February 20, 2022
Below, you’ll find the song lyrics and scripture readings for the live stream on February 20th (in the order they are needed).
Bonfire
you were a bonfire, creation the ash coming off your flame
I am a shadow, thrown to the ground by the light you gave
you are a mending force, patching up wounds, making dead things breathe
I am a fracture, split to the core, but you could fix me
yeah, you could fix me
so we wait for the day we’d rise from the darkness inside us
when every good and broken thing
will meet you there on that golden shoreline
we won’t need the stars to guide us: there’s a new light in the sky
you are a writer, twisting the plot so the words don’t fade
I am the margin, framing the side of the phrases you laid
you hold the best intentions of gravel and dust in time and space
while I am the friction between bending the knee and running away
so we wait for the day we’d rise from the darkness inside us
when every good and broken thing
will meet you there on that golden shoreline
we won’t need the stars to guide us: there’s a new light in the sky
and it’s breaking through even now, its breaking down
the fears we’ve called our refuge and even now
we can see the faintest light, like a crack in time
like you’re already there and you’re calling us home
to the new world that you’ve grown
Call to Worship
we have gathered to worship the Living God
the Eternal One
in whom we live and move and have our being
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
that we might learn to love God
our neighbor
and our selves
with our ordinary lives
amen
All Creatures
all creatures of our god and king
lift up your voice and with us sing
o praise him, alleluia
thou burning sun with golden beam
thou silver moon with softer gleam
o praise him, o praise him
alleluia, alleluia, alleluia
thou rushing wind that art so strong
ye clouds that sail in heaven along
o praise him, alleluia
thou rising moon with praise rejoice
ye lights of evening find their voice
o praise him, o praise him
alleluia, alleluia, alleluia
let all things their creator bless
and worship him in humbleness
o praise him, alleluia
praise, praise the father, praise the son
and praise the spirit, three in one
o praise him, o praise him
alleluia, alleluia, alleluia
Mother
is there a hair on my head
you haven’t numbered yet
you haven’t numbered yet
in the night, crying in the cold
is there a pain of mine you haven’t called your own?
o mother comfort, mother known
though our minds so well ignore your grace
you bring it just the same
you bring it just the same
we reside in your self-giving love
but you’ve somehow found enough
for all the space that we take up
o mother wisdom, mother love
mother comfort, mother enough
through life and death, that cradled set
beginning and the end, Beginning and the end
you are a shield, a beacon of defense
and our weaknesses align
as you gather us in
o mother warrior, mother age to age
mother wisdom, mother grace
mother comfort, mother love-that-can’t-be-bought
mother faithful, mother god
The Time Draws Nigh
the time draws nigh when you and i
are to be separated
but this doth grieve our hearts to leave
each other to be parted
but let us see eternity and meet the saints with joy
our sighing’s o’er, we’ll part no more
but reign with christ in glory
well, family dear, don’t let us fear
we soon shall live together
when christ descends to call his friends
we then shall meet one another
then to sit down around the throne
with saints and lovely jesus
eternal love we’ll sing above
and nothing then shall grieve us
as the lamb appears to wipe our tears
and to complete our glory
we shall rest with all the blest and tell the lovely story
to sit and tell christ loved us well
and that, while we were sinners.
heaven will ring as saints do sing
glory to the redeemer
glory to the redeemer
Old Testament Reading
Today’s Old Testament lectionary reading is Psalm 37:1-12,39-40:
Do not fret because of the wicked;
do not be envious of wrongdoers,
for they will soon fade like the grass,
and wither like the green herb.
Trust in the Lord, and do good;
so you will live in the land, and enjoy security.
Take delight in the Lord,
and he will give you the desires of your heart.
Commit your way to the Lord;
trust in him, and he will act.
He will make your vindication shine like the light,
and the justice of your cause like the noonday.
Be still before the Lord, and wait patiently for him;
do not fret over those who prosper in their way,
over those who carry out evil devices.
Refrain from anger, and forsake wrath.
Do not fret—it leads only to evil.
For the wicked shall be cut off,
but those who wait for the Lord shall inherit the land.
Yet a little while, and the wicked will be no more;
though you look diligently for their place, they will not be there.
But the meek shall inherit the land,
and delight themselves in abundant prosperity.
The wicked plot against the righteous,
and gnash their teeth at them;
The salvation of the righteous is from the Lord;
he is their refuge in the time of trouble.
The Lord helps them and rescues them;
he rescues them from the wicked, and saves them,
because they take refuge in him.
New Testament Reading
Today’s New Testament lectionary reading is Luke 6:27-38:
Jesus said, "I say to you that listen, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. If anyone strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also; and from anyone who takes away your coat do not withhold even your shirt. Give to everyone who begs from you; and if anyone takes away your goods, do not ask for them again. Do to others as you would have them do to you.
"If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. If you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. If you lend to those from whom you hope to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to receive as much again. But love your enemies, do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return. Your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High; for he is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.
"Do not judge, and you will not be judged; do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven; give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap; for the measure you give will be the measure you get back."
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.
Twice Begun
Jesus Christ did not cling tight to height nor form divine
but instead emptied himself into the hands of time
the wind drew cracks in the lips of love
the sun beat down the light
now life itself has torn the veil of death
that all the rest may rise
now life and death and resurrection
are painted over all creation
the colors swirling into one
as if every moment is now
twice begun; it doesn’t stop
the path, the pulse, the clock
Jesus Christ did not cling tight to height nor power divine
but instead emptied himself into breath and blood and spine
as the feeble crowds began to mount, the powers of state and faith aligned
to crush that which might tear their mountains down
but he turned not his mind
that all the rest may rise
now life and death and resurrection
are painted over all creation
the colors swirling into one
as if every moment is now
twice begun
so mourn your losses, sing your songs
but build your houses with fingers crossed
there is a hope now graven in the dawn
and every ending to that burning edge belongs
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