ITLOTC 6-29-21

ITLOTC

(In The Life Of The Church)

Pentecost

A Prayer for Transition (and a thank you)

by Bri

We are all experiencing transitions of some kind right now, if I had to guess. Though I still certainly recognize that the pandemic is not over for much of the world, we can say that things are opening back up for our part of the world. 

I went to the Analog event at Pinewood a few weeks ago (at which one of our own, Sharyl Loeung, spoke, and many of you were there). The theme was centered around a quote from Sonya Renee Taylor (on a side note, I highly recommend her book The Body is Not an Apology), 

“We will not go back to normal. Normal never was. Our pre-corona existence was not normal other than we normalized greed, inequity, exhaustion, depletion, extraction, disconnection, confusion, rage, hoarding, hate and lack. We should not long to return, my friends. We are being given the opportunity to stitch a new garment. One that fits all of humanity and nature.”

This opportunity to stitch a new garment is one I also yearn for in our society. We have so much to process in our lives. So much grief. So much joy. So much everything. Most of the systems in our society don’t know how to make room for all of our emotions. I hope for a better world in which we do have time and space to feel everything deeply as we need to, especially when it comes to healing from the traumas we have each experienced, individually and collectively. I hope we can instead normalize generosity, equity, abundance mentality, connection, clearness, kindness, and love. Each and every individual belongs, exactly for who you are and for all that you are.

As I reflect and prepare for my move to Dallas and starting my new job, I have recognized that a big part of what makes it so difficult is because of how deeply I love this church. You have all formed me and loved me and given me opportunities and affirmation. I have become a truer version of myself because of these last four years with you. I want to write something that fully expresses how my life has been changed by UBC, but I hope some of these words will be enough. From the depths of my heart, I say thank you. 

As so much of my life is in the midst of transition and change, I thought back to a prayer that I wrote five years ago after graduating with my undergraduate degree. Though so much of my understanding of myself, of others, of God, and of the world has changed in these last five years, I am still grateful to look back and see this formational prayer. Since I’ve written it, one of my biggest realizations has been that to know God more fully, we must see God in each and every person we encounter. God is not just some distant Creator, but God is also the encounters I have had with each and every one of you. We can be God to each other, because we bring the divine love with us and in us. 

I hope that as we all experience transition in our lives-- the pandemic, loss of a loved one, loss of a job, birth of a new baby, new relationships, changing relationships, or anything and everything in between-- that this prayer might be a source of peace to you, too. 

A Prayer for Transition

Our good and gracious God,

 In times when the future is so unsure, please be our sureness.

In times when we feel like we cannot go on, please be the solid rock on which we stand.

In times when the lies from fear make us doubt, please be our truth.

In times when our feelings are a roller coaster or we don't even know how to feel, please be our unwavering constant. 

In times when we fail, please give us mercy.

In times when we compare those failures to the successes of those around us, please be our identity.

In times when we begin to rely on our own plans and successes, please be our humility. 

In times when the heartbreak makes it hard to go on living, please be our comfort.

In times when a new birth brings infinite possibilities, please be our deepest joy.

In times of separation from loved ones, please be our connector.

In times when we have to say goodbye, please be our peace. 

In times when we experience rejection and have nowhere to turn, please be our refuge.

In times when we wait for direction, please grant us patience.

In times when we do become impatient, please be our contentment.

In times when we yearn for more, from this life through eternity with You, please be our all-consuming satisfaction.

In times of transition, thank you for being the God of it all.

Again, thank you, UBC. You will always be home to me. Please stay in touch. <3

Liturgy of Mourning (Thurs 7/1, 5:30 PM)

We are all carrying various sorts of grief from this past year. In the interest of grieving well and honoring what has been lost, we are gathering together to offer our mourning to God on 7/1 at 5:30 PM.

Meet the UBCer(s)

Team Burns

Waco Dives Location

Join us to for Waco Dives this Wednesday, we are heading to Laziza. Laziza is a great mediterranean place, and you definitely need to try it. Come meet other UBC’ers and enjoy lunch. We will meet there at noon on Wednesday. 579 N Valley Mills Dr, Waco, TX 76710. #yourbestlunchnow

Leadership Team Nomination

Hello friends, I posted this a few time back in late April/early may, but leadership team will meet Sunday July 11th, so I wanted to make a last call for nominations. Original message below.

We will be replacing three of our valiant leadership team members this July. Thank you to Jeremy Nance, Kerri Fisher, & Joanna Sowards. Description of the role is below. Leadership team members function as the executive decision making body of the church. The commitment is to a three year term. Leadership team terms are three years. If you would like to nominate someone for the leadership team, please do so by using this link to fill out the form.

(A) Purpose.  The Leadership Team shall be the primary decision-making body of UBC.  The Leadership Team will oversee all the business and property of the church, as well as make the final decisions regarding hiring and dismissal of staff and the acquisition and selling of assets that are beyond budgetary provisions.  

(C) Qualifications.  Each member of Leadership Team shall have been a member of UBC for at least one year, exhibited an understanding and commitment to the mission and values of the church, and be willing to fulfill all responsibilities in the Leadership Team job description. 

(E) Term.  Members of Leadership Team may serve for a duration lasting up to three years.  While they are encouraged to remain the full three years, members may voluntarily remove themselves from their position at any time.

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. 

Chair: Kerri Fisher: Kerri_Fisher@baylor.edu

Luci Hoppe: lhoppe@gmail.com

Jeremy Nance: Jeremy.J.Nance@L3T.com

Kathy Krey: kathykrey@gmail.com

Jose Zuniga: jzgrphix2002@yahoo.com

Taylor Torregrossa: Taylordtorregrossa@gmail.com

Student Position: Davis Misloski

Student Position: Maddy O’Shaughnessy

UBC Finance Team

Do you have a question about UBC’s financial affairs? Please feel free to contact any of your finance team members. 

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

Craig Nash: Craig_Nash@baylor.edu

Kristen Howerton: khowerton94@gmail.com

Patrick Broaddus: patrickjbroaddus@gmail.com

Liturgy Stuff 6-27-2021

June 27, 2021

Below, you’ll find the song lyrics and scripture readings for the live stream on June 27th (in the order they are needed).

Heart Won’t Stop

there is not a man or a beast
nothing on the land or underneath
nothing that could ever come between
the love you have for me
I could lay my head in Sheol
I could make my bed at the bottom of the darkness, deep
o there is not a place I could escape you

your heart won’t stop coming after me

there is not an angel of the stars
there is not a devil in the dark
nothing that could change the way you are
the love you have for me
I could lay my head in Sheol
I could make my bed at the bottom of the darkness, deep
o there is not a place I could escape you

your heart won’t stop coming after me

I could lay my head in Sheol
I could make my bed at the bottom of the darkness, deep
o there is not a place I could escape you

your heart won’t stop coming after me

Call to Worship

we have gathered to worship 
the Eternal One

our Comfort and Hope
whose mercies are new each morning

to enter the story of God

and find our own stories reimagined

that the Spirit might form us in the way of Christ

offering peace to our hearts and minds
and teaching us to love our neighbor as ourselves

Amen

Mystery

sweet Jesus Christ my sanity
sweet Jesus Christ my clarity
word Eternal, brought low with me
cup of salvation, poured out to drink
Jesus, mystery

christ has died
and christ is risen
christ will come again

sweet Jesus Christ my Evergreen
sweet Jesus Christ my living Peace
love embodied, broken for me
trampled redeemer, raised up and free
Jesus, mystery

christ has died
and christ is risen
christ will come again

celebrate his death and rising
lift your eyes, proclaim his coming
and all who walk in dreadful darkness
lift your head, you’re not forgotten
celebrate his death-subversion
recalibrate fear to purpose
and in the face of oppressive power,
don’t calm down: sing it louder

christ has died
and christ is risen
christ will come again

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, alleuia

thou rushing wind that art so strong
ye clouds that sail in heaven along
o praise him alleluia
thou rising moon in praise rejoice
ye lights of evening find a 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

All My Hope Is In This

this I call to mind
—all my hope is in this
each breath is a gift
a shelter in the stern of the ship

I heard you used to sleep
while the storm, it raged
while I can barely keep my feet
amidst the slightest change

if I could touch the edge
of your shirt would it help
ease the terror in my chest
and bid my mind be still

and if I could not reach
but just called your name
would you eye fall upon me
through the gloom, like the break of day

and if I could not speak
would you hear me still
my groans too deep for words
would you gather me up in your quilt

would you gather me up in your quilt

this I call to mind
as the walls start closing in:
your love’s like the wind
never starts and never ends
it only flows, whether whisper or din
it returns, infinite

Old Testament Reading

Today’s Old Testament reading is Lamentations 3:21-33:

This I call to mind,
and therefore I have hope: 
The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases,
his mercies never come to an end;
they are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
“The Lord is my portion,” says my soul,
“therefore I will hope in him.” 

The Lord is good to those who wait for him,
to the soul that seeks him.
It is good that one should wait quietly
for the salvation of the Lord.
It is good for one to bear
the yoke in youth,
to sit alone in silence
when the Lord has imposed it,
to put one’s mouth to the dust
(there may yet be hope),
to give one’s cheek to the smiter,
and be filled with insults.

For the Lord will not
reject for ever.
Although he causes grief, he will have compassion
according to the abundance of his steadfast love;
for he does not willingly afflict
or grieve anyone.

New Testament Reading

Today’s New Testament reading, and Patrick’s sermon text, is Mark 5:22-43:

When Jesus had crossed again in the boat to the other side, a great crowd gathered around him; and he was by the sea. Then one of the leaders of the synagogue named Jairus came and, when he saw him, fell at his feet and begged him repeatedly, “My little daughter is at the point of death. Come and lay your hands on her, so that she may be made well, and live.” So he went with him. 

And a large crowd followed him and pressed in on him. Now there was a woman who had been suffering from hemorrhages for twelve years. She had endured much under many physicians, and had spent all that she had; and she was no better, but rather grew worse. She had heard about Jesus, and came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak, for she said, “If I but touch his clothes, I will be made well.” Immediately her hemorrhage stopped; and she felt in her body that she was healed of her disease. Immediately aware that power had gone forth from him, Jesus turned about in the crowd and said, “Who touched my clothes?” And his disciples said to him, “You see the crowd pressing in on you; how can you say, ‘Who touched me?’” He looked all around to see who had done it. But the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came in fear and trembling, fell down before him, and told him the whole truth. He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace, and be healed of your disease.”

While he was still speaking, some people came from the leader’s house to say, “Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the teacher any further?” But overhearing what they said, Jesus said to the leader of the synagogue, “Do not fear, only believe.” He allowed no one to follow him except Peter, James, and John, the brother of James. When they came to the house of the leader of the synagogue, he saw a commotion, people weeping and wailing loudly. When he had entered, he said to them, “Why do you make a commotion and weep? The child is not dead but sleeping.” And they laughed at him. Then he put them all outside, and took the child’s father and mother and those who were with him, and went in where the child was. He took her by the hand and said to her, “Talitha cum,” which means, “Little girl, get up!” And immediately the girl got up and began to walk about (she was twelve years of age). At this they were overcome with amazement. He strictly ordered them that no one should know this, and told them to give her something to eat.

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.

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 it 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

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

ITLOTC 6-22-21

ITLOTC

(In The Life Of The Church)

Pentecost

On Fathers (by Josh)

Sunday was fathers day.  We had some friends over Saturday night and one of them asked me if I was ready for my special day.  I commented that I don’t really get into the Hallmark holidays.  I would like to qualify that I don’t dislike Father’s Day.  I don’t not celebrate it.  It’s just that if Lindsay and the kids didn’t get around to doing much, that wouldn’t bother me in the same way a lack of Christmas spirit would.  

I have spent some time thinking about fathers and fatherhood.  There are two streams that are pouring into my thinking.  The first comes from a Richard Rohr book I read this last year called Adam’s Return: The Five Promises of Male Initiation.  I thought the book was really good.  I would call it Wild at Heart for Exvangelicals.  The second stream of thought is my constant learning about the ways patriarchy has become so normative in our society that I’m sometimes unable to detect what might not be healthy.  Rohr then represents an interesting kind of intersectionality because he is respected by the same Exvangelicals who are also wary of patriarchy.  So after I read the book I looked to my left and started interviewing my wokeish friends on some of Rohr’s tenets.  I got mixed reviews.  Some seemed willing to grant the unique nature of a father’s impact on a child’s life; others scoffed and argued that gender was a construct.  

One of the jolting statements Rohr made (or at least I heard him say in an interview on Jen Hatmaker’s podcast) was that in 14 years of being a prison chaplain he never met someone there who had a good father.  Surely that is a statement of hyperbole even if statistically true, but you get the point.  As for me, I suspect that like grace has reordered and made more beautiful so many other types of relationships, it has the power to do the same kind of work in the absence of fathers.  This is one of the mysteries and gifts of shared life in Christ in our new family.  We are a village for one another in which we witness the miracle of the Spirit using our gifts to form whole communities.  

Still, I spent yesterday afternoon thinking about my dad.  When I turn 40 on July 23rd, that will also mark 5 years since he died.  One of the gifts that absence gives us is that it lets us detect the ways in which people’s lives impacted us that we weren’t always aware of.  This year I have been spending time thinking about my dad’s relative lack of ego.  Or at least his relative lack of ego near the end of his life.  If I could pick out a theme for my 39th year of life it would be “learning to live wholeheartedly.”  You’ve probably detected that theme in my preaching and writing lately and you wouldn’t be wrong for noting it’s pervasiveness.  My dad lived wholeheartedly and I think I’ve figured out why he was able to do that.  First, my dad loved Jesus Christ.  That statement has theological value, which I’ll leave alone because it’s meaning in your life is always the work of the Spirit.  But it also has anthropological value (which is inevitably theological).  When my sister asked my dad if there was anything he would want to say to his grandkids and generations to come he said, “follow Jesus with all of your heart, seek Him with all your heart.”  The anthropological value is/was this, my dad’s life was not about him.  That is one of the most basic gifts our love for God does for us.  It delivers us from the idolatry of making ourselves the most important person in our life.  The second reason my dad lived wholeheartedly was because he didn’t need to win.  That’s the ego thing.  He didn’t need to win arguments.  He didn’t need to get his way.  His agenda became unimportant.  

I was thinking about Adam’s Return where Rohr proposes that there are four typologies that males need to be initiated into: warrior, lover, sage and king (or father). Of the father-king Rohr says this, “the king is the integration and recapitulation of the other three; warrior, magus, and lover. He holds them together in grand display of balance and wholeness. He is the master of all power, so much so that he can run the risk of looking powerless.” There is something deeply Christological about that notion. The powerful choosing to relinquish, especially abusive use of power. That is one of the real miracles of love. It’s what changes the world. So to all the fathers out there who are loving though peace. Who are secure enough that they need not make use of power. Whose egos have been crucified with Christ and who as a result are offering themselves wholeheartedly - thank you for this work. Thank you for subtly holding up something beautiful while subversively destroying destructive images of masculinity. The world needs you. Keep leading.

Meet the UBCer(s)

Betsy Bracken

Waco Dives - Wednesday at noon

Your favorite summer tradition is back, as we gather again this week for Waco Dives. Waco Dives is an opportunity to meet other UBC’ers, and connect during the week. The location changes each week, so check out the newsletter or listen to announcements on Sunday. This week we are going to a Waco classic: Kitok’s. Kitok’s is a great spot for either a delicious burger or asian food. See you at Kitok’s at noon on Wednesday. #yourbestlunchnow

Nativity of John the Baptist- Thurs 6/24 6pm

What is this? It's an excuse to eat dinner together, to listen to a story, and to think about the changing of the seasons. Bring a dinner of your choice (this was previously announced as a potluck: sry about that) and join us at 6pm on Thursday, June 24th. Wondering about covid precautions? We'll be eating outside. If it rains, we'll be eating in the lobby with the front doors open for airflow.

Leadership Team Nomination

Hello friends, I posted this a few time back in late April/early may, but leadership team will meet Sunday July 11th, so I wanted to make a last call for nominations. Original message below.

We will be replacing three of our valiant leadership team members this July. Thank you to Jeremy Nance, Kerri Fisher, & Joanna Sowards. Description of the role is below. Leadership team members function as the executive decision making body of the church. The commitment is to a three year term. Leadership team terms are three years. If you would like to nominate someone for the leadership team, please do so by using this link to fill out the form.

(A) Purpose.  The Leadership Team shall be the primary decision-making body of UBC.  The Leadership Team will oversee all the business and property of the church, as well as make the final decisions regarding hiring and dismissal of staff and the acquisition and selling of assets that are beyond budgetary provisions.  

(C) Qualifications.  Each member of Leadership Team shall have been a member of UBC for at least one year, exhibited an understanding and commitment to the mission and values of the church, and be willing to fulfill all responsibilities in the Leadership Team job description. 

(E) Term.  Members of Leadership Team may serve for a duration lasting up to three years.  While they are encouraged to remain the full three years, members may voluntarily remove themselves from their position at any time.

Liturgy of Mourning (Thurs 7/1, 5:30 PM)

We are all carrying various sorts of grief from this past year. In the interest of grieving well and honoring what has been lost, we are gathering together to offer our mourning to God on 7/1 at 5:30 PM.

Parishioner of the Week

Will Knight for taking his own personal vacation time to take our kids to Camp Eagle.

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. 

Chair: Kerri Fisher: Kerri_Fisher@baylor.edu

Luci Hoppe: lhoppe@gmail.com

Jeremy Nance: Jeremy.J.Nance@L3T.com

Kathy Krey: kathykrey@gmail.com

Jose Zuniga: jzgrphix2002@yahoo.com

Taylor Torregrossa: Taylordtorregrossa@gmail.com

Student Position: Davis Misloski

Student Position: Maddy O’Shaughnessy

UBC Finance Team

Do you have a question about UBC’s financial affairs? Please feel free to contact any of your finance team members. 

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

Craig Nash: Craig_Nash@baylor.edu

Kristen Howerton: khowerton94@gmail.com

Patrick Broaddus: patrickjbroaddus@gmail.com

Liturgy Stuff 6-20-2021

June 20, 2021

Below, you’ll find the song lyrics and scripture readings for the live stream on June 20th (in the order they are needed).

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, alleuia

thou rushing wind that art so strong
ye clouds that sail in heaven along
o praise him alleluia
thou rising moon in praise rejoice
ye lights of evening find a 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

Call to Worship

we have gathered to worship 
the Eternal One

our Steady Ground and Anchor
in whom we are known and named

to enter the story of God

and find our own stories reimagined

as the Spirit of God forms our hearts and minds

that our ordinary lives
might carry the peace of christ

Amen

Waking Life

you’re a hammer blow to the barricade
that i’ve built up in my mind to separate
that which I hold with warm embrace
from that which I have reduced to an empty phrase

you’re a falling blade to the knot i’ve tied
to secure a heavy shade over my eyes
and as if I had never tasted light
a stabbing pain slowly gives way to a truer sight

you’re the waking life, piercing sleep
reality, reframing the dream
as I rise, I don’t recognize my speech
find a garden shed where I once kept my armory

you’re an ember thrown from a funeral pyre
that infiltrates the cavalcade of an outrage choir
through the withered aisles of my fevered mind
now that hollow rage slowly gives way to a signal fire

you’re the waking life, piercing sleep
reality, reframing the dream
as I rise, I don’t recognize my speech
find a garden shed where I once kept my armory
like the waking life, piercing sleep
like reality, reframing the dream
I don’t understand what is happening
but something’s changed in a place I cannot reach
there’s this ache where I once kept my apathy
like there’s a depth to life and breath in everything

What the Dry Years Took Away

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
would you restore
what the dry years took away?

o god of life
may your mercy shine
upon the painted world
with power, benign
and 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 fatique
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
would you restore
what the dry years took away

o god of life
may your mercy shine
upon the painted world
with power, benign
and raise our hearts to sing
like the moon-pull to the tide
’til every riven thing
is found whole yet in plain sight

Just the Same

these unlearned ideas keep clawing their way
out of the years that i’ve tried to contain
like absolute love, wrapped in cycles of shame
but yours is the breathing and never the cage

or the self worth in knowing the right words to say
holding too tightly to idolized claims
when faced with dissension, my jaw starts to shake
but yours is the whisper and seldom the rage

the fragile confession, like glass within clay
the nervous gymnastics when the thread starts to fray
avoiding the question for fear you might break
but yours is the movement beyond the frame

is this passing time or passing faith?
a different version or different place
o, it never quite ends, never starts to take shape
but you’re in the wind and the cloud just the same

you’re in the wind and cloud just the same

Old Testament Reading

Today’s Old Testament reading, and Josh’s sermon text, is Job 38:1-11:

The Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind:

"Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge?

Gird up your loins like a man,
I will question you, and you shall declare to me.

"Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth?
Tell me, if you have understanding.

Who determined its measurements—surely you know!
Or who stretched the line upon it?

On what were its bases sunk,
or who laid its cornerstone

when the morning stars sang together
and all the heavenly beings shouted for joy?

"Or who shut in the sea with doors
when it burst out from the womb?—

when I made the clouds its garment,
and thick darkness its swaddling band,

and prescribed bounds for it,
and set bars and doors,

and said, 'Thus far shall you come, and no farther,
and here shall your proud waves be stopped'?"

New Testament Reading

Today’s New Testament reading, and Josh’s sermon text, is Mark 4:35-41:

When evening had come, Jesus said to his disciples, “Let us go across to the other side.” And leaving the crowd behind, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. Other boats were with him. A great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that the boat was already being swamped. But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion; and they woke him up and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” He woke up and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” Then the wind ceased, and there was a dead calm. He said to them, “Why are you afraid? Have you still no faith?” And they were filled with great awe and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?”

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.

Look to the Hills

I lift my eyes to the hills
to remind myself
this isn’t all there is
I lift my eyes to the hills
and wait for help
to appear

my help is from the lord
who breaks past walls
and fortress doors
my shade in sun
and shield from sword
yes, my help is from the lord

so I look to the hills
and I know the score:
the mountains fall
the shadows, they soar
and every rough line
is impeccably placed
as valleys rise
forgetting their place
I look to the hills
and I know what i’m for
and know my help
is going before

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

ITLOTC 6-15-21

ITLOTC

(In The Life Of The Church)

Pentecost

Wolves, Violence, Creation, & Hope (by Josh)

On Sunday I showed a video about wolves being reintroduced to Yellowstone National Park and how their presence reshaped the ecosystem including the flow of the rivers.  This was, based on the feedback I’ve received, one of the most appreciated videos I’ve used in a sermon.  So thank you for not only indulging my amature attempts at understanding and rearticulating eccological realities, but for celebrating with me the wonder of nature.  In the spirit of wolf excitement I’d like to expound upon a twitter thread about wolves that Taylor shared with me.  It was written by Zach Stentz, a screenplay writer with 29K followers, but no blue checkmark.  Zack eloquently summarizes Rick McIntyre’s The Reign of Wolf 21: The Saga of Yellowstone’s Legendary Druid Pack.  

Stentz picks the high points to paint a picture of wolf 21, the alpha male, in peculiar terms.  For example he refers to 21 as a cross between Buddha and Batman, because while 21 engaged in fights and challenges to retain his alpha male status, he never killed another wolf.  He used his superiority to maintain dominance, but not to be excessively brutal.  21 is referred to as a gentle and nurturing dad/uncle, “the role model we all need,” because 21 would often kill prey and leave it for others to eat.  

In one particularly moving observation Stentz quotes McIntyre who reports that on one occasion when 21 was a teenager he noticed one of his little pup siblings was a kind of underdog.  The odd dog out.  After bringing back some food for his little pup brothers 21 sought out the ennea4 dog and hung out with him.  

But the most moving part of the 21 tribute was this.  Here I’ll quote McIntyre at length: 

“The majority of wolves die violently.  Despite a violent, eventful life even by wolf standards, Twenty-one distinguished himself to the very end:  He was a black wolf who grayed with the years and became one of the few Yellowstone wolves to die of old age.  

One June day when Twenty-one was 9 years old, his family was lying bedded down when an elk came by.  Everyone jumped up to give chase.  He jumped up, too, but just stood watching the action and then lay down again.  Later, when the pack headed up toward the den site, Twenty-one crossed the valley in the opposite direction, traveling purposefully somewhere, alone.  

Sometime later, a visitor who’d been way up high in the backcountry reported having seen something very unusual:  a dead wolf.  Rick got a horse and rode up to investigate.  

That last day, it seems, Twenty-one knew his time had come. He used the last of his energy to go up to the top of a high mountain.  In a favorite family rendezvous site, where he’d been with his pups year after year, amid high summer grass and mountain wildflowers, Twenty-one curled up in the shade of a big tree.  And on his own terms, he went to sleep for the last time.”

A few years ago Ryan Richardson called me to tell me that their beloved family dog Molly had died.  Syler was having a particular hard time with it.  So that evening I printed off a picture of Edward Hicks’s Peaceable Kingdom and went over there to talk about animals, heaven and to pray for Syler and the Richardsons.  The painting is stunning, if not in its execution surely in its suggestive theological content.  Hicks’s painting is a depiction of Isaiah’s vision from chapter 11.  Animals that have no business being pals, hanging out.  It’s stunning because of how hardwired we are for the violence of evolution even if we don’t believe in that narrative.  As proof I simply point you to the Purge movies and all their sequels. 

In Romans 8:22 Paul writes, “We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time.”  I think I like the wolf story from twitter because it bears witness to the hope of Edward Hicks’s painting  and because it testifies to the truthfulness of Romans 8.  In January of 2005, David Crowder played the song Rescue at UBC for the first time.  This came on the heels of the 2004 Tsunami.  Dave observed that even the ground beneath our feet is bent.  This observation is consistent with the violence of evolution.  It makes sense of alpha wolves that kill their young and behave selfishly.  But then comes wolf 21.  An anomaly.  And in him we see the deeper and truer confession of the church.  We all groan for something better.  It’s not only possible, it’s happening.  

Meet the UBCer(s)

Team Harris

Waco Dives Location

Waco dives location: Revival Eastside Eatery.

Liturgy of Mourning (Thurs 7/1, 5:30 PM)

We are all carrying various sorts of grief from this past year. In the interest of grieving well and honoring what has been lost, we are gathering together to offer our mourning to God on 7/1 at 5:30 PM.

Nativity of John the Baptist- Thurs 6/24 6pm

What is this? It's an excuse to eat dinner together, to listen to a story, and to think about the changing of the seasons. Bring a dinner of your choice (this was previously announced as a potluck: sry about that) and join us at 6pm on Thursday, June 24th. Wondering about covid precautions? We'll be eating outside. If it rains, we'll be eating in the lobby with the front doors open for airflow.

Parishioner of the Week

Kaleb Loomis and Aly Vukelich. This is a congratulations and goodbye. Kaleb has been selected to the the assistant Chaplain at SMU. So while we are sad to see them go we count this as a big win for the Dallas area and the Methodists. They’ve certainly snagged a winner in team Loomis.

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. 

Chair: Kerri Fisher: Kerri_Fisher@baylor.edu

Luci Hoppe: lhoppe@gmail.com

Jeremy Nance: Jeremy.J.Nance@L3T.com

Kathy Krey: kathykrey@gmail.com

Jose Zuniga: jzgrphix2002@yahoo.com

Taylor Torregrossa: Taylordtorregrossa@gmail.com

Student Position: Davis Misloski

Student Position: Maddy O’Shaughnessy

UBC Finance Team

Do you have a question about UBC’s financial affairs? Please feel free to contact any of your finance team members. 

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

Craig Nash: Craig_Nash@baylor.edu

Kristen Howerton: khowerton94@gmail.com

Patrick Broaddus: patrickjbroaddus@gmail.com

Liturgy Stuff 6-13-2021

June 13, 2021

Below, you’ll find the song lyrics and scripture readings for the live stream on June 13th (in the order they are needed).

Wideness

there’s a wideness in god’s mercy
like the wideness of the sea
there’s a kindness in god’s justice
which is more than liberty
there is welcome for the sinner,
the cast-off and the unloved
there is mercy with the savior
there is healing in his blood

for the love of god is broader
than the measure of our mind
and the heart of the eternal
is most wonderfully kind
but we make his love too narrow
by false limits of our own
and we magnify his strictness
with a zeal he will not own

there’s grace enough for thousands
of new worlds as great as this
there’s room for fresh creations
in that upper home of bliss
there’s plentiful redemption
in the blood that has been shed
there’s joy for every creature
in the sorrows of the head

for the love of god is broader
than the measure of our mind
and the heart of the eternal
is most wonderfully kind
but we make his love too narrow
by false limits of our own
and we magnify his strictness
with a zeal he will not own

o holy instructor
I fear we’ve found a way to
be wholly destructive
and pin the blame on you
o, wideness, come searching
and repair what went wrong

Call to Worship

we have gathered to worship 
the Eternal One

our Creator and Sustainer
in whom there is life and breath
and everything

to enter the story of God

and find our own stories reimagined

as the Spirit of God forms our hearts and minds

that we might learn to love
God, our neighbor, and our selves
in our ordinary lives

Amen

Crown Him

crown him with many crowns
the lamb upon his throne
hark, how the heavenly anthem drowns
all music but its own
awake my soul and sing
of him who died for thee
and hail him as thy matchless king
through all eternity

crown him the son of god
before the worlds began
and ye who tread where he hath trod
crown him the son of man
whom every grief hath known
that wrings the human breast
and takes and bears them for his own
that all in him may rest

crown him the lord of peace
whose pow’r a scepter sways
from pole to pole that wars may cease
and all be prayer and praise
his reign shall know no end
and ‘round his pierced feet
fair flowers of paradise extend
their fragrance, ever sweet

crown him the lord of love
behold his hands and side
those wounds, yet visible,
above in beauty glorified
crown him with many crowns
as yours before him fall
crown him, ye kings and queens, with crowns
for he is king of all

Look to the Hills

I lift my eyes to the hills
to remind myself
this isn’t all there is
I lift my eyes to the hills
and wait for help
to appear

my help is from the lord
who breaks past walls
and fortress doors
my shade in sun
and shield from sword
yes, my help is from the lord

so I look to the hills
and I know the score:
the mountains fall
the shadows, they soar
and every rough line
is impeccably placed
as valleys rise
forgetting their place
I look to the hills
and I know what i’m for
and know my help
is going before

Start Again

someday, i’ll start again
but i’ve got promises to keep
someday, i’ll start again
but first I have to do something

I don’t know what I don’t know
I guess that’s just the way it is

someday i’ll start again
for now, i’m trying to slow the tape
and for a moment get a grip
on all i’ve tried to hide away

I don’t know what I don’t know
and i’ve practiced it for years

someday i’ll start again
and I hope that it’s enough
I pay a man twice a month
to make sure I haven’t given up

I don’t know what I don’t know
but something has to give
I don’t know what I don’t know
but I know where to begin
and, someday, i’ll start again

Old Testament Reading

Today’s Old Testament reading is Psalm 20:

The Lord answer you in the day of trouble!
    The name of the God of Jacob protect you!
May he send you help from the sanctuary,
    and give you support from Zion.
May he remember all your offerings,
    and regard with favor your burnt sacrifices.Selah

May he grant you your heart’s desire,
    and fulfill all your plans.
May we shout for joy over your victory,
    and in the name of our God set up our banners.
May the Lord fulfill all your petitions.

Now I know that the Lord will help his anointed;
    he will answer him from his holy heaven
    with mighty victories by his right hand.
Some take pride in chariots, and some in horses,
    but our pride is in the name of the Lord our God.
They will collapse and fall,
    but we shall rise and stand upright.

Give victory to the king, O Lord;
    answer us when we call.

New Testament Reading

Today’s New Testament reading, and Josh’s sermon text, is Mark 4:26-34:

Jesus said, “The kingdom of God is as if someone would scatter seed on the ground, and would sleep and rise night and day, and the seed would sprout and grow, he does not know how. The earth produces of itself, first the stalk, then the head, then the full grain in the head. But when the grain is ripe, at once he goes in with his sickle, because the harvest has come.”

He also said, “With what can we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable will we use for it? It is like a mustard seed, which, when sown upon the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on earth; yet when it is sown it grows up and becomes the greatest of all shrubs, and puts forth large branches, so that the birds of the air can make nests in its shade.”

With many such parables he spoke the word to them, as they were able to hear it; he did not speak to them except in parables, but he explained everything in private to his disciples.

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.

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 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 that pulse you hid
resurrect the peace that we’ve unlearned
and in the wreckage of our selective loves
build a tow’r 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

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

ITLOTC 6-8-21

ITLOTC

(In The Life Of The Church)

Pentecost

Some Hopes (by Taylor)

Our Grand Reopening for worshipping together back in the building after 15 months of worshipping in our homes and in the parking lot was this past Sunday. It was beautiful and formative and just so lovely to see so many of your faces and sing our songs and have kids back in UBC classrooms learning together. I am so thankful for all of you, the people of UBC, and how you made Sunday possible through your commitment to this place and this people – your commitment to each other.

      The question I asked during the welcome on Sunday morning was one I had been thinking about for a while – a question I find myself particularly interested in as we move forward into what is, essentially, the next stage of this pandemic (it doesn’t seem to be quite over yet) and begin to reflect on what I have experienced so far and how it has formed and changed me. I asked for all of you to answer the question, “What is something that you have learned about yourself since the last time we were here worshipping together?”

      I think that there are so many ways to answer this question. There are light ways – you could say something like, “I’ve learned that I’m really bad at eating leftovers.” (a true fact about me) or you could say, “I’ve learned that I shouldn’t go 15 months without a haircut.” (also true about me – except I think I’m pushing 19 months). Or you could talk about knowledge or a skill that you’ve obtained. You could say, “I learned to speak Italian.” Or “I learned to embroider all kinds of things.” Or “I learned about the  history of the Australian continent.”

      All of those would be good answers. Funny answers. Conversation starting answers. True answers. And I can only speak for myself here when I say that I could definitely imagine myself saying any of those things – but what I am hoping for myself (and what I must admit I am hoping for UBC in the coming season) is that if it was the right time and the right place and the right people that I might dig a little deeper and be a little more honest.

      What I don’t mean to say is that those are bad answers and that there are better ones to give – I mean that if I’m honest with myself, I probably have something a little more vulnerable that I could share. And what I don’t mean is that every Sunday you should be baring your soul to a stranger in front of you, but I mean that if it’s someone you know well and you’re feeling safe and brave that you might be a little more honest than you normally are.

      My heart in this coming season is that we might all get to know each other better and better and that we might learn how to support each other more and more. And I don’t know that the Sunday morning question moment is where that starts – maybe it’s in a small group or in a children’s classroom or at a UBC Cookout. But I hope we find places to take those risks and I hope we find bravery to step into those moments and listen to each other, support each other, to live life to the fullest by being present to each other and by being present to ourselves.

Meet the UBCer(s)

Team Broaddus

Waco Dives

Have you ever thought, “I sure wish I had a pal to eat lunch with at a random restaurant in Waco.” Well boy do we have an opportunity for you. Waco Dives with Toph will begin next Wednesday June 16th and continue every Wednesday through the summer. Lances will of course take place at noon, and the location will be in the newsletter each week.

11 Years

Here is a picture of Toph and Josh. It was taken June 1st, Toph’s 11 year work anniversary. Where did the time go?

Parishioner of the Week

The Grill Masters: Paul Carron, Conner Krey, & Drew Pittman.

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. 

Chair: Kerri Fisher: Kerri_Fisher@baylor.edu

Luci Hoppe: lhoppe@gmail.com

Jeremy Nance: Jeremy.J.Nance@L3T.com

Kathy Krey: kathykrey@gmail.com

Jose Zuniga: jzgrphix2002@yahoo.com

Taylor Torregrossa: Taylordtorregrossa@gmail.com

Student Position: Davis Misloski

Student Position: Maddy O’Shaughnessy

UBC Finance Team

Do you have a question about UBC’s financial affairs? Please feel free to contact any of your finance team members. 

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

Craig Nash: Craig_Nash@baylor.edu

Kristen Howerton: khowerton94@gmail.com

Patrick Broaddus: patrickjbroaddus@gmail.com

Liturgy Stuff 6-6-2021

June 6, 2021

Below, you’ll find the song lyrics and scripture readings for the live stream on June 6th (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
I can hear the captive groan, hear the captive groan
for some hand to stay the whip their foe is wielding
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 enemy 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

like the son who thought he’d gone beyond forgiveness
too ashamed to lift his head, but if he could lift his head
he would see his father running from a distance
in the night, my hope lives on

o in the night, o in the night
o in the night, my hope lives on

I can see the crowd of men retreating
as he stands between the woman and their stones
so if mercy in his holy heart is beating
then in the night, my hope lives on

o in the night, o in the night
o in the night, my hope lives on

I remember how they scorned the son of mary
he was gentle as a lamb, gentle as a lamb
but he was beaten, crucified and buried
and in the night, my hope was gone

—

but the rulers of this earth could not control him
o they did not take his life, he laid it down
and the gates of hell could never hope to hold him
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 in whom we live and move
and have our being

to enter the story of God

and find our own stories reimagined

that the Holy Spirit might transforming our hearts and minds 

to form us more fully
in the way of Christ

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

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 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 that pulse you hid
resurrect the peace that we’ve unlearned
and in the wreckage of our selective loves
build a tow’r 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

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
as for forests clap their hands, and 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

Love Divine, All Loves Excelling

love divine, all loves excelling
joy from heav’n to earth come down
fix in us thy humble dwelling
all thy faithful mercies crown

Jesus thou art all compassion
pure unbounded love thou art
visit us with thy salvation
enter every trembling heart

breathe, o breathe, thy loving spirit
into every troubled breast
let us all in thee inherit
let us find that second rest

and finish then thy new creation
in full bloom, let us be
let us see thy great salvation
lost in wonder, love and praise

Old Testament Reading

Today’s Old Testament reading is Psalm 138:

I give you thanks, O Lord, with my whole heart;
before the gods I sing your praise;
I bow down toward your holy temple
and give thanks to your name for your steadfast love and your faithfulness;
for you have exalted your name and your word
above everything.
On the day I called, you answered me,
you increased my strength of soul.

All the kings of the earth shall praise you, O Lord,
    for they have heard the words of your mouth.
They shall sing of the ways of the Lord,
    for great is the glory of the Lord.
For though the Lord is high, he regards the lowly;
    but the haughty he perceives from far away.

Though I walk in the midst of trouble,
    you preserve me against the wrath of my enemies;
you stretch out your hand,
    and your right hand delivers me.
The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me;
    your steadfast love, O Lord, endures forever.
    Do not forsake the work of your hands.

New Testament Reading

Today’s New Testament reading is Mark 3:20-35:

The crowd came together again, so that Jesus and his disciples could not even eat. When his family heard it, they went out to restrain him, for people were saying, “He has gone out of his mind.” And the scribes who came down from Jerusalem said, “He has Beelzebul, and by the ruler of the demons he casts out demons.” And he called them to him, and spoke to them in parables, “How can Satan cast out Satan? If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. And if a house is divided against itself, that house will not be able to stand. And if Satan has risen up against himself and is divided, he cannot stand, but his end has come. But no one can enter a strong man’s house and plunder his property without first tying up the strong man; then indeed the house can be plundered.

“Truly I tell you, people will be forgiven for their sins and whatever blasphemies they utter; but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit can never have forgiveness, but is guilty of an eternal sin”— for they had said, “He has an unclean spirit.”

Then his mother and his brothers came; and standing outside, they sent to him and called him. A crowd was sitting around him; and they said to him, “Your mother and your brothers and sisters are outside, asking for you.” And he replied, “Who are my mother and my brothers?” And looking at those who sat around him, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers! Whoever does the will of God is my brother and sister and mother.”

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.

Wild One

overwhelming, you cannot be contained
in leather bindings, the turn of a word or phrase
overwhelming these idols that you break
crumbling to the ground in place

you were running with iconoclast strides
god, you’re wilder than we ever thought you would be
though we try, we can’t pin you down
you’re a wild one
and you’re greater

disconcerting, these figures that we form
we want more money, we want a higher bar
disconcerting, these idols that we carve
controlling like the wind to a sail

you were running with iconoclast strides
god, you’re wilder than we ever thought you would be
though we try, we can’t pin you down
you’re a wild one
and you’re greater

unbound, you’re overwhelming
we built you a house, but you keep moving
maker, you’re not done making
we gave you seven days, but you’re still forming
so form these broken bodies into gold
a greater love with a lighter load
tear these temples down, stone from stone
crashing to the ground like broken chains

you were running with iconoclast strides
god, you’re wilder than we ever thought you would be
though we try, we can’t pin you down
you’re a wild one
and you’re greater

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

ITLOTC 6-1-21

ITLOTC

(In The Life Of The Church)

Pentecost

Nursing Wounds (by josh) 

Sunday was Trinity Sunday.  I mostly ignored that reality in my preaching.  It’s not entirely my fault.  I used the Old Testament text offered to me by the lectionary, but it did not really point to the Trinity explicitly, so I did not feel the pressure to try and get us there.  Part of my reluctance is that Trinity is a tricky theological concept.  It’s defined more by what it is not, than what it is.  Trinity is a reality we live in as much as it is a doctrine to be understood.  But now I offer you a few musings on Trinity.  God is three persons in one.  As such, God is relationship.  One of the Greek words used to describe Trinity is perichoresis.  Peri is the prefix meaning ‘around’ and choresis  is from the same root where we get choreography, so taken together you have, dance around.  That is Trinity.  A perfect mutual indwelling that it expresses Godself as reflective, caring, simultaneous, responsive relational movement within Godself.  And even in that sentence I begin to lend myself to heresy for over-explaining.

There is this really great image in 2 Peter where he says that we are “made participants in the divine nature.”  We are called up into the Divine Dance.  That is our telos, namely get swept up into and participate in the life of God.  I think this is the way we can finally make sense of the description given to us by God in Genesis 1, that is that we are made in the image of God.  We are those who’ve been invited into the eternal Triune.  

But how do we do that?  Answering that is a life of discipleship that takes context in time and space.  So let me for now simply speak to what I think it means for us in 2021.  I have said a few times in sermons in the last few weeks that we are emerging from the pandemic into an awakening of our own trauma.  Some of that trauma will simply bubble up from finally having the luxury of the emotional space for that to be the case.  I suspect most often that trauma will be induced by our slow and gradual realization that the world is no longer the same.  It may be better or it may be worse, but it’s not the same.  Here comes the God-image-bearer part.  I have found that one of the best ways to move through pain or joy is to share it.  Trinitarian people dance by sharing in one another's joy and pain.  That sharing creates an intimacy (hear perichoresis) that makes for healing. 

The staff got an email from our friend Kerri Fisher yesterday.  Kerri was remarkably honest about her experience at church on Sunday.  She noted that one of the most jarring parts of the service was the invitation to greet one another.  That moment which is mostly innocuous in a life of the mundane, seemed to have a kind of sting to it.  Or maybe I should say the supposition of it did.  Namely, that the world is fine enough to answer questions like: “what’s up?” “how about this weather?”  or “what tv show are you binging.”  In other words our experience might require something more than what small talk can offer us, especially in an atmosphere like church which can breed transformation through vulnerability.  

So I wanted to challenge you to identify the places in your life where you have felt the loss or absence of 2020.   As you emerge back into the world and identify what you missed or what is not the same, I encourage you to name that, process it and give someone the privilege of seeing your hurt.  In sharing our grief we are swept up into the Dance of God.  The miracle?  There it can be redeemed and turned to joy. 

Church Start Time

Just a reminder that as we move back into the building church start time returns to 10:45 A.M. CDT.

Meet the UBCer(s)

Beards

June 6th Cook Out

Reminder that after church Sunday we are having a cookout together. Thanks to Paul Carron, Conner Krey, and Drew Pittman for volunteering to bring grills and grill. We will have burgers, hot dogs and a vegetarian substitute, chips and soft drinks. So pray that the weather will cooperate, because according to our survey a cookout is what you all wanted and needed the most.

Kids Ministry

We officially kicked off UBC Kids Sunday School last weekend! I am very excited to have our kids back in UBC Classrooms for formation time! Sunday School is currently taking place during the worship hour. If you have any questions please send me an email at taylor@ubcwaco.org.

Also - I am still looking for several UBC Kids Volunteers! If you are vaccinated and available to help out with our kids on Sunday mornings please let me know by emailing me at taylor@ubcwaco.org!

Parishioner of the Week

All of the champions who helped move chairs on Wednesday: Will Knight, Ruby Nelson, Sherri Nelson, Ada Nelson, Risse Miller, Eli Miller, Bri Childs, & Colten Towns.

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. 

Chair: Kerri Fisher: Kerri_Fisher@baylor.edu

Luci Hoppe: lhoppe@gmail.com

Jeremy Nance: Jeremy.J.Nance@L3T.com

Kathy Krey: kathykrey@gmail.com

Jose Zuniga: jzgrphix2002@yahoo.com

Taylor Torregrossa: Taylordtorregrossa@gmail.com

Student Position: Davis Misloski

Student Position: Maddy O’Shaughnessy

UBC Finance Team

Do you have a question about UBC’s financial affairs? Please feel free to contact any of your finance team members. 

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

Craig Nash: Craig_Nash@baylor.edu

Kristen Howerton: khowerton94@gmail.com

Patrick Broaddus: patrickjbroaddus@gmail.com