Sunday worship services take place from 11:00 a.m. to about 12:15 p.m. If you will be visiting for the first time, please see “Plan Your First Sunday Visit.”

A Typical Worship Service

A typical Sunday worship will include most of the following elements:

Singing Together
Welcome
Music (organ, piano, guitar or other instruments)
Lighting the Chalice
Singing
Time for All Ages (a story)
Continuing the Journey (a reflection from a member of the congregation on the monthly worship theme)
Prayer
Reflection
Music (organ, piano and/or choir)
Sermon
Music
Offering
Singing
Benediction
Musical Benediction

Music can be especially diverse, with a variety of instruments being heard and a range of musical influences and styles. Classical and traditional “church music” is augmented by popular music, spirituals, chants, etc.

Different Kinds of Worship

There are also different kinds of worship. At least 5-6 times a year on Sundays there are intergenerational worship services where the children and youth stay for the whole service and we explore themes and stories that span the generational spectrum. Several times a year we have music services where the choir and a variety of ensembles and soloists are highlighted to convey a worshipful theme.

When the whole congregation or a group within the church gathers for any reason, there are often elements of ritual, such as a chalice lighting and a closing blessing, to remind ourselves that we are in a special, holy place and a covenanted community.

Themes in Worship

Sunday worship services follow broadly around monthly themes. The reason for this is so that a variety of programs throughout the church can plan, prepare and present different ideas on a common theme and encourage broader conversations. For instance, a theme that is covered in Sunday morning worship with adults and in Religious Education with children and youth as well will help stimulate a broader exploration that takes on a life of its own. UUCB does not expect that all the spiritual learning comes from only one part of the church.