Posts

Bulletin 12/5/21

WELCOME and ANNOUNCEMENTS

LIGHTING THE PEACE CANDLE                                 Sherry Santana, liturgist

Where people are praying for peace the cause of peace is being strengthened by their very act of prayer, for they are themselves becoming immersed in the spirit of peace.

George MacLeod, 1895-1991
Founder of the Iona Community in Scotland

PRELUDE                                     

CALL TO WORSHIP                                             Judith Jessop, contemporary

We await the Christ,
the one who will reveal God to us.
He comes to us as sparkling light:
Twinkling with joy and playfulness.
He comes to us as everyday light:
Brightening the ordinary world around us.
He comes to us as softened light:
Creating a gentle, healing space in the shadows.
He comes to us as a focused spotlight:
Bringing truth and justice into stark relief.
This is the Light of the world —
Jesus Christ, coming to shine among us.

MUSICAL REFLECTION

LIGHTING THE ADVENT CANDLE- Peace

Unison Prayer

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

Musical response

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.

Malachi 3:1-4 and Luke 3:1-6

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.

RESPONSIVE READING                                Hugh of St. Victor, 1096-1141

Brothers and sisters, it is now the season of the Lord’s’ coming,
and we must use the time to prepare ourselves by some spiritual
devotion.
We must strive to enter the house of our hearts,
open the windows,
and notice what is seemly and what is unseemly in that house.
We must brush away the cobwebs,
sweep the floors,
clean out the dust and dirt,
strew the clean floors with freshly gathered rushes,
fragrant herbs, and sweet-smelling flowers.

SERMON                          Receive the Gift: Repent!            Rev. Kim P. Wells

RESPONSIVE READING- If You Came                                Thom M Shuman

If you came
with a fistful of anger,
who could endure?

But you come
with open hands,
eager to grasp our own in love.

If you came
with the fire of judgement,
who could endure?

But you come
with the light of grace
to show us the way.

If you came
hardened against our sin,
who could endure?

But you come
holding us in your heart,
that we might have life.

If you came
bearing bad news
we might be able to handle it.

But can we endure
the gift of good news?

Even so,
come, Lord Jesus,
come. Amen

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                    Maria I. Tirabassi, contemporary

There are many ways we can offer our thanks for the gifts we receive. We choose to show our gratitude, for when we are lost, God returns us to the fold, and when we have given up all hope, we are redeemed. 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

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: Carol Shores, 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

Communion This is a Communion Sunday. We are using the prepackaged individualcommunion servings. Please know that everyone iswelcome to participate in communion. Young people are invited toparticipate 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 heavy need for these funds. Please consider how you can help the community through this offering.

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!

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!

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 book shelf in the main hallway.  Please help yourself! 

Celebrating Our Gifts Stewardship 2022 Thank you to all who have participated generously by returning your commitments of giving to assure the financial future of Lakewood UCC!  As of this week, the total pledged is $52,500.  We’ll begin the work of setting a budget for 2022 very soon.  If you have not yet let us know how you can help financially support the work of our church, or if you would like to increase your giving, we invite you to contact us.  You may send a note or an email to the office to the attention of the Finance Committee, or directly contact Lucille Ruga.

Christmas Eve Readers Readers are needed for the outdoor Christmas Eve service.  If you would be willing to do a reading, please speak with Rev. Wells.  This is a beautiful way to share the spirit of Christmas with your LUCC family. 

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 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. 

Facebook Live The 10:30 a.m. service is being streamed on Facebook Live.

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

Sermon 11/28/2021

Date: Nov. 28, 2021. First Sunday of Advent
Scripture Lessons: Jeremiah 33:14-16 and Luke 21:25-36
Sermon: Receive the Gift: On the Look Out
Pastor: Rev. Kim P. Wells

So, in case you haven’t been paying attention, the world IS falling apart. The roaring of the seas and the waves. Distress among the nations. Those island nations sure had something to say at the UN Climate Change talks in Glasgow. How about the recent flooding? Oh, and the fires? The devastation. And the deadly pathogens. And what about the protests over an unjust justice system? And poverty and need growing while wealth is swelling? It’s unstable. Unsteady. Shaky. There is fear and foreboding about what’s to come. We are in the midst of cataclysmic shifts. Tectonic eruptions.

While I would never suggest that this is God’s plan, that God is behind it all, that this is intended punishment to further God’s ends, there is judgment. There is a reckoning in what is going on. And we see that the gospel of Luke lays out the options for response.

Psychologists tell us that in the face of calamity, of threat, of fear, the human response is either fight or flight. We either get out of the circumstance or we face it full force. We seek a safe haven or we seek to eliminate the threat. The gospel of Luke presents a circumstance of cataclysm, of turmoil, of anguish, and also presents two responses. One response is to hide, to escape, to sleep, to deny. Perhaps a version of flight. To be weighed down with dissipation, and drunkenness and the worries of this life, as Luke puts it. I think we are clear about drunkenness. And the worries of this life. But dissipation? What does that suggest? One scholar tells us that dissipation is the “nausea that follows a debauch.” [New Interpreter’s Bible, Volume VIII, p. 346.] OK. And what is a debauch? According to Webster, “an act or occasion of extreme indulgence in sensuality or carnal pleasures.” The second definition is an orgy. So, such an occurrence followed by nausea is dissipation. Are we suffering from dissipation after our over indulgence in fossil fuel consumption? In consumerism? Black Friday, anyone? Perhaps. But Luke lets us know that one response to cataclysm is drunkenness, dissipation, and being weighed down by the worries of this life. And we can see that, especially at this time of the year. There are so many trivialities to engage. So many opportunities for distraction. For indulgence of various kinds. Worrying about the food for the party. Worrying about the dress for the Christmas photo. Worrying about how to get the Christmas tree home. Worrying about the granddaughter studying in Europe who might not be able to come home for Christmas because of the Omicron variant. Worrying about the supply chain issues that might prevent you from getting that perfect gift for someone. Worrying about the concert you won’t go to because of covid. Worrying about the problems with the mail and your Christmas cards and packages getting delivered. We could go on and on and on and on with the distractions and worries of this season. And there may be plenty of parties offering the opportunity for drunkenness. Numb the pain. Ease the grief. Sweeten the memories. And then there’s dissipation. Some days, it’s all we can do to get out of bed.

But the gospel of Luke presents another response to cataclysm, to turmoil, to the breaking and shaking and quaking of the very world under our feet. Stay alert. Awake. Stand up. Straight. Raise your head. Keep watch. Pray. Pay attention. Be on the lookout. For the activity of God. Because where there is trouble, where there is pain and heartache, where things are falling apart, where there is strife, that is where the love of God is sure to be breaking in. With comfort and justice.

And we never know what form the presence of God will take. We don’t know how redemption will come. It may be in ways that are small and seemingly insignificant. Easy to be missed. It may be through some huge shift. A huge transformation. The Bible tells us of the presence and workings of Divine Love in everything from an enormous flood, to a burning bush, to a cross, to silence. This is a way of letting us know that we cannot predict or limit the workings of Love in the world. We are urged to stay alert because we may be surprised, we may be taken aback, by the ways of restoration and redemption. But it happens. Whether we notice or not. You see Advent is a season of preparation for the celebration of the birth of Jesus. The birth has already taken place. It has already happened. Divine Love is present in the world. The process of redemption has begun. It is already happening. Advent reminds us to be awake, alert, and watchful so that we don’t miss it. So that we see that Divine Love is breaking into our reality. The transformation is happening. It’s not just about the future. It is not just what will happen. It is about what has happened and what is happening right now. If we are focussed on waiting for something in the random future, we may be missing what is happening right now. Right now Divine Love is invading our world, spreading like a virus, fomenting new life. Not just 2000 years ago. Not in the illusory future. But right here. Right now. Because things are falling apart.

These darkening days make us want to turn in early, cozy up under the covers. Or snuggle in with a screen. But we are warned – stay alert. Awake. Vigilant. Be immersed in prayer, community, worship, generosity, and justice. And stay wary. Everything we hope for or dream of is here, waiting for us, unfolding around us – if we have eyes to see. If we pay attention.

Luke presents two very clear alternatives – distraction or engagement.

We must not be afraid of the chaos and turmoil around us. That will not keep God, Divine Love, away from us. That will not separate us from God. It is may be that in turmoil, pain, suffering, in injustice, we find God is, perhaps most intensely, with us. It’s the darkness that makes us crave the light. And the light has come and darkness has not overcome it.

This Advent, be present. Watch. Look. Listen. Pay attention. Immerse yourself in the spiritual disciplines that keep you centered. So many distractions, so many worries, can consume us. Trap us, Luke says. Trap us. And keep us from experiencing the very thing we need – connection to Divine Love, experience of the presence of God, engagement with the Sacred.

Advent. It starts not with Black Friday, but with our choice in the face of the horrors and devastation around us. Will we hide? Become consumed with worry? Escape in self indulgence? Let ourselves be trapped? Or will we stand up? Straight and tall. Awake. Alert. To what God is doing. And how we are needed. Jesus, Emmanuel, God with us – are we paying attention?

We close with the poem, ‘The whole earth’s a waiting room’ by Joseph T. Nolan:

We wait — all day long,
for planes and buses,
for dates and appointments,
for five o’clock and Friday.

Some of us wait for a Second Coming.
For God in a whirlwind.
Paratrooper Christ.

All around us people are waiting:
a child, for attention;
a spouse, for conversation;
a parent, for a letter or call.

The prisoner waits for freedom;
and the exile, to come home.
The hungry, for food;
and the lonely, for a friend.

The whole earth’s a waiting room!
“The Savior will see you now”
is what we expect to hear at the end.

Maybe we should raise our expectations.
The Savior might see us now
if we know how to find him.
Could it be that Jesus, too, is waiting
for us to know he is around?

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.

New Issue of Celebrate Florida

Advent greetings, Florida UCC members:

Here is the link to the December-January issue of Celebrate Florida.

Some articles that may be of interest:

Recap of the Annual Gathering of the Conference (pp. 1-7)

Advent events and activities across the Conference (pp. 12-15)

Thanksgiving blessings (pp. 17-18)

“A Tree Grows in Ocala” (pp. 20-21)

Report to the Church from the National UCC (p. 29)

“A Unique Take on Prayer” (p. 35)

For Christmas Giving: Books by Florida UCC Clergy (pp. 38-39)

Halloween and Fall Festival Happenings (pp. 42-43)

Need a dose of inspiration? How about some creative ideas? As always, the issue contains lots of links to helpful resources and programming ideas you may wish to consider adopting or adapting in your own congregation.

If we’ve not been hearing from you, please make sure we’re on the mailing list for your newsletter and e-blasts (rickcarson1@gmail.com) — simple and much appreciated.

We especially welcome your providing the Celebrate Florida link information (https://www.uccfla.org/celebrateflorida) to church members via your newsletters, e-communications and on your website.

Holiday blessings,

Rick Carson
Editor

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