Kyle's Benediction: Matt Addington...

This week marks the seven year anniversary of the loss of our pastor and dear friend Kyle Lake.  Kyle’s legacy lives on in many ways.  One thing that has been especially meaningful for UBC’ers, those who knew him and those who have joined us along the way since his passing, has been Kyle’s benediction that we say as a congregation at the end of the service.  I have asked several people to reflect on the benediction and share thoughts with us.  I will be posting their stories and artwork here for the next few days. _____________________________________

In the days after Kyle's passing, UBC's friend Genevieve Grinnan Peel created a graphic of Kyle's benediction that served as a header for a blog meant to keep the community updated on the life of the church during that especially dark and confusing time.  The graphic spread and was embraced by many people.  One such person was Matt Addington, who was a seminary student and UBC'er at the time.  The next January, Matt decided to make the graphic, and Kyle's benediction, a permanent part of his life.  Below is his tattoo...

____________________________________

Matt received his M.Div. from Truett Seminary in 2007 and returned home to his native North Carolina.  He is a minister in the Episcopal Church.

Kyle's Benediction: Jordan Browning

This week marks the seven year anniversary of the loss of our pastor and dear friend Kyle Lake.  Kyle's legacy lives on in many ways.  One thing that has been especially meaningful for UBC'ers, those who knew him and those who have joined us along the way since his passing, has been Kyle's benediction that we say as a congregation at the end of the service.  I have asked several people to reflect on the benediction and share thoughts with us.  I will be posting their stories and artwork here for the next few days.

________________________________

Love God. Embrace Beauty. Live life to the fullest.

Based on my rough calculations, I have repeated these words about 336 times over the past 7 years.  These are the words that our church says together as a congregation at the close of our service every Sunday.  To me, though, this simple benediction is more than just words.

Every time I say these words, I can’t help but picture my friend Kyle.  I picture his toothy grin and can instantly remember his giddy laugh.  Even though it’s been seven years, I can close my eyes and remember exactly what his voice sounded like when he repeated this same benediction.

Every time I say these words, I am reminded…of what a great friend Kyle was to both me & Blair.  What a great husband Kyle was to Jen and what a great father he was to Avery, Sutton, & Jude.  I am reminded of how much he loved this church…he loved the building, he loved the city that it was placed in, and most of all he loved the people that filled it up.  At the same time, as I repeat these words, I am reminded of the pain & shock that we felt when Kyle died.  Not a week goes by that I don’t miss Kyle.

Every time that I say these words, I am grateful.  I am grateful for the legacy of Kyle’s life that lives on through this benediction.  I am grateful that even though I am repeating the same words that I repeated at the end of every service this time seven years ago, I am not the same person.  Kyle’s death changed me…I’ll admit that when I used to say these words, it was with an earthly perspective.  Small things seemed big, big things seemed small…I’m not sure that I knew what loving, embracing, and living truly looked like.  But in the days, months, and now years following Kyle’s death, I have learned more and more about what it means to have a Kingdom perspective.  Although there is still pain, and heartache, and death, in the same breath there is life, grace, and redemption…and as a result of our faith in Jesus Christ, we can experience that now…it’s not something reserved for eternity.

So to me, this benediction will always be more than just words.  I choose to Love God because when life took me by surprise, God showed me that He is not shaken by surprises.  I will embrace beauty because when I felt anger, grief, and sadness like I had never felt before God met me there and taught me some of the most beautiful lessons I’ve ever learned.  I will live life to the fullest because I know that this life is a gift and such a small speck of time compared to the eternity that we will spend in heaven.

At Kyle’s funeral, his childhood Sunday school teacher spoke and said “Kyle, you have given us even more of a reason to long for heaven.”.  I do long for heaven…but not just so that I can see Kyle again.  I long for the moment when I stand face to face with my Savior and I can love, embrace, and truly live in all of His glory.   It is my prayer, and I believe Kyle’s intention, that these words stir something in you and cause you to long for the same.

__________________

Jordan Browning has been at UBC since she moved to Waco to attend Baylor, and her husband has been here since its inception in 1995.  The Brownings were very close friends with Kyle and Jen.  Below is artwork that is in their living room, assuring that their three children-- Keely, Boone and Addy-- grow up under the influence and inspiration of Kyle's words.

Image

UBC's Presidential Endorsement...

(There's no way you really fell for that, is there?) Among those who call UBC home, there will be some who vote Democrat, some Republican, some Libertarian, and several more who will be writing in their own candidates.  (FYI-- Our favorite write-in candidate won't be eligible for president until 2025, so don't waste your vote on him this time around.)  Others, either out of apathy or protest, will be refraining from the political process altogether.  As long as reflection and prayer are involved in the decision, we are supportive of whatever our people choose.  (We would, of course, discourage apathy.)

What we agree on is this-- Regardless of what happens on November 6th in the presidential election, Christ will still be the King of all creation on November 7th.  His kingdom transcends any temporary, human-built system of governance. Our hope is not in a party, a personality or a political platform.  (Alliteration unintended.) The symbols that tell the story of God's redemption of the world are a manger in a seemingly insignificant corner of the world, an execution under a brutal empire, and an empty tomb in a garden-- not an elephant, donkey or a flag.

No matter where our earthly residency is located, as followers of Christ our citizenship and true allegiance is to Him and the kingdom He is establishing.

We are most in need of this reminder during election season, the time when anxieties rise and divisions are magnified.  Because of this we are asking something both of those who call UBC home, and of the greater Waco community of believers.  We would like to invite anyone, regardless of political persuasion, to join us for times of communion on Tuesday, November 6th.  We will be having services at 7:15 a.m., 12:15 and at 5:30pm. Each will last about 20 minutes.  As a symbol of public proclamation, weather permitting, these services will occur in our parking lot. For those coming to and from polling places, this will be an important reminder and proclamation of who our King really is.

At UBC we practice open communion.  As long as your desire is to follow and embrace the Christ who has died, risen, and will come again, you are welcome at the table.  Please spread the word to all who count themselves among the citizens of His Kingdom.

For information, please contact craig@ubcwaco.org.

Sunday Song List (October 7, 2012)

Here are the songs! What a great weekend with fall retreat and the cooler weather.  

This is Not the End- Gungor

Amazing Grace- We appropriated a version arranged by Citizens

Death in His Grave- John Mark McMillian

All the Poor and Powerless- All Sons and Daughters

Come Thou Fount

 

Have a great week.  Get outside and enjoy the fall.  And...your dog told me to let you know it wants a walk!

Tye

 

 

World Communion Sunday...

Churches around the world today, the first Sunday of October, are participating in two very distinct observances.  The first, you may have heard about on the news, is called “Pulpit Freedom Sunday.”  Pastors who lament the laws that keep tax-exempt churches from endorsing political candidates and taking strongly political stands, have decided to “Take Back” their pulpits.  They argue that if we look through the lens of Scripture and the Christian story, then we will see very clear dividing lines between political parties, local ballot initiatives and social issues and that it is their responsibility to share those clear dividing lines from their pulpit to their congregation. The second observance is World Communion Sunday, which proclaims something different. In celebrating World Communion Sunday we are not making a statement about the clear dividing lines that may or may not exist in culture, politics and society.  (In fact, I suspect there are at least a few churches observing both Pulpit Freedom Sunday AND World Communion Sunday.)  The spirit of World Communion Sunday is this…

The Lord Jesus, on the night when he was betrayed took a loaf of bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said…

To the disciple who loved him and remained with him until the very end—“This is my body that is for you.  Do this in remembrance of me.”

And to the disciple who also loved him, but could never quite get it right and would, in just a few hours, deny that he even knew Jesus--- “This is my body that is for you.  Do this in remembrance of me.”

And to the disciple who would eventually doubt the cold hard facts that Jesus had been resurrected—“This is my body that is for you.  Do this in remembrance of me.”

And to the deceiver, the one who Jesus knew at that very moment already had plans in motion to turn him over to the political and religious authorities—“This is my body that is for you.  Do this in remembrance of me.”

And to us—all of us—Democrats, Republicans, Independents, those against “Big Government” and those who are ok with a lot of government programs, those for Big Bird and those who wish he would just support himself, Jesus says “This is my body that is for you.  Do this in remembrance of me.”

In the same way he took the cup after supper, and he takes the cup now and says to the tiny congregation in a Ugandan village, under fear of attack “This cup is the new covenant in my blood.  Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.”

He says to the pastor who, as I speak, is preaching against certain political candidates, gay marriage and abortion—This is the blood of Christ, shed for you, do this in remembrance of me.

He says to the gay teenager, the girl who still lives with the pain of her abortion, the middle aged mother whose halo is on a little too tight, to every political candidate, every welfare recipient and every Wall Street Banker, anyone from any corner of the world who is in need of mercy, grace and Love, this morning he says—This is my body, this is my blood, shed for you.  Do this in remembrance of me.

In celebrating World Communion Sunday we make a bold statement—Christ has destroyed the dividing lines.  And to be honest, we are also taking a bold risk—the risk that we will be associated with “The Other.”  When we recognize that in communion, in remembering the sacrifice of Jesus for all, that God has flung the door wide open, we put ourselves in company with people who are not like us—who look different than us and who talk different than us and even who vote different than us.

Today we remember that we make up a larger body of believers, desperate people from far corners of the world who believe one thing—We are all desperate and in need of salvation.

So if this is you, you are welcome to the table.

UBC: Becoming A Transformed Community...

Below are three Spiritual Practices to help us move in the direction of discipleship and transformation... ________________________________________________

Ignatian Prayer of Examen

The best guide I have found for this practice is from Mars Hill (Michigan.)  It can be found HERE...

Go through this practice at least one time each day for the next two weeks.  The first few days will feel awkward and a little disjointed. Over time, however, you will become comfortable with the questions you are asking of yourself.

__________________________________________________

The Practice of Solitude

Determine the time of your day or week when you feel the most lonely.  Dedicate that moment to pulling away and tending to God.  As with every spiritual practice, make sure you are free from distractions.  Try the following things to focus your self away from anxiety and toward God...

-- The Jesus Prayer.  Recite the following prayer-- "Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner."  Repeat the prayer until it becomes a part of you.  The Jesus Prayer has helped Christians for centuries continually recognize God in their midst, and be continually aware of our constant need for his presence and grace.

-- Read the 23rd Psalm through a few times, then go for a quiet walk, focusing on resting in God.

-- Spend a full 30 minutes writing out a prayer to God.  (If you type it on your computer, make sure to close your email and internet.)

_______________________________________________________

The Practice of Reading Scripture for Transformation

Spend at least 30 minutes every day for the next two weeks reading Scripture for the purpose of transformation. (A guide is provided below.)  Read each passage slowly, deliberately, and out loud, three times.  After each reading, spend some time silently reflection on the following questions...

1.  1st Reading: Listen to the Holy Spirit minister God’s Word to you. What one word or phrase especially touches your heart?

2.  2nd Reading: Enter the passage. What emotions do you have? What personal struggle or longing in your life today is God speaking into? (Be specific.)

3.  3rd Reading: Receive what Christ has for you today. What is your personal invitation from the Lord? What do you sense God might be saying to you?

 

At the end of each time reading, reflect on previous readings and try to draw connections between what you read today and what you read yesterday.

Week 1

Day 1:  Exodus 3:1-7

Day 2:  1 Samuel 3:1-10

Day 3:  2 Kings 22:3-20

Day 4:  Nehemiah 8:1-11

Day 5:  Psalm 119:33-48

Day 6:  Luke 4:16-22

Day 7:  Revelation 10:1-11

Week 2

Day 1:  Mark 8:34-37

Day 2:  Mark 9:33-37

Day 3:  Mark 10:41-45

Day 4:  Matthew 10:34-39

Day 5:  Mathew 11:11-15

Day 6:  Luke 17:5-6

Day 7:  John 12:24-25

___________________________________________________

The Practice of Intentional Spiritual Friendship

Consider using the basic questions found in the Ignatian prayer of exam at the top of this page as a conversation starter when visiting with your close community of friends.  The may require you to practice the awkwardness of bringing this up in conversation.  Consider the following questions as you have lunch with friends...

-- When in the past week have you felt most alive?  When have you felt most aware of God's work in your life?

-- What are you most grateful for?

Instead of praying over your food in public, consider just saying something like this before you eat:  "Well, before we eat let me just say that I'm thankful to God for the food we are about to eat and for our time together."

Be mindful that everyone you encounter is a person, loved by God and on a journey to God.  Be intentional about guding them along on this journey, as they guide you.

Kyle Lake Foundation....

UBC folks and assorted friends,  

Our friends over at the Kyle Lake Foundation have some great things going on in the next week or so and we wanted to let you know how you could help out.

 

  • The Kyle Lake golf tournament will be Friday October 12th at Twin Rivers Golf club.  You can sign-up online here-- http://www.kylelake.org/preview/signup_golf.html
  • We could use a small handful of people to help stuff goodie bags for the tournament on Thursday night.  If you can help with this, email craig@ubcwaco.org.
  • On Thursday of this week (October 4,) Baylor’s Association of Black Students, Kappa Sigma and Kappa Alpha Theta will be hosting a Fish Fry Carnival from 6:30-10:00.  A portion of the proceeds from this fun event will go to help the Kyle Lake Foundation.

 

We hope you can participate and help out an amazing organization!

 

Blessings,

Craig Nash

Community Pastor

UBC Waco

Sunday Song List (September 23)

First of all, a big thanks to The Digital Age for leading us in a beautiful Sunday service this past week.  The acoustic instruments created an awesome analog sound! Go Tell it on the Mountain

Leaning on the Everlasting Arms

Tis So Sweet

Doxology

How Great Thou Art

Check out The Digital Age on the web at thedigitalagemusic.com

Have a great week and see you soon!

Tye

Sunday Song List (September 16)

Hello Everyone! Here is the song list from this past week. Good Bones- The Gladsome Light

Hallelujah- Griffin Kelp (Dana Project)  Check out the very great version by our friends The Digital Age!

House of God Forever- Jon Forman

How He Loves- John Mark McMillan

Come Ye Sinners- I sang the Robbie Seay version

Also, we had a request sent in this week and it was nice to have some input from the congregation.  If there is something you have been listening to that you think would be great for Ubc, please email tye@ubcwaco.org!

Thanks everyone,

Tye

Sunday Song List (September 9)

Friends, Here is the song list from last week.  If you ever have any questions about the songs or their arrangement, just email tye@ubcwaco.org and I'll be glad to help as best I can.  Also, if you have any questions about auto repair, installing wood floors, or the Green Bay Packers hit up josh@ubcwaco.org.

Song of Hope- Robbie Seay Band

Your Love is Strong- John Forman

Wayward Ones- The Gladsome Light

How Great Thou Art- you should check out the awesome version by our friends The Digital Age on the website: thedigitalagemusic.com

See you guys soon and happy listening!

Tye

Love Feast!

 

The first UBC Love Feast of the fall will be this coming Sunday, September 16th.  So mark your calendars!  Love Feast is one of the greatest things we do at UBC.  ("Of course it is," you say, "food is involved.")

Here is how food gets put on the table-- You bring it!  We ask everyone who is able to bring something made for at least 3-4 people.  But if you aren't able to bring anything, don't let that stop you from coming!

So that we don't have a table full of mac-and-cheese and Bush's chicken (which for some of us would be amazing,) we are asking certain groups of people to bring certain dishes.  If you are in a Mi Casa, please see your responsibilities below.  If you are not in a Mi Casa, bring whatever sounds good to you.  Either way, bring yourself and your friends.  Love Feast begins at 6:00pm.

Starchy Foods (Mac-and-Cheese, Potatoes, etc.)

Nash/Gunvordahl

BJ and Courtney Parker

McCarty

Vegetable Dishes

Walter

McGregor

Barrett/Kitten

Shane/Hodge

Main Dishes

Carney

Tweedt

Duke

Jack and Jana Parker

Heins

Wilhite

Desserts

Winn

Browning

Sunday Song List (Labor Day Weekend)

Hello everyone, Just wanted to post the song list from last Sunday. Hopefully Labor Day weekend was a good one for you.

Death in his Grave- John Mark McMillan

Like an Avalanche- Hillsong United

Jesus You're My King- The Gladsome Light

Jesus Paid it All

Come Thou Fount

Up on a Mountain- Welcome Wagon

If you liked the Welcome Wagon song, let us know and we'll get you a free CD! Also, thanks to Byron who played drums and Jameson who played guitar.  They will be playing a show (although with two separate bands) at Common Grounds this Friday night.  Be sure to check it out!

 

College Men's and Women's Bible Studies...

 

Like the cool clip art I've used for this?  I (think I can) promise that the College men's and women's Bible Study will not be that corny.  If it is, we promise it will be corny in the hipster-ish way that appropriates old images for a new purpose.

Regardless, we are excited to get our Wednesday night Bible Studies under way.  Our men's group will take place in the Rock and Roll Room and will be led by Nick Deere and Reagan Reynolds.  They will spend the semester looking through a particular book of the Bible.

The women's group will be led by Sharyl West Loeung and Alekza Latte, the owners of the two of the most interestingly spelled names in UBC history.  Using Eugene Peterson's "Eat this Book" as a springboard, they will be exploring HOW to read the Bible.  They will be meeting in the piano room.

Both groups meet on Wednesday night at 7:00pm.

Sunday Song List

Greetings! Each week we will be posting the song list from the previous Sunday.  If you heard something you liked or was meaningful, we hope you look into it further. This past Sunday we played these songs:

You are Holy- The Gladsome Light

All the Poor and Powerless- All Sons and Daughters (be sure to check out the Digital Age's awesome version of this song.  We are so fortunate to have then in our community and to be making great music for us as well!)

Because He Lives- Wild Bill Gaither...or just Bill Gaither.  Lots of good versions of this song out there.

Amazing Grace- John Newton, but you should check out this version here http://youtu.be/pEyEu-hS0fA

Raise Me Up- The Gladsome Light  (Offertory Song)

We hope that the whole of worship was meaningful to you last week.  Feel free to let us know if you come across a song that you feel like would speak well to our congregation by sending an email to Tye.  his email is tye@ubcwaco.org

Gracias! (Still trying to stay positive about not going to Agua Fiesta last night!)

The Fire of the Word Bible Studies...

At our Town Hall Meeting a couple of weeks ago we shared a little about our desire for discipleship and Spiritual Formation to become a more prominent place in the life of UBC than it has been in the past.  While recognizing that we continually want to be a place where people feel welcome and embraced in whatever spiritual condition they are in, and where they feel free to be completely authentic, not "putting on a show" of spirituality or "posturing holiness," we also want to be a community that challenges people to know God and for their lives to be changed by God.

One of the ways we hope this happens in the coming year is through our "Fire of the Word" Bible Studies.  The "Fire of the Word" is a book by Chris Webb that encourages scripture reading not just for receiving information about God, but for experiencing formation by God's word.  It remains very true to the ethos of UBC-- it is thoughtful, it doesn't take for granted familiarity with a certain evangelical way of speaking about faith, and it explores how people have experienced God through Scripture over time.  But it also may be an exercise in being stretch for many of us, as it also pushes us toward hearing God's voice in a way that we may not be comfortable or familiar with.

When does this Bible Study begin?

We will begin as soon as we hear enough interest from people to form a small group, and a time will be worked out that is best for everyone in the group.

What will it require of me?

The Fire of the Word consists of short, 6-10 page chapters that will be read weekly, and daily scripture readings.  Webb encourages a way of reading Scripture that is deliberate, thoughtful, and slow.  So for you to get the most out of this study it will require a sacrifice on your part of anywhere between 15-30 minutes of every day in study and reflection.

I'm interested, how do I sign up?

Email craig@ubcwaco.org.  Include in your email your name, age, if you are in school what your classification is, whether you are married and, if so, if you would like for your spouse to join you in the group, etc.  Also, let me know a few general times (i.e., weekday afternoons, saturday mornings, mwf lunch, etc.)  during the week when you would be available.

We are all excited and hopeful for the growth that will come out of these groups!

Readings for August 19, 2012

(We will begin sharing any readings-- reflections, Call to Worship, prayers, etc.-- that occur in our worship service on our blog.  The sermons can be heard via podcast... http://www.ubcwaco.org/podcast.html .)

_______________

Reflection before the Call to Worship

At this point in our service we participate in the Call to Worship.  Before we do so, let’s get something out of the way—YES, worship is about more than what happens during this hour on Sunday morning.  YES, it is about our whole lives and YES worship can be a personal experience.  However, we also recognize that there is something distinctly special about this moment when we have all been called together to worship.

We are the people of God, in a particular time, at a particular place.  Throughout the week, we are the people of God scattered throughout various corners of this town—schools, law firms, restaurants, space transport companies,  social services agencies, just to name a few.  Today, however, we are the people of God gathered in one place for a common purpose—the worship of God, and there is a sense in which worship—though intimately personal—finds its FULLEST expression within the context of community.  The point here isn’t for you to have your own private experience with God, but for US to interact, as much as possible, with the fullness of God during this very important hour… together.

With that in mind, in our call to worship we make a proclamation to re-orient our focus on the God who has called us together.  We recite words that may resonate from deep within our hearts, but that we also may struggle deeply to connect with.  At UBC, you are welcome—if these words, and belief and faith in the risen Christ comes easy to you, you are welcome here.  If you are constantly eyeing the message and person of Jesus with more than a little suspicion and doubt, you are welcome here as well.   Regardless of where we stand, we say these words together in hopes that one day they will take root, change us and make us into the people God wants us to be.

__________

Call to Worship

In the middle of our journeys we stop, stand shoulder to shoulder with fellow pilgrims, and proclaim to each other, to the world and to God…

We are Jesus People.  Captivated by his life, energized by His spirit and hopeful of his return we are walking in his footsteps, on a journey to God.

 We have stumbled and we have fallen.  We have run too far ahead Jesus and have lagged too far behind.  Occasionally we have been a stumbling block to our fellow travelers…

Yet we are here and there is grace.

 We have been called to pull away, to rest, to consider where we have been and where Jesus is taking us…

We are Jesus people.  Listening to his voice.  Proclaiming our allegiance.  Following Him wherever he leads.

________

Prayer (Adapted from the Book of Common Prayer)

Almighty God, you have given your only Son to be for us a sacrifice for sin, and also an example of godly life: Give us grace to receive thankfully the fruits of his redeeming work, and to follow daily in the blessed steps of his most holy life; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

 

UNIVERSITY BAPTIST 


1701 Dutton Ave. Waco, TX 76706

254-752-1401

FACEBOOK

INSTAGRAM

STAY UPDATED

Cart (0)