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Je ne cuit pas

As part of this week’s Lenten series on saintly figures, this week’s features Simone Weil, most of the musical selections are French in her honor. The composer of this piece, Guillaume de Machaut, lived approximately 1300-1377 and wrote some of the earliest know true polyphony. To modern ears, his music is stark and sometimes uncompromising (often different parts of the counterpoint were in perfect relationship to a longer note melody–the cantus firmus–but not to each other). I wonder how his music sounded to ear of his time when prior to him they only knew single line music or music which paralleled a single line.

Weekly Update 3/11

The Season of Lent

The season of Lent has begun. Like a seed in the ground during the winter months, Lent is a time of preparation for the new life that we celebrate at Easter. The Lenten season began on Ash Wednesday and lasts 40 days not including Sundays.  It is traditionally a season of repentance; a time to turn your life back toward God, Spirit, Divine Love, however you envision that.  The Lenten season at LUCC this year will be a time to reflect with several mystics of centuries past and consider the wisdom they offer for our walk of faith today. 

In Person Indoor/Outdoor Services

You are invited to be part of in-person, indoor/outdoor worship on Sunday mornings.

Remember the time change this weekend and move your clocks so that you don’t miss the service at 10:30 a.m.

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.

This Sunday, Rev. Kim Wells intended to be present for worship, but her grandchild has not yet arrived, so she will be remaining in Massachusetts until next week.  Church leaders encouraged her not to take the covid risk of flying home and back to Boston just to be at church on Sunday morning.  The service will still be focussed on 20th century mystic Simone Weil.  Kim is preparing the service and church leaders will present the service.  Many thanks to all who are helping out with this effort!

The bulletin and text of the Sunday sermon will be posted at the website early in the 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

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.

Advisors Meeting Ahead

The advisors are meeting this Sunday at noon.  If you have anything you would like discussed, please contact an advisor:  Patti Cooksey, Lucille Ruga, Malcolm Wells, Jane Diven.  Many thanks

Church Office Closed Next Week

The Church Office will be closed next week.  Please feel free to email or leave phone messages as needed.  Many thanks!

Sunday Worship and FaceBook Live

The church has also been offering the Sunday services on FaceBook Live.  This provides people from the congregation who do not feel comfortable participating in person to access the service on Sundays.  Typically there have been 3-5 viewers.  The services will only be available from 10:30-11:30 a.m. on Sunday mornings live.  They will not be recorded and accessible for viewing at another time.  This is a way to protect the privacy of people who are present in person and also include those from the congregation who want to participate virtually.  There are also efforts underway to improve the sound and the visuals.  Please be patient during this time of experimentation and adaptation!

Adult Day Care Plans Opening

The adult day care continues to move forward.  The current plan is to open on Monday April 5.  Many thanks to those from the church who are helping with this transition:  Claire Stiles, Patti Cooksey, Colleen Coughenour, and Earl Waters. Thank you!

New Locks on Breezeway Bathrooms

Many thanks to Bert Lee for putting new locks on the breezeway bathrooms. The new locks are combination locks. Please speak with Bert and he will be happy to give you the combination! The bathrooms will be open as usual for all church events. Thank you so much, Bert.

Rev. Wells Away

Kim has gotten clearance from her doctors to go to Massachusetts on Grandma duty.  She will be gone from Wednesday Feb. 24 – Friday March 19.  Many thanks to all those who will be serving in her absence!  If you are in need of pastoral care, please contact Patti Cooksey at cooksepa@eckerd.edu. 

Immigration Justice Update:

Everyone is invited to watch the online documentary about the border crisis and ICE detention facilities “To Right the Wrong – Border Stories,” which airs Thursday March 4 at 7:30 pm, with a discussion afterward. Register here:  https://www.mobilize.us/witnessattheborder/event/375702/ 

or find out more and register at the Pinellas Coalition for Immigration Justice Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/PinellasCoalition

Want an easy way to support local migrant farmworkers? Buy “Fair Food” labeled tomatoes and other produce at Trader Joe’s, Fresh Market, Whole Foods and even Walmart. Note: Publix is not participating in this effort. 

Thank you to Michelle Cloutier for attending this meeting and providing the new update!

Operation Attack Needs

We had another successful Food Distribution Drive Thru on January 30.  We served 53 Families and 180 people.  We have more events on Saturday, March 13 and April 17. 

We want to encourage you to participate in the Drive-Thrus in the following ways: 

  • Volunteer at the preparation opportunities and/or the Drive Thru.
  • Donate cereal, peanut butter, canned meat, fruit, vegetables and soup, dried beans, and mac/cheese.
  • Pray for the people in our community who are being challenged during this difficult time and the volunteers who are trying to ease their burdens.

Anti-Racism Demonstrations Continue

Weekly demonstrations on Sunday evening will now begin starting at 6:00 p.m. due to the time change! Many thanks to all who are participating.  While there was a break in the demonstrations, we know that there is no break in the systemic racism that is harmful to everyone.  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.

March Birthdays: Carol Shores 3/1, Claudia Rodriguez 3/3, Yvonne Riesen 3/13, Ron Huff 3/19, Earl Waters 3/25, Marg Radens 3/31, Someone missing? Contact the church office with birthday information.

Circle of Concern:  To the family and loved ones of Wilbur Reid. Marg and Dave Radens, Dina Gamma, Carol shores and her son Joel. Victoria Long, Edward Jones, William Owen, Jen Degroot, Carolyn Moore, Ann Quinn, Maggie Brizendine, Joyce Lee, Wally LeBlanc, teachers, students, and school personnel, and all healthcare workers and essential workers. All those suffering from COVID-19.

Please keep LUCC member, Olivia Gibson, in your prayers. She is a nurse in a COVID-19 unit in a local hospital. We are grateful for her ministry!

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.

Sunday Service 3.7.2021

This post includes the bulletin and music from last Sunday’s service.

GATHERING MUSIC        Kyrie from “Missa de Angelis”                           HKJ

WELCOME and ANNOUNCEMENTS

LIGHTING THE PEACE CANDLE                         Earl Waters, liturgist

When I walk through thy woods, may my right foot and my left foot be harmless to the little creatures that move in its grasses; as it is said by the mouth of thy prophet, They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain.                                 

Rabbi Moshe Hakotun

PRELUDE                 Attende Domine from “Roma”                      HKJ

OPENING PRAYER           St. Francis of Assisi, 1181 or 1182-1226

Most powerful, most high, most holy, most supreme Lord, you alone are good, and all goodness comes from you.  May we give you all praise, all glory, all blessings and all honour.  And may we offer back to you all the good things which you have granted to us.  Amen.

MUSIC                       Salve Regina from “Roma”                           HKJ

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.  

               Luke 9:1-6 (selected verses) John 17:13-23 (selected verses)

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.

MYSTIC READING                                                   Francis of Assisi

REFLECTION                 St. Francis of Assisi     Rev. Mardie Chapman

This week we do not have a text copy of the sermon.

UNISON READING                                                     Francis of Assisi

You are holy, Lord, the only God, You do wonders. You are good, all good, the highest good, Lord, God, living and true. You are love, charity. You are wisdom, You are humility, You are patience, You are beauty, You are inner peace, You are joy. You are our hope and gladness. You are justice, You are moderation. You are all our riches; You are enough for us. You are beauty, You are meekness. You are the protector, You are our guardian and defender; You are strength, You are refreshment. You are our hope, You are our faith, You are our charity; You are our delight. You are our eternal life: The great and wonderful Lord, God Almighty, Merciful Saviour.

MUSIC                       Pange Lingua from “Roma”                                    HKJ

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         Sanctus from “Missa de Angelis”              HKJ

        Prayer of Dedication                                   Francis of Assisi

Almighty, eternal, just and merciful God, grant us the desire to do only what pleases you, and the strength to do only what you command.  Cleanse our souls, enlighten our minds, and inflame our hearts with your Holy Spirit, that we may follow in the footsteps of your beloved Son, Jesus Christ.  Amen.

MUSICAL CALL TO PRAYER      Happy Are the Lowly Poor                  HKJ

(USF Chamber Singers recording) 

COMMUNITY PRAYERS – SAVIOR’S PRAYER

Our Creator, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name.  Thy kingdom come.  Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.  Give us this day our daily bread.  And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.  And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.  For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory for ever.  Amen.

*BENEDICTION (unison)              Clare of Assisi, 1194-1253, adapted

What we hold, may we always hold.  What we do, may we always do and never abandon.  But with swift pace, light step, and unswerving feet, may we go forward securely, joyfully, and lightly, on wisdom’s path.  Believing nothing, agreeing with nothing, which would dissuade us from our resolution.  Or which would place a stumbling block for us on the way.  So that we may offer our promises to the Most High God, in the pursuit of the sacred goals to which the Spirit has summoned us.  Amen.

*POSTLUDE          Lauda Sion Salvetorem from “Roma”              HKJ

Many vaccine appts available now for Pinellas Seniors

Many vaccine appts available now for Pinellas Seniors; more age groups soon eligible || Muchas citas de vacunas disponibles ahora para los seniors de Pinellas; pronto serán elegibles más grupos

The latest information about vaccine availability in Pinellas County can be found at COVID-19 Vaccine Information – Pinellas County COVID-19 Response and Recommendations

Millions of people in the United States have received COVID-19 vaccines under the most intense safety monitoring in U.S. history, according to the CDC:  Ensuring COVID-19 Vaccine Safety in the US | CDC

We also made a flyer and a registration guide; you will find both documents attached.

  1. Could you please share the attached flyer w/ any community care providers in your network asap?
  2. Could you please share the attached registration guide with anyone in your network who you think might benefit from it?

Más información

La información más reciente sobre la disponibilidad de la vacuna en el Condado Pinellas se puede encontrar en https://covid19.pinellascounty.org/es/informacion-sobre-la-vacuna-para-covid-19/

Millones de personas en los Estados Unidos han recibido las vacunas COVID-19 bajo el control de seguridad más intenso de la historia de los Estados Unidos, según los CDC: Garantizar la seguridad de las vacunas contra el COVID-19 en los EE. UU. | CDC

También hicimos un folleto y una guía de inscripción; encontrará ambos documentos adjuntos.

  1. ¿Podría compartir el folleto adjunto con los proveedores de servicios comunitarios de su red lo antes posible?
  2. ¿Podría compartir la guía de inscripción adjunta con cualquier persona de su red que crea que pueda beneficiarse de ella?