Sunday, January 20, 10:15 am
John 2:1-11
Many of us are familiar with the biblical story of Jesus turning water into wine. And while this is an impressive feat, the question still remains why? What point was Jesus trying to prove? Was he just showing off, or was there a different reason he chose this miracle at this time? Join us on Sunday as Pastor Curt preaches on the Wedding at Cana and why gallons of good wine isn’t the only reason to celebrate.
Sunday, January 13, 10:15 am
Luke 3: 15-17, 21-22
We tend to think of baptism in one of two ways: something we do to infants and children to bring them into the Christian faith, or as something a person chooses for themselves because they want to commit their lives to following Jesus. But Jesus was a full-grown adult when he was baptized and didn’t seem to want to follow himself. Which begs the question, “how did we get from Jesus’ baptism to our modern understandings of the sacrament?” Join us this Sunday as Pastor Curt preaches on water, Spirit, ritual, and how shifting our thinking about baptism can shift our perspective on who we are and who God can be.
Sunday, December 23, 10:15 am
Luke 1:39-55
On this fourth and final Sunday of Advent, we hear the story of Elizabeth greeting her cousin Mary with joy and love. Both women are in the midst of surprising and history-altering pregnancies. Out of this greeting of blessing, Mary goes on to sing a song we know as the Magnificant, a proclamation of the Gospel. Mary’s and Elizabeth’s stories remind us that we all bear light and love of Christ, and are called to sing our own magnificants. Join us in worship this Sunday as Rev. Mollie preaches and we explore what embodied love looks like in Advent and beyond.
The Lakewood UCC Book Group is now meeting on the first Sunday of the month after the Church Service. Below is the list of the books we will be reading and on what dates.
Sunday, December 16, 10:15 am
Philippians 4:4-9
In his letter to the church in Philippi, Paul says, “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice.” Our heart may say “yes” to Paul’s command, but our head often says, “not so easy.” Does Paul know anything about difficulty and loss? He can’t really mean always, right? Paul, in fact, knows plenty about loss and difficulty and yet he still believes in the power of rejoicing anyway. Join us this Sunday as Pastor Curt preaches on the Advent theme of Joy, and how a weary world rejoices.
Sunday, December 9, 10:15 am
Isaiah 2:1-5
Most days the world doesn’t seem like a very peaceful place. Across the globe and in our own homes there is far too much violence. The prophet Isaiah spoke of a time when swords would be beaten into plowshares and spears into pruning hooks. Weapons of war would be transformed into tools for tending and growing. Nobody is against peace, but many of us struggle with what it takes to make it and to find it. Join us this Sunday as Pastor Curt preaches on the ways of peace and how to hold on to them is a season and world that seems anything but peaceful.
Sunday, December 2, 10:15 am
Isaiah 61:1-4, 10-11
Advent is a 4-week season of waiting and preparing for Christ’s rebirth at Christmas. It is a season rooted in the hopeful visions of the ways the world could be and should be. The prophet Isaiah had seen the worst of what the world can offer: war, devastation, division, and exile. And yet, he preached a word of hope to God’s people. Our theme for Advent this year is, “A Weary World Rejoices.” Join us this Sunday as Pastor Curt preaches on hope, incarnation, and how we can continue to rejoice in the midst of a weary world.
The Mission, Outreach, and Evangelism Board will be holding a toy collection drive for the Action Center Santa Workshop. This year, we will 100% match whatever toys the congregation donates up to a $600 limit. Toys must be new & unwrapped. See a list of toys needed at the Welcome Center and the collection box in the Narthex.
Here are the most needed toys:
Remote control cars/trucks
skateboards
scooters
science kits
arts and craft kits
nail and makeup kits
action figures
“Frozen” or “Sart Wars” toys
superhero toys
infant and toddler toys
sports balls
bikes and helmets
Sunday, November 25, 10:15 am
Revelation 1:4-8
This Sunday marks the end of the church year, as we’ll start a new year with Advent. Well before the ball drops in Times Square, it is a time to reflect on the ways God has been at work in our world, life, and self throughout the past year. Before we enter fully into Advent and preparing for the Christ child, this gives us a moment to pause, to prepare for what is yet to come, a time to marvel at the present. Join us this Sunday as Rev. Mollie preaches on God’s time and ways that God is with us from the beginning to end, and everything in between.
Sunday, November 18, 10:15 am
Matthew 6:25-33
Let’s face it, most of us are worriers. We tend to fret over our jobs, our homes, even what clothes to wear. Sure, we take occasional breaks from our worry. Thanksgiving is time to relax, if only for a few hours, and give thanks for the abundance God has provided. Join us this Sunday as Rev. Curt preaches on how we can turn Thanksgiving into ‘Thanksliving’ all year round.