August 1, 2021
Below, you’ll find the song lyrics and scripture readings for the live stream on August 1st (in the order they are needed).
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 your 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
Call to Worship
we have gathered to worship
the Living God
the One in whom all things hold together
to enter the story of God
and find our own stories reimagined
that the Spirit might form us more fully in the way of Christ
weaving love into our hearts and minds
and the Kingdom of God into our ordinary lives
Amen
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
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
and 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
Love Divine, All Loves Excelling
love divine, all loves excelling
joy from heaven to earth come down
fix in us thy humble dwelling
all thy faithful mercies crown
Jesus thou art all compassion
pure unbounded love thou art
visit us with thy salvation
enter every trembling heart
breathe, o breathe, thy loving spirit
into every troubled breast
let us all in thee inherit
let us find that second rest
finish then thy new creation
in full bloom, let us be
let us see thy great salvation
lost in wonder, love, and praise
Old Testament Reading
Today’s Old Testament reading is Exodus 16:2-4,9-15:
The whole congregation of the Israelites complained against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness. The Israelites said to them, “If only we had died by the hand of the Lord in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the fleshpots and ate our fill of bread; for you have brought us out into this wilderness to kill this whole assembly with hunger.”
Then the Lord said to Moses, “I am going to rain bread from heaven for you, and each day the people shall go out and gather enough for that day. In that way I will test them, whether they will follow my instruction or not.”
Then Moses said to Aaron, “Say to the whole congregation of the Israelites, ‘Draw near to the Lord, for he has heard your complaining.’“ And as Aaron spoke to the whole congregation of the Israelites, they looked toward the wilderness, and the glory of the Lord appeared in the cloud. The Lord spoke to Moses and said, “I have heard the complaining of the Israelites; say to them, ‘At twilight you shall eat meat, and in the morning you shall have your fill of bread; then you shall know that I am the Lord your God.’“
In the evening quails came up and covered the camp; and in the morning there was a layer of dew around the camp. When the layer of dew lifted, there on the surface of the wilderness was a fine flaky substance, as fine as frost on the ground. When the Israelites saw it, they said to one another, “What is it?” For they did not know what it was. Moses said to them, “It is the bread that the Lord has given you to eat.”
New Testament Reading
Today’s New Testament readings, and Josh’s sermon text, is Mark 6:1-13:
He left that place and came to his hometown, and his disciples followed him. On the sabbath he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were astounded. They said, “Where did this man get all this? What is this wisdom that has been given to him? What deeds of power are being done by his hands! Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon, and are not his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him. Then Jesus said to them, “Prophets are not without honor, except in their hometown, and among their own kin, and in their own house.” And he could do no deed of power there, except that he laid his hands on a few sick people and cured them. And he was amazed at their unbelief.
Then he went about among the villages teaching. He called the twelve and began to send them out two by two, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits. He ordered them to take nothing for their journey except a staff; no bread, no bag, no money in their belts; but to wear sandals and not to put on two tunics. He said to them, “Wherever you enter a house, stay there until you leave the place. If any place will not welcome you and they refuse to hear you, as you leave, shake off the dust that is on your feet as a testimony against them.” So they went out and proclaimed that all should repent. They cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them.
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.
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 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 borrow 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
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