May 1, 2022
Below, you’ll find the song lyrics and scripture readings for the live stream on May 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 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 all that was lost yet be found?
Call to Worship
we have gathered to worship the Living God
our refuge and strength,
our ever-present help in time of need
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 join the work of God
with 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
we are beloved ones
not for what we have or have not done
its just, we reflect you like the moon the sun
the living echoes of the song you’ve sung,
and sing:
this is my body, this is my blood
Pulse
there’s a secret pulse, hidden in
the fabric of creation
and the story of every creature is
bone from dust//gift from gift
reconnect our hearts to that pulse you hid
resurrect the peace that we’ve unlearned
and in the wreckage of our selective loves
build a tower that can’t be hidd’n
there’s a remedy for the ache
that plagues us all in waves
and the cure for our other-scorning rage
is break my bread, i’ll break your shame
reconnect our hearts to that pulse you hid
resurrect the peace that we’ve unlearned
and in the wreckage of our selective loves
build a tower and lock us in
until we find there’s only one kind of love that won’t break
more than blind, more than selfless in name, it’s open arms either way
’cause there’s a pulse at the heart of all things that gives life all the same
and a design to the rhythm we breathe: holy name//give and take
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 you remain
Old Testament Reading
Today’s Old Testament lectionary reading is Psalm 30:
I will extol you, O Lord, for you have drawn me up,
and did not let my foes rejoice over me.
O Lord my God, I cried to you for help,
and you have healed me.
O Lord, you brought up my soul from Sheol,
restored me to life from among those gone down to the Pit.
Sing praises to the Lord, O you his faithful ones,
and give thanks to his holy name.
For his anger is but for a moment;
his favor is for a lifetime.
Weeping may linger for the night,
but joy comes with the morning.
As for me, I said in my prosperity,
“I shall never be moved.”
By your favor, O Lord,
you had established me as a strong mountain;
you hid your face;
I was dismayed.
To you, O Lord, I cried,
and to the Lord I made supplication:
“What profit is there in my death,
if I go down to the Pit?
Will the dust praise you?
Will it tell of your faithfulness?
Hear, O Lord, and be gracious to me!
O Lord, be my helper!”
You have turned my mourning into dancing;
you have taken off my sackcloth
and clothed me with joy,
so that my soul may praise you and not be silent.
O Lord my God, I will give thanks to you forever.
New Testament Reading
Today’s New Testament reading, and Jason’s sermon text, is Mark 1:35-39:
Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed. Simon and his companions went to look for him, and when they found him, they exclaimed: “Everyone is looking for you!”
Jesus replied, “Let us go somewhere else—to the nearby villages—so I can preach there also. That is why I have come.” So he traveled throughout Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and driving out demons.
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.
Every Tree
God is our refuge and strength
and ever-present help in time of need
sure as the ground beneath all being
the comfort of the eternal’s within your reach
for every tree has its root in the stream
God comes prowling like a theif
through the windows of time
to the terrace of your grief
to rid your sorrow of its sting
though it might take a while
there’s a dawn within your reach
for every tree has its root in the stream
so clap your hands and stomp your feet
lift up your voice like the breakers from the deep
to sing of our slaughtered/standing king
by whom death is a vapor and life is a diamond ring
and every tree has its root in the stream
Doxology
praise god from whom all blessings flow
praise god all creatures here below
praise god above ye heavenly host
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