A CALENDAR TURNING PRAYER
Living God,
As we step beyond this year and begin the next,
We thank you for this life, with all its potentials and possibilities
As we step beyond this year and begin the next,
We do so with with trust,
Knowing we are created for loving encounter
We step into our new year with hope
Knowing this year can hold
Love, kindness,
Forgiveness and justice
As we recall the year we are stepping beyond,
May we learn, may we love,
May we live on
As we step beyond this year and begin the next,
we make room for the unexpected
May we find wisdom and life there.
Help us to embrace possibility
Respond graciously to disappointment
And hold tenderly those we encounter
Help us be fully present to each day
We pray for all whose year will be difficult
May we support, may we listen,
May we change
We resolve to live life in its fullness
May we welcome the people who’ll be part of this year
May we greet God in ordinary and hidden moments
May we live the life we are living
May we find the wisdom we need
May we hear the needs of those we meet
May we love the life that we are given, knowing it is most definitely a gift.
God be with us,
Amen.
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This is in large part adapted from a prayer by Pádraig Ó Tuama.
THIS WEEK
Just Sunday morning this week—happy new year!
GIVING
UBC survives on the generosity of our congregation. Your financial contributions allow us to continue to create a space that is welcoming to all, embraces beauty, and seeks to live life to the fullest.
You can give, as you’re able, on Sunday mornings or set up a single or recurring online gift here.
If you ever have trouble with giving online or have a question about how to give, feel free to email administrator@ubcwaco.org.
CHURCH NEEDS
Pack of Hope Volunteers
Especially during Baylor breaks, there is a big need for packers on Tuesdays from 3:30-5:30 @ Poppa Rollo’s on Valley Mills. We send more bags home for breaks like Christmas break, too, so we need more hands! You can just show up, no prerequisites needed. Kids are welcome to come help pack bags too! More info at https://packofhope.org/faq or email nicole@ubcwaco.org.
NEW BABY ON THE LOOSE
The Altahifs welcomed baby Vivian the day before Thanksgiving! Sign up for the meal train here.
Wanted: MiCasa Hosts!
We have a veritable slew of potential MiCasa participants waiting in the wings and we are looking for hosts and/or facilitators. Our small group format is communal, so you can trade off facilitating or pick someone to lead discussions/activities for the week or season. If you are interested in hosting a new group in your home or in facilitating one at the church, please email Andie at andie@ubcwaco.org. If you are interested in joining, same email, different subject line!
Prep Parties//Meals Available
After the Congressional Budget Bill passed in July of 2025, we knew that we had to respond with radical hospitality through practical means. The bill cut food assistance funding significantly, and will have lasting impacts on SNAP eligibility and work requirements. With so much food insecurity already in our community, we launched Prep Parties at UBC. Prep Parties are a chance for small groups of people to gather together, cook freezer meals, and stock the freezer in our kitchen. The meals are free to anyone in our congregation or broader community who may need them, whatever the reason. Too much month at the end of the money? Busy weekend protesting and advocating for policy change? Hosting a MiCasa and don't have time to cook? Please grab a meal!
If you are interested in joining our next round of Prep Parties, please email andie@ubcwaco.org. The plan is to restock on a quarterly basis, and we need shoppers, cooks, and hosts.
Freezer Meal Prep Parties
Love spreadsheets? Love organizing? Love feeding people? Join our Freezer Meal Prep Party Org team! This team places people together for the Prep Party, provides shopping lists and recipes, and oversees transport to the church. Email Andie at andie@ubcwaco.org to join!
Feed the Youths
Part of our youth group’s Wednesday gatherings is eating dinner, and you can sign up to be the source of said dinner!
ubcKids Donation Requests
Kids ministry is looking for some gently used donations! Contact nicole@ubcwaco.org if you have any of the following to donate:
complete puzzles for young kids-elementary
cars, hot wheels, etc
train tracks/train toys
magnatiles/magnetic toys
pots, pans, cookie sheets
play doh, play doh toys
Leadership Team Nominations
We’ve got an open spot on Leadership Team, and are taking nominations. If you know someone who would be a good representative voice for the congregation, email andie@ubcwaco.org!
Kid’s Volunteers
SIgn up to help with ubckids! Do it for the future! You can sign up here.
Tech Volunteers
Want to help keep the wheels from falling off on Sunday mornings? We are in need of volunteers to run lights, slides, and our livestream in the tech booth. No prior experience required--we will train you on whichever station you would like to help with. Email jamie@ubcwaco.org for more info.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Bingo Night and Soup Potluck- January 13th, 6pm
The Book Club @ Ubc- January 27th, 7pm
Next book is Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid on 1/27 from 7-8 pm. Join the UBC Book Club Group Me for updates: https://groupme.com/join_group/111260659/Y05RlzDf
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Find more details and our full calendar of events on our website. This calendar is updated frequently, so check back often!
PREACHING SCHEDULE
1/4- Jamie
1/11- Andie
CONTACT INFO
Pastoral Staff
Andie Pellicer, Lead Pastor
(andie@ubcwaco.org)
Jameson McGregor, Worship & Arts Pastor (jamie@ubcwaco.org)
Nicole Dizdar, Kids Pastor, Community Engagement Coordinator
(nicole@ubcwaco.org)
Hannah Kapitaniuk, Volunteer College Director
(hannah@ubcwaco.org)
Leadership Team
Maggie Griffin
Adam Moore
Travis Cheatham
Mary Ellis
Brooke Reich
Staff Support Team
Kyle Howerton
Jim Wren
Betsy Bracken
Finance Team
Brandon Glover
Jonathan Hill
Ben Rose