ITLOTC 9-21-21

ITLOTC

(In The Life Of The Church)

Pentecost

Stories from Our Congregation (by Toph)

Hello UBC Community.  I look forward to Sundays; mainly because I get to see many of your masked smiling faces, and we can gather as a community and be formed more in the Spirit of the Divine.  I am particularly looking forward to this Sunday as we have the initial offering of a new series: Stories from Our Congregation.  Over the last year, I have been more acutely aware that we, as a full-time pastoral staff, are all white and cisgender.  Representation matters and listening to the experiences and stories of people who exist in the world in different ways is vital to our formation.  With this in mind, the first moment in listening to Stories from our Congregation will be hearing from BIPOC within our community.  On Sunday, we will have opportunity to hear from Katie, Kerri, Gabe, and Marcus.   We will have the privilege of listening to their stories of what it has been like to be a BIPOC over the last few years in America, hear why they chose and love UBC, and to hear their hopes for the Church and UBC in elevating the voices of BIPOC.  UBC is a predominantly white, cisgender, heterosexual community, which is why these moments of Stories from Our Congregation will be an essential part of our formation moving forward.  This Sunday, we are hearing from BIPOC within our community.  In the future will have the opportunity to hear from UBC’ers who identify within the LGBTQIA+ community, and will have the privilege of their stories being part of our further conversion more into the image of Jesus.   I get excited about a lot of things at UBC, but the creation of this new sometimes series of Stories from our Congregation is at the top of the list right now. 

One other moment I am looking forward to in the next few weeks is our first Night of Belonging of the year. These nights are designed to educate ourselves on topics that the Church has traditionally not done a good job addressing.   This Night of Belonging is highlighting the work of our friends at Jesus Said Love, and how we as Christians engage with the issue of commercial sex and sex trafficking.   If you are college student or young adult, you should join us on September 30 at 8pm in the Backside at UBC.   Here is a word from Brett and Emily:  “How do we as Christ followers engage with the issue of commercial sex and sex trafficking? Is prostitution exploitive? Is porn use a big deal? Brett & Emily Mills, founders of Jesus Said Love, will host an education night focused on an overview of commercial sex exploitation, trafficking, the issue of demand, and understanding pornography in the context of exploitation and trafficking. After the presentation, Brett & Emily will host a time for curious questions and engagement. This conversation will cover triggering topics such as sexual violence and is recommended for a mature audience.”

Meet the UBCers

Team Oxhandler

Church Hurts Group

Hello friends, one of the more exciting things that has happened this summer was the release of Christianity Today’s podcast, “The Rise and Fall of Mars Hill.” The podcast, which is about the rise and fall of Seattle megachurch Mars Hill and her pastor Marc Driscoll, has also proven to be helpful commentary on the mega church experience. As a community who wants to continue to grown and learn, we are going gather weekly on Wednesdays at 6 P.M. to discuss the episodes. The first gathering will not require participants to have listened to anything, but the subsequent meetings will require listening to an episode of a week. Our first meeting will be Wednesday, September 29th @ 6:00 P.M. If you have any questions email josh@ubcwaco.org.

Upcoming Events

• Weekly Pints with Toph @ Pinewood on Wednesdays from 6-8 P.M.

• Weekly coffee with Toph @ Pinewood on Thursdays from 8-10 A.M.

• 9/29 “Church Hurts” Group (the Mars Hill Podcast Experience) Starts

• 9/30 Night of belonging

• 10/4 St. Francis Liturgy

• 10/10 nUBCers Lunch

• 10/13 Liturgy of Gratitude

• 11/2 All Saints/All Souls Liturgy

• 11/5-7 Fall retreat for college students

• 11/7 Bonfire

• 11/14 Lovefeast

• 12/9-10 Study Hall

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 9-19-2021

September 19, 2021

Below, you’ll find the song lyrics and scripture readings for the live stream on September 19th (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
oh come alive

draw us in to the dance ‘til every piece finds its fit
and every 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
oh come alive

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

Call to Worship

we have gathered to worship 
the Living God

the One in whom there is help,
the Creator and Sustainer of all

to enter the story of God

and find our own stories reimagined

that the Spirit might transform our hearts and minds

to imagine the kingdom of god in our midst
and to join in that dance

Amen

Amazing Grace

amazing grace how sweet the sound
that saved a wretch like me
I once was lost but now i’m found
was bound but now i’m free

‘twas grace that taught my heart to fear
and grace my fears relieved
how precious did that grace appear
the hour I first believed

through many dangers, toils and snares
I have already come
’twas grace that brought me safe thus far
and grace will lead me home

my chains are gone, i’ve been set free
my god my savior has ransomed me
and like a flood, god’s mercy reigns
unending love, amazing grace

when we’ve been there 10,000 years
bright shining as the sun
we’ve no less days to sing god’s praise
than when we’d first begun

Up On A Mountain

up on a mountain our lord is alone
without a family, friends or a home
he cries “o, o, o will you stay with me
O, o, o, will you wait with me?

up on a mountain our lord is afraid
carrying all the mistakes we have made
and he knew that is a long way down
but do you know he came all the way down

up in the heavens, our lord prays for you
he sent his spirt to carry us through
so its true that you’re not alone
do you know he came all the way down?

Every Tree Has Its Root in the Stream

god is our refuge and strength
an ever-present help in time of need
sure as the ground beneath all being
the comfort of the Eternal is within reach
and every tree has its root in the stream

god comes prowling like a thief
through the windows of time to the terrace of your grief
to rid your sorrow of its sting
and though it might take a while, there’s a dawn within your reach
for every tree has its root in the stream

so clap your hands and stomp your feet
lift up your voice like the breakers from the deep
to sing of the slaughtered/standing king
by whom death is a vapor and life is a diamond ring
and every tree has its root in the stream

Old Testament Reading

Today’s Old Testament reading, and Josh’s sermon text, is Proverbs 31:10-31:

A capable wife who can find?
She is far more precious than jewels.
The heart of her husband trusts in her,
and he will have no lack of gain.
She does him good, and not harm,
all the days of her life.
She seeks wool and flax,
and works with willing hands.
She is like the ships of the merchant,
she brings her food from far away.
She rises while it is still night
and provides food for her household
and tasks for her servant-girls.
She considers a field and buys it;
with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard.
She girds herself with strength,
and makes her arms strong.
She perceives that her merchandise is profitable.
Her lamp does not go out at night.
She puts her hands to the distaff,
and her hands hold the spindle.
She opens her hand to the poor,
and reaches out her hands to the needy.
She is not afraid for her household when it snows,
for all her household are clothed in crimson.
She makes herself coverings;
her clothing is fine linen and purple.
Her husband is known in the city gates,
taking his seat among the elders of the land.
She makes linen garments and sells them;
she supplies the merchant with sashes.
Strength and dignity are her clothing,
and she laughs at the time to come.
She opens her mouth with wisdom,
and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.
She looks well to the ways of her household,
and does not eat the bread of idleness.
Her children rise up and call her happy;
her husband too, and he praises her:
“Many women have done excellently,
but you surpass them all.”
Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain,
but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
Give her a share in the fruit of her hands,
and let her works praise her in the city gates.

New Testament Reading

Today’s New Testament reading is Mark 9:30-37:

Jesus and his disciples passed through Galilee. He did not want anyone to know it; for he was teaching his disciples, saying to them, “The Son of Man is to be betrayed into human hands, and they will kill him, and three days after being killed, he will rise again.” But they did not understand what he was saying and were afraid to ask him.

Then they came to Capernaum; and when he was in the house he asked them, “What were you arguing about on the way?” But they were silent, for on the way they had argued with one another who was the greatest. He sat down, called the twelve, and said to them, “Whoever wants to be first must be last of all and servant of all.” Then he took a little child and put it among them; and taking it in his arms, he said to them, “Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes not me but the one who sent me.”

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.

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 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
and 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 is wholly remade into 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
and 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

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 9-14-21

ITLOTC

(In The Life Of The Church)

Pentecost

On Prayer (By Josh)

It Was Either This Or …

Friends, its autumn, which means that as school schedules return and fall sports begin so too does the “It Was Either This Or …” Podcast. The world renown podcast hosted by Josh & Taylor. Episode 1 of season 2, dropped today. If you love great commentary on culture, entertainment, sports and occasional special guests like Holly Laurent from the MEGA podcast and David Thibodeau (Mount Carmel Survivor), be sure to subscribe.

Power Point Party (9/17)

Do you watch the history channel? Do you take quizzes on sporacle for fun? Ever find yourself watching jeopardy reruns? Boy do we have an opportunity for you. Come to watch or participate in the power point party. Yes, you read that right, people will prepare power point presentations about their favorite topics and we will listen, celebrate their unique interest and have a great time becoming nerdier. Interested presenters should send their ideas to josh@ubcwaco.org. Presentations should be about 8-10 minutes with time for a Q & A afterwards.

Is UBC Your Home?

In last weeks newsletter I made a video in which I acknowledged that COVID has created a season of transition in people’s lives and as a result people may be rethinking life commitments including church. Because UBC does not have membership we’ve have created a survey asking people to answer one questions, “Is UBC your church home?” Survey participants can select “yes,” “no,” or “discerning.” The purpose of this is to help us plan and move forward. So we are kindly asking that you would take our one questions survey if you currently or have had proximity to UBC during the pandemic. Survey can be found here.

Looking to volunteer with UBC’s Youth Group? Look no further! 

If you are at all interested in volunteering with our Youth (grades 7th-12th), please send an email to mailto:kieran@ubcwaco.org letting us know!

Upcoming Events

• Weekly Pints with Toph @ Pinewood on Wednesdays from 6-8 P.M.

• Weekly coffee with Toph @ Pinewood on Thursdays from 8-10 A.M.

• 9/17 Power Point Party

• 9/29 “Church Hurts” Group (the Mars Hill Podcast Experience) Starts

• 9/30 Night of belonging

• 10/4 St. Francis Liturgy

• 10/10 nUBCers Lunch

• 10/13 Liturgy of Gratitude

• 11/5-7 Fall retreat for college students

• 11/7 Bonfire

• 11/14 Lovefeast

• 12/9-10 Study Hall

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 9-12-2021

September 12, 2021

Below, you’ll find the song lyrics and scripture readings for the live stream on September 12th (in the order they are needed).

All Creatures of Our God and King

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 their 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 sun
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 Living God

the One who is gracious and full of compassion
who watches over the innocent
and lifts up those who are brought low

to enter the story of God

and find our own stories reimagined

that the Spirit might transform our hearts and minds

bending our imagination
toward the Kingdom of God
and forming us more fully
in the way of Christ

Amen

Mother

is there a hair on my head
you haven’t numbered yet
you haven’t numbered yet
in the night, crying in the cold
is there a pain of mine
you haven’t called your own

o Mother Comfort
Mother Known

though our minds so well ignore your grace
you bring it just the same
you bring it just the same
we reside in your self-giving love
but you’ve somehow found enough
for all the space that we take up

o Mother Wisdom, Mother Love
Mother Comfort, Mother Enough

through life and death, that cradled set
beginning and the end
Beginning and the End
you are a shield, a beacon of defense
and our weaknesses align
as you gather us in

O Mother Warrior, Mother Age-to-Age
Mother Wisdom, Mother Grace
Mother Comfort, Mother Love-that-can’t-be-bought
Mother Faithful

Mother God

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 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
and 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 is wholly remade into 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
and 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

Shadow

there’s a shadow in my body
and it moves through every cell
the echo of a memory of a different kind of self
it dances in my marrow and in every fold of gray
there’s a death that we’ve been promised
and a harder death we make

o god, it’s like i’m talking in my sleep
and I can’t find the words I need
you say that I should die to me
just tell me how to keep it clean

resurrection’s rolling through me
the pow’r to live again
the echo of a promise
of a different kind of end
but I keep misdirecting
the life you give to the life I left
no, dying’s not the problem
it’s trying to stay dead

o god, it’s like i’m talking through my teeth
and I can’t find the words I mean
how’m I supposed to die to me
when its the only thing i’ve been

o god, it’s like i’m talking in my sleep
and I can’t find the words I need
how’m I supposed to die to me
when its the only thing i’ve been

there’s a fracture in my thinking
a crack I can’t close
the echo of an image
of a different kind of hope
I think i’ve been assuming
there’s a secret to be known
but knowing’s not the problem:
it’s wanting to be known

o god its like i’m talking in my sleep
with my tongue caught behind my teeth
but i’m inclined to be believe
you’ve given me the word I need

Old Testament Reading

Today’s Old Testament reading is Psalm 116:1-8:

I love the Lord, because he has heard
    my voice and my supplications.
Because he inclined his ear to me,
    therefore I will call on him as long as I live.
The snares of death encompassed me;
    the pangs of Sheol laid hold on me;
    I suffered distress and anguish.
Then I called on the name of the Lord:
    “O Lord, I pray, save my life!”

Gracious is the Lord, and righteous;
    our God is merciful.
The Lord protects the simple;
    when I was brought low, he saved me.
Return, O my soul, to your rest,
    for the Lord has dealt bountifully with you.

For you have delivered my soul from death,
    my eyes from tears,
    my feet from stumbling.

New Testament Reading

Today’s New Testament reading, and Josh’s sermon text, is James 3:1-12:

Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers and sisters, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness. For all of us make many mistakes. Anyone who makes no mistakes in speaking is perfect, able to keep the whole body in check with a bridle. If we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we guide their whole bodies. Or look at ships: though they are so large that it takes strong winds to drive them, yet they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great exploits.

How great a forest is set ablaze by a small fire! And the tongue is a fire. The tongue is placed among our members as a world of iniquity; it stains the whole body, sets on fire the cycle of nature, and is itself set on fire by hell. For every species of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by the human species, but no one can tame the tongue-- a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless the Lord and Father, and with it we curse those who are made in the likeness of God. From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this ought not to be so. Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and brackish water? Can a fig tree, my brothers and sisters, yield olives, or a grapevine figs? No more can salt water yield fresh.

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.

Noise

you sang the stars
out of darkness, you composed a fire
you called the world into form
out of chaos
for all of that noise, you dwell in the quiet places
you’re the purest form of which I am but a shadow

so what can I say about the things you’ve done?
when I was a broken promise, you made me another one

you crafted my frame
out of earth you formed my complexion
you called it good
but we both know that i’ve since heard different
for all of that noise, you pull me to quiet places
you’re the purest love of which I am but a taker

so what can I say about the things you’ve done?
when I was a broken promise, you made me another one

you found me in my desperate raging
you called my name like you know how it is
like every doubt that i’ve ever lain in
you’ve called your own, like you understand it

because the word became flesh
that bright light descended in darkness
the image, it spread
and colored the fear a deep shade of wonder
for all of that noise we fell into quiet places
for the only hope for the problem we cannot escape

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 9-7-21

ITLOTC

(In The Life Of The Church)

Pentecost

Is UBC the Place You Call Home?

To complete the survey please use this link.

Sunday School

Hello friends. Sunday school starts this Sunday and we wanted to give you a bit of info on your choices.

“Generous Communication: Public Deliberation as a Practice of Compassion” with Sharyl Loeung and Daniel Harris

Do you find it impossible to get on the same page to have a meaningful conversation with some people? Have you given up on seeing any real change in people on "the other side" so you just avoid them? Our societal rhetoric has reached a flustering height of polarization and divisiveness, but we can't forget when we speak with each other we are also entering into a state of communion, a temporary oneness with our neighbor. As we enter this act of communion as communication, we can be generous with our listening, generous in our interpretations, and generous in the gentleness of our words. Learning to view communication within this more generous framework is what allows us to begin to reframe the conversation with more care and compassion.

All Ages Sunday School Class

This Fall Taylor and Maddy are leading an All-Ages Sunday School class that called Journey Together! It's for anybody of any age (kids, youth, college students, young professionals, adults, moms, dads, grandmas, grandpas - everybody!) We'll be learning about the Bible and how to grow with God and it's going to be a lot of fun! Everyone is invited! If you have any questions you should email Taylor at Taylor@ubcwaco.org.

Women’s Book Club

Are you a woman? Do you like books? Then you should come to women's book club it will be starting next Monday night at 7pm in the Backside! We will decide a book during the meeting! See you there! If you have any questions you should email Taylor at Taylor@ubcwaco.org.

Beer and Coffee

Looking for a weekly gathering where you can reflect on world events, meet other UBCers and enjoy a choice beverage. We have a pair of tantalizing opportunities for you. Join Toph for

A Pint: On Wednesdays from 6-8 P.M. @ Pinewood

Coffee: On Thursdays from 8-10 A.M. @ Pinewood

Looking to volunteer with UBC’s Youth Group? Look no further! 

If you are at all interested in volunteering with our Youth (grades 7th-12th), please send an email to mailto:kieran@ubcwaco.org letting us know!

Young Professionals Game Night

Have you ever traded away all of your wheat and then played a monopoly card? Have you ever felt the exhilaration of putting hotels on Boardwalk and Park Place and watched your opponents get crushed under the relentless tax system of Monopoly? Have you ever been sent down that humongous purple slide in Chutes and Ladders because you tried to reach for the cookie jar? Well do we have an opportunity for you. On September 9, @ 7 PM gamers of all stripes will gather at UBC for snacks, eats, and the thrilling experience of playing board games. If you are a young professional, and by that we mean really anyone who has graduated from college and moved on with life, you are welcome and wanted at this event. For questions please contact danieleharris38@gmail.com.

College Women’s Kickoff

Are you a college woman who has been thinking, “Golly I wish I had some other college woman to hang out with so that we could gather weekly, share life, and possibly study a book or something together?” You have come to the right place. UBC college women’s group is kicking off on Thursday, September 9th @ 7:00 P.M. at Pinewood Coffee extravaganza. If you have any questions about this please contact Kathleen_Post1@baylor.edu.

Power Point Party (9/17)

Do you watch the history channel? Do you take quizzes on sporacle for fun? Ever find yourself watching jeopardy reruns? Boy do we have an opportunity for you. Come to watch or participate in the power point party. Yes, you read that right, people will prepare power point presentations about their favorite topics and we will listen, celebrate their unique interest and have a great time becoming nerdier. Interested presenters should send their ideas to josh@ubcwaco.org. Presentations should be about 8-10 minutes with time for a Q & A afterwards.

Parishioner of the Week

Em McDonald & Alex Lux for being nursery helper champions.

Upcoming Events

• Weekly Pints with Toph @ Pinewood on Wednesdays from 6-8 P.M.

• Weekly coffee with Toph @ Pinewood on Thursdays from 8-10 A.M.

• 9/9 Young Professionals Game Night

• 9/9 College Women’s Group Coffee Kickoff

• 9/12 Sunday School & Mi Casas Start

• 9/17 Power Point Party

• 9/29 “Church Hurts” Group (the Mars Hill Podcast Experience) Starts

• 9/30 Night of belonging

• 10/4 St. Francis Liturgy

• 10/10 nUBCers Lunch

• 10/13 Liturgy of Gratitude

• 11/5-7 Fall retreat for college students

• 11/7 Bonfire

• 11/14 Lovefeast

• 12/9-10 Study Hall

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 9-5-2021

September 5, 2021

Below, you’ll find the song lyrics and scripture readings for the live stream on September 5th (in the order they are needed).

Heart Won’t Stop

there is not a man nor 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
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
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 Creator and Sustainer of all things

the Eternal One who gives justice to the oppressed,
who lifts up those who are bowed down,
and frustrates the ways of the wicked

to enter the story of God

and find our own stories reimagined

that the Spirit might form us in the way of Christ

writing hope on our hearts
and love on our minds
that we might be caught up
in the work of god in the world
in 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

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
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
unheard, 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

Heart With No Companion

now i greet you from the other side
of sorrow and despair
with a love so vast and shattered
it’ll reach you everywhere
and i sing this for the captain
whose ship has not been built
for the mother in confusion
her cradle still unfilled
for the heart with no companion
for the soul without a king
for the prima ballerina
who cannot dance to anything

through the days of shame that are coming
through the nights of wild distress
though your promise counts for nothing
you must keep it nonetheless
you must keep it for the captain
whose ship has not been built
for the mother in confusion
her cradled still unfilled
for the heart with no companion
for the soul without a king
for the prima ballerina
who cannot dance to anything

now i greet you from the other side
of sorrow and despair
with a love so vast and shattered
it'll reach you everywhere

Old Testament Reading

Today’s Old Testament reading, and Taylor’s sermon text, is Isaiah 35:4-7a:

Say to those who are of a fearful heart,
‘Be strong, do not fear!

Here is your God.
He will come with vengeance,

with terrible recompense.
He will come and save you.’

Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened,
and the ears of the deaf unstopped;

then the lame shall leap like a deer,
and the tongue of the speechless sing for joy.

For waters shall break forth in the wilderness,
and streams in the desert;

the burning sand shall become a pool,
and the thirsty ground springs of water;

New Testament Reading

Today’s New Testament reading is Mark 7:24-37:

Jesus set out and went away to the region of Tyre. He entered a house and did not want anyone to know he was there. Yet he could not escape notice, but a woman whose little daughter had an unclean spirit immediately heard about him, and she came and bowed down at his feet. Now the woman was a Gentile, of Syrophoenician origin. She begged him to cast the demon out of her daughter. He said to her, “Let the children be fed first, for it is not fair to take the children’s food and throw it to the dogs.” But she answered him, “Sir, even the dogs under the table eat the children’s crumbs.” Then he said to her, “For saying that, you may go—the demon has left your daughter.” So she went home, found the child lying on the bed, and the demon gone.

Then he returned from the region of Tyre, and went by way of Sidon towards the Sea of Galilee, in the region of the Decapolis. They brought to him a deaf man who had an impediment in his speech; and they begged him to lay his hand on him. He took him aside in private, away from the crowd, and put his fingers into his ears, and he spat and touched his tongue. Then looking up to heaven, he sighed and said to him, “Ephphatha,” that is, “Be opened.” And immediately his ears were opened, his tongue was released, and he spoke plainly. Then Jesus ordered them to tell no one; but the more he ordered them, the more zealously they proclaimed it. They were astounded beyond measure, saying, “He has done everything well; he even makes the deaf to hear and the mute to speak.”

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 tow’r 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 to that pulse you hid
resurrect the peace 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 8-31-21

ITLOTC

(In The Life Of The Church)

Pentecost

On Hell (by Josh)

Hello friends. One transition we are looking to execute, is moving more of our content online in video form. Alas, this is a first attempt at doing that. So look for occasional newsletter entries to appear as video instead of written essays.

Looking to volunteer with UBC’s Youth Group? Look no further! 

If you are at all interested in volunteering with our Youth (grades 7th-12th), please send an email to mailto:kieran@ubcwaco.org letting us know!

A Word From Our Leadership Team

Dear UBCers,

I am writing to give you a brief update from the UBC Leadership Team. We met recently and discussed the rise of the Covid Delta variant in our community and what that means for our congregation. 

First, we are so grateful to all of you for wearing masks when indoors at UBC and we’re asking you to continue doing that for now. The City of Waco and the Waco McLennan County Public Health District are currently urging residents to wear masks in public due to the recent surge. 

Secondly, we plan to continue meeting in person both on Sunday mornings and at other gatherings during the week. Sunday morning worship will continue to be live-streamed. 

In summary, UBC’s current Covid protocols include: 

• We ask everyone to wear masks when indoors.

• Worship and classes will continue to meet indoors.

• Worship is live-streamed on our Facebook page.

We will continue monitoring local conditions and stay apprised of CDC guidance. We hope and pray that this recent rise in Covid cases is temporary and thank you in advance for helping keep our beloved UBC community safe. 

We are eager to continue meeting together safely and hope to see you all in a service soon or chat with you online during a live-streamed service. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact me.

In Hope,

Kathy Krey
Chair, Leadership Team
kathykrey@gmail.com

Young Professionals Game Night

Have you ever traded away all of your wheat and then played a monopoly card? Have you ever felt the exhilaration of putting hotels on Boardwalk and Park Place and watched your opponents get crushed under the relentless tax system of Monopoly? Have you ever been sent down that humongous purple slide in Chutes and Ladders because you tried to reach for the cookie jar? Well do we have an opportunity for you. On September 9, @ 7 PM gamers of all stripes will gather at UBC for snacks, eats, and the thrilling experience of playing board games. If you are a young professional, and by that we mean really anyone who has graduated from college and moved on with life, you are welcome and wanted at this event. For questions please contact danieleharris38@gmail.com.

College Women’s Kickoff

Are you a college woman who has been thinking, “Golly I wish I had some other college woman to hang out with so that we could gather weekly, share life, and possibly study a book or something together?” You have come to the right place. UBC college women’s group is kicking off on Thursday, September 9th @ 7:00 P.M. at Pinewood Coffee extravaganza. If you have any questions about this please contact Kathleen_Post1@baylor.edu.
Parishioner of the Week

Kelly Harp for staying late and helping clean up after the welcome back lunch on Sunday. Great job Kelly, Santa and Jesus are watching.

Upcoming Events

• 9/9 Young Professionals Game Night

• 9/9 College Women’s Group Coffee Kickoff

• 9/12 Sunday School & Mi Casas Start

• 9/17 Power Point Party

• 9/29 “Church Hurts” Group (the Mars Hill Podcast Experience) Starts

• 9/30 Night of belonging

• 10/4 St. Francis Liturgy

• 10/13 Liturgy of Gratitude

• 11/5-7 Fall retreat for college students

• 11/7 Bonfire

• 11/14 Lovefeast

• 12/9-10 Study Hall

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 8-29-2021

August 29, 2021

Below, you’ll find the song lyrics and scripture readings for the live stream on August 29th (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 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
and as the forests claps their hands, mountains stomp their feet,
would 1000 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 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 transform our hearts and minds

teaching us to love God
and love our neighbor
in the way of Christ

Amen

Fall Afresh

awaken, my soul, come awake
to hunger, to seek, to thirst
awaken, first love, come awake
and do as you did at first

spirit of the living god
come fall afresh on me
come wake me from my sleep
blow through the caverns of my soul
pour in me to overflow

awaken, my soul, come awake
though broken, spread thin, and worn
awaken, true hope, come awake
and transform these hearts of stone

spirit of the living god
come fall afresh on me
come wake me from my sleep
blow through the caverns of my soul
pour in me to overflow

spirit come and fill this place
let your glory now invade

spirit of the living god
come fall afresh on me
come wake me from my sleep
blow through the caverns of my soul
pour in me to overflow

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 tow’r 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 to that pulse you hid
resurrect the peace 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

The Window (by Leonard Cohen)

why do you stand by the window
abandoned to beauty and pride
the thorn of the night in your bosom
the spear of the age in your side
lost in the rages of fragrance
lost in the rags of remorse
lost in the waves of a sickness
that loosens the high silver nerves

o chosen love, o frozen love
o tangle of matter and ghost
o darling of angels, demons, and saints
and the whole broken hearted host
gentle, this soul

come forth from the cloud of unknowing
and kiss the cheek of the moon
the new Jerusalem glowing
why tarry all night in the ruin
and leave no word of discomfort
leave no observer to mourn
but climb on your tears and be silent
like a rose on its ladder of thorns

o chosen love, o frozen love
o tangle of matter and ghost
o darling of angels, demons, and saints
and the whole broken hearted host
gentle, this soul

then lay your rose on the fire
the fire give up to the sun
the sun give over to splendor
in the arms of the high holy one
for the holy one dreams of a letter
dreams of a letter’s death
o bless thee, continuous stutter
of the word being made into flesh

o chosen love, o frozen love
o tangle of matter and ghost
o darling of angels, demons, and saints
and the whole broken hearted host
gentle, this soul

Old Testament Reading

Today’s Old Testament reading, and Josh’s sermon text, is Song of Solomon 2:8-13:

The voice of my beloved!
Look, he comes, 
leaping upon the mountains,
bounding over the hills. 
My beloved is like a gazelle
or a young stag. 

Look, there he stands
behind our wall, 
gazing in at the windows,
looking through the lattice. 

My beloved speaks and says to me:
"Arise, my love, my fair one,
and come away; 
for now the winter is past,
the rain is over and gone. 

The flowers appear on the earth;
the time of singing has come, 
and the voice of the turtledove
is heard in our land. 
The fig tree puts forth its figs,
and the vines are in blossom; 
they give forth fragrance. 

Arise, my love, my fair one,
and come away."

New Testament Reading

Today’s New Testament reading is Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23:

When the Pharisees and some of the scribes who had come from Jerusalem gathered around him, they noticed that some of his disciples were eating with defiled hands, that is, without washing them. (For the Pharisees, and all the Jews, do not eat unless they thoroughly wash their hands, thus observing the tradition of the elders; and they do not eat anything from the market unless they wash it; and there are also many other traditions that they observe, the washing of cups, pots, and bronze kettles.) So the Pharisees and the scribes asked him, “Why do your disciples not live according to the tradition of the elders, but eat with defiled hands?” He said to them, “Isaiah prophesied rightly about you hypocrites, as it is written,

‘This people honors me with their lips,
but their hearts are far from me;

in vain do they worship me,
teaching human precepts as doctrines.’

You abandon the commandment of God and hold to human tradition.”

Then he called the crowd again and said to them, “Listen to me, all of you, and understand: there is nothing outside a person that by going in can defile, but the things that come out are what defile.” For it is from within, from the human heart, that evil intentions come: fornication, theft, murder, adultery, avarice, wickedness, deceit, licentiousness, envy, slander, pride, folly. All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person.”

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 8-24-21

ITLOTC

(In The Life Of The Church)

Pentecost

Church Shopping (by Josh)

Hello friends.  I was thinking, it’s August and that means transition is in the air.  There are two important calendars in University settings.  The first is the one that the whole world observes, namely the January 1st - December 31st calendar, but then there’s the more important calendar which is the academic calendar.  August is the proverbial January.  New places.  New experiences.  New friendships.  New churches?   

I should now pause to reflect on who might be reading this.  Our mailing list for this newsletter is substantially larger than our congregation.  That means I’m writing to people who: 1. attend UBC happily and are not looking for a new church  2. people who kind of attend and who were at one time interested enough to sign up for this newsletter 3. people who have moved on from UBC, but still read this affectionately (or perhaps unaffectionately) 4. people who have never been, but for one reason or another have interest in who we are. 

In some sense I’m writing to none of you, but in another I’m writing for all of you.  Still, I think a universally true experience we all have is that we all have conversations with people about which church might be the best fit for them.  So if you happen to be a discerning person reading this or if you know where you want to be, but might like some clairvoyant questions to help you get clear answers, read on.   

I cannot tell you how many times folks have come to us over the years and been stunned to discover that after many years of worshiping at church _________, they, one day, either painfully or curiously, discovered that their church did not believe the same thing as them.  This always puzzles me, but then I remembered that I went seminary and have a ferocious appetite for reading between the lines.  When I scout a church, yes, I read the what they believe page, but that’s usually standard mumbo jumbo that is either copied from someone else’s website or nearly identical with a few nuances in key buzzwords like “community” and “authenticity.” 

If you really want to know what a church believes google them.  Are they in the media for any reason?  What for?  See if the pastor lists what she is reading.  What is that author about?  What material are their small groups studying?  Who’s the publisher?  What topics are being addressed from the pulpit?  Is the church quiet when controversial headlines dominate the news cycle?  

But let me be more specific.  Every twenty years or so, churches deal with hot button conversations.  It was inerrancy of the bible in the 70s.  It was women in ministry in the 90s.  It’s currently LGBTQ acceptance.  There will always be discussions that are dividing the church.  Let me tell you what churches do.  Churches want you to be a part of them no matter what you believe.  What they want is for you to innocuously become rooted, involved and committed to the community.  So churches will front the broadest most mellow seemingly accepting position they reasonably can.  

Lest I sound like I’m casting stones, let me admit that UBC does this too.  We claim that we have a big tent.  We claim we want a diverse community.  We claim to make space for all kinds of people, but the truth is, that UBC is not a good fit for everyone.  There are other churches that are better suited to serve the needs of a certain kind of believer.  Realizing this and owning it was a healthy part of my development as a pastor.  Now when folks are new, instead of merely trying to get them hooked or plugged in, I try to spend time helping them discern if UBC is actually a good fit for them. 

In what follows I offer two examples of how I’d ask discerning questions if I were to look for a church.   They are centered on the questions: does the church support women in ministy and does the church accept the queer community.  

1. Does the church in question support women in ministry? 

“Yes!” 

Great next question:  Can women serve in all capacities? 

“Yes!” 

Great next question: Can women preach on a Sunday morning? 

“Yes!” 

Great next question: Can women be pastors?

“Yes!” 

Great next question: Can women be lead or head pastors? 

“Yes!” 

Great next question: Are women in positions of strategic leadership in the church? 

“Yes!” 

Great next question:  When was the last time a woman preached? 

“last week!” 

Great next question:  Does the church have a history of hiring women when qualified candidates applied? 

“Yes!”  

Cool.  

1. Will my queer friends be accepted if they worship here? 

“Yes!”

Great next question: Can they serve in all capacities? 

“Yes!” 

Great next question: Can they take communion and be married here? 

“Yes!” 

Great next question: If a queer couple worshiped here could they be members? 

“Yes!” 

Great next question:  Will they be included in visible public moments like baby dedications, pictures in the directory, and making announcements for areas they offer leadership in? 

“Yes!” 

Great next question: Would a queer person be considered for a pastoral position at the church if one were to come open? 

“Yes!” 

Cool. 

I’ve included these two examples because they are both areas that UBC has discerned answers to, but you could ask these kinds of questions about any number of theological issues.  My point is not to call out any church or even condemn how they might answer.  Again, I think it’s just as important to find a church that suits the needs of an individual as it is to welcome them.  Perhaps UBC wouldn’t be a fit for many people because of our answers.  My point, and it’s a point that I do think applies to all churches, is that churches should be ready to give clear answers to any kind of nuanced question one might want to answer.  

So as you encounter people who are looking, ask them what about church is important to them?  Does it matter what the church believes?  How it worships?  How can one be connected?  Who can be connected?  And then I would suggest helping them think of discerning questions they could ask key leaders to find answers to those questions.

Looking to volunteer with UBC’s Youth Group? Look no further! 

If you are at all interested in volunteering with our Youth (grades 7th-12th), please send an email to mailto:kieran@ubcwaco.org letting us know!

Kindergarten Commission

As a special part of the liturgy this Sunday we will celebrate the movement of our mighty five year olds as they move from the carefree world of pre-school to the daunting world of kindergarten. Please add these to your prayer list as we prepare to commission them for the next phase of life and formation in front of them. If you have a kindergartner and have not been contacted, please contact taylor@ubcwaco.org.

Meet The Newest UBCer

Name: Adelina Rose Chatham

Birth weight: 8lbs 2oz

Birth height: 20.5"

Birthday: 6/9/21

Enneagram Number: 1 w 9

Welcome Back Lunch (options for Inside, Outside, and To-Go)

We are so excited to kick off the Fall Semester, and welcome old friends and new friends to UBC. This week, after church, we will have our annual Welcome Back Lunch. This is a great time connect with new and returning UBC’ers. We will be catering El Crucero, and we will have a vegan/gluten free option to cover all your dietary restrictions and convictions. We are also mindful of the many ways folks are practicing keeping your neighbor safe during the pandemic. We want you to eat lunch, and we want you to feel safe doing so! We will have options for you to eat inside, outside, and to-go boxes should you want to take your lunch to the park with other UBC friends. We would love for you to join us for lunch Sunday. If you have any questions/concerns, please email toph@ubcwaco.org

The Cove - Helping Homeless Teens

Friends, UBC’s newest community partner is a wonderful ministry that works with homeless HS teens in the greater Waco area. They are in the midst of a 100 day housing challenge. You can see the flyer here. Will you consider buying or donating some items to help furnish these new spaces? If you have any questions, please contact toph@ubcwaco.org

Looking for a Unique Housing Opportunity?

Good Neighbor Waco, a Christian non-profit organization, is seeking singles or married couples to serve an average of 7-10 hours per week in exchange for partially subsidized rent (no children or pets). Resident volunteers live in adjacent buildings; each resident volunteer has a private bedroom with shared bath, kitchen and living room. A portion of the service hours involves hosting groups using the community rooms at 2301 Colcord Ave. and participating in household upkeep or administrative work. With their remaining service hours resident workers are encouraged to create and run neighborhood projects in their areas of interest including the arts, urban gardening, community engagement, education, worship, etc. Applicants would commit to 9-12 months of live-in service, to begin August  or September (with specific dates and roles to be discussed during the application process). All-inclusive rent is $335 per month.  Residents must be able to live and work well with others and contribute meaningfully to community living. Applicants over 21 are preferred, although exceptions may be made. For more information and an application please contact board member Laine_Scales@baylor.edu

Parishioner of the Week

Rachel Caldwell for volunteering her time and talents to take staff pics for the church website.

Upcoming Events

• 9/9 Young Professionals Game Night

• 9/9 College Women’s Group Coffee Kickoff

• 9/12 Sunday School & Mi Casas Start

• 9/17 Power Point Party

• 9/22 “Church Hurts” Group (the Mars Hill Podcast Experience) Starts

• 9/29 Liturgy of Gratitude

• 9/30 Night of belonging

• 11/5-7 Fall retreat for college students

• 12/9-10 Study Hall

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 8-22-2021

August 22, 2021

Below, you’ll find the song lyrics and scripture readings for the live stream on August 22nd (in the order they are needed).

Just A Closer Walk With Thee

I am weak, but thou art strong
Jesus, keep me from all wrong
i’ll be satisfied as long
as I walk, dear lord, close to thee

just a closer walk with thee
grant it, Jesus, this my plea
daily walking close to thee
let it be, dear lord, let it be

in this world of toil and snare
if I falter, lord who cares?
who with me my burden shares
none but thee, dear lord, none but thee

just a closer walk with thee
grant it, Jesus, this my plea
daily walking close to thee
let it be, dear lord, let it be

when this feeble life is o’er
time for me will be no more
guide me gently safely o’er
to thy kingdom shore, to thy shore

just a closer walk with thee
grant it, Jesus, this my plea
daily walking close to thee
let it be, dear lord, let it be

Call to Worship

we have gathered to worship 
the Living God

the One who is near to the brokenhearted
who will save those whose spirits are crushed

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

drawing our ordinary lives
into the work of God in the world

Amen

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

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

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 and 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

going before

Old Testament Reading

Today’s Old Testament reading, and Josh’s sermon text, is 1 Kings 8:22-30, 41-43:

Then Solomon stood before the altar of the Lord in the presence of all the assembly of Israel, and spread out his hands to heaven. He said, “O Lord, God of Israel, there is no God like you in heaven above or on earth beneath, keeping covenant and steadfast love for your servants who walk before you with all their heart, the covenant that you kept for your servant my father David as you declared to him; you promised with your mouth and have this day fulfilled with your hand. Therefore, O Lord, God of Israel, keep for your servant my father David that which you promised him, saying, ‘There shall never fail you a successor before me to sit on the throne of Israel, if only your children look to their way, to walk before me as you have walked before me.’ Therefore, O God of Israel, let your word be confirmed, which you promised to your servant my father David.

“But will God indeed dwell on the earth? Even heaven and the highest heaven cannot contain you, much less this house that I have built! Regard your servant’s prayer and his plea, O Lord my God, heeding the cry and the prayer that your servant prays to you today; that your eyes may be open night and day toward this house, the place of which you said, ‘My name shall be there,’ that you may heed the prayer that your servant prays toward this place. Hear the plea of your servant and of your people Israel when they pray toward this place; O hear in heaven your dwelling place; heed and forgive. 

“Likewise when a foreigner, who is not of your people Israel, comes from a distant land because of your name —for they shall hear of your great name, your mighty hand, and your outstretched arm—when a foreigner comes and prays toward this house, then hear in heaven your dwelling place, and do according to all that the foreigner calls to you, so that all the peoples of the earth may know your name and fear you, as do your people Israel, and so that they may know that your name has been invoked on this house that I have built.

New Testament Reading

Today’s New Testament reading is John 6:56-69:

Jesus said, “Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood abide in me, and I in them. Just as the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so whoever eats me will live because of me. This is the bread that came down from heaven, not like that which your ancestors ate, and they died. But the one who eats this bread will live forever.” He said these things while he was teaching in the synagogue at Capernaum.

When many of his disciples heard it, they said, “This teaching is difficult; who can accept it?” But Jesus, being aware that his disciples were complaining about it, said to them, “Does this offend you? Then what if you were to see the Son of Man ascending to where he was before? It is the spirit that gives life; the flesh is useless. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life. But among you there are some who do not believe.” For Jesus knew from the first who were the ones that did not believe, and who was the one that would betray him. And he said, “For this reason I have told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted by the Father.”

Because of this many of his disciples turned back and no longer went about with him. So Jesus asked the twelve, “Do you also wish to go away?” Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom can we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and know that you are the Holy One of God.”

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.

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 every 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

just keep on holding

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

A Liturgy of Mourning

Call to Worship 

Let our mourning be

Like an ocean that cannot be emptied
Like a river that cannot be stopped
Like the strong summer rain that puts an end to drought

Let our mourning be

A vigil in the darkness
A light that searches out the lost
A hand that reaches out to save and hold

Amen

Scripture Reading
John 11:1-35

Now a certain man was ill, Lazarus of Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. Mary was the one who anointed the Lord with perfume and wiped his feet with her hair; her brother Lazarus was ill. So the sisters sent a message to Jesus,“Lord, he whom you love is ill.” But when Jesus heard it, he said, “This illness does not lead to death; rather it is for God’s glory, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it.” Accordingly, though Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus, after having heard that Lazarus was ill, he stayed two days longer in the place where he was.

Then after this he said to the disciples, “Let us go to Judea again.” The disciples said to him, “Rabbi, the Jews were just now trying to stone you, and are you going there again?” Jesus answered, “Are there not twelve hours of daylight? Those who walk during the day do not stumble, because they see the light of this world. But those who walk at night stumble, because the light is not in them.” After saying this, he told them, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but I am going there to awaken him.” The disciples said to him, “Lord, if he has fallen asleep, he will be all right.” Jesus, however, had been speaking about his death, but they thought that he was referring merely to sleep. Then Jesus told them plainly, “Lazarus is dead. For your sake I am glad I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him.” Thomas, who was called the Twin, said to his fellow disciples, “Let us also go, that we may die with him.”

When Jesus arrived, he found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb four days. Now Bethany was near Jerusalem, some two miles away, and many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary to console them about their brother. When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went and met him, while Mary stayed at home. Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But even now I know that God will give you whatever you ask of him.” Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” Martha said to him, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day.” Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?” She said to him, “Yes, Lord, I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, the one coming into the world.”

When she had said this, she went back and called her sister Mary, and told her privately, “The Teacher is here and is calling for you.” And when she heard it, she got up quickly and went to him. Now Jesus had not yet come to the village, but was still at the place where Martha had met him. The Jews who were with her in the house, consoling her, saw Mary get up quickly and go out. They followed her because they thought that she was going to the tomb to weep there. When Mary came where Jesus was and saw him, she knelt at his feet and said to him, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.” When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who came with her also weeping, he was greatly disturbed in spirit and deeply moved. He said, “Where have you laid him?” They said to him, “Lord, come and see.” Jesus began to weep.

Silent Reflection on What has Been Lost

A Song of Mourning
Dead Horse by Andy Squyres

Here is my harvest of heartbreak
Here is my threshing of tears
I’d give you my dream but i lost it
Down in the locust years
Still praise is the song that I’m singing
Even though sorrow’s my tune
My love is only a whisper now
But nothing is wasted with you

Here is my secret miscarriage
Here is my public divorce
Nobody taught me to let go
So i learned how to beat a dead horse
Now all of my altars are empty
Save for this lone hallelu
The heat of you fire’s just a memory
But nothing is wasted with you

Hungry as a mother who cannot find her child
We keep missing each other, i’m in the liquor aisle
Prostrated in your glory, i’m bowed low under this:
Either nothing is wasted, or everything is

Here in the holy of holies
Here by the blood of the lamb
Words i have said all my life, and believe
But still i do not understand
But i want to live in your presence
However inopportune
The heat of your fire’s just a memory
But nothing is wasted with you
And my love is only a whisper now
But nothing is wasted with you 

Scripture Reading
Selection from Psalm 55

Give ear to my prayer, O God;
do not hide yourself from my supplication.
My heart is in anguish within me,
the terrors of death have fallen upon me.
Fear and trembling come upon me,
and horror overwhelms me.
And I say, “O that I had wings like a dove!
I would fly away and be at rest;
truly, I would flee far away;
I would lodge in the wilderness; Selah
I would hurry to find a shelter for myself
 from the raging wind and tempest.”
But I call upon God,
and the Lord will save me.
Evening and morning and at noon
I utter my complaint and moan,
and the Lord will hear my voice.
Cast your burden on the Lord,
and the Lord will sustain you.

Prayer of Mourning

We bring to you now the weathered fragments

 of our former dreams, 

The broken pieces of our expectations,

The rent patches of hopes worn thin, 

The shards of some shattered image

Of life as we once thought it would be 

In our hearts, we know that you are trustworthy and present even in this—

Over our tears, our confusion,

And our disappointment.

But there are still times

Where we feel as if we have been abandoned,

As if you do not care that these hopes
Have collapsed to rubble

Yet we know this is not so
That you are among the rubble
As you’ve always been
Breathing onto the embers of the fires in our hearts
And casting the shards of our shattered lives
Into something new

“I invite you over these next few moments to come light a candle for what you’ve lost.  In doing so, we are both bearing witness to the loss, and also acknowledging the gratitude for what has been lost that drives such feelings of grief—that warmth that will continue to burn on as we walk the winding paths of healing into life.” 

Candle Lighting

Reflection

Song of Hope
Twice Begun by ubcmusic

Jesus Christ did not cling tight
To height nor form divine
But instead emptied himself
Into the hands of time
The wind drew cracks in the lips of love
The sun beat down the light
Now life itself has torn the veil of death
That all the rest may rise

Now life and death and resurrection
Are painted over all creation
The colors swirling into one
As if every moment is now twice begun
And doesn’t stop: the past, the pulse, the clock

Jesus Christ did not cling tight
To height nor pow’r divine
But instead emptied himself
Into breath and blood and spine
As the feeble crowds began to mount
The powers of state and faith aligned
To crush that which might tear their mountains down
But he turned not his mind
That all the rest may rise

Now life and death and resurrection
Are painted over all creation
The colors swirling into one
As if every moment is now twice begun
So mourn your losses, sing your songs
But build your houses with fingers crossed
There is a hope now graven in the dawn
And every ending to that burning edge belongs 

Prayer of Hope

In our mourning, we grieve the loss of good gifts

The greater the gift, the greater the grief

In the midst of our tears off loss, there are tears of gratitude, 
the light of mourning

The greater the loss, the greater the gratitude 

And so in bearing witness to our pain, 
in bearing witness to what is lost

We turn our hearts also toward gratitude, 
knowing these gifts live on in our memory 

Living God, may the light of mourning 
illumine the world around us

May we notice the beauty of the ordinary world 
with new urgency

Living God, may the light of mourning illumine a path before us

Guiding our feet into a life lived fully 

Living God, may the light of mourning be for us the dawn of hope

Reaching out in rays to meet the Dawn of Resurrection

 Amen

ITLOTC 8-17-21

ITLOTC

(In The Life Of The Church)

Pentecost

On Mourning (by Jamie)

When Jesus hears that his friend Lazarus is deathly ill, his first response is one of immense confidence: “This is happening so that God may be glorified through me.  He will not die but live.” He’s so confident that he takes his time, lingering a couple of days before heading to Bethany, as if to ensure that Lazarus will in fact die. 

Along the way, Jesus remains unconcerned, trading cryptic cute discourses with the disciples.  He can hardly contain himself when the disciples don’t seem to be getting the hint: “Lazarus is dead, but I’m going to resurrect him.”

He almost seems giddy at the prospect.

He maintains this air of confidence even when Martha comes to him.  “If you had been here, my brother would not have died; BUT I trust you and know he will live, and I look forward to the day of resurrection.”  

She hedges her grief with a sort of platitude, and Jesus takes it further, essentially saying, “Oh, you don’t even know how much you should trust me: I AM the resurrection and the life.  Not later, but today.” 

But when Mary comes, inconsolable, she says, “if you had been here, my brother would not have died.” 

Full stop.  

And the confidence crumbles.

Upon seeing her anguish, and the anguish of her community, Jesus is turned inside out emotionally, and weeps. 

And it happens again when they arrive at the tomb. 

Literal moments—seconds maybe— away from resurrecting his friend, Jesus’ tears keep flowing.

We are a church, and as churches do, we have gathered around a story of hope; of resurrection.  We are cradled in the notion that the worst thing is never the last thing, that all of this is heading toward resurrection, toward re-creation.

Because of this, there are times, whether within our own selves or externally from others, when feelings of grief, of mourning, of sadness, are portrayed as being at odds with the hope of resurrection.  Indicative instead of a lack of faith or trust in God.

But this notion is wholly undone in the tears of the One who is the resurrection and the life.

In this story, we are reminded that just because things will be okay doesn’t mean that they are okay right now, or that we have to pretend to be okay right now.  And the flip side is also true, just because we allow ourselves to be present to the fact that things are not okay right now, we are not then bound to give ourselves over to the notion that they won’t be okay later.

This is why we are gathering for a Liturgy of Mourning tomorrow.  We are in the midst of a prolonged season of loss, and we are all carrying grief.  Our community is carrying everything from the acute grief of lost loved ones to the more general loss of a world that had not, in recent memory, lived through a global pandemic.  We will gather to honor what has been lost by bearing witness to our grief before God.  In doing this, we will also consider the gratitude that drives our grief, and the light that this gratitude offers us as we continue on in life.  

If you are in a particularly tender place, and would prefer to see the liturgy ahead of time to determine if that’s going to be a good place for you, just email jamie@ubcwaco.org, and I can send you a transcript of the whole thing.

The Liturgy of Mourning will be at 5:30pm on Wednesday, August 18th.  Childcare will be provided. Masks are required.

Meet The Newest UBCer

Name: Richard Zachary Mackey

Birth weight: 8 lbs 8 ozs

Birth height: 21.5 inches

Birthday: July 23rd

Enneagram Number: 2 w 1

Kindergarten Commission + Promotion Sunday

champions, as you know a new school year is upon us. this also means that the tides of change are moving through our church. First, this Sunday kids that are eligible will move to their next classroom. Be praying for them if you think of it, because change is hard. Secondly, next Sunday, August 29th we will be commissioning our Kindergarten champions. If you have a kindergartner and have not been contacted by Taylor, please email her taylor@ubcwaco.org.

Welcome Back Party

It’s that time of year again. School is starting. College kids return. Summer vacations are over. We are all back in Waco, together. So what should we do? Eat a large meal together after church on Sunday August 29th. So bring your hunger for both the word of the Lord and probably some El Crucero that day.

Meet the UBCer

Craig Nash

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

Mike & Kristen Dodson for hosting our amazing tiedye party. thanks for sharing your home.

Upcoming Events

• 9/9 Young Professionals Game Night

• 9/9 College Women’s Group Coffee Kickoff

• 9/17 Power Point Party

• 9/29 Liturgy of Gratitude

• 9/30 Night of belonging

• 11/5-7 Fall retreat for college students

• 12/9-10 Study Hall

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 8-15-2021

August 15, 2021

Below, you’ll find the song lyrics and scripture readings for the live stream on August 15th (in the order they are needed).

Holy, Holy, Holy

holy, holy, holy
lord god almighty
early in the morning
our song shall rise to thee
there is a sign at the sight of thee
there is none beside thee
god in three persons
blessed trinity

holy, holy, holy
though the darkness hide thee
though the eye of sinful ones
thy glories may not see
only thou art holy
merciful and mighty
perfect in power
love and purity

holy, holy, holy
lord god almighty
all thy works shall praise thy name
in earth and sky and sea
only though art holy
there is none beside thee
god in three persons
blessed trinity

Call to Worship

we have gathered to worship 
the Living God

the works of whose hands are faithfulness and justice,
whose righteousness endures forever

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

that we might find the Kingdom of God
in the space between ourselves
and our neighbor

Amen

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 every 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

just keep on holding

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

After the Dust Clears

after the dust clears and the newness is all
our feet will carve pathways down a familiar road
we’ll gather around a table for twelve
and struggle to find the anger we held

just as the wine makes its third trip around
we’ll fail to remember what the fight was about
the details are faded, but the broad strokes remain:
we all chose a side then we all walked away

peering across into reddening eyes
we’ll find there a mirror of the passing of time
wait for a beat ‘til the silence is spent
then wonder aloud just where the time went

and raising a glass to the years that slipped by
we’ll conjure the memory of simpler times
ignoring the fact that we cannot go back
we’ll wander the shores of our lives

after it’s over, before we part ways
we’ll pick up the pieces with a final embrace
and linger a moment ‘round a grave dug for one
to bury our regret with joy on our tongues

see joy is a song that you sing into strife
not to relieve it, but to keep you alive
and love is an anchor when the truth is laid bare
not to erase it, but to keep you there

not to erase it, but to keep you there

Old Testament Reading

Today’s Old Testament reading, and Josh’s sermon text, is from 2 Samuel 23:13-17:

Towards the beginning of harvest three of the thirty chiefs went down to join David at the cave of Adullam, while a band of Philistines was encamped in the valley of Rephaim. David was then in the stronghold; and the garrison of the Philistines was then at Bethlehem. David said longingly, “O that someone would give me water to drink from the well of Bethlehem that is by the gate!” Then the three warriors broke through the camp of the Philistines, drew water from the well of Bethlehem that was by the gate, and brought it to David. But he would not drink of it; he poured it out to the Lord, for he said, “The Lord forbid that I should do this. Can I drink the blood of the men who went at the risk of their lives?” Therefore he would not drink it. The three warriors did these things.

New Testament Reading

Today’s New Testament reading is John 6:51-58:

Jesus said, “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.” 

The Jews then disputed among themselves, saying, “How can this man give us his flesh to eat?” So Jesus said to them, “Very truly, I tell you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood have eternal life, and I will raise them up on the last day; for my flesh is true food and my blood is true drink. Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood abide in me, and I in them. Just as the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so whoever eats me will live because of me. This is the bread that came down from heaven, not like that which your ancestors ate, and they died. But the one who eats this bread will live forever.”

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.

Be Thou My Vision

be thou my vision o lord of my heart
naught be all else to me, save that thou art
thou my best thought, by day or by night
waking or sleeping, thy presence my light

be thou my wisdom and thou my true word
I ever with thee and thou with me lord
thou my great father, spirit, and son
thou in me dwelling and I with thee one

riches I heed not, nor man’s empty praise
thou mine inheritance, now and always
thou and thou only, first in my heart
high king of heaven, my treasure thou art

high king of heaven, my victory won
may I reach heaven’s joys, o bright heaven’s sun
heart of my own heart, whatever befall
still be my vision, o ruler of all

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 8-10-21

ITLOTC

(In The Life Of The Church)

Pentecost

The Occasion for Vulnerability (by Josh)

I have been thinking about how we hold the faith in our postmodern, post-evangelical, post-Christendom, post-COVID (it doesn’t seem to be going away, but you know …) world.  Because I’m forty now, I’m looking for the cues promised to me by the books that talk about the second half of life.  I’ve been wondering what I'll find in the reconstruction toolbox.  I’ll tell you about something that seems to be sticking -- community.  If I had a dollar for every time someone told me they are spiritual, but not religious, or that they like the Jesus stuff, but not church -- I’d be a rich fellow.  But you know what they all still love?  Friendship.  Even the disenfranchised, even the introverts crave something about community.  

I was reminded of this on Sunday evening.  My sister is an enneagram seven.  That means she makes plans without worrying about constraints.  Here’s how this developed.  She texted our family group that includes her, her husband, myself, my wife, our children with texting devices and my mom.  Her initial message indicated that they’d be making a brisket for Sunday dinner.  Cool.  We are all in, and wondering what we can contribute.  Then I find out that not one, but two more friends have been invited.  Then I learned that we’ve added another family.  And then the day of, another family.  Our count total was at 27.  Then my sister pulls this sly move.  She asks if we can host the dinner at my house because it’s bigger.  What am I going to say, no?  As the festivities get going, a neighbor knocks on the door.   It’s like the loaves and fishes, a full blown potluck, so we ask them to come in and dine with us.  They do.  Kids swim.  Adults talk.  The Olympics wind down on the TV behind us.  I realize I haven’t done this in about a year and an half.  I’m quiet, taking it in, enjoying a way of life that was once normal. 

Through the course of the evening, different discussion pods form.  Sometimes it’s organized by gender.  Sometimes it evolves as two people simultaneously take a trip back to the kitchen for a second plate of food.  Sometimes the discussion topic naturally filters disinterested individuals, then adds interested ones.  Then, there’s this moment near the end of the night.  Spouses are offering glances that suggest it might be time to think about heading out.  Dessert has been consumed.  The wine glass has a sip or two left.  The adults have all finally gathered in the same space and the children are scattered around the compound, their attention held by swimming pools and video games.  My sister could care less about everyone’s comfort level with what comes next.  She asks a question.  “What is something you are looking to change this year?”  Then in an attempt to unpack it further, she quotes my sermon asking “what is something you have to get into, to get through.”  I’m stunned she listened and remembered.  It’s probably more typically a New Years Eve question, but she’s a teacher and so her calendar revolves around August-May.  There’s an audible groan from two other enneagram sevens in the room who feel betrayed by her question which will surely demand some intimacy.  I hear some uncomfortable shifting coming from the leather couch.  

What happened next never ceases to amaze me.  Nine adults who know each other pretty well, though certainly not exhaustively, give nine pretty substantial answers.  Some answers involve sadness, some confusion, some anger, all of them vulnerable.  I can feel the catharsis of the moment and I wonder what is so healing about this process.  Why does it feel so good to be heard?  Why is it healing to be called beyond the rhythm of small talk and mostly unimportant conversations that give shape to normative dialogue?

Here’s one way I think I have observed that this particular tool, community-through-vulnerability, has evolved.  In my evangelical past this moment was segregated by gender because while the space to confess your sins could yield any result, evangelicals seemed especially preoccupied with men and lust and women and body image concerns.  While those topics could certainly produce meaningful conversation, they more often than not felt contrived.  On Sunday it felt like our sharing was part of something deeper within ourselves.  I always think about that moment from Moulin Rouge, when Ewan McGregor sits down at his typewriter and writes, “the greatest thing you’ll ever do is love and be loved in return.”  I suspect that’s true and the way we love each other is by allowing for that vulnerable space to tell our truths.  

So how about you? Do you have a space where you get to tell the truth?  To be yourself?  To experience the intimacy of confessing your joy, pain, disappointment and sadness?  If not, you should. 

Meet the Newest L-Team Rep

Name: Ben Raley

Why are you in Waco: We bought a house in Waco without seeing it in person in the summer of 2017 after Sarah left the Marine Corps. We both attended Baylor and had family in town so we knew this was a place we would enjoy living (We were right!).

Currently Watching: The Expanse Season 5

Vacation Destination: The Beach or any National Park

Favorite Waco Restaurant to Eat At: Chuy’s, Whizzbang’s, and Mamaka Bowls.

Favorite Books: Any Book Written by Richard Rohr, The Harry Potter Series, For The Bible Tells Me So by Peter Enns, How Not to Die by Dr. Michael Gregor, and The Omnivore’s Dilemma by Michael Pollan.

Something we'd never know about you: I grew up going to the same church as THE TAYLOR POST!

Welcome Back Party

It’s that time of year again. School is starting. College kids return. Summer vacations are over. We are all back in Waco, together. So what should we do? Eat a large meal together after church on Sunday August 29th. So bring your hunger for both the word of the Lord and probably some El Crucero that day.

UBC TieDye T-Shirt extravaganza

If you signed up for a t-shirt and have not heard from toph@ubcwaco.org, please let him know promptly. The TieDye extravaganza needs top tier organizing so we we have to have our ducks in a row so that you get the best t-shirt experience of your life.

Meet the UBCer

The Lemmons

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

Courtney Broaddus for being the only champion to volunteer to take Maddy’s kids shift.

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 8-8-2021

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