Page updated 20 December 2025
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This Week at BPC
21–27 December 2025
Advent is about waiting, remembering, hoping for the light of Christ to break into our world once more. As we read the stories of Christ’s birth foretold, we are reminded that he did not come into a world that was at peace, nor into a place that was prepared to receive him. He was born under the rule of an oppressive leader, to parents who were young and poor. His first bed was nothing more than a trough to feed animals. And yet, his parents would keep him safe and ensure that he grew up to fulfill all that was foretold about him.
What makes you feel safe, when the world around you feels scary and uncertain? Where do you go when you need to feel secure and comforted? Sometimes, it is as simple as knowing that someone else is there, on the other end of the line, offering their hand and a listening ear. This poem by Sarah Speed captures that feeling beautifully:
Tethered
When we were children, we fell asleep
with walkie talkies tucked under our pillows.
All that separated us was a bathroom,
a hallway, a few feet of empty space,
but as children, even small distances can feel like miles.
So after the parents whispered prayers over our skinned knees
and spelling tests, after they kissed our sweaty foreheads
and tucked us into bed,
we’d pull the walkie talkies out from under our pillows.
We’d roll the dial on the top of the transceiver.
We’d sputter that invisible tether to life.
And with a few crackles in the quiet of the night,
you’d whisper my name.
I’d press down the button.
I’d promise I was close.
As an adult, I don’t know what ever happened
to those blue-grey walkie talkies.
But I know,
that even today,
if the monsters in the closet feel too real,
and you whisper my name,
I promise I’ll be close.
Prayer by Rev. Sarah A. Speed | A Sanctified Art LLC | sanctifiedart.org
This Week’s Scripture:
Isaiah 41:5-10
Matthew 1:18-25
Download Bulletin for:
21 December 2025
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Christmas Caroling Singalong!
On Sunday, December 21st, the UCC Burlington has invited our church to join them in doing some local caroling at a few stops in Burlington. Come to UCC for pizza and cookies around 11:30 and join in singing festive Christmas songs starting at 12:15.
Deb Raymond is organizing the stops for our merry caravan of carolers. Wear your Christmas sweaters and bring your jingle bells — let’s help to make the season merry and bright! Please note: There will be NO coffee hour after our morning service, so that those who are caroling may make their way over to the UCC.
Christmas Eve Service
Come and worship with us on Christmas Eve at 7:00 PM, where we will see and hear the story of Christmas retold by the children and youth of our church, and join in singing “Silent Night” by candlelight. You are also welcome to join us online over Zoom at the regular Sunday morning worship link (see below).
If you ordered poinsettias, please bring them home with you after the service.
May you have a blessed Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Breakfast Church
Our worship service on the Sunday December 28th, the First Sunday in Christmas will be a casual, warm breakfast in Fellowship Hall. Dress in your comfortable clothes, bring a dish to share, or just bring your appetite! We will gather around the tables at 10:30 and share a simple time of scripture lessons, prayer, and song, followed by enjoying a meal together. This is an all-ages event — No Sunday School class. If you would like to sign up for a specific item, please use the Dec 28 sign up below:
Coffee Hour – November & December 2025
Women’s Bible Study
The Women’s Bible Study group is taking a break during the holidays. We will resume on Thursday, January 8 with a brunch at 10 am in the front classroom or on Zoom. All women are welcome! Please join us!
Winter Worship Assistance!
It’s time to plan our Sundays for the next few months. Below you will find the links to the sign-up sheet for Worship Assistance. Please sign up and help our church to provide great worship services.
Winter Worship Assistance – Jan/Feb 2026
Christmas Joy Offering
THE PERFECT GIFT
When Jesus was born among us, he came as a helpless baby destined to bring joy, peace and salvation to his people. This child, God’s Word made flesh — fully human and fully God — became one of us. One with us. One among us. In all of our vulnerabilities, struggles and triumphs, Jesus became one of us —leading us, knowing us, connecting us to himself and to each other, and offering us his gift of eternal life. The perfect gift.
Through the Christmas Joy Offering, we reflect God’s perfect gift to us, with generous support of church leaders among us — past, present and future — who have pointed us to God. We honor and celebrate leaders like retired pastors, church workers and their families who have faithfully guided and led us but who now find themselves in critical financial need. We honor and celebrate emerging leaders like students in schools and colleges equipping communities of color, who develop leadership skills as they pursue their education and prepare to bring their gifts in service to the world God loves so much. Jesus’ example as a child born to be among us and lead us to eternal life provides a pattern for us to follow as we celebrate those who have led us in the past and will lead us into the future. Through the Christmas Joy Offering, we come together to support past, present and future leaders, embodying God’s perfect gift to us, Jesus Christ.
We will receive the Christmas Joy Offering on December 21st, or at any time this month.
Please give generously!
Nominating Committee
Nominating Committee has been meeting to fill the roles for the next year. We have positions on Session and Deacons open for service. Currently, three of our four Elders are completing their sixth year of service and need to go off of Session. We also have only two active Deacons at present, and we need at least two more.
We are also looking for someone to become the new treasurer of the church, as Jim Brunner has graciously served in the interim treasurer role for the remainder of this year. Session is working to identify a bookkeeping service to help lighten the load of the treasurer role in the new year. If you, or someone you know, might be a good fit for any of these important roles please let Jen Slater (jenmcarver@gmail.com), Sue McGilvray-Rivet (smcgilvrayrivet@gmail.com), or Jen Dewar (yoganana@verizon.net) know. Thank you!
FAITH FORMATION
We have intergenerational, family friendly events planned for each month—invite your neighbors or friends with children to join us!!
Click here to save the dates and stay tuned for more information:
Breakfast Church: Sunday 28 December 2025. A family friendly worship service in Fellowship Hall during our regular worship time of 10:30 am.
Sledding in Simonds Park & lunch with the UCC: Sunday 25 January 2026. After worship.
Church sleep over: Saturday 28 March.
Palm Sunday procession with the UCC: Sunday 29 March. After our Sunday-School-led worship service.
Starting a church garden: Sunday 24 May.
JOIN US THIS WEEK
| Sunday Morning Worship Sunday, 21 Dec 2025, 10:30 am EST |
Christmas Eve Worship
Wednesday, 24 Dec 2025, 7:00 pm EST
Presbyterian Church in Burlington 