March 7, 2021
Below, you’ll find the song lyrics and scripture readings for the live stream on March 7th (in the order they are needed).
In the Night
I am weary with the pain of Jacob’s wrestling
in the darkness with the fear, in the darkness with the fear
but he met the morning wounded with a blessing
so in the night, my hope lives on
o in the night, o in the night
o in the night, my hope lives on
when Elisha woke surrounded by the forces
of the enemies of God, of the enemies of God
he saw the hills aflame with angels on their horses
so in the night, my hope lives on
o in the night, o in the night
o in the night, my hope lives on
I see the slave who toils beneath the yoke unyielding
and I can hear the captive groan, hear the captive groan
for some hand to stay the whip their foe is weilding
so in the night, my hope lives on
o in the night, o in the night
o in the night, my hope lives on
Call to Worship
we have gathered to worship
the Living God
seeking shelter in the wilderness of Lent
to enter the story of God
and find our own stories reimagined
that the Spirit of God might form our hearts and minds
in the way of Christ
that we might love God and our neighbor
with the whole of our ordinary lives
Amen
Mother
is there a hair on my head
you haven’t numbered yet, you haven’t numbered yet
in the night, crying in the cold
is there a pain of mine you haven’t called your own?
o mother comfort, mother known
though our minds so well ignore your grace
you bring it just the same, you bring it just the same
we reside in your self-giving love
but you’ve somehow found enough
for all the space that we take up
mother wisdom, mother love
mother comfort, mother enough
through life and death, that cradled set
beginning and the end, Beginning and the End
you are a shield, a beacon of defense
and our weaknesses align as you gather us in
o mother warrior, mother age to age
mother wisdom, mother grace
mother comfort, mother love-that-can’t-be-bought
mother faithful, mother god
Holy Anger
Holy Anger,
fire that i’ve learned to ignore
cloaked in shadow, cellared and bolted the door
return now to me—
i’ll slip the key through the grate—
for I feel nothing
where I know that I should feel rage
so braid the cords of my heart and then hand them to me
to drive out the vultures from every neck I can reach
Holy Anger,
i’ve heard that you’ve done it before
plastic lighters
illumined with timely resolve
this comfort is acid
and I fear that it may soon dissolve
this ethical axis
until justice collides with control
o, Drunken Warrior, stumble and flail into me
brace my shoulder and release my tongue from my teeth
and braid the cords of my heart and then hand them to me
to drive out the vultures from every neck I can reach
Old Testament Reading
Today’s Old Testament reading is Psalm 19:
The heavens declare the glory of God;
the skies proclaim the work of his hands.
Day after day they pour forth speech;
night after night they reveal knowledge.
They have no speech, they use no words;
no sound is heard from them.
Yet their voice goes out into all the earth,
their words to the ends of the world.
In the heavens God has pitched a tent for the sun.
It is like a bridegroom coming out of his chamber,
like a champion rejoicing to run his course.
It rises at one end of the heavens
and makes its circuit to the other;
nothing is deprived of its warmth.
The law of the Lord is perfect,
refreshing the soul.
The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy,
making wise the simple.
The precepts of the Lord are right,
giving joy to the heart.
The commands of the Lord are radiant,
giving light to the eyes.
The fear of the Lord is pure,
enduring forever.
The decrees of the Lord are firm,
and all of them are righteous.
They are more precious than gold,
than much pure gold;
they are sweeter than honey,
than honey from the honeycomb.
By them your servant is warned;
in keeping them there is great reward.
But who can discern their own errors?
Forgive my hidden faults.
Keep your servant also from willful sins;
may they not rule over me.
Then I will be blameless,
innocent of great transgression.
May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart
be pleasing in your sight,
Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.
New Testament Reading
Today’s New Testament reading is John 2:13-23:
The Passover of the Jews was near, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. In the temple he found people selling cattle, sheep, and doves, and the money changers seated at their tables. Making a whip of cords, he drove all of them out of the temple, both the sheep and the cattle. He also poured out the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables. He told those who were selling the doves, “Take these things out of here! Stop making my Father’s house a marketplace!” His disciples remembered that it was written, “Zeal for your house will consume me.” The Jews then said to him, “What sign can you show us for doing this?” Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” The Jews then said, “This temple has been under construction for forty-six years, and will you raise it up in three days?” But he was speaking of the temple of his body. After he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this; and they believed the scripture and the word that Jesus had spoken.
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
Be Thou My Vision
be thou my vision, o lord of my heart
naught be all else to me, save that thou art
thou my best thought, by day or by night
waking or sleeping, thy presence my light
be thou my wisdom and thou my true word
I ever with thee and thou with me lord
thou my great father, spirit, and son
thou in me dwelling and I with the one
riches I heed not, nor man’s empty praise
thou mine inheritance now and always
thou and thou only, first in my heart
high king of heaven, my treasure thou art
Benediction
As we approach this week
May we love God
Embrace Beauty
and Live Life to the fullest
Amen