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 spiritual discipline of Thanksgiving.
This post includes a scripture reading done by Jim Andrews, a reflection from Rev. Kim Wells and a music video created by Hilton Jones featuring pictures submitted by the congregation of things to be thankful for. We hope this post helps to feed your spirit in these difficult times.
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 by reading this poem:
i thank You God for most this amazing day: for the leaping greenly spirits of trees and a blue true dream of sky; and for everything which is natural which is infinite which is yes
(i who have died am alive again today, and this is the sun’s birthday; this is the birth day of life and of love and wings:and of the gay great happening illimitably earth)
how should tasting touching hearing seeing breathing any—lifted from the no of all nothing—human merely being doubt unimaginable You?
(now the ears of my ears awake and now the eyes of my eyes are opened)
The following video is a collection of pictures submitted by some of the parishioners of Lakewood UCC accompanied by a soundtrack of Hilton playing Great is Thy Faithfulness.
You are invited to offer the following closing –
When each day is sacred
when each hour is sacred
when each instant is sacred
earth and you space and you bearing the sacred through time
you’ll reach the fields of light.
–Guillevic, French poet
Breathe. Breathe again. Be filled. With thanksgiving. Extinguish your candle and engage whatever may come with a sense of peace and a desire to serve.
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 I Thessalonians 5:13b-19. This is teaching offered to a new faith community community that is under attack. The writer of Thessalonians is trying to keep the community grounded in something greater than their current troubles.
I Thessalonians 5:13b-19 (from the NRSV)
Be at peace among yourselves. And we urge you, brothers and sisters, to admonish the idlers, encourage the faint hearted, help the weak, be patient with all of them. See that none of you repays evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to all. Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the spirit. Do not despise the words of prophets, but test everything; hold fast to what is good; abstain from every form of evil.
Reflection from Kim
Many years ago, there was an older couple in the church and one of them had dementia. They were living independently in their own home. Numerous times when things went awry, I was called to come over and try to straighten things out, calm things down. Out of love and compassion, I willingly went though I did not feel that I was of much practical help. Maybe just knowing there is someone who will come over and who cares is some consolation.
Some years later, my father developed dementia, and then my mother. I looked back on those experiences with the older couple and I was filled with gratitude. Those experiences and encounters had helped me to become more familiar with this disease. They helped me to know what to expect. I had some background to help prepare me for what I faced with my parents.
In dealing with the older couple, I had felt largely ineffectual. But later I saw it wasn’t about what I could do for them. It was about what I was receiving from the experience that I had no idea I would need. I was being given a gift but I couldn’t see it until much later.
When we think about the ministry of Paul, who is credited with writing the letter to the Thessalonians, we are told that he faced many challenges in his life. He was repeatedly imprisoned. Driven out of town. Threatened. He endured the hardships of hunger and being exposed to the elements and the stormy seas. Finally, it is thought that he was martyred. Spreading the Good News of Jesus Christ was by no means a bed of roses for Paul!
Just as an aside, I wonder how many people would be preachers today if they faced the same kinds of obstacles and attacks!
So, given the many perils faced by Paul, we hear with greater poignancy the words, “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances.” And in this season of Thanksgiving season, we focus on “give thanks in all circumstances.”
In all circumstances. In this long and dismal year, 2020, we are in some circumstances, aren’t we? Would we ever have believed, just a year ago, that it would not be safe to eat Thanksgiving dinner with family and friends? Would we ever have thought that people the world over and next door would be dying from a new virus? Would we have imagined quarantine, lock down, masks, physical distancing? A disruption to our every day activities like going to the movies or eating in a restaurant? What about the deep economic impact of this virus – where the choice sometimes literally comes down to your money or your life? And what about the extreme stress to the healthcare community? To the doctors and nurses and staff who are caring for all of the people with covid as well as the people with everything else that needs medical attention. ICU wards packed to capacity in city after city. And what about the stress to essential workers of all kinds?
And that is before you get to the contentious, stressful election season. And the much needed anti racism uprising in our land. And the storms and weather events and fires that remind us of the cataclysm taking place on the planet due to human-induced global warming. We are in the midst of upheaval on many fronts. And then there are all the personal things that are ever present – relationship problems, addiction, mental illness, accidents, death, tragedy, and all of the rest. Oh my!
So, ahead is this holiday that we celebrate by traveling far and wide to come together to eat a huge meal and watch a parade and football on TV. And we can’t do that this year. And then there is thinking about who would not be there because they have been taken by covid? And who would not be there because they have transitioned from this life? But there will be no such dinner. So, can we still give thanks? Can we give thanks in all circumstances? In THESE circumstances?
Maybe in years to come, we will see all the gifts we are being given in this covid time. Maybe we will see that this election was a turning point toward healing and wholeness in our country. Maybe we will see that during this time we finally decided as a country to remediate the legacy of racism and its debilitating negative effects.
But we don’t know about those things yet.
So, can we give thanks now, in this year, in this season? Can we give thanks in ALL circumstances? To me, this teaching is about more than being grateful for food, a roof, and a family, say. It is about an awareness of being that is not contingent upon outward circumstances. To me the idea of giving thanks in all circumstances is about gratitude for the gift of life. For every breath. For the cosmos that sustains it all. It is about a larger view of our lives, this world, and the miracle of it all. And the force or power that is holding it all together. If the history of the planet Earth up until now was seen as one day, humanity has been here for 3 seconds of that day. So far. Just three seconds. A wisp. A blush. A grain of sand on the beach. And yet what a glorious life this is! What a web, a drama set in motion millions of years ago, that will proceed apace for millions of years with or, more likely, without humans! So it is a miracle that we are even here. For this precious season. How can we not give thanks?
The culture around us may bemoan the restrictions we are facing and the negative impacts. We may be enticed to shop and buy, delivered to our door, to sooth our sorrowing souls. But thanksgiving, gratitude, in all circumstances, provides spiritual uplift and grounding with or without the turkey and the TV.
Our faith calls us to see a more compelling reality. To celebrate our giftedness. To see the awe and wonder and abundance of life. All simply given – not earned or purchased. Present in every moment of our time here on Earth. And that can’t be taken away or ruined – not even by a pandemic!
Give thanks in all circumstances? Absolutely!
Amen.
(Click HERE if you wish to see the post containing the video of this text.)
Yes, there is a pandemic. Yes, that means for many of us life is restricted. Yes, some have lost loved ones and had dear ones contract the virus. Yes, the COVID 19 crisis has had a devastating economic impact on many. BUT – there are still things to be grateful for. Cultivating a spirit of gratitude can help us to maintain our spiritual health especially in times of trial.
Your LUCC faith community is providing many ways to give thanks this season of Thanksgiving:
In Person Worship Sunday Nov. 22 at 10:30 a.m.
There will be an in person worship service, outdoors, with masks, physical distancing and no singing, on the church grounds Sunday Nov. 22 at 10:30 a.m. You may bring something that represents what you are thankful for to add to the altar. All are welcome! There will be childcare.
As part of the service, there will be a Ritual of Thanksgiving. You are invited to bring something that represents what you are thankful for and place it on the altar during the service.
Virtual Worship Thanksgiving Sunday Nov. 22 at Noon
The church will offer the same service that is being held in person virtually via Zoom/Facebook Live on Sunday Nov. 22 at noon. Participants will be able to watch the live streaming service taking place in the sanctuary and comment to each other in the chat space provided. Hopefully this will help to meet the needs of those who are not able or do not feel safe participating in person. Go to the church Facebook page and click on the ‘live’ button on the lower left. Or use this Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/2700683648.
Offerings for Thanksgiving
Show your gratitude by extending generosity to others. Giving helps you to be aware of your abundance.
In addition to regular church offerings, this Thanksgiving there will be a special collection for the Special Needs Fund of the church which helps people in the church and in the community with basic needs such as rent, utilities, and prescriptions. The pandemic has increased the needs of our neighbors. Make your gift in person at the service or send it to the church marked Special Needs, or use PayPal at the church website. There will also be a special food collection for Operation Attack. Cereal, peanut butter, pasta, pasta sauce, and canned meat are needed. Bring donations to church and place them in the grocery cart at church.
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
Thanksgiving Corona Sabbath
For those who have built the Corona Sabbath posts into their devotional routine, there will be a weekly Corona Sabbath post featuring the Thanksgiving music video with the pictures submitted by the congregation. This will be posted on Friday Nov. 20th.
In Person Services and Gatherings Ahead!
In the next two months, the church is going to experiment 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.
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 for this week’s Corona Sabbath post is Thanksgiving. This post includes the music video featuring pictures submitted by the LUCC church family.
If you missed last week’s Corona Sabbath here’s the link:
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.
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.
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!
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.
Lakewood United Church of Christ 