May 16, 2021
Below, you’ll find the song lyrics and scripture readings for the live stream on May 16th (in the order they are needed).
Come Alive
draw us in to the dance older than time and space
that constellations, made, in the bend and the shake
cycle back from the end, full-reverse pirouette
like choreography infinite, infinite
but if the music stops
play it again, but pick up where we left off:
that brilliant harmony with 13.8 billion parts
until we come alive
o, come alive
draw us in to the dance ‘til every piece finds its fit
and every step is improvised, but carried out in perfect time
like the shape of breathing is the shape of all, spinning into one
and the empty tomb cloud is spreading out, spreading out
o, if the music stops
play it again, but pick up where we left off:
that brilliant harmony with 13.8 billion parts
until we come alive
o, come alive
we’ve not become what we will be,
but the rhythm of our feet is growing
though we’re fraying at the seams
your gravity is holding; just keep on holding
Call to Worship
We have gathered to worship the Living God
the God who sees
in whom we are known and named
to enter the story of God
and find our own stories reimagined
hoping the Spirit of God will form us in the way of Christ
that we might learn to love God
and love our neighbors
with our whole lives
Amen
Mystery
sweet Jesus Christ my sanity
sweet Jesus Christ my clarity
word eternal, brought low with me
cup of salvation, poured out to drink
Jesus, mystery
christ has died and christ has risen
christ will come again
sweet Jesus Christ my evergreen
sweet Jesus Christ my living peace
love embodied broken for me
trampled redeemer, raised up and free
Jesus, mystery
christ has died and christ has risen
christ will come again
celebrate his death and rising
lift your eyes, proclaim his coming
and all who walk in dreadful darkness
lift your head, you’re not forgotten
celebrate his death-subversion
recalibrate fear to purpose
and in the face of oppressive power
don’t calm down: sing it louder
christ has died and christ has risen
christ will come again
Where God Has Always Been
praise be the lord of all with their backs against the wall,
hands above their heads and eyes
lifted up to that impossible line
where the hill meets the sky
who wonder if the distance is
a trick of the earth or a trick of the mind
and if help will arrive before they slip away
praise be the lord of all who wrestle until dawn
who wear their scars like names, yet find
heaven and earth strangely aligned
like water in the sour wine, hidden in plain sight
for god is now where god has always been:
bunkered down with those in the ditch
raising fountains from the cracking dirt
and raising a feast for the hollow unheard
while the powerful who reign dissolve into the grave
the eternal one will shade the ones they cast away
until the coming of the day when all this is remade
so praise be the lord of all who’ve nowhere to belong
for the kingdom is drawing near
Old Testament Reading
Today’s Old Testament reading, is Psalm 1:
Happy are those
who do not follow the advice of the wicked,
or take the path that sinners tread,
or sit in the seat of scoffers;
but their delight is in the law of the Lord,
and on his law they meditate day and night.
They are like trees
planted by streams of water,
which yield their fruit in its season,
and their leaves do not wither.
In all that they do, they prosper.
The wicked are not so,
but are like chaff that the wind drives away.
Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment,
nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous;
for the Lord watches over the way of the righteous,
but the way of the wicked will perish.
New Testament Reading
Today’s New Testament reading is Acts 1:15-17, 21-26:
In those days Peter stood up among the believers (together the crowd numbered about one hundred twenty persons) and said, "Friends, the scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit through David foretold concerning Judas, who became a guide for those who arrested Jesus-- for he was numbered among us and was allotted his share in this ministry. So one of the men who have accompanied us during all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, beginning from the baptism of John until the day when he was taken up from us-- one of these must become a witness with us to his resurrection." So they proposed two, Joseph called Barsabbas, who was also known as Justus, and Matthias. Then they prayed and said, "Lord, you know everyone's heart. Show us which one of these two you have chosen to take the place in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas turned aside to go to his own place." And they cast lots for them, and the lot fell on Matthias; and he was added to the eleven apostles.
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.
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 thee 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
high king of heaven, my victory won
may I reach heaven’s joys, o bright heaven’s sun
heart of my own heart, whatever befall
still be my vision, o ruler of all
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