Liturgy Stuff 8-8-2021

August 8, 2021

Below, you’ll find the song lyrics and scripture readings for the live stream on August 8th (in the order they are needed).

Boundless Love

I woke up this morning to a garbage truck
seems this old horseshoe’s done run out of luck
if I came home would you let me in
fry me some pork chops and forgive my sins?

and surround me with your boundless love
confound me with your boundless love
I was drowning in a sea, lost as I could be
when you found me with your boundless love

sometimes my old heart is like a washing machine
it bounces around ‘til my soul comes clean
and when i’m clean and hung out to dry
i’m gonna make you laugh until you cry

and surround me with your boundless love
confound me with your boundless love
I was drowning in a sea, lost as I could be
when you found me with your boundless love

if by chance I should find myself at risk
a’fallin from this jagged cliff
I look below, I look above
i’m surrounded by your boundless love

surround me with your boundless love
confound me with your boundless love
I was drowning in a sea, lost as I could be
when you found me with your boundless love
you dumbfound me with your boundless love
you surround me with your boundless love

Call to Worship

we have gathered to worship 
the Living God

the Eternal One whose love endures all things

to enter the story of God

and find our own stories reimagined

that the Spirit might form us more fully in the way of Christ

bending our hearts and minds
toward God and our neighbor
casting the light of the Kingdom
in our ordinary lives

Amen

Bonfire

you are a bonfire
creation, the ash coming off your flame
I am a shadow, thrown to the ground
from the light you gave
you are a mending force
patching up wounds, making dead things breathe
I am a fracture, split to the core
but you could fix me
you could fix me

so we wait for the day we’d rise from the darkness inside us
when every good and broken thing
will meet you there on that golden shoreline
and we won’t need the stars to guide us
there’s a new light in the sky

you are a writer
twisting the plot, so the words don’t fade
I am a margin
framing the side of the phrases you laid
you hold the best intentions
for gravel and dust in time and space
while I am the friction
between bending the knee and running away
running away

so we wait for the day we’d rise from the darkness inside us
when every good and broken thing
will meet you there on that golden shoreline
and we won’t need the stars to guide us
there’s a new light in the sky

and its breaking through, even now
it’s breaking down
the fears we’ve called our refuge
and even now
we can see the faintest light
like a crack in time
like you’re already there
and you’re calling us home

to the new world that you’ve grown

Abide With Me

abide with me, fast falls the eventide
the darkness deepens, lord with me abide
when other helpers fail, and comforts flee
Help of the Helpless, abide with me

swift to its close ebbs out life’s little day
earth’s joys grow dim, its glories pass away
change and decay in all around I see
thou who changest not, abide with me

thou has not left me, oft as I left thee
on to the close, o lord, abide with me
I fear no foe with thee at hand to bless
ills have no weight and tears no bitterness

hold thou thy cross before my closing eyes
pierce through the gloom and point me to the skies
heavens morning breaks and earth’s vain shadows flee
o thou who changest not, abide with me

All My Hope Is In This

this I call to mind, all my hope is in this
each breath is a gift, 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 your 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
return, infinite

Old Testament Reading

Today’s Old Testament reading, and Josh’s sermon text, is from 2 Samuel 18:

The king, David, ordered Joab and Abishai and Ittai, saying, “Deal gently for my sake with the young man Absalom.” And all the people heard when the king gave orders to all the commanders concerning Absalom. So the army went out into the field against Israel; and the battle was fought in the forest of Ephraim. The men of Israel were defeated there by the servants of David, and the slaughter there was great on that day, twenty thousand men. The battle spread over the face of all the country; and the forest claimed more victims that day than the sword. Absalom happened to meet the servants of David. 

Absalom was riding on his mule, and the mule went under the thick branches of a great oak. His head caught fast in the oak, and he was left hanging between heaven and earth, while the mule that was under him went on.

And ten young men, Joab’s armor-bearers, surrounded Absalom and struck him, and killed him.

Then the Cushite came; and the Cushite said, “Good tidings for my lord the king! For the Lord has vindicated you this day, delivering you from the power of all who rose up against you.” The king said to the Cushite, “Is it well with the young man Absalom?” The Cushite answered, “May the enemies of my lord the king, and all who rise up to do you harm, be like that young man.” 

The king was deeply moved, and went up to the chamber over the gate, and wept; and as he went, he said, “O my son Absalom, my son, my son Absalom! Would I had died instead of you, O Absalom, my son, my son!”

New Testament Reading

Today’s New Testament reading is John 6:35, 41-51:

Jesus said, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.” 

Then the Jews began to complain about him because he said, “I am the bread that came down from heaven.” They were saying, “Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How can he now say, ‘I have come down from heaven’?” Jesus answered them, “Do not complain among yourselves. No one can come to me unless drawn by the Father who sent me; and I will raise that person up on the last day. It is written in the prophets, ‘And they shall all be taught by God.’ Everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to me. Not that anyone has seen the Father except the one who is from God; he has seen the Father. Very truly, I tell you, whoever believes has eternal life. I am the bread of life. Your ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died. This is the bread that comes down from heaven, so that one may eat of it and not die. I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats of this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh.”

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.

Love Divine, All Loves Excelling

love divine, all loves excelling
joy from heaven 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

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

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 8-3-21

ITLOTC

(In The Life Of The Church)

Pentecost

Last UBC Kids Hangout! (by Taylor)

Hello friends! All summer we’ve had UBC Kids Hangouts on Tuesdays. We’ve had so much fun hanging out at the park and watching movies at the church and today, for our final Hangout of the summer, we went to the splash pad at Cameron Park! It was so fun and such a great way to end the summer!

Here are some fun pictures so you can feel like you were there:

It’s been so great having fun together this summer! I’m already looking forward to UBC Kids Hangouts next summer! And I can’t wait for some of the fun things we have planned for the Fall!

Meet the Newest L-Team Rep

Name: Katie Valenzuela

Why are you in Waco: I moved to Waco for a job at the beginning of 2017 and have lived here ever since. Now, Waco is home! Currently, I work at The Advocacy Center for Crime Victims and Children as a Prevention Educator.

Currently Watching: The Bachelorette because I love shouting at my television and watching through Game of Thrones for the first time. (p.s. currently reading: There Plant Eyes by M. Leona Godin.)

Vacation Destination: anywhere with mountains.

Favorite Waco Restaurant to Eat At: Ranchito #5 (their warm salsa (!!!!), folks— it’s incredible)

Bible verse/chapter/book that has impacted you: Psalm 23 changed my life a few years ago and led to me getting a tattoo surrounding it. Ask me about it sometime!

Something we'd never know about you: I’ve thought way too long about this question because I’m an open book and I can’t think of something people wouldn’t know… so, I’ll stick with the fact that I’m an avid believer of the Oxford comma.

Meet the UBCer

Kareem Shane

Liturgy of Mourning (childcare provided))

We will be having another Liturgy of Mourning on Wednesday, August 18th at 5:30PM.  It will be the same liturgy we offered at the beginning of July, but we wanted to offer another opportunity with childcare in order to be accessible to more people.  We are all carrying various sorts of grief and loss from the past year and a half. This liturgy is a time for us to give attention to that pain as a community, to honor what has been lost, and to grasp for hope together.  If you have any questions about the liturgy, feel free to email jamie@ubcwaco.org.

Parishioner of the Week

David Rhefeld, The Richardsons and all who gave so much to UBC all these years.

May the road rise to meet you,

May the wind be always at your back.

May the sun shine warm upon your face,

The rains fall soft upon your fields.

-Bono (Probably)

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: Kathy Krey kathykrey@gmail.com

Ben Raley: Benjaminrale y@gmail.com

Bryce Sandvall: Bryce@holeintheroof.com

Katie Valenzuela: KatarinaEValenzuela@gmail.com

Luci Hoppe: lhoppe@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 Hill: 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 8-1-2021

August 1, 2021

Below, you’ll find the song lyrics and scripture readings for the live stream on August 1st (in the order they are needed).

Eternal Anchor

eternal Wisdom, eternal grace
is there a creature you have not named
and known in greater depth
than the cells of which it’s 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 and explain
would they be drowned out with your redemption parade
and as the forests clap their hands, mountains stomp their feet
would a thousand trumpets roar as trampled voices sing
and would I be caught up in that embodied melody
of the all-creation misfit family band of everything

will all that was lost yet be found
will all that was lost yet be found
name beyond all naming
love beyond all framing
will all that was lost yet be found

Call to Worship

we have gathered to worship 
the Living God

the One in whom all things hold together

to enter the story of God

and find our own stories reimagined

that the Spirit might form us more fully in the way of Christ

weaving love into our hearts and minds
and the Kingdom of God into our ordinary lives

Amen

Wayward Ones

we are the wayward ones
liars and beggars, those who betray
we hand you over, deny your name
cast you aside, yet still you say

this is my body, this is my blood
broken and shed to show my love

we are the broken ones
cowards and fools, all filled with disbelief
we forsake you, deny your name
cast you aside, yet still you say

this is my body, this is my blood
broken and shed to show my love

remember me, remember me
come to the table, take and eat
remember me

The Word Is Yet Flesh

this peculiar collection of pieces you left
is knit with the needle of spirit, the word is yet flesh
like a blanket, pulled tight over torn ligaments
but the hands have a problem with the shape of the feet
the mouth can’t decide if the jaws should be married
and the spine is just tired of fighting the pull of the earth

but this fractured collective can somehow still dance
kaleidoscope motion of a shaky pirouette,
borrowed brilliance, refracted in sparks, down the line
and as the warmth of the glow gives flight to the gloom
the kingdom of hope fades into view
and all that we’ve known—or thought that we knew
is now finally caught silent in the light of the truth

o word made flesh in whom all things hold
bind up tightly these collapsing bones
and raise again a body from the cold
’til nothing remains of these flickering days

come light of the world, thief of the night
be the lamp of the body, the lens to the eye
and though we’re scattered in knowing, be one in the mind
and bid our divine mirrors come and die

then word made flesh in whom all things hold
bind up tightly these collapsing bones
and raise again a body from the cold
’til nothing remains of these flickering days

‘til nothing remains but the light and the flame

Love Divine, All Loves Excelling

love divine, all loves excelling
joy from heaven 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

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 Exodus 16:2-4,9-15:

The whole congregation of the Israelites complained against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness. The Israelites said to them, “If only we had died by the hand of the Lord in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the fleshpots and ate our fill of bread; for you have brought us out into this wilderness to kill this whole assembly with hunger.” 

Then the Lord said to Moses, “I am going to rain bread from heaven for you, and each day the people shall go out and gather enough for that day. In that way I will test them, whether they will follow my instruction or not.”

Then Moses said to Aaron, “Say to the whole congregation of the Israelites, ‘Draw near to the Lord, for he has heard your complaining.’“ And as Aaron spoke to the whole congregation of the Israelites, they looked toward the wilderness, and the glory of the Lord appeared in the cloud. The Lord spoke to Moses and said, “I have heard the complaining of the Israelites; say to them, ‘At twilight you shall eat meat, and in the morning you shall have your fill of bread; then you shall know that I am the Lord your God.’“

In the evening quails came up and covered the camp; and in the morning there was a layer of dew around the camp. When the layer of dew lifted, there on the surface of the wilderness was a fine flaky substance, as fine as frost on the ground. When the Israelites saw it, they said to one another, “What is it?” For they did not know what it was. Moses said to them, “It is the bread that the Lord has given you to eat.”

New Testament Reading

Today’s New Testament readings, and Josh’s sermon text, is Mark 6:1-13:

He left that place and came to his hometown, and his disciples followed him. On the sabbath he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were astounded. They said, “Where did this man get all this? What is this wisdom that has been given to him? What deeds of power are being done by his hands! Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon, and are not his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him. Then Jesus said to them, “Prophets are not without honor, except in their hometown, and among their own kin, and in their own house.” And he could do no deed of power there, except that he laid his hands on a few sick people and cured them. And he was amazed at their unbelief.

Then he went about among the villages teaching. He called the twelve and began to send them out two by two, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits. He ordered them to take nothing for their journey except a staff; no bread, no bag, no money in their belts; but to wear sandals and not to put on two tunics. He said to them, “Wherever you enter a house, stay there until you leave the place. If any place will not welcome you and they refuse to hear you, as you leave, shake off the dust that is on your feet as a testimony against them.” So they went out and proclaimed that all should repent. They cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them.

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 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 borrow ray
that in thy sunshine’s blaze its 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 7-27-21

ITLOTC

(In The Life Of The Church)

Pentecost

The Settled Self (by Josh)

I’m not sure how to organize this entry, so we’ll call musings from vacation.  I’ll start here.  I noticed that I enjoyed being with my wife and children more while I was gone.  This is all predictable, but indulge me.  I was on vacation, stress diminished, I forgot about the things that were taking life from my emotional self.  Yada, yada, yada.  This is why we go on vacation.  It works.  In terms of my therapy work, I got closer to the present than I am when I'm in the routine of what we call life.  

Here is something staggering that happened to me though.  I did not know about the Surfside Tower collapse in Miami until three days after it happened.  Let me pause to acknowledge how horrible that event was.  But now let me return to my point.  I did not know about the most significant event that happened in America on June 24 until three days after it happened.  The reason for this?  Logistics.  We were traveling. I was driving for large chunks of most of those days.  Internet was spotty.  My attention was being seduced by natural parks and their beauty.  When I did have wifi I was tired.  There are many reasons why the news got to me late.  

When I realized that the news was three days old, I reflected on a world where I was sheltered enough to not get major news for three days.  I read a book about Ted Roosevelt while I was on vacation.  One of the things I kept noting was how telecommunications worked in the early part of the 20th C.  Roosevelt lost his first wife and mom on the same day.  He was in Albany doing politics when he got the news through a telegram that things were bad.  Then he spent all day on a train trying to get to his dying wife and mother.  That’s how things worked back then.  Telegrams and train rides. And in this case, that technology was only available to him because he was a politician with means.  Most people in the rural areas of the country wouldn't get news for months, sometimes years.  Imagine that! 

I highlight the Ted Roosevelt example of prehistoric telecommunication conditions because I tell myself this is precisely why I/we have all the technological advancements we have.  Get stranded in a wilderness--what’s the one thing you’d want?  A satellite phone.  But now I’m wondering at what cost this comes?  I thought about padding this newsletter with some stats about the effects of social media on individuals, but the truth is there are some positives and negatives and you can probably guess what most of those are.  I am not an anti social media person.  I am an active user and beneficier of such things, but I’m also enslaved by them in ways I don’t want to be.  To be honest I’ve gotten off of Facebook for seasons and reduced my use of most platforms, but when I do I do feel a sense of being disconnected and as a pastor I feel a bit crippled by that.  But I’ve also noticed that the other things I lose are unnecessary anxiety, feelings of judgment, and a bunch of wasted time.  Universal and sometimes meaningful access to people and ideas or a kind of internal serenity.  I wish the choice wasn’t so stark.  

Perhaps it need not be.  What do you do with social media?  How do you use it?  Do you have mechanisms to help you participate in a healthy way?  I’ll take my answers off the air.  Please send thoughts to josh@ubcwaco. org.

Meet the Newest L-Team Rep

Bryce Sandvall

Why are you in Waco: To do awesome things 

Currently Watching: Bluey is the best show on TV. And if you don’t love it you’re wrong. Wish I was watching Ted Lasso… I think I’d love it. Does someone want to give me their AppleTV login so I can watch?

Vacation Destination: Rosemary Beach, FL

Favorite Waco Restaurant to Eat At: Moroso

Bible verse/chapter/book that has impacted you: Isaiah 40:31.

Something we'd never know about you: My first job was being the batboy at the Ballpark in Arlington for all the visiting teams

Meet the UBCers

Team Taylor

UBC T-Shirt

We have new UBC shirts in the works. These will be simple white t-shirts, with a black logo on the pocket area. The shirts will be $15, and we will have a party to tie-dye them on August 15th (should you want your shirt to be more awesome). You can sign-up on Sunday morning, or email Toph to sign-up with how many shirts and the sizes you want.

Waco Dives Location - Waco Ale

It’s the last one of what has arguably been the most successful fellowship effort since COVID. So if you’d like some time with fellow champions4thelord, join us tomorrow at Waco Ale for a dynamite lunch. Waco Ale is located at 806 Austin Ave.

Parishioner of the Week

Alyssa Pittman, Maddy O’Shaughnessy-Hayes, and Toph for being adult volunteers as Passport Camp this week.

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: Kathy Krey kathykrey@gmail.com

Ben Raley: Benjaminrale y@gmail.com

Bryce Sandvall: Bryce@holeintheroof.com

Katie Valenzuela: KatarinaEValenzuela@gmail.com

Luci Hoppe: lhoppe@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 Hill: 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 7-25-2021

July 25, 2021

Below, you’ll find the song lyrics and scripture readings for the live stream on July 25th (in the order they are needed).

Word and Scar

hold my breath until my chest caves in
try to balance out the weight
turn it over ‘til my mind collapses
find the ground that doesn’t shake
i’ve got no problem with impossible
at least when it is what it seems
it’s not that I don’t believe
it’s that I don’t know what it means

Living God, in word and scar
lay your wounds alongside ours
and speak the peace of death-made-time
how every dawn is born of night

taking time to try and find some space
it’s kind of hard to find a place to be
i’ve been living from memory
but someone’s tearing up the streets
i’ve got no problem with difficult
when it’s on a shelf that I can reach
it’s not that I don’t believe
it’s that right now its hard to breathe

Living God, in word and scar
lay your wounds alongside ours
and speak the peace of death-made-time
how every dawn is born of night

O Word-Made-Scar
O Void-Made-Star
come like a vine
to intertwine
these ribs and spines
like the Braid of Time

Call to Worship

we have gathered to worship 
the Living God

the One who upholds all who are falling
who raises up all who are bowed down

to enter the story of God

and find our own stories reimagined

as the Spirit transforms our hearts and minds

that we might learn to love God
to love our neighbor
and to love ourselves
in the way of Christ

Amen

Wandering

like lightning springing off the ground
you’ve drawn our eyes through the tempest we’ve called home
we made towers to be electrically tame
but you were the power that pulsed in our heartbeats
you were the power that pulsed in our heartbeats

you are faithful in our wandering
you are faithful though we go our own way
what kind of love is this, that even selfish fools can live in it?

like fire rolling through the hay
you’ve cut us off at the edge of letting go
we made torches to go deeper in the dark
but you were the light all along we thought we made
you were the light all along we thought we made

you are faithful in our wandering
you are faithful, though we go our own way
what kind of love is this, that even selfish fools can live in it?

o what love, o what grace
ever changing, you somehow stay the same
though we try to keep you tame
you’ve called us your accomplices
even when we keep running away

you are faithful in our wandering
you are faithful, though we go our own way
what kind of love is this, that even selfish fools can live in it?

Your Love Is Strong

dear Heavenly Father, you always amaze me
let your kingdom come in my world
and in my life
you give me the food I need to live through the day
and forgive me as I forgive the people who’ve wronged me

lead me far from temptation
deliver me from the evil one

I look out the window, the birds are composing
and not a note is out of tune or out of place
I walk through the meadow and stare at the flowers
better dressed than any girl on her wedding day

so why do I worry?
why do I fear?
god knows what I need
you know what I need

your love is
your love is
your love is strong

the kingdom of the heavens is now advancing
invade my heart, invade this broken town
the kingdom of the heavens is buried treasure
would you sell yourself to buy the one you’ve found

two things you told me:
that you are strong
and you love me
yeah, you love me

your love is
your love is
your love is strong

our god in heaven
hallowed be thy name above all names
your kingdom come, your will be done
on Earth as it is in heaven
give us today our daily bread
forgive us weary sinners
keep us far from our vices
and deliver us from these prisons

The World Is Yours

blessed are the withered ones out starving for a peace
whose taste they’ve never known

blessed are the ones who bear the shame of never quite
becoming who they’d hoped that they would be

blessed are the ones who wake and plead
that their whole life this far was just a dream

blessed are you
the world is yours

blessed are the bloodshot midnight mourners in the hall
their whole world standing still

blessed are the bloodshot midnight mourners in the park
no one speaks their names

blessed are the ones who know the sting
of the phantom limb embrace of love, removed

blessed are you
the world is yours

blessed are the ones who cast their mercy to the wind
now it goes where it goes

blessed are the ones who nurse a pain that’s not their own
the meek amongst the wolves

blessed are you when the knife is in your back
and they’re calling for your head
to finally shut you up
and blot out what you said
about the way the scales are rigged
that’s how it’s always been
just know you’re neither crazy, nor alone

so lift up your head
the world is turning upside down
and as the tables turn you’ll find
you never left the ground
behold, the Great Inversion
like a tide that lifts wrecked boats
is risen from the heart of one
who’ll never let you go

Old Testament Reading

Today’s Old Testament reading, and Craig’s sermon text, is 2 Samuel 11:1-15

In the spring of the year, the time when kings go out to battle, David sent Joab with his officers and all Israel with him; they ravaged the Ammonites, and besieged Rabbah. But David remained at Jerusalem.

It happened, late one afternoon, when David rose from his couch and was walking about on the roof of the king’s house, that he saw from the roof a woman bathing; the woman was very beautiful. David sent someone to inquire about the woman. It was reported, “This is Bathsheba daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite.” So David sent messengers to get her, and she came to him, and he lay with her. (Now she was purifying herself after her period.) Then she returned to her house. The woman conceived; and she sent and told David, “I am pregnant.”

So David sent word to Joab, “Send me Uriah the Hittite.” And Joab sent Uriah to David. When Uriah came to him, David asked how Joab and the people fared, and how the war was going. Then David said to Uriah, “Go down to your house, and wash your feet.” Uriah went out of the king’s house, and there followed him a present from the king. But Uriah slept at the entrance of the king’s house with all the servants of his lord, and did not go down to his house. When they told David, “Uriah did not go down to his house,” David said to Uriah, “You have just come from a journey. Why did you not go down to your house?” Uriah said to David, “The ark and Israel and Judah remain in booths; and my lord Joab and the servants of my lord are camping in the open field; shall I then go to my house, to eat and to drink, and to lie with my wife? As you live, and as your soul lives, I will not do such a thing.” Then David said to Uriah, “Remain here today also, and tomorrow I will send you back.” So Uriah remained in Jerusalem that day. On the next day, David invited him to eat and drink in his presence and made him drunk; and in the evening he went out to lie on his couch with the servants of his lord, but he did not go down to his house. In the morning David wrote a letter to Joab, and sent it by the hand of Uriah. In the letter he wrote, “Set Uriah in the forefront of the hardest fighting, and then draw back from him, so that he may be struck down and die.”

New Testament Reading

Today’s New Testament reading is John 6:1-14:

Jesus went to the other side of the Sea of Galilee, also called the Sea of Tiberias. A large crowd kept following him, because they saw the signs that he was doing for the sick. Jesus went up the mountain and sat down there with his disciples. Now the Passover, the festival of the Jews, was near. When he looked up and saw a large crowd coming toward him, Jesus said to Philip, “Where are we to buy bread for these people to eat?” He said this to test him, for he himself knew what he was going to do. Philip answered him, “Six months’ wages would not buy enough bread for each of them to get a little.” One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, said to him, “There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish. But what are they among so many people?” Jesus said, “Make the people sit down.” Now there was a great deal of grass in the place; so they sat down, about five thousand in all. Then Jesus took the loaves, and when he had given thanks, he distributed them to those who were seated; so also the fish, as much as they wanted. When they were satisfied, he told his disciples, “Gather up the fragments left over, so that nothing may be lost.” So they gathered them up, and from the fragments of the five barley loaves, left by those who had eaten, they filled twelve baskets. When the people saw the sign that he had done, they began to say, “This is indeed the prophet who is to come into the world.”

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.

Where God Has Always Been

praise be the lord of all
with their backs against the wall
hands above their heads and eyes
lifted up to that impossible line
where the hill meets the sky
who wonder if the distance is
a trick of the earth, or a trick of the mind
and if help will arrive
before they slip away

praise be the lord of all
who wrestle until dawn
who wear their scars like names, yet find
heaven and earth strangely aligned
like water in the sour wine
hidden in plain sight

for god is now where god has always been
bunkered down with those in the ditch
raising fountains from the cracking dirt
and raising a feast for the hollow unheard
while the powerful who reign dissolve into the grave
the Eternal One will shade the ones they cast away
until the coming of the day when all this is remade

praise be the lord of all who’ve nowhere to belong
for the kingdom is drawing near

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 7-20-21

ITLOTC

(In The Life Of The Church)

Pentecost

Birthday Reflections (by Daniel)

My birthday is this week, and I will officially be over halfway through my 20s. This event has caused me to pause and reflect on my experience being in my 20s as a whole. Being a twenty-something is strange. There are people in all stages of life who are in their early 20s. There are people still in college or grad school, people who are just getting started out in their careers, people who already have robust careers, people who are single and still living with their parents, and people who are married and who have kids. 

For many, the yearly 20s is a time of transition. This was certainly true for myself. All within the span of 5 years, I had finished college and seminary, gotten married, had our first child, and I’m just now starting my career as we’re in the process of serving with an organization which specializes in Bible translation. 

This kind of rapid transition can be disorienting. On top of all of the transition, the early 20s is a time when many start to ask hard questions about their identity. People become less dependent on their parents and start to realize that their parents are just as flawed as they are. It’s a crucial moment for figuring out who you are as a person. People start to realize that their thoughts, feelings, and emotions are their own and that they alone are responsible for asking hard questions and taking care of themselves. 

I’ve always struggled with my identity. I’m a mixed raced kid who grew up in the south and went to majority white schools growing up. It wasn’t really until college when I started to understand the importance of my cultural identity. I’ve also always struggled with perfectionism. I’m a huge people pleaser and tend to draw my identity from the people around me. 

What was the nail in the coffin for me was when I came to the realization that, not only is my identity now my own, I also have ownership over my faith. My early 20s was when I started asking difficult questions. I distinctly remember going to my home church my Junior year of college and thinking to myself, “I disagree with everything that just came out of my pastor’s mouth.” It was extremely disorienting. He was someone I trusted and looked up to. 

My junior year of college was also when I started having panic attacks. I didn’t know who I was anymore. The way I saw myself could be summed up in one word, “stupid.” 

As I’m coming over the hump of my 20s, I can say that I’m finally more comfortable with who I am. The decisions that I make, while not perfect, are my own, and I can be confident in who I am as a person. This, of course, wouldn’t have been possible without family, friends, and years of therapy. 

I guess I say all of this to say that if you are in your early 20s and are in the midst is struggling with your identity, if you struggle with your self worth, if you have anxiety about your next stage of life, if you feel as though you aren’t living up to your parent’s expectations, if you are realizing that what you were taught growing up is only half true or completely wrong, or if you feel like you lack the confidence to make it in the real world, you are not alone. Thanks be to God that we worship the One who has the power to raise dead and tired bones.

Meet the UBCer(s)

Kerri Fisher

Waco Dives Location - Saffron

Josh here. I just want you to know that Saffron is my favorite place to eat in Waco currently and i’m so excited y’all waited until I was back to go here. So if you want your best lunch now, join us Wednesday at noon. Saffron is located at 416 N Valley Mills. (by the old dollar theatre next to Popeyes).

Summer Side (7/23)

We have an open mic/open wall event coming up on this Friday, July 23rd, at 7pm. If you have any interest in sharing some songs/poems/stories or visual art, please email jamie@ubwaco.org.

UBC T-Shirt

We have new UBC shirts in the works. These will be simple white t-shirts, with a black logo on the pocket area. The shirts will be $15, and we will have a party to tie-dye them on August 15th (should you want your shirt to be more awesome). You can sign-up on Sunday morning, or email Toph to sign-up with how many shirts and the sizes you want.

Caritas Volunteer Opportunity

We are looking for 8 people (more if you should desire) to volunteer at Caritas next Tuesday July, 27th from 1:00-3:30 PM. Those interested can contact Toph@ubcwaco.org. Volunteers will meet at Caritas which is located at

Parishioner of the Week

Kathy, Hazel, Maddie, Wade, Kathleen, & Charity for working kids classes in AC-less dungeons on the south side of the building.

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: Kathy Krey kathykrey@gmail.com

Ben Raley: Benjaminraley@gmail.com

Bryce Sandvall: Bryce@holeintheroof.com

Katie Valenzuela: KatarinaEValenzuela@gmail.com

Luci Hoppe: lhoppe@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 Hill: 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 7-18-2021

July 18, 2021

Below, you’ll find the song lyrics and scripture readings for the live stream on July 18th (in the order they are needed).

God Is In The Looking of Your Eyes (by Corey Kilgannon)

Bluer than the cloudless April sky
Hotter than the stars that scorch the night
Twirling in the tear you can’t cry
God is in the looking of your eyes

Happy as a dog laying in the grass
Written in a nation’s violent past
Empty as the time you tried to pass
God is in the questions that you ask

Sweeter than a blossomed tangerine
Crumblin’ like the breakers on a beach
Different as the languages we speak
God is in the people that you meet

Purest babies in their mothers’ arms
Broken as the loneliest of hearts
Deep within your soul so torn apart
God is in the person that you are

Bluer than the cloudless April sky
Hotter than the stars that scorch the night
Twirling in the tear you can’t cry
God is in the looking of your eyes

God is in the looking of your eyes
God is in the looking of your eyes

Call to Worship

we have gathered to worship 
the Living God

the one in whom our fears are dispelled
in whom our dismayment finds rest

to enter the story of God

and find our own stories reimagined

that the Spirit might dwell among us

enfolding our hearts and minds
and gathering us in to the way of Christ

Amen

Before I Sleep (by John McKay)

if hope deferred makes the heart sick
then in my chest there is a cancer
hope seems like a fantasy
’cause when you give you take from me

if home is where the heart is
then i’m a hopeless wanderer
there’s nothing here nor there for me
just the stars the moon the wind the trees

if love doesn’t hurt
then I don’t feel it
if pain’s a friend and not a foe
then he’s my brother

if solitude makes you grow
then I’m the wisest of them all
if suffering brings forth humility
then i’m the dirt you’re walking on

if success is measured by your deeds
then i’m a failure
if time well spent is a fruitful thing
then I am rotten

though I think these things before I sleep
you’ve given me more than thoughts like these
you wake me with the rising sun
the nails the sweat the tears the blood

Better Way (by Field Medic)

i’m untouchable
i’m a silver flame
i’ve seen the future
i know what’s happening

& everything’s gonna be alright
it’ll all be okay
remember that this is your life
so feeling fine is the better way

reflection leaves me short of breath
so i paint my mirror black
there is something that i’ve lost
there is something that i lack

& everything’s gonna be alright
it’ll all be okay
remember that this is your life
so feeling fine is the better way

remember that this is your life
remember that this is your life
remember that this is your life
remember that this is your life

Old Testament Reading

Today’s Old Testament reading, and Josh’s sermon text, is Jeremiah 23:1-6:

Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture! says the Lord. Therefore thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, concerning the shepherds who shepherd my people: It is you who have scattered my flock, and have driven them away, and you have not attended to them. So I will attend to you for your evil doings, says the Lord. Then I myself will gather the remnant of my flock out of all the lands where I have driven them, and I will bring them back to their fold, and they shall be fruitful and multiply. I will raise up shepherds over them who will shepherd them, and they shall not fear any longer, or be dismayed, nor shall any be missing, says the Lord.

The days are surely coming, says the Lord, when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, and he shall reign as king and deal wisely, and shall execute justice and righteousness in the land. In his days Judah will be saved and Israel will live in safety. And this is the name by which he will be called: “The Lord is our righteousness.”

New Testament Reading

Today’s New Testament reading is Mark 6:30-34, 53-56:

The apostles gathered around Jesus, and told him all that they had done and taught. He said to them, “Come away to a deserted place all by yourselves and rest a while.” For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat. And they went away in the boat to a deserted place by themselves. Now many saw them going and recognized them, and they hurried there on foot from all the towns and arrived ahead of them. As he went ashore, he saw a great crowd; and he had compassion for them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd; and he began to teach them many things.

When they had crossed over, they came to land at Gennesaret and moored the boat. When they got out of the boat, people at once recognized him, and rushed about that whole region and began to bring the sick on mats to wherever they heard he was. And wherever he went, into villages or cities or farms, they laid the sick in the marketplaces, and begged him that they might touch even the fringe of his cloak; and all who touched it were healed.

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.

There

before there were mountains to crumble
before there were seas to rise
before there was pain, the loss and the weight
you were there
you were there
you were there

although our fear is rising
although our fire has gone out
although our hearts are worried and fraught
you are there
you are there
you are there

i’ve got a problem, i’ve made a drug
of worrying over what is yet to come
it’s clouding my vision, strangling my love away

after the sun stops burning
after the stars have gone out
after the world ceases to turn
you’ll be there
you’ll be there
you’ll be there

you’ll be there
you’ll be there
you’ll be there

you’ll be there
you’ll be there
we’ll be there

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 7-13-21

ITLOTC

(In The Life Of The Church)

Pentecost

A Word on Missions (by Toph)

There is this story found in Mark and Luke that I have been thinking about over the past week.  In Luke 18, Jesus is on his way to Jericho, and a blind beggar begins shouting from the side of the road: “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me.”  Those who were leading the way with Jesus rebuked the man, and in typical fashion when someone rebukes an individual for interrupting Jesus, Jesus tells them to bring him over.  When he is brought near, Jesus asks: “What do you want me to do for you?”  

I find this question both peculiar and refreshing.  The story gives away the miracle at the beginning, in as much as the first thing we learn about this man is that he is blind. At this point in Jesus ministry, he is known for having the capacity to heal, thus why the man wouldn’t keep silent even when being rebuked.  As a reader, an onlooker, the question from Jesus would seem like a moot point, yet Jesus still asks.  “What do you want me to do for you?”   This question is refreshing because it gives the man agency in asking for what his biggest need is.  We also know the man was begging, so he could have asked for food, or money, or shelter.  And I believe, had the man asked for any number of those things, Jesus would have replied in kind.  

A brief history of missions at UBC, which we have reframed to partnerships.  When I first came on to staff we had two local partners: Cesar Chavez Middle School and Waco Arts.  CCMS is our longest standing partner, we have been with them for well over a decade now.  Waco Arts was a wonderful ministry that worked with kids in the Kate Ross housing complex, giving them access to arts education which had been recently defunded in Waco ISD.  Waco Arts eventually closed its doors, after its founder moved out of state and the ministry was not sustainable without a full-time effort from a director.   Over the years at CCMS we have had mentoring programs, soccer camps, tutoring, teacher appreciation, and even a chess a club.  We currently have two other local partners: South Waco Community Center and Jesus Said Love.  We have worked with the SWCC to throw large parties for our neighborhood, helped with tutoring, and have hosted field trips during their summer camps.   In working with JSL, we have sponsored outreach nights, given to special events/classes, helped in preparing for outreaches, and placed folks on the prayer and security teams.  This is not intended to be a comprehensive overview, just a window into some of the work we have done with our partners.

Internationally, when I first started, we were working with a few partners in Kenya. A month after I was hired, I went with a UBC team to Kenya, and to be honest, from a leadership perspective, it was a frustrating trip.  We had some great partners, but no long term vision for what our role was there.  We spent the next year praying, discerning, having many conversations about what an international partnership might look like for UBC, and this lead us to a new model.  We began a model of 3-5yr intentional partnerships, focusing on specific goals, and allowing us to see what God is doing in different parts of the world.  This model first led us to the Dominican Republic, in which we worked in the village of Batey 50, building a school.  Next, we found ourselves in northern Thailand working with South Asian immigrants, helping our partners do outreach and hold discipleship/church planting conferences.  Most recently we have found ourselves in CUBA, working with the Fraternity of Baptist Churches (FIBAC).  FIBAC is a wonderful organization that is comprised of around 43 churches, with an emphasis on women’s empowerment, social justice, and ecumenism.  The partnership in Cuba is a shift away from a 3-5yr intentional model, and a shift towards more long-term engagement, revaluating ever 5 years or so.  However, over the course of the pandemic and some administration changes both in the US and Cuba over the last several years, this partnership has become incredibly difficult.  We are still trying to figure out ways to support FIBAC, but we are currently not allowed to send teams or resources to Cuba.  We are still in communication with our stateside contacts through CBF (Cooperative Baptist Fellowship), and will update you as we know more.   With this in mind, we are also in conversations with CBF about initiating another long term partnership with field personnel, and will also hopefully have more information on that in the coming months.  In conduction with looking for a potential new international partner, we are also in conversations with CBF to create a domestic partnership, with a program called Together For Hope.

Finally, a word about one of our driving philosophies missionally.  In each of our partnerships, we approach them with discernment, and a partner first mentality.  To put it another way, we do not go in with preconceived notions of what we would like to see happen, or what we feel their needs are, we simply ask and continue ask: what do you want us to do for you?  This is an empowering question, and honestly a shift from evangelical models that always saw sharing the gospel as the first and most pressing need.  Many times this “soul winning” strategy ignored, and completely disregarded what people actually wanted/needed.  This is why I love Jesus question so much to the blind man.  In Jesus question we see a humility, and a desire to partner with the man in his own transformation.  Each summer I try to meet with all of our partners, and stay in communication throughout the year, about what their ongoing needs are.  This is why programs and/or partnerships may change from year to year, or why we stop or start  new ones.   The pandemic changed the ways many organizations operate, and also what the most immediate needs may be.  We are currently in communication with our three local partners about what next year will look like, and I look forward to having opportunities of engagement for you soon.  If you ever want to learn more about our partnerships, or the strategies behind why we do what we do, I would love to sit down with you.   

Meet the UBCer(s)

Team Loomis

Waco Dives Location - Tru Jamaica

This is a fantastic spot, and you don’t want to miss out on the best Jamaican food in town. Meet us there at noon on Wednesday. 937 Taylor St, Waco, TX 76704

Summer Side (7/23)

We have an open mic/open wall event coming up on Friday, July 23rd, at 7pm. If you have any interest in sharing some songs/poems/stories or visual art, please email jamie@ubwaco.org.

Parishioner of the Week

Jeremy Nance and Kerri Fisher, thank you for your excellent service on Leadership Team these past few years!

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: kathykrey@gmail.com

Luci Hoppe: lhoppe@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 Hill: 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 7-11-2021

July 11, 2021

Below, you’ll find the song lyrics and scripture readings for the live stream on July 11th (in the order they are needed).

Come Thou Fount

come thou fount of every blessing
tune my heart to see thy grace
streams of mercy, never ceasing
call for songs of loudest praise
teach me some melodious sonnet
sung by flaming tongues above
praise the mount, i’m fixed upon it
mount of thy redeeming love

here I raise my Ebenezer
hither by thy help I come
and I hope by thy good pleasure
safely to arrive at home
Jesus sought me when a stranger
wandering from the fold of god
he to rescue me from danger
interposed his precious blood

o to grace how great a debtor
daily i’m constrained to be
let thy goodness like a fetter
bind my wandering heart to thee
prone to wander, lord I feel it
prone to leave the god I love
here’s my heart, lord
take and seal it
seal it for thy courts above

Call to Worship

we have gathered to worship 
the Living God

in whom mercy and truth have met
in whom righteousness and peace have kissed

to enter the story of God

and find our own stories reimagined

that the Spirit might transform our hearts and minds

forming us more fully in the way of Christ

Amen

Future/Past

you hold the reins on the sun and the moon
like horses driven by kings
you cover the mountains, the valleys below
with the breadth of your mighty wings
all treasures of wisdom and things to be known
are hidden inside of your hand
and in this fortunate turn of events
you’ve asked me to be your friend

you, you are my first
you are my last
you are my future and my past

the constellations are swimming inside
the breadth of your desire
where can I run, where can I hide
from your heart’s jealous fire
all treasures of wisdom and things to be known
are hidden inside of your hand
and in this fortunate turn of events
you’ve asked me to be your friend

you, you are my first
you are my last
you are my future and my past

you are the beginning and the end

Where God Has Always Been

praise be the lord of all
with their backs against the wall
hands above their heads and eyes
lifted up to that impossible line
where the hill meets the sky
who wonder if the distance is
a trick of the earth, or a trick of the mind
and if help will arrive
before they slip away

praise be the lord of all
who wrestle until dawn
who wear their scars like names, yet find
heaven and earth strangely aligned
like water in the sour wine
hidden in plain sight

for god is now where god has always been
bunkered down with those in the ditch
raising fountains from the cracking dirt
and raising a feast for the hollow unheard
while the powerful who reign dissolve into the grave
the Eternal One will shade the ones they cast away
until the coming of the day when all this is remade

praise be the lord of all who’ve nowhere to belong
for the kingdom is drawing near

Abide With Me

abide with me, fast falls the eventide
the darkness deepens, lord with me, abide
when other helpers fail and comforts
o, help of the helpless, abide with me

swift to its close ebbs out life’s little day
earth’s joys grow dim, its glories pass away
change and decay in all around I see
o, thou who changest not, abide with me

thou has not left me, though oft I have left thee
on to the close, o lord, abide me with
I fear no foe with thee at hand to bless
ills have no weight and tears no bitterness

hold thou thy cross before my closing eyes
pierce through the gloom and point me to the skies
heaven’s morning breaks and earth’s vain shadows flee
in life, in death, o lord, abide me with

Old Testament Reading

Today’s Old Testament reading is Amos 7:7-15:

This is what the Lord God showed me: the Lord was standing beside a wall built with a plumb line, with a plumb line in his hand. And the Lord said to me, “Amos, what do you see?” And I said, “A plumb line.” Then the Lord said,

“See, I am setting a plumb line in the midst of my people Israel; I will never again pass them by; 

the high places of Isaac shall be made desolate, 
and the sanctuaries of Israel shall be laid waste, 
and I will rise against the house of Jeroboam with the sword.”

Then Amaziah, the priest of Bethel, sent to King Jeroboam of Israel, saying, "Amos has conspired against you in the very centre of the house of Israel; the land is not able to bear all his words. For thus Amos has said,

'Jeroboam shall die by the sword,
and Israel must go into exile
away from his land.' "

And Amaziah said to Amos, "O seer, go, flee away to the land of Judah, earn your bread there, and prophesy there; but never again prophesy at Bethel, for it is the king’s sanctuary, and it is a temple of the kingdom."

Then Amos answered Amaziah, "I am no prophet, nor a prophet’s son; but I am a herdsman, and a dresser of sycomore trees, and the Lord took me from following the flock, and the Lord said to me, 'Go, prophesy to my people Israel.'”

New Testament Reading

Today’s New Testament reading, and Taylor’s sermon text, is Mark 6:14-29:

King Herod heard of Jesus and his disciples, for Jesus’ name had become known. Some were saying, “John the baptizer has been raised from the dead; and for this reason these powers are at work in him.” But others said, “It is Elijah.” And others said, “It is a prophet, like one of the prophets of old.” But when Herod heard of it, he said, “John, whom I beheaded, has been raised.”

For Herod himself had sent men who arrested John, bound him, and put him in prison on account of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, because Herod had married her. For John had been telling Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.” And Herodias had a grudge against him, and wanted to kill him. But she could not, for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and he protected him. When he heard him, he was greatly perplexed; and yet he liked to listen to him. But an opportunity came when Herod on his birthday gave a banquet for his courtiers and officers and for the leaders of Galilee. When his daughter Herodias came in and danced, she pleased Herod and his guests; and the king said to the girl, “Ask me for whatever you wish, and I will give it.” And he solemnly swore to her, “Whatever you ask me, I will give you, even half of my kingdom.” She went out and said to her mother, “What should I ask for?” She replied, “The head of John the baptizer.” Immediately she rushed back to the king and requested, “I want you to give me at once the head of John the Baptist on a platter.” The king was deeply grieved; yet out of regard for his oaths and for the guests, he did not want to refuse her. Immediately the king sent a soldier of the guard with orders to bring John’s head. He went and beheaded him in the prison, brought his head on a platter, and gave it to the girl. Then the girl gave it to her mother. When his disciples heard about it, they came and took his body, and laid it in a tomb.

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.

Rise Up

for the lowly and forgotten
for the weary and distressed
for the refugee and orphan
and for all who are oppressed
for the stranger who is pleading
while insulted and despised
will you rise? will you rise?

rise up, rise up
the earth will fear the lord
when you avenge the poor
may your kingdom come
o rise up

hear how Rachel, she is weeping
how she will not be consoled
and the children in our keeping
are their bodies bought and sold
and the watchman he is sleeping
but do you see them with your eyes
will you rise? will you rise?

rise up, rise up
the earth will fear the lord
when you avenge the poor
may your kingdom come
o rise up

as your will is done in heaven
may it now be done below
may our daily bread be given
may your kingdom come and grow
lead us not into temptation
but deliver us, we cry
will you rise? will you rise?

rise up, rise up
the earth will fear the lord
when you avenge the poor
and bare your holy arm
to keep them safe from harm
may your kingdom come
o rise up

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 7-6-21

ITLOTC

(In The Life Of The Church)

Pentecost

Some John the Baptist Thoughts

(by Jamie)

Greetings.  As you may know, we recently had a dinner to commemorate the Nativity of John the Baptist.  As a result, I’ve got John the Baptist on the mind, and wanted to share a couple of observations I shared at that dinner.

First, it’s striking to me how little we talk about John outside of Jesus’ baptism.  Have you noticed that his nativity story is intertwined with Jesus’ nativity story?  Or that Jesus straight up calls him the greatest man who ever lived? I certainly didn’t notice until I was thinking about the Nativity of John the Baptist as a point on the church calendar. 

Anyway.

John’s life was one of singular purpose.  When he was born, his father sang a song that featured this bit:

And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High;
    for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways,
to give knowledge of salvation to his people
    by the forgiveness of their sins.
By the tender mercy of our God,
    the dawn from on high will break upon us,
to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death,
    to guide our feet into the way of peace.

I imagine that John grew up hearing some version of this frequently, recommitting himself to this vision time and again. Alongside this lofty forecast of his purpose in the world, John famously had some pretty rigorous rules for living—all the way down to the way he dressed and groomed himself.  

As John grew up, he became a force to be reckoned with.  The product of two top-tier priestly lineages, he was well positioned to critique the religious leaders of the day, and they seem to have taken the time to go out to the wilderness to listen to him.  Even Herod, who would ultimately be the one to execute John, was taken with his passion and rhetorical skill.

Eventually, Jesus found his way out to the wilderness into John’s baptism line.  John famously says that he isn’t worthy to baptize Jesus, and then identifies him as the one they’ve been waiting for.  

It’s interesting to wonder what John’s life was like after this moment.  He had lived in preparation of the one who is to come, and seemingly has just met and baptized him.  John still continues his work in the wilderness, apart from Jesus, and maintains his own following of disciples, but we don’t have much insight beyond that.

But we do know that he continued speaking truth to power and calling people to repentance, which eventually got him imprisoned by Herod.

The last story we get about John before he is executed is one that has stayed with me.  He sends a group of his disciples to Jesus with a question: are you the one who is to come, or should we wait for another?  There at the end of a life of singular focus, of seeing Jesus with his very own eyes for who he was, John was raising the question: are you the one? 

I don’t have like a profound insight to offer about this.  I think it’s just comforting to see such a familiar question on the lips of the one Jesus called the greatest man who ever lived.  

And I hope you’ll find comfort in that, too.

Meet the UBCer(s)

David Rehfeld

Waco Dives Location

Wako Taco - This is one of our newest, and tastiest taquerias. Join for us lunch at noon, on Wednesday.
1800 Summer Ave, Waco, TX 76708

Summer Side (7/23)

We have an open mic/open wall event coming up on Friday, July 23rd, at 7pm. If you have any interest in sharing some songs/poems/stories or visual art, please email jamie@ubwaco.org.

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 Hill: 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 7-4-2021

July 4, 2021

Below, you’ll find the song lyrics and scripture readings for the live stream on July 4th (in the order they are needed).

Come Alive

draw us in to the dance older than time and space
that constellations made in the bend and the shake
cycle back from the end, full-reverse pirouette
like choreography infinite, infinite
but if the music stops
play it again, but pick up where we left off
that brilliant harmony with 13.8 billion parts

until we come alive
o, come alive

draw us in to the dance ‘til every piece finds its fit
and ever step is improvised and carried out in perfect time
like the shape of breathing is the shape of all
spinning into one, as the empty tomb cloud
is spreading out, spreading out
but if the music stops
play it again but pick up where we left off
that brilliant harmony with 13.8 billion parts

until we come alive
o, come alive

we’ve not become what we will be
but the rhythm of our feet is growing
though we’re fraying at the seams
your gravity is holding

Call to Worship

we have gathered to worship 
the Eternal 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 Spirit might form us in the way of Christ

that we might find the Kingdom of God in our midst

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

Rise Up

for the lowly and forgotten
for the weary and distressed
for the refugee and orphan
and for all who are oppressed
for the stranger who is pleading
while insulted and despised
will you rise? will you rise?

rise up, rise up
the earth will fear the lord
when you avenge the poor
may your kingdom come
o rise up

hear how Rachel, she is weeping
how she will not be consoled
and the children in our keeping
are their bodies bought and sold
and the watchman he is sleeping
but do you see them with your eyes
will you rise? will you rise?

rise up, rise up
the earth will fear the lord
when you avenge the poor
may your kingdom come
o rise up

as your will is done in heaven
may it now be done below
may our daily bread be given
may your kingdom come and grow
lead us not into temptation
but deliver us, we cry
will you rise? will you rise?

rise up, rise up
the earth will fear the lord
when you avenge the poor
and bare your holy arm
to keep them safe from harm
may your kingdom come
o rise up

Come Healing

o, gather up the brokenness
and bring it to me now
the fragrance of those promises
you never dared to vow
the splinters that you carry,
the cross you left behind
come healing of the body
come healing of the mind
and let the heavens hear it
the penitential hymn
come healing of the spirit
come healing of the limb

behold the gates of mercy
in arbitrary space
and none of us deserving
the cruelty or the grace
o solitude of longing
where love has been confined
come healing of the body
come healing of the mind
and see the darkness yielding
which tore the light apart
come healing of the reason
come healing of the heart

o troubled dust concealing
and undivided love
the heart beneath is teaching to
the broken heart above
let the heavens falter
let the earth proclaim
come healing of the altar
come healing of the name

o longing of the branches
to lift the little bud
o longing of the arteries
to purify the blood
let the heavens hear it
the penitential hymn
come healing of the spirit
come healing of the limb

Old Testament Reading

Today’s Old Testament reading is Ezekiel 2:1-5:

The Lord said to me: O mortal, stand up on your feet, and I will speak with you. And when he spoke to me, a spirit entered into me and set me on my feet; and I heard him speaking to me. He said to me, Mortal, I am sending you to the people of Israel, to a nation of rebels who have rebelled against me; they and their ancestors have transgressed against me to this very day. The descendants are impudent and stubborn. I am sending you to them, and you shall say to them, “Thus says the Lord God.” Whether they hear or refuse to hear (for they are a rebellious house), they shall know that there has been a prophet among them.

New Testament Reading

Today’s New Testament reading, and Taylor’s sermon text, is Mark 6:1-13:

Jesus came to his hometown, and his disciples followed him. On the sabbath he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were astounded. They said, “Where did this man get all this? What is this wisdom that has been given to him? What deeds of power are being done by his hands! Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon, and are not his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him. Then Jesus said to them, “Prophets are not without honor, except in their hometown, and among their own kin, and in their own house.” And he could do no deed of power there, except that he laid his hands on a few sick people and cured them. And he was amazed at their unbelief.

Then he went about among the villages teaching. He called the twelve and began to send them out two by two, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits. He ordered them to take nothing for their journey except a staff; no bread, no bag, no money in their belts; but to wear sandals and not to put on two tunics. He said to them, “Wherever you enter a house, stay there until you leave the place. If any place will not welcome you and they refuse to hear you, as you leave, shake off the dust that is on your feet as a testimony against them.” So they went out and proclaimed that all should repent. They cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them.

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.

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

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 6-29-21

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