Posts

Shine on Justice

The City is sponsoring a commemoration of the life of George Floyd and others.  The intent is to shine a light on injustice.  Please see the description below.

ShineALight.jpg

In support of this citywide effort, it would be wonderful to have some people with a candle/flashlight/cellphone at church each night, along 54th Ave. S. on the sidewalk, 6 feet apart, with masks on.  The request is to take the knee, with the light/candle on at 8:00 p.m. for 8 minutes and 46 seconds.  

This is going on every night beginning today, Tuesday, June 2 through Tuesday June 9.  

Please just show up and do it.  Once or every night.  Whatever works for you.  Rev. Wells will be there most nights but cannot be there tonight – Tuesday.  If there are a lot of people, great.  Just spread out.  If there are a few, that’s great, too.  Stand near the sign.

For more information or to indicate your interest in participating, please contact Patti Cooksey at cooksepa@eckerd.edu

If you cannot come to church to take part, please consider participating from your home.  

Thank you so much for being part of this expression of solidarity with the wider community.  

The Cross and the Lynching Tree

repost from https://www.ucc.org/the_cross_and_the_lynching_tree
Written by Waide Harris
May 21, 2020
The Cross and the Lynching Tree: A Requiem for Ahmaud Arbery

On February 23, 2020 Ahmaud Arbery, 25, left home and went for a jog. During his run, two white men follow Ahmaud, confront him with a loaded shot gun, assume he’s a suspected criminal, and within minutes of their encounter, according to the recorded video three shots are fired. Amhaud falls to the ground and dies.

“Racism is a virus. It infects the spirit.” (The Rev. Dr. Otis Moss III)

On Sunday, May 31, 2020 at 6 pm EST, The United Church of Christ invites you to a live viewing of Rev. Dr. Otis Moss, Jr’s cinematic sermon preached at Trinity UCC Sunday, May 17th entitled, The Cross and the Lynching Tree: A Requiem for Ahmaud Arbery. Immediately following the live video a panel discussion with four respected thought leaders, racial justice advocates, and UCC pastors will discuss the impact of historical and present day acts of racism and violence towards African Americans and how the Christian Church can be actively involved in dismantling racism.

ZOOM REGISTRATION

Corona Sabbath 11 Pentecost

CS11These 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 those you live with. 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.

There is a scripture reading and a brief meditation by Pastor Kim Wells followed by music offered by Music Director Hilton Kean Jones. We appreciate your suggestions and feedback.

This Sunday we are commemorating Pentecost. This celebration comes from a story in the book of Acts about the Holy Spirit being experienced by the dispirited followers of Jesus after his crucifixion. This story explains how the disciples were enlivened and infused and energized and galvanized to continue the ministry of Jesus. This marks what has come to be known as the birthday of the church. In the Acts story, the Spirit is experienced as wind and flame. So, as you begin, perhaps by lighting a candle and breathing, you may keep in mind that this is how the disciples describe experiencing the Holy Spirit.

Find a quiet place, inside or outside. Light a candle. Take a look around you. If you are inside, pay attention to the room you are in. Breathe. Be present.

You may begin by offering this reading:

“This time, like all times, is a very good one if we but know what to do with it.”

Ralph Waldo Emerson, 19th century

When you are ready, start the video below.

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

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

After listening to the music, you are invited to offer the following closing

He needs you
That’s all there is to it
Without you he’s left hanging
Goes up in dachau’s smoke
Is sugar and spice in the baker’s hands
gets revalued in the next stock market crash
he’s consumed and blown away
used up
without you

Help him
that’s what faith is
he can’t bring it about
his kingdom
couldn’t then couldn’t later can’t now
not at any rate without you
and that is his irresistible appeal

-Dorothee Soelle 1929-2003

Breathe. 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.

QUICK LINKS TO OUR RECENT POSTS DURING THE CORONA CRISIS:
Online Devotionals: https://lakewooducc.org/category/online-devotional/
Sermon Texts: https://lakewooducc.org/category/posts/sermon-texts/
Posts containing music: https://lakewooducc.org/category/posts/music/
For all links, please note “Older Posts” button near bottom of page.
For a free streaming of just the music go to https://soundcloud.com/hilton-kean-jones/sets/music-at-lakewood