The Window: November 24, 2021

UBC Communications
Nov 24, 2021
4 min read

The Pane: Preparing for Advent, a Season of Hope

As we began the celebration of Advent in 2020, I so hoped that the world would be in a different place this year. And yet, we still live in a world of hurt, suffering, self-interest, and struggle.

But if we can have a little perspective, then we realize that this is the human experience. And because this is the human experience, we have a clearer sense of why God became flesh to dwell among us.

And so, I invite you to center your hearts on this season of Advent by recognizing the gifts that God gives us to face such time. We begin with hope.

As Anne Lamott put it, "Hope begins in the dark, the stubborn hope that if you just show up and try to do the right thing, the dawn will come. So you wait and watch and work: You don't give up."

To the ancients who first heard the message that Messiah would come to the people hundreds of years later that saw the fulfillment of those promises, they had one thing in common: a human longing for divine intervention.

Comparison is an unhealthy psychological exercise. However, it does reshape our understanding and perspective of our circumstances. So, imagine that the people who first heard of God’s Messiah to come were a people amid destruction and exile at the hands of the Babylonians. Ripped from their homes and taken to a foreign land, these exiled Hebrew people desired God to intervene.

In some regards, we can resonate as we have been ripped from our regular lives and into these 19+ months of crippled experience, sickness, loss, distance from relatives and loved ones, and a limitation to physical interaction with our faith community. Yet, we all long for something better.

UBC Office Will Be Closed Thursday and Friday

Have a blessed Thanksgiving weekend!

UBC Stained-Glass Christmas Ornaments

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

Thanksgiving Gathering Follow-Up

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.

Thanksgiving Meal Kit Follow-Up

We are incredibly grateful for the many people who contributed to making the Highland Thanksgiving Meal Kit Project a reality. This week, over 25 families from our partner school will receive all the items and recipes needed to make a meaningful meal on Thursday. Thank you for your missional generosity.

MISSIONS

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.

Christmas Brunch

UBC will host its annual Christmas Brunch on Sunday, December 19 at 9:30 am. This event will take place outside in the courtyard, inviting participants to enjoy a time of community, celebration, and a good meal. The brunch will lead us into a music-centric worship service, with special guests from the Mother’s Day Out program.

Barnabas Project First Sunday

Participants will meet with their Barnabas Project partner, engaging in fun activities, and building stronger relationships.

For more information, click on the image above.

Young Adults Night Out

For December, our Young Adults Night Out will be on the second Friday, 5:30-8:00 pm. This month, we will meet on December 17th.

For more information, click on the image above.

SPIRITUAL FORMATION

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.

New Advent Prayer Group

Each Thursday during Advent at 12:30pm, we will take time to reflect on the Advent Scripture from the previous Sunday in worship. Join us on Zoom.

Zoom ID: 570-645-5793

Password: ubc

CHURCH OF THE NATIONS

Worship in the Chapel this Sunday, November 28th

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

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.