News & Events

Page updated 09 January 2026

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 This Week at BPC 
 11–17 January 2026 

“And when Jesus had been baptized, just as he came up from the water, suddenly the heavens were opened to him, and he saw God’s Spirit descending like a dove and alighting on him. And a voice from the heavens said, ‘This is my Son, the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased.’” Matthew 3:16-17

Now that Christmas and Epiphany are past; now that the decorations have come down and been stored away for next year; now that the twinkling lights displayed around our neighborhoods have been darkened, it feels like winter has really taken hold. I managed to take all the ornaments off our tree, but the Christmas tree is still standing in the living room with the lights on. Something about walking past it in the late afternoon when it is dark outside, gives my spirit a little lift. Perhaps I need that little bit of light in these dark days, to encourage and strengthen me. We are only nine days into the new year, and it feels like it’s been a long year already. And yet, I know that the days are getting a bit longer with each passing day, and the winter cold will give way to the new spring growth that lies beneath the hard, frozen ground.

This Sunday, we will remember our baptisms, as we hear the story of Jesus’ baptism by his cousin, John the Baptist. When he first comes to the river to be baptized, John initially tries to prevent him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?”  But Jesus tells him that it must be this way, to “fulfill all righteousness.” And then, as he comes up from the water, the Spirit of God alights on him as a dove, and a voice from the heavens says, “This is my Son, the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased.”

The Beloved of God is a title that belongs to each of us. When we know ourselves to be God’s beloved child, we can see that identity in the face of every stranger whom we meet. The spiritual teacher Henri Nouwen wrote:

“Once we deeply trust that we ourselves are precious in God’s eyes, we are able to recognize the preciousness of others and their unique places in God’s heart.”

In a time when fear and hatred attempt to sow division among us, it is this identity as the Beloved that gives us the strength and courage we need to find the light — in others as well as in ourselves.

Maybe I will leave the tree up, just a little longer.

Star Words: If you missed an opportunity to choose a Star Word for 2026 at last week’s service, they will be available through January at church; or you can email Pastor Trina (pastor@burlingtonpres.org) and she will mail you one!

This week’s scripture readings are:
Psalm 29
Matthew 3:13-17


BPC Bulletin for January 11, 2026: 
https://tinyurl.com/bmsavvp8

ANOUNCEMENTS

Christmas Decorations
Please stay after worship this week to help store our sanctuary Christmas decorations for the season. Your help is deeply appreciated!

Save the Date
Our Annual Meeting is coming up on February 15, following worship. All members of the church are encouraged to attend! Please prayerfully consider serving as a Deacon or Elder in the coming year. The terms of service are flexible (1, 2, or 3-year terms). If you would like to nominate yourself or another member for service, please contact Jen Slater on the Nominating Committee. Thank you!

Sledding at Simonds Park
January 25th 1:30 pm – Bring your sledding equipment, dress warm, and down the hill you go! Meet at Simonds Park at the top of the hill. We will be joining our friends from UCC. We will provide hot chocolate at the top of the hill. If it is raining or snowing hard, this event will be cancelled.

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

New Coffee Hour Schedule
Everyone loves Coffee Hour! If you would like to help provide for people’s new year happiness, please sign up below:

Coffee Hour – January & February 2026

Memorial Service for Bill McPhee
Relatives and friends are invited to attend visitation at Sullivan Funeral Home, 43 Winn St, Burlington, on Thursday, January 15th from 4-7 pm, with a Mason’s Service to be held at 6:30 pm.  Bill’s Memorial Service will be held on Friday, January 16th at 10am at the Presbyterian Church of Burlington, 335 Cambridge St., Burlington. A reception will follow immediately after the service in Fellowship Hall.  At the request of the family, all burial services will be held at a later date in Wisconsin. As an expression of sympathy, in lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Bill’s honor to the Alzheimer’s Association. Bill’s obituary may be found here:

 https://sullivanfuneralhome.net/tribute/details/4428/William-McPhee/obituary.html#tribute-start

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:

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, 11 Jan 2026, 10:30 am EST

Women’s Bible Study
Thursday, 24 Dec 2025, 7:00 pm EST