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The Window: June 17, 2021




The Pane: Do You Remember Must See TV?

Do you remember “Must See TV?” It was the slogan produced by NBC for its primetime blocks in the 1990s, which included shows like Frazier, Friends, ER, Mad About You, Cheers, Law & Order, 3rd Rock From the Sun, and, my personal favorite, Seinfeld.

The slogan spoke for itself; you didn’t want to miss out on live television at primetime. I mean, we may have forgotten that there wasn’t an option to record or go back and watch later. How did we go without the luxuries of Smart TVs, DVRs, or streaming apps?


You know, for the last 14-months, we have been doing worship via TV or smart devices. Every Sunday, you have faithfully sat down on your couch to participate in the worship experienced. I have equally loved those who have confessed that they still get dressed up, while others have stated that their PJs have been the dress of choice.


I get it. I know that the experience of worship remotely is not the most exciting and ideal set of circumstances. But there are several things that I want to note with you.


First, thank you for your deep commitment to the Lord and University Baptist Church throughout this whole ordeal. Though you are not seen, your spiritual presence is felt as we worship together.


Maybe Paul knew what he was talking about when he wrote to the Philippians, “Though I am in chains, all of you share in the God’s grace with me. God can testify how. Long for you with the compassion of Jesus.”


If you will continue to stay home, reach out to us and let us know how we can improve your online experience. Know that you are equally a valuable member of this faith community.


We are diligently at work to create a better worship experience for those online and in-person. You probably have noticed the quality of the video has increased and an elevation of production value with the camera zooming and changing directions.


To help continue to make this happen, we need a few volunteers to be trained on running the camera and the additional camera we would like to add.


Recognizing that many of our folks are beginning to return on Sunday mornings, we also want to nurture an environment of excitement, hospitality, and community.

In-person participants will be invited to dawn a new name tag with their name and word response to a question of the week. Name tags and the question of the week are located in the Narthex center table.

To generate this Sunday culture, we need volunteers to be trained for greeting at 9:00 am or 10:00 am.


On June 20th, we will return to the Coffee & Community hour, 10:00-10:30 am, which will require Sunday School and Spiritual Formation groups to return to the normal 9:00 am start time. Participants can pick up coffee and a treat in the Heritage Room while utilizing the Heritage Room, Narthex, Sanctuary, and Courtyard for conversations during Coffee & Community.

Also, we have a few surprises up our sleeve that you will not want to miss.

We invite you, whether in-person or online, to engage these opportunities with excitement and participation.


Return of the Normal Sunday Schedule Set for June 20th

At the beginning of the pandemic, the Sunday School and Spiritual Formation start time changed to 9:15 am to allow for less time for excessive contact before worship.

On Sunday, June 20th, we will return to a 9:00 am start time for our Spiritual Formation and Sunday School groups and bring back the 10:00 am Coffee & Community time in the Heritage Room.

Sunday participants are encouraged to pick up a coffee and treat while utilizing the Heritage Room, Narthex, Sanctuary, and Courtyard for conversations during Coffee & Community.


Summer Gathering & Kids Club Follow Up

Greetings,


It was a joy to have time with you all yesterday at our first Summer Gathering & Kids Club of 2021.


We hope you had a wonderful experience with your activity, building community, and enjoying shared experiences.


Our next Summer Gathering & Kids Club will be Sunday, July 11 at 4:00 pm, with the final session on August 8th.


Registration is open now!: www.ubc-br.org/post/sg-kids-club-july-11


If there are other activities you'd like to see featured at our next Summer Gathering, please feel free to let us know at manager@ubc-br.org.


We hope you have a brilliant week.


Welcome Tanya Parks by Signing Up for a Care Week

We want you to be a part of welcoming the Parks family to South Louisiana with hospitality and care. You are invited to sign up for one of ten care weeks. This is an opportunity to bring a meal or care package to the Parks family. You are encouraged to approach this with your unique personality and giftedness.


Each week has two spots available to allow more members to share hospitality. Sign up for a care week by clicking on this link or calling the office: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30e0e4da8a82aa5f85-care1.


FORMATION

Communion on June 20th

Sharing with one another at Jesus’ table is one of the most profound theological practices of the church. On June 20th, we will share in communion with one another online and in person during worship. If you are joining online, please prepare your choice of bread and cup. In-person participants will receive a pre-packaged communion set upon entering the worship space.


Noon Summer Book Club, Next Meeting is June 24th

Join our Noon Summer Book Club for a bi-weekly conversation about Jemar Tisby’s new book, “How to Fight Racism: Courageous Christianity and the Journey Toward Racial Justice,” continues on June 24th.

The group will meet in-person and online in the Fellowship Hall on the Second and Fourth Thursday of June, July, and August.

Purchase the book on Amazon in digital, audio, and hardback editions.

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

Please contact Andy via email (andy@ubc-br.org) or phone (225.766.9474) if you plan to join.


Audacious Series Daily Prayer

This Week’s Prayer is one of: Adoration


O LORD God Almighty, Father of angels and human kind,

We praise and bless your holy name for all your goodness and loving kindness to humanity.

We bless you for our creation, preservation,

and for your unceasing generosity to us throughout our lives;

But above all, we bless you for your great love in

the redemption of the world by our Lord Jesus Christ.

We bless you for bringing us safe to the beginning of a new day.

Grant that this day we fall into no sin,

Neither run into any kind of danger.

Keep us, we pray, from all things hurtful to body or soul,

and grant us your pardon and peace, So that, being cleansed from all our sins,

We might serve you with quiet hearts and minds,

and continue in the same until our life’s end,

through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Redeemer. Amen.


Summer Gathering & Kids Club, July 11

Join our first Summer Gathering and Kids Club on June 13 at 4:00 pm.

Kids, ages infant through 5th grade, will enjoy activities, crafts, games, lessons, and dinner. Drop off will occur at the Children’s Branch entrance. Register here by July 8th.


Adults can pick one of the following activities: art, beginners’ yoga, board games, or cooking. A dessert social will wrap up the event at 5:45 pm. Please sign up for one of the activities by clicking on this link or calling the office: https://www.ubc-br.org/post/sg-kids-club-july-11


The Summer Gatherings are intended to be a time to build stronger connections within and through UBC. We hope you will not only participate but invite others to join you.


We Need Your Help

As we step into this new normal, we need your help. Consider volunteering for one of the following:

  • Greet one Sunday per month before Sunday School or Worship: a 20-minute commitment once per month

  • Assist with children one Sunday per month: a 1.5-hour commitment once per month

  • Learn to run the worship cameras one Sunday per month: a 1-hour commitment once per month

  • Join the Care Team in creating a welcome environment on Sundays: a 1-hour commitment once per month

  • Help with childcare one Friday per month as we rebuild our young adult ministry: a 2.5-hour commitment once per month

  • Participate in an upcoming Gathering: a 2-hour commitment once per month

  • Teach toddlers or children once per month: a 1.5-hour commitment once per month

  • Invite a friend to join you for worship or at UBC event: a 10-minute commitment

  • Join the Retiree Team in creating opportunities for connections: a 1-hour commitment once per month

  • Join the Connect Group Team in creating like-interest opportunities: a 1-hour commitment once per month

To Get connected, please reach out to Andy at andy@ubc-br.org or 225-766-9474.


Why Sunday School & Spiritual Formation Groups? A Weekly Dialogue

One of the successes we celebrate about UBC is the health of our Sunday School and Spiritual Formation Groups. We’d like to explore why.


Each week, we ask these groups to spend five minutes at the beginning of their meeting to discuss a provided question. Insight from the group’s discussion can be sent to Andy (andy@ubc-br.org) and Eric (eric@ubc-br.org).


June 20: What can we celebrate about our group from this last year, and why are these things meaningful?


Help With Sunday Worship Stream Quality

Volunteers can help with many different aspects of the project including planning equipment, software, and workflow upgrades; equipment installation; running a camera; or just being part of a rotation that monitors the soundboard or keynote during worship on Sundays.


Prior experience in video production, live sound, or social media is welcome, but not required. We are willing to provide training, if needed. To volunteer, please contact Justin (justin@ubc-br.org).



RELATIONSHIPS

Young Adults Night Out, June 18th at 5:30 pm

Join our Young Adults Night Out on the third Friday, 5:30-8:00 pm. This month, we will meet on June 18th.


The group will gather at a local restaurant for outdoor dining. Realizing not everyone can arrive by 5:30 pm, plan on joining the group as you are able.


If you have kids, you can drop them off at the church, beginning at 5:15 pm, for dinner and activities for $10 for the first child and $5 for each additional child.

Please RSVP here: https://form.jotform.com/211376129025147. The restaurant location will be texted to you.


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.


HOPE Grief Support Groups


Connect Groups

You may now sign up online on the UBC website: www.ubc-br.org/cg


YOUTH

Youth Summer Event Schedule

For more information, contact Eric at eric@ubc-br.org or visit www.ubc-br.org/youth


KIDS


CHURCH OF THE NATIONS

Worship via Facebook, YouTube, and Zoom

Join us for a live-streamed worship service at 10:30 a.m. via any of the following platforms:

Zoom: Join Meeting ID: 923-023-246-4

password is: ubc


English Conversation

Topic: Egypt’s Lost Golden City

Please use the link below to download the lesson:

Download the Zoom Cloud Meetings app on your phone or computer and type in this meeting ID:

570-645-579-3

password: ubc


GENERAL UPDATES

How To Give


New Mask Policy

On May 14, Governor Edwards announced that Louisiana would fully adopt the CDC mask guidelines for fully vaccinated individuals. Those guidelines state that you are no longer required to wear a mask in indoor or outdoor public spaces if you have been vaccinated. If you have not been vaccinated, you are encouraged to continue to wear a mask to protect yourself and others.


Therefore, if you have been vaccinated, we would like to give you the option to choose whether you wear a mask when attending activities on UBC's campus.

 

For those working with children and for children under the age of eligibility for vaccinations, mask-wearing will be required.


We recognize that we are all in different places and will take a different timeline in removing masks in shared spaces. If you feel more comfortable continuing to wear a mask, please feel free to do so. We respect your choice. 


Save The Dates


STAY CONNECTED DURING THE PANDEMIC

How to Live Stream Worship

To view Live Stream worship click on the links below:


Sunday School and Spiritual Formation Group Temporary Meeting Spaces

As some of our classes begin to return to campus for hybrid in-person and online meetings, the following are the temporary meeting spaces for the groups. Please maintain six feet of distance and where your mask while your class is meeting. View a larger image here.



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