The Pane: The Intersection of Thanksgiving and Faith Is…
While the historical accuracy of Thanksgiving is contested and the season's commercialization is debated, we certainly know that Jesus’ followers are called to live lives of gratitude.
We have all heard lessons on thanksgiving, many of which call us to examine our lives to see just how much we are truly blessed. Don’t you have the hymn Count Your Blessings stuck in your head now? If you didn’t before reading that last sentence, you will now; Name them one by one.
Expressing our gratitude to God is paramount for our faith formation. It recognizes that we are created by a good God who seeks to bless us with all we need and much more.
But honestly, the most significant expression of thanksgiving is when our lives reflect the generosity of God by the way we bless others. Abundant research has found that gratitude is a natural medicine for our souls.
For one, the brain associates gratitude with the life-enhancing states of joy, tranquility, consciousness, enthusiasm, and empathy, adversely compared to ingratitude’s state of anxiety, heartbreak, loneliness, regret, and envy.
Researchers have found that the brain reconstructs pathways through gratitude and releases the chemicals dopamine and serotonin, which lead to such feelings of joy, consciousness, enthusiasm, and more. In addition, studies have linked gratitude to increased satisfaction, motivation, and energy, with better sleep and health, along with reduced stress and sadness.
It’s like God knows what God is talking about when God states in the Scriptures, "You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God" (2 Corinthians 9:11).
Gratitude transforms our life, understanding, way of seeing the world, and God’s work in and through us.
So as we enter into the week so aptly named for an attribute of Jesus, may we consider how we might live lives of thanksgiving by generously sharing our presence, attention, hearts, ears, minds, wallets, compassion, and time with those who need a blessing today to remind them of God’s generous love for them. For they will know we are Jesus’ disciples by our love.
Thanksgiving Gathering
UBC will host an outdoor Thanksgiving Gathering on Sunday, November 21 at 4:30 pm. This will be an event centered around sharing good conversations, enjoying a hearty meal, and soaking in the richness of faith-centered relationships.
Click the image above for more information.
MISSIONS
UBC Stained-Glass Christmas Ornaments
For informant how to purchase your ornament, click the image above.
Christmas Ecuador Project
Prayerfully consider contributing to this mission.
Highland Christmas Book Wrapping
Individuals and Sunday school classes are invited to help with the annual Highland Christmas Book Wrapping.
We ask the wrappers to bring a roll of Christmas wrapping paper, a pair of scissors, a roll of scotch tape, and their Christmas spirit!
If the books do not arrive on time, we will reschedule the wrapping party.
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.
UBC Choir is Back- Everyone's Welcome
The choir is back! We are currently rehearsing Wednesday nights from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the Music Suite. All are welcome. Previous experience not required. Safety precautions include masks and distancing. Join us!
Contact justin@ubc-br.org for more information.
RELATIONSHIPS
Free Live Nativity and Outdoor Movie on December 10th
UBC will host a free Live Nativity and Outdoor Movie on Friday, December 10. The Live Nativity will take place on the ballfield parking lot, 5:00-6:30 pm. The Outdoor Movie will premiere at 7:00 pm, showing The Polar Express.
With a food truck opening at 5 pm and free popcorn available before the movie, you are invited to make a night of it by bringing blankets and lawn chairs.
SPIRITUAL FORMATION
“The Little-Big Things” Sunday School & Spiritual Formation Question of the Week
Click on the image above for more information.
CHURCH OF THE NATIONS
Worship in the Chapel this Sunday, November 21st
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 is led by Rev. Tanya Parks and takes place in the Children’s Branch during Sunday school.
Outing to ZooLights
Children and families, join us for an outing to ZooLights!
Click on the image above to let us know you're coming!
YOUTH
Youth Sunday Schedule
For more information, contact Eric at eric@ubc-br.org or visit www.ubc-br.org/youth
GENERAL UPDATES
Quarterly Business Meeting
Zoom Information:
Meeting ID: 923-023-2464
Password: ubc
Staff Christmas Bonuses
UBC Hiring Special Event Facility Operators
As UBC establishes more space partnerships, we are hiring special event facility operators. Compensated at $15 per hour, facility operators will unlock buildings, turn on the air/ heating, help set up for the event, and clean up, and lock up the building at the conclusion of the event. Interested applicants must be 18 or older and a member of UBC. Please contact Halena, UBC’s Office Manager, at 225-766-9474.
Save The Dates
How To Give
Mask Policy Update
Click on the image above to review our updated mask policy.
