The Pane: New Sermon Series Starts Sunday,
“The Little-Big Things”
In 1997, the top-grossing movies were Men in Black, The Lost World: Jurassic Park, Liar Liar, and Airforce One.
As Harrison Ford yelled at Gary Oldman, “Get off my plane,” and punched him in the face, the corporate titans at Blockbuster video were laughing their way to the bank. They held the home video industry in a tight grip of control and enormous profit.
That same year, two buddies started a fledgling company that took a chance on new video technology called DVDs. They had faith that VHS tapes would be a thing of the past and that the American consumer would be willing to purchase a brand-new DVD player to watch movies at home.
They started Netflix as one of the first home delivery DVD services, allowing patrons to rent a movie and simply drop it in the mail when they finished watching it.
And when their fledgling company skyrocketed to the top and toppled the Blockbusters of the world, they saw beyond the mail-to-home video option and innovatively considered an online on-demand possibility instead.
Nowadays, Netflix is synonymous with streaming, on-demand, and original content. Netflix is the primary driver behind why many have cut the cable cord and why all major networks have developed their streaming services.
As of July 2021, Netflix had 209 million subscribers, including 72 million in the United States and Canada.
We look at company’s like Netflix and believe that it takes enormous, organizational shifting steps to be successful. But what if it is not the huge changes that make a difference but the little-big things?
More often than not, when we look at the success and failure of a church, we believe it takes tremendously huge, overhauling changes. And so, churches will either subjugate themselves to change their entire identity to model themselves after the latest fastest-growing church, or they will settle into immobility, not wanting to compromise their identity.
We have convinced ourselves that the difference between one thriving church and one failing is a different as night and day.
But what if what separates successful churches and failing churches is relatively small? What if the difference between thriving and floundering focuses on subtle and small things that make an incredible difference?
On Sunday, October 31st, we are starting a new conversation, “The Little-Big Things: How Shared Spirit-Led Commitment Drives Oversized Results.”
Over the next six weeks, we will journey through the Book of Acts who hosts a repetitive statement not found in any of the rest of the New Testament letters: And the church grew in numbers.
Fall Gathering Save the Date
UBC will host its annual Fall Gathering on October 24th with an afternoon of hayrides, games, trunk or treat, and chili cook-off for all ages. We hope you will consider now inviting others to attend, volunteer for an activity, or enter the chili cook-off competition.
Fall Gathering Volunteers Needed
With UBC’s Fall Gathering right around the corner, we need a lot of volunteers to make the event a reality.
Click the image above for information on how to sign-up and for volunteer guides.
Fall Gathering Chili Cook-Off
Click the image above to sign-up.
MISSIONS
Ecuador Mission Immersion
The invitation is open to join the growing team heading to Ecuador in July of 2022.
Form more information, click on the image above.
Reading Friends Volunteer Training
The training luncheon for Highland Elementary’s EveryBody Reads program has been rescheduled for Sunday, November 14th after the service.
To sign-up, click on the image above.
Highland Thanksgiving Meal Project
For information on how to help, click on the image above.
UBC Stained-Glass Christmas Ornaments
For informant how to purchase your ornament, click the image above.
RELATIONSHIPS
Grand Re-Opening of the Family Tree Café
After months of closure, the Family Tree Café will reopen on October 4th with a creative redesign.
We are still looking for volunteers in the café on Mondays-Thursdays, 9:00 am to 12:00 pm.
Learn more by clicking the image above.
Stop by the Soccer Academy
The UBC Soccer Academy is underway. With over 60 children participating, we have the unique opportunity to be the presence of Jesus to dozens of families. Even if you are not volunteering, you are invited to stop by on a Saturday, 9-10 am, to connect with participants.
Barnabas Project Sundays
Are you in a Barnabas Projection connection? The Barnabas Project is an intergenerational connection between retirees and children with their families at UBC.
Click the image above for more information.
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.
SPIRITUAL FORMATION
Thursday Prayer Group Returning TODAY!
Starting on October 21, the group will meet every Thursday at 12:30pm over Zoom. We will be reading The Return of the Prodigal Son by Henri J.M. Nouwen.
Zoom Information:
Zoom ID: 570-645-5793
Password: ubc
Even if you miss the first meeting, you are welcome to join at any time!
CHURCH OF THE NATIONS
Worship in the Sanctuary this Sunday, October 24th
Contact eric@ubc-br.org for more information.
KIDS
Spiritual Formation Series
For more information on the series, click on the image above.
YOUTH
Save the Date for Youth Fundraiser Sale
UBC's youth will be offering crafts, plants, and baked goods for sale on the Sundays above. All proceeds will go to support hurricane relief.
GENERAL UPDATES
Save The Dates
How To Give
GIVE: https://www.ubc-br.org/give
STAY CONNECTED DURING THE PANDEMIC
Mask Policy Update
UBC once again recommends both vaccinated and unvaccinated participants wear a mask while indoors on campus.
We invite you to sign up to provide a care package for one of these 41 staff members. The care package should include candy, a $6 gift card to Lighthouse Coffee or CC’s, a small hand sanitizer bottle, lip balm, and something fun of your choosing.
We want to equip you to be the hands and feet of Jesus by pouring time, care, and attention into making one of these packages. This is why we are asking you to prepare the packages versus donating to the project.
Once you have purchased the items, drop by the church office to fill one of the official package bags, and write a personal note to put on the finishing touch. The office will be open on Sundays 9-11:30 am, and Monday through Thursday, 9 am-4:30 pm.
