The Window: November 18, 2021

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.