ITLOTC
(In The Life Of The Church)
Ordinary Time
Song: What the Dry Years Took Away (by jamie)
Greetings.
A few months ago, I was exploring some nineteenth century hymn texts (like you do), and came across one that had an opening line that caught my attention. The line in question is: O God of Life, whose power benign//doth o’er the world in mercy shine. The hymn itself is a trinitarian situation (in that it has stanzas for Father, Son, and Spirit), usually tagged for Trinity Sunday in hymn books, but my attention never really made it past that opening line.
Why is that?
I don’t know.
I think it’s something about “power benign;” a power characterized by its kindness or gentleness. My default is not to think of power in these terms, even divine power, but I guess benign is a pretty precise descriptor of the power of the God revealed in Jesus Christ.
Anyway, that couplet dug its way into my brain and knocked around for a couple of months and emerged as a song called What the Dry Years Took Away, which I played for the offering song this past Sunday.
I don’t think it’s finished yet, but in case it doesn’t turn into something that we record or keep around, I wanted to have a record of it somewhere.
Here’s where the lyrics are at this point:
Eternal, Uncreated
Who traced the frame
before there was a frame
and never did forget it
though the shape
was mired along the way
would you now yet speak it?
reassert the vision of the Name
write it on our longing
like a pillar of fire and cloud the same
with urgency and grace,
restore what the dry years took away
O God of Life, may Your mercy shine
upon the painted world with power benign
raise our hearts to sing like the moon-pull to the tide
’til every riven thing is found whole yet in plain sight
out here in the distance
among the fences
we build around our dreams
there’s a numbing of the senses
abject indifference
and ubiquitous fatigue
so would you now yet speak it
holy beacon, the vision of the Name
write it on our longing
like a pillar of fire and cloud the same
with urgency and grace,
restore what the dry years took away
O God of Life, may Your mercy shine
upon the painted world with power benign
raise our hearts to sing like the moon-pull to the tide
’til every riven thing is found whole yet in plain sight
You can find a recording from Sunday below (if the soundcloud widget doesn’t load, you can listen here)—it’s nothing fancy, but it’s something. Thanks to Ryan Higgs for thinking to record it.
UBC Kids Bloom and Branch Room Teacher Training This Sunday!
The Bloom and Branch Room UBC Kids Teacher Training is this Sunday directly after church. We will be getting to know each other, reviewing our policies and procedures, and learning some about brain development and engagement from the one, the only, Jana Parker! Hopefully teachers will come away with some practical ideas about how to engage the kids in our Bloom and Branch Rooms in formative ways! We will also make time to exchange phone numbers and let people switch for dates they already know they will not be available to serve. If you cannot make it or if you have not received an email from Taylor about this training please email her at taylor@ubcwaco.org.
St. Francis Liturgy (10/4)
The Feast Day of Saint Francis is Friday, October 4th at 5:30 PM. Join us as we take up the life and legacy of Francis of Assisi as a lens through which to worship God and be formed in the way of Christ. If you have an animal that is important to you, send a picture of it to jamie@ubcwaco.org for our slide show.
Junior/Senior Retreat - October 24-26 - $40
Sign-ups for the retreat will begin on Sunday, September 22. The cost is $40, and you need a $20 deposit to secure deposit. This is a great opportunity to get to know other upper classmen at UBC, have some fun, and learn from one another. If you have any questions, email toph@ubwaco.org
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Meet Our Newest HR Team Member
Name: Erin Albin
Why are you in Waco?: Practically, I came for undergrad then stayed for grad school and then got a job. But I chose to stay in Waco because I love the deep community and rich connections that I found here.
Book/chapter/verse of Bible that is meaningful to you: Ephesians 3:14-21
Best Waco Restaurant?: Burrito from Sergios food truck and then a cupcake from Baked Bliss
Movie/TV show that you are currently into?: I’m currently watching One Tree Hill for about the 5th time (you can judge me, its fine.). My sister is also paying me to watch all the Marvel movies so we’re slowly making our way through those.
Something we may not know about you?: 1. I’m weirdly good at air hockey 2. My fiancé and I go to city council meetings for date night.
Parishioner of the Week
Some anonymous champion who washed, dried and folded all of the hand towels at church.
Announcements
Sermon Text: 2 Corinthians 9:6-11 and 2 Samuel 23:13-17
St. Francis Liturgy 10/4
Homecoming Breakfast 10/13
UBC Kids Teacher Training:
Bloom Room and Branch Room - September 29 after church
Root Rooms - October 20 after church
Work is Worship
Greeters:
Coffee Makers: Oliver & Michael
Mug Cleaners: Oliver and Michael
Money Counter: Ballas
Leadership Team
If you have a concern or an idea for UBC that you’d like to share with someone that is not on staff, feel free to contact one of our leadership team members.
Byron Griffin: byrontgriffin@gmail.com
Kerri Fisher: Kerri_Fisher@baylor.edu
Jeremy Nance: Jeremy.J.Nance@L3T.com
Joanna Sowards: jo.sowards@gmail.com
Kathy Krey: kathykrey@gmail.com
Jose Zuniga: jzgrphix2002@yahoo.com
Taylor Torregrossa: Taylordtorregrossa@gmail.com
Student Position,
Student Position,
UBC Finance Team
Do you have a question about UBC’s financial affairs? Please feel free to contact any of your finance team members.
JD Newman: JD_Newman@baylor.edu
Catherine Ballas: catherine@refitrev.com
Jen Carron: jen.carron78@gmail.com
Mike Dodson: financeteammike@gmail.com
George Thornton: GeorgecCT1982@gmail.com
UBC HR Team
If you have concerns about staff and would like contact our human resources team, please feel free to email any of the following members.
Erin Albin: erin.albin1@gmail.com
Sam Goff: samuelgoff92@gmail.com
Rebekah Powell: rpowell671@gmail.com
Kristen Richardson: wacorichardsons@gmail.com