Bethel UMC Archived Recordings

Sermons of Rev. Laura Beth Fisher
June 17, 2001 to June 9, 2002
Laura's second year at Bethel

The sermons are listed chronologically by the date of the service and are identified by title. In most cases, the scripture passage for each sermon is also shown. Click on the symbol to begin playing an audio recording in another window or tab of your browser. While a sermon recording is playing you can return to this window/tab of your browser to continue viewing it. You should stop the window/tab in which the sermon is playing before playing another recording. Similarly, click on a symbol to view a video clip in another window. Click on a symbol to view a page of pictures for that day from the Digital Photo library.

Links are provided to the bulletin for many services. You may want to view this to see how the service complemented the message and also be aware of other activities at the church. Also, there are no "slides" for the scripture passages so you may want to follow the readings with your own favorite version of the Bible.

(This begins the second year of Laura's pastorate at Bethel)
June 2001
17 - Sermon: Surprised by Grace; Luke 7:36-50
22 - - WFRF Radio Interview in which Laura tells about Bethel, the church of the week, and some of its activities such as the Celebrate Jesus event, Vacation Bible School and July 4th.
23-30 - - Celebrate Jesus - pictures from the Leesburg Mission trip that Laura spoke about. It was also attended by Bethel members: Leonard Holton and Phillip Brown.
24 - Charley Strange spoke today while pastor Laura Beth Fisher and lay persons Leonard Holton and Phillip Brown were participating in the Celebrate Jesus Leesburg Mission, and musicians Greg Tulenko and Craig Zody were performing in the church of former Bethel pastor, Magrey Devega. The service was not taped on this day.

July 2001
Reports From the Field - The persons who were "on mission" last week (see June 24 above) were given opportunities to speak in the Sunday morning service during the first weeks of July.
01 - Scripture: Matthew 5:14-16
.... - Children's Sermon: Witnessing Children
.... - Report from the Field: Greg Tulenko and Craig Zody report on their trip to Tampa
.... - Report from the Field: Phillip Brown reports on his trip to Wildwood UMC
08 - - Report from the Field
.... - Scripture: Matthew 5:14-16
.... - Prayer Concerns (part of the recording that may be of interest to some)
.... - Laura Beth Fisher reports on her experiences with the 1st Eustis Youth team of Celebrate Jesus.
15 - Report from the Field: Leonard Holton spoke of his experiences with the Morrisson UMC team of Celebrate Jesus. Recording problems resulted in the loss of these remarks.
22 - - Visiting Minister
....- - John Fletcher remarks on the Good Samaritan and the Christian life
29 - - Ask, Seek, Knock
.... - - Scripture: Luke 11:5-13 (missing first part)
.... - - Sermon

August 2001
05 - - Love, Betrayal and Redemption
.... - - Scripture: Hosea 1:2-
.... - - Sermon
.... - - Closing chorus, led by Greg Tulenko
12 - - Beyond Salvation
.... - - Scripture Luke 12:35-40
.... - - Sermon:
.... - - Closing Hymn: Love Divine, All Loves Excelling
.... - - Benediction and exit music
19 - - What Pleases God
.... - - Scripture: Isaiah 1:10-20
.... - - Children's Sermon: Upside-Down Christians
.... - - Sermon
26 - Sermon: What's Your Label?; Luke 13:10-17

September 2001
02 - - Muddying the Waters
.... - - Scripture: Jeremiah 2:4-13 (partial)
.... - - Children's Sermon: Living in a "D.O.G." House
.... - - Sermon
09 - - The Cost of Discipleship
.... - - Scripture: Luke 14:25-33
.... - - Children's Sermon: Building a Bridge
.... - - Sermon
The terrorist attack on the World Trade Center in New York and the Pentagon in Washington D.C. took place on Tuesday, Sept 11.
16 - - Our Hope
.... - Scripture: 2 Corinthians 1:2-5
.... - Children's Sermon: unLocking Our Heart
.... - Sermon
23 - - The Privilege of Prayer
.... - Scripture: 1 Timothy 2:1-7
.... - Children's Sermon: A Light of Joy
.... - Sermon
30 - Sermon: Contentment, 1 Timothy, 6:6-19 - no recording

October 2001
07 - - Table of Grace - World Communion Sunday
.... - Scripture: 1 Corinthians 11:23-26
.... - Children's Sermon: Irreversible Processes
.... - Sermon
.... - Special Music: Table of Grace, composed for this service by Greg Tulenko, sung by Nicole Watkins
.... - The Communion Service
14 - - Bethel - Homecoming
.... - Welcome to Homecoming, Announcements
.... - Praise Song: Holy, Holy, Holy
.... - Prayer Time (during this time, there were remembrances of some who died during the past year, including Bea Taylor, Thelma Royce and Beulah McCoy; a chorus and pastoral and Lord's prayer)
.... - Children's Sermon: Deck of Cards
.... - Special Music: "We Sing Alleluia", sung by Robert Brown, Greg Tulenko and Craig Zody
.... - Bethel History Q&A (see bulletin insert)
.... - Sermon: "Bethel", Genesis 28:10-22
.... - Benediction Chorus: Sanctuary
21 - - An Unchanging Standard
.... - - Scripture; 2 Timothy 3:14-4:5
.... - - Sermon
28 - - In Whom Do You Trust?
.... - - Scripture: Luke 18:9-14
.... - - Sermon
.... - - Closing Hymn, Chorus and exit

November 2001
04 - - To All the Saints - All Saints Sunday
.... - - Scripture: Ephesians 1:1-19
.... - - Sermon
11 - - The Small Important Parts?
.... - - Scripture: 1 Corinthians 12:4-26
.... - - Sermon
18 - - Beyond Our Wildest Imaginations
.... - Scripture: Isaiah 65:17-25
.... - Sermon
.... - Sermon
25 - Who Controls Your Life?
.... - - Scripture:Romans 14:7-12
.... - - Sermon

December 2001
02 - - First Sunday of Advent - Chrismon Service - This service has been observed for many years at Bethel, but the format and narratives provided by Laura this year made it an especially memorable event. During the service, each symbol is described, followed by an appropriate scripture, chorus or responsive reading.
.... - Introduction to Chrismons
.... - Nativity Symbols: Epiphany Star,Christmas Rose,Angel
.... - Passion Symbols: Chalice,Lamb,Cross,The Dove & The Shell
.... - Children's time: Symbols and Secret Codes...The Fish
.... - Other Symbols: Chi Rho/Iota Chi/IHS,The Crown
.... - Blessing of the Chrismon Tree
.... - Benediction Chorus: Emmanuel
.... - Exit Music, played by Greg Tulenko
09 - - Second Sunday of Advent - A Season of Hope
.... - - Scripture: Romans 15:4-6,12-13
.... - - Sermon
.... - - Benediction
16 - - Third Sunday of Advent - Redeemed
.... - - Words of Introduction from Guest Speaker: David Sindler
.... - - Sermon: Redeemed, from Isaiah 35
23 - - Fourth Sunday of Advent - A Christmas Story
.... - - Scripture, read from Matthew 1:18-25
.... - - Sermon
24 - Christmas Eve Service - This service featured a parallel reading of the Christmas and Passion narratives, arranged and read by pastor Laura Beth Fisher and her father, Dick Overly. Unfortunately, the service was not recorded.
30 - - What Child is This?
.... - - Scripture: Isaiah 9:2,6-7a
.... - - Sermon

January 2002
06 - - Epiphany Sunday - "Gifts"
.... - - Introduction
.... - - Scripture Matthew 2:1-7
.... - - Sermon
.... - - Closing Hymn
13 - - Mission Statement (concluded on 1/27)
.... - - Sermon:Mission Statement; scripture: Isaiah 42:5-9
20 - Thoughts About Prayer by Charles Strange
.... - - Scripture: Matthew 6:5-18, (read by Leonard Holton)
.... - - Sermon
27 - - Mission Statement - (begun on 01/13)
.... - - Scripture: Isaiah 42:5-9
.... - - Sermon
.... - - Closing Hymn: Freely Freely
.... - - Benediction Chorus: Sanctuary

February 2002
03 - - The Lord Will Provide
.... - - Sermon - (based on retelling of Gen. 22:11-14 written by Joseph Fisher)
10 - - Faith - delivered by Leonard Holton
.... - - Sermon
.... - - Closing Prayer
17 - - Preparing to Hear
.... - - Scripture: Matthew 4:1-11, read by Leonard Holton
.... - - Sermon
24 - - Preparing to Hear - The Meaning of Lent
.... - - Scripture: Matthew 28:18-20
.... - - Children's Sermon: Chopsticks - different doesn't mean wrong
.... - - Sermon

March 2002
03 - - Fasting
.... - - Scripture: Matthew 6:16-18
.... - - Sermon
10 - - Redeemed
.... - - Scripture: John 9:1-7
.... - - Sermon
17 - - Hope in the Face of Hopelessness
.... - - Scripture: Ezekiel 37:1-14
.... - - Sermon
24 - - Palm Sunday - Hosanna in the Highest
.... - (Note: The bulletin has the entire script for the service today.)
.... - Children's Time: An "Interactive" Palm Sunday Story
.... - Special Music: Lamb of God, sung by Greg Tulenko
.... - The Passion Story: from Mark 14-15, read by Laura Beth Fisher, Leonard Holton, Don and Pat Singletary
.... - - Part 1: The Annointing
.... - - Part 2: The Last Supper
.... - - Part 3: In The Garden
.... - - Part 4: The Betrayal, Trial and Crucifixion
.... - - Part 5: The Burial
31 - - Easter Sunday - "Lord of Life"
.... - Easter Sunrise Service
.... - - Praise and Worship singing

"Lord of Life", An Easter Cantata, written by Greg Tulenko for this service, his last as music director at Bethel

Readers: Pat Singletary, Leonard Holton; Singers: Nicole Watkins, Jane Zody, Craig Zody and Robert Brown
- This 32 minute video has the following "scenes"...you may want to move the video player to another "window" so that you can use the offsets,(mm,ss),shown below to follow or advance to a desired scene.

(00:00) The triumphal Entry
(00:27) "Hosanna"
(03:23) The Last Supper
(05:57) "Remember My Love"
(09:20) The Crucifixion
(14:08) "Lamb of God"
(18:45) Meditation at the Cross
(20:22) "Amazing Love"
(25:00) The Empty Tomb
(26:51) "Lord of Life"
(30:26) Closing

April 2002
07 - - A Familiar Parable
.... - (Phillip Brown spoke this day while Laura was visiting with family.)
.... - - Scripture: Matthew 25:14-30, the "Parable of the Talents" (the recording begins in verse 22)
.... - - Sermon (The first part of this was also lost but continues, citing some "difficulties" with this parable relating to our common understanding of "talents")
14 - - The Walk to Emmaus
.... - - Scripture: Luke 24:13-35
.... - - Children's Time: The Triangle
.... - - Sermon
21 - - All Things in Common
.... - - Scripture: Acts 2:42-47
.... - - Children's Time: The Triangle
.... - - Sermon
28 - - Heritage Sunday at Bethel Pond
.... - A video was made of the service and is provided below in several "scenes".
.... - - Welcome
.... - - Introductions of David Sindler and William McCloud
.... - - Birthdays (Sylvia Marsh and Sara Hosig)
.... - - Scripture: Hebrews 12:1-2,read by David Sindler
.... - - Prayer
.... - - Hymns of the Faith: In the Garden
.... - - Anna Hosig was the featured speaker, with remarks about her growth at Bethel
.... - - A Story about Anna, told by Pat Singletary, and the Closing Hymn
.... - - An Announcement

May 2002
05 - Scripture: Sermon on the Mount - Charlie Strange spoke today, while Laura was with the women at Cape San Blas for the Spring retreat. The service was notable for the spontaneous actions of those present...as Mike Wright gave the children's sermon and Julia Hosig gave an invitation for prayer at the altar for Patti Holton, to which the entire congregation responded. In the excitement of the moment, only the scripture reading was recorded.
12 - - Mother's Day
.... - - Scripture: Ruth 1:1-18
.... - - Sermon
19 - - Pentecost - A Birthday Celebration
.... - - Scripture: Acts 2 (selected verses)
.... - - Sermon: Pentecost
.... - - Closing Hymn: Stand Up for Jesus
.... - - Communion service (a problem with the placement of microphones caused an unpleasant echo effect in this recording)
.... - - Benediction and closing chorus: He is Lord
26 - - The Trinity, An Unsolved Mystery
.... - - Scripture 2 Corinthians 13:11-13
.... - - Sermon

June 2002
02 - - God's Garden,
....- - Scripture: 1 Corinthians 3:11-14
....- - Sermon
09 - - Putting Names with Faith
.... - - Scripture, Romans 16:1-16
.... - - Sermon

(This ends the Second year of Laura's pastorate at Bethel)

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