Thursday, January 29, 2026

NEW MERCIES SERIES

Centering Music:

Children's Choirs

Cool Under Fire by Valerie MacKenzie

Dr. Lauren Braud, Piano

Opening Hymn:

UMH 89 Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee

Sung Invitation to Prayer:

UMH 560 Help Us Accept Each Other v. 1

Scripture:

Colossians 3:12–17



Sermon:

Beginning Again with Each Other

Closing Hymn:

UMH 581 Lord, Whose Love Through Humble Service 

Postlude:

Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee arr. Sadowski

Geoffrey Stemen, organ

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https://universitymethodist.org/worship/online-worship

https://www.facebook.com/universitymethodist

https://www.youtube.com/uumcbr

Dear Church Family,

I want to share an important staffing update with you.

Alaina Clemons has accepted a new position that is more closely aligned with her educational background, and as a result, she will be stepping down from her full-time role with the church. We are grateful that Alaina has offered to remain with us in a part-time capacity for a limited time to continue handling several critical tasks while we work through this transition.

The church is already working diligently to fill this position; however, this staffing change will have a significant impact on the day-to-day operations of the church office until the role is fully filled. During this interim period, our ability to provide some services as quickly as we have in the past will be affected. Simply put, the same amount of work is now being done by one fewer person, and certain requests or responses may take longer than usual.

Pastor Katie and the Staff-Parish Relations Committee are asking for your support in three important ways:

1. Volunteer, if you are able. We will need assistance in the church office, particularly with answering phones and being present to help as needs arise. If you are interested in assisting, please contact Emma Burke at emmaburke@gmail.com.
2. Help us identify candidates. If you know someone who you believe would be a good fit for the role of Office Administrator, please encourage them to contact the church and apply.
3. Extend patience and grace. This transition leaves a significant gap and will necessarily change how the church office functions in the short term.

Finally, I ask that you keep all of our church staff, clergy, and lay leaders in your prayers as we begin the process of finding the next person to support the administrative work that makes our ministries possible.

Thank you for your understanding, your willingness to help, and your continued faithfulness to the life of our church.

Grace and peace,

Robert Hoke

Chair, Staff-Parish Relations Committee

Words of Meditation

“To become fully human means… growing gentler toward human weakness… receiving the human condition as blessing and not curse.” — Brené Brown

Reflection — Colossians 3:12-17

This passage begins with identity before instruction: “As God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved…” The community is not told to become lovable through better behavior; they are told they already are beloved. Ethics flows from the foundation of safety that proceeds from that experience of belonging, doesn’t it? The clothing imagery suggests daily practice: compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, patience. These are not sentimental traits; they are communal skills for life together when people are tired, triggered, misunderstood, and imperfect.

The heart of the text is relational realism: “Bear with one another” and “forgive each other.” Bearing-with is what love looks like when community is inconvenient. Forgiveness is not denial of harm; it is the courageous work of refusing to let injury have the final word. Colossians doesn’t romanticize church life—it assumes conflict, friction, and the need for repair. Then it points to a center strong enough to hold it: “Above all, clothe yourselves with love… and let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts.”

Beginning again with each other means we stop treating relationships as disposable. We practice repair: naming what matters, telling the truth with gentleness, setting boundaries when needed, and choosing the work of reconciliation whenever possible. This includes care for the vulnerable, attention to power and harm, and a commitment to communities where dignity is protected. The peace of Christ is not avoidance; it is a steadying presence that makes mercy possible—and keeps us at the table long enough for love to become real.

Discussion

1. Which “garment” listed here feels most needed in your relationships right now? Which feels hardest to take on?

2. Where might “bearing with” be holy, and where might it require boundaries and support?

3. What would it look like for “the peace of Christ” to rule (or to guide decisions) in your small group, family, or church?

From the Mission Committee:

As University UMC begins a new year, we look forward to once more serving our brothers and sisters within our community and those in need across the globe!

Please consider participating in our exciting and rewarding mission opportunities that are ongoing and make note of some fun and worthwhile events that are on the church calendar. 

Rise Against Hunger

Saturday, March 21

Help us package 10,000 meals for people in need around the globe. This event is designed for volunteers of all ages—a perfect family mission project. Held in our Fellowship Hall. Time TBA.

Holy Grill 

April 13-17; September 7-11 (Labor Day Week, likely won't serve on Monday)

A project of the Interfaith Federation of Baton Rouge, volunteers serve hot meals for guests five days a week. Meals served at noon at Cadillac Street BREC Park. 

Churchwide Mission Lunch

Sunday, April 19

Immediately after the 11 a.m. service, plan to stay and enjoy lunch while assembling hygiene kits that will be sent to the Capital Area Alliance for the Homeless. The event will be held in the Fellowship Hall. Lunch and hygiene kit items will be provided. 

Habitat for Humanity United Methodist Build

Typically held in September

Date and time TBA.

Advent Giving Campaign

Every Sunday in Advent, church members are invited to bring items or to make monetary donations that benefit local charities. Past campaigns have collected for HOPE Ministries (toys and food), IRIS Domestic Violence Center (diapers and wipes), and Capital Area Alliance for the Homeless (socks).

Ongoing:

Kids Hope at McKinley Elementary School 

Work alongside young gardeners in our fabulous edible garden. Tuesdays from 8-9 a.m.

Mentor a 2nd Grader who would benefit from having a friend. Tuesdays from 12:45-1:30 p.m.

Lead a book club of about five fourth graders. Tuesdays from 2-2:45 p.m.

Drop off treats to teachers. Occasional Fridays.

Questions? Contact Shirley Flake, Kids Hope Director.

Front Yard Bikes

Assist with the FYB after school program held from 3-5 p.m. at the Carver Branch Library on Terrace Street. Includes reading, crafts, STEM enrichment, homework supervision, and more. Serving kids from elementary through high school grades.

Some gardening opportunities are available, and FYB is always grateful to receive donations of bikes. 

Questions? Contact Tonya Eichelberger at (225) 454-0110.

HOPE Ministries Client Choice Food Pantry

Every third Wednesday from 8:30-11 a.m.

Volunteers stock shelves with donated food items and accompany clients throughout the pantry as they shop. Pantry located at 4643 Winbourne Avenue.

Jazz Service

Join us on February 8 at both 8:30 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. for a Jazz-themed service celebrating the spirit of Mardi Gras! Invite a friend and come worship with us while enjoying the beautiful, soulful sounds of Louisiana jazz woven throughout our service.

Ashes to Geaux

On Ash Wednesday, February 18, UUMC is taking church "to the streets" with Ashes to Geaux. Offered at 7 a.m. and Noon, we will be sharing the sign of the cross in ashes, along with a brief blessing and a prayer for students and for those who may not be able to attend a service but who wish to begin the season of Lent grounded in God's love on their way to work. 

We need lay leadership to help in this ministry both early morning and at noontime at various locations, and no prior experience is required.

Want to volunteer? Contact Mary Rachel Moore at revmaryrachel@universitymethodist.org.

Family Ministries Field Trip to Global Wildlife

Join us for a fun Family Ministries field trip to Global Wildlife on Sunday, February 22, at 2 p.m. Enjoy an afternoon together exploring the park and spending time with other families. 

Please note: This event was originally scheduled for January 25 and has been moved to February 22 due to predicted weather.

Registration is available through Planning Center. Please register as soon as possible so we can get an accurate headcount!

LSU Student Lunch

We invite all students to join us for our FREE LSU Lunch on Sunday, February 22, at 12 p.m. in our Library! Invite a friend who would enjoy a hot meal!

Church Directory



Church members who have attended within the last year have been invited to the church directory. If you haven't received your invitation, use the link below to access your profile. If the link does not work for you or if you have any questions, please email Rev. Mary Rachel at revmaryrachel@universitymethodist.org.

If you haven't already, we'd love for you to upload a photo of yourself and your family to the directory. Pictures help us learn and remember each other’s names!

Pat Ketelsen, the family of Barbara Hughes, Alison McCrary, Mary Juneau, Beth Courtney, the family of Charlotte Love, Darby Ralls, Ellen Wiemers, Garrett Ward, Gregg Jones, Janet Grace, Jessica Roux’s Ukrainian Host Family, Kristine Hawkins, family of Liz Savoie Chandler, Lupi Sucre, Maria and Oswaldo Linares, Mindy Piontek, Penny Delaney, Rev. Linda Joseph, Robert Blackledge, Susan Horton, Susan Pourciau, the family of Arnold Jackson, Trey Bickham, Lou Bickham, Wesley Foundation Leadership, Melanie Brooke Civils, and all of those in our congregation who are in nursing homes or homebound.