JAMIE’S POST
Greetings. If you are not familiar with Walter Brueggemann, he is a juggernaut of an Old Testament scholar, expert in the Prophets, and a major figure in my theological formation. Brueggemann highlighted to me for the first time the poetic language used in the prophets, and Bible in general, to speak of God and describe matters of ultimate concern; that mere descriptive language is insufficient for such tasks.
He also died this year.
As I was doing research for an upcoming sermon, I discovered that several books have been published of his prayers. I bought them all. On Sunday, I read from one of those, and wanted to repost that prayer here for you to take up or reflect upon this week:
You are the God who has entered into chaos
and created an ordered world;
You are the God who has walked into the darkness
And created light,
for light and dark are both alike to you.
You are the God who has presented yourself
That long Friday,
submitting to death, letting death do its worst;
You are the God who in buoyancy has laughed the
Easter Laugh,
with the shredded shambles of death all around;
You are the God who in every season of failed power
And impotent death
makes all tings new,
and we praise you!
While we pray to you,
we know about the rampaging of death now on
the loose among us;
We know about wars that are not mere rumors,
violence and brutality in which
we are deeply implicated;
We know about the forgotten who are shoved aside
in the greedy race for “more”;
We know about the intractable powers of injustice
where death exhibits its endless vigor;
We know about the deep anxieties that beset us,
frets about worth and success and
acceptance and winning;
We know about numbing down when we can
no longer bear the anxiety,
of caring only for ourselves
and not noticing,
We know. But we are here today because all our
shabby knowing is penultimate.
And so we submit our small rendezvous with the power of death
to your ultimate rule of light,
life, and joy.
We do not know how to get from here to there,
from our moaning Fridays
to your sturdy Sundays.
So we pray, and
we sing, and
we wait, and
We listen…to stories of little girls brought to life again,
of small children taken up in new life,
to transformations and healings and
reconciliations
all signs…signs of You.
God of life.
We deny nothing of the data of death among us.
But we submit that data to your liveliness.
Come again, Easter God,
Come again, here, among us.
Come again in all your neighborhoods where
the neighbors wait.
Remember what you have begun.
Finish your new creation that we may be,
soon or late,
now and always,
Lost in wonder, love, and praise. Amen.
THIS WEEK
Youth Group is back on Wednesday nights!
*Pints at Pinewood - Wednesday, Pinewood Public House, 6pm
Pack of Hope Food Drive- September 7th-28th
McLennan County Pack of Hope attempts to erase child hunger in McLennan County by supplying eligible students of participating school districts with bags of nutritious food from Friday through Sunday, while they are not receiving meals in school. We are doing a food drive to support their efforts. You can drop any of the following off in Nicole’s office: Microwaveable meals (Chef Boyardee & Mac and Cheese), breakfast bars, granola bars, crackers, fruit gummies, cereal, fruit cups, pudding, pop-tarts, cookies, juice, SlimJims, etc.
GIVING
UBC survives on the generosity of our congregation. Your financial contributions allow us to continue to create a space that is welcoming to all, embraces beauty, and seeks to live life to the fullest.
You can give, as you’re able, on Sunday mornings or set up a single or recurring online gift here.
If you ever have trouble with giving online or have a question about how to give, feel free to email administrator@ubcwaco.org.
CHURCH NEEDS
Jess Wishlist
Our office manager, Jess, is a social work intern at Waco High. As some of our teachers did at the start of the school year, Jess has offered us a wishlist link to help support the work she is doing in the lives of students. You can find it here.
Howerton Meal Train
Kristen had an unexpected gallbladder surgery on Sunday, 9/14! Here’s a chance to support their sweet family with meals and food delivery gift cards. Sign up here.
UBC New Baby Team
ALERT. We’ve got a veritable gaggle of babies on the way this year, and are in search of a group of volunteers who will help support the new families and little nUBCers by organizing meal trains, postpartum support, etc! Email nicole@ubcwaco.org if you're interested on serving on this team.
Are you one of our soon-to-be baby having families? Take a moment to fill out this form so we can prepare to support you and your nUBCer!
Kid’s Volunteers
SIgn up to help with ubckids! Do it for the future! You can sign up here.
Tech Volunteers
Want to help keep the wheels from falling off on Sunday mornings? We are in need of volunteers to run lights, slides, and our livestream in the tech booth. No prior experience required--we will train you on whichever station you would like to help with. Email jamie@ubcwaco.org for more info.
UPCOMING EVENTS
The Book Club @ Ubc- Tuesday, September 30th, 7-8pm
Join us as we discuss the book “The Thursday Murder Club”. Tea and sweet treats provided. Bring your own beverage or snack to share if you’d like! Childcare provided for babies-5 years old.
St Francis Liturgy- Wednesday, October 1st, 5:30pm
Join us for a liturgy incorporating the life and works of St. Francis of Assisi. St. Francis day is actually October 4th, but we all know y’all aren’t looking to come to church on a Saturday.
Pickleball @ the DinkDen- Sunday, October 5th, 2pm
Mi Casa Game Night- Sunday, October 5th, 6pm
Prep Party Dinner- Tuesday, October 7th, 6pm
Everyone (and their families!) who participated in Prep Party is invited to come to UBC and enjoy the delicious fruits of their labors! UBC will provide rolls, salads, and beverages.
Ubc Family Camping Trip: Families Around the Fire @ Airport Park- October 10-11th
"Families Around the Fire" is a family-based outdoor adventure program. Lessons include:
Leave No Trace: Supporting sustainable outdoor recreation
Campsite setup: Outdoor living considerations
Outdoor Cooking: Stove, grill, and Dutch oven
FAQ: Planning your next experience
The cost is $100/family which includes 2 meals and the camping equipment/gear. Contact Nicole@ubcwaco.org if you need help covering the costs. Sign up here.
All-Ubc Bowling Night @ Main Event- Friday, October 17th, 6:30-9pm
Join us in the VIP room for bowling fun! UBC has reserved the room from 7:30-9:00. UBCers are responsible for shoe rentals.
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Find more details and our full calendar of events on our website. This calendar is updated frequently, so check back often!
COMMUNITY BOARD
Texas Council on Family Violence Town Hall
Join us on October 3rd for a local Watch Party of the TCFV Statewide Town Hall on Domestic Violence.
We’ll gather to witness powerful stories, review new statewide data, and make bold calls to action. After the livestream, we’ll hold a short community conversation to reflect and connect. Register Here: TCFV 2025 Town Hall Watch Party
Date: Friday, October 3, 2025 Time: Doors open at 9:45 AM | Livestream 10 AM – Noon CST Location: H.O.P.E.S. Waco
PREACHING SCHEDULE
9/28- Jamie
10/5- Andie
10/12- Andie
10/19- Ellen Di Giosia
CONTACT INFO
Pastoral Staff
Andie Pellicer, Lead Pastor
(andie@ubcwaco.org)
Jameson McGregor, Worship & Arts Pastor (jamie@ubcwaco.org)
Nicole Dizdar, Kids Pastor
(nicole@ubcwaco.org)
Hannah Kapitaniuk, Volunteer College Director
(hannah@ubcwaco.org)
Leadership Team
Britt Duke
Marcus Franklin
Katie Robinson
Margo Shanks
Brooke Reich
Staff Support Team
Kyle Howerton
Jim Wren
Betsy Bracken
Finance Team
Brandon Glover
Jonathan Hill
Ben Rose