The Window: August 19, 2021

The Pane: LIFE, a New Sermon Series Starting August 22

Our family has a tradition of playing board games on Sunday nights.

What is your favorite board game? When I was a kid, I loved setting up the game Mouse Trap, not playing it, but enjoying the interconnected system of the trap.

My favorite game as a kid was The Game of Life. I’m not sure why my 8-year-old self loved the idea of buying a mortgage, paying college tuition, or making career choices.

The makers at Hasbro might have perfectly encapsulated the metaphor of living in the 21st Century. At the beginning of the game, there are two distinct adult paths, the college path, and the career path. Along the way, you might land on “buy stock” or “have children” or “borrow from the bank” or “millionaire acres.”

Fun fact, the game's original version included the spaces ruin, poverty, gambling, prison, disgrace, and suicide; it Sounds like a fun game.

Do you ever feel like you are playing the game of life? Do you ever feel like your life is like pieces on a board in which the roll of the dice decides your fate?

Maybe you do not feel like the roll of the dice determines your fate but that your purpose every single day is to punch in at work, climb the advancement ladder, earn the paycheck so that you can have that dream home and car, taking that family on that dream vacation.

Maybe you feel like your life is like a pre-set game board over which you have no control over how it will all play out.

But is that what life is? Is this how things are supposed to be? Have you ever considered what the reason is behind all of this stuff?

This Sunday, we are starting a new series, “LIFE: A Conversation on the Meaning of Existence from the Book of Ecclesiastes.”

Join the conversation in worship and catch up with it on the weekly podcast.

Quarterly Business Meeting RESCHEDULED

Thank you for your patience and understanding as we navigated Zoom this past Sunday. Many members were unable to attend the meeting due to the technical difficulties on our end. The Quarterly Business Meeting has been rescheduled for THIS Sunday, August 22nd. Once again, you will be able to attend either in-person after the service, or virtually via Zoom. We hope to see you all there.

New Zoom Information:

Meeting ID: 923-023-2464

No Password needed.

Participate in CBF's General Assembly August 26-27

CBF will host another virtual annual gathering online. There are workshops, plenary sessions, and worship experiences that you can join online for free. For more information about the opportunity and to register for the event, visit https:// cbf.net/general-assembly.

MISSIONS

Make a Care Package for Highland Elementary Staff

We invite you to sign up to provide a care package for one of these 41 staff members. The care package should include candy, a $6 gift card to Lighthouse Coffee or CC’s, a small hand sanitizer bottle, lip balm, and something fun of your choosing.

We want to equip you to be the hands and feet of Jesus by pouring time, care, and attention into making one of these packages. This is why we are asking you to prepare the packages versus donating to the project.

Once you have purchased the items, drop by the church office to fill one of the official package bags, and write a personal note to put on the finishing touch. The office will be open on Sundays 9-11:30 am, and Monday through Thursday, 9 am-4:30 pm.

Become a Reading Friends Mentor at Highland Elementary: Training at UBC on August 29

Join our decades long partnership with Highland Elementary by signing up to being a reading mentor for the school’s EverBody Reads program. Volunteer reading friends commit to mentoring one student 30-minutes per week, September to May. UBC will host a training with East Baton Rouge’s VIPS department on Sunday, August 29 at 11:45 am, with lunch provided. There are three steps to sign up for the program:

Sign up here for the August 29th Training: https:// form.jotform.com/212197785350158
Complete the EBR Volunteer form: https:// app.betterimpact.com/PublicOrganization/ 4bad1876-68fb-4cc6-aa23-57c8398dd008/1

Ecuador Mission Immersion

Thank you for taking the time to meet with us yesterday to explore the 2022 Ecuador Mission Immersion.

We are pleased to announce that the trip will be held on July 18/19 through 26/27 (37) from yesterday's feedback.

Please remember that the $100 deposit is due by September 12, which will also be our next team meeting.

In the next few hours, you'll receive several Google calendar invitations to key dates and meetings. Please RSVP to the calendar invites to help with clear lines of communication for these key dates.

As we get close to some of the later meetings (January, May, and June), we will set specific times.

In the meantime, please feel free to reach out to me if you have any questions.

I look forward to collaborating with you.

VOLUNTEERING

We Need Your Help as Our Church Grows

As out church continues to grow, we need your help. Consider volunteering for one of the above.

Volunteers for Soccer Academy Wanted

UBC's Soccer Academy returns in September. We need 12 different volunteers each Saturday to make the Academy function.

Sign up to help for one or as many Saturdays as you are able. Volunteers can sign up here for set-up, player check-in, group guiding, coaching, snack distribution, and participant care: https://form.jotform.com/211653094079155.

RELATIONSHIPS

Young Adults Night Out CANCELED

Out of an abundance of caution with rising cases of Covid-19, we will be canceling August’s Young Adults Night Out.

HOPE Grief Support Groups

Blessing of the Backpacks Sunday, September 5th

For more information, click on the image above.

Fall Soccer Academy Registration Ends on August 30th

UBC's Soccer Academy returns in September for six one-hour Saturday sessions for children ages three to ten years old.

The six-week academy begins on Saturday, September 18. The academy dates are September 18, 25, October 2, 9, 16, and 23.

Instead of trying to schedule your entire week around scattered soccer practices and games, especially if you have more than one kid playing, register your kid(s) for a series of 1-hour sessions on Saturdays for six weeks. Your child will learn the fundamentals of soccer through fun activities and a scrimmage at the end of each session, all in the comfort of one hour per Saturday for six weeks.

The first player in your family is $45, with each additional player at $35.

Registration closes August 30. For more information and to register, visit www.ubc-br.org/academy.

Fantasy Football League

UBC will be hosting a fantasy football league for newbies and so-called experts. For information on how to join, click on the image above.

SPIRITUAL FORMATION

Summer Book Club This Thursday with New York Times Best-Selling Author, Jemar Tisby

After studying "How To Fight Racism" this summer, the book club will host an online conversation with Jemar Tisby, New York Times Best-Selling Author on Thursday at 12:00 pm.

For those joining via Zoom, use the Mtg ID: 314 698 8114.

Sunday Name Tag Project

Get to know new and unfamiliar faces on Sundays by picking up a name tag as you enter the worship space. The name tags will be in the Narthex center table. Write your name and answer each week’s conversation starter question.

CHURCH OF THE NATIONS

Church of the Nations in the Sanctuary this Sunday

Come join us for worship in the chapel this Sunday at 10:30am! Before worship at 10am, in the sanctuary narthex (outside through the courtyard), we will have Coffee and Community!

KIDS

Spiritual Formation Series

Please bring your children to join us for our current Spiritual Formation Series, “Seeking Justice Together.” The series is led by Rev. Tanya Parks and takes place in the Children’s Branch during Sunday school.