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2019 Advent Devotion 18

Successful?

Maybe by this time in December you are starting to abandon some of your grand designs for Christmas and thinking about what actually needs to happen. What must I do before Christmas? Maybe you are lowering your expectations so that you can have a successful Christmas.

But what is a ‘successful’ Christmas? The word successful can mean different things to different people.

I got a holiday greeting this season from Congressman Charlie Crist. It was sent to me at the church. Here is the message on the card: “As your public servant, it is my goal to live by the Golden Rule. When we work together, and find common ground, we build a more successful world. I hope your holiday season is filled with love and joy.” The card is signed by Charlie Crist. [And paid for by Charlie Crist for Congress.] What is a more successful world? That can mean different things to different people. To some it may mean better schools and health care for everyone. To some it may mean fewer obstacles to business and profit. To some it may mean turning around global warming. A more successful world can mean many different things and I think we, as citizens and human beings, should be having conversations about what makes the world more successful; what a more successful world looks like. I think conversations of that nature among diverse people could be very illuminating.

As a Jesus follower, I am going to look to Jesus for ways to think about what it means to be successful and to build a more successful world though I don’t think he would use the word ‘successful.’

As for Christmas, Jesus was born. So Christmas has already been successful. And we didn’t have to do anything!

Prayer
We are grateful for the birth of Jesus. Everything needed to make Christmas a time of joy and love has already happened. May our celebrations reflect what has already been given to us. May we follow Jesus and learn from him what it means to be fully human and build a loving, just, and peaceful world. Amen.

2019 Advent Devotion 17

Morals and Money

This has been quite a week. Lots of news. Which is nothing new. But the impeachment hearings and votes were noteworthy. Many people did not listen this go round unlike impeachment processes in the past. The situation with Nixon, though it did not end in impeachment, was followed very closely by most Americans. The impeachment of Bill Clinton was also closely followed by most people. But then sex sells. But it was not so this time with the impeachment of the current president.

This got me thinking about many things. One is morals and money. If money and power are your game, then you have your perspective on this situation and there is no reason to be bothered with additional information including any facts. The love of money and power predetermine the narrative you will endorse.

If you are concerned with morals, then there is no point in bothering to listen because the facts have spoken. Nothing more needs to be heard. So why tune in to the hearings and debates? Listening to that verbiage can be toxic. Who needs that?

Morals and money. In the birth stories of Jesus in the Bible, there are some very clear messages about morals and money. Mary and Joseph are not wealthy or prominent. God chooses to work through these everyday people not through rich and powerful people with status and position, to bless the world. Money doesn’t get you in with God.

And Joseph could divorce Mary, we are told in Matthew, but he doesn’t. He follows the moral guidance he is given by God instead of protecting his male status and his property rights over Mary. Instead, he does what is morally good.

And the magi mentioned in Matthew, come from a foreign land, seeking to validate this newborn king who will rule with moral authority not with money.

And then the angels in the birth story in Luke go to the shepherds. They do not to the high priests in the Temple or to the governor. But to the shepherds out in the fields, keeping watch over their flocks, to announce the good news of the birth of Jesus. That’s like making an announcement to the Hispanic farmworkers out in the fields picking strawberries in Plant City. What about Tallahassee? What about Miami? What about Orlando??? Nope. Think Immokalee.

In the Christmas stories, morals talk and money and its accompanying power are silent. It’s a far cry from our current condition. Which is why we still need Jesus and we need Christmas again.

Prayer
This holy season, may we reflect on our values and what we care about. Are the angels coming to us? What moral authority are we validating? Do we let money do all the talking? May we find our way to the manger and go home a different way. Amen.

2019 Advent Devotion 16

Too busy?

Are you too busy? This is a bad time of year to ask that. Of course we are busy! But are we TOO busy? Are the days so full that there isn’t enough time for rest? For healthy eating? For church? For self-care? For quiet? For exercise? For friends and family? For music? For whatever feeds the soul?

I had to admit to my daughter today that I have done nothing about Christmas presents for my family. With one exception. The 6 month old grandchild. “That’s all that matters,” she said. Whew! I hope her brothers and her husband feel that way!

What is too busy? I heard something in passing on the radio that mentioned being too busy for beauty. I think that is a good definition of TOO busy. When we are too busy for beauty, we are too busy. When we are too busy to notice the beauty of nature, the beauty of a smile, the beauty of art or music, the beauty of a kind word, we are simply too busy.

For me, this time of year the test of ‘too busy for beauty’ is Christmas lights. I love Christmas lights. When I am too busy to notice Christmas lights when I am driving at night, I am too busy. When I am too busy to go out of my way a few blocks to see some beautiful lights, I am too busy. When I am too busy to turn on the Christmas lights at our house, I am too busy.

What does too busy mean for you? We should never be too busy for beauty.

Prayer
There is so much beauty in this life and in this holy season. Amidst our busy-ness, may we still notice the beauty around us. Jesus saw beauty in every person. May we look at the world with his eyes. Amen.

Winter Wonderland

Lakewood UCC collected many gifts and toys to donate as well as 405 dollars towards Maximo Elementary’s Winter Wonderland!

The following expression of gratitude came today  from Ms. Jones after all the toys/gifts were delivered to the school:

Please let me start off again by saying that I am so elated and grateful for all of the toys that your church donated to the “MAX”. The scholar’s are going to be just as elated as I am once they have a chance to see all of the toys as well. Please let everyone know how much we appreciate their generosity.   

 Chelsea Jones  Family and Community Liaison Maximo Elementary

Weekly Update 12/18

This Sunday: This Sunday is a special intergenerational service. The service will include the opportunity for the congregation to be part of forming a tableau of the nativity scene. Please bring any appropriate costuming or props: for shepherds, angels, Mary, Joseph, the animals in the barn, the three kings, etc.

Lakewood UCC Choir: Throughout the five Sundays of Decembers, choir rehearsals will begin at 9:40am instead of the usual 9:00am.

Pastor Away: Rev. Wells is away Dec. 29th.  For pastoral care, please contact Victoria Long at vlongrunner@gmail.com.

Next Sundays Sunday Dec. 29 Rev. Victoria Long will be preaching while Rev. Wells is away for the holiday.The following Sunday, Jan. 5, will be a special service themed around the beginning of a new year.

Advent/Christmas Season: “Come Home for the Holidays” season of preparation for the celebration of the birth of Jesus. Please pick up a collection can to use for the Christmas Eve offering which will provide rent, utility, and other assistance to people in the congregation and the community.  This assistance helps people to have a home and to feel connected to others as family.  After all, we are one human family and everyone deserves a home. 

Joy of Singing: Each Sunday of Advent, the congregation is invited to join in singing favorite Christmas songs at 10:15 before morning worship. May the music of Christmas inspire joy this holy season.

Daily Devotions: Look for a new devotion each day in your email or at the church website to help inspire your reflection about what it means to “Come home for the holidays.” What does home mean? Where do we find it? How do we create a sense of home with others?

Sundays in Advent: Each Sunday, singing songs of the season at 10:15 and lighting the Advent wreath during worship.

Dec. 22      A special intergenerational, interactive service that will end with lining the cradle in preparation for the celebration of the birth of Jesus.

Christmas Eve: 6:30      Music of the Season 7:00     Service with candlelight and communion. All ages welcome! Transportation provided. Please contact the church office.

Straw Labyrinth: Come home for the holidays. There will be a straw labyrinth installed on the church grounds. This is an opportunity to reflect on what “home for the holidays” means to you through walking meditation. The walking will provide an image for making our way home to God in this holy season. The labyrinth will be open and available for use all the time. Come at your convenience. There will be printed sheets provided to guide your reflection.

During the Advent season there will be two opportunities to be part of a group-guided walk on the labyrinth. Wednesday Dec. 18th at 3:00p.m.will be the next opportunity. There will be a time for gathering, reading of scripture, reflection, and walking. All are welcome!

Maximo Elementary: Maximo Elementary’s Social worker  has  identified “sweat shirts, jackets, and leggings“ as a need  at Maximo as cooler weather arrives. This school has 80 homeless children. We can help keep them warm and healthy. Sweat shirts and jackets can be any color.  Leggings need to be navy or black.  The Education Ministry Team will begin collecting these items  or donations soon. Stay tuned!

The following expression of gratitude came today  from Ms. Jones after all the toys/gifts were delivered to the school:

Please let me start off again by saying that I am so elated and grateful for all of the toys that your church donated to the “MAX”. The scholar’s are going to be just as elated as I am once they have a chance to see all of the toys as well. Please let everyone know how much we appreciate their generosity.   

 Chelsea Jones  Family and Community Liaison Maximo Elementary

Letter Writing: A letter writing station has been set up at church. Look for opportunities to share your faith perspective on immigration, the environment, and gun safety with elected officials.

Operation Attack: Operation Attack is very much in need of clothes for men, boys, and girls as well as diapers and peanut butter and canned fruit. Donations may be placed in the shopping cart in the entryway to the sanctuary.

Operation Attack is an ecumenical effort serving families with children located at Lakeview Presbyterian Church, 1310 22nd. Ave. S., St. Petersburg. LUCC was a founding member of Operation Attack in the 1960’s!

Hearing Augmentation: Devices are available from the usher in the sanctuary during worship.

December Birthdays: Patti Cooksey 12/8, Becky Palmer 12/16, Amaiya Washington 12/18, George Diven 12/27, Melanie Moore 12/27, Someone missing? Contact the church office with birthday information.

Circle of Concern: Wally LeBlanc, Tony Rogers, Sherry Santana, Jen DeGroot, Carolyn Moore, Ann Quinn, Maggie Brizendine, Earl Waters, and Ann Rogers.

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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.