Hello Friends:

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We recited a wonderful and timely poem as our call to worship on Sunday. It was written by Northfield, MN-based poet Rob Hardy. It really speaks to our present moment. Here’s the poem:

 

Communion 

There's no bread.

The bakers have gone into hiding.

The seats at the table are empty. 

The Twelve are out marching with the thousands.

The streets are filled with a new song.

Only Judas sits at Target Place, counting his silver,

while Pontius Pilate issues a carefully worded statement. 

Meanwhile, the centurions have quotas to fill.

But out on the streets there's a Communion.

Jesus takes the city in his hands and says,

"This is my body, broken for you.”

Rob Hardy

February 2, 2026

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Also in the worship service, we sang several of the songs that have been making the rounds of street protests. Here’s a link to many of these tunes.

 

Our friends at First Church have invited us to join them for their whimsical Mardi Gras event. It will be held at First Church on Friday night from 5:30-8:30pm. It will include food, music, crafts, and even mini-golf throughout their worship space.

 

This Sunday, we will welcome the good people from First Church to share our worship service. Jane McBride will be preaching, I will be serving as worship leader, and the combined choirs of both congregation will perform. If you want to join in the anthem, just come at 9:15am and you can learn it. Jane will be preaching on the transfiguration story found in Matthew 17:1-9. Jane’s sermon is entitled, “Love Transfigures Us.” Think about what has transformed and transfigured our hearts, our city, and our world. What do we wish will be transfigured? How do we respond when our world has been rocked?

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On Sunday evening at 7pm, the UBC Chorale will perform in the annual Night Songs event at University Lutheran Church of Hope. Five choirs will join forces to reflect on the beauty of creation. This evening event will be augmented by images of the cosmos projected onto the church ceiling. Some people bring blankets and lay on the ground to better enjoy the experience. In order to get a handle on attendance, please sign up here for a free ticket.

 

Looking ahead, we will be holding our first Roots Cellar concert of 2026 on Sunday, February 22nd, at 7pm. We welcome three artists: Katie Dahl, RJ Cowdery, and Hope Dunbar. You can get tickets here. Here’s a great promo video of Katie Dahl.

 

​Blessings and Peace,

 

Doug Donley