This past Sunday was the thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost, and our songs were gathered with this in mind. Below, you’ll find the list of the songs and artists. Clicking the song titles will take you to the lyrics. If you want to talk about any of these, feel free to email me at jamie@ubcwaco.org.
Songs:
Chariot by Page France
Lord, I Need You by Matt Maher
Where God Has Always Been by Jameson McGregor
Noise by Jameson McGregor
Mystery by ubcmusic (adapted from Charlie Hall)
At Kid’s Camp this summer we talked briefly about 2 Peter 1:5-8 and it has since become a passage of importance for me. It says this, “For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
I have found this passage meaningful for several reasons. 1) It begins with the reminder that God has already provided and will continue to provide for all needs. “For this very reason…” at the beginning of verse 5 is referring to v.1-4 which clearly states that God is willingly providing for all needs so that people can follow God. Because we can count on God to provide we can pursue these other things. 2) I love a good list – and so I am very into the idea of developing these qualities in myself and in those around me. And, 3) I love that v.8 leaves room for growth – understanding that we will increase in these qualities as we grow in our relationship with God.
I think I sometimes forget that that throughout the course of my life I should continue to be formed more and more into the image of Christ. Every day I am being formed in new and different ways – and if I am not conscious and careful then that formation will still occur, but it will just form my life in ways that I don’t wish to be formed. So passages like 2 Peter 1:5-8 are important – to help us understand what we’re working towards. So that we will not cease to be – as v.8 says – effective and productive in our knowledge of Jesus Christ.
We all possess these qualities naturally in different measure. I am currently working on adding the discipline of perseverance to my life. I have a tendency to quit when thing get hard or when I sense that I might fail. I want to learn to push through that because I think that hard times and failure are where growth happens. So I am learning to embrace the discipline of perseverance even as it leads me into hard things and failure.
What are you looking to add into your life right now? I would love to know. Please send me an email at taylor@ubcwaco.org. I’d love to talk about this in person over lunch or coffee. Let’s help each other grow in faith and in discipline.
Name: Millicent Jane Griffin
Enneagram Number: 7
Birthday: July 29
Birth Weight: 7.0 lbs
Birth Height: 21 inches
Sunday School will begin at 9:30am this Sunday. Check out the class options below. Also, yes, there is childcare during Sunday School.
The Story of YHWH: Seeking God in the Old Testament
Leaders: Kieran and Vanessa Cressy
Location: Rock-n-Roll Room
There’s plenty of weird, wonderful, and deeply challenging stories in the Old Testament. From Job to Rahab, Ezekiel to Esther, in this class we’ll explore some of the themes that make the Old Testament so rich, so vivid, and so difficult. We may not always agree, or even find answers—but we will come together in community, to hear a spectrum of voices, considering and respecting new perspectives as we allow the Spirit to guide us through these themes each week.
The Universal Christ
Leader: Ben Raley
Location: Blue Room
We’ll be reading and discussing The Universal Christby Richard Rohr. Drawing on scripture, history and spiritual practice, Rohr articulates a transformative view of Jesus Christ as a portrait of God’s constant, unfolding work in the world. ‘God loves things by becoming them,' he writes, and Jesus’ life was meant to declare that humanity has never been separate from God – except by its own negative choice. When we recover this fundamental truth, faith becomes less about proving Jesus was God, and more about learning to recognize the Creator’s presence all around us and in everyone we meet. Ubc is not providing books, so you’ll want to get a copy.
The Problem of Evil and the Goodness of God
Leader: Mathew Crawford
Location: Red Room
Let’s gather and talk about God and evil. We will probably have more questions than answers, but perhaps we will find which questions are helpful and which are not. We will read scripture, address historical and contemporary arguments, and hopefully learn something along the way.
If you are a college student or young adult, please join us on Thursday night, September 19th at 8pm. We will be gathering to sing some songs together, reflect on scripture, and to hang out. Mark your calendars now. If you have any questions, please email toph@ubcwaco.org
If you are interested in potentially fostering unaccompanied children from the border please note there will be an informational session on Tuesday, September 10, at 6:30pm at Maranatha Church, 1000 Ashleman St, Waco, TX 76705.
There are two student positions on the leadership team. These spots are reserved specifically for college students. If you are a student who has been worshipping atUBC for at least one year and consider UBC your home, or if there is someone you know who meets this qualifications that you think would be a good fit, could you please send your nomination to Toph@ubcwaco.org.
the 13 champions4theLord that came up before church on Sunday and set up chairs.
Announcements
Sermon Text: Luke 14:25-33
UBCYP cookout: 9/14
All youth picnic 9/22
Backside 9/27
Homecoming Breakfast 10/13
UBC Kids Teacher Training:
Check In Team, Nurture Room, and Sprout Room - September 8 after church
Bloom Room and Branch Room - September 29 after church
Root Rooms - October 20 after church
Greeters: Corntassel
Coffee Makers: Kareem
Mug Cleaners: Kareem
Money Counter: George Thornton
If you have a concern or an idea for UBC that you’d like to share with someone that is not on staff, feel free to contact one of our leadership team members.
Byron Griffin: byrontgriffin@gmail.com
Kerri Fisher: Kerri_Fisher@baylor.edu
Jeremy Nance: Jeremy.J.Nance@L3T.com
Joanna Sowards: jo.sowards@gmail.com
Kathy Krey: kathykrey@gmail.com
Jose Zuniga: jzgrphix2002@yahoo.com
Taylor Torregrossa: Taylordtorregrossa@gmail.com
Student Position,
Student Position,
Do you have a question about UBC’s financial affairs? Please feel free to contact any of your finance team members.
JD Newman: JD_Newman@baylor.edu
Catherine Ballas: catherine@refitrev.com
Jen Carron: jen.carron78@gmail.com
Mike Dodson: financeteammike@gmail.com
George Thornton: GeorgecCT1982@gmail.com
If you have concerns about staff and would like contact our human resources team, please feel free to email any of the following members.
Ross Van Dyke: Ross_Vandyke@baylor.edu
Jared Gould: jared.gould1@gmail.com
Rebekah Powell: rpowell671@gmail.com
Kristen Richardson: wacorichardsons@gmail.com
This past Sunday was the twelfth Sunday after Pentecost, and our songs were gathered with this in mind. Below, you’ll find the list of the songs and artists. Clicking the song titles will take you to the lyrics. If you want to talk about any of these, feel free to email me at jamie@ubcwaco.org.
Songs:
House of God Forever by Jon Foreman
Mystery by ubcwaco (adapted from Charlie Hall)
There by Jameson McGregor
Wayward Ones by The Gladsome Light
Twice Begun by ubcmusic
Greetings.
Hope this finds you well.
I’ve had several people ask me recently about where they can listen to our original songs outside of Sunday morning, so I figured I’d answer that question in the newsletter in case anyone else was curious.
There are basically two names to look for on Spotify/Itunes/Amazon/etc. The first is Jameson McGregor (me). I released an album called Wild One in 2016, and we sing several songs off of that on a regular basis (Wild One, Wandering, Bonfire, Hope, There).
The other is ubcmusic. We released an EP last October called Ubcmusic, Vol. 1. We spent a lot of time coming up with the title. Of those, we sing Wideness, Mystery, Pulse, and O Love That Will Not Let Me Go the most (and Anthem is a fairly frequent offering song.)
There is new music coming soon from both of these projects, the After the Dust Clears EP (Jameson McGregor) and Ubcmusic, Vol. 2. I’m assuming Vol. 2 will be out first in late September/early October, but We’ll be sure to make a big deal when those release, so keep your eyes peeled.
Anyway, have a good week.
-jamie
If you are interested in joining a Micasa, you can sign-up after church this week, or email bri@ubcwaco.org Micasa’s are a great way to intentionally get to know other UBC’ers, and share life together. Micasa’s kick off on September 8th.
If you are interested in mentoring a middle student one day a week during lunch, we need you. Contact toph@ubcwaco.org or sign-up after church on Sunday. Lunch Buddies is a great way to invest in kids from our neighborhood.
The HR team is looking for someone to serve on the team. The purpose and qualifications are listed below. If you are someone you know has an interesting please email josh@ubcwaco.org.
(A)Purpose. The Human Resources/Staff Support Team shall exist for the following purposes:
a. To establish procedures for the hiring of ministerial and non-ministerial staff, and to enact those procedures when advised by Leadership Team to do so.
b. To advise Leadership and Finance teams on issues regarding long-term staff needs.
c. To create and implement staff review procedures.
d. To advise Leadership and Finance teams on matters regarding staff compensation, benefits, grievances and termination.
e. To be a liaison between the congregation and staff during times of conflict after all attempts at personal, one-on-one resolution has been made.
(C)Qualifications. HR/Staff Support Team members shall have been an active participant in the life of UBC for no less than one year, have received a bachelor’s degree (or roughly an equivalent amount of experience in personnel management, ministry, or other related field,) and have a demonstrable understanding of organizational management.
There are two student positions on the leadership team. These spots are reserved specifically for college students. If you are a student who has been worshipping atUBC for at least one year and consider UBC your home, or if there is someone you know who meets this qualifications that you think would be a good fit, could you please send your nomination to Toph@ubcwaco.org.
Toph Whisnant, Catherine Ballas, Jackson Conner, Kieran Cressy, and Abbey Mackey for dressing up as superheroes and welcoming Caesar Chavez Middle School Students on their first day. #champions4theLord
Sermon Text: Luke 14:1,7-14
UBCYP cookout: 9/14
Sunday school Starts: 9/8
All youth picnic 9/22
UBC Kids Teacher Training:
Check In Team, Nurture Room, and Sprout Room - September 8 after church
Bloom Room and Branch Room - September 29 after church
Root Rooms - October 20 after church
Greeters: Harris
Coffee Makers: Dilan & Jessica
Mug Cleaners: Nelsons
Money Counter:
If you have a concern or an idea for UBC that you’d like to share with someone that is not on staff, feel free to contact one of our leadership team members.
Byron Griffin: byrontgriffin@gmail.com
Kerri Fisher: Kerri_Fisher@baylor.edu
Jeremy Nance: Jeremy.J.Nance@L3T.com
Joanna Sowards: jo.sowards@gmail.com
Kathy Krey: kathykrey@gmail.com
Jose Zuniga: jzgrphix2002@yahoo.com
Taylor Torregrossa: Taylordtorregrossa@gmail.com
Student Position,
Student Position,
Do you have a question about UBC’s financial affairs? Please feel free to contact any of your finance team members.
JD Newman: JD_Newman@baylor.edu
Catherine Ballas: catherine@refitrev.com
Jen Carron: jen.carron78@gmail.com
Mike Dodson: financeteammike@gmail.com
George Thornton: GeorgecCT1982@gmail.com
If you have concerns about staff and would like contact our human resources team, please feel free to email any of the following members.
Ross Van Dyke: Ross_Vandyke@baylor.edu
Jared Gould: jared.gould1@gmail.com
Rebekah Powell: rpowell671@gmail.com
Kristen Richardson: wacorichardsons@gmail.com
This past Sunday was the eleventh Sunday after Pentecost, and our songs were gathered with this in mind. Below, you’ll find the list of the songs and artists. Clicking the song titles will take you to the lyrics. If you want to talk about any of these, feel free to email me at jamie@ubcwaco.org.
Songs:
Come Alive by ubcmusic
Wideness by ubcmusic
After the Dust Clears by Jameson McGregor
Eternal Anchor by ubcmusic
How They Fit In:
There are many ways to think about the significance of songs and the way they fit together–-this is simply one way you can look at these songs in light of this week’s theme.
Come Alive: We sang this song to ask God to continue to form us in the way of Christ, coming alive in us as we come alive in God.
Wideness: This song celebrates the mercy of God and reminds us that our ideas about God’s mercy tend to be too small.
Amazing Grace: We sang this song to celebrate the work of God in our lives and celebrates the freedom that this brings.
After the Dust Clears: This song is about interpersonal conflict, the passing of time, and grace in the midst of both.
Eternal Anchor: We sang this song to look over our shoulder at last week’s songs. This is what we said about Eternal Anchor then: This song is about God making all things new.
Doxology: We close our time together each week with this proclamation that God is worthy of praise from every inch of the cosmos.
This past Sunday was the tenth Sunday after Pentecost, and our songs were gathered with this in mind. Below, you’ll find the list of the songs and artists. Clicking the song titles will take you to the lyrics. If you want to talk about any of these, feel free to email me at jamie@ubcwaco.org.
Songs:
Wandering by Jameson McGregor
Eternal Anchor by ubcmusic
Waking Life by Jameson McGregor
For All That I Don’t Know by Jameson McGregor
Inbreaking by Jameson McGregor
How They Fit In:
There are many ways to think about the significance of songs and the way they fit together–-this is simply one way you can look at these songs in light of this week’s theme.
Wandering: We sang this song to proclaim God’s faithfulness to us despite our unreliable faithfulness to God.
Eternal Anchor: This song is about God making all things new.
Waking Life: This song is about God’s reality breaking through our own and reframing the way we experience the world.
For All That I Don’t Know: This song is about clinging to faith when clinging to faith doesn’t seem like a viable option.
Inbreaking: We sang this song to look over our shoulder at last week’s songs. This is what we said about Inbreaking then: This song is a plea for the Slaughtered Lamb to enter again into our suffering and make all things new.
Doxology: We close our time together each week with this proclamation that God is worthy of praise from every inch of the cosmos.
Galatians 2:20 “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”
Let me connect some musings in my head centered around a theme.
Moment 1. It started years ago when I was searching for a sermon illustration and stumbled on Barry Schwartz’s Ted Talk, “The Paradox of Choice.” Barry is some kind of social scientist (I don't remember what for sure; go Google if you’re curious) who talks about the overwhelming nature of choice and what it does to humans. I found my illustration, used it, and moved on. Later that week I watched the full Ted Talk on my own time. As Barry moves through the talk, he develops the theme that we are overwhelmed and ultimately disappointed by too many choices. The reason is this: when we have so many choices, we begin to believe the statistical chance that the perfect-for-me product exists. And then we consume said product (and assumption) and are disappointed, because even in a nuanced market we find that the best product can’t satisfy us. So what is Barry’s punchline? “Lower your expectations,” he says, drawing a collective guffaw from the crowd. He’s joking, but he’s not. It’s the uneasy and yet truthful confession of a scientist making a suggestion after having studied the myriad of options in segmented markets.
Moment 2. I watch season 3, episode 1, of Chef’s Table, an absolute baller program on Netflix about chefs. Season 3.1 features Jeong Kwan. Here I’ll just post a few lines cut and pasted from Wikipedia: “Jeong Kwan is a Seon Buddhist monk and chef of Korean cuisine born in 1957. She lives in the Chunjinam Hermitage at the Baegyangsa temple in South Korea, where she cooks for fellow nuns and monks, as well as occasional visitors. Jeong Kwan does not own a restaurant and has no formal culinary training.” Like all episodes of CT, this one is not just about Kwan or food; it’s about how life, worldview, and lifestyle form the artistic approach to creating food. I’m taken not just with Kwan’s veganism, but also with the romanticism of her life philosophy. I’m still just evangelical enough to be suspicious of anything that doesn’t have its origin in Jesus, but I’ll be shucky darned if this Buddhist vegan chef didn’t seem to have a lot to do with Jesus. Now I’m thinking about the Bhuddist and the caricatures I know of their philosophy. I Google and find “4 noble truths,” but I’m suspicious because someone could Google Christianity and find something like “4 spiritual laws.” I read the second, “suffering has a cause, namely craving and attachment (trishna).” Well hot dang, that’s kind of what Barry Schwarz said.
Moment 3. I’m in therapy this past spring. I make two big discoveries that I think about all summer. I’ll share one, but not the other. I’m not ready for that. We finally get to the part of my existential disgruntledness where I report to my therapist that I could be completely happy if I had a farm on Lake Superior, but until that happens, I can’t be happy. She suggests that happiness comes from within and that getting a farm on Lake Superior won’t really make me happy. I know she is going to say this, so I’ve prepared a rebuttal in which I explain she doesn’t understand how important place and topography are for me, and then I conclude it by quoting Jose Ortega y Gasset. I’ve rehearsed this for a few days and stick the landing. There’s a meme flashing in my head in which Gabriel Union from Bring It On says, “Bring It!” My therapist takes a deep breath, and I can see her trying to exhale some zen or some other voodoo into the air. Then she flashes me a sympathetic look that I imagine Delilah from the radio uses when she’s talking and says, “I think in order for you to be happy, some of your dreams may have to die.” I’ve never been this offended. It’s like my therapist is not American or has never seen a Disney movie. WTF! (Why the Face). Who tells people to kill their dreams so they can be happy? Then it hits me. This is exactly what Barry Schwarz would say and how Kwan cooks her food.
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Interlude in which I remind you all how committed I am to the vision of the agrarian philosophy of Wendell Berry. I keep chickens, grow a fledgling garden, and have named at least one kid after him. Also recently, I found out that my second child has the same birthday as him. This, because you should know that I am anti progress and -technology even though I consume it and love it.
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It’s July of 2019, and I’m on sabbatical in the Catskills with my wife because we liked the beginning of season 2 of Marvelous Mrs. Maisel. It’s our 15th anniversary trip. Lindsay originally wanted Jamaica or a beachy place. I hate hot places. We negotiate. Catskills. I’m in for the Catskills. It feels like a victory. I’m just glad I’m somewhere above the 40 degree latitudinal line. Because of our proximity to NYC, Lindsay proposes we go in town for a musical. I freak. I’ve heard about the cost of Hamilton tickets. I assume it’s all like that. I say we can’t go. We get in a fight. Jeremy Nance assures me I can get cheap Broadway tickets if I plan, so I concede. When the Catskill part of our trip is up, it’s time to head to the Big Apple. I’ve seen Chicago, London, Paris, Dublin, and Rome. I tell myself I know what cities are like and don’t think much about NYC or the show. In my mind, I’m just doing what my wife wants because anniversaries matter more to her.
Dramatic beat.
I LOVE NEW YORK CITY! I hate how much I like it. The lights, the busy, the people, the Empire State Building, Broadway, Times Square. Somehow it’s all magical. Every time I smile, I apologize to Wendell Berry in my heart, but goll, is this place off the charts or what? We fly home. I process a few weeks after the fact because that’s what emotionally repressed 3s do. I decide I loved my vacation in New York. Then I ask how can this be? I have my answer. I had no expectations for New York. I never thought about it, so I was completely surprised. This is how joy works.
Now I’m thinking about my heart and its emotional agnosticism coming into NYC. I think this is why it worked. I had no expectations. Barry Schwartz, Kwan, and my therapist are right about this. But I’m still suspicious because unless I hear Jesus say it, I don’t agree. Then it hits me. This is the tradition of death in the gospels. Lose your life to save it. Crucified in Christ. It’s no longer me, but Christ in me.
This coming Sunday we will be commissioning all of our kindergarteners as they begin their formal educational journey! Please be in prayer for our kindergarteners as the prepare to participate meaningfully in our liturgy and begin this journey. And also be in prayer for their parents as they help them journey a little further down the road of life. If you are the parent of a kindergartener and you have not heard from Taylor about this Sunday please send her an email at taylor@ubcwaco.org so that she can get you the info that you need!
Friends on Sunday 8-25, UBC will officially begin it’s worship time at 10:45.
So Sunday schedules once Sunday School begins in the fall will be as follows
9:30-10:30 = Sunday school
10:30-10:45 = Fellowship Time
10:45-Until the Spirit says so = worship
Now some of you may be thinking, “we all but start at 10:45 now, why are we announcing this?” Fair question. Officially UBC has started at 10:30 for years. Most Sundays that doesn’t actually happen. Recently, I, one Josh Carney, and brother Jameson chatted about the logistics of pulling off the start time at 10:30. We were able to identify the difficulties and, we believe, address them with this new strategy. Still you might be wondering why announce something that is de facto? This official move allows for a few things. First it honors our child care workers, greeters and other volunteers. If we officially start at 10:45 then we can say to them, “hey you don't have to be here until ________.” Secondly, for those of you for whom time is precious and would prefer to come to church the minute it starts and leave the second it is over, now you have a promise from us that the start time is officially 10:45. Our responsibility is to stick to that. Deal? Deal.
Do you have a student currently in 5th through 12th grade? Do you wonder what this whole Order of the Phoenix thing is, and what goes on in the Church on Wednesday nights? Well if you answered yes to both of those questions then the youth parent meeting right after Church this Sunday is the place to be! Hannah and Dilan will introduce themselves, explain what a typical youth group meeting looks, and explain all things youth at UBC. This is open to new and returning families, and students are more than welcome to attend as well. Email Dilan@ubcwaco.com or Hannah@ubcwaco.com with any questions.
Since the inception of this fine publication in November of 2013, ITLOTC has come to you on the afternoon (sometimes evening) of Friday. It has been suggested that this is less than ideal—that some of you have your hearts and minds fixed on your weekend at the Hamptons and are disengaged with something like a church newsletter. Alas, the release date of the ITLOTC will now be moved too Tuesdays. This means two important things. First, you will not get a newsletter next Friday 8-23-19. We are shutting the grid down for a reset. But lo, you will get an ITLOTC the following Tuesday on 8-27 and forever after on Tuesdays. So use that extra 10 minutes next Friday to buy yourself come cracker jacks and enjoy the view on the Brazos because this newsletter is changing publishing days. Sincerely, the management.
As we get ready for the fall we need some help in the greeter and welcoming station department. Greeters and welcome station folks arrive to church around 10:00 and … wait for it … greet and welcome new people. Greeters serve once a month. interested person should email josh@ubcwaco.org.
Jillian Haag for putting the finishing touches on an all American summer of children’t ministry help.
Sermon Texts: Hebrews 11:29-12:2 “The Risky Tradition: Faith and Grace Part 1”
Welcome Back Lunch: 8/25
Mi Casa Leader Training: 8/25, 9:30AM
UBCYP cookout: 9/7
Sunday school Starts: 9/8
Greeters: Richardsons
Coffee Makers: Shanks
Mug Cleaners: Kyle and Kristen
Money Counter: Jen Carron
If you have a concern or an idea for UBC that you’d like to share with someone that is not on staff, feel free to contact one of our leadership team members.
Byron Griffin: byrontgriffin@gmail.com
Kerri Fisher: Kerri_Fisher@baylor.edu
Jeremy Nance: Jeremy.J.Nance@L3T.com
Joanna Sowards: jo.sowards@gmail.com
Kathy Krey: kathykrey@gmail.com
Student Position, Samuel Moore: samuel_moore2@baylor.edu
Student Position, Anna Carol Peery: anna_peery@baylor.edu
Do you have a question about UBC’s financial affairs? Please feel free to contact any of your finance team members.
JD Newman: JD_Newman@baylor.edu
Catherine Ballas: catherine@refitrev.com
Jen Carron: jen.carron78@gmail.com
Mike Dodson: financeteammike@gmail.com
George Thornton: GeorgecCT1982@gmail.com
If you have concerns about staff and would like contact our human resources team, please feel free to email any of the following members.
Ross Van Dyke: Ross_Vandyke@baylor.edu
Jared Gould: jared.gould1@gmail.com
Rebekah Powell: rpowell671@gmail.com
Kristen Richardson: wacorichardsons@gmail.com
This blog is a record of the call to worship, Scripture readings, and prayers from our Sunday liturgies. If you are interested in writing something for the liturgy, or if you have a concern about any aspect of our liturgy, please email jamie@ubcwaco.org.
we have gathered to worship the Living God
with our songs,
our prayers,
our listening and our attention
to enter the story of God and the people of God
and find our own stories reimagined
hoping the Spirit of God would form
our hearts and minds in the way of Christ
making torches of our lives,
and drawing us into the work of God in the world
Amen
Psalm 50:1-5
The mighty one, God the Lord,
speaks and summons the earth
from the rising of the sun to its setting.
Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty,
God shines forth.
Our God comes and does not keep silence,
before God is a devouring fire,
and a mighty tempest all around God.
God calls to the heavens above
and to the earth, that God may judge God’s people:
“Gather to me my faithful ones,
who made a covenant with me by sacrifice!”
The heavens declare God’s righteousness,
for God Godself is judge. Selah
“Hear, O my people, and I will speak,
O Israel, I will testify against you.
I am God, your God.
Not for your sacrifices do I rebuke you;
your burnt offerings are continually before me.
I will not accept a bull from your house,
or goats from your folds.
For every wild animal of the forest is mine,
the cattle on a thousand hills.
I know all the birds of the air,
and all that moves in the field is mine.
“If I were hungry, I would not tell you,
for the world and all that is in it is mine.
Do I eat the flesh of bulls,
or drink the blood of goats?
Offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving,
and pay your vows to the Most High.
Call on me in the day of trouble;
I will deliver you, and you shall glorify me.”
Luke 12:32-40
Jesus said to his disciples, "Do not be afraid, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions, and give alms. Make purses for yourselves that do not wear out, an unfailing treasure in heaven, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
"Be dressed for action and have your lamps lit; be like those who are waiting for their master to return from the wedding banquet, so that they may open the door for him as soon as he comes and knocks.
Blessed are those slaves whom the master finds alert when he comes; truly I tell you, he will fasten his belt and have them sit down to eat, and he will come and serve them. If he comes during the middle of the night, or near dawn, and finds them so, blessed are those slaves.
"But know this: if the owner of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into. You also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an unexpected hour."
This past Sunday was the ninth Sunday after Pentecost, and our songs were gathered with this in mind. Below, you’ll find the list of the songs and artists. Clicking the song titles will take you to the lyrics. If you want to talk about any of these, feel free to email me at jamie@ubcwaco.org.
Songs:
All Creatures of Our God and King
Mystery by ubcmusic (adapted from Charlie Hall)
Pulse by ubcmusic
Inbreaking by Jameson McGregor
How They Fit In:
There are many ways to think about the significance of songs and the way they fit together–-this is simply one way you can look at these songs in light of this week’s theme.
All Creatures of Our God and King: This song invited us to join our voices to the whole of creation in directing our attention toward God.
Mystery: We sang this song to celebrate the death, resurrection, and coming return of Christ, and to acknowledge the way that informs the way we live and move in the world.
Pulse: This song is about the interconnectivity of creation, and asks that the Spirit reawaken us to this reality.
Inbreaking: This song is a plea for the Slaughtered Lamb to enter again into our suffering and make all things new.
Be Thou My Vision: We sang this song to look over our shoulder at last week’s songs. This is what we said about Be Thou My Vision then: We sang this song to petition God to be our vision, wisdom, security, and hope, as we navigate an uncertain world.
Doxology: We close our time together each week with this proclamation that God is worthy of praise from every inch of the cosmos.
During the first five weeks of this summer, I had the privilege of walking the ancient pilgrim trail called the Via Francigena that starts in Canterbury, England, and ends in Rome, Italy. It was for a class with Truett on spiritual pilgrimage, and basically I got class credit for hiking 360 miles with views of the Alps and the Tuscan Valley, all while eating incredible pasta and pizza. (I promise this is going somewhere— I’m not just trying to flex on y’all)
This was an experience that changed my life and continued to change my view on what it is to be a follower of Christ in this world. Since coming back to Waco, however, I have fallen back into a familiar struggle. I am in between jobs and waiting for classes to start, and I have found myself slipping back into the idea that my worth in found in what I can produce. Society has ingrained in me the idea that if I cannot stay busy and be as efficient as possible, then something is wrong.
God has led me (over and over again) to fight back against this idea. Even and especially in the seasons of rest, of waiting, and of quiet, God is with us. The pilgrimage that we are on will look different as we go, but that makes no season less important than the other.
We spend so much time wishing away the moment we are in waiting in expectation of the next big event or supposed life milestone. “If only this would happen, THEN I will have arrived.“ Instead, I believe that God not only works through these major life events, but also God is present in the sacred ordinary.
As this summer season draws to a close, I hope you can find time to rest in whatever it looks like. Or even put some practices into place that allow you to reflect on what it means to embrace the season you find yourself in now. We are not meant to ever fully “arrive,” whatever that means. We each have a different and elusive idea of what that looks like, anyway, so I pray that instead we can find our hope and worth in pilgriming together— in the happy and the sad and everything in-between— with the assurance that our God is with us.
What does pilgrimage mean to you? How can you be grateful where you are as you journey alongside other pilgrims?
I’d love to discuss this more with you. If you’re interested, email me at bri@ubcwaco.org.
It’s that time of year again, and we are excited to have everyone back for the Fall after summer break! Join us for lunch after church on the 25th to kick of the year. We will food, drinks, games, and good times galore! If you have any questions, please email toph@ubcwaco.org
We are looking for new folks to serve on the leadership team. Here is some information for you to consider from the bylaws. We have 4 positions open, two of which are students.
Section 1. Leadership Team
(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. Members serving as student member commit to a year with the chance to renew up to three years.
Nominations begin now. So if you'd like to nominate yourself or anyone else, please use this link.
Preacher: Taylor, Luke 12:32-40
Kindergarten Commission: 8/18
Welcome Back Lunch: 8/25
Mi Casa Leader Training: 8/25, 9:30AM
UBCYP cookout: 9/7
Sunday school Starts: 9/8
Coffee: Michael & Oliver
Mugs: Nelsons
Money Counter: George Thornton
Greeters: Ricky + Rose
If you have a concern or an idea for UBC that you’d like to share with someone that is not on staff, feel free to contact one of our leadership team members.
Byron Griffin: byrontgriffin@gmail.com
Kerri Fisher: Kerri_Fisher@baylor.edu
Jeremy Nance: Jeremy.J.Nance@L3T.com
Joanna Sowards: jo.sowards@gmail.com
Kathy Krey: kathykrey@gmail.com
Student Position, Samuel Moore: samuel_moore2@baylor.edu
Student Position, Anna Carol Peery: anna_peery@baylor.edu
Do you have a question about UBC’s financial affairs? Please feel free to contact any of your finance team members.
JD Newman: JD_Newman@baylor.edu
Catherine Ballas: catherine@refitrev.com
Jen Carron: jen.carron78@gmail.com
Mike Dodson: financeteammike@gmail.com
George Thornton: GeorgecCT1982@gmail.com
If you have concerns about staff and would like contact our human resources team, please feel free to email any of the following members.
Ross Van Dyke: Ross_Vandyke@baylor.edu
Jared Gould: jared.gould1@gmail.com
Rebekah Powell: rpowell671@gmail.com
Kristen Richardson: wacorichardsons@gmail.com
This blog is a record of the call to worship, Scripture readings, and prayers from our Sunday liturgies. If you are interested in writing something for the liturgy, or if you have a concern about any aspect of our liturgy, please email jamie@ubcwaco.org.
we have gathered to worship the Living God
the One in whom we live and move and have our being
to enter into God’s story
and find our own stories transformed
and to invite the Spirit to shape our hearts and minds
into the way of Christ,
that we might come alongside the work of God in the world
with our whole lives.
amen
Ecclesiastes 1:2, 12-14; 2:18-23
Vanity of vanities, says the Teacher, vanity of vanities! All is vanity.
I, the Teacher, when king over Israel in Jerusalem, applied my mind to seek and to search out by wisdom all that is done under heaven; it is an unhappy business that God has given to human beings to be busy with. I saw all the deeds that are done under the sun; and see, all is vanity and a chasing after wind.
I hated all my toil in which I had toiled under the sun, seeing that I must leave it to those who come after me --and who knows whether they will be wise or foolish? Yet they will be master of all for which I toiled and used my wisdom under the sun. This also is vanity.
So I turned and gave my heart up to despair concerning all the toil of my labors under the sun, because sometimes one who has toiled with wisdom and knowledge and skill must leave all to be enjoyed by another who did not toil for it. This also is vanity and a great evil.
What do mortals get from all the toil and strain with which they toil under the sun? For all their days are full of pain, and their work is a vexation; even at night their minds do not rest. This also is vanity.
Luke 12:13-21
Someone in the crowd said to Jesus, "Teacher, tell my brother to divide the family inheritance with me." But he said to him, "Friend, who set me to be a judge or arbitrator over you?"
And he said to them, "Take care! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; for one's life does not consist in the abundance of possessions." Then he told them a parable: "The land of a rich man produced abundantly. And he thought to himself, `What should I do, for I have no place to store my crops?'
Then he said, `I will do this: I will pull down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. And I will say to my soul, `Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.'
But God said to him, `You fool! This very night your life is being demanded of you. And the things you have prepared, whose will they be?' So it is with those who store up treasures for themselves but are not rich toward God."
God, we come to you bearing the grief of yesterday’s act of terror in El Paso.
We come to you grieving the loss of life—the stopped hearts and the scarred hearts.
We grieve the anti-Christ poison of white nationalism, and that those who harbor it within themselves feel emboldened by our public discourse about immigration in general, and the rhetoric of the president in particular.
We grieve that black and brown bodies are sacrificed at the altar of inaction as this hate perpetuates itself.
We bear also the grief of this morning’s shooting in Ohio. We grieve the stopped hearts and the scarred hearts.
And we grieve that something so unthinkable has become so commonplace.
We grieve that a country so self confident in its own power is seemingly impotent to deal meaningfully with gun violence.
We grieve that so many lives have been sacrificed at the altar of inaction as this violence perpetuates itself.
We ask that you would continue to be present in both of these newly grieving communities, that you would bring comfort, peace, and healing to all those who are learning what it’s like to live in a world without some of the people they love in it.
And we ask that you would bring this same comfort, peace, and healing to all those who are learning what it’s like to live in a world where someone they love has done a terrible thing.
We ask also that you would be with the countless hospital workers and neighbors who are becoming the agents of that comfort, peace, and healing, that you would give them strength.
We confess that the scope of this evil in our culture is overwhelming, and there are days where we feel helpless. But we cling to the hope that you are emphatically not helpless. And so, we ask that you would bless us with the foolishness to think we can make a difference in the world, and that your Spirit would drive us to do just that.
And so in these next few moments of silence, we ask that the Spirit would intercede for us with groans too deep for words, as we grieve with our brothers and sisters. And that the Spirit would begin to shape our imaginations to build a world where the unthinkable isn’t a daily or weekly occurrence.
Amen.
This past Sunday was the eighth Sunday after Pentecost, and our songs were gathered with this in mind. Below, you’ll find the list of the songs and artists. Clicking the song titles will take you to the lyrics. If you want to talk about any of these, feel free to email me at jamie@ubcwaco.org.
Songs:
Come Thou Fount
Wayward Ones by The Gladsome Light
For Those Tears I Died by Jameson McGregor (adapted from Marsha Stevens)
Be Thou My Vision
Fever by Jameson McGregor
Your Love Is Strong by Jon Foreman
How They Fit In:
There are many ways to think about the significance of songs and the way they fit together–-this is simply one way you can look at these songs in light of this week’s theme.
Come Thou Fount: We sang this song to set our attention on God’s activity in our lives.
Wayward Ones: This is our communion hymn, and it contemplates Christ's self-giving love that is displayed and remembered in the eucharist.
For Those Tears I Died: This song is a part of our mass shooting liturgy. It is a lament that asks how long things will be this way.
Be Thou My Vision: We sang this song to petition God to be our vision, wisdom, security, and hope, as we navigate an uncertain world.
Fever: This song is about the ways in which we try to self-regulate our lives into status quos that should be otherwise, and imagines the work of God as a pathogen that overpowers our defenses.
Your Love Is Strong: We sang this song to look over our shoulder at last week’s songs. This is what we said about Your Love is Strong then: We sang this song to linger on the spirit of the Our Father.
Doxology: We close our time together each week with this proclamation that God is worthy of praise from every inch of the cosmos.
I’ve been thinking about Taylor’s questions from Sunday. Though I wasn’t present to hear her sermon, the Spirit has been moving these questions into my life and listening to Taylor’s words this morning pushed them back into the forefront of my mind.
1. How might you live a life that more fully relies on God?
I have a lot of pride. I think I know the right things to do, the right order to do them in, and scoff through my thoughts when people do them a way that I wouldn’t do. I have pride in my achievements like when I bake a pie that everyone loves, or sequence a yoga class that people thank me for, or even when I dress myself a little nicer than usual. I have pride in my failures, that I have messed up so much that I must be terrible—even when these are tiny mishaps. And this pride is present because somewhere along the way I forgot that this strange reality exists where Christ lives in me and where the Holy Spirit guides me. I forgot that life is not about my will, not about my successes or failures, but about God. The Christian life is a life that follows and listens and, dare I say it, submits to God. My pride gets in the way of this. My pride needs to go. Here are some practical ways I’m working on this (because I know I won’t grow unless I have a plan):
- Pray every day. Pray the Lord’s Prayer and take time to think about what these words mean. Lift up my offences against God and others, and actively imagine Christ taking them from me.
- Remember the Spirit lives in me. Like actually lives in me, moves in me, breathes in me.
- Calm down. Instead of reacting right away to perceived successes and failures, focus on what actually happened. Be aware and mindful.
2. How might you live more deeply in community with these brothers and sisters in Christ?
I am an introvert. Give me 6/7 nights out of the week alone, and I will be good to go wherever and do whatever on the 7th night. If I’m being honest, I don’t need this much time alone. I want it and crave it and think I need it. But I don’t. I need community, even when it’s hard and tiring. I need to reach out to people, to remind them I love them and to be reminded that I am loved fully and deeply not only by those in the Church but by those who I spend my life with outside of the Church. Living deeply means living broken next to broken people who are all seeking to mend and be mended together. Practical steps for this:
- Reach out to people via text or in person and say “I love you” more. Not shying away from culture’s embarrassment to love friends and be affectionate toward them in words.
- Take less time for myself when it’s not self-care. Binge-watch shows less, and watch shows with people more. Read in bed less, and read in a coffee shop or in the living room more.
- No more being on my phone around friends. Boredom may come, but listen to them as I desire them to listen to me. Be invested in their life.
These aren’t revelatory things, but to learn them you have to pay attention to your life. What are your patterns in certain situations? When do you feel emotions welling up? What have your thoughts been like towards others? And then how do you think God wants those things to be… the same, or redeemed?
Church, may we be redeemed. Not only in our thoughts, but in our words. In what we do, and what we fail to do. And may we grow closer together in glory through Jesus Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Kim, kim@ubcwaco.org
We are going to celebrate the end of summer by taking time for community this Wednesday. Bring your favored side dish or dessert to share, and UBC will proved fried chicken and drinks. Come hang out one more time before school begins!
We are looking for new folks to serve on the leadership team. Here is some information for you to consider from the bylaws. We have 4 positions open, two of which are students.
Section 1. Leadership Team
(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. Members serving as student member commit to a year with the chance to renew up to three years.
Nominations begin now. So if you'd like to nominate yourself or anyone else, please use this link.
Preacher: Bri, Luke 12:13-21
End of Summer Party: 8/7
Kindergarten Commission: 8/18
Welcome Back Lunch: 8/25
Mi Casa Leader Training: 8/25, 9:30AM
UBCYP cookout: 9/7
Sunday school Starts: 9/8
Coffee: Carlsons
Mugs: Burns
Money Counter: George Thornton
Greeters: Hariss
If you have a concern or an idea for UBC that you’d like to share with someone that is not on staff, feel free to contact one of our leadership team members.
Byron Griffin: byrontgriffin@gmail.com
Kerri Fisher: Kerri_Fisher@baylor.edu
Jeremy Nance: Jeremy.J.Nance@L3T.com
Joanna Sowards: jo.sowards@gmail.com
Kathy Krey: kathykrey@gmail.com
Student Position, Samuel Moore: samuel_moore2@baylor.edu
Student Position, Anna Carol Peery: anna_peery@baylor.edu
Do you have a question about UBC’s financial affairs? Please feel free to contact any of your finance team members.
JD Newman: JD_Newman@baylor.edu
Catherine Ballas: catherine@refitrev.com
Jen Carron: jen.carron78@gmail.com
Mike Dodson: financeteammike@gmail.com
George Thornton: GeorgecCT1982@gmail.com
If you have concerns about staff and would like contact our human resources team, please feel free to email any of the following members.
Ross Van Dyke: Ross_Vandyke@baylor.edu
Jared Gould: jared.gould1@gmail.com
Rebekah Powell: rpowell671@gmail.com
Kristen Richardson: wacorichardsons@gmail.com
This blog is a record of the call to worship, Scripture readings, and prayers from our Sunday liturgies. If you are interested in writing something for the liturgy, or if you have a concern about any aspect of our liturgy, please email jamie@ubcwaco.org.
we have gathered to worship the Eternal One
the One who draws near to the lowly
and defends the weak
with our songs, our prayers, our listening
to enter the story of God and the people of God,
and find our own stories there
hoping that the Spirit of God will form our hearts and minds
in the way of Christ
and draw the full complexity of our lives
into God’s work in the world
amen
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, the Lord regards the lowly;
but the haughty the Lord 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 the Lord’s purpose for me;
your steadfast love, O Lord, endures forever.
Do not forsake the work of your hands.
Luke 11:1-13
Jesus was praying in a certain place, and after he had finished, one of his disciples said to him, "Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples." He said to them, "When you pray, say:
Father, hallowed be your name.
Your kingdom come.
Give us each day our daily bread.
And forgive us our sins,
for we ourselves forgive everyone indebted to us.
And do not bring us to the time of trial."
And he said to them, "Suppose one of you has a friend, and you go to him at midnight and say to him, `Friend, lend me three loaves of bread; for a friend of mine has arrived, and I have nothing to set before him.'
And he answers from within, `Do not bother me; the door has already been locked, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot get up and give you anything.' I tell you, even though he will not get up and give him anything because he is his friend, at least because of his persistence he will get up and give him whatever he needs.
"So I say to you, Ask, and it will be given you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you. For everyone who asks receives, and everyone who searches finds, and for everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.
Is there anyone among you who, if your child asks for a fish, will give a snake instead of a fish? Or if the child asks for an egg, will give a scorpion?
If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!"
This week’s prayer is from The Iona Community Worship Book (81):
O Christ, your cross speaks both to us and tour world.
In your dying for us you accepted the pain and hurt
Of the whole of creation.
The arms of your cross stretch out across the
Broken world in reconciliation.
You have made peace with us.
Help us to make peace with you by sharing in your
Reconciling work.
May we recognize your spirit disturbing and
Challenging us to care for creation and for the
Poor who most feel the effects of its abuse.
O Christ, the whole of creation groans,
Set us free and make us whole.
This past Sunday was the seventh Sunday after Pentecost, and our songs were gathered with this in mind. Below, you’ll find the list of the songs and artists. Clicking the song titles will take you to the lyrics. If you want to talk about any of these, feel free to email me at jamie@ubcwaco.org.
Songs:
Your Love Is Strong by Jon Foreman
Rise Up by BiFrost Arts
Shadow by Jameson McGregor
There by Jameson McGregor
How They Fit In:
There are many ways to think about the significance of songs and the way they fit together–-this is simply one way you can look at these songs in light of this week’s theme.
How Great Thou Art: We sang this song to celebrate God’s activity in creation.
Your Love Is Strong: We sang this song to linger on the spirit of the Our Father, which featured in Taylor’s sermon text.
Rise Up: We sang this song to petition God to rise to the defense of the trampled in our world, and to remind ourselves that we are called to do the same.
Shadow: This song is about the difficulty and nigh impossibility of being formed in the way of Christ, and about God’s work of transformation in our lives in spite of this.
There: We sang this song to look over our shoulder at last week’s songs. This is what we said about There then: We sang this song to proclaim God as an anchor beyond our struggles, drawing us toward Godself.
Doxology: We close our time together each week with this proclamation that God is worthy of praise from every inch of the cosmos.
Today Chance the Rapper dropped a new album. I love Chance so this is exciting news for me personally – although I recognize that it might be less exciting for some of you. Music is funny like that. It connects with each of us in such different and specific ways.
I’ve loved Chance for a few years now. My brother played Sunday Candy for me one time a few summers ago and that was all I needed. And then I saw him in concert in Houston a couple summers ago (which is really saying something about my affection – because Houston is horrible) and my obsession was pretty much cemented. And THEN – a real nail in the coffin situation – Chance played this song with Daniel Cesar on Stephen Colbert (which is a real triple whammy of a situation as far as wins are concerned – here’s a link if you want to watch it).
The song is called First World Problems. And there are a couple of lines in the third verse that punched me in the heart so hard that I don’t know that I’ve ever stopped thinking about them. You have anything like that? (I think we have a whole Sunday School class devoted to that idea so I feel pretty certain that you probably do.) Do you have anything that has just grabbed you in such a way that you find yourself thinking about it regularly for forever? Well that’s what this song – and particularly these lines in the third verse - were like for me. Here are the lines:
I hear the scene snappin', and I'm the team captain
No more knee slappin' or shoe shinin' or shoe signin' 'til the dream happens
I'm just gon' keep rappin'
And y'all just keep clappin' and keep actin'
Like Flint got clean water and y'all don't got teen daughters and black friends and gay cousins
Y'all just gon' say nothin'
Know that the day comin'
Knees bowed, tongues confessin'
The last ones gettin' first dibs on blessings
These lyrics hit me in a way that is two fold: 1) how often am I walking around ignoring the pain and oppression of others? How often am I doing nothing to work towards justice for the people of Flint? For our collective teen daughters and black friends and gay cousins? How often am I saying nothing? I want to be the type of person who says something. And 2) it reminds me that there is a day coming when the last ones will be the first among us to be blessed. It is easy to wallow in the pain that is happening all around us in the world. But we don’t believe that this is the end – and I am reminded here (by Chance) of the good news that helps me to continue to work for justice. And to constantly ask myself - where am I looking to be first in line? Am I looking to be first in line now? In the reality of my every day life? Or do I really believe in the idea that there is a day coming when the last ones will get first dibs on blessings? Do I really believe and live a life that supports the idea that there is a day coming when all things will be reconciled in Christ? Because there is no better news.
Friends – I would love to hear from you. How does this verse hit you? Or maybe this doesn’t do it for you – tell me what does! What strikes you in ways that are both encouraging and convicting? If you have any thoughts or questions you can email me here.
TONIGHT! It’s Backside, but in the summer.
We are looking for new folks to serve on the leadership team. Here is some information for you to consider from the bylaws. We have 4 positions open, two of which are students.
Section 1. Leadership Team
(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. Members serving as student member commit to a year with the chance to renew up to three years.
Nominations begin now. So if you'd like to nominate yourself or anyone else, please use this link. (this is the link to put in - https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeiBWA_LjB7dwfVwEMn4aEUvJ7iRPMFWz8-jzTAWC34GmcQ8Q/viewform
Preacher: Taylor, Luke 11:1-13
End of Summer Party: 8/7
UBCYP cookout: 9/7
Coffee: Craig
Mugs: Ron and Rissé Miller
Money Counter: Mike D
Greeters: Blaylocks
If you have a concern or an idea for UBC that you’d like to share with someone that is not on staff, feel free to contact one of our leadership team members.
Byron Griffin: byrontgriffin@gmail.com
Kerri Fisher: Kerri_Fisher@baylor.edu
Jeremy Nance: Jeremy.J.Nance@L3T.com
Joanna Sowards: jo.sowards@gmail.com
Kathy Krey: kathykrey@gmail.com
Student Position, Samuel Moore: samuel_moore2@baylor.edu
Student Position, Anna Carol Peery: anna_peery@baylor.edu
Do you have a question about UBC’s financial affairs? Please feel free to contact any of your finance team members.
JD Newman: JD_Newman@baylor.edu
Catherine Ballas: catherine@refitrev.com
Jen Carron: jen.carron78@gmail.com
Mike Dodson: financeteammike@gmail.com
George Thornton: GeorgecCT1982@gmail.com
If you have concerns about staff and would like contact our human resources team, please feel free to email any of the following members.
Ross Van Dyke: Ross_Vandyke@baylor.edu
Jared Gould: jared.gould1@gmail.com
Rebekah Powell: rpowell671@gmail.com
Kristen Richardson: wacorichardsons@gmail.com
This blog is a record of the call to worship, Scripture readings, and prayers from our Sunday liturgies. If you are interested in writing something for the liturgy, or if you have a concern about any aspect of our liturgy, please email jamie@ubcwaco.org.
we have gathered to worship the Living God
the Rest moving to pierce our busyness
the Holding-Together surrounding our brokenness
to enter into the story of God and the people of God
with our songs, our prayers, and our listening
hoping the Spirit of God would form
our hearts and minds in the way of Christ
teaching us to love God
and love our neighbor
with our whole lives.
Amen
Psalm 15
O Lord, who may abide in your tent?
Who may dwell on your holy hill?
Those who walk blamelessly, and do what is right,
and speak the truth from their heart;
who do not slander with their tongue,
and do no evil to their friends,
nor take up a reproach against their neighbors;
in whose eyes the wicked are despised,
but who honor those who fear the Lord;
who stand by their oath even to their hurt;
who do not lend money at interest,
and do not take a bribe against the innocent.
Those who do these things shall never be moved.
Luke 10:38-42
As Jesus and his disciples went on their way, Jesus entered a certain village, where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. She had a sister named Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet and listened to what he was saying.
But Martha was distracted by her many tasks; so she came to him and asked, "Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to do all the work by myself? Tell her then to help me."
But the Lord answered her, "Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things; there is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part, which will not be taken away from her."
This week’s prayer was from An Iona Prayer Book (98):
Lord of Life
we celebrate your countless gifts,
in days and nights,
in rainbows and rain,
in touch, dream and smile,
in partners who love,
in kids who cuddle,
in grannies who listen,
in friends who care,
in dogs that lick,
in hands that sew,
in food on the table;
yet above all,
in your coming among us,
walking our roads,
calling our names,
enfolding our lives,
inviting us home.
This past Sunday was the sixth Sunday after Pentecost, and our songs were gathered with this in mind. Below, you’ll find the list of the songs and artists. Clicking the song titles will take you to the lyrics. If you want to talk about any of these, feel free to email me at jamie@ubcwaco.org.
Songs:
Rescue Is Coming by David Crowder* Band
Waking Life by Jameson McGregor
Mother by Jameson McGregor
There by Jameson McGregor
Chasing the Wind by Jameson McGregor
Come Alive by ubcmusic
How They Fit In:
There are many ways to think about the significance of songs and the way they fit together–-this is simply one way you can look at these songs in light of this week’s theme.
Rescue Is Coming: We sang this song to begin our time together proclaiming the hope that God is actively working to redeem the cosmos.
Waking Life: This song is about God’s transforming presence in our lives, setting fires in us for justice and opening our hearts to love our neighbors.
Mother: This song celebrates God as Mother, embracing us with a love beyond our understanding.
There: We sang this song to proclaim God as an anchor beyond our struggles, drawing us toward Godself.
Chasing the Wind: This song offers a piercing word of hope through the layers of noise we pile upon ourselves to feel whole and complete.
Come Alive: This song is about God drawing us into God’s dance of love, gradually bringing us to life.
Doxology: We close our time together each week with this proclamation that God is worthy of praise from every inch of the cosmos.
Greetings.
I hope this finds you well.
If you don’t already know, we have a Backside scheduled for one week from today (7/26) at 7.
If you don’t know what Backside is, it’s an open mic event that we host in the Backside.
If you don’t know what THE Backside is, it’s the large room on the back side of the church.
But also, this one is taking place in the Summer, so we call it Summerside.
Anyway.
These nights are times for us to gather and engage in art together.
Some of that engagement happens in the form of individuals singing songs, reading poems, telling stories, showing visual art, etc.
And some of that engagement happens in the form of individuals bearing witness to what is being shared.
It’s an important space to share.
Because art lets us grasp at things that might otherwise evade us.
Those ideas that never quite seem to come out right when we try to speak them straight away.
The Bible seems to be in on this.
When Jesus talks about the Kingdom, he tells stories to get at the reality he’s establishing rather than just saying what he’s trying to say.
As if that was the best way to get it across.
Or take your pick from the 1/3 of Scripture that’s poetry.
Engaging God, joy, pain, love, existence, etc., is done well (best, in my experience) through the realm of art.
And even more so when done together.
So you should come.
And if you create things, I would encourage you to share something.
Even if you think you’re not good at it.
Because for most people, this sort of thing requires practice.
And I have found ubc to be a safe place to practice.
And if you don’t create things, I would encourage you to come and engage.
Even if you think you’re not good at it.
Because it’s good to be together.
And sometimes togetherness requires practice.
If you have any questions, or want to sign up, email jamie@ubcwaco.org.
We will be having a Kid’s Camp Info meeting for all of our kids and parents of kids who are going to Passport Kid’s Camp with us at the end of July. If you or your child are going to Kid’s Camp please plan to be at this meeting after church on July 21st. If you have any questions please contact Taylor at taylor@ubcwaco.org
It’s Backside, but in the summer. See article above.
We are looking for new folks to serve on the leadership team. Here is some information for you to consider from the bylaws. We have 4 positions open, two of which are students.
Section 1. Leadership Team
(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. Members serving as student member commit to a year with the chance to renew up to three years.
Nominations begin now. So if you'd like to nominate yourself or anyone else, please use this link. (this is the link to put in - https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeiBWA_LjB7dwfVwEMn4aEUvJ7iRPMFWz8-jzTAWC34GmcQ8Q/viewform
Preacher: Toph, Luke 10:38-42
Waco Dive - 7/24 - noon - Rufi’s Cocina - 1801 N 25th St
SWCC summer movie days - 7/24 - 1pm-4pm
UBCYP cookout - 9/7
Coffee: Craig
Mugs: Sandvall + Glover
Money Counter: Ballas
Greeters:
If you have a concern or an idea for UBC that you’d like to share with someone that is not on staff, feel free to contact one of our leadership team members.
Byron Griffin: byrontgriffin@gmail.com
Kerri Fisher: Kerri_Fisher@baylor.edu
Jeremy Nance: Jeremy.J.Nance@L3T.com
Joanna Sowards: jo.sowards@gmail.com
Kathy Krey: kathykrey@gmail.com
Student Position, Samuel Moore: samuel_moore2@baylor.edu
Student Position, Anna Carol Peery: anna_peery@baylor.edu
Do you have a question about UBC’s financial affairs? Please feel free to contact any of your finance team members.
JD Newman: JD_Newman@baylor.edu
Catherine Ballas: catherine@refitrev.com
Jen Carron: jen.carron78@gmail.com
Mike Dodson: financeteammike@gmail.com
George Thornton: GeorgecCT1982@gmail.com
If you have concerns about staff and would like contact our human resources team, please feel free to email any of the following members.
Ross Van Dyke: Ross_Vandyke@baylor.edu
Jared Gould: jared.gould1@gmail.com
Rebekah Powell: rpowell671@gmail.com
Kristen Richardson: wacorichardsons@gmail.com
This blog is a record of the call to worship, Scripture readings, and prayers from our Sunday liturgies. If you are interested in writing something for the liturgy, or if you have a concern about any aspect of our liturgy, please email jamie@ubcwaco.org.
we have gathered to worship the Eternal One
the Refuge of the weary
the defender of the weak
to enter the story of God with our songs,
our prayers, our silence, and our attention
and find our own stories changed
hoping the Spirit of God will transform our hearts and minds
that we might learn to love God,
and to love our neighbors,
to be formed in the way of Christ
in our time and place
Amen
Psalm 82
God takes God’s stand in the council of heaven;
God gives judgment in the midst of the gods:
"How long will you judge unjustly,
and show favor to the wicked?
Save the weak and the orphan;
defend the humble and needy;
Rescue the weak and the poor;
deliver them from the power of the wicked.
They do not know, neither do they understand;
they go about in darkness;
all the foundations of the earth are shaken.
Now I say to you, 'You are gods,
and all of you children of the Most High;
Nevertheless, you shall die like mortals,
and fall like any prince.'"
Arise, O God, and rule the earth,
for you shall take all nations for your own.
Luke 10:25-37
Just then a lawyer stood up to test Jesus. "Teacher," he said, "what must I do to inherit eternal life?" He said to him, "What is written in the law? What do you read there?"
He answered, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself." And he said to him, "You have given the right answer; do this, and you will live."
But wanting to justify himself, he asked Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?"
Jesus replied, "A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell into the hands of robbers, who stripped him, beat him, and went away, leaving him half dead. Now by chance a priest was going down that road; and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side.
So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side.
But a Samaritan while traveling came near him; and when he saw him, he was moved with pity. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, having poured oil and wine on them.
Then he put him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. The next day he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said, `Take care of him; and when I come back, I will repay you whatever more you spend.'
Which of these three, do you think, was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers?"
He said, "The one who showed him mercy." Jesus said to him, "Go and do likewise."
O Christ, kindle in our hearts within
A flame of love to our neighbor,
To our foes, to our friends, to our kindred all
O Christ of the poor and the yearning,
From the humblest thing that lives
To the name that is highest of all,
Kindle in our hearts within
A flame of love
Amen