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Centering Music:
All Praise to God, Who Reigns Above arr. Peter Hilliard
Michael Hull, trumpet & Dr. Geoffrey Stemen, piano
Opening Hymn:
UMH 451 Be Thou My Vision
Invitation to Prayer:
UMH 474 Precious Lord Take My Hand v. 1
Offertory:
Just a Closer Walk with Thee arr. Peter Hilliard
Michael Hull, trumpet & Dr. Geoffrey Stemen, piano
Scripture:
Mark 9:14-29
Lucy Smith
Sermon:
Honest to God: What's the Opposite of Faith?
Rev. Jay Hogewood
Closing Hymn:
UMH 397 I Need Thee Every Hour vv. 1-4
Postlude:
Arise, My Soul, Arise! arr. D. Wood
Dr. Geoffrey Stemen, organ
Join Us Online on Our Website, YouTube, and Facebook:
https://universitymethodist.org/worship/online-worship
https://www.facebook.com/universitymethodist
https://www.youtube.com/uumcbr
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- Pastoral Letter
- New Pastor Reception Highlights
- Sunday School
- Adopt‑a‑College Student
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- LSU Sunday
- Small Group
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Upcoming August Events & Important Updates
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Pastoral Letter
The Only Prayer…
Dear University Church, wow! What an absolutely joyful beginning! Your generous spirits, your affirmations and your desire for connection - all are real gifts to me, as well as to Karrie. These initial weeks at UUMC direct my attention to a talent you have: welcoming a newcomer with the grace of Christ. As your new pastor, I wish to share one overwhelming expression: gratitude!
Amid the apprehensions that come along with a move - a new people, a new place, expectations, and aspirations - you’ve offered the assurance of God’s love we share together. I am so grateful for your immediate care, compassion, and hospitality. I am reminded of the thoughtful Dominican, Meister Eckhart (German Catholic theologian and mystic in the 1300s), who said: “If the only prayer you ever say in your entire life is 'Thank you', it will be enough.”
I sure do hope we’ll have many more words together - prayers, conversations, notes and sermons too. For now, please allow me only these - “Thank you.”
I thank the Lord for you,
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Rev. Jay Hogewood, Ph.D.
Senior Pastor
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New Pastor Reception Highlights
Following worship, our congregation gathered to warmly welcome Rev. Jay Hogewood with a reception celebrating the beginning of his ministry at UUMC. Thank you to everyone who joined us!
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Sunday School
This Sunday in the Fellowship Hall at 9 a.m., join us for Sunday School with Rev. Jay as we discuss Honest to God: What Is the Opposite of Faith? through Mark 9:14–29. A father's unbelief is his greatest offering of belief! What does faith mean to you? Let's talk it through.
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Adopt‑a‑College Student
The fall semester is approaching, and College Ministry is excited to bring back a beloved University Church tradition: Adopt-a-College Student. This ministry is a simple but meaningful way for our church family to support students in the LSU Wesley community.
Participants will be paired with a student for the school year and encouraged to stay connected through notes, texts, small gestures of care, and faithful prayer as students navigate college life. This ministry helps students feel rooted, seen, and spiritually supported while they are away from home.
To be paired with a student, email Trey Bickham at trey.bickham@gmail.com or Rev. Mary Rachel Moore at revmaryrachel@universitymethodist.org
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LSU Sunday
LSU Sunday will take place on August 30. During worship, we will welcome new LSU students and celebrate the return of those continuing their college journey with us. Following worship, we will gather for lunch and invite church members to help welcome students through fellowship and conversation.
If you would like to support the cost of lunch or contribute toward door prizes, please give through Church Center and designate your donation to College Ministry.
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Small Group
Living the Question? “We are closer to God when we are asking questions than when we think we have all the answers.” - R. Abraham Heschel
Jesus loved questions: consider - Jesus asked 307 questions in the Gospel story; he is asked 183 questions; and he answered only 3 of them. Do we need answers? Faith needs questions. What do you think about that? Won’t you join in the conversation? Rev. Jay invites you to live into the questions, as we study 4 essential inquiries Jesus offers his followers.
Sundays, August 16, 23, and 30, and September 6, from 5–6 p.m.
Wednesdays, August 19 and 26, and September 2 and 9, from 12–1 p.m.
Location: The Chapel (Zoom available for Noon sessions)
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Upcoming August Events & Important Updates
As summer comes to a close, we have so many exciting things to look forward to! Be sure to check out our digital version of the “End of Summer Events Booklet,” where you’ll find all upcoming events, worship service times, and important notifications.
Printed copies are also available in this week’s Sunday bulletin during worship or on the tables inside and outside Fellowship Hall.
Save this booklet as your guide for everything happening at UUMC this August!
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Save The Date
Oct 2, 2026 — Wesley Foundation 90th Anniversary Alumni and Friends Celebration
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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!
| | | Elliot Irby, Bill Nelson, Harriet Smith, the family of Annette Seng, the family of Pat Ketelsen, Ann Barney, Sharon Nason, Stacy Hudson, Paul Miktus, Ann Flack, Khetia and Khetie Jean-Louis, Karl Buchholz, Patti Exner, Alison McCrary, Mary Juneau, Beth Courtney, Darby Ralls, Ellen Wiemers, Garrett Ward, Gregg Jones, Janet Grace, Jessica Roux’s Ukrainian host family, Kristine Hawkins, Lupi Sucre, Maria and Oswaldo Linares, Mindy Piontek, the family of Rev. Linda Joseph, Robert Blackledge, Susan Horton, Susan Pourciau, the family of Arnold Jackson, the Bickham family, Wesley Foundation leadership, Melanie Brooke Civils, and all those in our congregation who are in nursing homes or homebound. | | | | |
