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Come O Fount of Every Blessing, Jesus Savior Pilot Me, We Are Often Tossed and Driven

We’ve been doing in-person services for several Sundays following CDC guidelines. Among those restrictions, we don’t sing hymns or have choral music because those are such high risk behaviors during the pandemic. I did an instrumental version of a hymn this past Sunday and I noticed there was a soft, eerie, ghostly echo of the melody. The congregation with every so quietly, subvocally, humming the tune. Hopefully, that’s not a risky behavior, or at least it’s an acceptable risk behavior. It does give the people a chance to express themselves. I hope it’s safe. It was certainly touching.

Now that the primary musical vehicle for my work at Lakewood is no longer online, I”m trying to tidy up a list of everything I’ve posted online during the pandemic. I plan to repeat some of my own favorites, maybe one a week. Here’s one I really like a lot!

Sunday Service 4.18.2021

MUSIC                Stormy Weather                      Arden & Koeler

                   The Lion Sleeps Tonight         Weiss, Creatore,& Peretti

WELCOME and ANNOUNCEMENTS

LIGHTING THE PEACE CANDLE      Barbara Donohue, liturgist

Nothing wants to suffer. Not the wind

as it scrapes itself against the cliff. Not the cliff

being eaten, slowly, by the sea. The earth does not want

to suffer the rough tread of those who do not notice it.

The trees do not want to suffer the axe, nor see

their sisters felled by root rot, mildew, rust.

The coyote in its den. The puma stalking its prey.

These, too, want ease and a tender animal in the mouth

to take their hunger. An offering, one hopes,

made quickly, and without much suffering.

The chair mourns an angry sitter. The lamp, a scalded moth.

A table, the weight of years of argument.

We know this, though we forget.

Not the shark nor the tiger, fanged as they are.

Nor the worm, content in its windowless world

of soil and stone. Not the stone resting in its riverbed.

The riverbed, gazing up at the stars.

Least of all, the stars, ensconced in their canopy,

looking down at all of us — their offspring —

scattered so far beyond reach.

Danusha Laméris, “Nothing Wants to Suffer”,

after Linda Hogan

PRELUDE                    The Moldau                Smetana

CALL TO WORSHIP      Chief Dan George, adapted

We bless God

For the beauty of the trees

The softness of the air

The fragrance of the grass

We bless God

For the soaring of the skies

The rhythms of the earth

The stillness of the night

We bless God

For the freshness of the morning

The dewdrops on the flower

For the twinkling of the stars

We bless God

For the taste of good food

The trail of the sun

And the life that never goes away

MUSIC               Willow                       HKJ

SCRIPTURE LESSON

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.

Mark 16:9-15

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 –Reredos                  Euros Bowen, 1904-1988, Welsh

SERMON                All Creation                 Rev. Kim P. Wells

“One time as [Francis] was passing through the Spoleto valley, he came upon a place near Bevagna, in which a great multitude of birds of various kinds had assembled. When the holy one of God saw them, because of the outstanding love of the Creator with which Francis loved all creatures, he ran swiftly to the place. He greeted the birds in his usual way, as if they shared in reason. Since the birds did not take flight, he went among them, going to and fro, touching their heads and bodies with his tunic. 

“Meanwhile his joy and wonder increased as he carefully admonished the birds to listen to the Word of God: ‘My brother and sister birds, you should greatly praise your Creator and show love always. Your Creator clothed you with feathers and gave you wings for flying.  Among all the creatures, you were made free and given you the purity of the air.  You neither sow nor reap, but are provided for without your least care.’  

“At these words, the birds gestured a great deal, in their own way. They stretched their necks, spread their wings, opened their beaks and looked at St. Francis.  They did not leave the place until he blessed them, made the sign of the cross, and gave them permission. On returning to the monastery he began to accuse himself of negligence because he had not preached to the birds before.  From that day on, he carefully exhorted birds and beasts and even insensible creatures to praise and love the Creator.”  [From Thomas of Celano, The Treatise on the Miracle of Saint Francis, (1250-1252), ed. Regis J. Armstrong, OFM Cap, J.A. Wayne Hellmann, OFM Cov, William J. Short, OFM, The Francis Trilogy of Thomas of Celano (Hyde Park:  New City Press, 2004), 329-330, adapted.  Accessed at https://www.humanesociety.org/resources/st-francis-assisi]

So, here is this saint, known for his love of animals, preaching to the birds and the beasts.  Now preaching is often thought of as a way of helping people to recognize their sin and turn their lives toward God.  Had the birds sinned?  Had the rabbits sinned?  Had the squirrels and deer sinned against God?  Of course not.  Animals can’t sin and they can’t choose to turn their lives to God.  They can only live from their natural, innate instinct.  Well, pets that have been domesticated and been influenced by relations with humans may be an exception!  But St. Francis was not preaching to the animals to set them straight.  He was preaching to them to celebrate their sacredness, their worth, their holiness.   He was preaching to them to honor that they are part of the self-disclosure of Divine Love, of God. 

Creation shows us the universality of Divine Love.  It shows us the comprehensive scope of God.  John of Damascus, writing in the 8th century, tells us,

“The whole earth is a living icon of the face of God.” 

[Quoted in The Green Bible]

Nature shows us, teaches us, about God, about ourselves, about balance, about mutuality and interdependence.  It teaches us of adaptation and beauty and praise.  Creation teaches us of our utter dependence upon nature for food, shelter, water, marking time, cycles, and seasons.  We are completely supported by nature.  We cannot live without nature.  There is no abundant flourishing life without the natural world.  “God writes the Gospel not in the Bible alone,” Martin Luther tells us, “but also on trees, and in the flowers and clouds and stars.”  [Quoted in The Green Bible]

Our tradition teaches that the glories of creation have been given to us, to sustain us, out of love.  Pure gift.  Nothing we have earned or deserved.  There is no transaction involved.  We are simply given this life, and sustained in this life, by creation.  By the natural world.  Which provides for our physical needs, our emotional needs, and our spiritual needs.  Nature gives us life and teaches us how to thrive.  It shows us our place and our need.  We are taught to honor the powers beyond us and within us.  It is the remarkable revelation of Love, mystery beyond our comprehension. “Reading about nature is fine,” says George Washington Carver, “but if a person walks in the woods and listens carefully, he can learn more than what is in books, for they speak with the voice of God.” He continues, “I love to think of nature as an unlimited broadcasting station through which God speaks to us every hour, if we will only tune in.”  [Quoted in The Green Bible]

Now this morning we listened to part of the third ending of the gospel of Mark.  We heard these verses on Easter.  Today what I want us to hear is the charge that Jesus gives to his followers in this story.  He tells them to, “Go into the whole world and proclaim the Good News to all creation.”  Notice that.  The whole world.  And all creation.  Jesus’ followers are to bring good news to all people and all of creation.  Not just to my part of the world.  And my people.  Our kind.  This command is universal.  And it is not even limited to humanity.  Tell the good news to all of creation.  That’s the rocks, the rivers, the seas, the sky, the mountains, the trees, the beasts, the fish, the worms, the grass, the birds.  Seems like St. Francis took Jesus at his word about this, too!  Proclaim the good news to all of creation.  No exceptions.

Is this because the animals and plants need to be corrected?  Of course not!  This is a way of expressing the full scope of the goodness of God.  It includes everything, everywhere, every kind, everyone.  Every place.  Every time.  Beyond space.  Outside of time.  It is a way of talking about the amazing, astounding love and scope of God, beyond our wildest imaginings.  Divine Love is not just about one random species on one random planet.  This is a universal message of love for all that was, is, and is to be.  Jesus is celebrating the fullness, the scope, the immensity, of Divine Love. 

And of course, we see the manifestation of divinity in nature throughout the Bible.  Scripture tells us over and over again about how God is experienced as not only being in relationship with humanity but as having control over the natural world.  Our holy book starts with two creation stories.  God imagines, speaks, creation into existence.  Including humanity.  A garden, paradise.  And our scriptures end with the image of a garden.  Paradise.  And in between, the power of Divine Love is seen in creation over and over.  The flood.  The burning bush.  The locusts and frogs and river of blood.  The dying cattle.  Everyone beneath a vine and fig tree living in peace and unafraid.  The complicity of the big fish that swallowed Jonah.  The lions that don’t eat Daniel and his friends.  The star over the stable.  The stilling of the storm.  The withering of the fig tree.  The darkening of the sun at the crucifixion and the earthquake.  All of these images and many more are intended to convey that creation is of God.  Sacred.  Holy.  Evidencing of the power and purposes of Divine Love.  “The heavens are telling of the glory of God and the firmament proclaims God’s handiwork,” we are told in the Psalms.  [Ps. 19:1]

And since all that is working in such perfection, we, the human species, would do well to follow the dictates of God, because if God can run the universe so beautifully, surely God knows what is best for us!  So Psalm 19 continues,

“The law of the God is perfect, reviving the soul;

the decrees of God are sure, making wise the simple;

the precepts of God are right, rejoicing the heart;

the commandment of God is clear, enlightening the eyes;

the fear of God is pure, enduring forever,

the ordinances of God are true and righteous altogether.

More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold!

Sweeter also than honey, and drippings of the honeycomb.”  [Psalm 19:7-10] 

But, unlike the plants and animals and planets, we humans tend to detour from our courses.  To make faith all about us.  To put the focus on humanity.  On our group.  Our species.  And it becomes about our need.  Our sins.  Our salvation.  Our next life.  Our own good.  Often at the expense of one another and of nature.  We diminish the glorious gospel to a human-centered self help tract.  Of course the gospel teaches us how to live a good life, an abundant life.  We are schooled in selfless living, forgiveness , service, generosity, forgiveness, love of self, neighbor, enemy.  And this is all good.  But the gospel is so much more.  It is good news for all creation.  And when we limit the good news to us, people, our lives, we deny ourselves the whole gospel, the good news to the stars and lakes and trees and rocks and birds.  And we distort our proper place in the context of the all of it and we diminish the grandeur of God.

The current environmental movement and the perils of global warming and climate change are bringing us back to a more wholistic world view.  The rights of nature movement which started in South America is promoting legal rights for rivers, land, animals, and plants.  This movement is gaining strength here in southwest Florida where advocates are working to gain legal rights for the Caloosahatchee River and other bodies of water. 

Our degenerating situation is forcing us back to a sensitivity to our place in all of creation.  It is reminding us that we are dependent upon the earth.  And we have been biting the hand that feeds us.  We are seeing the ravages of our sins of greed and pride and gluttony.

I am listening to The Swamp: The Everglades, Florida, and the Politics of Paradise by Michael Grunwald.  And like The Gulf, by Jack Davis, a natural history of the Gulf of Mexico, the writer tells of the decimation of the bird populations of Florida,  entire rookeries, thousands upon thousands of birds, killed, for their plumes.  Feathers.  To adorn hats.  That were probably worn to church.  The greed and callousness is sickening. 

And here we are in this season of new life, of resurrection, of Good News, of coming out of the tomb.  We need it!  I am thinking about how the church, entrusted with the gospel, needs to move beyond anthropocentrism.  We must move beyond the perspective that humanity is the center of God’s universe.  We must follow the dictates of Jesus and put all creation, the complete, infinite disclosure of the Divine at the heart of our message.  So I am trying to be part of fostering an expression of Christianity that is not anthropocentric.  And to do that involves moving beyond our exclusive attachment to the anthropomorphic God of our own making.  So I would like to be part of a church that is intentionally committed to Good News for all of creation.  A church that does not make the world and the word revolve around humanity as if it was a privileged, spoiled, entitled, elite, heterosexual white man!  I want to be part of a church that promotes the gospel that is good news for all of creation by moving beyond almost exclusively human language for God, for what God is and how God is imagined.  To me, that is how we can proclaim the good news to all of creation.  We need to move beyond some of the old concepts and language and embrace new imagery that conveys more closely the intent of the gospel in ways that are suited to our situation. 

The gospel is about good news for all creation.  Yes, all kinds of people, holy and beloved, but this also extends to the the actual physical world – land, air, water, space, animals, plants, fungi, protista, and monera.  Jesus’ message is good news for all of it, not just some of it, and certainly not just us, our kind, or our species. 

And when we celebrate the gospel that is good news for all of creation, we are not only respecting and honoring creation, we are also, well, saving ourselves.  Because we cannot live without creation.  Creation can go on without us, but we cannot go on without nature.  We need creation to give us life, to help us thrive and flourish.  To feed us.  To teach us.  To make us human.  Hildegard of Bingen, writing in the 1100’s saw this.  She says, “All nature is at the disposal of human kind.  We are to work with it.  Without it we can not survive.”  [Meditations with Hildegard of Bingen, Gabriele Uhlein, p. 71]  She was preaching good news to all of creation. 

Jesus’ instruction to proclaim the good news to all of creation is really more for us than it is for creation.  It is a message that will help to save us.  It teaches us of God, of our own place, it teaches us of balance and interdependency and adaptation and the proliferation of all life.  We need to listen to nature to hear the voice of God teaching of Divine Love.  Remember how loud and joyous all of the birds were during the covid lockdown?  Remember the raucous chatter?  Maybe they were preaching to us.  Sharing good news with us.  Maybe we need to pay attention.  And listen.  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.

UNISON PRAYER            Pat Mathes Cane

We join with the Earth

and with each other,

With our ancestors

and all beings of the future,

to bring new life to the land,

to recreate the human community,

to provide justice and peace,

to remember our children,

to remember who we are. . .

We join together

as many and diverse expressions

of one loving Mystery,

for the healing of the Earth

and the renewal of all Life. Amen.

MUSIC                    The Cherry Tree                      Ireland     

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.

Offertory   Les oiseaux et les sources (the birds and the springs)

Messiaen

 Prayer of Dedication            Ray Simpson

Glad Bringer of brightness

Day’s blessing, rainbow’s embrace

Teach our hearts to open as the buds open

And to welcome in your grace.

Teach us to dance with the playful clouds

And to laugh with sun’s smile on our face.

The earth is yours, may it bring forth its produce

The birds are yours, may they bring forth their songs

Our work is yours, may it bring forth its yield. Amen.

MUSICAL CALL TO PRAYER       Le cygne (The Swan)      Camille Saint-Saëns

COMMUNITY PRAYERS – SAVIOR’S PRAYER

Eternal Spirit, Earth Maker, Pain-bearer, Life-giver,

Source of all that is and that ever shall be,

Father and Mother of all people, Loving God in whom is heaven:

The hallowing of your name echo through the universe!

The way of your justice be followed by all peoples of the world!

Your heavenly will be done by all created beings!

Your commonwealth of peace and freedom sustain our hope and

come on earth!

With the bread that we need for today, feed us.

In the hurts we absorb from one another, forgive us.

In times of temptation and testing, strengthen us.

From trials too great to endure, spare us.

From the grip of all that is evil, free us.

For you reign in the glory of the power that is love, now and

forever. Amen.

*BENEDICTION

*POSTLUDE             Baby Elephant Walk                Mancini

In May, services will begin at 9:30a.m.

Weekly Update 4/21

New Service Time Ahead

After considering the thoughts and views of the congregation, theAdvisors have decided that for the month of May, services will continue to be held with the doors and windows open. The services will begin at 9:30 when it is slightly cooler. There will be a new plan in June when, hopefully, most of the congregation will be vaccinated.

Sundays

It’s a well-known Psalm, usually read at funerals and memorial services.   This Sunday involves a closer look at what Psalm 23 has to say about living.  Rev. Victoria Long will be preaching.  

The service is at 10:30, in person, covid safe.  

Childcare provided.

The bulletin and text of the Sunday sermon will be posted at the website the following week and there will be regular posts of music and music videos from Hilton Jones.

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

For covid safety measures, see below

Transitions:  Naming and Claiming the Changes in Our Lives 

The leadership of the Care Team has requested a program of spiritual support and renewal in the face of the many transitions and losses that we have been through in the past year.  We have had to navigate changes in relationships, deaths, loss of meaningful activities and social involvements.  We have dealt with changes in our families and our lifestyle and economic means.  We have faced changes in schedules, work patterns, and school involvement.  On many, many fronts, there has been change.  There is a desire to recognize what we have been going through, honor the losses and seek the gifts as we continue the journey.  

A four week program based on the traditional elements, air, water, fire, and earth is planned.  Each gathering will include rituals, readings, scripture, reflection, and conversation helping us to see where we have been and what we are learning.  We will honor the path we have traveled.  
Several time frames for this offering are under consideration:  Saturday mornings, Friday mornings, or a week day evening.  There will be four sessions.

At the suggestion of someone in the congregation, these four sessions will be held on Sunday mornings in June.   The time has yet to be determined.  And there will be a Facebook Live component.

LUCC Earth Day Celebration Campfire

Friday, April 30th – 8:00 – 9:00 p.m.

April 22, 2021 is the 51st Anniversary of Earth Day and the entire month of April is dedicated to the 2021 theme of Earth Day, Restore Our Earth. To honor this occasion, LUCC Creation Justice Task Force is sponsoring a Restore Our Earth Campfire gathering on Friday, April 30th from 8:00 – 9:00 p.m. at the church.

Bring a chair or use an LUCC chair to gather around the fire where we will share poems or readings that express love and appreciation for the Earth (bring one you particularly love), and then we will write love letters to the Earth.  We will we read them to each other and perhaps toss them in the fire, sending out our love to Earth, like prayers sent up with incense.  Please plan to join in this special occasion at church to honor and celebrate our beloved Mother Earth!

Pastor Away Rev. Kim Wells will be on vacation April 21-27. If pastoral care is needed, please contact the leader of the care team, Patti Cooksey (cooksepa@eckerd.edu). Thank you!

Earth Day Music Video

The music video featuring pictures of nature submitted by the church family will be posted on, well, Earth Day, April 22.  Many thanks to all who contributed photos and especially to Hilton Jones for contributing the music and the creative vision!  Be sure to watch it.  Maybe more than once!  Happy Earth Day!

Stimulate the Ministry of LUCC

Many people are receiving covid stimulus money from the government.  If you are able, please consider giving some or all of your stimulus money to your beloved church.  Finances are stretched thin at the church and the ministry is needed more than ever.  Maybe you are still practicing physical isolation due to covid.  So, let your money go out into the world for you through the ministry of LUCC.  Maybe your activities are still very restricted.  But your generosity doesn’t have to be restrained!  Maybe you are glorying in things starting to open up and can open your wallet a little wider to support the ways the church is reaching out to the congregation and beyond!  Please know that every gift is gratefully received and will be used to extend the ministry of Jesus in the world!

Being Covid Safe and In Person Worship

The church has contacted the St. Petersburg Health Department for guidance.  Here are the take aways that are being implemented for everyone’s safety.

Please stay home if you are not feeling well.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is recommending double masking.  Please consider wearing two masks to church.  Additional masks will be available at church to use as needed.

Two hand sanitizing stations will be available for use by worshippers.

Signs will be posted to encourage physical distancing.

The pulpit and altar will be moved into the chancel to provide more room for the congregation to physical distance.

Prayer request sheets will be provided so that worshippers may write their prayer requests and place them in a basket on the altar.  This eliminates the need for the worship leader to come within 6 feet of the worshippers. 

People who would like to converse after the service are encouraged to do so outside, not in the hallway or the library or other confined spaces.

The breezeway restrooms will be open and available to prevent people from congregating in the library while waiting to use the office restroom.

The chairs in the sanctuary will be cleaned with sanitizer each week.  You are welcome to bring your own chair if you prefer.

There is well-ventilated, physically distanced indoor seating as well as outdoor seating on the sidewalk adjacent to the sanctuary. Masks are worn by all. Please know that your safety is of primary consideration! Childcare provided.

Facebook Live Help Needed

The broadcast of the service is very meaningful to the people from the church family that watch.  It is a significant ministry to those who cannot be present in the church building.  

Currently there are three people from the congregation who have volunteered to do the streaming on Sunday mornings. It is not very complicated. You can use a smartphone or a tablet. There is a brief training and written instructions are provided. A few more people are needed to help so that this ministry can be continued. Are you willing to consider this? Please speak with Rev. Wells or with Barbara Donohue. Many thanks!

Immigration Justice Update 4/7/2021:

Here is an easy way to send a letter to our US Senators to demand they vote YES on The Dream Act (providing a path to citizenship for “Dreamers,” The SECURE (Safe Environment from Countries Under Repression) Act, and the Farm Workforce Modernization Act! The Senate must bring it to the floor by April 30th.

https://actionnetwork.org/letters/demand-the-senate-votes-on-a-pathway-to-citizenship/

(or use this shortened version of the link: tinyurl.com/cwejfnpe)

Once you fill in your information, the form provides direct contact info and a pre-filled letter to Senator Rubio and Scott. You can personalize the “letters” as you wish. You may want to add this line: “Please support this legislation to provide pathway to citizenship for TPS holders from Venezuela.” Both of our senators are supportive of Venezuelan immigrants.

For more information about the Pinellas Coalition for Immigration Justice:
https://www.facebook.com/PinellasCoalition

Operation Attack Update

The two most recent OA drive thru events were a success! Thank you for Lakewood continuous donations during this trying time. OA is having 4 drive thru dates in the coming months. Those being May 22, June 26, July 31, and September 11. Please get these dates out to members of our congregation if they wish to help volunteer. In addition to those dates, OA is also still needing

Donations of cereal, peanut butter, canned meat, fruit, vegetables and soup, dried beans, and mac/cheese. Remember we still aren’t accepting clothing donations at the moment. Finally, pray for the people in our community who are continuing to be challenged during this difficult time and the volunteers who are trying to ease their burdens. I’m hoping to find a time to stop by Lakewood to pick up any donations. 

Thank You,Ian Blair-Catala

Please note that OA is not accepting clothing donations.

Anti-Racism Demonstrations Continue

Weekly demonstrations take place on Sunday evenings from 6-6:30p.m. Many thanks to all who are participating.  Add your presence to this weekly demonstration making a witness to your commitment to anti racism.

Weekly Labyrinth Walks Continue

Each Wednesday at 9:00 a.m. a small group gathers at the outdoor labyrinth for a time of devotion, discussion, and meditative walking of the labyrinth.  The theme for the week is taken from the Sunday before, so it is an opportunity to go deeper in the spiritual exploration of that theme for your life.  This devotional gathering is outside and physical distancing is maintained. All are welcome!

If there is rain on Wednesday morning, the gathering will be held on Thursday morning at 9:00.

Spiritual Direction Offered by LUCC Clergy Member.

In these troubled times, it is important to find ways to tend to our spiritual lives. In the Christian tradition, Spiritual Direction is one of the ways of paying attention to the spirit in our lives. A Spiritual Director is someone to talk with about what is going on in our spiritual life and in our relationship with God however we may conceive of God.

Rev. Sally Purvis, Ph.D., a member of LUCC, is a retired clergy person with training and experience in Spiritual Direction. She is offering her services as a Spiritual Director to the community. The sessions would be held on Zoom and there is no fee to be paid. Church leaders are pleased to have the ministry of the church expand in this way.

Spiritual Direction with Sally is open to anyone, not just the congregation. And it is offered to everyone whatever their spiritual or religious background or affiliation or lack thereof. Sessions are generally held once every three weeks. Spiritual Direction is not a mode of therapy. It is a process for understanding and deepening your relationship with God/Spirit in ways that are authentic and life-giving.

Sally was trained by Henri Nouwen, a noted spiritual guide of the 20th century, and did Spiritual Direction as part of her professional ministry before retiring in 2015.

If you would like to explore Spiritual Direction with Sally, please contact her at
sallybpurvis@icloud.com or contact the church (867-7961 or lakewooducc@gmail.com ).

The church is very grateful to Sally for offering this avenue of support to the congregation and the community.

Music from Hilton

You can watch 5 videos Hilton made as lead-ups to Martin Luther King, Jr. Day at https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLUn2RmCFhW2uAVwKQLfqJnzNmZhEK_TK5.

If you want to just hear they soundtracks, without the videos, you can hear those at https://soundcloud.com/hilton-kean-jones/sets/mlk-day.

USEFUL LAKEWOOD LINKS DURING THE CORONA CRISIS:

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

April Birthdays: Zachery Blair-Andrews 4/16, Someone missing? Contact the church office with birthday information.

Circle of Concern: 

The family and loved ones of Marg Radens, who died recently.

Carol Shores and her son Joel.

Edward Jones

William Owen-Cowan

Jen Degroot

Carolyn Moore

Ann Quinn

Maggie Brizendine

Janet Hall

Teachers, students, and school personnel, and all healthcare workers and essential workers. All those suffering from COVID-19.

Church Office Hours:  Tuesday-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.