March 27, 2022
Below, you’ll find the song lyrics and scripture readings for the live stream on March 27th (in the order they are needed).
In the Night
I am weary with the pain of Jacob’s wrestling
in the darkness with the fear, in the darkness with the fear
but he met the morning wounded, with a blessing
so in the night, my hope lives on
o in the night
o in the night
o in the night
my hope lives on
when Elisha woke surrounded by the forces
of the enemies of god, of the enemies of god
he saw the hills aflame with angels on their horses
so in the night, my hope lives on
o in the night
o in the night
o in the night
my hope lives on
I see the slave who toils beneath the yoke, unyielding
and I can hear the captive groan, hear the captive groan
for some hand to stay the whip her foe is weilding
but still in the night, my hope lives on
o in the night
o in the night
o in the night
my hope lives on
I see the armies of the enemies approaching
and the people driven trembling for the shore
but a doorway through the water now is opening
so in the night my hope lives on
o in the night
o in the night
o in the night
my hope lives on
Call to Worship
we have gathered to worship the Eternal One
the one who is merciful
slow to anger
and abounding in steadfast love
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
teaching us to live with open hearts
that we might join the work of God
in our ordinary lives
amen
Breathe On Me, Breath of God
breathe on me breath of god
fill me with life anew
that I may love what thou dost love
and do what thou wouldst do
breathe on me breath of god
until my heart is pure
until with thee I will one will
to do and to endure
breathe on me breath of god
’til I am wholly thine
until this earthy part of me
glows with thy fire divine
breathe on me breath of god
so shall I never die
but live with thee the perfect life
of thine eternity
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’s 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 borrowed 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
True Love Will Find You in the End (by Daniel Johnston)
true love will find you in the end
you’ll find out just who was your friend
don’t be sad, I know you will
just don’t give up until
true love will find you in the end
this is a promise with a catch
only if you’re looking will it find you
’cause true love is searching too
but how will it recognize you
if you don’t step out into the light, the light
don’t be sad, I know you will
just don’t give up until
true love will find you in the end
Old Testament Reading
Today’s Old Testament reading is Psalm 32:
Happy are those whose transgression is forgiven,
whose sin is covered.
Happy are those to whom the Lord imputes no iniquity,
and in whose spirit there is no deceit.
While I kept silence, my body wasted away
through my groaning all day long.
For day and night your hand was heavy upon me;
my strength was dried up as by the heat of summer.Selah
Then I acknowledged my sin to you,
and I did not hide my iniquity;
I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,”
and you forgave the guilt of my sin.Selah
Therefore let all who are faithful
offer prayer to you;
at a time of distress, the rush of mighty waters
shall not reach them.
You are a hiding place for me;
you preserve me from trouble;
you surround me with glad cries of deliverance.Selah
I will instruct you and teach you the way you should go;
I will counsel you with my eye upon you.
Do not be like a horse or a mule, without understanding,
whose temper must be curbed with bit and bridle,
else it will not stay near you.
Many are the torments of the wicked,
but steadfast love surrounds those who trust in the Lord.
Be glad in the Lord and rejoice, O righteous,
and shout for joy, all you upright in heart.
New Testament Reading
Today’s New Testament reading, and Burt’s sermon text, is Luke 3:1-3, 11-32:
Now all the tax collectors and sinners were coming near to listen to him. And the Pharisees and the scribes were grumbling and saying, “This fellow welcomes sinners and eats with them.”
Then Jesus said, “There was a man who had two sons. The younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of the property that will belong to me.’ So he divided his property between them. A few days later the younger son gathered all he had and traveled to a distant country, and there he squandered his property in dissolute living. When he had spent everything, a severe famine took place throughout that country, and he began to be in need. So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed the pigs. He would gladly have filled himself with the pods that the pigs were eating; and no one gave him anything. But when he came to himself he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired hands have bread enough and to spare, but here I am dying of hunger! I will get up and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son; treat me like one of your hired hands.”’ So he set off and went to his father. But while he was still far off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion; he ran and put his arms around him and kissed him. Then the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ But the father said to his slaves, ‘Quickly, bring out a robe—the best one—and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. And get the fatted calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate; for this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found!’ And they began to celebrate.
“Now his elder son was in the field; and when he came and approached the house, he heard music and dancing. He called one of the slaves and asked what was going on. He replied, ‘Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fatted calf, because he has got him back safe and sound.’ Then he became angry and refused to go in. His father came out and began to plead with him. But he answered his father, ‘Listen! For all these years I have been working like a slave for you, and I have never disobeyed your command; yet you have never given me even a young goat so that I might celebrate with my friends. But when this son of yours came back, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fatted calf for him!’ Then the father said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. But we had to celebrate and rejoice, because this brother of yours was dead and has come to life; he was lost and has been found.’”
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 my 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
Benediction
As we approach this week
May we love God
Embrace Beauty
and Live Life to the fullest
Amen