The Pane: But Before We Get to Sunday
If you’ve never wrapped your mind around why Jesus was executed, I invite you to reread the four Gospels’ peak into Passover week. Whether it is Jesus' bold act of insurrection in the Triumphal Entry, the scattering of the corrupt Temple system, the bold prediction of Jerusalem’s fall, or the warning against the fraud of the religious ruling elite, Jesus gave the Sadducees every reason to put a plan in place to silence this great agitator.
The culmination of his three years of public ministry, the inclusion of the marginalized, the challenging of the socio-political-religious institution, the performing of miracles, the radical teachings about God’s ways, and the unconventional approach to including outsiders, sinners, and foreigners, was coming to a point during Passover week.
And yet, what is so fascinating about all the things Jesus did that week was the time he shared with his disciples just hours before his arrest. The Gospel of John most intimately gives us a glimpse into their conversations. Here, Jesus encourages and empowers them, reminding them that God will be with them and fill them with the Holy Spirit at the right time.
But the meal took on a different tone when Jesus took the bread, saying, “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. For I tell you, I will not eat it again until it finds fulfillment in the kingdom of God.” But, of course, the disciples had heard him talk this way for years now, so how could they have known all was about to pass.
You must wonder if someone suspected something when he said, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you. The disciples had shared many meals with Jesus, but this one must have felt different. We know from the Gospels that the anxiety was beginning to build within Jesus because, in just a few hours, he would begin to sweat blood by the amount of anguish he suffered over what was transpiring.
Looking back on this moment just days from now, you can imagine that the disciples wished they had understood those words at the moment, now as they hid in fear after Jesus’ death. But how could they have truly known? And what could they have done, even if they had understood what meant and what would happen?
But for now, all they can do is settle into the unsettling reality that their teacher and Lord had been arrested, falsely accused, brutally beaten, mocked and spat upon, scourged, humiliated, and excruciatingly executed in the most agonizing of ways. They had no idea what Sunday would bring, for all they knew was the sorrow, fear, shame, and regrets they were feeling on Thursday evening, Friday, and Saturday.
As Resurrection people, we want to jump to Sunday and bypass the anxiety of Maundy Thursday, the pain of Good Friday, and the sorrow of Black Saturday. But we are invited to settle into and bear through it.
In that anxiety, pain, and sorrow, we come to understand the horror of Jesus’ sacrifice. In the raw emotion of Jesus’ suffering, we can truly understand the incredible implications of what will dawn on Sunday.
Easter Brunch
Join our annual Easter Brunch on Sunday, April 17 at 9:30 am.
Providing space for the flowering of the Easter Cross and Spiritual Formation/Sunday School groups to meet, the meal line will open at 9:30 am in the Fellowship Hall with ample space for people to eat in the courtyard.
Please drop off your item in the Fellowship Hall on at 9:00am.
Sign up to bring an item here:
UBC's Flowering of the Easter Cross
Whether you are coming for in-person Sunday activities or remaining at home, the Easter Cross will be available at 8:45 am on Easter Sunday for a moment of meditation and flowering. Located right outside the Sanctuary and the Fellowship Hall, participants will have a prompt for silent reflection and prayer before placing a flower provided onto the cross.
Communion April 17th
Join us on Sunday for Communion!
Care Packages for Highland Elementary Staff
We invite you to collaborate with our partners at Highland Elementary by providing care packages for the staff.
We invite you to sign up to provide a care package for one of these 37 staff members. The care package should include 5 small snack items such as chips, crackers, candy, nuts, cookies, and a small gift of your choosing. Please note - the bags are 7"x9 1/2 inches, so please purchase your items with this size in mind.
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.
We will be delivering the bags on May 2, so please have your bag filled at the church by April 27th.
RELATIONSHIPS
Barnabas Project Partners
Are you in a Barnabas Projection connection? The Barnabas Project is an intergenerational connection between retirees and children with their families at UBC.
To start your Barnabas Project connection, reach out to Tanya, Minister of Children and Retirees, at 225-766-9474 or tanya@ubc-br.org.
Special Note:
Join us May 1 after church for a meal with your partners.
More information to follow.
Retirees Luncheon
We will be holding our Retirees' Luncheon on April 20th and OUR NEW TIME at 11:30am! Please keep in mind our time change if you are planning on attending.
Young Adults Night Out
Our next Young Adults Night Out will be on April 22nd, 5:30-8:00 pm. The group will gather at a local restaurant for dining and conversations. 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 by Wednesday, April 20th. The restaurant location will be texted to you.
Please sign up here:
Summer Gatherings Survey
UBC will host three Summer Gatherings on the second Sunday of every month in June, July, and August.
In the past, these events have centered on community and shared-interest activities. In planning, we want to know the types of activities that interest you. Please take a few moments to fill out this poll to give us helpful insight:
H.O.P.E Grief Support Groups
The Hospice of Baton Rouge would like to invite you to their H.O.P.E Grief Support Group. This 6-Week support group will be held at UBC’s Heritage Room Thursday evenings from 6:30 - 8:00 pm. All groups are provided to the public at no charge.
You can log-on to our website at: https://hospicebr.org/bereavement for more information. To reserve your spot or you may also contact Christine Brasseaux at The Hospice of Baton Rouge at (225) 341-9703 or (225) 767-4673.
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.
Faith, Community, and Justice Connect Groups
Are you interested in making Baton Rouge a better place to live? If so there are currently 3 organizational meetings with TBR and community groups to start working on the following issues:
-Access to healthy food in North Baton Rouge,
-Policing and mental illness
-Education
If interested in making Baton Rouge better, contact Herb Bennett at Herbbennettbtr@gmail.com to get connected with one of these groups.
Thank you,
TBR: Faith, Community and Justice Connect Group
Choir is Back
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.
MISSIONS
Ecuador Supplies Support
UBC’s Ecuador Mission Immersion is just months away.
We are beginning now to collect key hygiene and medical items for the trip. You can partner with us by dropping of the following items in marked bins in the Narthex and Office: toothbrushes, toothpaste, dental floss, feminine products, pocket containers of lotion, bars of soap, Band Aids, individual alcohol wipes, nail filers, wash clothes, and gallon zip-lock bags.
Pick Up Your Kindness Bags
Over 300 Kindness Bags were made at the January 30th Missions Sunday. They are simple food and hygiene kits you can keep in your car to give to someone in need.
Pick up a bag at the office during the week or grab one in the Narthex on Sundays.
UBC Stained-Glass Christmas Ornaments
For informant how to purchase your ornament, click the image above.
SPIRITUAL FORMATION
Women's Bible Study
Women’s Bible Study entitled Chasing Vines: Finding your way in an immensely fruitful life. The study is by Beth Moore with Karin Stock Buursma.
The study begins on Tuesday April 19, 2022 at 9:30 a.m. and will end on Tuesday, May 24, 2022.
Thursday Prayer Group is Back!
The group meets every Thursday over Zoom at 12:30pm. We will be reading Walking The Way by John Dear.
Join us on Zoom.
Zoom ID: 570-645-5793
Password: ubc
CHURCH OF THE NATIONS
Worship in the Sanctuary for Palm Sunday
Contact eric@ubc-br.org for more information.
KIDS
GENERAL UPDATES
Save The Dates
MDO Job Opening
UBC’s MDO has a new job opening for MDO Director. UBC will be hoping to find a replacement by the end of April. If you feel you are a good fit, please visit our blog post for info, job description, and how to apply:
How To Give
Mask Policy Update
Click on the image above to review our updated mask policy.
Comments