January 3, 2021
Below, you’ll find the song lyrics and scripture readings for the live stream on January 3rd (in the order they are needed).
I Heard The Bells on Christmas Day (w/ Colton Towns)
I heard the bells on Christmas Day
Their old, familiar carols play,
And wild and sweet
The words repeat
Of peace on earth, good-will to men !
Till, ringing, singing on its way,
The world revolved from night to day
A voice, a chime,
A chant sublime
Of peace on earth, good-will to men !
And in despair I bowed my head ;
"There is no peace on earth," I said ;
"For hate is strong
And mocks the song
Of peace on earth, good-will to men !"
Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:
"God is not dead ; and does not sleep
The Wrong shall fail,
The Right prevail,
With peace on earth, good-will to men !"
Call to Worship
we have gathered to worship
the Living God
the One who draws near to the brokenhearted
who shelters those who have worn thin
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
that our hearts and minds might be transformed
by the wisdom of the Eternal One
and our ordinary lives might be drawn
into the work of God in the world
Amen
Eternal Anchor
eternal wisdom, eternal grace
is there a creature you have not named
and known in greater depth
than the cells of which it’s made
and bound up in a love
not even death could separate?
eternal anchor, eternal grace
wrapped in light like eternal flame
would you incinerate the thorns
stabbing in my brain
and with a word, obliterate
the cycles I retrace?
would you raise a staff, split the sea
and graft my withered branch
into your family tree
and come to my defense
if my brother called it cheap
as if my every breath
someone else had planned to breathe
eternal anchor, eternal love
is there a distance you would not run
with glory gathered up
kicking up the dust
to close the gap I made
to try my luck?
would you raise a glass
call a feast
and grace my withered hand
with your family ring
and as I search for words
to try and explain
would they be drowned out
with you redemption parade
and as the forests clap their hands
mountains stomp their feet
would a thousand trumpets roar
as trampled voices sing
and would I be caught up
in that embodied melody
of the all-creation misfit family band of everything
will all that was lost yet be found?
will all that was lost yet be found?
name beyond all naming, love beyond all framing
will all that was lost yet be found?
There
before there were mountains to crumble
before there were seas to rise
before there was pain, the loss and the weight
you were there, you were there, you were there
although our fear is rising
although our fire has gone out
although our hearts are worried and fraught
you are there, you are there, you are there
well, i’ve got a problem, i’ve made a drug
of worrying over what is yet to come
it’s clouding my vision, strangling my love
away
but after the sun stops burning
after the stars have gone out
after the world ceases to turn
you’ll be there, you’ll be there, you’ll be there
you’ll be there, you’ll be there, you’ll be there
you’ll be there, you’ll be there, we’ll be there
Old Testament Reading
Today’s Old Testament reading is Jeremiah 31:7-14:
Thus says the Lord:
Sing aloud with gladness for Jacob,
and raise shouts for the chief of the nations;
proclaim, give praise, and say,
"Save, O Lord, your people,
the remnant of Israel."
See, I am going to bring them from the land of the north,
and gather them from the farthest parts of the earth,
among them the blind and the lame, those with child and
those in labor, together;
a great company, they shall return here.
With weeping they shall come,
and with consolations I will lead them back,
I will let them walk by brooks of water,
in a straight path in which they shall not stumble;
for I have become a father to Israel,
and Ephraim is my firstborn.
Hear the word of the Lord, O nations,
and declare it in the coastlands far away;
say, "He who scattered Israel will gather him,
and will keep him as a shepherd a flock."
For the Lord has ransomed Jacob,
and has redeemed him from hands too strong for him.
They shall come and sing aloud on the height of Zion,
and they shall be radiant over the goodness of the Lord,
over the grain, the wine, and the oil,
and over the young of the flock and the herd;
their life shall become like a watered garden,
and they shall never languish again.
Then shall the young women rejoice in the dance,
and the young men and the old shall be merry.
I will turn their mourning into joy,
I will comfort them, and give them gladness for sorrow.
I will give the priests their fill of fatness,
and my people shall be satisfied with my bounty,
says the Lord.
New Testament Reading
Today’s New Testament reading is Luke 2:41-52:
The parents of Jesus went to Jerusalem every year for the festival of the Passover. And when he was twelve years old, they went up as usual for the festival. When the festival was ended and they started to return, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but his parents did not know it. Assuming that he was in the group of travelers, they went a day's journey. Then they started to look for him among their relatives and friends. When they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem to search for him. After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. And all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. When his parents saw him they were astonished; and his mother said to him, "Child, why have you treated us like this? Look, your father and I have been searching for you in great anxiety." He said to them, "Why were you searching for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father's house?" But they did not understand what he said to them. Then he went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them. His mother treasured all these things in her heart.
And Jesus increased in wisdom and in years, and in divine and human favor.
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.
Wayward Ones
we are the wayward ones
liars and beggars, those who betray
we hand you over, deny your name
cast you aside, yet still you say
this is my body, this is my blood
broken and shed to show my love
we are the broken ones
cowards and fools, all filled with disbelief
we forsake you, deny your name
cast you aside yet still you say
this is my body, this is my blood
broken and shed to show my love
remember me, remember me
come to the table, take and eat
remember me
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