January 24, 2021
Below, you’ll find the song lyrics and scripture readings for the live stream on January 24th (in the order they are needed).
Wideness
there’s a wideness in god’s mercy
like the wideness of the sea
there’s a kindness in god’s justice
which is more than liberty
there is welcome for the sinner,
the cast-off, and the unloved
there is mercy with the savior
there is healing in his blood
for the love of god is broader than
the measure of our mind
and the heart of the eternal
is most wonderfully kind
but we make his love to narrow
by false limits of our own
and we magnify his strictness
with a zeal he will not own
there’s grace enough for thousands
of new worlds as great as this
there’s room for fresh creations
in that upper home of bliss
there’s plentiful redemption
in the blood that has been shed
there’s joy for every creature
in the sorrows of the head
for the love of god is broader than
the measure of our mind
and the heart of the eternal
is most wonderfully kind
but we make his love to narrow
by false limits of our own
and we magnify his strictness
with a zeal he will not own
o holy instructor
I fear we’ve found a way to
be wholly destructive
and pin the blame on you
o wideness, come searching
and repair what went wrong
Call to Worship
we have gathered to worship
the Living God
our rock and salvation,
our fortress in whom we will not be shaken
to enter the story of God
and find our own stories reimagined
inviting the Spirit of God to form us more fully in the way of Christ
to speak resurrection into our wounds
and love into our hearts and minds
Amen
Lifted/Lifting
eternal Word, now spoken plain
familiar question, better framed
all the best answers seem to bend
the veil is lifted, the veil is lifting
guiding lamp light, make it plain
the path beyond these empty graves
a reconciling epiphany
the veil is lifted, the veil is lifting
the veil is lifted, the veil is lifting
o dynamic love, come renovate these painted tombs
and cultivate this fledgling hope into bloom
until it spreads like a garden through the gloom
until it’s lifted, keep on lifting
breath of life, exhaled in time
draw a blaze from ember light
subtle glow, now flickering
and if it fades, breathe out again
the veil is lifted, the veil is lifting
o dynamic love, come renovate these painted tombs
and cultivate this fledgling hope into bloom
until it spreads like a garden through the gloom
until it’s lifted, keep on lifting
time again, enduring light
recalibrate these bleary eyes
until the night is noonday lit
the veil is lifted, the veil is lifting
Someday I’ll Start Again
someday i’ll start again
but i’ve got promises to keep
someday i’ll start again
but first I have to do something
’cause I don’t know what I don’t know
I guess that’s just the way it is
someday i’ll start again
for now i’m trying to slow the tape
and for a moment, get a grip
on all I’ve tried to hide away
‘cause i’ve don’t know what I don’t know
and i’ve practiced it for years
someday i’ll start again
and I hope that it’s enough
I pay a man twice a month
to make sure I haven’t given up
and I don’t know what I don’t know
but something has to give
no, I don’t know what I don’t know
but I know where to begin
and someday i’ll start again
Old Testament Reading
Today’s Old Testament reading is Jonah 3:1-5, 10:
The word of the Lord came to Jonah a second time, saying, “Get up, go to Nineveh, that great city, and proclaim to it the message that I tell you.” So Jonah set out and went to Nineveh, according to the word of the Lord. Now Nineveh was an exceedingly large city, a three days’ walk across. Jonah began to go into the city, going a day’s walk. And he cried out, “Forty days more, and Nineveh shall be overthrown!” And the people of Nineveh believed God; they proclaimed a fast, and everyone, great and small, put on sackcloth.
When God saw what they did, how they turned from their evil ways, God changed his mind about the calamity that he had said he would bring upon them; and he did not do it.
New Testament Reading
Today’s New Testament reading is Mark 1:14-20:
Now after John was arrested, Jesus came to Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news.”
As Jesus passed along the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the sea—for they were fishermen. And Jesus said to them, “Follow me and I will make you fish for people.” And immediately they left their nets and followed him. As he went a little farther, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John, who were in their boat mending the nets. Immediately he called them; and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men, and followed him.
Giving
UBC relies on the generosity of the community. If you are a in place that you are able to give of your time, talent, and resources to UBC we would be grateful. If you want to make a financial contribution, the easiest way to do so is through our church center app.
Dry Years
eternal, uncreated
who traced the frame before there was a frame
and never did forget it
though the shape
was mired along the way
would you now yet speak it
reassert the vision of the name
write it on our longing
like a pillar of fire and cloud the same
with urgency and grace
would you restore
what the dry years took away
o god of life, may your mercy shine
upon the painted world
with power benign
and raise our hearts to sing
like the moon pull to the tide
’til every riven thing
is found whole yet in plain sight
out here in the distance
among the fences
we build around our dreams
there’s a numbing of the senses
abject indifference
and ubiquitous fatigue
so would you now yet speak it,
holy beacon, the vision of the name
write it on our longing
like a pillar of fire and cloud the same
with urgency and grace
would you restore
what the dry years took away
o god of life, may your mercy shine
upon the painted world
with power benign
and raise our hearts to sing
like the moon pull to the tide
’til every riven thing
is found whole yet in plain sight
Doxology
Praise God from whom all blessings flow
Praise him all creatures here below
Praise him above, ye heavenly host
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost
Amen
Benediction
As we approach this week
May we love God
Embrace Beauty
and Live Life to the fullest
Amen