September 26, 2021
Below, you’ll find the song lyrics and scripture readings for the live stream on September 26th (in the order they are needed).
Chariot
swing like a chariot at the trumpet call when we’re all unsaved
swing like a wrecking ball, like the heart of god, what a mystery
filled with the wedding feast for the snakes and bees with the angel teeth
swing like a chariot, come and marry us to the blushing circus king
and dance like elephants as he comes to us through a fiery golden ring
with a violin and a song to sing as he brings for us our wings
now he’s one of us plays the tambourine breaks the bread for us and sings
but will he wait for us, will you stay for us, will you grace us every thing
you’re a wrecking ball with a heart of gold and we will wait for it to swing
like a chariot, swing it low for us, come and carry us away
so we will become a happy ending
fire, come and carry us
make us shine or make us rust
tell us that you care for us
you need to hear a word for us
let your body stand with us
or let our ribs return to dust
chariot, you’ll swing for us
but do you think that you can carry all of us?
so we will become a happy ending
Call to Worship
we have gathered to worship
the Living God
the Maker of heaven and earth
the sustainer of every creature
to enter the story of God
and find our own stories reimagined
that the Spirit might transform our hearts and minds
teaching us to love god
to love our neighbor
and to love ourselves
Amen
Death In His Grave
although the earth cried out for blood
satisfied her hunger was
her billows called on raging seas
for the souls of men, she craved
sun and moon from balcony
turned their head in disbelief
precious love would taste the sting
disfigured and disdained
on Friday a thief, on Sunday a king
who laid down in grief but woke with the keys
to hell on that day: first born of the slain
the man Jesus Christ laid death in his grave
so three days in darkness slept
the morning sun of righteousness
but raise to shame the throes of death
and overturn their rule
while daughters and the sons of men
will pay not their dues again
the debt of blood they owed was rent
when the day rolled anew
on Friday a thief, on Sunday a king
who laid down in grief but woke with the keys
to hell on that day: first born of the slain
the man Jesus Christ laid death in his grave
he has cheated hell and seated us above the fall
in desperate places he paid our wages
one time once and for all
Look to the Hills
I lift my eyes to the hills
to remind myself this isn’t all there is
I lift my eyes to the hills
and wait for help to appear
my help is from the lord
who breaks past walls
and fortress doors
my shade in sun
and shield from sword
yes my help is from the lord
so I look to the hills
and I know the score
the mountains fall
the shadows, they soar
and every rough line
is impeccably placed
as valleys rise, forgetting their place
I look to the hills
and I know what i’m for
and know my help is going before
There Is A Lightness
come to me, ye weary
dissolve into my gentle stream
and find there is a light
here in the shade
come heavy head, soul sick dregs
cast upon me that which keeps you bent
and find there is a light
beyond the shade
for the God Who Sees is not far away
come to me, ye filthy rich
cast your fortunes to wilder winds
and find there is a light
you cannot possess
gather round, ye powder kegs
but hold your fire before nothing’s left
and find there is a light
you cannot demand
for god is not mocked and will not be co-opted
so gather up your grief
gather up the sun-bleached
bones of your dreams
bring it all to me
for there is a lightness beyond lightness
in the Ground Beneath All Being
and my burden is peace
So come to me,
come and find,
there’s a lightness
Old Testament Reading
Today’s Old Testament reading is Psalm 124:
If it had not been the Lord who was on our side
—let Israel now say—
if it had not been the Lord who was on our side,
when our enemies attacked us,
then they would have swallowed us up alive,
when their anger was kindled against us;
then the flood would have swept us away,
the torrent would have gone over us;
then over us would have gone
the raging waters.
Blessed be the Lord,
who has not given us
as prey to their teeth.
We have escaped like a bird
from the snare of the fowlers;
the snare is broken,
and we have escaped.
Our help is in the name of the Lord,
who made heaven and earth.
New Testament Reading
Today’s New Testament reading is Mark 9:38-50:
John said to Jesus, “Teacher, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we tried to stop him, because he was not following us.” But Jesus said, “Do not stop him; for no one who does a deed of power in my name will be able soon afterward to speak evil of me. Whoever is not against us is for us. For truly I tell you, whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because you bear the name of Christ will by no means lose the reward.
“If any of you put a stumbling block before one of these little ones who believe in me, it would be better for you if a great millstone were hung around your neck and you were thrown into the sea. If your hand causes you to stumble, cut it off; it is better for you to enter life maimed than to have two hands and to go to hell, to the unquenchable fire. And if your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off; it is better for you to enter life lame than to have two feet and to be thrown into hell. And if your eye causes you to stumble, tear it out; it is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than to have two eyes and to be thrown into hell, where their worm never dies, and the fire is never quenched.
“For everyone will be salted with fire. Salt is good; but if salt has lost its saltiness, how can you season it? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another.”
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.
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
oh come alive
draw us in to the dance ‘til every piece finds its fit
and every step is improvised and carried out in perfect time
like the shape of breathing is the shape of all, spinning into one
as the empty tomb cloud is spreading out, spreading out
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
oh come alive
we’ve not become what we will be
but the rhythm of our feet is growing
and though we’re fraying at the seams
your gravity is holding
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