e-communications from University Presbyterian Church January 16, 2020
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SECOND SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY
JANUARY 19, 2020
Issues in 2020:
The Legacy of Dr. King
Great Hall, 9:30 a.m.
WORSHIP 11:00 AM
the Reverend Rykie Marx preaching
"Comfort My People"
Text is
The Chancel Choir sings the U2 song “MLK” as arranged by Bob Chilcott. Caleb Jackson is soloist.
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On this week's podcast, Matt and Adam talk about the papacy, the burdens of ministry, and The Two Popes. In the first segment, they discuss how two of the most powerful people in the world can still struggle with the quotidian trials of ministry. Popes! They are just like us. In the second segment, Matt and Adam discuss the advent texts for Epiphany 2 and how the sound of the calling shapes the one being called.
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January 12, 2020, Pastor Matt Gaventa
January 5, 2020, Pastor Matt Gaventa
December 29, 2019, Pastor Krystal Leedy
December 25, 2019, Pastor Matt Gaventa
December 22, 2019, Pastor Matt Gaventa
Find our sermon archive at
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You can subscribe to our podcast through
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Church Office Closed Monday, January 20
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
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COME SING WITH LAUDATE!
Happy New Year! Maybe you know a child (possibly your own) that just won't stop singing the latest from
Frozen. Encourage them to check out Laudate Children's Choir as we gear up for another exciting season of anthems to share in worship.
All are welcome in grades Kinder through 8th grade and our rehearsals are at 9:30 a.m. in room 210 every Sunday morning.
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Social Witness & Christian Formation:
The Legacy of Dr. King
Please join us for the first in the a monthly series this semester, ”The Legacy of Dr. King, and the History and Future of the Civil Rights Movement in Austin and around the US” at 9:30 a.m., this Sunday in the Great Hall. The program will include special music by our own Dr. Nicole Taylor, presentations by the Reverend Freddie Dixon, Sr., and Professor Bill Greenway, and discussion led by Suzanna Caballero. Your host is Roscoe Overton.
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MLK MARCH MONDAY, JANUARY 20, 2020
Meet us in your UPC T-shirt at 8:45 a.m., Monday, January 20, 2020, near the Martin Luther King Jr. Statue at 21st and Speedway for the 2.3 mile Community MLK March to Houston-Tillotson University.
UPC members and friends are welcome to park in the University Coop garage, then meet up at the statue for the program and march to the capitol.
There will be no events at UPC Monday, January 20; the church office will be closed.
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Director of Music Search Committee
After almost two decades of serving as Director of Music at UPC, Ara Carapetyan will be retiring on May 31, 2020. We look forward to celebrating his cherished legacy over the next few months, and will greatly miss his gifted leadership of our music program when he leaves.
The idea of someone stepping into Ara’s shoes is daunting. While there is no formal process in the Book of Order for appointing a Director of Music, the Session feels that the importance of the music program to the life of UPC calls for a thoughtful and prayerful search process for his successor.
Session voted last night to form a search committee tasked to find a Director of Music to start sometime in 2021. The members of this committee are Marcus Corley, Jon Eddison, Byron French, Jessie Hsu, Caleb Jackson, Marilla King, and Julie Miller.
As part of this process, the Search Committee will meet with the congregation to receive input about the future of our music program, Additionally, the Staff Support Committee will be working to hire an Interim Music Director until a permanent Director of Music can be found to start sometime next year.
Stay tuned for announcements on events as we cherish our last few months with Ara.
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During my tenure here at UPC, I have been so grateful to have my own office. It is a beautiful space that contains so many things a pastor could need during their time at UPC. I have been grateful for UPC to provide this space for the purpose of study and work and for those moments when I need to counsel a student or speak to a staff member in private.
However, a member who has been a member at UPC for at least the past seven years, followed me into my office last year to get something. As they came into the space, they exclaimed, “Oh wow! I didn’t think you had an office here! When did you get this?” I began to tell this story and discovered that many people did not know that I office at the church that I serve. For at least six years, people did not know I had an office at UPC. Students especially did not know that I had an office to which they were certainly welcomed.
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For such a relational job, this is a problem. As the only pastor who did not have a door that faced the outside hallway, which is the hub of traffic and interactions at UPC, I found myself having to even remind the staff that I am happy for them to pop by. It’s difficult to enter a hidden place without purpose, however. It is also problematic that the door to my office did not contain a window. The previous situation did not allow me to have youth or children in my office that were not my own.
It is an expensive project, and it has been a long time coming. There were many meetings and phone calls that I will not bore you with, and there was a donor that decided to make this their project. For that anonymous donor, I will be forever grateful, just as I am grateful for the Campus Ministry Endowment, which was also a move made with foresight. I know that moves that are made with foresight can often be misunderstood, so I wanted to make it clear that this door was not made for Krystal, the person. This door was created for whomever holds the office of Associate Pastor at UPC. Right now and for the foreseeable future, that’s me. This provides an equality to the hallway, the ability to get to the water cooler, and the ability to meet with anyone that needs counsel in my fantastic office. It’s more than a door. It further equalizes what it means to be a pastor here at UPC.
Thank you for enduring the inconvenience in order that one of your pastors may have access to the comings and goings of life here at UPC. And if you ever need anything, especially if you have questions about this, my door is always open.
-Pastor Krystal
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Woah! Looks like Shepherd of the Hills roared ahead in Week 2 of the Souper Bowl! But UPC Youth are not out yet.
Our Souper Bowl of Caring food collection is continues for three more Sundays! If you're at the grocery store this weekend, remember throw in a few (dozen) extra food items to help UPC Youth bring home the trophy this year. Contributions made to UPC with Souper Bowl of Caring in the memo line also count.
Whatever the outcome, all food and financial donations will benefit the Micah 6 food pantry and do a lot of good in our community! Thank you!
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Save the Date
CONGREGATIONAL MEETING
FEBRUARY 9, 2020
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Plan now to remain after worship Sunday, February 9 for our annual congregational meeting. We will be presented with our 2020 budget for approval (including proposed changes to terms of call), entertain a full slate of ruling elders and deacons from the Nominating Committee for the Class of 2023, celebrate all that God has made possible in the past year, and look with joy and excitement to the year ahead!
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UPC BORDER MISSION TRIP 2020
March 15-20, Spring Break
Please mark your calendars now and plan to participate in UPC’s Border Mission Trip scheduled for Spring Break 2020 (Sunday, March 15 to Friday, March 20). This is an all-church trip involving both regular church members and college students. Working with
Faith Ministry, we will travel to Reynosa, Mexico and build a simple cinderblock/concrete home for a deserving family.
How can you help? Two ways. First, come with us. You don’t need ANY construction skills. This is a wonderful way to experience God’s love working in the world, and to learn about our brothers and sisters in Christ from our neighbor to the south. To sign up, simply notify Craig Deats at:
cdeats@ddollaw.com, or call his cell at 512-567-1419.
Second, please contribute to help with trip expenses. Construction materials cost $6,500; add travel, housing and food, and it’s a lot. We need your financial help. Place contributions in the offering plate clearly marked for the “Border Mission Trip,” or give them to the church office or Craig Deats. Any contribution, large or small, is greatly appreciated. And those who contribute $250 or more will receive a “thank you” email mid-week from a participant about their experience.
INFO SESSION AFTER WORSHIP. Questions? There will be a “no pressure” informational meeting in the Fellowship Hall this Sunday, January 19, immediately following worship. Food will be provided. We’ll try to answer all your questions. Or simply talk to Craig Deats whenever / wherever you see him. Thanks to all for your continued support of this important mission effort.
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HAT & GLOVE DRIVE
The UPC Service Committee and our UPLift volunteers are calling for donations of knitted hats and gloves for people who come to our church on Tuesday mornings seeking food, warmth and services. The need is greater for men than for women. Please place items in the box just outside the Fellowship Hall. Thank you for considering this opportunity to give to others!
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Please pray for
the family of Henry A. Thiede, MD, who died January 13, 2020, in Pittsford, NY. Pat Thiede is Henry's daughter and Paul Hooker his son-in-law. A memorial service will be held Saturday, January 18, in Pittsford.
Obituary may be found here.
Jane Payne, who is currently at Seton Central for tests, and expects to be transferred to a care facility shortly.
The UPC / Austin Seminary Travel Seminar, who are leaving tonight for South Africa. They will return Saturday, February 1, with lots to share about what they learn about racial reconciliation.
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To have a deacon pray with you, look for the
Deacon of the Day
on the pulpit side front of the sanctuary any Sunday following the postlude.
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UPC's Prayer Chain
is a group of faithful prayer warriors who commit to praying for people throughout the week. If you'd like to be part of the Prayer Chain, click the button below. You will receive periodic emails (no more than one per day), with specific requests from members to pray. Thank you for your faithfulness in prayer.
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