the-good-the-bad-and-the-ugly-of-facebook-and-twitter-column/

Winter Solstice – Seeing in the Dark

Despite the mist and the rain, seven hearty souls gathered to explore the themes of light and darkness on the shortest day/longest night of the year.  One of the things we ‘saw in the dark’ is the need for ‘wintering.’  For time spent in quiet, solitary, reflection.  Quite a contrast to this season which is often the busiest of the year!   The rain drove the group to the sidewalk under the overhang and prevented the labyrinth walk but did not dampen illuminating conversation and wisdom about light and darkness.  By the time the discussion was over, the rain had dissipated and the fire was still burning, so it was time for roasting marshmallows!  See pictures here:  

Winter Solstice -Seeing in the Dark

New Century Hymnals Available

LUCC has been given 60 used New Century Hymnals from a church that no longer needs them.  If you would like a hymnal for home use, you are welcome to have one.   They are available at church on the bookshelf in the main hallway.  Please help yourself! 

Advisors for 2022

Many thanks to Barbara Donohue and Christy Martin for agreeing to serve as advisors for 2022.  They will join Lucille Ruga and Malcolm Wells.  The church is grateful to Patti Cooksey and Jane Diven for their ministry as advisors for the past several years.  LUCC is blessed with wonderful leadership.  Gratitude is expressed to those who will nurture the ministry of the church for the year ahead.  

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.

January Birthdays: Martha Lamar 1/2, Chip Cosper 1/7, Jackson Cosper 1/9, Hilton Kean Jones 1/23, Bob Bell 1/28. Someone missing? Contact the church office with birthday information.

Circle of Concern: 

Christopher and Dana

Carol Shores’ grandson, Ben

Amaiya Washington

Dave Radens

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

Church Office Hours:  Tuesday 9:30-noon Thursday-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.

On land originally inhabited by the Tocabaga

News from Operation Attack:  Making a Difference

We hope this email finds you Safe and Well.  We continue to have our Food Pantry Open every Thursday from 4:30-6:30 for meat, produce, dairy products, non-perishables and hygiene products.  A Big Shout Out to Circle of Faith for providing volunteers to serve our clients on Thursdays’.  In September thru November, we served 280 families and 882 individuals.  Our food was also shared with Celebration Outreach, PAR/COSA, After School Program at Trinity Presbyterian, Jamestown Center, Sunshine Senior Center, two Little Food Banks, and a woman who makes meals for people who are unhoused.  In November and December, we assisted 9 people with their PAST DUE electric bills.  We pay a maximum of $100 per person directly to Duke Energy. 

Our efforts to distribute baby/toddler clothing (NB-3T) to families safely is still A Work in Progress.  We still hope to develop a process with Clothes to Kids to get the clothing to the families in our community.  We are gathering names of other organizations/agencies that we might partner also.  We WERE able to donate four boxes of warm clothes and diapers to Beth-El Mission in November. 

We have been BLESSED many times recently. Once again the Allendale United Methodist Women handmade 50 Ditty Bags and filled them with children’s hygiene products, toys and school supplies.   We received CROP WALK food donations from Lakeview Presbyterian and Circle of Faith.  Operation Attack received money from the Estate of Ruthie Greenslade, an OA volunteer and friend of Lakeview Presbyterian.  Thanks to volunteers from Circle of Faith and Lakeview we are also getting a FACELIFT in the distribution area of OA.  The walls are being painted and the floor and baseboards are being replaced.  We are very thankful for all of these contributions. 

Thank you for All the Different Ways You Demonstrate Your Love of God and the People in our Community.

Have a Merry Christmas and Happy and Healthy 2022.

Diane Klamer/Lead Volunteer  

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.

Bulletin 1/2/2022

GATHERING MUSIC

WELCOME and ANNOUNCEMENTS

LIGHTING THE PEACE CANDLE Sally Purvis, liturgist

If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the
oppressor. If an elephant has its foot on the tail of a mouse and you say that
you are neutral, the mouse will not appreciate your neutrality.

Bishop Desmond Tutu, 1931-2021

PRELUDE

OPENING READING: Midwife of Our Lives Iona Community

God of power and presence,
you are the midwife of our lives,
always drawing us on to be born again,
encouraging, exhorting, calming,
containing even death.
You pull us, kicking, into life,
breathe spirit into us.
We thank you for the gift in our breath,
the love that we make,
the hope that we cherish,
the grace that encompasses our darkest day.
In smallness and splendor, in storm and serenity,
we celebrate your care and creativity.
We rest in you, as trustingly as any baby.

MUSICAL REFLECTION

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.

Ecclesiastes 3:1-13, Colossians 3:12-17, and Matthew 2:1-12

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.

MUSICAL INTERLUDE

MODERN READING: The Work of Christmas Howard Thurman, 1899-1981

SERMON Following the Light into the New Year Rev. Kim P. Wells

AFFIRMATION OF FAITH Allan Boesak, b. 1945

We are called to proclaim the truth. . . . And let us believe:
It is not true that this world and its people are
doomed to die and to be lost.
This is true: I have come that they may have life
in all its abundance.

It is not true that we must accept inhumanity and
discrimination, hunger and poverty, death and destruction.
This is true: the deaf hear, the dead are raised to life,
the poor are hearing the good news.

It is not true that violence and hatred should have the last
word, and that war and destruction have come to stay forever.
This is true: death shall be no more, neither shall there
be mourning nor crying nor pain anymore.

It is not true that we are simply victims of the powers of
evil who seek to rule the world.
This is true: the Lord whom we seek will suddenly
come to the temple; and the Lord is like a refiner’s fire.

It is not true that our dreams of liberation, of human dignity,
are not meant for this earth and for this history.
This is true: it is already time for us to wake from sleep.
For the light is far gone, the day is at hand.

MUSICAL INTERLUDE

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

Prayer of Dedication Jeffrey S. Nelson, adapted

In Jesus, God has shined the light of love on us all. In the warm glow
of God’s light, our path is illumined and we leave this place enabled
to look up and see the need of those around us. For this great gift,
we give thanks! Amen.

PREPARATION FOR COMMUNION

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

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..

Blessing the Bread and Cup

In the beginning, God made the world;
Made it and mothered it,
Shaped it and fathered it;
Filled it with seed and with signs of fertility,
Filled it with life and with song and variety.
All that is green, blue, deep and growing,
God’s is the hand that created you.
All that is tender, firm, fragrant and curious,
God’s is the hand that created you.
All that crawls, flies, swims, walks or is motionless,
God’s is the hand that created you.
All that speaks, sings, cries, laughs, or keeps silence,
God’s is the hand that created you.
All that suffers, lacks, limps or longs for an end,
God’s is the hand that created you.
The world belongs to God,
The earth and all its people.
When the time was right, God sent the Son.
Sent him and suckled him,
Reared him and risked him;
Filled him with laughter and tears and compassion,
Filled him with anger and love and devotion.
Unwelcomed child, refugee and runaway,
Christ is God’s own son.
Skilled carpenter and homeless wayfarer,
Christ is God’s own son.
Feeder and teacher, healer and antagonist,
Christ is God’s own son.
Lover of the unloveable, toucher of the untouchable,
forgiver of the unforgivable,
Christ is God’s own son.
Loved by the least, feared by the leaders;
befriended by the weak, despised by the strong;
deserted by his listeners, denied by his friends;
bone of our bone, flesh of our flesh,
writing heaven’s pardon over earth’s mistakes,
Christ is God’s own son.
The Word became flesh,
He lived among us, he was one of us.
When the world could wait no longer,
The carpenters took up their tools,
They made a cross for God’s own son,
Fashioned from wood and skill of human hands,
Fashioned from hate and will of human minds.
He was a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief,
For us he grieved.
He was nailed to the cross by human hands,
Bone of our bone, flesh of our flesh.
He died declaring God’s forgiveness.
He rose on the third day, transforming death.
He ascended into heaven, that he might be everywhere on earth.
He sent the Holy Sprit as the seal of his intention.
He sets before us bread and cup, and invites us to his table.
This is the place where we are made well again.
And all will be made well.
For God sent the Son into the world not to condemn the world,
But that the world through him might be saved.
Hear us, O Christ, and breathe your Spirit upon us and upon this
bread and cup.
May they become for us your body,
vibrant with your life,
healing renewing and making us whole.
As the bread and cup which we now eat and drink are
changed into us,
may we be changed again into you,
bone of your bone,
flesh of your flesh,
loving and caring in the world.

Sharing the Meal

BENEDICTION Angeles Arrien, adapted

Gratitude before us,
gratitude behind us,
gratitude to the left of us,
gratitude to the right of us,
gratitude above us,
gratitude below us,
gratitude within us,
gratitude all around us.
Amen.

*POSTLUDE

Circle of Concern: Amaiya Washington, Dana Cosper and family following the
death of Dana’s mother, Ann Quinn who is under Hospice Care, Dave Radens,
William Owen-Cowan, Jen Degroot, Carolyn Moore, Maggie Brizendine, Janet Hall, All those suffering from COVID-19 and all healthcare workers, Schools: Students, families, teachers, and staff

Announcements

Communion This is a Communion Sunday. We are using prepackaged individual communion servings. Please know that everyone is welcome to participate in communion. Young people are invited to participate 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 a 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 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 Join in the anti-racism demonstrations Sunday afternoons from 4:30-5:00 on the sidewalk along 54th Ave. S. in front of the church. All are welcome!

Labyrinth Walk There will be a guided labyrinth walk after church this morning. Please gather by the labyrinth to the west of the Memorial Garden. This is a way to deepen your intentions as the New Year begins! All are welcome.

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

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

Weekly Update 12/30

‘Tis A Gift

The Christmas Eve Offering 

Thanks to the amazing generosity of the congregation, a total of $800 was collected on Christmas Eve for the Creation Justice ministries of the church!  Many, many thanks!

The Gift of Music

LUCC Music Director Hilton Jones has recorded 2 CDs for the LUCC family.  One is Christmas Piano featuring favorite songs of this season.  The second is Simply Hymns featuring favorite hymn tunes.  Both CDs are available at the church.  The music is a gift to the congregation.  If you would like to make a donation to offset the production costs, you may.  See the display in the sanctuary.  Enjoy the gift of music from Hilton not just on Sundays but every day!

This Sunday, Jan. 2, 2022 will be a beautiful introduction to the New Year!  And following the service, there will be an opportunity for a guided walk of the labyrinth themed on journeying into the New Year. All are welcome to extend the worship experience into this labyrinth walk. You may bring a chair for use at the labyrinth.

The first Sunday of the month is communion Sunday. 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 a heavy need for these funds. Please consider how you can help the community through this offering

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

Holiday Cheer to the Homebound

The Care Team had a beautiful time bringing the church to those who are homebound last Sunday.  Check out the joy! 

Christmas Visits

Anti Racism Demonstrations

Weekly demonstrations along the sidewalk of 54th Ave. S. Make your own sign or use one of the signs at the church. Demonstrations are held Sundays from 4:30-5. 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.

Gifts to McCabe Early Childhood Learning Center

Thanks to the generosity of the LUCC congregation, LUCC member Claudia Rodriguez was able to provide Christmas gifts for students in her class at McCabe Early Childhood Learning Center on 26th Ave. S. The children were delighted.  Many thanks to Patti Cooksey and Emily Bell for assisting with this.  Click here to see this wonderful display of generosity! 

LUCC Provides Gifts for Preschool

Playground Clean Up

A friendly neighbor of the church volunteered to clean up the church playground.  The weeds and seedlings are gone.  The space is much more conducive to child’s play.  Many thanks to our wonderful neighbor, Anita!

Zack Blair-Andrews Featured in Tampa Bay Times

College senior Zack Blair Andrews contributed to a very timely article in the Tampa Bay Times last Sunday – ‘The Good, the bad and the ugly of Facebook and Twitter.’  It is posted on the bulletin board at church.  Or check it out on line:  https://www.tampabay.com/opinion/2021/12/16/the-good-the-bad-and-the-ugly-of-facebook-and-twitter-column/

Winter Solstice – Seeing in the Dark

Despite the mist and the rain, seven hearty souls gathered to explore the themes of light and darkness on the shortest day/longest night of the year.  One of the things we ‘saw in the dark’ is the need for ‘wintering.’  For time spent in quiet, solitary, reflection.  Quite a contrast to this season which is often the busiest of the year!   The rain drove the group to the sidewalk under the overhang and prevented the labyrinth walk but did not dampen illuminating conversation and wisdom about light and darkness.  By the time the discussion was over, the rain had dissipated and the fire was still burning, so it was time for roasting marshmallows!  See pictures here:  

Winter Solstice -Seeing in the Dark

End of the Year Giving

Please consider LUCC as you make plans for your end-of-year giving.  For some, there are tax implications for making additional gifts.  Thanks to the monies from the federal government to help navigate the pandemic, the church has been able to stay solvent.  But these funds are no longer available and some fixed costs are increasing so your increased giving is needed to equip the vital ministries of the church.  As we say on Sundays, may our giving reflect the generosity of God!

New Century Hymnals Available

LUCC has been given 60 used New Century Hymnals from a church that no longer needs them.  If you would like a hymnal for home use, you are welcome to have one.   They are available at church on the bookshelf in the main hallway.  Please help yourself! 

Advisors Needed for 2022

Each year 3-5 wonderful people meet monthly to support the life and ministry of the church especially attending to matters involving finance, administration, personnel, and property. This past year, the church was ably served by Patti Cooksey, Lucille Ruga, Jane Diven, and Malcolm Wells. Some new advisors are needed for 2022. Is this something you might like to be involved in? Or can you think of someone in the church that you would like to see serve in this role? There are forms to fill out at church or speak to one of the current advisors or to Rev. Wells. This is a wonderful way to deepen your ties with the church and to make a difference!

Operation Attack Update

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.

January Birthdays: Martha Lamar 1/2, Chip Cosper 1/7, Jackson Cosper 1/9, Hilton Kean Jones 1/23, Bob Bell 1/28. Someone missing? Contact the church office with birthday information.

Circle of Concern: 

Dana Cosper and family following the death of Dana’s mother

Amaiya Washington

Carol Shores

Dave Radens

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

Church Office Hours:  Tuesday 9:30-noon Thursday-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.

On land originally inhabited by the Tocabaga