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Advent Candle Lighting Liturgy and Daily Devotions for Week 1

This Advent season of 2020 the focus is on rekindling the gift of God. We certainly need our spiritual grounding and the gifts of faith to sustain us during these difficult times.

There is a ritual for lighting the Advent wreath each Sunday. Then there is a reading for each day of the week based on the theme of the week’s candle.

May we rekindle the gifts of hope, peace, joy, and love this Advent season!

Rekindle the Gift of Hope

The Advent Candle Lighting Ceremony for 2020 comes from Rev. Maren Tirabassi, a United Church of Christ pastor and poet in New England.  It has been adapted.

Some kind of arrangement of 4 candles is needed. Each week another candle is lit to mark the time of waiting for the celebration of the birth of Jesus.

Lighting the First Advent Candle – HOPE

In our homes we gather around wreaths to pray our lost hopes, broken peace, limited joys, and love so hard to find and share, in this season of coronavirus.   We affirm that our candles mean we claim the power to call this season Advent when God’s light comes into the world and nothing can overcome it.

Light one candle.

We light the candle of hope in the face of. . .

name those places, people, and concerns where hope is needed

God’s hope shines on hopelessness, and lights the wick of hope in our lives

so that we may shine on the world and brighten the path with hope.   Amen.

Monday Nov. 30  HOPE

‘For there is hope for a tree, if it is cut down, that it will sprout again and that its shoots will not cease.’

                           Job 14:7

Hope is an interesting concept because it is associated with the time.  Hope is about the future.  We hope for things in the future.  For things to come. We don’t say, ‘I hope I can loose 10 pounds last year.’  That is silly.  We might say, ‘I hope I can loose 10 pounds in the next year.’  The Advent season is a season of preparation for the a future event.  So it is by nature a season of hope.  Of looking forward.  And it is a time to ask ourselves what are we preparing for.  What kind of future are we expecting? 

As we prepare to celebrate the birth of Jesus, what are you hoping for?  Are your hopes consistent with the hopes and dreams of Jesus?  If not, how can you work on that? 

Prayer

In this season of Advent, may our hope be rekindled for a future in which the love, compassion, and healing of Jesus transform our precious world.  Amen.

Tuesday Dec. 1   HOPE

‘Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you. . .’

1 Corinthians 6:19

This is World AIDS Day.  Remember AIDS?  Now it is very much overshadowed by covid but AIDS continues to ravage lives in St. Petersburg and around the world.  The incidence in St. Petersburg is actually on the rise.

So, where is there hope in the face of this terrible disease?  A disease which is completely preventable?  Maybe the covid crisis will foster a greater interest in health and safety.  Maybe treatments will become more widely available for both diseases.  Maybe people will realize that they don’t want to avoid covid just to contract AIDS.  Maybe wearing a mask will have the ripple effect of making people think about wearing a condom.

Of course the more hope you have for the future, the more likely you are to tend to your health today.  Give some thought to what you are looking forward to and how that encourages you to care for your health.

Prayer

In these days of covid our attention is being re-focused on health.  We pray for all those suffering from covid and its many ripple effects.  We pray for all those impacted by AIDS and its devastating effects.  May we be attentive to care for our bodies so that we can live out the hopes and dreams of God for us and the world.  Amen. 

Wednesday Dec. 2  HOPE

‘Remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt, and the Lord your God redeemed you. . .’

                                                                                   Deuteronomy 15:15

Yes, hope is about the future, but hope is also about the past.  In the Hebrew scriptures, the people are continually being reminded of what God has done for them in the past.  This remembering helps to keep hope alive for what God will do for them in the future.  Looking back to see the good in our lives and in our collective history can help to keep our hope alive in difficult times. 

Name some things in the past that give you hope for the future.

Prayer

So often we allow ourselves to be caught in a cycle of remembering what is bad, unfair, hurtful, and destructive in the past.  But there is also another reality of the goodness and love that has marked the past.  This Advent season, may we choose to see the good so that we may face the future with hope.  Amen.

Thursday Dec. 3   HOPE

‘A thousand years in your sign are like yesterday when it is past, or like a watch in the night.’

Psalm 90:4

Sometimes it seems that our reality is confined to the news cycle.  Each day, a new barrage of issues, events, and concerns.  A batch for today.  A new one for tomorrow.  And the politics which surround us seem bound by the election cycle.  Instead of doing what is best for the country, elected officials seem to do what will get them re-elected.  In many ways our culture is very short sighted.  It’s about today.  Yesterday.  Tomorrow.  We are not usually thinking decades, centuries or millennia ahead.  Or behind.

But hope has a broad range.  It can be about yesterday, today, and tomorrow.  But the branching out of hope can be rooted far back into the past.  And hope can extend far into the future.  At Christmas we remember a birth over 2000 years ago.  And that birth was the realization of centuries of hoping and waiting.  In the long dark nights of this Advent season, may we free our vision to roam far into the past and to extend far into the future.

What are your hopes for a year from now?  20 years?  How about for the year 2525?  [There was a song about that. . .]

Prayer

In this Advent season, may our hopes be rekindled – dreams as close as a newborn child and as far away as the stars.  Amen. 

Friday Dec. 4   HOPE

‘Rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.’

Proverbs 12:18

Hope can be as near as our next breath.  Sometimes I find myself hoping that the next thing that comes out of my mouth will be helpful, honest, and constructive.  Sometimes I find myself hoping that I will not let something hurtful out of my mouth.  Hope can be very much in the moment.  And when our hopes do not come to fruition?  We will probably have another opportunity, get another try, have another go of it. 

The holiday season can be fraught.  We want to say the right thing.  Give the right gift.  Offer the right consolation.  Give the right encouragement.  In a time laden with so many expectations and troubles.  Have hope that you can help to keep the flame of hope alive for someone else this Advent season.

Prayer

Sometimes it is difficult to maintain our hopes.  There are so many disappointments and failures.  May we continue to try to witness to the love and compassion of Jesus.  And may our efforts help to keep hope alive for others.  Amen.

Saturday Dec. 5   HOPE

‘The hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight.’

This line from the well-beloved carol, O Little Town of Bethlehem, reminds us that Jesus was born in a time of hope and fear.  People were very much afraid in the context of Jesus’ birth.  The occupation by the Roman Empire was like having someone kneel on your neck.  But there were also many would- be messiahs in Jesus’ day.  The fear sparked hope.  People wanted to see deliverance. 

We are living in fearful, perilous times.  Between the pandemic and global warming, along with other threats, it is a scary time.  But the story of Jesus reminds us that fear can also breed hope.  So in these dark days, let us expect light – from ourselves and others. 

Prayer

The darker it is, the brighter the stars.  In these trying times, may our hope shine ever more brightly.  Amen.

Corona Sabbath 37 First Sunday of Advent HOPE

These weeks when we cannot gather in person for Sunday worship, Lakewood United Church of Christ is providing brief weekly sabbath programs for you to listen to on your own or with others in your social isolation group.  They will be posted on Friday so that you can schedule your sabbath time to suit your schedule and your spiritual inclinations.  We hope these programs are of spiritual support to you in these difficult times.

The post this week focuses on the theme for the first Sunday of Advent – hope.  

This post includes a scripture reading, a reflection from Rev. Kim Wells and a music video by Hilton Jones.    We hope this post helps to feed your spirit in these difficult times as we prepare to celebrate the birth of Jesus.

You are invited to find a quiet space, inside or outside.  Light a candle.  Take a look around you.   Breathe.  Life-giving breath.   Be present.  

You may begin with this reading:

“It seems to me we can never give up longing and wishing while we are thoroughly alive. There are certain things we feel to be beautiful and good, and we must hunger after them.”

–George Eliot, 19th century

When you are ready, start the video/audio below.  

(For written text of the above video click HERE.)

As you listen to the music that follows, you are invited to notice the thoughts and feelings that arise for you.  

In closing, you are invited to read the following poem –

Out in a downpour
in a sopping wet
skirt.
And you have gone to a distant country.
Unbearable heart,
letter after letter
just asking when,
my lord, when
are you coming?

–Mirabai c.1498-c.1565
trans. Andrew Schelling

Breathe.  Breathe again.  Be filled.  With longing.   Extinguish your candle and engage whatever may come with a sense of peace and a desire to serve.

LAKEWOOD UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST

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 and in our world;
  • Offer the hospitality and inclusive love of Christ to all people;
  • Work for God’s peace and justice throughout creation.

USEFUL LAKEWOOD LINKS DURING THE CORONA CRISIS:

Corona Sabbath 37 First Sunday of Advent HOPE Reflection Text

Greetings and welcome to Corona Sabbath.  This is one of the ways the church is endeavoring to offer spiritual support during these challenging days of COVID-19.    We appreciate your feedback and suggestions.

We listen to a scripture lesson from the gospel of Mark.  This is teaching is about the end times but it is also about every time and our time.  Traditionally Advent begins with an apocalyptic bang to jolt us into remembering that the humble birth of Jesus was unexpected and cataclysmic.  

Mark 13:24-37

But in those days, after that time of distress, the sun will be darkened, the moon will lose its brightness, the stars will fall from the sky and the powers in the heavens will be shaken.  Then they will see the Promised One coming in the clouds with great power and glory; then the angels will be sent to gather the chosen from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven.

“Take the fig tree as a parable: as soon as its twigs grow supple and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near.  In the same way, when you see these things happening, know that the Promised One is near, right at the door.  The truth is, before this generation has passed away, all these things will have taken place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.

“But as for that day or hour, nobody knows it – neither the angels of heaven, nor the Only Begotten – no one but Abba God.  Be constantly on the watch!  Stay awake!  You do not know when the appointed time will come.

“It is like people traveling abroad.  They leave their home and put the workers in charge, each with a certain task, and those who watch at the front gate are ordered to stay on the alert.  So stay alert!  You do not know when the owner or the house is coming, whether at dusk, at midnight, when the cock crows or at early dawn.  Do not let the owner come suddenly and catch you asleep.  What I say to you, I say to all:  stay alert!”

Reflection from Kim

I am captivated by the image of waiting at the front gate.  On alert.  Until further notice.

First of all, we hate to wait.  Absolutely hate it.  I mean people see a line at the store and put their item back and leave, planning to return to the store when there is no line.  People pay extra to avoid the lines at theme parks.  Maybe this hating to wait is an American thing.  We went to an art exhibition in Mexico City and the people were lined up out the door, down the block, and around the corner.  And they were talking and visiting and buying street food and enjoying the day, eagerly anticipating the exhibit.  It is hard to imagine that in America. 

Wait at the front gate.  For how long?  In this scripture, there is no sense about how long the waiting will go on.  How long would I be able to remain alert?  I don’t know that I would make 5 minutes, let alone hours, days, months, or years.  There is that spiritual, “God is Never Late, He is Always Right on Time.”  Well and good, but what time is that?  We don’t know.  A reminder that we are not in control.  It’s unsettling to think about waiting with no schedule.  Waiting for something that may occur in a moment or in a millennium. 

Watch at the front gate.  Alert.  I imagine most of us would be on our phones and who knows what could be passing by at the gate.  Many of us are not even attuned to the trees and their cycles which are happening right in front of us.  How alert would we be watching at the gate?For what?  We don’t exactly know.  

Poised at the gate.  This waiting that we are told of seems fraught with intensity, fear, and longing.  It seems exciting but also scary.  Kind of like a ride at a carnival.  I remember going on a ride at the State Fair when our first child was very young.  He looked petrified through the whole ride and we felt badly having taken him on the ride.  We thought it would be fun.   But as soon as we got off the ride, he begged excitedly, “Gen!  Gen!”  He wanted to go again!  In these verses preparing us for Advent there is anxiety as well as expectation and hope.  

Waiting at the gate.  Alert.  Are we waiting for a cataclysm?  Global warming, a pandemic, police killings.  Sounds pretty cataclysmic.  And in the midst of the cataclysm, a blessing.  The presence of God.  The redeeming power of love.  Breaking in.  Maybe our hopes and dreams are coming to fruition.  But are we paying attention?  Alert?  At the gate?  

Advent is a season of attentive waiting and watching.  No one was expecting a baby born in a stable to be a game changer.  Yet, here we are, getting ready to celebrate his birthday again over 2,000 years later.  

Watch at the front gate.  Alert.  Maybe this pandemic will force us to stand at the gate and watch.  Wait.  Attentively.  Leaving the phone inside on the table.  So that we don’t miss Divine Love, God, coming to bless the world through Jesus and through us.  Amen. 

(Click HERE if you wish to see the post containing the video of this text.)

Weekly Update 11/26

Advent Begins!

When we had the Christmas in July Zoom celebration we enjoyed hearing the Christmas story and singing carols.  Well, there is another Zoom Christmas Eve service planned for 5:00 p.m. on Dec. 24th.  There will also be an in-person outdoor service at 7:00 p.m.

The theme for this Advent season at LUCC is Rekindle the Gift from a verse from 2 Timothy.  This is certainly a season to ‘rekindle’ after all that we have been through!  Each week, the Corona Sabbath and daily devotions will focus on the traditional themes for the candles of the Advent Wreath.  Rekindle Hope.  Rekindle Peace.  Rekindle Joy.  And Rekindle Love.

Please see the details below for the Advent season.  May you find needed hope, peace, joy, and love this season!

In Person Services and Gatherings Ahead! 

The church is experimenting with a ‘soft’ re-opening. There will be in person gatherings and services outside, with masks, and physical distancing. There will be no singing. Participants are encouraged to bring their own chairs.  Some will also be available at the church.  

Here’s what’s coming:

In addition, the weekly guided labyrinth walks will continue on Wednesday mornings at 9:00 a.m. and weekly anti-racism demonstrations will continue on Sunday evenings at 5:00 p.m.  All are welcome.  

For those who want to remain engaged with the church ‘remotely’, the church will continue to post a weekly Corona Sabbath with a scripture reading, reflection from Rev. Wells, and music from Hilton Jones.  Paper copies of the Corona Sabbath and the Update will continue to be sent to those who do not use the internet.  

After this period of experimentation, there will be a discussion about how to proceed into the New Year.

TOYS for HOMELESS CHILDREN

Our church family along with the Social Justice Team at Westminster Suncoast has been extremely generous in supporting Maximo Elementary’s children.  To date we have donated uniforms, underwear and Covid 19 supplies which included masks for children.

Ms. Jones has identified 30 homeless children  at the school for whom the Education Ministry Team is going to purchase toys and books for Christmas  gifts using available funds.  For  those who would  personally enjoy  buying toys  for these children  please do so.  The toys may be brought  to  the  outdoor Advent services on December 6th and 13th.  Toys may also be dropped off at the church Tuesday-Friday, 9:30-noon.  The toys will be picked up for delivery to the school on Wednesday, December 16th.

THANKS EVERYONE , those who have already donated  and those who will personally purchase toys, for helping to make Christmas 2020  special for a homeless child.       

LUCC ‘s Education Ministry Team

Work Under Way for Adult Day Care

Finally after a year and a half of planning, the renovations of the Fellowship Hall are underway to prepare for the Adult Day Care program sponsored by Neighborly Services!  So far, a railing has been installed to the back entrance of the Fellowship Hall and the demolition is underway to prepare for the three accessible restrooms that are being installed.  It is very exciting to finally see movement toward the goal of offering needed services to the seniors in our area!

Thanksgiving Services 

Last Sunday, the church offered 2 Thanksgiving services.  One was in-person with masks and social distancing on the lawn of the church under the tree.  About 26 people participated.  There was great joy seeing one another.  The second service was virtual held live at noon from the sanctuary.   Danielle Hintz and Julian Ricciardi were liturgists and Malcolm Wells and Jeff Wells did tech.  Many thanks to all who helped and all who participated.  There was a wonderful spirit of gratitude for many things not the least being LUCC!  Here’s a link to some pictures:

https://lakewooducc.org/2020/11/25/thanksgiving-worship-service/

 OUT OF REGARD FOR HEALTH AND SAFETY THIS EVENT IS BEING CANCELLED 

Sharing a Meal

What is Thanksgiving without food?  And yet many will not be joining family and friends this year because of the health and safety issues involved.  The LUCC Care Team is sponsoring a get together for people from the church to eat together on Thanksgiving.  This gathering will be outdoors with masks and physical distancing.  Participants may bring their own food or have food provided.  Each will bring their own plates, utensils, and drinks.  Those who would like to participate are asked to contact Patti Cooksey so that adequate arrangements can be made for the number of people who will be attending.  More details will be forthcoming.  You can reach Patti at cooksepa@eckerd.edu

Leadership Selection Process

Each year the congregation is invited to offer names of people that they would like to serve as advisors for the church for the coming year.  Church members are also welcome to volunteer to serve.

 Advisors are charged with seeing that the life and ministry of LUCC is an embodiment of the mission statement of the church.  In addition, the Advisors function in an administrative capacity regarding budget and finance, property, program, and personnel.  They serve as the pastoral relations committee fostering a positive relationship between the congregation and the pastor.  

The advisors have been meeting at least once a month, sometimes in person and sometimes virtually.  This depends on the will of the group.

Please suggest names of those you think would serve well as Advisors for the coming year.  You may email lakewooducc@gmail.com

Corona Sabbath Ahead

The theme this week takes us from Thanksgiving to Advent in these troubled times. We sure do need a little Christmas this year!

If you missed last week’s Corona Sabbath here’s the link:  

https://lakewooducc.org/2020/11/19/corona-sabbath-36-give-thanks/

Anti-Racism Demonstrations Continue on Sundays

Weekly demonstrations to end racism continue in front of the church each Sunday at 5:00 p.m.  Bring a sign or use one of the signs provided.  Regardless of the outcome of the election, this witness is an important demonstration of Christian values and moral values.  All are welcome to join in!  

And use the following link to see pictures from the last demonstration.

https://lakewooducc.org/2020/11/24/anti-racism-demonstration-11-22/

In case of rain, the demonstration will not be held that week. Know justice, know peace!

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 Corona Sabbath of the week 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.

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.

Music Ministry

About Hilton’s music. . . If you would enjoy hearing Hilton play more Irish folk songs, you can
listen for free at either https://hiltonjones.bandcamp.com/album/irish-
tunes or https://soundcloud.com/hilton-kean-jones/sets/irish-tunes .

November Birthdays: Lucille Ruga 11/9, 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: JoAnn Reid, William Owen, Wilbur Reid, Jen Degroot, Carolyn Moore, Ann Quinn, Maggie Brizendine, Dave Radens, 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.