ITLOTC
(In The Life Of The Church)
Lent 2015
Over the next six weeks of lent, the main article of the newsletter will be a lenten reflection written by someone from our community. This week I'm honored to have Sharyl Loeung write for us. Sharyl is a graduate of Truett Seminary and currently works as a resource specialist for the department of Multicultural Affairs for Baylor.
On Vulnerability
The more I preach, the more I realize that the hardest part is not determining what to say, but what not to say. After careful study, there are usually other ideas floating around that you just can’t explore without derailing your entire sermon. These rabbit trails end up on the cutting room floor if you will. So when Josh asked if I would consider writing this week after preaching, I saw an opportunity to chase some rabbits and do some Monday (or Friday) morning quarterbacking.
In summary, my sermon explored the approach to Lent that leads us to examine our mortality and sin. When we examine our sin we tend to have one of two responses. The first response comes from deep-seated shame and guilt. We see ourselves as utter failures that just can’t get it together. We are paralyzed in our fear of further failure. The second, often in response to experiences of the former, leads us to choose the dismissal of sin as significant altogether. In this state we refuse to give weight to our actions. Both of these responses fail to allow us to live as people created in the image of God.
In exploring the problem of shame I showed Brene Brown’s TED TALK. Her research collected qualitative data that brought her to the conclusion that the result of people living under the heavy hand of shame is an unhealthy disconnectedness. We might say it prevents people from “living life to the fullest.” The alternative, Brown says, is a kind of wholehearted living. Her research further uncovered that those who live wholeheartedly have embraced vulnerability. You can see the whole talk here ((http://www.ted.com/talks/brene_brown_on_vulnerability?language=en) if you are interested.
So here’s the rabbit I wanted to chase…
…his name is Winston by the way.
The God we serve is trustworthy with such vulnerability. Dealing with our sin is part of following Jesus. This kind of life requires a depth vulnerability that most of us try to avoid at all costs. But the God who calls us to follow vulnerably, is a God worthy of such trust. In last week’s text (Psalm 25:1-10) the Psalmist says:
Make me to know your ways, O Lord;
teach me your paths.
Lead me in your truth, and teach me,
for you are the God of my salvation;
for you I wait all day long.
We know the path that calls us to be lead in truth and wait on God is not an easy one. But the Psalmist continues:
Be mindful of your mercy, O Lord, and of your steadfast love,
for they have been from of old.
Do not remember the sins of my youth or my transgressions;
according to your steadfast love remember me,
for your goodness’ sake, O Lord!
Despite the difficulty of the journey we are reminded of God’s steadfast love that casts aside our sin and sees us as more than sinners. There’s a kind of knowing that transcends our ugliness and “remembers us” even when we have trouble remembering ourselves.
This week the lectionary sends us to Genesis 17 and the story of the Abrahamic Covenant. In the midst of Sarai’s barrenness, God promises Abram descendants to be made into great nations and most importantly, to forever be their God. This covenant is capped off with the renaming of Sarai and Abram to Sarah and Abraham, highlighting this covenant relationship. Beyond God promising to do the impossible in the life (and body) of Sarah, this passage highlights the intimacy of God with God’s people. I know at UBC there is a great pride taken in the naming of babies. We have some of the most unique, beautiful baby names around! For anyone that has gone through this process you know the love and care that goes into naming. It is the first truly bonding experience we have with our unborn children. It is startling then that in this story of promised greatness, kings , land, nations etc. that God pauses to give these two individuals new names. That’s the God that we choose to follow, worthy of our vulnerability.
This Lenten season may we recognize the God that calls us to follow an uncertain path also promises to walk beside us and knows us deeply.
Emerging Parents
Our next Emerging Parents night is Wednesday, March 4th. If you'd like more information on emerging parents and what it's about email josh@ubcwaco.org.
Leadership Team Nominations
UBC is looking for two new leadership team members. Here are a few pieces of information from the bylaws. If you'd like to nominate someone for our leadership team, please send that name to josh@ubcwaco.org.
(A) Purpose. The Leadership Team shall be the primary decision-making body of UBC. The Leadership Team will oversee all the business and property of the church, as well as make the final decisions regarding hiring and dismissal of staff and the acquisition and selling of assets that are beyond budgetary provisions.
(C) Qualifications. Each member of Leadership Team shall have been a member of UBC for at least one year, exhibited an understanding and commitment to the mission and values of the church, and be willing to fulfill all responsibilities in the Leadership Team job description.
Lenten Services ... No Wednesday Communion
Over the next few weeks of Lent, UBC is partnering with some local Waco churches to participate in a series of ecumenical Lenten services. These services will be on Wednesday over the noon hour. As such we will not be having communion services at UBC over the Wednesday lunch hour during this time. Please note that we will not have a service or a communion service at UBC on the week of spring break. The schedule is listed below.
Lost & Found Items:
Our lost and found is overflowing with items. Please take a look at this and reclaim what is yours. Note: if these are not claimed this week they will be donated to Goodwill.
- Small, white toy cat that moves it's legs
- Tiara w/ pink gems
- Brown & Blue scarf
- Navy Blue umbrella
- Blue jacket
- Celtics beanie
- Female, grey mossimo short sleeve shrug
- Furry brown neck warmer
- Toddler play phone
- Women's short sleeve, blue shrug
- Size 6, white, abercrombie & fitch shorts
- Pink hairbrush
- Black Sparkly headband
- Orange/White striped tank top
- Gold Mardi Gra beads
- Laura Geller Lip Gloss
- Brown Hair Claw
- Green pacifier with clip
- Nissan Car Key Fab
- X Sports Sunglasses
- Micro USB chord
- Curling Iron
- NASB Brown Bible with cross on front
- Reusable Baylor Bag
- Kids Red Jacket - size 18-24 month
- Tan Message Bible
- NRSV Black Bible with Apocrypha
- Size 3-6 month baby black hoodie with skeleton outline
Work is Worship
Greeters: Kelsey Lawson
Coffee Makers: Jake & Byron
Mug Cleaners: Michael & Kayla
Shutdown Team: The Blue Flames
Announcements:
Sunday Sermon Text: Mark 8:31-38
Our next town hall is March 22nd after church.
UBC families at the Soccer Field, Sunday March 29th @ 12:00 PM. Email josh@ubcwaco.org for more information.
Do you have an Emergency? Do you Need to talk to a Pastor?:
254 366 9779
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: Teri Walter: terijan@gmail.com
Jana Parker jparkerslp@gmail.com
Kristin Dodson: kschwebke@prodigy.net
Kaley Eggers: kaley.eggers@gmail.com
David Wilhite: david_wilhite@baylor.edu
Byron Roldan: Byron_Roldan@baylor.edu
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
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
Jeff Walter: jeff_walter@baylor.edu
Michael Heins: mheins@hot.rr.com