Page updated 02 May 2021; Burlington Presbyterian Church
♥
Gathered Together
In the Presbyterian tradition, our chief end is to glorify and enjoy God forever. Gathering together for worship is a meaningful way we glorify and enjoy the God who is present and active among us.
To protect the health of our members and friends we are worshiping virtually during the COVID‑19 pandemic. Sunday worship is streamed live via Zoom. We also gather by Zoom for a brief morning prayer service on Tuesdays. You’re welcome to join us using the links below. You’ll find our latest worship bulletin on our News & Events page.
Sunday Morning Worship
10:30 – 11:40 am
Tuesday Morning Prayer
10:00 – 10:25 am
We usually follow the familiar Presbyterian “Service for the Lord’s Day.” Our style is traditional but not stuffy, with a mix of time-honored and contemporary music. We use the Glory to God hymnal. Hymnary.org has information on the hymns in this and many other hymnals.
In worship, we use language about God that is as diverse and varied as in the Bible and our theological traditions. Language about people is also inclusive. We hope all members of the community of faith can recognize themselves as equally included, addressed, and cherished by God.
We celebrate Communion (the Lord’s Supper) on the first Sunday of the month and on other special occasions. When we share the bread and cup in Jesus’ name, “we who are many are one body” (1 Cor. 10:17). All who come to the table are offered the bread and cup, regardless of their age or understanding. While we worship virtually during the pandemic, we still share communion, using elements of bread and cup provided at home.
Here’s an outline of a typical order of worship:
- Welcome & Announcements
- Responsive Call to Worship
- Song
- Prayer of Confession
- Assurance of Forgiveness
- Sharing the Peace of Christ
- Song
- Time for Young People
- Prayer for Illumination
- Scripture Readings
- Sermon
- Affirmation of Faith
- Song
- Prayers of the People
- The Lord’s Prayer
- Communion (monthly)
- Prayer of Dedication
- Blessing and Sending
- Song
♥
The Lord’s Prayer
Christian communities use various translations of the Lord’s Prayer. We use the contemporary English version below. When you pray with us feel welcome to use the version most familiar to you.
Our Father in heaven, holy is your name
Your kin-dom* come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us.
Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil.
For the kin-dom*, the power, and the glory are yours,
Now and forever. Amen
* We use “kin-dom” rather than “kingdom” to emphasize that God’s holy realm is not a hierarchy, based on wealth, status, and domination but an inclusive community where everyone is a beloved child of God. You can learn more about this idea here:
The Kin-dom of Christ
Kin-dom versus Kingdom
From Kingdom to Kin-dom—and Beyond
♥
Lectionary Readings
Scripture readings we use in worship frequently come from the Revised Common Lectionary, a 3-year cycle of readings, used by many Christian churches. The readings are organized around the Christian calendar; a new cycle begins every Advent. Several readings are suggested for each Sunday. We may read one or two selections and use parts of others in prayers & liturgies.
Many worship materials are keyed to the lectionary. You might enjoy Sing for Joy, a weekly broadcast of choral music based on the lectionary passages.
♥
Sunday Worship Recordings
During the Covid-19 pandemic, we’ve been worshiping online using Zoom. We’ve uploaded recordings of our Sunday worship services to Vimeo. You can find links to the recordings and and to the scripture readings used in worship here.
