Worship Services
Sundays at 9:30 am
We gather on Sunday mornings to learn, grow, listen, pray, and play. Since 2020, we have started accomplishing these goals in different ways but the heart of worship remains the same. Sermons seek to connect ancient scripture with life today. We read from the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible, which is an accurate translation in modern language. Our music seeks to reflect the diversity of God’s children and uses primarily inclusive and expansive language in a variety of genres and styles.
Worship Sunday Mornings in person and via Zoom
https://zoom.us/j/92597948446 (updated 3/31/2024)
Please worship via Zoom if you or someone in your household is ill.
A waiting room has been enabled for safety reasons.
Services are recorded and posted to our facebook page and to our website.
Subscribe to our youtube channel:
https://www.youtube.com/@brooksideucc
Communion
On Communion…
Also called the Lord’s Supper or Eucharist, Communion is usually shared in worship on the first Sunday of the month. We remember that in the early church, members broke bread together in their homes celebrating Jesus with ‘agape’ (love) feasts. We believe that this is a symbolic meal of remembrance as we recall the story of the Last Supper and Jesus’ command to ‘do this, in remembrance of me.’ Thus, individuals at home are invited to bless any readily available elements within their own home under the direction of Rev. Nicolette Siragusa. In person, we provide gluten free bread and grape juice.
Life Cycle Events
On Special Services
Weddings, Baptisms*, and Funerals are all important rituals in our lives. If you are in need of assistance for one of these special services, please contact office@brooksidechurch.org and our Pastor will get back to you.
*Baptism marks one’s entrance into the body of Christ, and we affirm the baptisms of other Christian denominations. Regardless of when or where or how you were baptized, we will honor your baptism and do not require you to be re-baptized.
Worshipping with Children
For most of Christian history, families practiced their faith together and attended worship together. However, worship was often geared only towards the adults. The way we welcome children affects their response to church and impacts how they come to understand God and Christ.
At Brookside, we create worship services that are intentionally intergenerational. We strive to find ways for people of all ages and abilities to engage in prayer, praise, learning, and thanksgiving. Whether you prefer to listen, or read, or sing, or move - there is a part of the service that has been created with you and your children in mind.
♥ Children learn by observing your example. Worshipping with your children - whether online or in person - is the best way for them to develop a meaningful faith life. Worshipping with little ones might not be quiet, but they’ll see you and learn that you take your faith seriously.
♥ Sing the hymns (the Bible says ‘make a joyful noise’ so it’s OK if you don’t sing well), pray along, speak the responses, avoid other distractions, etc. Your children will learn how to be a part of the church community from you.
♥ Recognizing that children grow and learn in different ways (e.g. some pay attention while coloring, others stay calmer when their fingers are working), it may be that your children are near you but don’t seem to be paying attention to worship. That’s OK - they’re likely hearing more than you imagine.
♥ Follow-up - talk about the scripture, read the story that night from a Children’s Bible, ask questions about what they heard or learned or saw.
For more information on worshiping with kids, check out this article: http://worshipingwithchildren.blogspot.com/2011/04/why-children-belong-in-sanctuary.html
What should I wear?
Some people come in suit jackets, some come in jeans. Some come with coffee in hand, others wait until fellowship hour. Some dress for special occasions and seasons (such as wearing Red on Pentecost), others dress for work because that’s their next stop.
In short, you will be welcomed as you are because we believe God loves you as you are. We try not to judge.