January 23, 2022
Below, you’ll find the song lyrics and scripture readings for the live stream on January 23rd (in the order they are needed).
Amazing Grace
amazing grace how sweet the sound
that saved a wretch like me
I once was lost but now i’m found
was bound but now i’m free
‘twas grace that taught my heart to fear
and grace my fears, relieved
how precious did that grace appear
the hour I first believed
through many dangers, toils, and snares
I have already come
twas grace that brought me safe thus far
and grace will lead me home
my chains are gone, i’ve been set free
my god, my savior, has ransomed me
my chains are gone, i’ve been set free
my god, my savior has ransomed me
and like a flood, god’s mercy reigns
unending love, amazing grace
when we’ve been there ten thousand years
bright shining as the sun
we’ve no less days to sing god’s praise
than when we’d first begun
Call to Worship
we have gathered to worship the Living God
the One whose glory the heavens declare
for whose works both night and day
sing their songs
to enter the story of God
and find our own stories reimagined
that the Spirit of God might form us in the way of Christ
drawing our whole selves
into the work of God
in the world
amen
Eternal Anchor
eternal wisdom, eternal grace
is there a creature you have not named
and known in greater depth than the cells of which its 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 to explain
would they be drowned out with your redemption parade
and as the forest 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 al that was lost yet be found
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
All the While
your justice is like the Mariana Trench
though we’ve barely seen the bottom
the bottom yet persists
all the while
your kindness is like the mass of a soul
impossible to measure
but the measure still yet holds
all the while
your presence is like the nature of time
perpetual arrival
we pretend to watch pass by
all the while
but for all that we don’t know
for all that we cannot control
for all that we cannot hold in our hands
all the while, all the while
you remain
Old Testament Reading
Today’s Old Testament reading is Psalm 19:
The heavens are telling the glory of God;
and the firmament proclaims his handiwork.
Day to day pours forth speech,
and night to night declares knowledge.
There is no speech, nor are there words;
their voice is not heard;
yet their voice goes out through all the earth,
and their words to the end of the world.
In the heavens he has set a tent for the sun,
which comes out like a bridegroom from his wedding canopy,
and like a strong man runs its course with joy.
Its rising is from the end of the heavens,
and its circuit to the end of them;
and nothing is hid from its heat.
The law of the Lord is perfect,
reviving the soul;
the decrees of the Lord are sure,
making wise the simple;
the precepts of the Lord are right,
rejoicing the heart;
the commandment of the Lord is clear,
enlightening the eyes;
the fear of the Lord is pure,
enduring forever;
the ordinances of the Lord are true
and righteous altogether.
More to be desired are they than gold,
even much fine gold;
sweeter also than honey,
and drippings of the honeycomb.
Moreover by them is your servant warned;
in keeping them there is great reward.
But who can detect their errors?
Clear me from hidden faults.
Keep back your servant also from the insolent;
do not let them have dominion over me.
Then I shall be blameless,
and innocent of great transgression.
Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
be acceptable to you,
O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.
New Testament Reading
Today’s New Testament reading, and Josh’s sermon text, is Matthew 6:5-8:
“And whenever you pray, do not be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, so that they may be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. But whenever you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
“When you are praying, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do; for they think that they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.
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 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 until 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
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
o, come, alive
o, 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
just keep on 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