ITLOTC 5-26-20

ITLOTC

(In The Life Of The Church)

Easter

Pentecost (by Jamie)

Greetings I keep seeing people talk about how they are tired of hearing people talk about UNPRECEDENTED TIMES.  Me too.  So I will speak to you now of thoroughly precedented times. 

This Sunday is Pentecost.

Once again, we will join the disciples as they, for the second time, come to terms with living in a world without Jesus in it.  Only this time, instead of thinking that they had thrown their lives away to follow a fraud, they wait with the sense that they are caught up in the activity of God in history, though they don’t know what to do next; they don’t know what it means to be followers of Jesus in a world that doesn’t have Jesus walking around in it.

This is understandable because when Jesus was with them, both before and after the resurrection, the disciples consistently misunderstood what he was getting at and thus never developed a reliable instinct for spreading their wings on the Jesus Way.  Furthermore, Jesus told them to wait for a Helper to come because Jesus knew these people all too well.

In light of this, the Helper that comes to them is a bit surprising.  If asked to describe the sort of Holy Spirit that this crew needed, one might expect a very wise ghost version of Jesus with whom they might converse—like a Jesus force ghost for something..

But nope.

Instead they found in wind and flame the movement of the Living God.

Less a spectral sage, more of a muse.

As we come to this day each year, we join the disciples in asking what exactly it means to be people who are formed in the way of Christ in our particular time and place.  Because if nothing else, the liturgical calendar invites us to ask questions to which we think we already have answers.  And in the case of Pentecost, the setting of the accompanying question is always new anyway—we never darken the same particular time and place twice, let alone in THESE UNPRECEDENTED TIMES.  

Sorry.  

It just came out.   

Not deleting.  

Anyway, what I’m saying is, we ask questions to which we think we already have answers, not necessarily to find new answers—though we might— but to question our familiarity and  reclaim the posture of openness, humility, and wonder necessary of people whose Helper is more muse than force ghost.   

So as Pentecost approaches, let us be reminded that the Living God has doubled, and tripled, down on being God-with-us, and as we ask again what it means to be people who are formed in the way of Christ in our particular time and place, may we find ourselves reacquainted with the wonder of chasing the Wind.

Meet Our Newest Leadership Team Member

Luci Hoppe

Why are you in Waco?: I'm a native Houstonian & my husband, Brian, is from Chicago. We made our home here after originally coming to Waco to attend Baylor as undergrads. 

Best local Waco Restaurant?: Moroso

Verse, chapter or book of Bible that has been formative for you?: Psalms & Isaiah 

What are you currently watching?: Since the Cubs aren't playing right now, we've been getting our Chicago sports fix watching The Last Dance

What are you currently reading?: I just finished The Last Romantics by Tara Conklin

What is something we’d never know about you?: I was very shy until college. 

Pen Pals

“Want to connect with other UBCers during this time of social distancing? Want to make a meet someone new and make a new friend or connect with a family and make a BUNCH of new friends? Good news! We’re doing a second round of pen pals! Let Taylor know if you want to participate! You can email her at taylor@ubcwaco.org. And just think of how fun it will be when you get to meet your Pen Pal in person when we all worship together again! You should do it!”

Virtual VBS coming summer of 2020

“Good news everybody - we are going to be having a virtual VBS this summer! So, if you are a parent looking to finalize some summer plans for your kids this summer be on the lookout here and during announcements on Sunday morning because we are finalizing dates and curriculum and will have more info for you soon about when VBS will be this summer!”

Parishioner of the Week

Grace and Gunnar Mangrum for creating a human, and then doing a creative gender reveal with a song they wrote.

Work is Worship

Greeters: No Greeters this week

Coffee Makers: no coffee makers this week

Mug Cleaners: no mug cleaners this week

Money Counter:  no money counters this week

Leadership Team

If you have a concern or an idea for UBC that you’d like to share with someone that is not on staff, feel free to contact one of our leadership team members. 

Chair: Kerri Fisher: Kerri_Fisher@baylor.edu

Luci Hoppe:

Jeremy Nance: Jeremy.J.Nance@L3T.com

Joanna Sowards: jo.sowards@gmail.com

Kathy Krey: kathykrey@gmail.com

Jose Zuniga: jzgrphix2002@yahoo.com

Taylor Torregrossa: Taylordtorregrossa@gmail.com

Student Position: Davis Misloski

Student Position: Maddy O’Shaughnessy

UBC Finance Team

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

Catherine Ballas: catherine@refitrev.com

Jen Carron: jen.carron78@gmail.com

Mike Dodson: financeteammike@gmail.com

George Thornton: GeorgecCT1982@gmail.com

UBC HR Team

If you have concerns about staff and would like contact our human resources team, please feel free to email any of the following members.

Erin Albin: erin.albin1@gmail.com

Sam Goff: samuelgoff92@gmail.com

Rebekah Powell: rpowell671@gmail.com

Kristen Richardson: wacorichardsons@gmail.com

Craig Nash: Craig_Nash@baylor.edu

Ubc Liturgy Stuff 5-24-2020

Ubc Liturgy Stuff

May 24, 2020

Below, you’ll find the song lyrics and scripture readings for the live stream on May 24th (in the order they are needed), as well as some resources for kids! (this includes some stuff that is print-able—if you need Taylor to print stuff for you in the future, just let us know, and we’ll get that set up).

All Hail

all hail the power of Jesus’ name
let angels prostrate fall
bring forth the royal diadem
and crown him lord of all

sinners whose love can ne’er forget
the wormwood and the gall
go spread your trophies at his feet
and crown him lord of all

let every kindred, every tribe
on this terrestrial ball
to him all majesty ascribe
and crown him lord of all

o that with yonder sacred throng
we at his feet may fall
we’ll join the everlasting song
and crown him lord of all

Crown Him

crown him with many crowns
the lamb upon his throne
hark, how the heavenly anthem drowns
all music but it’s own
awake, my soul, and sing
of him who died for thee
and hail him as thy matchless king
through all eternity

crown him the son of God
before the worlds began
and ye who tread where he hath trod
crown him the son of man
whom every grief hath known
that wrings the human breast
and takes and bears them for his own
that all in him may rest

that all in him may rest

crown him the lord of peace
whose pow’r a scepter sways
from pole to pole that wars may cease
and all be prayer and praise
his reign shall know no end
and round his pieced feet
fair flowers of paradise extend
their fragrance ever sweet

crown him the lord of love
behold his hands and side
those wounds, yet visible,
above in beauty, glorified
crown him with many crowns
as yours before him fall
crown him ye kings and queens with crowns
for he is king of all

for he is king of all

Old Testament Reading

Today’s Old Testament reading is Psalm 93:

The Lord is king, he is robed in majesty;
    the Lord is robed, he is girded with strength.
He has established the world; it shall never be moved;
    your throne is established from of old;
    you are from everlasting.

The floods have lifted up, O Lord,
    the floods have lifted up their voice;
    the floods lift up their roaring.
More majestic than the thunders of mighty waters,
    more majestic than the waves of the sea,
    majestic on high is the Lord!

Your decrees are very sure;
    holiness befits your house,
    O Lord, forevermore.

This is the word of the Lord

Thanks be to God

New Testament Reading

Today’s New Testament reading, and Josh’s sermon text, is Luke 24:44-53:

Jesus said to his disciples, "These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you-- that everything written about me in the law of Moses, the prophets, and the psalms must be fulfilled." Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures, and he said to them, "Thus it is written, that the Messiah is to suffer and to rise from the dead on the third day, and that repentance and forgiveness of sins is to be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. And see, I am sending upon you what my Father promised; so stay here in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high."

Then he led them out as far as Bethany, and, lifting up his hands, he blessed them. While he was blessing them, he withdrew from them and was carried up into heaven. And they worshiped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy; and they were continually in the temple blessing God.

This is the Word of the Lord

Thanks be to God

All Creatures

all creatures of our god and king
lift up your voice and with us sing
o praise him, alleluia
thou burning sun with golden beam
thou silver moon with softer gleam
o praise him, o praise him
alleluia, alleluia, alleluia

thou rushing wind, that art so strong
ye clouds that sail in heaven along
o praise him, alleluia
thou rising moon in praise rejoice
ye, lights of evening, find a voice
o praise him, o praise him
alleluia, alleluia, alleluia

let all things their creator bless
and worship him in humbleness
o praise him, alleluia
praise, praise the father, praise the son
and praise the spirit, three in one
o praise him, o praise him
alleluia, alleluia, alleluia

Doxology

Praise God from whom all blessings flow
Praise him all creatures here below
Praise him above, ye heavenly host
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost

Amen

Benediction

As we approach this week

May we love God
Embrace Beauty
and Live Life to the fullest

Amen

Worship Resources for UBC Kids and Families

(And also anyone who might want them)

Hello friends! (This is Taylor) Here is a link to some fun coloring sheets and activity ideas for Eastertide Week 7. I’ll be talking about them during worship tomorrow! Also included is a kid’s worship bulletin - so if you print it off beforehand kiddos could do that while they watch our worship service! I’m excited to see what you do with these coloring sheets and activities - so please take a picture and tag @ubcwaco when you use them! Thanks everybody! Here is the link: https://illustratedmin.s3.amazonaws.com/weekly-resources/Easter-Week7.pdf.

p.s. - Remember! If you don’t have a printer just let me know and I can print them out for you!

New Giving App

In case you missed this info for the past couple of weeks:

We're excited to offer a new way to give to UBC - through a simple, fast and secure app!  You can download the free Church Center app and enter "UBC Waco" as your church.  In just a few taps, you'll have your account set up and can give any amount, anytime, from anywhere in the world.  You can make a one-time donation or set up recurring giving instantly.  Best yet, this app is designed specifically for churches, with reduced fees that make sure more of your donation actually goes to support UBC.  If you're not an app person, no worries - we've added Church Center as an option under the "give" tab on our website.  Thanks for your giving and support of our UBC community!

ITLOTC 5-19-20

ITLOTC

(In The Life Of The Church)

Easter

On Being Outside

It is now that time of year when I get the grumpiest.  I’ll harvest my onions.  The pea plants are about finished.  I’ll get a few more cucumbers over the next few weeks and the tomato plants and I will battle the heat until late June.  I might get five peppers.  The last of my garden is the clearest sign that Satan and his army are here for the summer.  Look at your weather app and the 90s will appear as far as you can see.  Lindsay tells me that today is supposed to set a record (98 degrees).*   What makes it even harder is that in Texas, Spring is the best season.  This is the opposite of WI.  I’ve created a chart below for you to see the comparison. 

We moved to Texas in August of 2004.  The day we moved into our apartment it was 104 degrees.  It’s not always that bad, but it’s at least that bad once a summer.  Summer is a kind of purgatory around these parts.  I’ve acclimated … kinda.  After a few years a real hatred crept into my heart though.  Then I started reading about seasonal affective disorder.  I used to think it was just for people in Seattle because  of  a lack of sunshine.  I have a different theory (that’s unqualified and has no data to back it up).  It’s for anyone who has to spend large seasons of life inside.  The thesis of this entry is that we are made to be outside.  

I was thinking back to my very first semester at UBC.  It was also the fall of 2004.  I joined a Sunday school class on Job.  One of our ice breaker questions was about landscapes that we find beautiful.  The answers were typical.  Mountains, forests, oceans, bla, bla, bla.  My friend Jonathan though, said that he preferred the cityscape.  I was repulsed.  Concrete and car noises?!?  No thanks.  But I liked Jonathan so I decided his answer was ok.  Last summer I went to Manhattan and I think I got it.  The city has a kind of beauty.  I raise Jonathan’s point to bolster my own.  I realize that outside doesn't have to equate mountain ranges.  It can mean Carrie Bradshaw.  But I maintain that we are created to be outside.  Summer in Texas makes that harder (for some of us, the rest of us are liars). 

I have good news for you.  My brother and sister (aka neighbors) purchased a pool.  This will make my life less miserable and so I’m excited to see if I have an attitude change about Texas this summer.  You can pray for that for me.  My therapist has been trying to help me feel feelings and be present for over a year now.  A lot of that is about different kinds of meditation.  I’m not very good at mediation because, squirrel, but I’m still trying.  One thing she helped me with is finding the meditations that naturally come to me throughout the day.  Last summer on sabbatical I read up on Sabbath.  More particularly, I read Sabbath, by Wayne Muller.  One piece of data stood out above all others.  Muller said that a research study showed that the majority of people reported that their number one mechanism for finding rest was by connecting with nature.  Again, I’m not trying to sell you Stever Irwin, but I do remain convinced that you are dust and to dust you will return.  There’s something primal about feeling the dirt beneath your feet.  It’s that to which you have always belonged and will belong to again.  But let me conclude by making space for the one person who absolutely hates being outside.  The deeper metaphysical principle would be to find something that gives you life and to be selfish enough to prioritize that something in your life.  Go be with God. 

* In other interesting news, I read this article this week.  Not sure about the credibility, but crossing my fingers that it’s true!

Family Resource Pantry

Thank you to everyone who has been donating so far, and for those who have volunteered. We served 53 families last week!  We are trying to make sure we get the necessary items each week, so below you will find a new resources needed link, and when you are going to purchase something you can check it off the list as bought.  If you have any questions, please contact toph@ubcwaco.org  You can also use the second link to volunteer if you would like to serve in the pantry and driving meals to families.  

Pantry needs list:

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/508084EACAE2AABFF2-community
Volunteer signup:
https://bit.ly/communityfoodpantry

Pen Pals

“Want to connect with other UBCers during this time of social distancing? Want to make a meet someone new and make a new friend or connect with a family and make a BUNCH of new friends? Good news! We’re doing a second round of pen pals! Let Taylor know if you want to participate! You can email her at taylor@ubcwaco.org. And just think of how fun it will be when you get to meet your Pen Pal in person when we all worship together again! You should do it!”

Virtual VBS coming summer of 2020

“Good news everybody - we are going to be having a virtual VBS this summer! So, if you are a parent looking to finalize some summer plans for your kids this summer be on the lookout here and during announcements on Sunday morning because we are finalizing dates and curriculum and will have more info for you soon about when VBS will be this summer!”

Parishioner of the Week

Ricky Shull: The Baylor Department of Journalism, Public Relations & New Media is excited to award a William & Joanne Moore Scholarship to Ricky Shull. He will be pursuing a Master of Arts in Journalism this fall. He graduated from Baylor in August 2019 with a BBA in Marketing and Entrepreneurship & Corporate Innovation and is excited to return to Waco for this new opportunity! #Baylor #JPRNM

Work is Worship

Greeters: No Greeters this week

Coffee Makers: no coffee makers this week

Mug Cleaners: no mug cleaners this week

Money Counter:  no money counters this week

Leadership Team

If you have a concern or an idea for UBC that you’d like to share with someone that is not on staff, feel free to contact one of our leadership team members. 

Chair: Kerri Fisher: Kerri_Fisher@baylor.edu

Byron Griffin: byrontgriffin@gmail.com

Jeremy Nance: Jeremy.J.Nance@L3T.com

Joanna Sowards: jo.sowards@gmail.com

Kathy Krey: kathykrey@gmail.com

Jose Zuniga: jzgrphix2002@yahoo.com

Taylor Torregrossa: Taylordtorregrossa@gmail.com

Student Position: Davis Misloski

Student Position: Maddy O’Shaughnessy

UBC Finance Team

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

Catherine Ballas: catherine@refitrev.com

Jen Carron: jen.carron78@gmail.com

Mike Dodson: financeteammike@gmail.com

George Thornton: GeorgecCT1982@gmail.com

UBC HR Team

If you have concerns about staff and would like contact our human resources team, please feel free to email any of the following members.

Erin Albin: erin.albin1@gmail.com

Sam Goff: samuelgoff92@gmail.com

Rebekah Powell: rpowell671@gmail.com

Kristen Richardson: wacorichardsons@gmail.com

Craig Nash: Craig_Nash@baylor.edu

Ubc Liturgy Stuff 5-17-2020

Ubc Liturgy Stuff

May 17, 2020

Below, you’ll find the song lyrics and scripture readings for the live stream on May 17th (in the order they are needed), as well as some resources for kids! (this includes some stuff that is print-able—if you need Taylor to print stuff for you in the future, just let us know, and we’ll get that set up).

All Creatures

all creatures of our god and king
lift up your voice and with us sing
o praise him, alleluia
thou burning sun with golden beam
thou silver moon with softer gleam
o praise him, o praise him
alleluia, alleluia, alleluia

thou rushing wind, that art so strong
ye clouds that sail in heaven along
o praise him, alleluia
thou rising moon in praise rejoice
ye, lights of evening, find a voice
o praise him, o praise him
alleluia, alleluia, alleluia

let all things their creator bless
and worship him in humbleness
o praise him, alleluia
praise, praise the father, praise the son
and praise the spirit, three in one
o praise him, o praise him
alleluia, alleluia, alleluia

Wideness

there’s a wideness in god’s mercy
like the wideness of the sea
there’s a kindness in god’s justice
which is more than liberty
there’s welcome for the sinner,
the cast-off, and the unloved,
there’s mercy with the savior
there is healing in his blood

for the love of God is broader
than the measure of our mind
and the heart of the eternal
is most wonderfully kind
but we make this love to narrow
by false limits of our own
and we magnify his strictness
with a zeal he will not own

there’s grace enough for thousands
of new worlds as great as this
there’s room for fresh creations
in that upper home of bliss
there’s plentiful redemption
in the blood that has been shed
there’s joy for every creature
in the sorrows of the head

for the love of God is broader
than the measure of our mind
and the heart of the eternal
is most wonderfully kind
but we make this love to narrow
by false limits of our own
and we magnify his strictness
with a zeal he will not own

o holy instructor
I fear we’ve found a way to
be wholly destructive
and pin the blame on you
o wideness, come searching
and repair what went wrong

Old Testament Reading

Today’s Old Testament reading is Psalm 66:7-18:

Bless our God, O peoples,
    let the sound of his praise be heard,
who has kept us among the living,
    and has not let our feet slip.
For you, O God, have tested us;
    you have tried us as silver is tried.
You brought us into the net;
    you laid burdens on our backs;
you let people ride over our heads;
    we went through fire and through water;
yet you have brought us out to a spacious place.

I will come into your house with burnt offerings;
    I will pay you my vows,
those that my lips uttered
    and my mouth promised when I was in trouble.
I will offer to you burnt offerings of fatlings,
    with the smoke of the sacrifice of rams;
I will make an offering of bulls and goats. Selah

Come and hear, all you who fear God,
    and I will tell what he has done for me.
I cried aloud to him,
    and he was extolled with my tongue.
If I had cherished iniquity in my heart,
    the Lord would not have listened.

This is the word of the Lord

Thanks be to God

New Testament Reading

Today’s New Testament reading, and Josh’s sermon text, is Acts 17:22-31:

Paul stood in front of the Areopagus and said, “Athenians, I see how extremely religious you are in every way. For as I went through the city and looked carefully at the objects of your worship, I found among them an altar with the inscription, ‘To an unknown god.’ What therefore you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you. The God who made the world and everything in it, he who is Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in shrines made by human hands, nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mortals life and breath and all things. From one ancestor he made all nations to inhabit the whole earth, and he allotted the times of their existence and the boundaries of the places where they would live, so that they would search for God and perhaps grope for him and find him—though indeed he is not far from each one of us. For ‘In him we live and move and have our being’; as even some of your own poets have said, 

‘For we too are his offspring.’ 

Since we are God’s offspring, we ought not to think that the deity is like gold, or silver, or stone, an image formed by the art and imagination of mortals. While God has overlooked the times of human ignorance, now he commands all people everywhere to repent, because he has fixed a day on which he will have the world judged in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed, and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead.”

This is the Word of the Lord

Thanks be to God

Wild One

overwhelming, you cannot be contained
in leather bindings, a turn or a word or phrase
overwhelming, these idols that you break
crumbling to the ground in place

you were running with iconoclast strides
god, you’re wilder than we ever thought you would be
though we try, we can’t pin you down, you’re a wild one
you’re greater

disconcerting, these figures that we form
we want more money, we want a higher bar
disconcerting, these idols that we carve
controlling like the wind to a sail

you were running with iconoclast strides
god, you’re wilder than we ever thought you would be
though we try, we can’t pin you down, you’re a wild one
you’re greater

unbound, you’re overwhelming
we built you a house, but you keep moving
maker, you’re not done making
we gave you seven days, but you’re still forming
so form these broken bodies into gold
a greater love, with a lighter load
and tear these temples down, stone from stone
crashing to the ground like broken chains

you are running with iconoclast strides
god you’re wilder than we ever thought you would be
though we try, we can’t pin you down
you’re a wild one

and you’re greater

Doxology

Praise God from whom all blessings flow
Praise him all creatures here below
Praise him above, ye heavenly host
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost

Amen

Benediction

As we approach this week

May we love God
Embrace Beauty
and Live Life to the fullest

Amen

Worship Resources for UBC Kids and Families

(And also anyone who might want them)

Hello friends! (This is Taylor) Here is a link to some fun coloring sheets and activity ideas for Eastertide Week 6. I’ll be talking about them during worship tomorrow! Also included is a kid’s worship bulletin - so if you print it off beforehand kiddos could do that while they watch our worship service! I’m excited to see what you do with these coloring sheets and activities - so please take a picture and tag @ubcwaco when you use them! Thanks everybody! Here is the link: https://illustratedmin.s3.amazonaws.com/weekly-resources/Easter-Week6.pdf.

p.s. - Remember! If you don’t have a printer just let me know and I can print them out for you!

New Giving App

In case you missed this info for the past couple of weeks:

We're excited to offer a new way to give to UBC - through a simple, fast and secure app!  You can download the free Church Center app and enter "UBC Waco" as your church.  In just a few taps, you'll have your account set up and can give any amount, anytime, from anywhere in the world.  You can make a one-time donation or set up recurring giving instantly.  Best yet, this app is designed specifically for churches, with reduced fees that make sure more of your donation actually goes to support UBC.  If you're not an app person, no worries - we've added Church Center as an option under the "give" tab on our website.  Thanks for your giving and support of our UBC community!

ITLOTC 5-12-20

ITLOTC

(In The Life Of The Church)

Easter

Time to Think by Taylor

We have been watching a lot of Top Chef. I have long been a Top Chef fan, but there is something about it during this season that is particularly comforting. We watched an episode recently from Season 8 that helped me reflect a little about why I am finding Top Chef so comforting right now. The chefs had to go cook a meal at Rao’s, an Italian restaurant in New York City. Rao’s is over 100 years old and has been owned by the same family for 4 generations. All of the food was served family style to a tableful of judges and guests – about 10 people in total all sitting around 1 big table sharing food and wine and conversation.

            And it made me realize that I have really missed sharing in table fellowship with people. Watching people eat and talk around tables on Top Chef has been a cheap replacement for the real thing – but it has been a replacement nonetheless. Being together with friends and loved ones eating and talking is one of my favorite things – a long slow meal is a holy moment. Scripture also emphasizes the importance of table fellowship as a moment to share hospitality, a moment that forms us together as a community, and a moment that brings our attention to what God is doing among us.

            Last fall Brandi Carlile, Natalie Hemby, Maren Morris, and Amanda Shires formed a group called The Highwomen and released an album under the same name. One of my favorite songs on the album is a song called Crowded Table. And I wanted to share some of the lyrics with you because I feel like it really describes what I am missing in this season, and what I am hoping to commit myself to in the next season (and in all seasons):

The door is always open
Your picture's on my wall
Everyone's a little broken
And everyone belongs
Yeah, everyone belongs 

I want a house with a crowded table
And a place by the fire for everyone
Let us take on the world while we're young and able
And bring us back together when the day is done
And bring us back together when the day is done 

(You should definitely go listen to this song. It is so good.)

            One of the gifts of this season has been time to think and reflect. (I know this is privilege and not something everyone has experienced during this time.) And thinking about what is important and meaningful to me has been a gift – I’d love to hear what you have been thinking about and committing yourself too – and I’d love to join you in table fellowship as soon as we can!

Meet Our Newest HR Team Member

Name: Craig Nash

Why are you in Waco: At this point, almost 20 years after moving to Waco, I feel like the only adequate answer to this question is "Because I live here." 

Current TV Show:  I've used Quarantine 2020 to binge on Schitt'$ Creek and Handmaid's Tale. Having finished those, I'm currently on a tv sabbatical. 

Favorite Movie:  Back to the Future

Best Waco Restaurant: Taqueria El Mexicano Grill #9

Scripture that has been meaningful for you: Lamentations 3

Something we might know about you: I'm bald. But I'm guessing that was supposed to read "Something we might NOT know about you," in which case--- My high school typing teacher would slap our hands with a ruler if she caught us looking down at the keyboard. Because of that, I'm a real fast typer. (And terrified of looking down when I'm typing.)

Family Resource Pantry

Thank you to everyone who has been donating so far, and for those who have volunteered.  We are trying to make sure we get the necessary items each week, so below you will find a new resources needed link, and when you are going to purchase something you can check it off the list as bought.  If you have any questions, please contact toph@ubcwaco.org  You can also use the second link to volunteer if you would like to serve in the pantry and driving meals to families.  

Pantry needs list:

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/508084eacae2aabff2-community
Volunteer signup:
https://bit.ly/communityfoodpantry

Parishioner of the Week

Katherine Reynolds who was named Community MSW Intern of the Year. Congrats Cat! Here’s what Kat had to say: "I changed my major to #socialwork after participating in the Poverty Simulation hosted by Mission Waco. I have always felt a passion for service, and, after discovering social work, found a way to turn this passion into a career."

Work is Worship

Greeters: No Greeters this week

Coffee Makers: no coffee makers this week

Mug Cleaners: no mug cleaners this week

Money Counter:  no money counters this week

Leadership Team

If you have a concern or an idea for UBC that you’d like to share with someone that is not on staff, feel free to contact one of our leadership team members. 

Chair: Kerri Fisher: Kerri_Fisher@baylor.edu

Byron Griffin: byrontgriffin@gmail.com

Jeremy Nance: Jeremy.J.Nance@L3T.com

Joanna Sowards: jo.sowards@gmail.com

Kathy Krey: kathykrey@gmail.com

Jose Zuniga: jzgrphix2002@yahoo.com

Taylor Torregrossa: Taylordtorregrossa@gmail.com

Student Position: Davis Misloski

Student Position: Maddy O’Shaughnessy

UBC Finance Team

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

Catherine Ballas: catherine@refitrev.com

Jen Carron: jen.carron78@gmail.com

Mike Dodson: financeteammike@gmail.com

George Thornton: GeorgecCT1982@gmail.com

UBC HR Team

If you have concerns about staff and would like contact our human resources team, please feel free to email any of the following members.

Erin Albin: erin.albin1@gmail.com

Sam Goff: samuelgoff92@gmail.com

Rebekah Powell: rpowell671@gmail.com

Kristen Richardson: wacorichardsons@gmail.com

Craig Nash: Craig_Nash@baylor.edu

Ubc Liturgy Stuff 5-10-2020

Ubc Liturgy Stuff

May 10, 2020

Below, you’ll find the song lyrics and scripture readings for the live stream on May 10th (in the order they are needed), as well as some resources for kids! (this includes some stuff that is print-able—if you need Taylor to print stuff for you in the future, just let us know, and we’ll get that set up).

Come Thou Fount

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

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

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

Mother

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

Mother Comfort, Mother Known

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

Mother Wisdom, Mother Love
Mother Comfort, Mother Enough

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

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

Mother God

For Those Tears I Died

locked in confusion
and loosening my grip
it’s happened before
God, it happened again
I thought I knew a story
about this vile curse shattering
but I think it found away to mend

you say come to the water
and stand by my side
I know you are thirsty
you won’t be denied
but I hold every tear drop
that when in darkness you cried
and it was for those tears I died

open my mouth
put a coal upon my tongue
cauterize my silence
and char my teeth to dust
i’ve made and idol out of comfort
praised by keeping my mouth shut
but now it’s found a thirst for blood

you say come to the water
and stand by my side
I know you are thirsty
you won’t be denied
I hold every teardrop
when you cry out in the night
and it was for those tears I died

but how long?

and how many tears did you have in mind?

or how many hours of the night?

my god!

we’re wearing thin from holding on.

good god, how long?

Old Testament Reading

Today’s Old Testament reading is Psalm 31:1-5, 15-16:

In you, O Lord, I seek refuge;
    do not let me ever be put to shame;
    in your righteousness deliver me.
Incline your ear to me;
    rescue me speedily.
Be a rock of refuge for me,
    a strong fortress to save me.

You are indeed my rock and my fortress;
    for your name’s sake lead me and guide me,
take me out of the net that is hidden for me,
    for you are my refuge.
Into your hand I commit my spirit;
    you have redeemed me, O Lord, faithful God.

My times are in your hand;
    deliver me from the hand of my enemies and persecutors.
Let your face shine upon your servant;
    save me in your steadfast love.

This is the Word of the Lord.

(Thanks be to God)

New Testament Reading

Today’s New Testament reading, and Josh’s sermon text, is John 14:1-14:

Jesus said, “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, so that where I am, there you may be also. And you know the way to the place where I am going.” Thomas said to him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?” Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you know me, you will know my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him.” 

Philip said to him, “Lord, show us the Father, and we will be satisfied.” Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and you still do not know me? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own; but the Father who dwells in me does his works. Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; but if you do not, then believe me because of the works themselves. Very truly, I tell you, the one who believes in me will also do the works that I do and, in fact, will do greater works than these, because I am going to the Father. I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If in my name you ask me for anything, I will do it.”

This is the Word of the Lord.

(Thanks be to God)

Pulse

there’s a secret Pulse hidden in
the fabric of creation
and the story of every creature is
bone from dust//gift from Gift

reconnect our hearts to that Pulse You hid
resurrect the peace we’ve unlearned
and in the wreckage of our selective loves
build a tow’r that can’t be hidd’n

there’s a Remedy for the ache
that plagues us all in waves
and the cure for our other-scorning rage
is break my bread, i’ll break your shame

reconnect our hearts to that Pulse You hid
resurrect the peace we’ve unlearned
and in the wreckage of our selective loves
build a tow’r and lock us in

until we find there’s only one kind
of love that won’t break
more than blind, more than selfless in name
it’s open arms either way
because there’s a pulse at the heart of all things
that gives life all the same
and a design to the rhythm we breathe:
Holy Name//Give and Take

Doxology

Praise God from whom all blessings flow
Praise him all creatures here below
Praise him above, ye heavenly host
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost

Amen

Benediction

As we approach this week

May we love God
Embrace Beauty
and Live Life to the fullest

Amen

Worship Resources for UBC Kids and Families

(And also anyone who might want them)

Hello friends! (This is Taylor) Here is a link to some fun coloring sheets and activity ideas for Eastertide Week 4. I’ll be talking about them during worship tomorrow! Also included is a kid’s worship bulletin - so if you print it off beforehand kiddos could do that while they watch our worship service! I’m excited to see what you do with these coloring sheets and activities - so please take a picture and tag @ubcwaco when you use them! Thanks everybody! Here is the link: https://illustratedmin.s3.amazonaws.com/weekly-resources/Easter-Week5.pdf.

p.s. - Remember! If you don’t have a printer just let me know and I can print them out for you!

New Giving App

In case you missed this info for the past couple of weeks:

We're excited to offer a new way to give to UBC - through a simple, fast and secure app!  You can download the free Church Center app and enter "UBC Waco" as your church.  In just a few taps, you'll have your account set up and can give any amount, anytime, from anywhere in the world.  You can make a one-time donation or set up recurring giving instantly.  Best yet, this app is designed specifically for churches, with reduced fees that make sure more of your donation actually goes to support UBC.  If you're not an app person, no worries - we've added Church Center as an option under the "give" tab on our website.  Thanks for your giving and support of our UBC community!

ITLOTC 5-5-20

ITLOTC

(In The Life Of The Church)

Easter

An Update On Worshiping In The Building

To the Good People of UBmegaC,

I’m writing to talk to you about UBCs potential reopening date.   Because I like it when people get straight to the point I will do so now.  We have no concrete date for when UBC will reopen for worship.  Furthermore, it is the collective opinion of the UBC staff and leadership team that UBC should err on the side of caution in deciding when to resume meeting in the building.  

Now for the nuance and reasoning.  

As you may or may not know, Texas Governor Greg Abbot has clarified that restricting churches from meeting is a violation of religious liberty.  In light of this information and because of the partial reopening that happened beginning this last friday May 1, some churches in the area have decided to begin meeting in person ...  some of those are meeting as early as this Sunday, May 10.  There is a letter circulating indicating that several of Waco’s larger churches will begin meeting on the weekend of June 7th.    UBC will not be meeting that weekend.  The main purpose of this entry then, is to let you know that we are actively discussing this as leadership.   It is our deep desire for UBC to be reunited in corporate, incarnational worship, but safety will remain a top priority of us in deciding when and how to do so.  

The leadership team met this past Sunday, May 3rd, to discuss this issue.  Here were some of the thoughts/concerns that were articulated: 

1. Some churches that are opening will do so abiding by the 50 person worship capacity suggestion.  We don’t think that will work well for UBC for following reasons: 

   1. How do you decide who gets to attend what service? 

   2. What do you do if you are at capacity and visitors come? 

   3. How do you keep children six feet apart? 

   4. How would we adequately sanitize the building between services? We do not currently have the resources to clean sufficiently. 

2. We would like an objective way to identify when we think it is best to reopen.   Here were some thoughts, though I’d like to reiterate that we have not committed to any of these as an official benchmark. 

   1. When the CDC says it is safe to do so

   2. When the state or local government says it is safe to do 

   3. When we can assure parents of their children’s safety 

   4. When we have a vaccine

3. When we reopen we realize the following will be true and consequently we will have to plan worship accordingly: 

   1. Some people will not come to church, but elect to continue worship through the live stream 

   2. Some that attend will elect to keep their children with them 

4. After we decide to reopen or we deem it is safe to do so, we will take two weeks to prepare

   1. Figuring out cleaning systems 

   2. How to best serve our children with our space in a way that is safe

   3. Make adjustments to the liturgy that are situation specific

We would like to thank you for your patience, prayer and faithfulness to UBC during this difficult time.  I’m reminded of Israel’s exile.  Exile is a motif UBC knows well having spent a year away from our building in the period after Kyle Lake passed away.  In exile we learn new things about God and the creative ways that community can be shaped by Him.  So with weary and yet renewed hearts we look forward to this next chapter of UBCs worshiping story.  Thank you for doing this with us.  

Meet Our Newest UBCer

Shea Luke Blaylock

Birthday: 4/27/2020 @ 2:10pm
Birth Weight: 7 lbs, 11 oz
Birth Height: 20 inches

Enneagram Number: 7 w 8

New Giving App

In case you missed this info for the past couple of weeks:

We're excited to offer a new way to give to UBC - through a simple, fast and secure app!  You can download the free Church Center app and enter "UBC Waco" as your church.  In just a few taps, you'll have your account set up and can give any amount, anytime, from anywhere in the world.  You can make a one-time donation or set up recurring giving instantly.  Best yet, this app is designed specifically for churches, with reduced fees that make sure more of your donation actually goes to support UBC.  If you're not an app person, no worries - we've added Church Center as an option under the "give" tab on our website.  Thanks for your giving and support of our UBC community!

Family Resource Pantry

Thank you to everyone who has been donating items so far, we have served over 100 families within WacoISD over the past few weeks.  Below you will an updated list of what items we currently need.  You are welcome to have the items shipped to UBC, drop them off, or contact toph@ubcwaco.org for pick-up from your house.  Thank you for your generosity UBC.  If you would like to volunteer to help with the pantry, please email Toph.

Food: peanut butter (16.oz), jelly(18oz), cereal (10-11oz), granola bars (box), pasta(1 bag), Cooking Oil, Macaroni, spaghetti sauce(24 oz) ,ramen (Square), soup (Can), canned meat (tuna), canned veg (can), rice (16oz bag)

Baby items: Diapers (all sizes), formula, wipes

Cleaning supplies: Laundry detergent, dish soap, bleach. paper towels

Personal Hygiene: Toilet Paper, soap, shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste, toothbrushes, feminine products, deodorant

The Cove - Waco

The Cove is a non-profit that works with homeless HS students in Waco.  They are currently in need of volunteers to help with getting support to their teens.  Below are the volunteer opportunities, and who to contact to sign-up.  If you'd like to help--even for one afternoon--please email Tarad@thecovewaco.org and we'll let you know the next steps!

1) Weekly Cove Care Visits - Commit 2-3 hours to deliver non-perishable, meals and hygiene items to students though no-contact, front porch drop-offs Monday, Wednesday, or Friday between 10:30am - 1pm. 

2) One-time event to prepare non-perishable bags and hygiene bags here at The Cove on Tuesday, May 12th

3) Pick up food items from Shepherd's Heart on Tuesdays and deliver to The Cove

Parishioner of the Week

Bridges West who started a new job as a case manager at the CMH this week. Great job Bridges, we are proud of you.

Work is Worship

Greeters: No Greeters this week

Coffee Makers: no coffee makers this week

Mug Cleaners: no mug cleaners this week

Money Counter:  no money counters this week

Leadership Team

If you have a concern or an idea for UBC that you’d like to share with someone that is not on staff, feel free to contact one of our leadership team members. 

Chair: Kerri Fisher: Kerri_Fisher@baylor.edu

Byron Griffin: byrontgriffin@gmail.com

Jeremy Nance: Jeremy.J.Nance@L3T.com

Joanna Sowards: jo.sowards@gmail.com

Kathy Krey: kathykrey@gmail.com

Jose Zuniga: jzgrphix2002@yahoo.com

Taylor Torregrossa: Taylordtorregrossa@gmail.com

Student Position: Davis Misloski

Student Position: Maddy O’Shaughnessy

UBC Finance Team

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

JD Newman: JD_Newman@baylor.edu 

Catherine Ballas: catherine@refitrev.com

Jen Carron: jen.carron78@gmail.com

Mike Dodson: financeteammike@gmail.com

George Thornton: GeorgecCT1982@gmail.com

UBC HR Team

If you have concerns about staff and would like contact our human resources team, please feel free to email any of the following members.

Erin Albin: erin.albin1@gmail.com

Sam Goff: samuelgoff92@gmail.com

Rebekah Powell: rpowell671@gmail.com

Kristen Richardson: wacorichardsons@gmail.com

Craig Nash: Craig_Nash@baylor.edu

Ubc Liturgy Stuff 5-3-2020

Ubc Liturgy Stuff

May 3, 2020

Below, you’ll find the song lyrics and scripture readings for the live stream on May 3rd (in the order they are needed), as well as some resources for kids! (this includes some stuff that is print-able—if you need Taylor to print stuff for you in the future, just let us know, and we’ll get that set up).

House of God Forever

God is my shepherd
I won’t be wanting
I won’t be wanting
God makes me rest
in fields of green
with quiet streams
even though i walk
through the valley
of death and dying
i will not fear
for you are with me
you’re always with me

your shepherd’s staff comforts me
you are my feast in the presence of enemies
and surely goodness will follow me
will follow me in the house of god forever

Mother

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

Mother Comfort, Mother Known

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

Mother Wisdom, Mother Love
Mother Comfort, Mother Enough

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

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

Mother God

Old Testament Reading

Today’s Old Testament reading is Psalm 23

The Eternal is my shepherd, cares for me always.
The Eternal provides me rest in rich, green fields
    beside streams of refreshing water,
    soothes my fears;
The Eternal makes me whole again,
    steering me off worn, hard paths
    to roads where truth and righteousness echo the Name.

Even in the unending shadows of death’s darkness,
    I am not overcome by fear.
Because You are with me in those dark moments,
    near with Your protection and guidance,
    I am comforted.

You spread out a table before me,
    provisions in the midst of attack from my enemies;
You care for all my needs, anointing my head with soothing, fragrant oil,
    filling my cup again and again with Your grace.
Certainly Your faithful protection and loving provision will pursue me
    where I go, always, everywhere.
I will always be with the Eternal,
    in Your house forever.

This is the Word of the Lord.

(Thanks be to God)

New Testament Reading

Today’s New Testament reading, and Josh’s sermon text, is John 10:1-10:

“Very truly, I tell you, anyone who does not enter the sheepfold by the gate but climbs in by another way is a thief and a bandit. The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep hear his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice. They will not follow a stranger, but they will run from him because they do not know the voice of strangers.” Jesus used this figure of speech with them, but they did not understand what he was saying to them.

So again Jesus said to them, “Very truly, I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. All who came before me are thieves and bandits; but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the gate. Whoever enters by me will be saved, and will come in and go out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.

This is the Word of the Lord.

(Thanks be to God)

Eternal Anchor

Eternal Wisdom, Eternal Grace
is there a creature You have not named
and known in greater depth
than the cells of which it’s made
and bound up in a love not even death
could separate?

Eternal Anchor, Eternal Grace
wrapped in Light like Eternal Flame
would you incinerate the thorns
stabbing in my brain
and with a Word obliterate
the cycles I retrace?

would you raise a staff, split the sea
and graft my withered branch
into Your family tree
and come to my defense
if my brother called it cheap
as if my every breath someone else
had planned to breathe

Eternal Anchor, Eternal Love
is there a distance You would not run
with glory gathered up,
kicking up the dust,
to close the gap I made
to try my luck?

would you raise a glass, call a feast
and grace my withered hand with Your family ring
and as I search for words to try to explain
would they be drowned out with your redemption parade?
and as the forests clapped their hands
and mountains stomp their feet
would a thousand trumpets roar
as trampled voices sing?
and would I be caught up in that Embodied Melody;
of the all-creation, misfit family band of everything?

will all that was lost yet be found?
will al that was lost yet be found?
Name beyond all naming, Love beyond all framing,
will all that was lost yet be found?

Doxology

Praise God from whom all blessings flow
Praise him all creatures here below
Praise him above, ye heavenly host
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost

Amen

Benediction

As we approach this week

May we love God
Embrace Beauty
and Live Life to the fullest

Amen

Worship Resources for UBC Kids and Families

(And also anyone who might want them)

Hello friends! (This is Taylor) Here is a link to some fun coloring sheets and activity ideas for Eastertide Week 4. I’ll be talking about them during worship tomorrow! Also included is a kid’s worship bulletin - so if you print it off beforehand kiddos could do that while they watch our worship service! I’m excited to see what you do with these coloring sheets and activities - so please take a picture and tag @ubcwaco when you use them! Thanks everybody! Here is the link: https://illustratedmin.s3.amazonaws.com/weekly-resources/Easter-Week4.pdf.

p.s. - Remember! If you don’t have a printer just let me know and I can print them out for you!

New Giving App

In case you missed this info for the past couple of weeks:

We're excited to offer a new way to give to UBC - through a simple, fast and secure app!  You can download the free Church Center app and enter "UBC Waco" as your church.  In just a few taps, you'll have your account set up and can give any amount, anytime, from anywhere in the world.  You can make a one-time donation or set up recurring giving instantly.  Best yet, this app is designed specifically for churches, with reduced fees that make sure more of your donation actually goes to support UBC.  If you're not an app person, no worries - we've added Church Center as an option under the "give" tab on our website.  Thanks for your giving and support of our UBC community!

ITLOTC 4-28-20

ITLOTC

(In The Life Of The Church)

Easter

Mother (by jamie)

In May of 2018, I wrote a song called “Mother.”  Mother’s Day was approaching, and I was preparing some liturgical elements that used the lens of motherhood to speak of who God is and how God relates to us.  

In this process, I was faced with the reality that I didn’t know of a single song that used maternal images of God.  I would later find that there are a handful scattered throughout history, but none of those had been a part of my attention collection up to that point.  I remember being puzzled by this, as Deuteronomy, Isaiah, Hosea, and Jesus all seem to implement maternal language when speaking of who God is.

In light of this lack, I set out to write a Mother God song.  I foolishly (thankfully?) chose to begin by compiling a list of “maternal” qualities and “paternal” qualities.  However, each time I thought of one, I would quickly convince myself it was mis-filed, that perhaps it would better suit the other column.

I suppose this is because motherhood and fatherhood are ways of being in the world that seem to mirror one another, overlap, and dance across cultures, neighborhoods, households, years, etc.

And so, my columns remained empty.

Having abandoned that strange unpoetic way of entering into the writing process, I just started playing and let it happen.

And it did.

When I played it that Sunday, much to my surprise, there was applause.

I note this for two reasons.  1) In my 5 years at ubc, that has only happened three times; and 2) I didn’t think the song was very good, and had already decided I was going to start rewriting it from scratch the next day.  

Since it had clearly struck a chord, I decided to leave it alone; it wasn’t my song anymore anyway.  

It belonged to the overwhelming number of ubcers who thanked me through tears or sent me emails that week and in the weeks since.

Those for whom the lack of maternal images of God had been a source of pain or alienation, for whom paternal-only images of God were more of a stiff-arm than embrace.

Those who had complicated relationships with their own mothers and who turned to God for the warmth whose lack they felt.

Those who had complicated relationships with their fathers for whom a Heavenly Father has always read more like a threat than a promise.

And countless blessed others.

I’m sorry it’s taken two years to properly share this song with you.

It will release at all the usual digital places on Friday, but you can stream it here in the meantime

I’ll be sending out an email on Friday with ways you can help spread the word, if you so desire.

May you find in this song a reminder that, in the midst of this cradled set of life and death, you are known, named, and held in the attention of the Creator and Sustainer of all things; caught up with all your joy and all your pain in the warmth of that boundless self-giving love.

Family Resource Pantry

Hello everyone, here is the updated list of what is needed most this week at the pantry.  You can contact toph@ubcwaco.org to arrange pick up or drop off at UBC.  

Food: Bread, cooking oil, milk, lunchmeat, peanut butter, jelly, cereal, granola bars,  pasta, spaghetti sauce, ramen, soup, canned meat, canned vegetables, rice
Baby items: Diapers (all sizes), formula, wipes
Cleaning supplies: Laundry detergent, dish soap, bleach, paper towels
Personal Hygiene: Toilet Paper, soap, shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste, toothbrushes, feminine products, deodorant
School supplies: Spiral notebooks, Pencils, pencil sharpeners, pens, crayons, markers, coloring books

Meet Our Newest UBCer

Calvin Reid Harrison 

Birthday: March 13

Birth Height: 21 1/2 inches long 

Birth Weight: 9 lbs 2oz

Enneagram Number: 5 w 4

Lead Team Nominations

Due to the unforeseen circumstances that COVID has created and the way this may have disrupted candidates lives, we have decided to wait another month before selecting someone to fill Byron Griffin’s role on the leadership team. To that end we are also opening up the nomination process in this time due to the lack of communication about this process because we have not been meeting.

If you would like to nominate someone for the leadership team, please do so by using this link to fill out the form.

(A) Purpose.  The Leadership Team shall be the primary decision-making body of UBC.  The Leadership Team will oversee all the business and property of the church, as well as make the final decisions regarding hiring and dismissal of staff and the acquisition and selling of assets that are beyond budgetary provisions.  

(C) Qualifications.  Each member of Leadership Team shall have been a member of UBC for at least one year, exhibited an understanding and commitment to the mission and values of the church, and be willing to fulfill all responsibilities in the Leadership Team job description. 

(E) Term.  Members of Leadership Team may serve for a duration lasting up to three years.  While they are encouraged to remain the full three years, members may voluntarily remove themselves from their position at any time

Parishioner(s) of the Week

LorAnn Newman for passing the bar.

Work is Worship

Greeters: No Greeters this week

Coffee Makers: no coffee makers this week

Mug Cleaners: no mug cleaners this week

Money Counter:  no money counters this week

Leadership Team

If you have a concern or an idea for UBC that you’d like to share with someone that is not on staff, feel free to contact one of our leadership team members. 

Chair: Kerri Fisher: Kerri_Fisher@baylor.edu

Byron Griffin: byrontgriffin@gmail.com

Jeremy Nance: Jeremy.J.Nance@L3T.com

Joanna Sowards: jo.sowards@gmail.com

Kathy Krey: kathykrey@gmail.com

Jose Zuniga: jzgrphix2002@yahoo.com

Taylor Torregrossa: Taylordtorregrossa@gmail.com

Student Position: Davis Misloski

Student Position: Maddy O’Shaughnessy

UBC Finance Team

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

JD Newman: JD_Newman@baylor.edu 

Catherine Ballas: catherine@refitrev.com

Jen Carron: jen.carron78@gmail.com

Mike Dodson: financeteammike@gmail.com

George Thornton: GeorgecCT1982@gmail.com

UBC HR Team

If you have concerns about staff and would like contact our human resources team, please feel free to email any of the following members.

Erin Albin: erin.albin1@gmail.com

Sam Goff: samuelgoff92@gmail.com

Rebekah Powell: rpowell671@gmail.com

Kristen Richardson: wacorichardsons@gmail.com

Craig Nash: Craig_Nash@baylor.edu

Ubc Liturgy Stuff 4-26-2020

Ubc Liturgy Stuff

April 26, 2020

Below, you’ll find the song lyrics (and chords, if you want to play along!) and scripture readings for the live stream on April 26th (in the order they are needed), as well as some resources for kids! (this includes some stuff that is print-able—if you need Taylor to print stuff for you in the future, just let us know, and we’ll get that set up).

Heart Won’t Stop

there is not a man or a beast
nothing on the land or underneath
nothing that could ever come between
the love you have for me
i could lay my head in Sheol
i could make my bed at
the bottom of the darkness deep
there is not a place I could escape You

Your heart wont’ stop coming after me

there is not an angel of the stars
there is not a devil in the dark
nothing that could change the way You are
the love you have for me
i could lay my head in Sheol
i could make my bed at
the bottom of the darkness deep
there is not a place i could escape You

Your heart won’t stop coming after me

i could lay my head in Sheol
i could make my bed at
the bottom of the darkness deep
there is not a place i could escape You

Your heart won’t stop coming after me

Eternal Anchor

Eternal Wisdom, Eternal Grace
is there a creature You have not named
and known in greater depth
than the cells of which it’s made
and bound up in a love not even death
could separate?

Eternal Anchor, Eternal Grace
wrapped in Light like Eternal Flame
would you incinerate the thorns
stabbing in my brain
and with a Word obliterate
the cycles I retrace?

would you raise a staff, split the sea
and graft my withered branch
into Your family tree
and come to my defense
if my brother called it cheap
as if my every breath someone else
had planned to breathe

Eternal Anchor, Eternal Love
is there a distance You would not run
with glory gathered up,
kicking up the dust,
to close the gap I made
to try my luck?

would you raise a glass, call a feast
and grace my withered hand with Your family ring
and as I search for words to try to explain
would they be drowned out with your redemption parade?
and as the forests clapped their hands
and mountains stomp their feet
would a thousand trumpets roar
as trampled voices sing?
and would I be caught up in that Embodied Melody;
of the all-creation, misfit family band of everything?

will all that was lost yet be found?
will al that was lost yet be found?
Name beyond all naming, Love beyond all framing,
will all that was lost yet be found?

There

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

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

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

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

You’ll be there, You’ll be there, You’ll be there
You’ll be there, You’ll be there, and we’ll be there

Old Testament Reading

Today’s Old Testament reading is Psalm 116:1-3, 10-17:

I love the Eternal; for not only does the Eternal hear
    my voice, my pleas for mercy,
But the Eternal One leaned down when I was in trouble and brought the Eternal’s ear close to me.
    So as long as I have breath, I will call on the Eternal One.
Once I was wound in the wrappings of death;
    the terror of dying and the grave had a grip on me;
    I could not get away, for I was entombed in distress and sorrow.

I believed Your promise; therefore I spoke,
    “I am in deep trouble.”
In my confusion I blurted out,
    “All people are liars!”

How will I pay back the Eternal
    for all the Eternal’s graciousness toward me?
I will raise the cup of deliverance
    and call out the name of the Eternal.
I will fulfill the promises I made to The Eternal One
    here as a witness to all the Eternal One’s people.

Precious in the eyes of the Eternal
    are the deaths of those who follow after the Eternal One.
O Eternal One, You know I am Your servant.
    I am Your servant, a child of Your maidservant, devoted to You;
    You have cut me loose from the chains of death that bind me.
And I come, eager to offer a sacrifice of gratitude
    and call on the name of the Eternal.

This is the Word of the Lord.

(Thanks be to God)

New Testament Reading

Today’s New Testament reading, and Toph’s sermon text, is Luke 19:1-10:

He entered Jericho and was passing through it. A man was there named Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was rich. He was trying to see who Jesus was, but on account of the crowd he could not, because he was short in stature. So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore tree to see him, because he was going to pass that way. When Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, hurry and come down; for I must stay at your house today.” So he hurried down and was happy to welcome him. All who saw it began to grumble and said, “He has gone to be the guest of one who is a sinner.” Zacchaeus stood there and said to the Lord, “Look, half of my possessions, Lord, I will give to the poor; and if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I will pay back four times as much.” Then Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because he too is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek out and to save the lost.”

This is the Word of the Lord.

(Thanks be to God)

Hope

You lit a fire in the darkness
the darkness did not overcome
while we were hopeless and wandering
You were the Breath in our lungs
You sang out hope into the dead of night
and it echoed off the edge of time
said “i’ll bend lower to find you
i’ve called you mine.”

You lit a fire in the darkness
the darkness did not overcome
though we keep losing our minds here
You know the depth of our thoughts
You sang out hope into the dead of night
and it echoed off the edge of time
said “child, I made you on purpose
I’ve called you mine"

and now every broken piece
will find its place again
and every twisted word you heard
in the night will be silent
the fever it will break
the shadow it will fade
’til all that’s left is light and love
in the Dawn that never fades
on and on

You lit a fire in the darkness
the darkness did not overcome
though our walls keep on closing
You are the field where we’d run
You sang out hope into the dead of night
and it echoed off the edge of time
said “this is not how it ends here
I’ve called you mine

and you can’t go back
no, you can’t go back
though everything keeps fading
this fading here will end
and the ever-brilliant Word whispered
in the night will be shouted
the fever it will break
the shadow it will fade
’til all that’s left is light and love
in the Dawn that never fades
on and on

Doxology

Praise God from whom all blessings flow
Praise him all creatures here below
Praise him above, ye heavenly host
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost

Amen

Benediction

As we approach this week

May we love God
Embrace Beauty
and Live Life to the fullest

Amen

Worship Resources for UBC Kids and Families

(And also anyone who might want them)

Hello friends! (This is Taylor) Here is a link to some fun coloring sheets and activity ideas for Eastertide Week 3. I’ll be talking about them during worship tomorrow! Also included is a kid’s worship bulletin - so if you print it off beforehand kiddos could do that while they watch our worship service! I’m excited to see what you do with these coloring sheets and activities - so please take a picture and tag @ubcwaco when you use them! Thanks everybody! Here is the link: https://illustratedmin.s3.amazonaws.com/weekly-resources/Easter-Week3.pdf.

p.s. - Remember! If you don’t have a printer just let me know and I can print them out for you!

New Giving App

In case you missed this info last week:

We're excited to offer a new way to give to UBC - through a simple, fast and secure app!  You can download the free Church Center app and enter "UBC Waco" as your church.  In just a few taps, you'll have your account set up and can give any amount, anytime, from anywhere in the world.  You can make a one-time donation or set up recurring giving instantly.  Best yet, this app is designed specifically for churches, with reduced fees that make sure more of your donation actually goes to support UBC.  If you're not an app person, no worries - we've added Church Center as an option under the "give" tab on our website.  Thanks for your giving and support of our UBC community!

ITLOTC 4-21-20

ITLOTC

(In The Life Of The Church)

Easter

On Doing Enough

Sometimes when I have a good idea for a newsletter article I store it in my head for later.  I don’t write every week. I write 2 of the 4 weeks of a month and T-Bone Taylor Post and Jameson McGregor write the other two (for some reason Toph has just weaseled his way out of this responsibility his whole religious career).   So in off weeks, when I have a good idea, I put that in the file cabinet for later. Well, here’s what happened. Last week Taylor wrote the newsletter and included this quote “I hope that in this season you are being kind to yourself and remembering that your worth is not defined by what you do or what you produce – but, rather, that you are inherently loved and worthy and created in the image of God and you can rest in that.”  That’s the quote that other Taylor (social media Taylor) used to advertise the piece.  Now here’s the problem: that was essentially my stored up idea for the newsletter.  

I’m going to write my idea anyway.  

We all know that personality tests are fake and can’t tell you anything helpful about your life.  It’s another form of astrology. But let’s just say for a moment that one of these personality tests fooled me into thinking it was really effective.  Like it anticipated all my motivations in complicated ways including how I behave in stress and growth. This fake personality test might suggest that I am motivated by accomplishing things.  Let me give you an example of how this works. On Saturdays, I like to get work done around the house. I wake up with a mental checklist in my head and all day I slowly work through it checking it off.  When evening arrives I sit down on my couch, watch an episode of Ozark with my cocktail and let the fact that I finished my to-do list wash over me.  While some of you might experience the joy of the comfort of your couch, or the taste of the beverage or the entertainment value of the show, my joy comes from knowing that the work needed to be done, it is done, and that I did it.   Conversely, if I wake up on Saturday and the weather is unpredictable, a tool I need breaks or I get distracted by something not on my list, I feel my day is an utter waste and I am unable to enjoy my evenings. I slip into a small form of depression.  The thought of doing nothing, but laying around all day reading or watching TV feels like a form of hell to me. None of that enjoyment was earned. Instead, it feels like eating an entire bucket of ice cream. It felt good while you are eating it, but then you feel sick, perhaps even nauseous.    

Back to the fake personality test which says that I love to get things done.  Some, who have taken fake personality test too far, have labeled entire countries with fake personality test labels.  As it turns out, America and I are the same. We are labeled as those who love to achieve. (interesting side note, Dallas is also labeled as an achieving city.  I also think it could be the smarminess.) 

*interlude where I break character and feel a moment of inspiration + distraction and call Taylor (pastor Taylor not social media Taylor) to make a list of enneagram TX cities.  Kathleen also makes contributions from the peanut gallery (give credit where credit is due):

1 College Station (once you are there you have to follow the rules) 

2 San Antonio (HEB Headquarters, nothing is more helpful) 

3 Dallas 

4 Marfa (can’t be explained even if wanted to, too unique)

5 Amarillo (isolated)

6 Fort Worth (I can’t tell you because it’s too controversial, DM if you want deets) 

7 Austin (I wanted to make Austin a 4, but Taylor lobbied for 7) 

8 Houston (really Houston could be all of them, but they are the biggest and toughest … did you see them bounce back from Harvey?)

9 El Paso (safest, nicest city in the world) 

Anyway, back to fake personality tests and the American condition of achieving.  Living in America has been pretty great for me. It rewards achievers. Weber’s The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism, “pull yourself up by your bootstraps,”  Rudy … we love overcomers. It’s the American dream.  I love overcomers! Anyhow, I was thinking about my wife.  Fake personality test says she is the opposite of me. Her heaven is sitting on a couch all day in bad weather reading (also, so I don’t get in trouble, let’s add that she’s very productive … I’m merely describing her preference).  Anyhow, my point is, that I sometimes wonder what it is like to live in a country where the ethos doesn’t match your personality. I would think it is hard. And now that we are in the midst of COVID shutdown I can see that it’s actually bad.  

Here’s my main point.  I can see everyone trying their damndest to be productive.  Everyone is trying to put out digital content. Everyone is trying to offer something meaningful.  Take the religion business for example. If I wanted to fill up my day with video devotionals and church videos I could … because everyone is making them.  If I wanted to find committees to be on to fill up my day with zoom calls, I could because everyone is trying to be connected and do important things. I think one of the biggest crises in America right now and in the months to come is that we won’t know how to be, just be.  

One year, when I was in the middle of my resident assistant training at my small christian university (which is like church camp for college kids with a few more rules and responsibilities), one of my friends had a good word.  If you don’t know what a good word is, then you need to go spend some time in full gospel community churches for a while. Anyhow, the good word was that “we are human beings not human doings.” I hate how cliche that is, and maybe it’s because fake personality test says I'm an achiever, but I’ve always struggled with that.  I don’t know how to just be and these moments are exacerbating that fact. 

So I wanted to say to everyone either one of two things: if you live in American and don’t thrive on doing work … I'm sorry, that is sucky hard.  If you do thrive and work and find that you can’t be you right now, I’m sorry to you too. To both of you though, I want to encourage you to not fall prey to doing things just to do them and feel busy.  Take this time to slow down and ask yourself what you actually want to do that will give you life.

Offering for Cuba

The partner organization we work with in Cuba, FIBAC (Fraternity of Baptist Churches in Cuba), is collecting money to help during the pandemic.  There is currently a shortage of food and hygiene supplies.  We will be collecting money over the next two weeks to send to our partners in Cuba, so that may help their people during this time.  If you would like to donate, just make a check out to UBC, and put Cuba in the memo line.  If you have any questions, you may contact toph@ubcwaco.org

Family Resource Pantry

We are still collecting items for the family resource pantry.  Last week, which was the first week it was open, we were able to serve 46 families in Waco ISD.  We have brought on new partner churches this week, and we are beginning to expand the reach of the pantry to other ISD’s surrounding Waco.  Below you will find a list of the items that we need the most.  If you would like to help sort items, prepare items for delivery, or deliver items, please contact toph@ubcwaco.org   Thank you to everyone who has given so far, I think this is going to be a valuable resource for families in the Waco area.  Here are what we need this week: food staples (rice, beans, pasta, pb&j, bread, cooking oil, cereal, etc…; hygiene supplies; and cleaning supplies.  You may have items shipped directly to UBC, or Toph will be happy to come pick them up from your house.  

Lead Team Nominations

Due to the unforeseen circumstances that COVID has created and the way this may have disrupted candidates lives, we have decided to wait another month before selecting someone to fill Byron Griffin’s role on the leadership team. To that end we are also opening up the nomination process in this time due to the lack of communication about this process because we have not been meeting.

If you would like to nominate someone for the leadership team, please do so by using this link to fill out the form.

(A) Purpose.  The Leadership Team shall be the primary decision-making body of UBC.  The Leadership Team will oversee all the business and property of the church, as well as make the final decisions regarding hiring and dismissal of staff and the acquisition and selling of assets that are beyond budgetary provisions.  

(C) Qualifications.  Each member of Leadership Team shall have been a member of UBC for at least one year, exhibited an understanding and commitment to the mission and values of the church, and be willing to fulfill all responsibilities in the Leadership Team job description. 

(E) Term.  Members of Leadership Team may serve for a duration lasting up to three years.  While they are encouraged to remain the full three years, members may voluntarily remove themselves from their position at any time

Parishioner(s) of the Week

Meg Peck was named Garland School of Social Work student of the year. Great job Meg!

Work is Worship

Greeters: No Greeters this week

Coffee Makers: no coffee makers this week

Mug Cleaners: no mug cleaners this week

Money Counter:  no money counters this week

Leadership Team

If you have a concern or an idea for UBC that you’d like to share with someone that is not on staff, feel free to contact one of our leadership team members. 

Chair: Kerri Fisher: Kerri_Fisher@baylor.edu

Byron Griffin: byrontgriffin@gmail.com

Jeremy Nance: Jeremy.J.Nance@L3T.com

Joanna Sowards: jo.sowards@gmail.com

Kathy Krey: kathykrey@gmail.com

Jose Zuniga: jzgrphix2002@yahoo.com

Taylor Torregrossa: Taylordtorregrossa@gmail.com

Student Position: Davis Misloski

Student Position: Maddy O’Shaughnessy

UBC Finance Team

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

JD Newman: JD_Newman@baylor.edu 

Catherine Ballas: catherine@refitrev.com

Jen Carron: jen.carron78@gmail.com

Mike Dodson: financeteammike@gmail.com

George Thornton: GeorgecCT1982@gmail.com

UBC HR Team

If you have concerns about staff and would like contact our human resources team, please feel free to email any of the following members.

Erin Albin: erin.albin1@gmail.com

Sam Goff: samuelgoff92@gmail.com

Rebekah Powell: rpowell671@gmail.com

Kristen Richardson: wacorichardsons@gmail.com

Craig Nash: Craig_Nash@baylor.edu

Twin (A Poem)

“Twin” A Poem for UBC 

4-19-20

A long time ago in a place called Nazareth

A rabbi emerged with a new teaching on Sabbath

His name is Jesus, He is the son of God

If you find that impressive prepare to be awed

His mom was named Mary; she was a virgin

How did this happen? A metaphysical surgeon

Like Rabbis are oft prone to do

This teacher went looking for a crew

He settled on twelve, one for each tribe

Every individual unique with his own vibe

They were

Peter the rock, who Jesus gave the keys

He’s often considered the greatest of these

Andrew his brother who was called first

Finished behind Peter, which is just the worst

James of Zebedee a son of thunder

The first to die, makes you wonder

His brother John, known as an apostle

He wrote Revelation and the 4th gospel

Alpheus had two sons, one was James

Sawed in pieces, he didn’t play games

The other was Thaddues also called Jude

That’s about all we know of that dude

Levi known as Matthew was a collector of tax

But we’ll forgive him because we’ve all got cracks

The eunuch was converted because of Phil

Baptized on the spot, what a thrill

There was Bartholemoew also known as Nathaniel

The only thing that rhymes with that is cocker spaniel

Don’t forget about Simon the zealot

There was trouble with Rome and he could smell it

Then there’s Judas whose known to betray

“God have mercy on his soul,” I pray

That leaves one to discuss this Easter week two

His name is Thomas, and he leaves us something to chew

There’s a lot in this story, I don’t know about

But let’s start with the obvious; he’s famous for doubt

The doors are locked and the windows are sealed

when Jesus appears like Dave Copperfield

The disciples were locked up for fear of the Jews

But Jesus says, “Peace, I have good news

Dead for three days, I was down and out

But suck it Satan, you’ve lost this bout

Just to be sure check out my scars

Those nails and thorns left some good mars”

The disciples looked and what did they see

It was in fact Jesus, “Rejoice and Yippee!”

Then Jesus breathed his God breath of life

And the Holy Spirit pierced them like a knife

Jesus said forgive sins and they are gone

Or you can hang onto them, but that’s just wrong

break

An important part of this story you must know

Is that Thomas wasn’t there for this part of the show

Where was this doubter, out looking for a fix?

He’s probably an ennea five with a wing six.

The others told him about what he missed

An encounter with risen Jesus, what a twist!

Skeptical Thomas didn’t believe

Instead he wanted to be left to grieve

“Unless I can see and touch his scar

I have to believe you saw a ghost from afar”

Well a week went by and not much changed

Thomas listened but his hesitation remained

The disciples were gathered back in their locked house

No one could get in, not even a mouse

But then who should appear in magic act two

Jesus was back and his peace he gives to you

Jesus said, “touch my hands; touch my side”

Thomas did, and his eyes opened wide

Astonished He confessed, “My Lord and my God

You’re looking great in this resurrection bod.”

Jesus replied, “you believe because you behold

But blessed are those who are only told.”

Thank God for Thomas the patron saint of the hipster

Those who are confused and prone to be a resister

You see I think Jesus’ story appears suspicious

To good to be true, it feels a bit fictitious

Water to wine, mud to vision

Walk on water, exorcism

Healing the blind, the lame walk again

Dead back to life, hosanna and amen.

But that’s just His story, what about the rest 

Manna from heaven, Gideon’s test

Swallowed by a fish, parted the sea

Wish you could watch it on YouTube TV

Truth be told I can think of reasons to doubt

Not least among them spiritual drought

But even if you’re good and full of God’s zeal

You have to admit there’s a lot God could heal

Let’s start with this virus that kills the air sac

Or that we live in a world with Nickelback

6 million Jews died in concentration camps

Some people can’t eat even with food stamps

The world is being destroyed at an alarming rate

And people are hated if they aren’t straight

Children are in cages down on the border

Pawns in a system of political disorder

Bodies are sold as if that’s the norm

Assault is excused with promise of reform

These problems though they have a theme

Humanity is responsible it would seem

But what about the problems you can’t pin on us

Like tsunamis, earthquakes and a weird virus

And the problem is really much more you see

We have violence in nature and entropy 

Even if we could all get along together

We know that universe won’t last forever

I know what you’re thinking; it’s because of the fall

But if I read Genesis 3 that’s not there at all

But all of that doubt is about evil 

That says nothing of the science upheaval 

The enlightenment ushered in moderNISM

Which seemed to create a faith/science schism 

It started with Copernicus comma Nick

Who suggest that the universe was heliocentric 

Years later Galileo would support the theory

And the church’s response made people leery 

There was Darwin who became evolution’s commentator 

And suddenly people weren’t sure that they needed a creator 

Marx said religion is the opium of the people 

With the primary function to make economic sheeple 

Nitsche was similar; he had his own critique

Religion was there to celebrate the weak  

Science kept moving forward doing its thing 

Eventually people thought God was a make believe king 

You might be wondering “Why has Josh written a po’em?

This whole effort seems a little below him?”

If I’m honest it’s because I’m trying to hide

Thomas' story has touched something inside

This year has been hard and I’m not sure why

But it seems prudent to let my apprehension testify

I think it began when I watched my father depart

I could sense that something changed in my heart

Death has been around as long as life

But on that day it introduced new strife

It’s not that I was mad at God, only disappointed

The affections of my heart had become disjointed

So I began to wonder and I began to roam

I even stepped outside of my orthodox home

I made more friends that didn’t believe like me

I listened to podcasts and read books that disagree

And what did I find? I’m glad you asked 

The same Jesus I experienced was out there he’s vast

That will make you wonder though

About the bible and what’s okay to let go

Shellfish, mixed fibers and marriage laws

Gold jewelry, slavery and a divorce clause

How can I be faithful? Does God really care?

What if I believe something different? Do I dare?

I’m not saved by works, I’m saved by grace

But are wrong beliefs cause for losing my place? 

All this confusion it can feel like a haunting wraith

But Tillich said, "Serious doubt is confirmation of faith."  

So I return to that story of Jesus in that room

And I realize there’s so much I can’t assume

Like why Jesus picked his scars instead of throne

To prove he was back and not a clone

Our world is postmodern/ truth claims fall flat

Beliefs are subject to change like a thermostat

Makes me wonder if a throne would work

I bet not since politicians are beserk

So it seems to me the only power that could be real

Would come from a God who would suffer to heal

I suspect the scars are in invitation to you and me

To come join God in this counterintuitive intimacy

I should be honest and tell you doubt will remain

But even that can save us if we share in each other’s pain

I suspect that some of you are beginning to pray

That I would run out of things to say

So let me end this poem on a win

God anticipated this, you are the twin

Ubc Liturgy Stuff 4-19-2020

Ubc Liturgy Stuff

April 19, 2020

Below, you’ll find the song lyrics (and chords, if you want to play along!) and scripture readings for the live stream on April 19th (in the order they are needed), as well as some resources for kids! (this includes some stuff that is print-able—if you need Taylor to print stuff for you in the future, just let us know, and we’ll get that set up).

Hope

You lit a fire in the darkness
the darkness did not overcome
while we were hopeless and wandering
You were the Breath in our lungs
You sang out hope into the dead of night
and it echoed off the edge of time
said “i’ll bend lower to find you
i’ve called you mine.”

You lit a fire in the darkness
the darkness did not overcome
though we keep losing our minds here
You know the depth of our thoughts
You sang out hope into the dead of night
and it echoed off the edge of time
said “child, I made you on purpose
I’ve called you mine"

and now every broken piece
will find its place again
and every twisted word you heard
in the night will be silent
the fever it will break
the shadow it will fade
’til all that’s left is light and love
in the Dawn that never fades
on and on

You lit a fire in the darkness
the darkness did not overcome
though our walls keep on closing
You are the field where we’d run
You sang out hope into the dead of night
and it echoed off the edge of time
said “this is not how it ends here
I’ve called you mine

and you can’t go back
no, you can’t go back
though everything keeps fading
this fading here will end
and the ever-brilliant Word whispered
in the night will be shouted
the fever it will break
the shadow it will fade
’til all that’s left is light and love
in the Dawn that never fades
on and on

Waking Life

You’re a hammer blow to the barricade
that I’ve built up in my mind to separate
that which I hold with warm embrace
from that which I have reduced to an empty phrase

You’re a falling blade
to the knot I tied
to secure a heavy shade over my eyes
and as if I had never tasted Light
a stabbing pain slowly gives way
to a Truer Sight

You’re the Waking Life, piercing sleep
Reality, reframing the dream
and as I rise, I don’t recognize my speech
find a garden shed where I once kept my armory

You’re an ember thrown
from a funeral pyre
that infiltrates the cavalcade
of an outrage choir
in the withered aisles
of my fevered mind
now that hollow rage
is wholly remade into a signal fire

You’re the Waking Life, piercing sleep
Reality, reframing the dream
and as I rise, I don’t recognize my speech
find a garden shed where I once kept my armory

You’re the Waking Life, piercing sleep
Reality, reframing the dream
I don’t understand what is happening
but something’s changed in a place I cannot reach
and there’s this ache where I once kept my apathy
like there’s a depth to life and breath in everything

Old Testament Reading

Today’s Old Testament reading is Psalm 16:

Protect me, O God, for in you I take refuge.
I say to the Lord, “You are my Lord;
    I have no good apart from you.”

As for the holy ones in the land, they are the noble,
    in whom is all my delight.

Those who choose another god multiply their sorrows;
    their drink offerings of blood I will not pour out
    or take their names upon my lips.

The Lord is my chosen portion and my cup;
    you hold my lot.
The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places;
    I have a goodly heritage.

I bless the Lord who gives me counsel;
    in the night also my heart instructs me.
I keep the Lord always before me;
    because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.

Therefore my heart is glad, and my soul rejoices;
    my body also rests secure.
For you do not give me up to Sheol,
    or let your faithful one see the Pit.

You show me the path of life.
    In your presence there is fullness of joy;
    in your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

This is the Word of the Lord.

(Thanks be to God)

New Testament Reading

Today’s New Testament reading, and Josh’s sermon text, is John 20:19-31:

When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors of the house where the disciples had met were locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you." After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you." When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained."

But Thomas (who was called the Twin), one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, "We have seen the Lord." But he said to them, "Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands, and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe."

A week later his disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were shut, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you." Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here and see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Do not doubt but believe." Thomas answered him, "My Lord and my God!" Jesus said to him, "Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe."

Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book. But these are written so that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through believing you may have life in his name.

This is the Word of the Lord.

(Thanks be to God)

New Giving App

We're excited to offer a new way to give to UBC - through a simple, fast and secure app!  You can download the free Church Center app and enter "UBC Waco" as your church.  In just a few taps, you'll have your account set up and can give any amount, anytime, from anywhere in the world.  You can make a one-time donation or set up recurring giving instantly.  Best yet, this app is designed specifically for churches, with reduced fees that make sure more of your donation actually goes to support UBC.  If you're not an app person, no worries - we've added Church Center as an option under the "give" tab on our website.  Thanks for your giving and support of our UBC community!

Because He Lives

God sent his son
they called him Jesus
he came to love, heal, and forgive
He lived and died
to buy my pardon
an empty grave is there to prove
my Savior lives

because he lives I can face tomorrow
because he lives, all fear is gone
because I know he holds the future
and life is worth the living
just because he lives

how sweet to hold
a newborn baby
and feel the pride
and joy she brings
but greater still
the calm assurace
this child can face uncertain days
because he lives

because he lives I can face tomorrow
because he lives, all fear is gone
because I know he holds the future
and life is worth the living
just because he lives

and then one day
i’ll cross the river
i’ll fight life’s final
war with pain
but then as death
gives way to victory
i’ll see the lights of glory
and i’ll know he lives

because he lives I can face tomorrow
because he lives, all fear is gone
because I know he holds the future
and life is worth the living
just because he lives

Doxology

Praise God from whom all blessings flow
Praise him all creatures here below
Praise him above, ye heavenly host
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost

Amen

Benediction

As we approach this week

May we love God
Embrace Beauty
and Live Life to the fullest

Amen

Worship Resources for UBC Kids and Families

(And also anyone who might want them)

Hello friends! (This is Taylor) Here is a link to some fun coloring sheets and activity ideas for Eastertide Week 2. I’ll be talking about them during worship tomorrow! Also included is a kid’s worship bulletin - so if you print it off beforehand kiddos could do that while they watch our worship service! I’m excited to see what you do with these coloring sheets and activities - so please take a picture and tag @ubcwaco when you use them! Thanks everybody! Here is the link: https://illustratedmin.s3.amazonaws.com/weekly-resources/Easter-Week2.pdf.

p.s. - Remember! If you don’t have a printer just let me know and I can print them out for you!

ITLOTC 4-14-20

ITLOTC

(In The Life Of The Church)

Easter

Hey friends! Here’s the thing – I’m obsessed with hearing about what people are doing to get through this time of social distancing. We are all using different skills and activities to help ourselves make it through. And so – I wanted to share a few things with you that I’m doing in the hopes that you will reply and tell me what YOU are doing! This is such a strange time (I know we’ve all said that one million times over the past month or so – but that doesn’t make it less true!) and I think more than ever I have noticed and felt within myself the need to hold myself accountable while also offering myself grace. I hope that in this season you are being kind to yourself and remembering that your worth is not defined by what you do or what you produce – but, rather, that you are inherently loved and worthy and created in the image of God and you can rest in that.

            So, here are some things I’m doing to get through social distancing:

1.    Rewatching all of the Gourmet Makes videos.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=72eq0zeUH3A I love this episode!

I’m really watching all of the Bon Appetit Test Kitchen videos but I particularly love Gourmet Makes. Claire makes snack foods from scratch and it’s always fascinating and hilarious to watch. Also, she has very strong Enneagram 1 vibes for all you Enneagram 1s out there. The Bon Appetit Test Kitchen is a happy place and so I always feel better after watching a video!

2.    Baking and Cooking

Here’s the recipe: https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1018203-simple-crusty-bread?action=click&module=Collection%20Page%20Recipe%20Card&region=36%20of%20Our%20Best%20Bread%20Recipes&pgType=collection&rank=3&auth=regi-lite&referring_pv_id=1I5N4D6QW02070hnizQ2q1ev

I am an ok cook – I have always been able to follow a recipe pretty well. But this season has given me more opportunity to try recipes that I never had the time to complete! I also think that cooking and baking is helpful for me in this time because it gives me a sense of control over what is happening – at least in my kitchen for an hour or two – and that is helpful for me as things feel a little out of my control right now! I’ve included the next recipe I plan on trying – for some crusty bread! (which sounds delicious right now!)

3.    Spending time outside (in safe ways)

 I always find it easy to get caught in a loop between my bed and my couch – but I know that my body and my mind both feel better when I spend time outside. A lucky thing we’ve realized is that our internet connection reaches to our backyard so we have been trying to work outside and spend time back there every day. We also took my dog out to the lake last weekend and it was beautiful – there weren’t very many people and everyone was safely practicing social distancing! It was probably the highlight of my week last week!

There are a few more things I’m trying to do regularly: moving my body (I got a refit on demand membership and it’s great! You can get one here), reading as much as I can, connecting and reconnecting with friends and family on zoom and facetime, and I’m trying to learn to cross stitch! But mostly – I want to hear from you! What are you doing and what is helping you? Have you watched anything/read anything/made anything great that you would recommend for others? Let me know in the comments or you can email me at taylor@ubcwaco.org.

I am so thankful for all of you and the way you have been so present in this community over the past few weeks! I feel so encouraged by so many of you and I hope that in this time we can continue to encourage each other and grow and be formed in new ways.

Meet Our UBCer

Myer John Williams

Birthday: 1-28-20

Birth Height: 22 1/2 inches

Birth Weight: 9 lbs 12 oz

Enneagram Number: 5w6

Lead Team Nominations

Due to the unforeseen circumstances that COVID has created and the way this may have disrupted candidates lives, we have decided to wait another month before selecting someone to fill Byron Griffin’s role on the leadership team. To that end we are also opening up the nomination process in this time due to the lack of communication about this process because we have not been meeting.

If you would like to nominate someone for the leadership team, please do so by using this link to fill out the form.

(A) Purpose.  The Leadership Team shall be the primary decision-making body of UBC.  The Leadership Team will oversee all the business and property of the church, as well as make the final decisions regarding hiring and dismissal of staff and the acquisition and selling of assets that are beyond budgetary provisions.  

(C) Qualifications.  Each member of Leadership Team shall have been a member of UBC for at least one year, exhibited an understanding and commitment to the mission and values of the church, and be willing to fulfill all responsibilities in the Leadership Team job description. 

(E) Term.  Members of Leadership Team may serve for a duration lasting up to three years.  While they are encouraged to remain the full three years, members may voluntarily remove themselves from their position at any time

Town Hall

We will have a town hall to discuss the life of the church and information this Sunday April 19 after church. We will give you an update on finances and other plans.

The town hall will be a facebook live event (perhaps will just keep the camera rolling after service is complete). What we would like from you is for you to email any questions you might have about the church to toph@ubcwaco.org. We will also be taking questions during the live stream.

UBC’ers Graduate Recognition

If you are graduating (hs, college, grad school, phd) we would love to recognize you at our annual Mr. Rogers service this year.  The service is going to be on 4/26, and we are putting together a video so we can know who is graduating and what your next steps are.  If you are graduating, please send toph@ubcwaco.org an email and let him know.  Then he will follow up with instructions on what he needs from you.  We are sad we won’t be able to honor you in person, but want to make sure you are recognized.  If you have any questions, contact Toph.  

Family Resource Pantry - (any questions, email toph@ubcwaco.org)

We are partnering with WacoISD, Prosper Waco, Grassroots  Development, Baylor External Affairs, and Antioch to create  The Family Resource Pantry, which will be a strategic way of meeting the needs of families in Waco ISD. UBC is partnering by helping to provide volunteers on Tuesdays, and helping to provide “Essentials” to stock the pantry. Grassroots Development, in partnership with Waco ISD, will help identify the families within our community who have the greatest needs, and we will do delivery to those families on Tuesday/Friday. Below are two ways to volunteer.

1) We need volunteers to help package and distribute pantry items on Tuesday afternoons, from 1-5pm. There will be two shifts, 1-3pm, and 3-5pm. We will need at least 3 volunteers each shift. If you would like to volunteer, please contact toph@ubcwaco.org

2) We need to help stock the pantry. Below you will find a list of essential items we will need. If you are willing to buy these items, you can have them shipped directly to UBC, contact Toph to come pick them up, or schedule a time to drop them off at UBC. Here is the list of items:

• Food: (Bread, Cooking oil, Milk, Peanut Butter, jelly, Cereal, Granola Bars, trail mix) 

• Diapers (need sizes) 

• Formula

• Wipes

• Cleaning supplies 

• Toilet Paper

• Soap, shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste, toothbrushes

• Laundry Detergent

• School supplies like: 

  • Spiral notebooks, Pencils, pencil sharpeners, Pens, Crayons, coloring books

Parishioner(s) of the Week

Each year, every academic program chooses students to honor at the Academic Honors Week Convocation. The 2020 Academic Honors Week Convocation honors two outstanding students from the International Studies major: Estelle McKinney and Audrey Crites. Congratulations, Estelle and Audrey!

Work is Worship

Greeters: No Greeters this week

Coffee Makers: no coffee makers this week

Mug Cleaners: no mug cleaners this week

Money Counter:  no money counters this week

Leadership Team

If you have a concern or an idea for UBC that you’d like to share with someone that is not on staff, feel free to contact one of our leadership team members. 

Chair: Kerri Fisher: Kerri_Fisher@baylor.edu

Byron Griffin: byrontgriffin@gmail.com

Jeremy Nance: Jeremy.J.Nance@L3T.com

Joanna Sowards: jo.sowards@gmail.com

Kathy Krey: kathykrey@gmail.com

Jose Zuniga: jzgrphix2002@yahoo.com

Taylor Torregrossa: Taylordtorregrossa@gmail.com

Student Position: Davis Misloski

Student Position: Maddy O’Shaughnessy

UBC Finance Team

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

JD Newman: JD_Newman@baylor.edu 

Catherine Ballas: catherine@refitrev.com

Jen Carron: jen.carron78@gmail.com

Mike Dodson: financeteammike@gmail.com

George Thornton: GeorgecCT1982@gmail.com

UBC HR Team

If you have concerns about staff and would like contact our human resources team, please feel free to email any of the following members.

Erin Albin: erin.albin1@gmail.com

Sam Goff: samuelgoff92@gmail.com

Rebekah Powell: rpowell671@gmail.com

Kristen Richardson: wacorichardsons@gmail.com

Craig Nash: Craig_Nash@baylor.edu

Ubc Liturgy Stuff 4-12-2020

Ubc Liturgy Stuff

April 12, 2020

Below, you’ll find the song lyrics (and chords, if you want to play along!) and scripture readings for the live stream on April 12th (in the order they are needed), as well as some resources for kids! (this includes some stuff that is print-able—if you need Taylor to print stuff for you in the future, just let us know, and we’ll get that set up).

In the Night

Chord Charts: Guitar, Capo 2; Standard

I am weary with the pain of Jacob’s wrestling
In the darkness with the fear
In the darkness with the fear
But he met the morning wounded, with a blessing
So in the night my hope lives on

Oh in the night
Oh in the night
Oh in the night
My hope lives on

When Elisha woke surrounded by the forces
Of the enemies of God, the enemies of God
He saw the hills ablaze with angels on their horses
So in the night, my hope lives on

Oh in the night
Oh in the night
Oh in the night
My hope lives on

I see the slave who toils beneath the yoke, unyielding
And I can hear the captive groan, hear the captive groan
For some hand to stay the whip his foe is wielding
Still in the night my hope lives on

Oh in the night
Oh in the night
Oh in the night
My hope lives on 

I see the armies of the enemy approaching
And the people driven trembling for the shore
But a doorway through the water now is opening
So in the night, my hope lives on

Oh in the night
Oh in the night
Oh in the night
My hope lives on 

Like the son who thought he’d gone beyond forgiveness
too ashamed to lift his head
but if he could lift his head
he would see his father running from a distance,
in the night my hope lives on

Oh in the night
Oh in the night
Oh in the night
My hope lives on

I remember how they scorned the son of Mary
he was gentle as a lamb
gentle as a lamb
but he was beaten, crucified, and buried
and in the night my hope was gone

-

but the rulers of this earth could not control him
no, they did not take his life—he laid it down
and the gates of hell could never hope to hold him
yeah, in the night my hope lives on

oh in the night
oh in the night
oh in the night
my hope lives on

Because He Lives 

Chords

God sent his son
They called him Jesus
He came to love
Heal and forgive
He bled and died 
To buy my pardon
An empty grave is there
To prove my savior lives

Because he lives, I can face tomorrow
Because he lives, all fear is gone
Because I know he holds the future
Life is worth the living just because he lives

How sweet to hold
A newborn baby
And feel the pride
And joy she brings
But greater still:
The calm assurance
This child can face uncertain days
because he lives

Because he lives, I can face tomorrow
Because he lives, all fear is gone
Because I know he holds the future
Life is worth the living just because he lives

and then one day
I’ll cross the river
I’ll fight life’s final
War with pain
But then as death
Gives way to victory
I’ll see the lights of glory
And I’ll know he lives

Because he lives, I can face tomorrow
Because he lives, all fear is gone
Because I know he holds the future
Life is worth the living just because he lives

Twice Begun

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

Now Life and Death and Resurrection
Are painted over all creation
The colors swirling into one
As if every moment is now
Twice begun
And doesn’t stop:
The path, the Pulse, the clock

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

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

Old Testament Reading

Today’s Old Testament reading is Jeremiah 31:1-6:

At that time, says the Lord, I will be the God of all the families of Israel, and they shall be my people.

Thus says the Lord:

The people who survived the sword
found grace in the wilderness; 

when Israel sought for rest,
the Lord appeared to him from far away. 

I have loved you with an everlasting love;
therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you.

Again I will build you, and you shall be built,
O virgin Israel! 

Again you shall take your tambourines,
and go forth in the dance of the merrymakers. 

Again you shall plant vineyards
on the mountains of Samaria; 

the planters shall plant,
and shall enjoy the fruit. 

For there shall be a day when sentinels will call
in the hill country of Ephraim: 

“Come, let us go up to Zion,
to the Lord our God.

This is the Word of the Lord.

(Thanks be to God)

New Testament Reading

Today’s New Testament reading, and Josh’s sermon text, is Matthew 28:1-10

After the sabbath, as the first day of the week was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. And suddenly there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord, descending from heaven, came and rolled back the stone and sat on it.

His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. For fear of him the guards shook and became like dead men. But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid; I know that you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for he has been raised, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples, ‘He has been raised from the dead, and indeed he is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him.’ This is my message for you.”

So they left the tomb quickly with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples. Suddenly Jesus met them and said, “Greetings!” And they came to him, took hold of his feet, and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.”.

This is the Word of the Lord.

(Thanks be to God)

Doxology

Praise God from whom all blessings flow
Praise him all creatures here below
Praise him above, ye heavenly host
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost

Amen

Benediction

As we approach this week

May we love God
Embrace Beauty
and Live Life to the fullest

Amen

Worship Resources for UBC Kids and Families

(And also anyone who might want them)

Hello friends! (This is Taylor) Here is a link to some fun coloring sheets and activity ideas for Lent Week 5. I’ll be talking about them during worship tomorrow! Also included is a kid’s worship bulletin - so if you print it off beforehand kiddos could do that while they watch our worship service! I’m excited to see what you do with these coloring sheets and activities - so please take a picture and tag @ubcwaco when you use them! Thanks everybody! Here is the link: https://illustratedmin.s3.amazonaws.com/weekly-resources/Easter.pdf.

p.s. - Remember! If you don’t have a printer just let me know and I can print them out for you!

ITLOTC 4-7-20

ITLOTC

(In The Life Of The Church)

Holy Week

More on the Body

On Monday I spent most of my day planning a digital worship experience that will be your Maundy Thursday dinner companion video (look for this in the future).  It’s the most bummed I’ve been about not getting to worship with you since this all happened. In fact, to be honest, I’ve enjoyed a good deal of the change that has been thrust on me since this started (with the exception of the obvious horrible things like death and job loss and . . .).  But Maundy Thursday is a bummer for me. If you’ve ever been to our service, you know that it’s a potluck worship experience. And on top of all that, I don’t have to preach. We simply read the Scripture, reflect together, and take communion. That’s it. It’s probably how I would design church if I were a bishop in the first century when all of this got kicked off.  

As I’ve been crafting the worship experience, which is designed for you to partake in at your dinner table, I’ve done so with a silent running assumption: all of you will be eating with at least one other person to process the reflections. But I have to assume that at least one person won’t.  

Being a pastor has made me a kind of idealogue. Not really, most of my opinions are pretty flimsy, but I have this unrelenting conviction that Jesus is the Son of God and perfect. The church, the bride of this perfect human, is supposed to mimic that perfection.  Our theology affords us the space to fail and no one really expects the church to be perfect like Jesus, but I guess I do expect her to strive to be so. Merton prayed, “I hope it’s my desire to please you that pleases.” I guess I think our desire should be sincere even if our effort can’t be.  What this has led to me in praxis is confession. I confess both what the church should be and what she is not. What I don’t get excused from is telling the truth, even when I’m complicit.  

I’m torn about the single person on Maundy Thursday problem. To honor my neighbor is to abide by CDC guidelines and to honor my brother and sister is to make a sacrifice, sometimes of my own safety. All I have is my confession: I don’t know how to fix this problem.  

Let me at least shine a light on the good. This season of separateness has made me think more acutely about the lonely. About the church’s systems that isolate.  About our relationship with the scripts about family and normalcy and acceptance. Paul did say celibacy is a calling. I’ve felt called to very few things. So few that I don’t know that I could describe calling very well. I think of phrases like “burning in my bones,” and “can’t stand not to do something.” To be celebate, I would think someone would need to feel those emotions with that intensity about that life. But I don’t think very many people are called to that.  

Of course we could maybe clear up some of the confusion on celibacy if the church was a body in a way that disrupted the scripts handed to us about family by culture--if loneliness was rare, if those of us who had the luxury of many in our immediate space could share that many with the few.  

All of this has led me to think about the body and its power.  One year on Easter when I was a teenager, I decided to get up early in the morning and read the resurrection texts. At some point in my reading a latent problem materialized in my mind concerning my own theology.  I was, for all intents and purposes, a Platonist about salvation, souls, and heaven. I accepted Jesus in my heart to save my soul so that I could go to heaven to be with Jesus for eternity. I should also say that I sang about and conversed in the theology of resurrection. What never dawned on me until reading that morning was that the two motifs didn’t really work well together.  If my soul was going to heaven for eternity, what would I need a resurrected body for? Well you know how these things work themselves out. I read NT Wright’s 800-page tome on bodily resurrection in which he says that the resurrected body has something in continuity and discontinuity with the present one (this makes sense of Jesus’s cryptic appearances--Mary in the Garden, the Road to Emmaus, the whimsical seashore reveal, and his David Copperfield move through the Great Wall of China act in John 21), and I made friends with a patristic scholar who convinced me that the church fathers were NeoPlatonists. In short, I don’t worry about souls and bodies anymore, I just lean into those images when I need them for confession.  

Back to the lonelies and the power of our bodies. I’ll tell you the Bible story I’ve thought about at least 100 times since this shelter in place thing went into effect: Thomas touching Jesus’s scars. How impressive is that one now? How appropriate does the need to verify the presence of Jesus’s actual body seem now? And how important must bodies be for salvation if God redeemed them? And how descriptive (read truth telling) must scars be if they are kept around in a world free from pain? 

I can feel the absence of your bodies. I miss your energy, your presence. I can foresee a moment in the future when I’m eager even to see your scars. And what is the grace then?  The grace is this: now I know how to pray for the lonelies just a little bit better.  

Thanks be to God. 

Holy Week Schedule

Maundy Thursday dinner companion video to be released Thursday on Facebook.

Good Friday live stream service @ 3:00 PM

Easter Sunday Service lives stream @ 10:45 AM

Leadership Team Meeting Recap

Our leadership team met this past Sunday 4-5 to discuss a few things.

1. Craig Nash was selected as a HR rep. We are excited to have Craig as part of the team.

2. Due to the unforeseen circumstances that COVID has created and the way this may have disrupted candidates lives, we have decided to wait another month before selecting someone to fill Byron Griffin’s role on the leadership team. To that end we are also opening up the nomination process in this time due to the lack of communication about this process because we have not been meeting.

3. We talked through UBCs current financial information, which is not dire, more info on that at the April town hall (see below).

4. Staff asked for feedback on ways that we can be actively serving UBC during this strange time.

Town Hall

We will have a town hall to discuss the life of the church another information on Sunday April 19 after church. We will give you an update on finances and other plans.

UBC’ers Graduate Recognition

If you are graduating (hs, college, grad school, phd) we would love to recognize you at our annual Mr. Rogers service this year.  The service is going to be on 4/26, and we are putting together a video so we can know who is graduating and what your next steps are.  If you are graduating, please send toph@ubcwaco.org an email and let him know.  Then he will follow up with instructions on what he needs from you.  We are sad we won’t be able to honor you in person, but want to make sure you are recognized.  If you have any questions, contact Toph.  

UBC Pen Pal Program

Want to connect with other UBCers during this time of social distancing? Want to make a meet someone new and make a new friend or connect with a family and make a BUNCH of new friends? Then you should let Taylor know that you want to be a UBC Pen Pal! You can email her at taylor@ubcwaco.org and let her know you want to participate! And just think of how fun it will be when you get to meet your Pen Pal in person when we all worship together again! You should do it!

Family Resource Pantry - (any questions, email toph@ubcwaco.org)

We are partnering with WacoISD, Prosper Waco, Grassroots  Development, Baylor External Affairs, and Antioch to create  The Family Resource Pantry, which will be a strategic way of meeting the needs of families in Waco ISD. UBC is partnering by helping to provide volunteers on Tuesdays, and helping to provide “Essentials” to stock the pantry. Grassroots Development, in partnership with Waco ISD, will help identify the families within our community who have the greatest needs, and we will do delivery to those families on Tuesday/Friday. Below are two ways to volunteer.

1) We need volunteers to help package and distribute pantry items on Tuesday afternoons, from 1-5pm. There will be two shifts, 1-3pm, and 3-5pm. We will need at least 3 volunteers each shift. If you would like to volunteer, please contact toph@ubcwaco.org

2) We need to help stock the pantry. Below you will find a list of essential items we will need. If you are willing to buy these items, you can have them shipped directly to UBC, contact Toph to come pick them up, or schedule a time to drop them off at UBC. Here is the list of items:

• Food: (Bread, Cooking oil, Milk, Peanut Butter, jelly, Cereal, Granola Bars, trail mix) 

• Diapers (need sizes) 

• Formula

• Wipes

• Cleaning supplies 

• Toilet Paper

• Soap, shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste, toothbrushes

• Laundry Detergent

• School supplies like: 

  • Spiral notebooks, Pencils, pencil sharpeners, Pens, Crayons, coloring books

Sunday Liturgy Stream

If you missed the livestream from Sunday and/or don’t have Facebook, we’ll be uploading the videos to our Vimeo account. This weeks however is on youtube. You can watch the service from 4/5 here.

Social Distancing Social Opps

1. Because the pub group extravaganza live on instagram was such a wild success, brother Jameson McGregor will come to you live again this Wednesday 4-8-20.

2. We had a second great lunch today with 14 folks in attendance from "Alabama to Waco".”  The UBC Staff will be hosting lunch virtually every Tuesday at 12pm, for about an hour.  We would love for you to join.  Follow us on FB, and will send out the meeting link shortly before noon each week.  Any questions, contact toph@ubcwaco.org

3. Friendly reminder that the youth are gathering digitally on daily from 1:00-1:45 and Wednesday evenings 6:30-8:00 PM. Links can be requested from hannah@ubcwaco.org

4. We are going to be starting a UBC Pen Pal Program! If you would like the opportunity to connect with other UBCers during this time to exchange emails (or letters!! In the real mail!) please contact taylor@ubcwaco this week and she will get you connected!

Parishioner of the Week

Kaleb Loomis & Aly Vukelich for getting engaged. Great job team.

Work is Worship

Greeters: No Greeters this week

Coffee Makers: no coffee makers this week

Mug Cleaners: no mug cleaners this week

Money Counter:  no money counters this week

Leadership Team

If you have a concern or an idea for UBC that you’d like to share with someone that is not on staff, feel free to contact one of our leadership team members. 

Chair: Kerri Fisher: Kerri_Fisher@baylor.edu

Byron Griffin: byrontgriffin@gmail.com

Jeremy Nance: Jeremy.J.Nance@L3T.com

Joanna Sowards: jo.sowards@gmail.com

Kathy Krey: kathykrey@gmail.com

Jose Zuniga: jzgrphix2002@yahoo.com

Taylor Torregrossa: Taylordtorregrossa@gmail.com

Student Position: Davis Misloski

Student Position: Maddy O’Shaughnessy

UBC Finance Team

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

JD Newman: JD_Newman@baylor.edu 

Catherine Ballas: catherine@refitrev.com

Jen Carron: jen.carron78@gmail.com

Mike Dodson: financeteammike@gmail.com

George Thornton: GeorgecCT1982@gmail.com

UBC HR Team

If you have concerns about staff and would like contact our human resources team, please feel free to email any of the following members.

Erin Albin: erin.albin1@gmail.com

Sam Goff: samuelgoff92@gmail.com

Rebekah Powell: rpowell671@gmail.com

Kristen Richardson: wacorichardsons@gmail.com

Craig Nash: Craig_Nash@baylor.edu

ITLOTC 3-31-20

ITLOTC

(In The Life Of The Church)

Lent

Daily Reflections (by jamie)

Greetings. I hope this finds you well. Since we are a couple of weeks into this strange new world, I’m sure that you have already encountered any number of people commenting on the importance of taking on some sort of routine to cope with shelter in place life.  To that end, I’ve collected some prayers, poems, and pericopes that might offer you a point of reflection as you go through your days.  I’m going to attempt to provide something like this weekly for the remainder of our distanced life (however long that might be). The readings are in a particular order, but you need not follow it.  And feel free to use these however you want—you could conceivably make a liturgy of the whole thing in a single sitting, to be repeated throughout the week, or you could read one of these a day. THERE ARE NO RULES HERE.

These readings are all Lenten in theme, as that is the season in which we find ourselves for another week or so.  In the midst of this strange time, let us continue to be present to the reminder offered to us on Ash Wednesday that  life is, in fact, happening now.

If you want to talk about any of these, email me at jamie@ubcwaco.org.

 ——

The other morning some of us were together in a church where the rector was saying Morning Prayer, and leading us in a guided silent prayer.  He said, ‘Let us pray for those whom we love.’ And that was easy.  Then he said, ‘Let us pray for those whom we do not love.’ And there rose up before my mind three men for whom I had to pray.  They were men who have opposed my work.  In this they may have been wrong.  But my wrong was in resentment and a feeling of letting myself be cut off from them, and even from praying for them, because of it.  Years ago I read a quotation from Mary Lyon that recurs to me again and again: ‘Nine-tenths of our suffering is caused by others not thinking so much of us as we think they ought.’ If you want to know where pride nestles and festers in most of us, that is right where it is; and it is not the opposition of others, but our own pride, which causes us the deepest hurt.  I never read a word that penetrated more deeply into the sin of pride from which all of us suffer, nor one which opens up more surgically our places of unforgiveness.

Samuel Moor Shoemaker, And Thy Neighbor

—— 

O Son of God
Do a miracle for me
And change my heart.                   
Thy having taken flesh
To redeem me
Was more difficult
Than to transform
My wickedness.

Irish, 15th century

—— 

Come swiftly, O Lord, to the dark moments when we
are lost. Make us aware of Thy presence. Strengthen
us to resist the urges and pulls to deeper darkness. Stir
us to move away from the dark moments of sinfulness
toward the light of Thy forgiveness. Come quickly,
O Lord, as we call—or forget to call—and keep Thou
close to us and keep us close to Thee this day and
night and as far as the days and nights stretch before
us, through Christ. Amen.

James W. Kennedy, Holy Island—A Lenten Pilgrimage

——

“I love and love not: Lord, it breaks my heart
            To love and not to love.
Thou veiled within Thy glory, gone apart
            Into Thy shrine which is above,
Dost Thou not love me, Lord, or care
            For this mine ill?”—

“I love thee here or there, I will accept thy broken heart—lie still.”

“Lord, it was well with me in time gone by
            That cometh not again,
When I was fresh and cheerful: worn with pain
Now, out of sight and out of heart;
            O Lord, how long?”

“I watch thee as thou art.
            I will accept thy fainting heart—be strong.”

“Lie still, be strong, today: but, Lord, tomorrow,
            What of tomorrow, Lord?
Shall there be rest from toil, be truce from sorrow,
            Be living green upon the sward,
Now but a barren grave to me,
            Be joy for sorrow?”

“Did I not die for thee?
            Did I not live for thee?  Leave me tomorrow.”

Christina Rossetti, “I Love and Love Not”

——

He forever goes before us to prepare a place for us.
he is on the road we tread. Wherever life is leading
us., He has gone before. Perhaps we have no clue
about what lies ahead; we know who is ahead of us,
so the future is not quite unknown.

David Adam, The Edge of Glory

Leadership Team Meeting

We have our quarterly leadership team this Sunday after church. The agenda is pretty thin at this point: selecting a new lead team member, hr member, and check ins. If you’d like to reach out to them with a concern or an agenda item please feel free. Their emails are listed at the bottom of this blog or if you are reading this through email please click on the blog link and scroll to the bottom.

Sunday Liturgy Stream

If you missed the livestream from Sunday and/or don’t have Facebook, we’ll be uploading the videos to our Vimeo account. You can watch the service from 3/29 here: https://vimeo.com/402650510.

Social Distancing Social Opps

1. Because the pub group extravaganza live on instagram was such a wild success, brother Jameson McGregor will come to you live again this Wednesday 4-1-20.

2. We had a second great lunch today with 14 folks in attendance from "Alabama to Waco".”  The UBC Staff will be hosting lunch virtually every Tuesday at 12pm, for about an hour.  We would love for you to join.  Follow us on FB, and will send out the meeting link shortly before noon each week.  Any questions, contact toph@ubcwaco.org

3. Friendly reminder that the youth are gathering digitally on daily from 1:00-1:45 and Wednesday evenings 6:30-8:00 PM. Links can be requested from hannah@ubcwaco.org

4. We are going to be starting a UBC Pen Pal Program! If you would like the opportunity to connect with other UBCers during this time to exchange emails (or letters!! In the real mail!) please contact taylor@ubcwaco this week and she will get you connected!

Parishioner of the Week

All of our fearless champions that work at the Texas Hunger Initiative. Kathy Krey, Craig Nash, Dustin Kunz, and Jared Gould. These ballers have been providing food for children (probably 100 million at least) everyday since school shut down.

Work is Worship

Greeters: No Greeters this week

Coffee Makers: no coffee makers this week

Mug Cleaners: no mug cleaners this week

Money Counter:  no money counters this week

Leadership Team

If you have a concern or an idea for UBC that you’d like to share with someone that is not on staff, feel free to contact one of our leadership team members. 

Chair: Kerri Fisher: Kerri_Fisher@baylor.edu

Byron Griffin: byrontgriffin@gmail.com

Jeremy Nance: Jeremy.J.Nance@L3T.com

Joanna Sowards: jo.sowards@gmail.com

Kathy Krey: kathykrey@gmail.com

Jose Zuniga: jzgrphix2002@yahoo.com

Taylor Torregrossa: Taylordtorregrossa@gmail.com

Student Position: Davis Misloski

Student Position: Maddy O’Shaughnessy

UBC Finance Team

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

JD Newman: JD_Newman@baylor.edu 

Catherine Ballas: catherine@refitrev.com

Jen Carron: jen.carron78@gmail.com

Mike Dodson: financeteammike@gmail.com

George Thornton: GeorgecCT1982@gmail.com

UBC HR Team

If you have concerns about staff and would like contact our human resources team, please feel free to email any of the following members.

Erin Albin: erin.albin1@gmail.com

Sam Goff: samuelgoff92@gmail.com

Rebekah Powell: rpowell671@gmail.com

Kristen Richardson: wacorichardsons@gmail.com

Ubc Liturgy Stuff 3-29-2020

Ubc Liturgy Stuff

March 29, 2020

Below, you’ll find the song lyrics (and chords, if you want to play along!) and scripture readings for the live stream on March 29th (in the order they are needed), as well as some resources for kids! (this includes some stuff that is print-able—if you need Taylor to print stuff for you in the future, just let us know, and we’ll get that set up).

In the Night

Chord Charts: Guitar, Capo 2; Standard

I am weary with the pain of Jacob’s wrestling
In the darkness with the fear
In the darkness with the fear
But he met the morning wounded, with a blessing
So in the night my hope lives on

Oh in the night
Oh in the night
Oh in the night
My hope lives on

When Elisha woke surrounded by the forces
Of the enemies of God, the enemies of God
He saw the hills ablaze with angels on their horses
So in the night, my hope lives on

Oh in the night
Oh in the night
Oh in the night
My hope lives on

I see the slave who toils beneath the yoke, unyielding
And I can hear the captive groan, hear the captive groan
For some hand to stay the whip his foe is wielding
Still in the night my hope lives on

Oh in the night
Oh in the night
Oh in the night
My hope lives on 

I see the armies of the enemy approaching
And the people driven trembling for the shore
But a doorway through the water now is opening
So in the night, my hope lives on

Oh in the night
Oh in the night
Oh in the night
My hope lives on 

Like the son who thought he’d gone beyond forgiveness
too ashamed to lift his head
but if he could lift his head
he would see his father running from a distance,
in the night my hope lives on

Oh in the night
Oh in the night
Oh in the night
My hope lives on

Deliver Me

Chord Chart

Deliver me out of the sadness
Deliver me, from all the madness
Deliver me, courage to guide me
Deliver me, your strength inside me

all of my life
i’ve been in hiding
wishing there was someone just like You
now that You’re here
now that I’ve found You
I know that You’re the One to pull me through

Deliver me, loving and caring
Deliver me, giving and sharing
Deliver me, this cross that I’m bearing

all of my life
i’ve been in hiding
wishing there was someone just like You
now that You’re here
now that I’ve found You
I know that You’re the One to pull me through

Psalm Reading

Today’s Psalm reading, and Josh’s sermon text, is Psalm 130:

Help, God—the bottom has fallen out of my life!
    Master, hear my cry for help!
Listen hard! Open your ears!
    Listen to my cries for mercy.

If you, God, kept records on wrongdoings,
    who would stand a chance?
As it turns out, forgiveness is your habit,
    and that’s why you’re worshiped.

I pray to God—my life a prayer—
    and wait for what he’ll say and do.
My life’s on the line before God, my Lord,
    waiting and watching till morning,
    waiting and watching till morning.

O Israel, wait and watch for God—
    with God’s arrival comes love,
    with God’s arrival comes generous redemption.
No doubt about it—he’ll redeem Israel,
    buy back Israel from captivity to sin.

This is the Word of the Lord.

(Thanks be to God)

Old Testament Reading

Today’s Old Testament reading is Ezekiel 37:1-14:

The hand of the Lord came upon me, and he brought me out by the spirit of the Lord and set me down in the middle of a valley; it was full of bones. He led me all around them; there were very many lying in the valley, and they were very dry. He said to me, “Mortal, can these bones live?” I answered, “O Lord God, you know.” Then he said to me, “Prophesy to these bones, and say to them: O dry bones, hear the word of the Lord. Thus says the Lord God to these bones: I will cause breath to enter you, and you shall live. I will lay sinews on you, and will cause flesh to come upon you, and cover you with skin, and put breath in you, and you shall live; and you shall know that I am the Lord.” 

So I prophesied as I had been commanded; and as I prophesied, suddenly there was a noise, a rattling, and the bones came together, bone to its bone. I looked, and there were sinews on them, and flesh had come upon them, and skin had covered them; but there was no breath in them. Then he said to me, “Prophesy to the breath, prophesy, mortal, and say to the breath: Thus says the Lord God: Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe upon these slain, that they may live.” I prophesied as he commanded me, and the breath came into them, and they lived, and stood on their feet, a vast multitude.

Then he said to me, “Mortal, these bones are the whole house of Israel. They say, ‘Our bones are dried up, and our hope is lost; we are cut off completely.’ Therefore prophesy, and say to them, Thus says the Lord God: I am going to open your graves, and bring you up from your graves, O my people; and I will bring you back to the land of Israel. And you shall know that I am the Lord, when I open your graves, and bring you up from your graves, O my people. I will put my spirit within you, and you shall live, and I will place you on your own soil; then you shall know that I, the Lord, have spoken and will act,” says the Lord.

This is the Word of the Lord.

(Thanks be to God)

New Testament Reading

Today’s New Testament reading is John 11:1-45:

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

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

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

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

Then Jesus, again greatly disturbed, came to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone was lying against it. Jesus said, “Take away the stone.” Martha, the sister of the dead man, said to him, “Lord, already there is a stench because he has been dead four days.” Jesus said to her, “Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?” So they took away the stone. And Jesus looked upward and said, “Father, I thank you for having heard me. I knew that you always hear me, but I have said this for the sake of the crowd standing here, so that they may believe that you sent me.” When he had said this, he cried with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” The dead man came out, his hands and feet bound with strips of cloth, and his face wrapped in a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Unbind him, and let him go.”

Many of the Jews therefore, who had come with Mary and had seen what Jesus did, believed in him.

This is the Word of the Lord.

(Thanks be to God)

Be Thou my vision

Chord Charts: Guitar, Capo 4; Standard

Be thou my vision
O Lord of my heart
Naught be all else to me
Save that thou art
Thou my best thought by day or by night
Waking or sleeping thy presence my light

Be Thou my Wisdom
And Thou my true Word
I ever with Thee and Thou with me Lord
Thou my great father, spirit, and son
Thou in my dwelling and I with the One

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

Worship Resources for UBC Kids and Families

(And also anyone who might want them)

Hello friends! (This is Taylor) Here is a link to some fun coloring sheets and activity ideas for Lent Week 5. I’ll be talking about them during worship tomorrow! Also included is a kid’s worship bulletin - so if you print it off beforehand kiddos could do that while they watch our worship service! I’m excited to see what you do with these coloring sheets and activities - so please take a picture and tag @ubcwaco when you use them! Thanks everybody! Here is the link: https://illustratedmin.s3.amazonaws.com/weekly-resources/Lent-Week5.pdf

p.s. - Remember! If you don’t have a printer just let me know and I can print them out for you!

ITLOTC 3-24-20

ITLOTC

(In The Life Of The Church)

Lent

Our Body is a Temple and Other Thoughts 

Necessary qualifying statement: everything that has been said about taking safety precautions for the coronavirus … I 100% support.  Social distancing. Washing hands. Locking down. Apocalypse now. 100% behind it all. If at any point my post seems to suggest otherwise, then I have written poorly.   What am I doing then? I suppose I’m taking advantage of the new perspective I’ve been given. These circumstances are historical and they have awoken all of us from a kind of epistemic slumber in which we viewed everyday as chaos as normal.  

It’s 7:32 PM on Monday.  Let me do a google search.  *does google search. 16,497 people have died from coronavirus and counting.  More googling. I find that China alerted the WHO that a new virus had been found on December 31st.  Let's suppose it was dormant for two weeks. That means it’s been around/active for roughly 3 months.  The numbers, all of them - those infected, recovered, that will die - will rise exponentially.  

Still I wonder about this.  There are 7+ billion people in the world.  A lot of them were dying every day before the coronavirus.  I’ve been around enough healthcare professionals and their talking points long enough to know that cardiovascular disease is the number one global killer.  I google that. 17.9 million deaths a year. I do some math on my phone. 17.9 million people divided by 365 days a year. 49,000 people die from cardiovascular disease everyday.   It’s been three months and 17K people have died from coronavirus. That number will rise exponentially, but still … in that same time, three months, 4.5 million people died of heart related problems and no one batted an eye. 

I’m confused about this so I go next door to talk to my brother in law who works in a hospital.  He doesn’t dispute the data, but he says that it’s about the way our health care systems are built.  We are built to accept the fact that 4.5 million people will die from cardiovascular disease in three months, we are not built for 17K corona deaths in 3 months.  He didn’t say that, but that’s what it boils down to.  

I’m dumbfounded by this, and convicted.  I get labs once a year. I’m on blood pressure medicine.  I work out four times a week. By definition I drink too much alcohol in one week.  I’m not a model American for health - I’m no Jared Gould or Dustin Kunz, no Brooke Rosolino or Risse Miller - but I’m not terrible either.   

Mary Oliver once asked, “Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?” I suppose I’ll have to think about that more acutely now.  Every morning when I wake up I set my feet on the ground and think to myself, “Well, I don’t have coronavirus today, that is something to be grateful for.” But the truth is I’m warring against my body in other ways that we’ve deemed culturally acceptable.   Paul tells us our bodies are temples. That’s complicated. Bodies are formed physically and otherwise by all kinds of factors including genetics. Some of the scripts we’ve been handed about what healthy bodies are, are not helpful. And yet still I think Mary Oliver asks a good question.  I’m called to be a steward of all the gifts I’ve been given including my body. Or as my buddy Marcus Mumford says, “in these bodies we will live, and in these bodies we will die. and where you invest your love, you invest your life.” 

My point is not to inspire you to start working out, or eat better, or try and do something to improve your life.  What I want is for you to appreciate your body. A few years ago I read a book that Philip Yancey wrote with Dr. Paul Brand.  At one point in the book Brand raised the sensible objection of the atheist. Namely, that having seen the complexity of the human body and all the opportunities for our fickle existence to be wiped out, how could one still believe in a benevolent creator God.  Brand’s response was interesting. He said that it was precisely because he has seen the complexity of biochemical existence that the real miracle for him was that any of it ever worked correctly ever.  

So I wonder - every day that you wake up and survive, perhaps thrive, in your body (your very own body! Just the way it is!) which is a temple and a gift - what will you do with this one wild and precious life?

Need More Jameson In Your Life

Because the pub group extravaganza live on instagram was such a wild success, brother Jameson McGregor will come to you live again this Wednesday 3-25-20.

Sewing to Save a Life

This past week we announced a need given to us by the Waco Family Health Center. They are in need of masks. If you can sew and have some free time, elastic, cloth and charity in your heart, please consider sewing a mask or two to send to the Waco Family Health Center.

specs on the masks can be found on youtube here, or you can use these step by step instructions.

Completed masks can be sent to:

Please send masks to: 
Family Health Center
Attn: Glenna Walker
1600 Providence Drive
Waco, Texas 76707

WacoISD Meals for Kids

We are still looking for volunteers to help pass out meals to kids at Kate Ross next week.  The lunch shift from 10:45a-12:30p.  We need two volunteers per shift.  If you can help out please contact toph@ubcwaco.org

LAS (Lord’s Army of Shoppers)

Friends, we have put together a list of folks who are willing and ready to go shopping for people who isolated or shouldn’t leave their homes for medical reasons.  If you would like to volunteer to be on the call list, please send toph@ubcwaco your name and number.  As we have needs come into UBC, we will reach out to you and see if you are available to pick up groceries, food, medicine, etc… for someone in need.  What we need you to do now is get the word out, and advertise that we have folks who are ready to help.  Feel free to give them my contact email, or cell phone (254-498-2261).  If you have any questions, or would like to be put on the list, please email toph@ubcwaco.org

Meals for Mommas

We are partnering with JSL to help provide meals, for you guessed it, Mommas.  If you are cooking a meal that can freeze easily and been reheated, why not cook 2?  You can drop your freezer meal off at JSL Headquarters between 12-2pm, M-F.  Or, you can email toph@ubcwaco.org and I will come pick it up.  You can also order meals for a family from this great waco company: www.talkmoremeals.com  If you are order from the link, just mention you would like the meal to go JSL’s “Meals for Mommas.”  

Lunch with UBC Staff

We had a great first lunch today with 14 folks in attendance from "California" to Georgia.  The UBC Staff will be hosting lunch virtually every Tuesday at 12pm, for about an hour.  We would love for you to join.  Follow us on FB, and will send out the meeting link shortly before noon each week.  Any questions, contact toph@ubcwaco.org

Parishioner of the Week

Mark Waldrop for advising on our technological set up going forth.

Work is Worship

Greeters: No Greeters this week

Coffee Makers: no coffee makers this week

Mug Cleaners: no mug cleaners this week

Money Counter:  no money counters this week

Announcements

• Sermon Text:

Youth Schedule

April 19 - 5/6 Family Game Night

April 26 - After Church Picnic 

May 13 - Last Youth

Leadership Team

If you have a concern or an idea for UBC that you’d like to share with someone that is not on staff, feel free to contact one of our leadership team members. 

Chair: Kerri Fisher: Kerri_Fisher@baylor.edu

Byron Griffin: byrontgriffin@gmail.com

Jeremy Nance: Jeremy.J.Nance@L3T.com

Joanna Sowards: jo.sowards@gmail.com

Kathy Krey: kathykrey@gmail.com

Jose Zuniga: jzgrphix2002@yahoo.com

Taylor Torregrossa: Taylordtorregrossa@gmail.com

Student Position: Davis Misloski

Student Position: Maddy O’Shaughnessy

UBC Finance Team

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

JD Newman: JD_Newman@baylor.edu 

Catherine Ballas: catherine@refitrev.com

Jen Carron: jen.carron78@gmail.com

Mike Dodson: financeteammike@gmail.com

George Thornton: GeorgecCT1982@gmail.com

UBC HR Team

If you have concerns about staff and would like contact our human resources team, please feel free to email any of the following members.

Erin Albin: erin.albin1@gmail.com

Sam Goff: samuelgoff92@gmail.com

Rebekah Powell: rpowell671@gmail.com

Kristen Richardson: wacorichardsons@gmail.com

Ubc Liturgy Stuff 3-22-2020

Ubc Liturgy Stuff

March 22, 2020

Below, you’ll find the song lyrics and scripture readings for March 22 (in the order they are needed), as well as some resources for kids! (this includes some stuff that is print-able—if you need Taylor to print stuff for you in the future, just let us know, and we’ll get that set up).

In the Night

I am weary with the pain of Jacob’s wrestling
In the darkness with the fear
In the darkness with the fear
But he met the morning wounded, with a blessing
So in the night my hope lives on

Oh in the night
Oh in the night
Oh in the night
My hope lives on

When Elisha woke surrounded by the forces
Of the enemies of God, the enemies of God
He saw the hills ablaze with angels on their horses
So in the night, my hope lives on

Oh in the night
Oh in the night
Oh in the night
My hope lives on

I see the slave who toils beneath the yoke, unyielding
And I can hear the captive groan, hear the captive groan
For some hand to stay the whip his foe is wielding
Still in the night my hope lives on

Oh in the night
Oh in the night
Oh in the night
My hope lives on 

I see the armies of the enemy approaching
And the people driven trembling for the shore
But a doorway through the water now is opening
So in the night, my hope lives on

Oh in the night
Oh in the night
Oh in the night
My hope lives on 

O Love That Will Not Let Me Go

O love that will not let me go
I rest my weary soul in thee
I give you back the life I owe
That in thine ocean depths its flow
May richer fuller be

O light that follows all my way
I yield my flickering torch to thee
My heart restores its borrow ray
That in thy sunshine’s blaze its day
May brighter fairer be

O joy that seeks me through the pain
I cannot close my heart to thee
I’ll trace the rainbow through the rain
And feel the promise is not in vain
That morn shall tearless be

O love, don’t let go of me
O light, hold my flickering
O joy, don’t lose sight of me
O love, don’t let go of me

O cross that’s lifting up my head
I dare not ask to fly from thee
Though I lay in dust, life’s glory dead,
From the ground there blossoms red
Life that shall endless be

Endlessly, endless be, endlessly 

Old Testament Reading

Today’s Old Testament reading is 1 Samuel 16:1-13:

The Lord said to Samuel, “How long will you grieve over Saul? I have rejected him from being king over Israel. Fill your horn with oil and set out; I will send you to Jesse the Bethlehemite, for I have provided for myself a king among his sons.” Samuel said, “How can I go? If Saul hears of it, he will kill me.” 

And the Lord said, “Take a heifer with you, and say, ‘I have come to sacrifice to the Lord.’ Invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you what you shall do; and you shall anoint for me the one whom I name to you.” Samuel did what the Lord commanded, and came to Bethlehem. The elders of the city came to meet him trembling, and said, “Do you come peaceably?” He said, “Peaceably; I have come to sacrifice to the Lord; sanctify yourselves and come with me to the sacrifice.” And he sanctified Jesse and his sons and invited them to the sacrifice.

When they came, he looked on Eliab and thought, “Surely the Lord’s anointed is now before the Lord.” But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for the Lord does not see as mortals see; they look on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.” 

Then Jesse called Abinadab, and made him pass before Samuel. He said, “Neither has the Lord chosen this one.” Then Jesse made Shammah pass by. And he said, “Neither has the Lord chosen this one.” Jesse made seven of his sons pass before Samuel, and Samuel said to Jesse, “The Lord has not chosen any of these.” Samuel said to Jesse, “Are all your sons here?” 

And he said, “There remains yet the youngest, but he is keeping the sheep.” And Samuel said to Jesse, “Send and bring him; for we will not sit down until he comes here.” He sent and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, and had beautiful eyes, and was handsome. The Lord said, “Rise and anoint him; for this is the one.” Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the presence of his brothers; and the spirit of the Lord came mightily upon David from that day forward. Samuel then set out and went to Ramah.

This is the Word of the Lord.

(Thanks be to God)

New Testament Reading

Today’s New Testament reading, and Josh’s sermon text, is John 9:1-41:

While walking along the road, Jesus saw a man who was blind since his birth.

Disciples: Teacher, who sinned? Who is responsible for this man’s blindness? Did he commit sins that merited this punishment? If not his sins, is it the sins of his parents?

Jesus: Neither. His blindness cannot be explained or traced to any particular person’s sins. He is blind so the deeds of God may be put on display. While it is daytime, we must do the works of the One who sent Me. But when the sun sets and night falls, this work is impossible. Whenever I am in the world, I am the Light of the world.

After He said these things, He spat on the ground and mixed saliva and dirt to form mud, which He smeared across the blind man’s eyes.

Jesus (to the blind man): Go, wash yourself in the pool of Siloam.

Siloam means “sent,” and its name reminded us that his healing was sent by God. The man went, washed, and returned to Jesus, his eyes now alive with sight. Then neighbors and others who knew him were confused to see a man so closely resembling the blind beggar running about.

Townspeople: Isn’t this the man we see every day sitting and begging in the streets?

Others: This is the same man.

Still Others: This cannot be him. But this fellow bears an uncanny resemblance to the blind man.

Formerly Blind Man: I am the same man. It’s me!

Townspeople: How have your lifeless eyes been opened?

Formerly Blind Man: A man named Jesus approached me and made mud from the ground and applied it to my eyes. He then said to me, “Go, wash yourself in the pool of Siloam.” I went and washed, and suddenly I could see.

Townspeople: Where is this man who healed you?

Formerly Blind Man: I don’t know.

The townspeople brought the formerly blind beggar to appear before the Pharisees the same day Jesus healed him, which happened to be on the Sabbath Day. The Pharisees began questioning him, looking for some explanation for how he could now see.

Formerly Blind Man: He smeared mud on my eyes, and I washed; now I see.

Some Pharisees: God can’t possibly be behind this man because He is breaking the rules of the Sabbath.

Other Pharisees: How can such a lawbreaking scoundrel do something like this?

The Pharisees were at odds with one another about Jesus and could not agree whether His power came from God or the devil.

Pharisees (to the formerly blind man): What do you say about this man, about the fact He opened your eyes so you could see?

Formerly Blind Man: I have no doubt—this man is a prophet.

Some of the Jews suspected the whole situation was a charade, that this man was never blind. So they summoned the man’s parents to testify about his condition.

Pharisees: Is this man your son? Do you testify that he has been blind from birth? How therefore does he now see?

Parents: We can tell you this much: he is our son, and he was born blind. But his new sight is a complete mystery to us! We do not know the man who opened his eyes. Why don’t you ask our son? He is old enough to speak for himself.

The man’s parents were a bit evasive because they were afraid of the Jewish leaders. It had been rumored that anyone who spoke of Jesus as the Anointed One would be expelled from the synagogue. So they deferred the thorny question to their son, and the Pharisees called on him a second time.

Pharisees: Give God the credit. He’s the One who healed you. All glory belongs to God. We are persuaded this man you speak of is a sinner who defies God.

Formerly Blind Man: If this man is a sinner, I don’t know. I am not qualified to say. I only know one thing: I was blind, and now I see.

Pharisees: What did He do to you? How did He give you sight?

Formerly Blind Man: Listen, I’ve already answered all these questions, and you don’t like my answers. Do you really need me to say it all over again? Are you thinking about joining up with Him and becoming His followers?

Pharisees (berating him): You’re one of His followers, but we follow Moses. We have confidence that God spoke to Moses, but this man you speak of is a mystery; we don’t even know where He comes from.

Formerly Blind Man: Isn’t it ironic that you, our religious leaders, don’t even know where He comes from; yet He gave me sight! We know that God does not listen to sinners, but He does respond and work through those who worship Him and do His will. No one has ever heard of someone opening the eyes of any person blind from birth. This man must come from God; otherwise, this miracle would not be possible. Only God can do such things.

Pharisees: You were born under a cloud of sin. How can you, of all people, lecture us?

The religious leaders banished him from their presence. Jesus heard what had happened and sought out the man.

Jesus: Do you believe in the Son of Man?

Formerly Blind Man: I want to believe, Lord. Who is He?

Jesus: You have seen His face with your new eyes, and you are talking to Him now.

Formerly Blind Man: Lord, I do believe.

The man bowed low to worship Jesus.

Jesus: I have entered this world to announce a verdict that changes everything. Now those without sight may begin to see, and those who see may become blind.

Some Pharisees (who overheard Jesus): Surely we are not blind, are we?

Jesus: If you were blind, you would be without sin. But because you claim you can see, your sin is ever present. 

This is the Word of the Lord.

(Thanks be to God)

Be Thou my vision

 Be thou my vision
O Lord of my heart
Naught be all else to me
Save that thou art
Thou my best thought by day or by night
Waking or sleeping thy presence my light

Be Thou my Wisdom
And Thou my true Word
I ever with Thee and Thou with me Lord
Thou my great father, spirit, and son
Thou in my dwelling and I with the One

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

Worship Resources for UBC Kids and Families

(And also anyone who might want them)

Hello friends! (This is Taylor) Here is a link to some fun coloring sheets and activity ideas for Lent Week 4. I’ll be talking about them during worship tomorrow! Also included is a kid’s worship bulletin - so if you print it off beforehand kiddos could do that while they watch our worship service! I’m excited to see what you do with these coloring sheets and activities - so please take a picture and tag @ubcwaco when you use them! Thanks everybody! Here is the link: https://illustratedmin.s3.amazonaws.com/weekly-resources/Lent-Week4.pdf

p.s. - Remember! If you don’t have a printer just let me know and I can print them out for you!