June 4, 2023
10:30 a.m.
WELCOME and ANNOUNCEMENTS
LIGHTING THE PEACE CANDLE Jim Andrews,
liturgist
The energy of compassion in you will transform your life and make it more
beautiful. Compassion is always born of understanding and understanding
is the result of looking deeply.
Thich Nhat Hanh 1926-2022
PRELUDE
* OPENING READING Pierre Teilhard de Chardin
1881-1955
O God, I praise You for the universe which You have evolved over unending
centuries, vitalizing matter with energy, bringing forth all things as the peak
of Your creating wisdom, working to unify mankind, initiating a process of
spiritualizing humanity. O Creator God, let me be a willing partner in
building the universe of Your will and in divinizing humanity, in unity with
You, permeating Your creation with love and incorporating souls into the
eternal.
* HYMN Over My Head
514
SCRIPTURE LESSON
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.
Psalm 139, page 715
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 — What is Grace? St. John of the Cross 1542-1591,
Adapted
* HYMN We are Dancing Sarah’s Circle
501
REFLECTION A Journey Barbara
Donohue
UNISON READING Ruth
Richardson, 20th c.
I am a vessel that is broken.
My many pieces lay at Your feet.
And I long for what You’ve intended.
But all I offer is frailty.
That’s what You ask for —
You ask for weakness,
that in my weakness
Your strength can be known.
It’s hard to understand;
Your ways aren’t mine, but
if You want weakness —
take all of me.
MUSICAL REFLECTION
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 – COMMUNION OFFERING
Morning offerings may be brought forward and placed in the plates on the altar.
You are invited to write your prayer requests on the sheets provided in the bulletin
and bring them forward and place them in the basket on the altar. If you would
like assistance, please turn to someone seated near you.
Offertory
* Time of Dedication
Celtic Blessing
In the world people
get what they pay for.
So the rich,
who have much to spend,
have much to enjoy;
While the poor,
who have little to spend,
have little to enjoy.
In church they should
get what they need.
So the rich,
who at present have much,
should give much and receive little;
While the poor,
who at present have little,
should give little, and receive much.
Let the world flourish
and prosper;
And the church
set right its wrongs.
* PREPARATION FOR COMMUNION As We Gather at Your Table
332
CELEBRATION OF HOLY COMMUNION
Invitation
Communion Prayer – Savior’s Prayer
Our Creator, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kindom 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.
Blessing the Bread and Cup
Sharing the Meal
Unison Prayer of Thanksgiving — cast off William B.
Jones
to compare and contrast no longer the lives
I have not had with this one:
not larger, more noticed
nor quieter, steadier,
not better accompanied
nor less attached,
not gifted more
nor costed less,
just this life
this one life
to take
and eat
and know.
* HYMN Let Us Talents and Tongues Employ
347
* BENEDICTION
Celtic blessing
Always
A mind has sought you
An eye has seen you
A mouth has named you
A heart has desired you. Amen.
* CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSE (please form a circle) Rosemary
Crow
Weave, weave, weave us together; Weave, weave, weave us together,
Weave us together in unity and love. Weave us together, together in love.
Teje, tejenos juntos, Teje, tejenos juntos,
Tejenos juntos en unidad y amor. Tejenos juntos, juntos en el amor.
* POSTLUDE
Posts
Sermon 5.28.23 PENTECOST
LAKEWOOD UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST
2601 54th Avenue South St. Petersburg, FL 33712
On land originally inhabited by the Tocabaga
727-867-7961
lakewooducc.org
lakewooducc@gmail.com
Date: May 28 2023 Pentecost
Scripture Lesson: Acts 2:1-21
Sermon: Powered Up!
Pastor: Rev. Kim P. Wells
Many of you know that I seldom watch TV. And I rarely watch movies. My spouse loves movies. At least once a week he asks me, Wanna watch a movie? I politely suggest he to go ahead — without me. There’s the crossword to do. And maybe a jigsaw puzzle. And other stuff to take care of. Even on an airplane that has movies, I’d rather listen to an audio book or read a book. A movie, well, if I have to. Once in a while someone suggests a movie and I make it a point to watch it. And I usually like it. But generally speaking movies are not on my menu.
So, several months ago, the young adults in our life, our son Malcolm and partner, Samantha, mentioned there was a movie they wanted to watch with us. We scheduled it. I don’t say no to them! They told us the name but not much else. I looked into it a bit so that I would have some context that might help me to appreciate it more. Instead of being illuminated I was confused by what I read. So I thought I’ll just watch politely and see what’s what.
So, we watched the movie. And I found myself thinking about it. Like every day. And thinking about why they wanted us to watch it. And then I would think about it some more. I felt like there was more there than I was ‘getting.’ And I thought I would like to see it again. Maybe on the big screen so that I could see better what was going on.
Then, months later, lo and behold, the movie was in the theaters and I went to see it — three times. And I still don’t get it all. But I get a little more of it. By now you’re probably wondering what the heck the movie was! Well, here goes. Everything Everywhere All At Once. How many of you have seen it? Now in our family, there seem to be very strong feelings about this movie. Love it. Or hate it. Not much in between. And that seems to be the case in the wider culture. Either you think it is great or you think it’s garbage, a waste of time.
If you have any opinions about this movie, don’t look to me to change your mind. But there’s something I noticed in the movie. And it has to do with the main character, the mother, the wife, Evelyn. To give you a bit of background, the story involves a Chinese American family that owns a laundromat. The owners, a couple, are being audited by the IRS. They go to the IRS office to meet with an auditor. In the course of things, the husband and wife find themselves in a utility closet, think brooms, etc. and he tells her a ludicrous story about an evil villain trying to take over the worlds, and how he has come from another metaverse to tell her that after searching the universes, they landed on her as the one who needs to defeat the evil villain. She is having none of this story. She thinks the man, who appears to be her husband, is crazy. She is worrying about the IRS. And the Chinese new year party that night at the laundromat. And her father who is visiting from China. And her daughter who has a girlfriend, and making sure the Chinese grandfather does not find out about that. And she is thinking about the laundry of the woman with the little dog in a stroller. An evil villain threatening the metaverses and she is to vanquish this evil character, who, by the way, turns out to be her daughter? This woman, wife, mother, business owner, daughter, she is having none of this.
But then in the course of things, she gets transported to another reality and she learns martial arts. Then she is back in the IRS office. And they are after her, so she decides to try out these new powers. And they work!
As the movie goes on, she puts her powers to use. Powers of violence as well as powers of kindness, love, and persuasion and, well, things happen. She gets things done. She makes a difference. She starts to trust her powers. And she assumes her role in this great drama of vanquishing evil. The more she tries out her powers and uses them, the more she trusts them and sees the potential for efficacy. I won’t tell you how the movie ends, in case you see it. But we learn that she starts out chosen for this important role in the multiverse, vanquishing the evil enemy, because she is not good at anything. And she is given the powers needed and she puts them to use.
And maybe one of the things that hooks me in this movie are the resonances with our Christians stories. We have a Bible full of stories of common, unremarkable people being chosen for monumental missions. Like Samuel choosing David as King. Like David serving as King. Like Mary birthing Jesus. And like the story we heard this morning about the empowerment of the disciples.
Think about it. We are here thing morning, in this metaverse in this sanctuary for this church service. And we are here because we are part of the Christian movement that began over 2,000 years ago in a remote, inconsequential province of the great Roman Empire. There was this little fringe religious sect, the Jews. And they expected a messiah to be sent by God to rescue them from the forces that were squelching them, their autonomy, their freedom. And there was this Jesus guy who seemed to fit the bill. But he got crucified; the most ignominious, heinous, humiliating death imaginable. He was killed as a traitor in an excruciating manner. And there were some of these Jews who had given their lives to this crucified Jesus. What will happen? Will the Roman authorities, or the Temple authorities, come for them? Jesus was killed during a festival. Hoards of people were in Jerusalem for the Passover Festival. Fifty days later and it is time for the Pentecost festival. A celebration of the first harvest of the season. Another festival. Will this be another opportunity for the authorities to clamp down on the Jesus community? Will there be more attacks? Are they next? The followers of Jesus are dazed and reeling from his death — even 50 days later. Yes, there are stories of resurrection. But what is going to happen to them???? They are scared. They are hiding. They are afraid to go out. They are watching their backs.
And who are these people? They are in Jerusalem, the capital. The cultic center. But they are from the hinterland where there is little sophistication. Little education. These people probably can’t read or write. They aren’t schooled in marketing. They don’t know anything about spreadsheets. They are not social media whizzes. They are down home hard working, solid simple people. Salt of the Earth.
But we are here today in this room, right now, centuries later, with all of our technology and communication advances, we are here, at this moment because of that little band of misfits and dreamers who lived long ago and far away. People who were not expected to amount to much of anything.
And we have this story that we heard today of how they were given power – power from God, the power of Love. And they were able to communicate in different languages. Preach and teach in ways that drew others in to this vortex of Love.
And in the Pentecost story we are told that over 3,000 people were baptized that day. And then each day, as time went on, there were more. And these disciples go further afield in the Roman empire and beyond with their message of Love. Empowered by the Holy Spirit of the God of Love, they put the power to work. They test it out. They see the results. And they learn to trust it. And put it to work even more. And more. Taking greater risks. And making a greater witness.
And because of what they did, we are here at Lakewood United Church of Christ today. Because of these people who weren’t of consequence. Or status. Who weren’t expected to amount to anything. But who were given the power of forgiveness and love. And who tried it out. Put it to work. And made a difference. And it is because of them that we are here today, that the church is here today, that the story of Jesus is known today, that the way of Jesus is transforming lives in the world today. I think those followers of Jesus in the Pentecost story would be beyond shocked at our being here because of them.
In the movie, Everything Everywhere All At Once, Evelyn, this character of no note, being audited by the IRS, a clear manifestation of her powerlessness, ends up doing amazing things. We might even say, in spite of herself.
Now here we are, facing a multiplicity of challenges in the world around us and in our lives. Yes, there is violence, war, greed, global warming, prejudice, small-minded myopia, and so much more. People are suffering. Rights are being taken away. Lives are being demeaned and diminished. We could construe all of this as a manifestation of evil that needs to be eradicated.
And our faith story is about a God that gives ordinary, unremarkable people the power of love to confront all that diminishes and degrades the sacredness of life. Our faith story is about a God who takes risks on lackluster people. A God that gives dreams and visions and infuses people with the power of love so that earth becomes as it is in heaven – the reality of God made manifest in the life and ministry and relationships of Jesus.
Pentecost reminds us that we are like EV’s plugged in to a power source. A little, scared group of marginalized people got us here. Today. Because they accepted the power, they tried it out, the dared, they risked. And here we are from another metaverse, centuries away, and they are saving our lives.
In Everything Everywhere All At Once, Evelyn wants nothing to do with conquering evil and saving the world. But when she is given the power and she starts to put it to use, she becomes less resistant.
We are the little people who are being given the power of Love to transform our lives, the lives of those around us, and the very life of the world.
As a sign of our willingness to embrace the power of love and to test it out, put it to work, we have candles representing the light and power of love; the light of Jesus Christ, who is identified as the light of the world. We have candles that remind us of the teaching, you are the light of the world. And the admonition not to hide your light under a bushel but to put it on a stand for all to see. This light, this power, is seeking to be present in us.
As a sign of your willingness to receive the the power of love and to put it to work, you are invited to come forward and light the candle on the altar that you brought. If you did not bring a candle, there are some additional candles provided that your are welcome to use.
In lighting our candles, we affirm the presence of the Divine within us and among us and we consecrate ourselves as vessels for the power of Love. We express our desire to be lit up, on fire, bearing witness to the transforming power of Love.
Please, come as you wish, and light your candle.
Let us join the unison reading in the bulletin and affirm the healing power of the light of Divine Love.
Reading: Blessed are you who bear the light Jan Richardson b. 1967
Blessed are you
who bear the light
in unbearable times,
who testify
to its endurance
amid the unendurable,
who bear witness
to its persistence
when everything seems
in shadow
and grief.
Blessed are you
in whom
the light lives,
in whom
the brightness blazes—
your heart
a chapel,
an altar where
in the deepest night
can be seen
the fire that
shines forth in you
in unaccountable faith,
in stubborn hope,
in love that illumines
every broken thing
it finds.
A reasonable effort has been made to appropriately cite materials referenced in this sermon. For additional information, please contact Lakewood United Church of Christ.
Take action: Gov DeSantis plans to kill schizophrenic man in two weeks
Governor DeSantis is planning to kill a mentally ill man two weeks from today.
Duane Owen, the man DeSantis wants to kill on June 15, was first diagnosed with schizophrenia over thirty years ago. Two weeks ago, an expert concluded Duane Owen was incompetent to be executed. Nonetheless, a commission appointed by Governor DeSantis found that Duane Owen has no current mental illness and is eligible to be executed.
Actions to take:
• Sign a petition and read details about Duane’s casehere, urging the Governor to stay the execution and grant clemency for Duane. This link also has a petition for faith leaders.
• Read threeaward-winning 250-word essays urging common sense on the death penalty by three of Hillsborough County’s top high school seniors.
• Join Floridians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty (FADP) and other death penalty opponents for the Tampa Bay area vigil to stay the execution of Duane Owen and to oppose the death penalty
– Time: 5:00-6:00 PM on Thursday, June 15
– Location: the northwest corner of Ulmerton Road and 49th Street North in mid-Pinellas County, a busy intersection near the Pinellas court and jail complex.
– Park in the vacant lot behind Checkers. We will provide signs, or you can bring your own.
• Contact Governor Ron DeSantis at (850) 488-7146 or email the Governor (flgov.com). Prepare for your call or email with the essays cited above, with FADP’s excellent Florida Death Penalty Fact Sheet, and with the details of Duane’s case.
• For the latest updates and powerful analysis of the death penalty, sign up for Floridians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty’s excellent email.
From FADP Executive Director Maria DeLiberato:
Sadly, Duane’s pending execution serves as a reminder that Florida has a disturbing history of executing people with serious mental illness. FADP, in conjunction with journalist Alan Johnson, has compiled a booklet of stories shining the light on Florida’s shameful past. Read the first of these tragic stories here.
Every execution is a devastating reminder that Florida is on the wrong side of history. But to repeatedly execute the most ill and the most vulnerable in our society is simply unconscionable. Help us continue to expose this truth about Florida’s fatally flawed death penalty system.
June/July issue of Celebrate Florida
Bulletin 5.28.23
An Open and Affirming Church
A Creation Justice Church
May 28, 2023
10:30 a.m.
PENTECOST!
GATHERING MUSIC I Love You Son Lux
[from the movie, “Everything Everywhere All At Once”]
WELCOME and ANNOUNCEMENTS
LIGHTING THE PEACE CANDLE Barbara Donohue, liturgist
You don’t have to have fought in a war to love peace.
Geraldine Ferraro 1935-2011
PRELUDE Chariots of Fire Vangelis
* OPENING PRAYER Jan Berry b. 1953
Exuberant Spirit of God,
bursting with the brightness of flame
into the coldness of our lives
to warm us with a passion for justice and beauty,
we praise you.
Exuberant Spirit of God,
sweeping us out of the dusty corners of our apathy
to breathe vitality into our struggles for change,
we praise you.
Exuberant Spirit of God,
speaking words that leap over barriers of mistrust
to convey messages of truth and new understanding,
we praise you.
Exuberant Spirit of God
flame
wind
speech,
burn, breathe, speak in us;
fill your world with justice and with joy.
* HYMN Come, O Spirit, with Your Sound 265
MYSTIC READING Hildegard of Bingen 1098-1179
SCRIPTURE LESSON
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.
Acts 2:1-21
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!
* HYMN On Pentecost They Gathered 272
SERMON Powered Up! Rev. Kim P. Wells
UNISON READING — Blessed are you who bear the light Jan Richardson b. 1967
Blessed are you
who bear the light
in unbearable times,
who testify
to its endurance
amid the unendurable,
who bear witness
to its persistence
when everything seems
in shadow
and grief.
Blessed are you
in whom
the light lives,
in whom
the brightness blazes—
your heart
a chapel,
an altar where
in the deepest night
can be seen
the fire that
shines forth in you
in unaccountable faith,
in stubborn hope,
in love that illumines
every broken thing
it finds.
ANTHEM Fire of Justice, Fire of Love 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
Morning offerings may be brought forward and placed in the plates on the altar. You are invited to write your prayer requests on the sheets provided in the bulletin and bring them forward and place them in the basket on the altar. If you would like assistance, please turn to someone seated near you.
Offertory Clair de Lune Debussy
[from the movie, “Everything Everywhere All At Once”]
* Time of Dedication Christine Valters Paintner, b. 1970, adapted
Fiery Spirit, Source of all creative power,
Kindle your Holy Spark within us,
Breathe into us your Sacred Passion,
Fill us with your Flame until we have become fire,
Offering warmth and light to the world. Amen.
* PREPARATION FOR PRAYER Loose the Spirit Porter
MORNING PRAYERS – SAVIOR’S PRAYER
O Birther! Father-Mother of the Cosmos, focus your light within us—make it useful. Create your reign of unity now; Your one desire acts with ours, as in all light, so in all forms. Grant what we need each day in bread and insight. Loose the cords of mistakes binding us, as we release the strand we hold of others’ guilt. Don’t let surface things delude us, but free us from what holds us back. From you is born all ruling will, the power and the life to do, the song that beautifies all; from age to age it renews. Amen.
(Peshita Syriac-Aramaic translation)
* HYMN Like the Murmur of the Dove’s Wing 270
* BENEDICTION Digby Hannah, Australia
The wind and flame of Pentecost is surely here
stirring in our hearts
glowing in the faces of those we love
in the still, small voice
of compassion for those on the margins
of passion for justice
many candles and flames quietly and resolutely burning
in distant places
in our own neighborhood
within our small community of faith
Who will shout, “look here it is” or “there it is”?
There is no need
because Pentecost is within us.
* CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSE (please form a circle) Rosemary Crow
Weave, weave, weave us together; Weave, weave, weave us together,
Weave us together in unity and love. Weave us together, together in love.
Teje, tejenos juntos, Teje, tejenos juntos,
Tejenos juntos en unidad y amor. Tejenos juntos, juntos en el amor.
* POSTLUDE Ring of Fire Cash
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Pilgrim, Trinity, Lakewood Cooperative Ministry
Pilgrim, Trinity, and Lakewood UCC churches in St. Petersburg have begun having discussions about how we can cooperate and support each other’sministries. At the first meeting, a list was generated of things that we might work on together. At the next meeting, the group will pick several things to focus on.
In preparation for that meeting, LUCC leaders would like input from the LUCC congregation about what projects and initiatives are of most interest to our congregation. There are three opportunities for you to be involved in this conversation.
There will be an in person conversation about prioritizing the list of potential projects after worship TODAY in the church sanctuary.
There will be a Zoom conversation about the list of possible projects on Tuesday June 6 at 6:30 p.m. Here is the Zoom link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/2700683648.
And there will be another in person conversation about the ministry possibilities at the next Advisors meeting, Sunday June 11 following worship in the Fellowship Hall.
Please know that your input is needed as we explore working with our neighboring UCC churches.
Operation Attack Update
Operation Attack is an ecumenical food pantry located at Lakeview Presbyterian Church. LUCC was a founding partner in this ministry in the 1960’s. Volunteers are needed to serve on Thursdays. Help is needed putting food away, serving clients, and doing clean up and re-stocking. Pick a time that suits you: 9:30-12:30, 1-4, 4:30-6:30. Help is needed during each of those time segments.
Please consider volunteering for this important ministry serving those most in need in our community.
Donations of non perishable food is always welcome.
Summer Sundays Ahead
For the Sunday services this summer, Rev. Wells would like to hear from you!
What would you like to hear a sermon about? Is there a theme or a topic or a scripture lesson or an issue or a story that is of interest to you? Kim would love to hear from you and she will plan the summer services around your requests.
Congregational Meeting Ahead
There will be a congregational meeting following morning worship on Sunday June 25. This is a special called meeting to discuss a financial plan for the church for the second half of 2023.
Guided Labyrinth Walks
The weekly guided labyrinth walk is now scheduled for Wednesdays at 7:00 p.m. There are several factors that have led to this change including the construction on the property next to the church. All are welcome!
Climate Card Initiative Ahead
LUCC will be participating in the UCC Climate Card initiative letting legislators know that we support efforts to eliminate global warming. Look for more information soon!
Choir Ministry Concludes
This is the last Sunday that the choir will sing for this season. The choir has brought much meaning and beauty to the worship services this year. MANY THANKS to the choir members and especially to Music Director Hilton Jones!
Exhibition Closing June 8
The exhibit “Civil Rights in the Sunshine State” at the St. Petersburg Museum of History will be closing June 8. You are encouraged to see this important, extensive exhibit about the Civil Rights movement in Florida. We all know the image of the marchers crossing the Pettus Bridge in Selma, AL but there were many significant Civil Rights demonstrations and actions in Florida. This important exhibit at the Museum of History shares those stories, which, sadly, may no longer be taught in schools. The exhibit will be on display through June 8.
Circle of Concern
Yvonne Riesen recovering from a fall
Barbara Donohue’s friend, Kelsey
Lucille Ruga
Sherry Santana
Tony Rogers, church custodian
Erik Johnson
Ann Quinn is under Hospice care
Janet Hall
Caregivers
Schools: Students, families, teachers, and staff.
Church Staff
Rev. Kim P. Wells Pastor
Hilton K. Jones Music Director
Claudia Rodriguez Childcare
Lakewood United Church of Christ 2601 54th Ave. S. St. Petersburg, FL 33712
727-867-7961 lakewooducc@gmail.com lakewooducc.org
On land originally inhabited by the Tocabaga
LAKEWOOD UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST
A Just Peace Church
Lakewood United Church of Christ 