ITLOTC
(In The Life Of The Church)
Lent
Lent 2
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 Val Fisk. Val is working of her Master of Divinity from Truett.
______________________________________________________________
As a kid, I was told that Protestants shouldn’t practice Lent because it sounded like something those legalistic Pharisees would do, and Jesus didn’t like the Pharisees. Since beginning to observe Lent as an undergrad, I’ve actually found it to be a significant period of spiritual formation in my life each year. The first year was difficult and felt almost pointless, but each successive year has become easier. This year, I realized that Lent is a season I look forward to, anticipating the spiritual formation that takes place through this tradition, preparing my spirit for the celebration of Easter.
In Psalm 27, the psalmist calls the LORD “the stronghold of my life.” During Lent, we fast and in some way physically or emotionally deprive ourselves of something that we typically enjoy – candy, dessert, Netflix, social media, red meat. Some of the really crazy people even give up coffee! Other people use Lent as a way to break a spiritually draining habit – complaining, gossiping, over-commitment to activity. When we choose to deprive ourselves from something, we are choosing to give up our dependency on that particular thing in order to better place our dependency upon God. We become more aware of our own weakness and our need for the LORD who is our stronghold.
The psalmist continues: “One thing I asked of the LORD, that I will seek after: to live in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord and to inquire in his temple.” As we live in the presence of God, fully dependent upon him as our stronghold, we are inevitably changed. As we begin to more fully live in that presence, we find that there is a host of believers alongside of us who are being formed through their weakness. We are formed as a community as each of us practices Lent. Who are you being formed alongside of? Who are you practicing your weakness with? And how does your experience of dependence allow you to experience formation through a tradition much larger than yourself?
Empty Nester Hang Out
The Empty Nesters will be meeting for lunch after church on this Sunday @ Baris Restaurant in Waco. For more information email kim @ tackhaines@msn.com
Faith and Philosophy
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
The first talk is coming up this Wednesday. The topic will be Perceiving God or Arguing for God?
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.
Work is Worship
Greeters: Blaylocks
Coffee Makers: Stephen & Emmy
Mug Cleaners: Leigh & Stephen
Announcements:
- Sunday Sermon: Lent Two: Luke 13:31-35
- Next Town Hall March 20th after church
- 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