ITLOTC 8-31-18

ITLOTC

(In The Life Of The Church) 

Ordinary Time

When Church Leaders Fail

I had a conversation this week wihth a friend who got hurt by a religious figure.

That sentence, that scenario, is far too common in our church culture today.  If you’ve been following the news recently, you could point to the failure of the leadership at Willow Creek or the recent reports of the clergy abuse court findings in Pennsylvania.  

Those circumstances are formative and powerful.  “Detrimental” might be a better word to describe them.  What’s obvious in those situations is that the abuse that the survivors overome is terrible.  What’s not always obvious is what survivors should do with their positive religious experiences that happened in those places of abuse.  

What does it mean about my relationship with God when I seemed to experience God in the place of my terrible past? Was that real? Was I fooled into thinking God did something in my life? Did the bad things that happened negate the good?  

A version of this discussion has been hanging around the church for a long time.  In 311 Caecelian, the then new Bishop of Carthage in North Africa, was consecrated by Felix of Aptungi, an alleged traitor. Felix apostatized, but then he repented and was restored. The opponents of Felix, those who didn’t apostatize and remained true to the faith, were mad. So they thought that Caecelian couldn’t rightly administer the sacraments because his consecration had been done a by a tainted figure. It was no good. Caecelian was then no good either.  So the opponents decided they were going to refuse the sacraments of priests or bishops who were, in their minds, traitors. They set up their own priest, Majorinus, who was quickly replaced by Donatus.

If you look in your Christian history books, you’ll find the heresy of Donatism. But it’s not really a heresy, it’s a schism. In fact Augustine pointed out that Donatists didn’t believe anything heretical. But there was the issue about the experiences of those individuals who had followed the leadership of the traitors. Were their religious experiences invalid? The church answered no, they were not invalid. What came out of this is a doctrine called ex opera operato. It’s Latin and means “from the work carried out.” The application was this: the sin of the presiding priest or bishop couldn’t negate the work of God in the life of the recipients. It was the faith of the participant that appropriated the work of God, not the failing faith of the priest.  

I thought this was an encouraging word for us. Paul tells us that we are all sinners and fall short of the glory of God. Even the best of us.  Even Mother Teresa. But our sin and the sin of leadership can’t hinder the goodness of God. And the sin of leadership can’t nullify the power and work of God in our lives. So if you’ve ever been hurt by a religious figure, if you’ve ever been hurt by me, then know that my mistakes can’t keep God from moving in your life. So let us move forward in the power of the resurrection.  

Random Pic To Generate Clickbait Traffic

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Parishioner of the Week

Van Davis for the electric bingo games she led us in at the Fiesta extravaganza.   

Satan Slayers Softball

After a two year hiatus the Satan Slayers, UBC Co-Ed slow pitch softball team, is back in business. The Satan Slayers have a history of excellence (and a lot of losing seasons), but I cannot wait for us to forge a new legacy. We have a few spots left on the team, but we are especially looking for some females to slay with us. The season starts the week of September 17, and anyone over 18 can play. The cost will be $30 a player. Email Dilan@ubcwaco.org if you are interested.

Sunday School returns September 9th

Cheers: The SS class where everybody knows your name
Led by Jeff Walter and Adam Winn

This class will be a place to grow in our relationships with God and with each other.  Each week this semester we’ll studying from the book of Galatians, and throughout the semester we’ll have opportunities to eat together, hang out, and get to know each other.  Whether you're new to ubc and looking to plug in, or if you’ve been around a while, you’re welcome to join us.  Cheers!

Attention Collection
Led by Jameson McGregor and Kerri Fisher

We all have a collection we've been curating since we were born.  It is composed of all the things that have challenged and formed us more fully into who we are--that have shaped what we think about ourselves and our neighbor; about God and the cosmos.  It is made up of movies, songs, books, places, memories....you get the idea.  Collections like this do their job best when we take the time to notice them, and perhaps to share them with one another.  So this class is going to be about that.  About sharing parts of ourselves with one another by sharing things have that been meaningful to us.  And in our sharing, we hope to come to know ourselves, our neighbors, and our God more fully.

Work is Worship

Greeters:  Walters

Coffee Makers: Toph & Emmy 

Mug Cleaners:  UBC Youth 

Money Counter:  

Welcome Station: Broadduses 

Announcements

  • Sermon Text:  Mark 7ish 
  • Sunday School Begins again on September 9th
  • 9-6 Mens and Womens College Groups Begin 
  • 9-14 Parents Night Out 
  • 9-16 Mi Casa's begin 
  • 9-16 Children Worker Teacher Training 
  • 9-19 Faith & Family Session 1 
  • 9-21 Youth Game Night w/ parents (5-6)
  • 9-23 nUBC'ers Luncheon
  • 9-28 Backside 
  • 9-30 OOTP Taco Fund Raiser After Church
  • 10-4 College Womens/Mens Group Skate Night
  • 10-18/21 Junior & Senior Fall Retreat 
  • 10-19 Youth Lock In (5-6)
  • 10-26/27 Stay in Retreat for youth (7-12)
  • 10-27 Womens college group service project 
  • 10-31 OOTP Halloween Party 
  • 11-9 Youth Boys and Girls Night (7-12) 
  • 11-18 Youth Sunday 
  • 11-4 Bring Parents to Church Day 
  • 12/5 Pre-Pancake Party Mens and Womens college group 
  • 12-9 Last Sunday of the fall semester/Christmas Youth (5-6)
  • 12-12 Last Wednesday of fall semester/Christmas party Youth (7-12)

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- Adam Winn:  adamwinn68@yahoo.com

Byron Griffin: byrontgriffin@gmail.com

Kerri Fisher: Kerri_Fisher@baylor.edu

Emma Wood: emma.wood@yahoo.com

Bridget Heins: bheins@hot.rr.com

Jeremy Nance: Jeremy Nance <Jeremy.J.Nance@L3T.com>

Joanna Sowards: jo.sowards@gmail.com

Student Position: Samuel Moore: samuel_moore2@baylor.edu

Student Position: Leah Reed: Leah_Reed@baylor.edu

UBC Finance Team

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

JD Newman: JD_Newman@baylor.edu 

Hannah Kuhl: HannahKuhl@hotmail.com  

Justin Pond: pondjw@gmail.com

Doug McNamee: douglas.mcnamee@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.

Josh Blake: joshnblake@gmail.com

Ross Van Dyke: Ross_Vandyke@baylor.edu

Jared Gould: jared.gould1@gmail.com

Rebekah Powell: rpowell671@gmail.com

Kristen Richardson: wacorichardsons@gmail.com

Liturgy 8-26-2018

This blog is a record of the call to worship, Scripture readings, and prayers from our Sunday liturgies.  If you are interested in writing something for the liturgy, or if you have a concern about any aspect of our liturgy, please email jamie@ubcwaco.org.

Call to Worship

we have gathered to worship the One who is near to the brokenhearted,

the One who saves those whose spirits are crushed

to enter into the story of God

and find our own stories changed

to be formed more fully by the Spirit of God into the way of Christ

that we might carry the love of God within us
and learn to live as citizens of the Kingdom of God

Amen

Scripture

Jeremiah 29:1-8

These are the words of the letter that the prophet Jeremiah sent from Jerusalem to the remaining elders among the exiles, and to the priests, the prophets, and all the people, whom Nebuchadnezzar had taken into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon.

This was after King Jeconiah, and the queen mother, the court officials, the leaders of Judah and Jerusalem, the artisans, and the smiths had departed from Jerusalem. The letter was sent by the hand of Elasah son of Shaphan and Gemariah son of Hilkiah, whom King Zedekiah of Judah sent to Babylon to King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon.

It said: Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, to all the exiles whom I have sent into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon: Build houses and live in them; plant gardens and eat what they produce. Take wives and have sons and daughters; take wives for your sons, and give your daughters in marriage, that they may bear sons and daughters; multiply there, and do not decrease.

But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare. For thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: Do not let the prophets and the diviners who are among you deceive you, and do not listen to the dreams that they dream

Ephesians 6:10-20

Be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his power. Put on the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For our struggle is not against enemies of blood and flesh, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.

Therefore take up the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to withstand on that evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. Stand therefore, and fasten the belt of truth around your waist, and put on the breastplate of righteousness. As shoes for your feet put on whatever will make you ready to proclaim the gospel of peace.

With all of these, take the shield of faith, with which you will be able to quench all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

Pray in the Spirit at all times in every prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert and always persevere in supplication for all the saints. Pray also for me, so that when I speak, a message may be given to me to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it boldly, as I must speak.

Prayer

This week's prayer was written by Brianna Childs:

A Prayer for Transition

Our good and gracious God,

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

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

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

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

In times when we fail, please give us mercy.

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

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

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

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

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

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

In times when we Your plans come together perfectly, please receive every ounce of glory.

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

In times when we follow You blindly, please be the lamp to our feet and the light to our path. 

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

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

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

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

Amen.

Setlist 8-26-2018

Yesterday was the fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost.  Our songs were gathered with this in mind.  Below, you’ll find the list of the songs and artists. Clicking the song titles will take you to the lyrics.  Below the songs, you can find a brief example of one way you might think of these songs. If you want to talk about any of these, feel free to comment at the bottom of this page or email me at jamie@ubcwaco.org.

Songs:

Heart Won't Stop by John Mark and Sarah McMillan

Be Thou My Vision

Rise Up by Bifrost Arts

Anthem by Leonard Cohen

How Great Thou Art

Doxology

How They Fit In:

There are many ways to think about the significance of songs and the way they fit together–-this is simply one way you can look at these songs in light of this week’s theme. 

Heart Won't Stop: We sang this song to begin our time together by directing our attention to God's incessant pursuit of the redemption of God's creatures.

Be Thou My Vision: This song is a petition for God to reframe our sense of vision, wisdom, security, and hope; to give us an overall different lens through which to view the world and our place in it.

Rise Up: This song is a prayer for the trampled of the world, that God would rise to their defense and strike down the systems that attack them, and implicitly that God would form us into people who rise to their defense as well.

Anthem: This is a song about the Light of God entering our world through broken places, and offers us a different way to see ourselves in this broken world.

How Great Thou Art: We sang this song to look over our shoulder at last week's songs.  This is what we said about How Great Thou Art then: We sang this song to begin our time together by acknowledging the glory of God in creation, what God has done in Christ, and the ongoing redemption of all creation.

Doxology: We close our time together each week with this proclamation that God is worthy of praise from every inch of the cosmos. 

-JM

ITLOTC 8-24-18

ITLOTC

(In The Life Of The Church) 

Does Kiki really love UBC? - come to the fiesta to find out

Pentecost

Fall 2018 - Community

At UBC we take the phrase "mi casa es su casa" seriously. We know one of the best ways to develop meaningful connections is through small groups.  Below you will find the groups/retreats we have for this semester.

From Mi Casas to Ladies’ Nights to Pub Group, as well as smaller discipleship groups, Bible Studies and Book Studies, we seek to create several spaces for you to sit next to and across from other UBC’ers in an environment that encourages authenticity, openness and growth. These groups change from semester to semester, and some of them have limited space available based on size constraints for healthy small groups. For more information please email toph@ubcwaco.org

This Sunday after church, and on Sunday September 9th, you will have an opportunity to learn more about these groups and sign-up.  After the service, while folks are setting up for our Fiesta, we will have the leaders/organizers of these groups in different rooms of the church.  These leaders/organizers will head straight to the room(s) after church, and hang around for about 20-30 minutes.  You will have time to go to multiple rooms, so feel free to sign-up for more than one.  You can sign-up anytime through the semester, so don't worry if you don't get a chance on Sunday.  Here are where the groups will meet for the sign-ups:

MiCasa's and Fall Retreat and Cuba Mission Trip - Youth Room
College Men's and Women's Groups - Piano Room
Women's Bible Study and UBCYP - Blue Room
Middle Ages - Children's Check-in area

MiCasa's

Small groups the meet once a week at someones house to practice discipleship and share life together. Each MiCasa takes on a life of its own.   Micasa's meet on S,M,T,W, and Th nights.  If you have any questions, email toph@ubcwaco.org    *Micasa's begin 9/16

Sunday School

If your weeknights are crowded and crazy, find community in a Sunday School classes.  Class topics change each semester and are open to anyone who wants to attend.  If you have any questions, email jamie@ubcwaco.org.    *SS starts 9/9

College Women's Group

This group meets weekly, on Thursday night at 7pm, to study the Bible, following along with the lectionary as read and preached in UBC's Sunday services. This group is a safe space to ask questions about who God is, what the Bible says, and how we as young women interact with the the text itself and with one another as a result of the text.  If you have any questions, email emmy@ubcwaco.org.     *starts 9/6

College Men's Group

Gentleman, if you are guy in college, this group is for you.  This group, which meets on Thursdays at 6:30pm, is designed for you to build intentional community within the larger community of UBC.  If you have any questions, email shane_ward@baylor.edu    *starts 9/6

Pub Group

If you enjoy beer, talking current events or discussing theology then this is the group for you. Join us at 5:30 on Wednesday evenings at the Dancing Bear Pub. 21 and up, please.  If you have any questions, email Jamie@ubcwaco.org

Women's Book Study

Ladies! This weekly bible study meets in the evenings and is centered around fellowship, discipleship and a book study. This bible study, which meets Mondays at 8pm, is for any women who are out college.  If you have any questions, email taylor@ubcwaco.org    *starts 9/10

UBCYP

This is a group for "young" "professionals." [Or, that vague category of people who have graduated college and are now working, in grad school, wondering if they should have gone to college in the first place, etc.]  We get together 2 or 3 times a semester to hang out.  If you have any questions, email Jamie@ubcwaco.org 

Middle Ages

Do you fancy yourself as an adult?  If so, join this group for lunch after church once a month.  It's guaranteed to be a swell time.  If you have any questions, email Jeff_Walter@baylor.edu 

Fall Retreat (College Juniors/Seniors)

The retreat will be October 18-21, at at beach house in Jamaica Beach.  This is a great time to meet other students, learn/discuss how to engage the world "post-college," and relax for the weekend.  The cost will be $40, and includes meals, t-shirt, and lodging.  If you have any questions email toph@ubcwaco.org 

Random Pic To Generate Clickbait Traffic

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Cuba Partnership Trip - November 10-17

UBC has initiated a new partnership with the Fraternity of Baptist Churches in Cuba (FIBAC).  Our first engagement with the fraternity will be this November.  We will be participating in a theological summit, as well as doing some work around their retreat center.  The cost of the trip is roughly a $1000.  If you are interested, please see Toph after church this Sunday, or email toph@ubcwaco.org if you have any questions.

UBC Fiesta!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This Sunday, 8/26, after church.....we are going to PARTY!!!  UBC will be provide the food, drink, and fun!  We will be catering mexican food from the best place in town, we will have door prizes, and we will have a few surprises you will want to see to believe!  Plan to stay after church this week, lunch is on us.  All indications are, this will be the party of the year; we will kindly know if kiki really loves UBC.

Mug and Coffee Help

UBC champions.  As you know, each week when you come in you are greeted by good looking pastors and should you so choose, a warm cup of joe that is likely poured into a stylish mug.  The hard truth is, that coffee doesn't make itself and those mugs don't clean themselves.  That my friends, is done by some #champions4thelord.  It just so happens that a lot of my mug washers and coffee makers have graduated and gone on to do smaller things.  So I'm looking for some replacements.  If you would consider serving in this ministry, please email josh@ubcwaco.org.  

Sunday School returns September 9th

Cheers: The SS class where everybody knows your name
Led by Jeff Walter and Adam Winn

This class will be a place to grow in our relationships with God and with each other.  Each week this semester we’ll studying from the book of Galatians, and throughout the semester we’ll have opportunities to eat together, hang out, and get to know each other.  Whether you're new to ubc and looking to plug in, or if you’ve been around a while, you’re welcome to join us.  Cheers!

Attention Collection
Led by Jameson McGregor and Kerri Fisher

We all have a collection we've been curating since we were born.  It is composed of all the things that have challenged and formed us more fully into who we are--that have shaped what we think about ourselves and our neighbor; about God and the cosmos.  It is made up of movies, songs, books, places, memories....you get the idea.  Collections like this do their job best when we take the time to notice them, and perhaps to share them with one another.  So this class is going to be about that.  About sharing parts of ourselves with one another by sharing things have that been meaningful to us.  And in our sharing, we hope to come to know ourselves, our neighbors, and our God more fully.

Work is Worship

Greeters:  Blaylocks 

Coffee Makers: Winns

Mug Cleaners:  Titterington 

Money Counter:  JD Newman 

Welcome Station: Carlsons

Announcements

  • Sermon Text:  Jeremiah 29:1-9 "God in Exile"
  • Sunday School Begins again on September 9th
  • 9-6 Mens and Womens College Groups Begin 
  • 9-14 Parents Night Out 
  • 9-16 Mi Casa's begin 
  • 9-16 Children Worker Teacher Training 
  • 9-19 Faith & Family Session 1 
  • 9-21 Youth Game Night w/ parents (5-6)
  • 9-23 nUBC'ers Luncheon
  • 9-28 Backside 
  • 9-30 OOTP Taco Fund Raiser After Church
  • 10-4 College Womens/Mens Group Skate Night
  • 10-18/21 Junior & Senior Fall Retreat 
  • 10-19 Youth Lock In (5-6)
  • 10-26/27 Stay in Retreat for youth (7-12)
  • 10-27 Womens college group service project 
  • 10-31 OOTP Halloween Party 
  • 11-9 Youth Boys and Girls Night (7-12) 
  • 11-18 Youth Sunday 
  • 11-4 Bring Parents to Church Day 
  • 12/5 Pre-Pancake Party Mens and Womens college group 
  • 12-9 Last Sunday of the fall semester/Christmas Youth (5-6)
  • 12-12 Last Wednesday of fall semester/Christmas party Youth (7-12)

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- Adam Winn:  adamwinn68@yahoo.com

Byron Griffin: byrontgriffin@gmail.com

Kerri Fisher: Kerri_Fisher@baylor.edu

Emma Wood: emma.wood@yahoo.com

Bridget Heins: bheins@hot.rr.com

Jeremy Nance: Jeremy Nance <Jeremy.J.Nance@L3T.com>

Joanna Sowards: jo.sowards@gmail.com

Student Position: Samuel Moore: samuel_moore2@baylor.edu

Student Position: Leah Reed: Leah_Reed@baylor.edu

UBC Finance Team

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

JD Newman: JD_Newman@baylor.edu 

Hannah Kuhl: HannahKuhl@hotmail.com  

Justin Pond: pondjw@gmail.com

Doug McNamee: douglas.mcnamee@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.

Josh Blake: joshnblake@gmail.com

Ross Van Dyke: Ross_Vandyke@baylor.edu

Jared Gould: jared.gould1@gmail.com

Rebekah Powell: rpowell671@gmail.com

Kristen Richardson: wacorichardsons@gmail.com

Liturgy 8-19-2018

This blog is a record of the call to worship, Scripture readings, and prayers from our Sunday liturgies.  If you are interested in writing something for the liturgy, or if you have a concern about any aspect of our liturgy, please email jamie@ubcwaco.org.

Call to Worship

we have gathered to worship the Living God

to direct our attention to the One in whom we live
and move and have our being

to step into God’s story

and find our own stories reimagined

and to seek the Spirit of God

to form us in the way of Christ
and awaken us to the Kingdom of God in our midst

Amen.

Scripture

Exodus 12:1-4, 5-10, 11-14

The Lord said to Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt: This month shall mark for you the beginning of months; it shall be the first month of the year for you. Tell the whole congregation of Israel that on the tenth of this month they are to take a lamb for each family, a lamb for each household. If a household is too small for a whole lamb, it shall join its closest neighbor in obtaining one; the lamb shall be divided in proportion to the number of people who eat of it.

Your lamb shall be without blemish, a year-old male; you may take it from the sheep or from the goats. You shall keep it until the fourteenth day of this month; then the whole assembled congregation of Israel shall slaughter it at twilight.

They shall take some of the blood and put it on the two doorposts and the lintel of the houses in which they eat it. They shall eat the lamb that same night; they shall eat it roasted over the fire with unleavened bread and bitter herbs. Do not eat any of it raw or boiled in water, but roasted over the fire, with its head, legs, and inner organs. You shall let none of it remain until the morning; anything that remains until the morning you shall burn.

This is how you shall eat it: your loins girded, your sandals on your feet, and your staff in your hand; and you shall eat it hurriedly. It is the passover of the Lord. For I will pass through the land of Egypt that night, and I will strike down every firstborn in the land of Egypt, both human beings and animals; on all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgments: I am the Lord. The blood shall be a sign for you on the houses where you live: when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and no plague shall destroy you when I strike the land of Egypt.

This day shall be a day of remembrance for you. You shall celebrate it as a festival to the Lord; throughout your generations you shall observe it as a perpetual ordinance.

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.”

Prayer

This week's prayer was for teachers and students as they enter another year of education, and it was written by Allison Figley:

Father,

A prayer for education in the current broken state of society seems an overwhelming task. The statistics that label schools as a direct pipeline to prisons are simultaneously undeniable and heartbreaking. Students who are homeless, hungry, abused, or parentless enter classrooms seeking respite from the hand they have been dealt, and we expect them to focus on such seemingly trivial matters as grammar, algebra, and standardized tests. For teachers, administrators, counselors, parents, and students alike, the reality is daunting and seemingly insurmountable. It is unfortunately no surprise that over 1.2 million high school students drop out each year in the US alone, equating to 1 student every 26 seconds.

However discouraging the statistics may be, Lord, help those of us who serve as educators to remember 2 Corinthians 4:16-18:

16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 17 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

On those days that that “one kid” in our class is disruptive and refuses to participate, remind us that the same student might not know where he is sleeping that night, and give us patience and gentleness.

When a student talks back and is sent to the office on a daily basis, remind us of the student from the past just like her who apologized three years later for the way she behaved, and give us peace and understanding.

When the student who struggles daily but works so hard finally experiences a “light bulb” moment, give us the sense of mind to celebrate with him in the moment, sharing our joy with love and kindness rather than quickly moving on for lack of time.

As Galatians 6:9 charges us,

9 Let us not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.

Father, we pray that all who have been called to the mission of education, no matter their title, would remember these words. Though we may not always glimpse the harvest from the seeds we have sown in the moment, the blessing will come if we don’t give up and do everything in love as 1st Corinthians 16:14 implores us. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.

As a church, Father, remind us to pray often for both educators and students, to build them up and encourage them on their respective journeys. And as a new school year begins, let us all remember what Nelson Mandela claimed: “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” In a world that needs a drastic change for the better, we as educators pray for the courage, faith, hope, and love to be the catalyst for this change. To be the light in the darkness that so many students desperately seek. And we pray, as in Ephesians 3:16-19, “...that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being,  so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.”

We love you, Lord, and praise you for the gift and privilege of education. May we all be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God both this school year and always.

In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.

 

Setlist 8-19-2018

Yesterday was the thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost.  Our songs were gathered with this in mind.  Below, you’ll find the list of the songs and artists. Clicking the song titles will take you to the lyrics.  Below the songs, you can find a brief example of one way you might think of these songs. If you want to talk about any of these, feel free to comment at the bottom of this page or email me at jamie@ubcwaco.org.

Songs:

How Great Thou Art

All Creatures of Our God and King by David Crowder* Band

Amazing Grace by Citizens

Inbreaking by Jameson McGregor

Wayward Ones by The Gladsome Light

Doxology

How They Fit In:

There are many ways to think about the significance of songs and the way they fit together–-this is simply one way you can look at these songs in light of this week’s theme. 

How Great Thou Art: We sang this song to begin our time together by acknowledging the glory of God in creation, what God has done in Christ, and the ongoing redemption of all creation.

All Creatures of Our God and King: We sang this song to look over our shoulder at last week's songs.  This is what we said about All Creatures of Our God and King then: We sang this song to join our voices with the whole of creation acknowledging the grandeur of what God has made.

Amazing Grace: This song offers us language to express the work of God's grace in our lives, and challenges us to be present to the ongoing work of God in who we are becoming.

Inbreaking: This song is a plea for God to break into the chaos of our lives and raise up the Kingdom in our midst.

Wayward Ones: This song invites us to remember the self-giving love of Christ as we participate in communion.

Doxology: We close our time together each week with this proclamation that God is worthy of praise from every inch of the cosmos. 

-JM

ITLOTC 8-17-18

ITLOTC

(In The Life Of The Church) 

Pentecost

The Psalm for this week in the Lectionary is Psalm 111. It reads as following: 

1 Praise the Lord.

I will extol the Lord with all my heart
    in the council of the upright and in the assembly.

2 Great are the works of the Lord;
    they are pondered by all who delight in them.
3 Glorious and majestic are his deeds,
    and his righteousness endures forever.
4 He has caused his wonders to be remembered;
    the Lord is gracious and compassionate.
5 He provides food for those who fear him;
    he remembers his covenant forever.

6 He has shown his people the power of his works,
    giving them the lands of other nations.
7 The works of his hands are faithful and just;
    all his precepts are trustworthy.
8 They are established for ever and ever,
    enacted in faithfulness and uprightness.
9 He provided redemption for his people;
    he ordained his covenant forever—
    holy and awesome is his name.

10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom;
    all who follow his precepts have good understanding.
    To him belongs eternal praise.

 

I love the Psalms, in part, because their language about God is so comforting. Great are the works of the Lord. Glorious and majestic are God’s deeds. God’s righteousness endures forever. The Lord is gracious and compassionate. The works of God’s hands are faithful and just and God’s precepts are trustworthy. God provides redemption for his people. Holy and awesome is God’s name. To God belongs eternal praise. These are words that give me comfort – they strengthen me on days when I cannot find my own resolve. They remind me that God is bigger and better than I can ever understand.

But I was struck this week by v.5 - particularly the beginning. “He provides food for those who fear Him.” And as I thought about why it stuck out to me I realized because I could think of story after story after story of people who loved God, who had made the fear of the Lord the path of their life – and who still could give voice to the fact that on more than one occasion they had not been provided the food that they needed.

I thought of friends I knew growing up who sometimes didn’t know where their next meal was going to come from. I thought of my fellow seminary students during my time at Truett – and grad students in general – showing up to every situation where free food was offered. I thought about the new friends I’d made in Cuba – some of whom could recall times when food was scarce in the whole country. There just wasn’t enough to go around. And it just seemed to me that sometimes – that’s not true. That there isn’t food – even for those who fear the Lord.

But then I remembered one of my favorite stories from Parker Palmer. About a miracle he experienced once on a plane ride from Saskatoon to Detroit. The story goes like this:

 

After a speech in Saskatoon, I boarded a 6 a.m. Air Canada flight home to Wisconsin. Our departure was delayed because the truck that brings coffee to the planes had broken down. After a while the pilot said, “We’re going to take off without the coffee. We want to get you to Detroit on time.”I was up front where all the “road warriors” sit — a surly tribe, especially at that early hour. They began griping, loudly and at length, about “incompetence,” “lousy service,” etc.

Once we got into the air, the lead flight attendant came to the center of the aisle with her mike and said, “Good morning! We’re flying to Minneapolis today at an altitude of 30 feet…”That, of course, evoked more scorn from the road warriors.Then she said, “Now that I have your attention… I know you’re upset about the coffee. Well, get over it! Start sharing stuff with your seatmates. That bag of five peanuts you got on your last flight and put in your pocket? Tear it open and pass them around! Got gum or mints? Share them! You can’t read all the sections of your paper at once. Offer them to each other! Show off the pictures of kids and grandkids you have in your wallets!”As she went on in that vein, people began laughing and doing what she had told them to do. A surly scene turned into summer camp!

An hour later, as the attendant passed by my seat, I signaled to her. “What you did was really amazing,” I said. “Where can I send a letter of commendation?”“Thanks,” she said, “I’ll get you a form.” Then she leaned down and whispered, “The loaves and fishes are not dead.”

-Parker Palmer

 

And so I was reminded by Palmer of the miracle of the Feeding of the Five Thousand. And about how when Jesus said, “Feed these people.” the disciples looked at each other and then they looked at Jesus (and then back at each other – in my imagination at least) and said, “We’ve got nothing.” And Jesus said, “Well let’s give it all we got.” 

And I found myself again strangely comforted by the Psalms (and, as always - by the Gospel). By the idea that maybe we are the miracle. That maybe (definitely) the way that God provides food for those who fear him is through us. I found myself encouraged by the disciples (as bumbling as they can be) and their willingness to admit that they did not have enough – their meager offerings would not fix the problem at hand. Because it is precisely in our weakness that we lean on God’s strength. It is only when we come to end of ourselves that we can be sure that we are relying on God.

            And so I hope moving forward that my question will no longer be, “God – why do these people not have food?” but rather, “God – how have we failed to provide for these brothers and sisters? Please show me what I can do better.”

If this is something you’re also learning to pray – I’d love to talk to you about it. And as always if you want to talk about any of this, feel free to email me at taylor@ubcwaco.org.

Kindergarten Commissioning

We will be commissioning our kindergartners this Sunday so please be in prayer for them as they enter our liturgy in a meaningful way this weekend. 

UBC Fiesta

Next week, 8/26, after church.....we are going to PARTY!!!  UBC will be provide the food, drink, and fun!  We will be catering mexican food from the best place in town, we will have door prizes, and we will have a few surprises you will want to see to believe!  Plan to stay after church next week, lunch is on us.

Cuba Partnership

We will be taking our first trip to Cuba, the week of November 11th.  This trip is open to all ages, and we will have a special opportunity for seminary students.  There will be an interest meeting after church on the 19th, in the Piano Room. If you have any questions, please email toph@ubcwaco.org

Meet Our Newest UBCer

Name: Theophilus Lee

image1.jpeg

 

Birthday: July 12, 2018

Birth Weight: 7lb 6oz

Birth Height: 19 inches 

Enneagram Number: 7

ubc[care] survey

For most of this year, we’ve been reckoning with the fact that we’re not great at connecting with one another—that while we might all feel like we belong in this community called ubc, there’s a general sense of disconnection or loneliness among us.  Taylor and Jamie have been working with a group of ubcers to talk through some potential remedies for this.  While we have been working directly with these 8 conversations partners for the sake of having a small enough group for productive conversation, we are very interested in having as many of your voices in the mix as possible as we move forward. We’ve been using a set of questions in an effort to trace the edges of this problem, and we’ve put them in a survey form that you can fill out.  Your feedback, along with the feedback we’ve already received from our conversation partners, will form the foundation of our discussions moving forward, so we’d love if you would take a moment to fill it out.  You can find it at ubcwaco.org/care.  If you have any follow up questions, feel free to email jamie@ubcwaco.org or taylor@ubcwaco.org.

Mug and Coffee Help

UBC champions.  As you know, each week when you come in you are greeted by good looking pastors and should you so choose, a warm cup of joe that is likely poured into a stylish mug.  The hard truth is, that coffee doesn't make itself and those mugs don't clean themselves.  That my friends, is done by some #champions4thelord.  It just so happens that a lot of my mug washers and coffee makers have graduated and gone on to do smaller things.  So I'm looking for some replacements.  If you would consider serving in this ministry, please email josh@ubcwaco.org.  

Parishioner of the Week

 

Random Pic To Generate Clickbait Traffic

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Work is Worship

Greeters:  Richardsons 

Coffee Makers: Nances 

Mug Cleaners:  Carron 

Money Counter:  Kuhl 

Welcome Station: Carlson 

Announcements

  • Sermon Text:  
  • Sunday School Begins again on September 9th

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- Emma Wood:  emmaj.wood@yahoo.com

Byron Griffin: byrontgriffin@gmail.com

Kerri Fisher: Kerri_Fisher@baylor.edu

Adam Winn:  adamwinn68@yahoo.com

Bridget Heins: bheins@hot.rr.com

Jeremy Nance: Jeremy Nance <Jeremy.J.Nance@L3T.com>

Joanna Sowards: jo.sowards@gmail.com

Student Position: Samuel Moore: samuel_moore2@baylor.edu

Student Position: Leah Reed: Leah_Reed@baylor.edu

UBC Finance Team

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

JD Newman: JD_Newman@baylor.edu 

Hannah Kuhl: HannahKuhl@hotmail.com  

Justin Pond: pondjw@gmail.com

Anna Tilson: Anna_Tilson@jrbt.com

Doug McNamee: douglas.mcnamee@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.

Rob Engblom: Rob_Engblom@baylor.edu

Ross Van Dyke: Ross_Vandyke@baylor.edu

Jared Gould: jared.gould1@gmail.com

Rebekah Powell: rpowell671@gmail.com

Kristen Richardson: wacorichardsons@gmail.com

 

Liturgy 8-12-2018

This blog is a record of the call to worship, Scripture readings, and prayers from our Sunday liturgies.  If you are interested in writing something for the liturgy, or if you have a concern about any aspect of our liturgy, please email jamie@ubcwaco.org.

Call to Worship

we have gathered to worship the One who is the Resurrection
and the Life

to direct our attention toward the Living God

to enter into the story of God
and the people of God

to find our own stories challenged
and our imaginations transformed

that we might come awake to the Spirit of God in our midst

and carry the Kingdom of God in our hearts.

Amen.

Scripture

Ecclesiastes 3:1-15

For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven:

a time to be born, and a time to die;
a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted;
a time to kill, and a time to heal;
a time to break down, and a time to build up;
a time to weep, and a time to laugh;
a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
a time to throw away stones, and a time to gather stones together;
a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
a time to seek, and a time to lose;
a time to keep, and a time to throw away;
a time to tear, and a time to sew;
a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
a time to love, and a time to hate;
a time for war, and a time for peace.

What gain have the workers from their toil? I have seen the business that God has given to everyone to be busy with. He has made everything suitable for its time; moreover he has put a sense of past and future into their minds, yet they cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end. 

I know that there is nothing better for them than to be happy and enjoy themselves as long as they live; moreover, it is God’s gift that all should eat and drink and take pleasure in all their toil. 

I know that whatever God does endures forever; nothing can be added to it, nor anything taken from it; God has done this, so that all should stand in awe before him. That which is, already has been; that which is to be, already is; and God seeks out what has gone by.

Ephesians 4:25-5:2

Putting away falsehood, let all of us speak the truth to our neighbors, for we are members of one another. Be angry but do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and do not make room for the devil. 

Thieves must give up stealing; rather let them labor and work honestly with their own hands, so as to have something to share with the needy. 

Let no evil talk come out of your mouths, but only what is useful for building up, as there is need, so that your words may give grace to those who hear. 

And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with which you were marked with a seal for the day of redemption. 

Put away from you all bitterness and wrath and anger and wrangling and slander, together with all malice, and be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ has forgiven you. 

Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children, and live in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

 

Prayer

This week's prayer was from Gunilla Norris:

Dear Companion of my day,

You are the Holy Mystery I surrender to
when I close my eyes. I give You myself,
the flaws, the mistakes, the petty
self-congratulations. I give You my dear ones
my fondest hopes for them, my worries,
and my dark thoughts regarding them.
Take my well-constructed separation from me,
Hold me in your truth.

This day is already past. I surrender it.
When I think about tomorrow, I surrender it too.
Keep me this night. With You
and in You I can trust not knowing anything.
I can trust incompleteness as a way.
Dark with the darkness, silent with the silence,
help me dare to be that empty one -- futureless,
desireless -- who breathes Your name even in sleep.

 

Setlist 8-12-2018

Yesterday was the twelfth Sunday after Pentecost.  Our songs were gathered with this in mind.  Below, you’ll find the list of the songs and artists. Clicking the song titles will take you to the lyrics.  Below the songs, you can find a brief example of one way you might think of these songs. If you want to talk about any of these, feel free to comment at the bottom of this page or email me at jamie@ubcwaco.org.

Songs:

Mystery by ubcmusic (adapted from Charlie Hall)

All Creatures of Our God and King by David Crowder* Band

Pulse by Jameson McGregor

O Love That Will Not Let Me Go by ubcmusic (adapted from Ascend the Hill)

Waking Life by Jameson McGregor

Noise by Jameson McGregor

Doxology

How They Fit In:

There are many ways to think about the significance of songs and the way they fit together–-this is simply one way you can look at these songs in light of this week’s theme. 

Mystery: We sang this song to begin our time together proclaiming the death and Resurrection of Jesus, clinging to the sanity and victory of Jesus over the powers and principalities of the world.

All Creatures of Our God and King: We sang this song to join our voices with the whole of creation acknowledging the grandeur of what God has made.

Pulse: We sang this song to petition the Spirit of God to reawaken us to our interconnectivity with all of God's creation.

O Love That Will Not Let Me Go: This song is a plea for God to hold us in the midst of struggle, while also confessing our hope that the love of God has a grip that not even death can break.

Waking Life: This song is about God breaking through the categories that we construct to organize people we perceive to be different from us, replacing our need to fight with a desire to reconcile.

Noise: We sang this song to look over our shoulder at last week's songs.  This is what we said about Noise then: This song acknowledges the wide gap between what it is to be God and what it is to be us, and proclaims that in spite of this gap, God has moved toward us.

Doxology: We close our time together each week with this proclamation that God is worthy of praise from every inch of the cosmos. 

-JM

ITLOTC 8-10-12

ITLOTC

(In The Life Of The Church) 

Pentecost

What's It Like To Be You (Adair McGregor) 

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After Church Picnic 

This Sunday, after church, we are going to have a picnic.  We are going to picnic inside, so as soon as the service is over, go grab your lunch and bring it back.  UBC will have drinks, games, and a summer classic movie.  This is a great time to get to know our community, and relax before the school year begins.  If you have any questions, please email toph@ubcwaco.org

ubc[care] survey

For most of this year, we’ve been reckoning with the fact that we’re not great at connecting with one another—that while we might all feel like we belong in this community called ubc, there’s a general sense of disconnection or loneliness among us.  Taylor and Jamie have been working with a group of ubcers to talk through some potential remedies for this.  While we have been working directly with these 8 conversations partners for the sake of having a small enough group for productive conversation, we are very interested in having as many of your voices in the mix as possible as we move forward. We’ve been using a set of questions in an effort to trace the edges of this problem, and we’ve put them in a survey form that you can fill out.  Your feedback, along with the feedback we’ve already received from our conversation partners, will form the foundation of our discussions moving forward, so we’d love if you would take a moment to fill it out.  You can find it at ubcwaco.org/care.  If you have any follow up questions, feel free to email jamie@ubcwaco.org or taylor@ubcwaco.org.

 

Cuba Partnership

We will be taking our first trip to Cuba, the week of November 11th.  This trip is open to all ages, but will have a special opportunity for seminary students.  There will be an interest meeting after church on the 19th, in the Piano Room. If you have any questions, please email toph@ubcwaco.org

Meet Our Newest UBCer

Palmer Quinn Sandvall

Palmer.JPG


Birthday: July 2, 2018
Birth Weight: 8 lbs 10 oz
Birth Height: 21 in

Enneagram Number: 7

Parishioner of the Week

Kelly Tetens and Paul Fillmore for being the parent chaperones on our recent Passport Camper trip. 

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Random Pic To Generate Clickbait Traffic

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Work is Worship

Greeters:  Ricky and Rose 

Coffee Makers: Nances 

Mug Cleaners:  Carron 

Money Counter:  Kuhl 

Welcome Station: Carlson 

Announcements

  • Sermon Text:  Ephesians 4:25-5:2
  • 8-19 Kindergarten Commission 
  • 8-26 Welcome Back Fiesta Lunch 

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- Emma Wood:  emmaj.wood@yahoo.com

Byron Griffin: byrontgriffin@gmail.com

Kerri Fisher: Kerri_Fisher@baylor.edu

Adam Winn:  adamwinn68@yahoo.com

Bridget Heins: bheins@hot.rr.com

Jeremy Nance: Jeremy Nance <Jeremy.J.Nance@L3T.com>

Joanna Sowards: jo.sowards@gmail.com

Student Position: Samuel Moore: samuel_moore2@baylor.edu

Student Position: Leah Reed: Leah_Reed@baylor.edu

UBC Finance Team

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

JD Newman: JD_Newman@baylor.edu 

Hannah Kuhl: HannahKuhl@hotmail.com  

Justin Pond: pondjw@gmail.com

Anna Tilson: Anna_Tilson@jrbt.com

Doug McNamee: douglas.mcnamee@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.

Rob Engblom: Rob_Engblom@baylor.edu

Ross Van Dyke: Ross_Vandyke@baylor.edu

Jared Gould: jared.gould1@gmail.com

Rebekah Powell: rpowell671@gmail.com

Kristen Richardson: wacorichardsons@gmail.com

 

Liturgy 8-5-2018

This blog is a record of the call to worship, Scripture readings, and prayers from our Sunday liturgies.  If you are interested in writing something for the liturgy, or if you have a concern about any aspect of our liturgy, please email jamie@ubcwaco.org.

Call to Worship

we have gathered to worship the God of mercy

the One who is slow to anger
and abounding in steadfast love

to be caught up in God’s story

and to find our own stories changed

to be transformed by the Spirit of God

that we might bear the Kingdom of God
in our ordinary lives

amen.

Scripture

Psalm 51:1-13

Have mercy on me, O God,
    according to your steadfast love;
according to your abundant mercy
    blot out my transgressions.

Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity,
    and cleanse me from my sin.
For I know my transgressions,
    and my sin is ever before me.

Against you, you alone, have I sinned,
    and done what is evil in your sight,
so that you are justified in your sentence
    and blameless when you pass judgment.

Indeed, I was born guilty,
    a sinner when my mother conceived me.
You desire truth in the inward being;
    therefore teach me wisdom in my secret heart.
Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean;
    wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

Let me hear joy and gladness;
    let the bones that you have crushed rejoice.
Hide your face from my sins,
    and blot out all my iniquities.

Create in me a clean heart, O God,
    and put a new and right spirit within me.
Do not cast me away from your presence,
    and do not take your holy spirit from me.

Restore to me the joy of your salvation,
    and sustain in me a willing spirit.
Then I will teach transgressors your ways,
    and sinners will return to you.

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.

 

 

Setlist 8-5-2018

Yesterday was the eleventh Sunday after Pentecost.  Our songs were gathered with this in mind.  Below, you’ll find the list of the songs and artists. Clicking the song titles will take you to the lyrics.  Below the songs, you can find a brief example of one way you might think of these songs. If you want to talk about any of these, feel free to comment at the bottom of this page or email me at jamie@ubcwaco.org.

Songs:

Noise by Jameson McGregor

Wayward Ones by The Gladsome Light

Fall Afresh by Jeremy Riddle

Just the Same by Jameson McGregor

There by Jameson McGregor

Doxology

How They Fit In:

There are many ways to think about the significance of songs and the way they fit together–-this is simply one way you can look at these songs in light of this week’s theme. 

Noise: This song acknowledges the wide gap between what it is to be God and what it is to be us, and proclaims that in spite of this gap, God has moved toward us.

Wayward Ones:  This is our communion hymn, and it contemplates Christ's self-giving love that is displayed and remembered in the eucharist.

Fall Afresh: This song offered us language to seek a rekindling of the Spirit in our lives, reorienting our attention toward God and the Kingdom of God in the world.

Just the Same: This song is about the versions of faith that we evolve through over time, how, for better or worse they never really leave us, and it grasps for some sort of security in the midst of this.

There:  This song looks to God as an Anchor within the chaos of life.

Doxology: We close our time together each week with this proclamation that God is worthy of praise from every inch of the cosmos. 

-JM

ITLOTC 8-3-18

ITLOTC

(In The Life Of The Church) 

Pentecost

a goodbye (by jamie)

At ubc we are well-versed in goodbyes.  That sort of comes with the territory when so many of our community are only in Waco to earn a degree or two.  That usually provides, at most, a 4-6 year window to know and love someone before we send them off into the world.  Those goodbyes are hard enough, but there are rare occasions where a piece of our community is pulled away after we’ve had much more time to get used to having them around.

Jacob Robinson has been at ubc for 10 years.  He has gifted us with a number of bizarre videos, a couple of years as an employee in the sound booth, and more years than that as a musician.    His creative voice has shaped many of the things we’ve done, but the greatest gift he has given us has been himself.

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One of the first things I noticed about Jacob when we became friends in 2011 was that he carried around a small notebook and would jot stuff down in it.  It took me a while to figure out that he was often recording jokes or phrases that he heard from people around him.  On the one hand, this could be read as creative person doing typical creative person things.  But it mostly read as the practice of a person who was taking the time to notice life happening around him, grabbing it before it passed him by.  

A few years later, Jacob and I were on a plane to go play at a church camp in Seattle, and he asked me to read a play he had written—I didn’t know that he wrote plays.  I read it straight through, as Jake offered commentary and clarification, and when I finished, I turned to him and said, “Jacob. How did you do this? This world, these people, came from your brain.”  The story wove together awkward humor, mental illness, and the effects of trauma, into a narrative that was both heavy and bright. I would later discover that this was essentially Jake’s wheelhouse, which probably explains the fact that, if memory serves, he just laughed when I asked him how he wrote it.  What explanation is there? Writers write.

I’ve been thinking about these two stories a lot as we draw near to Jacob’s departure.  I don’t necessarily know why it’s been these two; I could probably produce a long document of similar stories from my time with Jacob.  But I do know that they remind me that Jake is a person who knows, almost naturally, what it is to embrace beauty.

Beauty is an event, or a way of seeing, or a realm of experience—I don’t really know.  It’s in the offhanded remarks of friends and the half-heard remarks of strangers. It’s in the heights of joy, and that cutting edge where cosmos begins to re-emerge from chaos.  It’s making something of the pieces that are left when the thing you love is shattered.  It is resurrection, and it is everywhere.

It is best embraced when seen, best seen when noticed, and best noticed when looking, even when looking is difficult.

And to embrace beauty is in some way to be embraced by it.  To be caught up in something beyond the somethings, finding depth where monotony had been, a road to healing where wounds had been, and perhaps, in one way or another, to pass it along.

So as we prepare to send Jake off into the next chapter of his life at Columbia University, into the arms of the winners of Tony Awards and Pulitzer Prizes, we do so with gratitude for the time we’ve shared and the pieces of himself he is leaving with us.  

Stay gold, my friend. 

Meet Our Newest UBCer

Name:  Julie Kohr Gould

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DOB: June 28, 2018

Birth weight:  6'10

height:  19 inches

Enneagram Number: 6

Parishioner of the Week

Towns and August Letendresse for working the candy station at the last UBC/SWCC movie day. 

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Work is Worship

Greeters: Walters 

Coffee Makers: Burns 

Mug Cleaners: Trans 

Money Counter:  McNamee

Welcome Station: Wilhite 

Announcements

  • Sermon Text:  
  • 8-12 After Church Picnic 
  • 8-19 Kindergarten Commission 
  • 8-26 Welcome Back Fiesta Lunch 

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- Emma Wood:  emmaj.wood@yahoo.com

Byron Griffin: byrontgriffin@gmail.com

Kerri Fisher: Kerri_Fisher@baylor.edu

Adam Winn:  adamwinn68@yahoo.com

Bridget Heins: bheins@hot.rr.com

Jeremy Nance: Jeremy Nance <Jeremy.J.Nance@L3T.com>

Joanna Sowards: jo.sowards@gmail.com

Student Position: Samuel Moore: samuel_moore2@baylor.edu

Student Position: Leah Reed: Leah_Reed@baylor.edu

UBC Finance Team

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

JD Newman: JD_Newman@baylor.edu 

Hannah Kuhl: HannahKuhl@hotmail.com  

Justin Pond: pondjw@gmail.com

Anna Tilson: Anna_Tilson@jrbt.com

Doug McNamee: douglas.mcnamee@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.

Rob Engblom: Rob_Engblom@baylor.edu

Ross Van Dyke: Ross_Vandyke@baylor.edu

Jared Gould: jared.gould1@gmail.com

Rebekah Powell: rpowell671@gmail.com

Kristen Richardson: wacorichardsons@gmail.com

ITLOTC 7-27-18

ITLOTC

(In The Life Of The Church) 

Pentecost

What's It Like To Be You

I'm starting a new segment in the newsletter called, "what it's like to be you," in which I interview random UBCers.  our first episode includes the champion Jack Parker, world class guitar shredder.  

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Here I asked Jack a question that was recorded on my computer, but not on my laptop from which i'm now editing.  The question was something like, "what image or story from scripture is currently most helpful for you in your journey toward God?" 

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Meet Our Newest UBCer

Brynlee Ruth Blaylock

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Birthday: June 15, 2K18

Weight: 7 lbs 1 oz

Height: 20 inches

Enneagram Number: 1

Parishioner of the Week

Joanna Sowards for agreeing to preach in my absence this week.  

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Now that we are finished with our 80's toys series, we begin our new series on 90's bands. 

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Work is Worship

Greeters: Blaylocks 

Coffee Makers: Hoymeyer 

Mug Cleaners: Micah Titterington 

Money Counter:  Tilson 

Welcome Station: Broadduses 

Announcements

  • Sermon Text: John 6:1-21 (Please be in prayer for our special guest preacher Joanna Sowards).  
  • 8-12 After Church Picnic 
  • 8-19 Kindergarten Commission 
  • 8-26 Welcome Back Fiesta Lunch 

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- Emma Wood:  emmaj.wood@yahoo.com

Byron Griffin: byrontgriffin@gmail.com

Kerri Fisher: Kerri_Fisher@baylor.edu

Adam Winn:  adamwinn68@yahoo.com

Bridget Heins: bheins@hot.rr.com

Jeremy Nance: Jeremy Nance <Jeremy.J.Nance@L3T.com>

Joanna Sowards: jo.sowards@gmail.com

Student Position: Samuel Moore: samuel_moore2@baylor.edu

Student Position: Leah Reed: Leah_Reed@baylor.edu

UBC Finance Team

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

JD Newman: JD_Newman@baylor.edu 

Hannah Kuhl: HannahKuhl@hotmail.com  

Justin Pond: pondjw@gmail.com

Anna Tilson: Anna_Tilson@jrbt.com

Doug McNamee: douglas.mcnamee@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.

Rob Engblom: Rob_Engblom@baylor.edu

Ross Van Dyke: Ross_Vandyke@baylor.edu

Jared Gould: jared.gould1@gmail.com

Rebekah Powell: rpowell671@gmail.com

Kristen Richardson: wacorichardsons@gmail.com

Liturgy 7-22-2018

This blog is a record of the call to worship, Scripture readings, and prayers from our Sunday liturgies.  If you are interested in writing something for the liturgy, or if you have a concern about any aspect of our liturgy, please email jamie@ubcwaco.org.

Call to Worship

we have gathered to worship the God who saves

the one who is making all things new

to enter into the story of God and the people of God

that our own stories might be changed

and to seek the Spirit of God

hoping to formed more fully in the way of Christ,
that we might bear his self-giving love
in our ordinary lives

Amen

Scripture

Jeremiah 23:1-6

Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture! says the Lord. Therefore thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, concerning the shepherds who shepherd my people: It is you who have scattered my flock, and have driven them away, and you have not attended to them.

So I will attend to you for your evil doings, says the Lord. Then I myself will gather the remnant of my flock out of all the lands where I have driven them, and I will bring them back to their fold, and they shall be fruitful and multiply. I will raise up shepherds over them who will shepherd them, and they shall not fear any longer, or be dismayed, nor shall any be missing, says the Lord.

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

Mark 6:30-34, 53-56

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

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

Prayer

This week's prayer was from the Iona Community Worship Book:

O God of life, of all life and of each life,
We lay our lives before you.
We give our lives to you, from whom nothing in us is hidden.
You are before us, God, you are behind;
You are around us, God, you are within.
O God of life, you know the secret thoughts of every heart.
We bring the faith that is in us, and the doubt;
We bring the joy that is in us, and the sorrow.
O God of life, you are in the light, and in the darkness.
We bring the knowledge that is in us, and the ignorance;
We bring the hope that is in us, and the despair.
O God of life, O generous Spirit,
Renew us with your life,
Today, tomorrow, and always.
Amen.

Setlist 7-22-2018

Yesterday was the ninth Sunday after Pentecost.  Our songs were gathered with this in mind.  Below, you’ll find the list of the songs and artists. Clicking the song titles will take you to the lyrics.  Below the songs, you can find a brief example of one way you might think of these songs. If you want to talk about any of these, feel free to comment at the bottom of this page or email me at jamie@ubcwaco.org.

Songs:

Just A Closer Walk With Thee

Crown Him With Many Crowns

O Love That Will Not Let Me Go by ubcmusic (adapted from Ascend the Hill)

Wearing Thin by Jameson McGregor

All Creatures of Our God and King by David Crowder* Band

Doxology

How They Fit In:

There are many ways to think about the significance of songs and the way they fit together–-this is simply one way you can look at these songs in light of this week’s theme. 

Just A Closer Walk With Thee: This song invites us into a key pursuit of ordinary time: turning our attention toward being the presence of Christ in our time and place.

Crown Him With Many Crowns: This song offered us language to speak of Christ as Lord of all, and thus to orient our thoughts about power toward Jesus.

O Love That Will Not Let Me Go: This song offered us words to proclaim that our grasping after God occurs within the context of God's embrace of us.

Wearing Thin: This song is a petition for God to form us into people of zeal for justice and ignite hope in the face of hopelessness.

All Creatures of Our God and King: This song invites us to join our voices with all of creation in acknowledging God as the Creator and Sustainer of all that is.  In doing so, we are invited to consider all of creation as our family.

Doxology: We close our time together each week with this proclamation that God is worthy of praise from every inch of the cosmos. 

-JM

ITLOTC 7-20-18

ITLOTC

(In The Life Of The Church) 

The Benediction and Cuba
by Taylor

            At the end of our time together every Sunday we all recite our Benediction together in unison. “As we approach this week may we love God, embrace beauty, and live life to the fullest.” I know those words – and you probably do to – by heart at this point. Our benediction is definitely one of the things that helped me to feel at home at UBC – that helped me begin to understand part of what was special about this place. After all – I had gone to church my whole life and never before had I heard anyone talk about embracing beauty, and certainly never had I heard someone say it in the context of loving God and living life to the fullest – as if finding beauty in the world might be as important of a discipline as loving God and living a full life in pursuit of Christ-likeness. Over the course of my time at UBC these words have formed me – hopefully they continually form all of us – and I think part of the reason why they are so formative is because they are truly at the heart of who and what UBC is. Or who we are attempting to be anyways. 

            This week the staff went to Cuba in preparation for our upcoming missions partnership with FIBAC (the Fraternity of Baptist Churches in Cuba). And in Cuba, in the churches and the conversations we had with ministers and church leaders from FIBAC I experienced churches and people who are kindred spirits with who we are striving to be. I expected a lot of things in Cuba – I expected a beautiful country and an excellent experience, I expected to meet people who loved God and who were pursuing Christ, I expected friendly people and good food – but I did not expect to find such a match for who we are. (Toph had told us that FIBAC was a good match for us – but some things have to be experienced.)

            FIBAC was formed with several things in mind – but there were a few that really stood out to me. 1) Affirming women in ministry. Affirming women in ministry is not just an idea in FIBAC – about half of their churches are either pastored or co-pastored by women. That is an insane statistic. By comparison there are some around 4/5 senior pastors in all of the Baptist Churches in Texas. Talk about encouraging people to live life to the fullest. FIBAC is encouraging their women who are called to ministry and then educating them and hiring them full time senior pastor positions. It was a beautiful thing to see as an aspiring senior pastor – and as someone who is passionate about women in ministry.

            2) Contextual Liturgy. About 95% of the liturgy that FIBAC uses is written in Cuba by and for Cubans, The reality is that for a long time missions was tied to colonialism in a way that makes me extremely uncomfortable. When missionaries would go places they did not just convert people spiritually – but also culturally. They often made people change their physical appearance and their cultural beliefs instead of looking for ways that God might be experienced in new ways in that culture. But the reality is that we are all acting in our own given context – and we can’t ignore that. Jamie is so careful to plan liturgy that makes sense and is formative for who we are and where we are – both geographically and in time. And Josh does the same thing when he writes sermons. FIBAC is committed to contextual liturgy because it is the best and most responsible way to form their people – and we are committed to the same thing.

            3) Social Justice. Every day at breakfast our guide and translator, Rubén, would sing a prayer for us. Roughly translated the prayer goes, “God, Thank you for this bread, we pray for those who don’t have bread today – that they would receive bread, and we pray for those who have bread – that they would receive in their heart the desire to provide bread for those who have known.” Cuba is a place where people care for each other. Where people make space at the table for their neighbors. Where they share their last piece of bread with their friend – because even if they both have less at least they both have some - and they both have a friend.

            In these ways, and in many many more, I think that we have so much to learn from our brothers and sisters in FIBAC. I, personally, can’t wait to go back, and I can’t wait for so many more of you to go. And experience a place and people living in a context that is so different from ours – but embodying so much of what we believe – by loving God, embracing beauty, and living life to the fullest in deep and meaningful ways.

As always if you want to talk about any of this, feel free to email me at taylor@ubcwaco.org.

SWCC Movie Day #3 - July 23

Join us on on Monday, July 23rd, at 1pm for our second movie day with the South Waco Community Center.  We are hosting the day camp kids from the community center, and we would love for you to join us for the movie.  The youth will help serve snacks and drinks, and we need a few volunteers to help clean up after the movie.  There will be sign-up sheet in the lobby for the those who would like to volunteer to help.  If you have any questions, email toph@ubcwaco.org

 

Waco Dives - Tuesday at noon

We are headed to Tesla'sthis Tuesday at noon.  Join us for some good o food and fellowship.  Tesla's is located at 1316 Washington Ave, Waco, TX 76701.

 

Parishioner of the Week

You!! Thanks for reading the Newsletter!

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Looking for a Finance Team Member

We'd like to express our gratitude for the service of Anna Tilson.  Anna and her husband Adam have not heard from the Lord and are leaving us for Knoxville, TN.  As such we will be looking to replace the irreplaceable Anna on our finance team.  Anna you are champion for the Lord.  Thanks for leaving it on the field.

If you are interested in serving on the finance team, please read the information below from our bylaws.  Interested persons should email josh@ubcwaco.org.  A new member will be selected in the July quarterly leadership team meeting. 

(A) Purpose.  The Finance Team shall exist for the following purposes:

a.     To serve as the primary advisory group for the Leadership Team in all budgetary and financial aspects of the church.  

b.    To oversee, in coordination with the ministerial staff, yearly budgetary processes, working to create a financial ministry plan in alignment with the ethos, mission and values of UBC.

c.     To advise the staff and Leadership Team on any emergency financial matters that may arise with regards to the physical infrastructure of the church building, as well as those matters pertaining to compensation and benefits of personnel.

d.    To assess the current financial status of the church on a monthly basis and advise the staff and Leadership Team on matters concerning changes in planned ministry expenses.

e.    To advise the Human Resources/Staff Support team on all financial matters regarding new and existing personnel, including available resources concerning salaries, salary increases, insurance, taxes, etc.

 

(C) Qualifications.  Finance Team members shall have been an active participant in the life of UBC for at least a year, have received at least a bachelors degree level of education (or roughly an equivalent amount of experience in business or finance,) and have at least a basic understanding of financial reports and budgets.

Looking for a HR Team Member

The fearless Rob Engblom is hanging up the jersey after 3 seasons with our HR squad.  Rob was an 2 HR all american and first team star wars epic dual champion.  During Rob's tenure nobody quit out of frustration and no one was sued.  Dynamite effort Rob, we are grateful for your service to UBC. 

If you are interested in servicing on the HR team please read the information below that is taken from the UBC bylaws.  Interested persons should email josh@ubcwaco.org.  A new member will be selected in the July quarterly leadership team meeting. 

(A)Purpose.  The Human Resources/Staff Support Team shall exist for the following purposes:

a.     To establish procedures for the hiring of ministerial and non-ministerial staff, and to enact those procedures when advised by Leadership Team to do so.

b.    To advise Leadership and Finance teams on issues regarding long-term staff needs. 

c.     To create and implement staff review procedures.

d.    To advise Leadership and Finance teams on matters regarding staff compensation, benefits, grievances and termination.

e.    To be a liaison between the congregation and staff during times of conflict after all attempts at personal, one-on-one resolution has been made.  

(C)Qualifications.  HR/Staff Support Team members shall have been an active participant in the life of UBC for no less than one year, have received a bachelor’s degree (or roughly an equivalent amount of experience in personnel management, ministry, or other related field,) and have a demonstrable understanding of organizational management.  

Work is Worship

Greeters: Blaylocks 

Coffee Makers: Nances

Mug Cleaners: Nelsons

Money Counter:  JD Newman 

Welcome Station:    

Announcements

  • Sermon Text: Special Guest Preacher Dilan Braddock 
  • 7-14 Trampoline Park Fun Day
  • 7-15 Town Hall  
  • 8-5 Cameron Park Picnic 
  • SWCC Movie Days @ UBC: 6-18, 7-9, 7-23

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- Emma Wood:  emmaj.wood@yahoo.com

Byron Griffin: byrontgriffin@gmail.com

Kerri Fisher: Kerri_Fisher@baylor.edu

Adam Winn:  adamwinn68@yahoo.com

Bridget Heins: bheins@hot.rr.com

Jeremy Nance: Jeremy Nance <Jeremy.J.Nance@L3T.com>

Joanna Sowards: jo.sowards@gmail.com

Student Position: Samuel Moore: samuel_moore2@baylor.edu

Student Position: Leah Reed: Leah_Reed@baylor.edu

UBC Finance Team

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

JD Newman: JD_Newman@baylor.edu 

Hannah Kuhl: HannahKuhl@hotmail.com  

Justin Pond: pondjw@gmail.com

Anna Tilson: Anna_Tilson@jrbt.com

Doug McNamee: douglas.mcnamee@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.

Rob Engblom: Rob_Engblom@baylor.edu

Ross Van Dyke: Ross_Vandyke@baylor.edu

Jared Gould: jared.gould1@gmail.com

Rebekah Powell: rpowell671@gmail.com

Kristen Richardson: wacorichardsons@gmail.com

ITLOTC 7-13-18

ITLOTC

(In The Life Of The Church) 

Pentecost

Attention Collection (by jamie)

David Dark recently introduced me to the phrase “attention collection.”  In essence, this phrase is self-descriptive: it refers to the body of ideas, media, etc., that have left a meaningful mark on oneself over the years.  We intuitively dip into and share from our attention collection every time we excitedly tell a friend about something we’ve read or seen, and in sharing this, we share something of ourselves.  

So I want to share a few recent additions to my attention collection: 

1. Life’s Too Short To Pretend You’re Not Religious by David Dark

I started my year by finally turning my attention toward David Dark.  I’ve known about his popular The Sacredness of Questioning Everything for many years, but never actually picked it up.  I decided to start my reading year with that, and it was great.  A few months later, Life’s Too Short To Pretend You’re Not Religious released, and I devoured it pretty quickly.  It feels cheap to summarize, as it was a joy to read, but I will say that it articulates and expounds upon much of what ubc claims to believe about the relationship between faith and culture, and you should read it.  We do, however, live in a time where publishers make trailers for books (what a time to be alive), and I think this one is decent:

Looking hard at our weird religious background (Dark maintains we all have one) can bring the actual content of our everyday existence-the good, the bad and the glaringly inconsistent-to fuller consciousness. By doing so, we can more practically envision an undivided life and reclaim the idea of being "religious."

2. May It Last (the Avett Brothers Documentary)

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When this documentary released in theaters, Byron Griffin (who plays guitar at ubc) asked the ubc band if we wanted to go see it with him, and no one responded to his text.  We were foolish.  When I eventually sat down to watch it, I found that this documentary is excellent. Months later, I still I think about the scene where they are recording “No Hard Feelings” at least twice a week.  I think you need to watch the whole documentary to feel the strength of this moment (and especially the scene directly after), but it’s worth watching this clip anyway:

3. God of the Oppressed by James Cone

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This book was challenging to read for so many reasons, not the least of which is its revealing of a host of blind spots in my own theological upbringing.  Cone’s vantage point is one to which I have literally no experiential access, and encountering his witness has reframed/is reframing my theological word. There's no one excerpt that I think captures the most important parts of this work (there are too many), but I return to this one often:

There is no place we can stand that will remove us from the limitations of history and thus enable us to tell the whole truth without the risk of ideological distortion.  As long as we live and have our being in time and space, absolute truth is impossible.  But this concession is not an affirmation of unrestricted relativity.  We can and must say something about the world that is not reducible to our own subjectivity.  That trans-subjective “something” is expressed in story, indeed is embodied in story.

Story is the history of individuals coming together in the struggle to shape life according to commonly held values.  The Jewish story is found in the Hebrew Bible and the Rabbinic traditions.  The early Christian story is told in the Old and New Testaments, with the emphasis on the latter as the fulfillment of the former.  The white American story is found in the history of European settlements struggling against dark forests and savage people to found a new nation.  The Black American story is recorded in the songs, tales, and narratives of African slaves and their descendants, as they attempted to survive with dignity in a land inimical to their existence.  Every people has a story to tell, something to say to themselves, their children, and to the world about how they think and live, as they determine and affirm their reason for being.  The story both expresses and participates in the miracle of moving from nothing to something, from nonbeing to being.

When people ask me, “How do you know that what you say is true?” my reply is: “Ultimately, I don’t know and neither does anybody else.”  We are creatures of history, not divine beings.  I cannot claim infinite knowledge.  What I can do is to bear witness to my story, to tell it and live it, as the story grips my life and pulls me out of nothingness into being.  However, I am not imprisoned within my story.  Indeed, when I understand truth as story, I am more likely to be open to other people’s truth stories.  As I listen to other stories, I am invited to move out of the subjectivity of my own story into another realm of thinking and acting.  The same is true for others when I tell my story.

It is only when stories are abstracted from a concrete situation and codified into Law or dogma that their life-blood is taken away and thus a people begins to think that its ways of thinking and living are the only real possibilities.  When people can no longer listen to other people’s stories, they become enclosed within their own social context, treating their distorted visions of reality as the whole truth.  And then they feel that they must destroy other stories, which bear witness that life can be lived in another way.  White people’s decimation of red people and enslavement of black people in North America are examples of attempts to deprive people of their stories, in order to establish the white story as the only truth in history.  That was why slaves were not permitted to communicate in their African languages and why red people were placed on reservations.  White people were saying that black and red stories were lies and superstitions that have no place in a “civilized” country.  From some perspectives, the white story of black enslavement may be a “valid” story, but from the perspective of the victims it is a tale of terror and bloodshed.  From the biblical view it is an epic of rebellion, the usurpation of God’s rule.  In other words, it is ideology.

Story can serve as a check against ideological thinking, especially from the biblical perspective.  If theologians wish to retain the dialectic of story as a crucial ingredient of the gospel message, then their language about that message must speak less of philosophical principles and more of concrete events in the lives of the people.  We must assume that the biblical story has its own integrity and truth independent of our subjective states.  We are not free to read just anything into the biblical story.  Whatever may be someone’s view about the Scripture from another faith standpoint, anyone who reads the Bible sympathetically can hardly overlook its central focal point: the proclamation that God in Christ has come to redeem humankind.  From this assumption, we must move through human history, Christian and non-Christian, asking what is the relation of God’s story in Christ to human stories, especially to our own.  By assuming that the biblical story exists independently of our stories and that it lays a claim upon us in our contemporary existence, we are forced to move out of our subjectivity and to hear the Word that we do not possess.  And if we accept the One to whom the Bible points, then we know that the validity of our stories in the world is dependent upon God’s affirmation of us as God’s own possession.  God’s story becomes our story through the faith made possible by the grace of God’s presence with us. (93-95)

As a bonus, here's a video interview with Cone about his work in general that hits on some the important themes in the book:

As always if you want to talk about any of this, feel free to email me at jamie@ubcwaco.org

Waco Dives - Tuesday at noon

Join us this week at Kim's diner on Waco Drive.  Kim's is a classic Waco spot, and a true dive.  See you there at noon.

Jump Jump Jump

Join us at Urban Air Trampoline Park on Saturday at 4pm.  Tickets will be $5.  If you have any questions, email Toph.

Parishioner of the Week

Marcell Steurnagel for being appointed the Director of the Master of Sacred Music program at SMU's Perkins School of Theology.

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CASA Volunteers Needed

If you are interested in helping children in the foster care system, consider becoming a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA volunteer).  You will be trained to represent the best interest of a foster child in court.  Alongside the child’s attorney and social worker, you will ensure that the child is protected during a critical turning point in their life.  Visit www.casaforeverychild.org to learn more.


Cuba Trip Medicines

The pastoral staff are taking a quick trip to Cuba next week, and we have been asked to bring some medicines.  If you would like to donate, please bring any of the following on Sunday.  They must be new, and unopened.

- Ibuprofen

- Acetaminophen

- Excedrin Migrane

- Peptobismol

- Diphenydramine

- Acetaminophen and Ibuprofen for children

- Band-Aids 

- Analgesic ointments

- Simethicone for baby

- Triple antibiotic

- Vitamins for adults

- Vitamins C

- Vitamins for children

- Omega 3

- Hydrocortisone

- Meclizine

Random Image To Generate Clickbait Traffic

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Looking for a Finance Team Member

We'd like to express our gratitude for the service of Anna Tilson.  Anna and her husband Adam have not heard from the Lord and are leaving us for Knoxville, TN.  As such we will be looking to replace the irreplaceable Anna on our finance team.  Anna you are champion for the Lord.  Thanks for leaving it on the field.

If you are interested in serving on the finance team, please read the information below from our bylaws.  Interested persons should email josh@ubcwaco.org.  A new member will be selected in the July quarterly leadership team meeting. 

(A) Purpose.  The Finance Team shall exist for the following purposes:

a.     To serve as the primary advisory group for the Leadership Team in all budgetary and financial aspects of the church.  

b.    To oversee, in coordination with the ministerial staff, yearly budgetary processes, working to create a financial ministry plan in alignment with the ethos, mission and values of UBC.

c.     To advise the staff and Leadership Team on any emergency financial matters that may arise with regards to the physical infrastructure of the church building, as well as those matters pertaining to compensation and benefits of personnel.

d.    To assess the current financial status of the church on a monthly basis and advise the staff and Leadership Team on matters concerning changes in planned ministry expenses.

e.    To advise the Human Resources/Staff Support team on all financial matters regarding new and existing personnel, including available resources concerning salaries, salary increases, insurance, taxes, etc.

 

(C) Qualifications.  Finance Team members shall have been an active participant in the life of UBC for at least a year, have received at least a bachelors degree level of education (or roughly an equivalent amount of experience in business or finance,) and have at least a basic understanding of financial reports and budgets.

Looking for a HR Team Member

The fearless Rob Engblom is hanging up the jersey after 3 seasons with our HR squad.  Rob was an 2 HR all american and first team star wars epic dual champion.  During Rob's tenure nobody quit out of frustration and no one was sued.  Dynamite effort Rob, we are grateful for your service to UBC. 

If you are interested in servicing on the HR team please read the information below that is taken from the UBC bylaws.  Interested persons should email josh@ubcwaco.org.  A new member will be selected in the July quarterly leadership team meeting. 

(A)Purpose.  The Human Resources/Staff Support Team shall exist for the following purposes:

a.     To establish procedures for the hiring of ministerial and non-ministerial staff, and to enact those procedures when advised by Leadership Team to do so.

b.    To advise Leadership and Finance teams on issues regarding long-term staff needs. 

c.     To create and implement staff review procedures.

d.    To advise Leadership and Finance teams on matters regarding staff compensation, benefits, grievances and termination.

e.    To be a liaison between the congregation and staff during times of conflict after all attempts at personal, one-on-one resolution has been made.  

(C)Qualifications.  HR/Staff Support Team members shall have been an active participant in the life of UBC for no less than one year, have received a bachelor’s degree (or roughly an equivalent amount of experience in personnel management, ministry, or other related field,) and have a demonstrable understanding of organizational management.  

Town Hall

There will be a town hall after church on Sunday July 15.  

Work is Worship

Greeters: richardsons

Coffee Makers: Pereiras 

Mug Cleaners: Wards 

Money Counter:  Tilson 

Welcome Station:   carillons 

Announcements

  • Sermon Text: 
  • 7-14 Trampoline Park Fun Day
  • 7-15 Town Hall  
  • 8-5 Cameron Park Picnic 
  • SWCC Movie Days @ UBC: 6-18, 7-9, 7-23

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- Emma Wood:  emmaj.wood@yahoo.com

Byron Griffin: byrontgriffin@gmail.com

Kerri Fisher: Kerri_Fisher@baylor.edu

Adam Winn:  adamwinn68@yahoo.com

Bridget Heins: bheins@hot.rr.com

Jeremy Nance: Jeremy Nance <Jeremy.J.Nance@L3T.com>

Joanna Sowards: jo.sowards@gmail.com

Student Position: Samuel Moore: samuel_moore2@baylor.edu

Student Position: Leah Reed: Leah_Reed@baylor.edu

UBC Finance Team

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

JD Newman: JD_Newman@baylor.edu 

Hannah Kuhl: HannahKuhl@hotmail.com  

Justin Pond: pondjw@gmail.com

Anna Tilson: Anna_Tilson@jrbt.com

Doug McNamee: douglas.mcnamee@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.

Rob Engblom: Rob_Engblom@baylor.edu

Ross Van Dyke: Ross_Vandyke@baylor.edu

Jared Gould: jared.gould1@gmail.com

Rebekah Powell: rpowell671@gmail.com

Kristen Richardson: wacorichardsons@gmail.com

Liturgy 7-8-2018

This blog is a record of the call to worship, Scripture readings, and prayers from our Sunday liturgies.  If you are interested in writing something for the liturgy, or if you have a concern about any aspect of our liturgy, please email jamie@ubcwaco.org.

Call to Worship

we have gathered to devote our attention
to the Creator and Sustainer of all that is

to worship the One whose power
is made perfect in weakness

to enter into God’s story

and reimagine our own stories

in the Light of the Spirit of Truth

that we might be formed more fully
in the way of Christ.

Amen.

Scripture

Ezekiel 2:1-5

The Lord said to me: O mortal, stand up on your feet, and I will speak with you. And when the Lord spoke to me, a spirit entered into me and set me on my feet; and I heard the Lord speaking to me.

The Lord said to me, Mortal, I am sending you to the people of Israel, to a nation of rebels who have rebelled against me; they and their ancestors have transgressed against me to this very day.

The descendants are impudent and stubborn. I am sending you to them, and you shall say to them, “Thus says the Lord God.” Whether they hear or refuse to hear (for they are a rebellious house), they shall know that there has been a prophet among them.

2 Corinthians 12:2-10

I know a person in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know; God knows.

And I know that such a person—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know; God knows— was caught up into Paradise and heard things that are not to be told, that no mortal is permitted to repeat.

On behalf of such a one I will boast, but on my own behalf I will not boast, except of my weaknesses. But if I wish to boast, I will not be a fool, for I will be speaking the truth. But I refrain from it, so that no one may think better of me than what is seen in me or heard from me, even considering the exceptional character of the revelations.

Therefore, to keep me from being too elated, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me, to keep me from being too elated. Three times I appealed to the Lord about this, that it would leave me, but he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.”

So, I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. Therefore I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities for the sake of Christ; for whenever I am weak, then I am strong.

Mark 6:1-13

Jesus came to his hometown, and his disciples followed him. On the sabbath he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were astounded.

They said, “Where did this man get all this? What is this wisdom that has been given to him? What deeds of power are being done by his hands! Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon, and are not his sisters here with us?”

And they took offense at him. Then Jesus said to them, “Prophets are not without honor, except in their hometown, and among their own kin, and in their own house.” And he could do no deed of power there, except that he laid his hands on a few sick people and cured them. And he was amazed at their unbelief.

Then he went about among the villages teaching. He called the twelve and began to send them out two by two, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits. He ordered them to take nothing for their journey except a staff; no bread, no bag, no money in their belts; but to wear sandals and not to put on two tunics.

He said to them, “Wherever you enter a house, stay there until you leave the place. If any place will not welcome you and they refuse to hear you, as you leave, shake off the dust that is on your feet as a testimony against them.”

So they went out and proclaimed that all should repent. They cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them.

Setlist 7-8-2018

Yesterday was the seventh Sunday after Pentecost.  Our songs were gathered with this in mind.  Below, you’ll find the list of the songs and artists. Clicking the song titles will take you to the lyrics.  Below the songs, you can find a brief example of one way you might think of these songs. If you want to talk about any of these, feel free to comment at the bottom of this page or email me at jamie@ubcwaco.org.

Songs:

SMS [Shine] by David Crowder* Band

Wild One by Jameson McGregor

There's A Wideness in God's Mercy by Jameson McGregor (adapted from F. Faber)

Eternal Father by Jameson McGregor

How Great Thou Art

Doxology

How They Fit In:

There are many ways to think about the significance of songs and the way they fit together–-this is simply one way you can look at these songs in light of this week’s theme. 

SMS [Shine]: This song offered us language to cultivate an openness to the hope of Christ.

Wild One: We sang this song to proclaim God's being greater than our greatest ideas about who God is.

There's A Wideness in God's Mercy: This song helped us express the breadth of God's mercy, beyond our greatest hopes.  

Eternal Father: This song is about the prodigal love of God for God's creatures.

How Great Thou Art: We sang this song to celebrate what God has done in time and space in the hope of training our minds to notice God's continued presence in the world.

Doxology: We close our time together each week with this proclamation that God is worthy of praise from every inch of the cosmos. 

-JM