JANUARY 23, 2022 11 AM Contemporary Service - JOYFULLY SHARING GOD'S BOUNDLESS LOVE WITH ALL IN OUR COMMUNITY WITHOUT LIMITATION, EXCEPTION, OR ...

JOYFULLY SHARING GOD’S BOUNDLESS LOVE WITH ALL IN OUR
COMMUNITY WITHOUT LIMITATION, EXCEPTION, OR CONDITION

                 JANUARY 23, 2022
            11 AM Contemporary Service

2

                   + WELCOME TO UPC +
Welcome to our 11 a.m. worship service. We hope you make yourself feel at
home. The baskets on each table contain contact cards, giving envelopes,
pens & pencils, and some crayons. The restrooms are out the door and to
the right along the corridor.
New to UPC?
For more information about our church, fill out a blue Connection Card
located in the baskets on the tables and drop it by the Welcome Center on
your way out. Or complete a Connection Card digitally at upcfresno.org/
connect. The 9 a.m. gathering is a traditional service with a choir and organ
located in our Sanctuary. The 11 a.m. gathering is a contemporary service
featuring a casual atmosphere and a band in the Great Room. Our Lao
Language service meets at 11 a.m. in the Lao Worship Room for worship, a
sermon and prayer.
Children in Worship
Here at UPC, we value children being a part of our faith community and not
an accessory to it. Children are welcome to stay in worship with us and sing,
dance, clap, draw, and move about as they feel comfortable, or participate
in Godly Play, our Montessori based children's ministry that takes place
during the 11am service. Children’s Bulletins are available at the Welcome
Center. There is a Family Room located at the back of the Sanctuary with a
changing table, toys for the kids, and windows and audio. We also have a
Nursery (across the Courtyard) for children from birth to age 4.
Current Sermon Series: “Things Jesus Never Said”
To begin the new year, we're holding contemporary Christian culture up to
the light of Jesus's life and teaching. It's always hardest to see the water
we're swimming in, but encountering Jesus has the power to wake us up.
Join us for the sermon series January 9-February 27.
COVID-19 Precautions.
Out of an abundance of love, we are asking that individuals 2+ remain
masked throughout our worship services. Additional precautions including
limiting physical contact, increased ventilation and rigorous cleaning
procedures are being followed so that all members of our community can
have a safe and meaningful worship experience with us today. For updates
about our Covid precautions, be sure to join our mailing list at
upcfresno.org/email.

3

                 + THINGS JESUS NEVER SAID +
                                 WELCOME

                                    SONG

             CHILDREN’S INVITATION TO GODLY PLAY

                            ANNOUNCEMENTS
             Please fill out a blue connection card in the baskets

                                  READING
                       Ephesians 6:10-20 | see page 4

                                  SERMON
                             Dr. Francine Oputa

                               COMMUNION
   All are welcome to participate. No pressure. Our Communion consists of
            individually packaged gluten free bread and grape juice.

                                   PRAYER

                                 OFFERING
Financial gifts may be left in the offering box at the back of the Great Room, or
                          online at upcfresno.org/give

                              SENDING SONG

                                  BLESSING

Ephesians 6:10-20 (New Revised Standard Version)

The Whole Armor of God
10
  Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his power. 11 Put on the
whole armor of God, so that you may be able to stand against the wiles of
the devil. 12 For our[a] struggle is not against enemies of blood and flesh, but
against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this
present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly
places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, so that you may be able
to withstand on that evil day, and having done everything, to stand
firm. 14 Stand therefore, and fasten the belt of truth around your waist, and
put on the breastplate of righteousness. 15 As shoes for your feet put on
whatever will make you ready to proclaim the gospel of peace. 16 With all of
these,[b] take the shield of faith, with which you will be able to quench all the
flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation, and the sword
of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

18
  Pray in the Spirit at all times in every prayer and supplication. To that end
keep alert and always persevere in supplication for all the saints. 19 Pray also
for me, so that when I speak, a message may be given to me to make
known with boldness the mystery of the gospel,[c] 20 for which I am an
ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it boldly, as I must speak.

Worship Team: Rev. Renn Serna, Senior Pastor; Rev. April Alkema, Associate Pastor
of Creative & Digital Ministries; and Rev. Amanda Nevin, Pastor of Adult Ministries.
    Contemporary Worship Band: Patrick Aguirre, Electric Guitar; Josh Lara,
Percussion; Destiny Munoz, Bass; Cactus Harris, Piano, and Anne McGrath, Vocalist
                                 Host: Anne Klapste

5

                          + TODAY @ UPC +
Dr. Francine Oputa is a Diversity and Inclusion Professional and Consultant.
She recently retired from her work as the Director of the Cross Cultural and
Gender Center at Fresno State. UPC elders and deacons were privileged to
learn from Dr. Oputa in a small group gathering last fall. We are so glad to be
hearing from her again next Sunday morning.
UPC Youth | Sunday, January 23 @ 11 a.m. | Beginning this Sunday a new
gathering just for UPC 4th-8th graders will be meeting during the 11am
service! Featuring discussions geared towards helping youth think and share
together about tough faith issues and ask the questions they actually wonder
about. Gather in the youth room at 11am (before service starts). We will be
gathering twice monthly. Contact Pastor April at april@upcfresno.org if you
would like to receive email updates!
Godly Play during the 11 a.m. service | Godly Play is our Montessori-based
children's ministry for ages 5-11. Children are invited to begin worship in the
service and then they will be dismissed for Godly Play. Masks are required
Adult Ed | Sundays at 10:15 a.m., Fireside Room & Zoom | The group is
currently going through a study in Hosea. Each week is self-contained so
anyone can drop in or drop out. Although the study begins at 10:15 a.m., the
Zoom room opens immediately after the 9 a.m. service for fellowship and
sharing. Join the class at upcfresno.org/onlinegroups.

                       + THIS WEEK @ UPC +
UPC Book Group | Monday, January 24th @ 6:30 p.m. | Fireside Room &
Zoom | For the month of January, the Book Club will be
reading The Vanishing Half by Britt Bennett. It is a stunning historical
fiction novel about twin sisters, inseparable as children, who ultimately
choose to live in two very different worlds, one black and one white.
Community Playgroup | Thursdays at 10 a.m. |Calling all kiddos! Join us for
our NEW Community Playgroup Thursdays at 10am on the lawn in front of
the Great Room (weather permitting). Bring a blanket to sit on and come
ready for games, crafts, music, and snacks. This outdoor, socially distanced
event is open to children aged 0-5. RSVP at upcfresno.org/play to join the fun.

6

The Contemplative Prayer Group | Monday evenings @ 6:30 p.m. on Zoom
| All are welcome to join. If you are new to contemplative prayer and for
more info on how to join, contact Greg Faulk at gnfrun@att.net to learn
more about this reverent service.
Men’s Bible Study | Wednesdays @ 9 a.m. on Zoom | This small group of
men are opening up their study to all who would like to join. Currently they
are studying the minor prophets. For more information contact Ken Jones
at 313-0992 or Dave Eaton at 229-2402.

                     + COMING UP @ UPC +
UPC Annual Meeting | Sunday, January 30 @ 10:15 a.m. | Sanctuary |
Celebrate God's faithfulness as we look back on 2021 and dream together of
the year to come. Members are welcome to vote for our 2022 leadership
team, and 2 volunteers are still needed for this year's Nominating
Committee. Come in person, or view the livestream after the 9am service at
upcfresno.org/churchathome.

                 + WAYS TO SERVE @ UPC +
Food Distribution — Bagging | Friday, February 18 @ 9 a.m. | Distribution |
Saturday, February 19 @ 8 a.m. | For more information, email Linda Jean
Voth at lindajeanvoth34@gmail.com.
Food Items Needed | Drop off Monday through Thursday @ 9 am-4 pm
   canned, fresh, or frozen chicken, turkey, beef, or pork (we won’t be
     repackaging any fresh or frozen food, so please provide these items in
     "family size”)
   canned tuna, salmon, or Spam
   any kind of nut butter
   bread (loaves and buns)

7

          + CARING FOR EACH OTHER @ UPC +
We lift up in prayer members and friends of the UPC congregation who are
facing health concerns or difficult times. We pray for Jeanne Ayars, Kim
Johnson, Mary Rose, Ron & Becky Souza, Don Vinicor, and Dawn Lawrence.
Our deepest sympathies go out to John and Karen Curtis, in the passing of
their daughter Crystal.
If you would like to be placed on the prayer chain, contact Pam Higgins at
(559) 970-4103 or email higgyrn@comcast.net. If you want your name to be
listed for prayer in this publication, contact the office at
upc@upcfresno.org.
If you have a pastoral emergency when the office is closed, call (559) 387-
4250, leave a message, and a pastor will get back to you.

[ CONTACT US ]
1776 E Roberts Ave | Fresno, CA 93710 | (559) 439-8807
      info@upcfresno.org | www.upcfresno.org
         Facebook & Instagram | @upcfresno