ITLOTC
(In The Life Of The Church)
Lent
Lent 6
Over the next six weeks we will be hearing from voices in within our community. The article will address the texts and themes from lent. Today we'll hear from Dan Venzin. Dan is a Truett Student and also a chaplain at Baylor University
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“Are you watching closely?” – Alfred Borden, The Prestige
Growing up, my family casually practiced lent, but mainly because my father was Catholic and that was a part of his tradition. February would roll around and the question would start to be asked: “What are you giving up for lent?”
My guess is that the first few weeks of lent were somewhat exciting or impactful for those who decided to “do something” during this time in the church’s life, but as this season moves on we start to realize that the world around us has not made the same commitment that we have made to the Lord in this time and that the world will not bend or assist us in our commitments. Projects are still due, deadlines must still be met, dinner must still be served, and the show must go on. As the season of lent progresses, I would contend that these commitments over time became harder to keep rather than easier. We longed for the comfort of a piece of chocolate after dinner. We ached for that second cup of coffee in the afternoon. We wished we could have another cigarette after yet another hard day at the office or school. We desired to use the thirty minutes we set aside to pray and read scripture and filled it with the old familiar comfort of Netflix.
Put yourself in the sandals of the disciples. “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” That first interaction with Jesus was profound, and I bet they reminisced on what it was like for them when they first met this strange man whom they decided to leave everything and follow. First Day – scary, yet exciting. Second Day – Wow! Take a look at what we are a part of! Third Day – I Trust in Jesus! Fourth Day – Okay! People are kind of being rude to Jesus, but we’re still all-in. Fifth Day – Hmm…these people are trying to kill the guy we decided to follow. What have I gotten myself into?
Separate yourself from these stereotypical Lenten commitments and move into the memory of a time of trial or struggle: when sickness had taken hold of you or a loved one, when money had been so scarce that food was a real worry, when “telling the truth” had disastrous consequences, when your grades were so bad that you might be kicked out of school, or whatever the situation might have been. Holding onto the commitment to live by faith in these situations is difficult, but it is the heart of what Lent is all about – wading through the mud and muck toward what our God has promised to us.
We are at the pinnacle of our story, seeing first-hand the gravity of our commitment to the Lord, and it’s during these times that we are tempted to say “Have I taken the wrong path? Am I naïve? Why did I think I would find sanctuary in a man who lived thousands of years ago?” Safety, security, and necessities have been torn away from us and we sit in the Garden of Gethsemane with Jesus as he, himself, is in anguish over what he knows is coming next – “My Father, if it is possible, take this cup from me…”
I want to remind you of what Jesus told those disciples that night, to those who left everything to follow him, to the ones whose grief was so great that their eyes grew heavy and sleep was the only comfort, to you – the ones whose hope has faded and tomorrow just might be the hardest day of your life: “Stay awake” (Matthew 26:41).
UBC – Stay awake. Our faith, the Christian faith, hinges on what happens next. The night has come to meet the light. The appointed time that Jesus talked about is here. Stay awake.
Meet Our Newest UBCer
Elizabeth Anne Pond
Birthday: March 6th
Birth Height: 20 1/2 Inches
Birth Weight: 7 lbs 15 oz
Enneagram Number: 4
Holy Week Schedule
aundy Thursday service will be held at UBC @ 5:30
If you have never been to one of our Maundy Thursday, we do them as a potluck mixed with liturgy. So bring a dish to pass and be ready to read and listen to scripture together.
Good Friday service will be held at UBC @ 5:30
Toph’s Sabbatical Fund
On Sunday, March 20th, we will be taking up a special offering to help Toph on his sabbatical this summer. If you have any questions, please contact David_Wilhite@baylor.edu .
nUBCers Luncheon
If you are new to UBC within the last 6 months, we would love to have you stay for lunch after church on April 3rd. We will provide the lunch, and give you a little more information about UBC and ways you can get involved in the life of the church here. There will be a sign-up sheet in the foyer on March 20 and March 27, please sign-up then if you would like to attend, or email toph@ubcwaco.org .
Sunday School
Resumes this Sunday.
Philosophy Talks
Chris Tweedt will be leading a series of three talks about the intersection of faith and philosophy. Talks will run in the evening from 7:30-8:30 and will take place at UBC. for more information email Chris @ christweedt@gmail.com. The second of those talks will be this Wednesday. The topic? What does God think about suffering?
Jesse Washington Walk & Memorial Service
Normally we reserve the space in the newsletter for UBC or UBC related events, but we felt like this was an important moment to share in and be a part of.
Work is Worship
Greeters: Ben and Bekah West
Coffee Makers: Chad & Joel
Mug Cleaners: Leigh & Stephen
Announcements:
Sunday Sermon: Lent Six, Palm Sunday: Luke 19:28-40
Chris Tweedt will be leading a series of three talks about the intersection of faith and philosophy. Talks will run in the evening from 7:30-8:30 and will take place at UBC. for more information email Chris @ christweedt@gmail.com
Feb 24: Perceiving God or Arguing for God?
Mar 23: What Does God Think About Suffering?
April 20: Who, If Anyone, Should We Trust about Religion?
Do you have an emergency and need to talk to a pastor?
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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- Kristin Dodson: kschwebke@prodigy.net
Joy Wineman: joy.wineman@gmail.com
Stan Denman: Stan_Denman@baylor.edu
David Wilhite: David_Wilhite@baylor.edu
Bridget Heins: bheins@hot.rr.com
Sharyl Loeung: sharylwl@gmail.com
Jon Davis: jdavis83@gmail.com
UBC Finance Team
Do you have a question about UBC’s financial affairs? Please feel free to contact any of your finance team members.
Tom Haines: thomas_haines@baylor.edu
Josh McCormick: Josh.McCormick@dwyergroup.com
Chris Kim: chris_kim@alumni.baylor.edu
Hannah Kuhl: HannahKuhl@hotmail.com
Justin Pond: pondjw@gmail.com
Lacy Crocker: lacykcrocker@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.
Maxcey Blaylock: maxceykite@gmail.com
Mathew Crawford: mathewcrawford@yahoo.com
Callie Schrank: Callie_Schrank@baylor.edu
Rob Engblom: Rob_Engblom@baylor.edu
Ross Van Dyke: Ross_Vandyke@baylor.edu