Worship

Worship at BPC is joyful, celebratory, informal, and contemporary. Our worship focuses on God - praising God, thanking God, confessing to God and seeking guidance from the Infinite Creator who is the source of all life. Children are welcome and everyone is encouraged to participate, whether through song, prayer, celebrations, litanies, Scripture readings or offerings. In keeping with our belief that the Word of God belongs to the people, we encourage worshippers to bring their own Bibles or to read along in the Bibles provided in the pews.

We especially embrace the God-given gift of music, through which we praise and experience the Holy Spirit, and sing our prayers. Our Chancel Choir, comprised of members of the congregation, purposely wears no robes as a visual reminder that they are as much a part of the congregation as the congregation is part of the choir.

We believe that Baptism and Communion, the two Sacraments observed by Presbyterians, are meant to be shared publicly as symbols of God's presence, and as reminders of God's grace and work in our midst. Baptism occurs as requested.

Communion is celebrated each week in the 8:00 a.m. service and 11th Hour Worship Experience; on the first Sunday of each month at the 9:30 a.m. service and on other special occasions. Because we see the Communion table as the Lord's Table, not ours, we practice an open Communion. All believers in Christ, regardless of their church affiliation or background, are invited to share in Communion.

The time of offering in each worship service is more than just a time for the church to collect money. It is our reminder that all we have is a gift from God, and that we are being asked to return a portion of that back to God's body, the church, to be used for the common good. The offering is also a time of silently re-offering our lives to the living God.

Most BPC worship services end with words of commissioning by the pastor, a reminder to carry our faith with us out into the world. Commissioning sometimes acknowledges special ministries in which people are engaged, and reminds us that all our work in the world is ministry.

For more information on the Worship & Music Ministry, please call the Church Office at (310) 826-5656 or (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).