April 11, 2021
**Note: if you are attending the parking lot service,
masks are to be worn the entire time
and we are not yet singing together**
Below, you’ll find the song lyrics and scripture readings for the live stream on April 11th (in the order they are needed).
Noise
you sang the stars, out of darkness you composed a fire
you called the world into form out of chaos
yet for all of that noise, you dwell in the quiet places
you’re the truest form of which I am but a shadow
so what can I say about the things that you’ve done?
when I was a broken promise, you made me another one
you crafted my frame, out of earth you formed my complexion
you called it good, but we both know that I’ve since heard different
yet for all of that noise, you pull me to quiet places
you’re the purest love of which I am but a taker
so what can I say about the things you’ve done
when I was a broken promise, you made me another one
you found me in my desperate raging
you called my name like you know how it is
like every doubt that i’ve ever lain in
you’ve called your own, like you understand it
the Word became Flesh
that Bright Light descended in darkness
the Image, it spread, and colored the fear a deep shade of wonder
yet for all of that noise, I still cannot explain it
this Living Hope, like a fire ablaze in my bones
Call to Worship
We have gathered to worship the Living God
to direct our attention
to the One in whom we live and move
and have our being
to enter the story of God
and find our own stories reimagined
hoping the Spirit of Life would form our heart and minds
in the way of Christ
that we might be Resurrection people
in our living and moving and being
Amen
Word and Scar (???)
hold my breath until my chest caves in
try to balance out the weight
turn it over ‘til my mind collapses
find the Ground that doesn’t shake
i’ve got no problem with impossible
at least when it is what it seems
and it’s not that I don’t believe
it’s that I don’t know what it means
Living God, in word and scar
lay your wounds alongside ours
and speak the peace of death-made-time
how every dawn is born of night
taking time to try to find some space
it’s kind of hard to find place to be
i’ve been living from memory
but someone’s tearing up the streets
i’ve got no problem with difficult
when its on a shelf that I can reach
and it’s not that I don’t believe
it’s that right now its hard to breathe
Living God, in word and scar
lay your wounds alongside ours
and speak the peace of death-made-time
how every dawn is born of night
O Word-Made-Scar, O Void-Made-Star
come like a vine
to intertwine these ribs and spine
like the braid of time
Living God, in word and scar
lay your wounds alongside ours
and speak the peace of death-made-time
how every dawn is born of night
O Love That Will Not Let Me Go
o love that will not let me go
I rest my weary soul in thee
I give you back the life I owe
that in thine ocean’s depths its flow
may richer fuller be
o light that follows all my ways
I yield my flickering torch to thee
my heart restores its borrowed ray
that in thy sunshine’s blaze its day
may brighter fairer be
o joy that seeks me through the pain
I cannot close my heart to thee
i’ll trace the rainbow through the rain
and feel the promise is not in vain
that morn shall tearless be
o love, don’t let go of me
o light, hold my flickering
o joy, don’t lose sight of me
o love, don’t let go of me
o cross that’s lifting up my head
I dare not ask to fly from thee
though I lay in dust, life’s glory dead
from the ground there blossoms red
life that shall endless be
endlessly
endless be
endlessly
Old Testament Reading
Today’s Old Testament reading is Psalm 133:
How very good and pleasant it is
when kindred live together in unity!
It is like the precious oil on the head,
running down upon the beard,
on the beard of Aaron,
running down over the collar of his robes.
It is like the dew of Hermon,
which falls on the mountains of Zion.
For there the Lord ordained his blessing,
life forevermore.
New Testament Reading
Today’s New Testament reading, and Josh’s sermon text, is Acts 4:32-35:
Now the whole group of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one claimed private ownership of any possessions, but everything they owned was held in common. With great power the apostles gave their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. There was not a needy person among them, for as many as owned lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold. They laid it at the apostles' feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need.
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.
The Word Is Yet Flesh
this peculiar collection of pieces you left
is knit with the needle of spirit, the Word is yet flesh
like a blanket, pulled tight over torn ligaments
but the hands have a problem with the shape of the feet
the mouth can’t decide if the jaws should be married
and the spine is just tired of fighting the pull of the earth
but this fractured collective can somehow still dance
kaleidoscope motion of a shaky pirouette
borrowed brilliance refracted in sparks down the line
but as the warmth of the glow gives flight to the gloom
the kingdom of hope fades into view
and all that we’ve known or thought that we knew
is now finally caught silent in the light of the truth
o word made flesh in whom all things hold
bind up tightly these collapsing bones
and raise again a body from the cold
’til nothing remains of these flickering days
come light of the world, thief of the night
be the lamp of the body, the lens to the eye
and though we’re scattered in knowing, be one in the mind
and bid our divine mirrors come and die
then word made flesh in whom all things hold
bind up tightly these collapsing bones
and raise again a body from the cold
’til nothing remains of these flickering days
’til nothing remains but the Light and the flame
Doxology
Praise God from whom all blessings flow
Praise God, all creatures here below
Praise God above, ye heavenly hosts
Praise Timeless, Son, and Holy Ghost
Amen.
Benediction
As we approach this week
May we love God
Embrace Beauty
and Live Life to the fullest
Amen