You’ve been going to a UCC church since you were a little kid.
You grew up Catholic… Jewish… Baptist…
You’ve never been to worship before and have no idea what those terms mean, and you’re not sure you care.
You want to reflect on current events.
You want to think about ancient ideas.
You want to be someplace where it’s okay to laugh. And cry. At the same time.
You yearn to just sit for a minute, in quiet.
You need to sing, not just in the shower, with other people.
You want to connect to something larger than yourself and figure out a way to bring more love to the world.
Come to worship, to coffee hour, to discussion groups.
Come and bring all your questions, your bruises, your dreams.
Come as you are. You’re welcome here
Sunday Worship: What to Expect
9:30 a.m.
Worship is the most radical thing we do. There is no to-do list. No multi-tasking. Nothing required of us…except to show up. And when we show up, we find music old and new, readings from scripture and contemporary texts, people to support and challenge us, sunlight and silence. God is there, too. God is everywhere, but sometimes in the sacred space of the sanctuary we finally have a moment to notice.
We gather for worship at 9:30 am every Sunday (see summer information below). Everyone is invited to participate fully; worship comes with no requirements about age, beliefs, membership, or baptism. We’ll guide you through worship if it’s unfamiliar to you, and if there is any part you don’t want to participate in, that’s fine too. You’ll notice that some folks dress up for worship, others are casual, but please come as you are!
Children and youth are active participants in our worshipping community, whether they are lighting candles or sharing their thoughts or singing in the choir. Most Sundays there is Sunday School programming for elementary age youth halfway through the service. But all ages are also welcome to stay in worship. Nursery care is offered throughout the service for the youngest in our midst who would like to play together.
Music plays an important role in our worship. Every week we sing together, usually hymns from a book. We generally stand and sing all the verses of a hymn. Think you can’t carry a tune? When we’re all singing together, it’s amazing what we can do!
Volunteers help lead worship by reading, lighting candles, welcoming people, and passing out bulletins (paper brochures that give information relevant to the worship service). There are opportunities throughout the year to participate in a variety of ways in worship. Contact the pastor if you’d like to know more!
Communion
We usually celebrate Communion on the first Sunday of the month. We share grape juice and gluten-free bread. Every other month we come forward to dip the bread in the juice and eat it immediately; on alternate months we are served bread and juice in our seats. This is God’s table, at which all people are welcome.
Accessibility
Our worship space is fully accessible via elevator. We offer large print bulletins and hearing assist devices. If we can help you more fully engage in any way, please let us know.
LIFE EVENTS
Baptism
Baptism is a celebration of God’s love for each of us, just as we are. The person being baptized is blessed with water and words. While we usually baptize infants, any person of any age is welcome to experience this sacred act.
Baptism is sometimes called christening, and is also similar to a baby dedication. Our pastor will happily explain all this and more!
It is our tradition to celebrate baptism within the service of worship, so that the congregation can promise to lift up and support the person being baptized. Private baptisms can be held in special circumstances.
Please contact our pastor to discuss a baptism for yourself or your child. Rev. Cindy will work with your family to create a service that celebrates our relationship with God.
Funerals and Memorial Services
When someone we love dies, we believe it is helpful and important to hold a funeral or a memorial service. These are opportunities to mourn the loss of the person who has died, and celebrate all that they gave us in their lives.
Our pastor works with individuals and families to plan services that reflect the person who has died, that will also be useful to those who are left behind. She is also glad to work with someone in advance of their death, to share their wishes.
Please contact Rev. Cindy to discuss funerals and memorial services.
Weddings
We are delighted to work with couples who are planning a wedding and beginning a marriage!
As an Open and Affirming congregation, we celebrate the marriages of couples of all sexual orientations and identities and gender expressions.
If you’d like to learn more about celebrating your wedding at UCCB, please contact the church office.
Special Services
Longest Night Advent Service
The Christmas season can be a time of light and joy, but also loneliness and grief. This time of commercialism and busyness can leave us hungry for meaning. The Longest Night is a simple service that provides an opportunity to center in and experience the sacred presence. This gathering is designed especially for those dealing with loss or having a difficult time, but all can find comfort in this peaceful service.
Ash Wednesday Lenten Service
We begin the season of Lent with a special meditative service in the evening. This service often begins with a soup supper, and includes prayers, special readings, and meditative music. The palms from last year’s Palm Sunday are burnt to ash, and available for folks who would like to receive them on their forehead or hands. The ashes are a symbol that can be interpreted in many ways, including a recognition that we are all made of dust, but fully loved by God.
Maundy Thursday Holy Week Service
The Thursday before Easter we gather to remember the final events of Jesus’ life. We often begin this service by sharing a meal, before telling the stories of Jesus’ betrayal, arrest and death. The somberness and grief of this service come through the readings and music.
Easter Sunrise Service
We begin Easter day at the top of the hill on Middle Road, where we share music and stories and sing together to welcome Easter. We celebrate communion together and make our way down to the Community Center to share Easter breakfast following the service.
Blessing of the Animals
All God’s creatures are loved at UCCB! We periodically hold a Blessing of the Animals service, where folks can bring their pets to be blessed. Collars and photos stand in for pets who can’t join us in person. Special prayers are offered for pets who have died. We lift up the way God is revealed in furry, feathery, scaly creatures!