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Bulletin 11/28/21

WELCOME and ANNOUNCEMENTS

LIGHTING THE PEACE CANDLE                             Sally Purvis, liturgist

When your mother shouts at you,
Please don’t be angry
Because she is very tired.
When your teacher criticizes you,
Please don’t be angry.
You may have made some mistake.
When your boyfriend doesn’t love you,
Please don’t hate him.
Maybe love goes away.
If you can do that,
You will be happy.
Please enjoy your life.

Qiang Wei (Alice), China

PRELUDE                            

OPENING READING- First Coming                              Madeleine L’Engle

God did not wait till the world was ready,
till . . . nations were at peace.
God came when the Heavens were unsteady,
and prisoners cried out for release.

God did not wait for the perfect time.
God came when the need was deep and great.
God dined with sinners in all their grime,
turned water into wine. God did not wait

till hearts were pure. In joy God came
to a tarnished world of sin and doubt.
To a world like ours, of anguished shame
God came, and God’s light would not go out.

God came to a world which did not mesh,
to heal its tangles, shield its scorn.
In the mystery of the Word made Flesh
the Maker of the stars was born.

We cannot wait till the world is sane
to raise our songs with joyful voice,
for to share our grief, to touch our pain,
God came with Love: Rejoice! Rejoice!

MUSICAL REFLECTION   

LIGHTING THE ADVENT CANDLE- Hope

Unison Prayer

We give thanks for the many ways that hope is made manifest in our lives and in our world. We need the gift of hope to sustain us on life’s journey. May we look for signs of hope in the darkening days of this Advent season. May we be signs of hope for the world. Amen.

Musical response

SCRIPTURE LESSONS

Let us prepare ourselves for the word of God as it comes to us in the reading of Holy Scripture. Our hearts and minds are open.

Jeremiah 33:14-16 and Luke 21:25-36

For the word of God in scripture, for the word of God among us, for the word of God within us. Thanks be to God.

MODERN READING- From Mysticism          Evelyn Underhill, 1875-1941

SERMON                Receive the Gift: On the Look Out    Rev. Kim P. Wells

UNISON READING- The Bright Field                R. S. Thomas,1913-2000

I have seen the sun break through
to illuminate a small field
for a while, and gone my way
and forgotten it. But that was the pearl
of great price, the one field that had
treasure in it. I realize now
that I must give all that I have
to possess it. Life is not hurrying
on to a receding future, nor hankering after
an imagined past. It is the turning
aside like Moses to the miracle
of the lit bush, to a brightness
that seemed as transitory as your youth
once, but is the eternity that awaits you.

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

Morning offerings may be brought forward and placed in the plates on the altar. If you would like assistance, please turn to someone seated near you.

Offertory       

Prayer of Dedication                         Emmanuel Levinas, 1902-1995

To know God means to know what has to be done. Amen.

PREPARATION FOR PRAYER    

You are invited to write your prayer requests on the sheets provided in the bulletin and bring them forward and place them in the basket on the altar.  Please observe physical distancing.

MORNING PRAYER-SAVIOR’S PRAYER                 

Fathering and Mothering God, lover of us all, most holy one.
Help us to respond to you
To create what you want for us here on earth.
Give us today enough for our needs.
Forgive our weak and deliberate offenses,
Just as we must forgive others when they hurt us.
Help us to resist evil and to do what is good.
For we are yours, endowed with your power to make the world whole.
Amen.

*BENEDICTION                                                     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: Deanna Moore, 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

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 – New Time The church offers a witness against racism with weekly demonstrations along the sidewalk of 54th Ave. S.  Make your own sign or use one of the signs at the church. Demonstrations are held Sundays from 4:30-5. In case of rain, the demonstration will not be held that week. 

Decorating the Sanctuary for the Advent Season All who are available are invited to assist in decorating the church sanctuary for the holiday season.  This will happen under the direction of Colleen Coughenour on Wednesday Dec. 1 at 11:00 a.m.   Many thanks to all who will be part of this endeavor.  The festive decor does much to lift the spirit!

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 11/24

‘Tis A Gift

This is a season to ponder the many gifts that we are being given each and every day. It is a season for gratitude. 

This Sunday, November 28 is the first Sunday of Advent.  The advent season provides the opportunity to continue to reflect on the gifts that we are receiving through the birth of Jesus and in so many other ways in our lives and in our world.

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

Advent Begins

While we eagerly prepare for the feasting of Thanksgiving and the time to be with family and friends, the church is also preparing for Advent, the four-week season in which we prepare to celebrate the birth of Jesus.  Here is what to look forward to.

The theme for the season will be Receive the Gift.  It is a continuation of the celebration of gratitude that has been part of the stewardship season and the Thanksgiving holiday.  Even with covid, there is so much to be thankful for!
On Sundays in December, those who enjoy singing Christmas music are invited to come to church at 10:15 .am. and sing sitting outside on the lawn before the service begins.  Bring your own chair if you can.  Hilton will play the piano near the open doors and there will be outdoor singing with masks on.  When it is time for the service to begin, everyone will move inside.  There will be no singing in the service.  

Labyrinth walks will continue on Wednesday mornings at 9:00.  It’s a beautiful season to deepen your spiritual reflection and the labyrinth is a wonderful way to do that.

Anti-racism demonstrations will also continue on Sunday afternoons from 4:30-5:00 in Advent.  This is an opportunity to express the gift of love for all that we celebrate at Christmas.  It’s also a time to remember that the baby Jesus was a person of color.  

Book Talk will be held via Zoom on Thursday, Dec. 16 from 6:30-7:30.  This is an opportunity to share some of your favorite Christmas stories and books. 

There will be a Winter Solstice gathering around a fire on Tuesday, Dec. 21.  This will be a time to share stories and readings and inspiration around the themes of darkness and light.  Those who would like to may walk the labyrinth.  Sunset is at 5:41 p.m. so that is when the gathering will begin!72389

Christmas Eve will be celebrated with an outdoor service at 7:00 p.m. on the church lawn.   Music of the season will begin at 6:30. Please bring your own chair if you can.  The offering on Christmas Eve will be used to support the Creation Justice ministries of the church.

This year, the congregation is invited to donate poinsettias to beautify the sanctuary for Advent and Christmas Eve.  The plants will be taken by the Care Team to those in the congregation who are not able to attend church.  There are order forms available at church.  The cost of the plants is $10 each. The deadline for orders is Sunday, December 12. 

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. 

Decorating the Sanctuary for the Advent Season

All who are available are invited to assist in decorating the church sanctuary for the holiday season.  This will happen under the direction of Colleen Coughenour on Wednesday Dec. 1 at 11:00 a.m.   Many thanks to all who will be part of this endeavor.  The festive decor does much to lift the spirit!

Harvest Forms

To see the Harvest results, please check out this post:

https://lakewooducc.org/2021/11/11/harvest-form-2021/

Anti-Death Penalty Action

A bill has recently been filed in the Florida Senate that will prohibit the imposition of a sentence of death upon a defendant convicted of a capital felony if the defendant had a serious mental illness at the time the criminal offense was committed.  If you wish to show your support of SB 770, there’s a petition at the website of the Floridians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty at  https://www.fadp.org/

You may also wish to send a thank-you note to the bill’s sponsor, Senator Jeff Brandes,at brandes.jeff.web@flsenate.gov

CDS of Christmas Music Recorded by Hilton

There are CDs of Christmas music specially recorded by Hilton Jones available at church. You may leave a donation if you would like to.
Many thanks to Hilton for this gift of music.

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!

Adult Day Care Holiday Party

The Evergreen Adult Day Care Center has invited the church to be part of the holiday party in December.  The church family has been invited to contribute cookies to the festivities – with no sugar, please.  Please contact the church office if you would like to share the Christmas spirit with those in the adult day care center by providing cookies for the holiday party.  A date has not yet been set.  

Stewardship Follow Up

Many thanks to all who were part of the wonderful celebration of gratitude this past Sunday for our church, Lakewood United Church of Christ, and all that it means in our lives.  The service included an opportunity to make commitments of time, talent, and treasure to the church for the coming year.  If you would like to make a pledge to the church, there are forms at church and on the church website.  Please return them to the church office.  

This is a time when the minsitry of the church is much needed in our lives and in our world.  How blessed we are to be part of LUCC!

New Church Directory Available

An updated church directory is available.  The directory is a welcome tool to help the congregation remain connected and in contact with each other.  Please pick one up when you are at the church.  If you would like one sent to you, please contact the Church Office at lakewooducc@gmail.com or call at 727-867-7961. The directory is a welcome tool to help the congregation remain connected and in contact with each other.  

Martha Lamar’s information is incomplete. Please contact the church office for the correct information or get a corrected copy of the directory at church. Sorry for the inconvenience!

Anti Racism Demonstrations-New Time

The church will resume its witness against racism with weekly demonstrations along the sidewalk of 54th Ave. S. Make your own sign or use one of the signs at the church.
Demonstrations will be held Sundays from 4:30-5 beginning Sunday, November 14. 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.

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.

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.

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.

November Birthdays: Lucille Ruga 11/9, Katharine Conover 11/13, 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: 

Deanna Moore

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