The Window: December 23, 2021

The Pane: Will You Come to the Light of Christ?

Our family has a tradition of driving around various neighborhoods around town to soak in the glow of Christmas lights. The girls sip on hot chocolate while they squill, “Daddy, look at this one over here.”

Baton Rouge has some Grade A Christmas displays. I’d highly recommend checking out the Kenilworth neighborhood, especially since they have an annual competition for the best décor.

What’s so sad about Christmas light displays is that the family puts so much work into setting it all up, just for it to only last a few weeks. I guess that’s why more and more people are decorating before the Thanksgiving turkey has been cut.

What is about the warmth and glow of Christmas lights that draws us to wonder and hope?

Sometimes, we are so busy with the hustle and bustle of the season with presents to wrap, meals to prepare, and traditions to share that we miss the light altogether. Sometimes, we don’t recognize our need for light until all the lights have gone out, and we don’t know where to turn to bring illumination to our weary souls.

That’s what makes the Christmas Eve Service so mystical and spiritual. From the single Christ candle, we illuminate a dark sanctuary with hope, reminding ourselves of that ancient promise that God is still with us.

Will you come to the light of Christ?

Candlelight Christmas Eve Service

Center your hearts on the celebration of Christmas by joining UBC’s Candlelight Christmas Eve Service.

Click on the image above for more information.

UBC Stained-Glass Christmas Ornaments

For informant how to purchase your ornament, click the image above.

Christmas Brunch Follow-Up

What a wonderful time of relationships, intergenerational connections, and outreach we had at Sunday's Christmas Brunch. We are grateful for your participation and support of this intentional gathering. Thank you to those who could bring an item for brunch.

Year-End Contributions

MISSIONS

Christmas Ecuador Project

Prayerfully consider contributing to this mission.

Save the Date for the Ecuador Fundraiser on February 6th

The Ecuador Mission Team will host a fundraiser meal on Sunday, February 6, along with a silent auction. Circle, highlight, and hold this date on your calendar to help raise support for the 2022 Ecuador Mission Immersion.

Mission Sunday, January 30

UBC will worship on January 30 by loving our neighbor by engaging in several missional projects around our community. The projects will be designed to incorporate all ages and

abilities within UBC, providing an authentic way to meet the needs of our neighbors and create space for intergenerational connections.

If you are interested in helping plan or lead one of the missional projects, please contact Andy by phone or email (andy@ubc-br.org).

RELATIONSHIPS

Early Registration for Soccer Academy Now Open

The UBC Soccer Academy is back for another set of 6-sessions, February 26 - April 2. Early registration opens December 6 and closes January 6 for $10 off.

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.

For more information about the Soccer Academy and to register, visit www.ubc-br.org/academy.

Barnabas Project Sunday, January 9th

For January, our Barnabas Project will be moved to January 9, not the first Sunday as is typical.

SPIRITUAL FORMATION

New Advent Prayer Group

Join us each week at 12:30pm on Zoom as we reflect on the Scripture passage from the previous Sunday. We will use a variety of creative prayer practices to dig deeper into the stories!

Join us on Zoom.

Zoom ID: 570-645-5793

Password: ubc

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.

Choir Returns in January

Contact justin@ubc-br.org for more information.

CHURCH OF THE NATIONS

Worship in the Chapel this Sunday, December 26th

Contact eric@ubc-br.org for more information.

KIDS

Spiritual Formation Series

Please bring your children to join us for our current Spiritual Formation Series, “God’s Story for You and Me.” The series takes place in the Children’s Branch during Sunday school.