ITLOTC
(In The Life Of The Church)
Lent
Lent 1
Over the next six weeks we will be hearing from voices in within our community. The article will address the texts and themes from lent. Today we'll hear from Kelly Doolittle. Kelly is finishing his Master of Divinity from Truett.
______________________________________________________________
The most shocking thing about the Temptation of Christ is the first line: “and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness.” (Luke 4:1). It’s shocking because we know what happens next. As Jesus fasted, the Devil approached with three temptations: one of hunger, one of power, one of safety. We know that Jesus is able to deny Satan and the Spirit leads Jesus out of the wilderness. This isn’t the end of the matter, however.
“Was led by the Spirit in the wilderness.” It is God who leads Jesus into the desert. Nothing good happens in the desert. The desert’s hot, no water, no food, almost no life and the sun is unforgiving. The sheer vastness of it drives minds mad. Furthermore, people believed the desert was a haunt for demons (Luke 11:24; Matt 12:43). Still, Jesus “was led by the Spirit in the wilderness.”
Do you ever feel like you have been led into the desert? Maybe you have. Maybe it was God who did the leading. After all, if God led the Lord into the desert are we, as his followers, expected to do any less?
Thank God for the Lord then. If God is to lead us into the desert we have the Lord as our example. He was in constant prayer before being led into the desert, once there he fasted, and because of these his mind and spirit were completely in tune with God. There were no distractions for Christ. This is why he could deny the Devil.
The Lord said “If anyone would follow me, they must first deny themselves, pick up their cross, and follow me” (Mark 8:34). The “follow” part is wherever Jesus leads, that most certainly includes deserts. The hope then is this: “Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit” (Luke 4:14). Just as God led Jesus into the desert, he led Jesus out of the desert. The key is, as always, to keep following. Amen.
Meet Our Newest Leadership Team Rep
Bridget Heins
family: I have been married to my amazing husband, Michael, for 23 years. We have two children: Becca, a senior at Baylor and Mikey, a junior at Rapoport Academy.
tv show(s) i love: SURVIVOR, Sherlock, The Walking Dead, and Everybody Loves Raymond
hobby(ies): I am a teacher,so my hobbies are grading, lesson planning, and shopping at Hobby Lobby 😃
favorite bible verse, book chapter: Joel 2:25 "I will repay you for the years the locusts have eaten."
Ephesians and Philippians are my favorite books. Good stuff!
best restaurant in Waco:
Mexican: El Conqistador
Italian: Baris
Burger: Double-R
Lunch: Schmaltz's
Food Truck: Xristo's
Barbecue: Tony Demaria's on Elm
something you might not know about me: I am an open book (my husband says that if you talk to me for 5 minutes, you'll know my life story). However, most people do not know that I have a fear of opening biscuit cans. It's a thing, I promise! In the grocery store, I walk by the refrigerated biscuit section a little faster 😬
UBC Financial Status Update
UBC Financial Status
as of: February 3, 2016
THE PLAN: Our fiscal year runs from the first of July through the end of June. This year’s budget is $309,412. Fixed expenses (staff salaries, building and office expenses) are projected to be $253,373, or 82% of the total, and ministry expenses (the many things our church does for our community and for those who attend) are projected at $56,039 or 18%.
OUR EXPENSES AND INCOME: Between July 1st and January 31st we have spent $155,812 or about 50% of our budget. Those items considered fixed accounted for about 89% of this spending. Our income from tithes and offerings during this period totaled $206,910; we have also received about $1,865 in building rental and rental.
OUR STATUS: UBC’s available cash (checking account) balance is currently about $63,400 and we have another $88,300 in savings; we continue to carry no debt. Our financial status relies heavily on your weekly tithes and offerings. Thank you for your generosity and your commitment to the work of UBC.
If you’d like to be a financial partner with UBC, you can sign up for monthly giving through EasyTithe.
Ecumenical Lent Services
For the past few years, UBC have been partnering with several downtown pastors to do a few ecumenical services during the lenten season. This year we will have the privilege of hosting. So if you'd like to join us for a brief worship service and lunch over the next few Wednesdays, we'd love to have you.
Love, Love Feast
Black Hearts Sunday: the day when Lent 1 falls on Valentines Day.
Friends, it is that time of year again, when we embrace love, and by love, I mean food! Bring the dish you love the most, and bring enough to share. The feast will begin at 6pm, on Sunday night, February 14th. If you would like to bring a dessert, please sign-up in the foyer at church. If you are bringing a main dish, a side, or an appetizer, there is no need to sign-up. UBC will provide drinks, you bring your favorite food. If you have any questions, please email toph@ubcwaco.org
Work is Worship
Greeters: Rick & Marygayle
Coffee Makers: Sarah & Caroline
Mug Cleaners: Team Haines
Announcements:
- Sunday Sermon: Lent One Luke 4:1-13
- Empty Nesters will be meeting for lunch after church on Sunday 2-21 @ Baris Restaurant in Waco. For more information email kim @ tackhaines@msn.com
- Chris Tweedt will be leading a series of three talks about the intersection of faith and philosophy. Talks will run in the evening from 7:30-8:30 and will take place at UBC. for more information email Chris @ christweedt@gmail.com
- Feb 24: Perceiving God or Arguing for God?
- Mar 23: What Does God Think About Suffering?
- April 20: Who, If Anyone, Should We Trust about Religion?
Do you have an emergency and need to talk to a pastor?
254 498 2261
Leadership Team
If you have a concern or an idea for UBC that you’d like to share with someone that is not on staff, feel free to contact one of our leadership team members.
Chair- Kristin Dodson: kschwebke@prodigy.net
Joy Wineman: joy.wineman@gmail.com
Stan Denman: Stan_Denman@baylor.edu
David Wilhite: David_Wilhite@baylor.edu
Bridget Heins: bheins@hot.rr.com
Sharyl Loeung: sharylwl@gmail.com
Jon Davis: jdavis83@gmail.com
UBC Finance Team
Do you have a question about UBC’s financial affairs? Please feel free to contact any of your finance team members.
Tom Haines: thomas_haines@baylor.edu
Josh McCormick: Josh.McCormick@dwyergroup.com
Chris Kim: chris_kim@alumni.baylor.edu
Hannah Kuhl: HannahKuhl@hotmail.com
Justin Pond: pondjw@gmail.com
Lacy Crocker: lacykcrocker@gmail.com
UBC HR Team
If you have concerns about staff and would like contact our human resources team, please feel free to email any of the following members.
Maxcey Blaylock: maxceykite@gmail.com
Mathew Crawford: mathewcrawford@yahoo.com
Callie Schrank: Callie_Schrank@baylor.edu
Rob Engblom: Rob_Engblom@baylor.edu
Ross Van Dyke: Ross_Vandyke@baylor.edu